Disclaimer: Standard disclaimer here, I wish I owned Slayers and everything with it, but I don't. If I was making money off this, I'd be rich...but I'm not. I'm just a poor college student with too much free time.
Blind Leap of Creativity - Chapter 6
"Mor…"
A blur of red flew by, flashing past the table and out the door before he could finish speaking.
"…ning." He finished lamely, fixing the door with a blank stare. Turning back to his breakfast, he noticed the state of the table.
Blinking, Zelgadis took a moment to rub any stray sleep from his eyes. Opening them again, he gave a small shudder. The table, which a moment before had held two entire meals for breakfast, was currently spotless. All glasses, his included, had been drained of liquid. Likewise, each plate was spotless, leaving him unsure if cooking the food was nothing but some sleep-inspired dream.
Carefully picking up his mug, Zelgadis eyed the bit of plaster warily. If Lina could consume two meals that quickly as a mortal, he thanked whatever god might be listening that she didn't have any muse abilities backing her.
"I pray this world never discovers magic…I don't even want to think about what she'd be like then!"
- - -
"Thank you for coming, have a nice day!" Turning, Lina beamed at the next customer. "Hello there, welcome to Ceiphied's! How many in your party today?"
The gaggle of cheerleaders smiled, several giggling among themselves. It took a lot of effort, but Lina managed to keep her welcome smile in place and her hand at her side, despite how much it itched to beat some sense into the girls. Generally Sunday was the slowest day of the week, but the local high school had been forced to postpone their big Saturday game - and that had led to the current mob of people wanting food. Judging by how happy the new arrivals were, she assumed their team had won the game.
"Table for eight, please!" One of the girls finally answered, almost bouncing in place with energy.
Lina couldn't keep from twitching a bit. "Sure…right this way."
Grabbing the necessary menus, Lina started off without a backward glance. Already another group had entered the doors and she didn't have the time to spare. Experience let her wend her way past overfilled tables and crowded booths, dodging various customers as they flitted between tables of friends, others heading to and from the restrooms.
Picking one of the few corner booths left, she distributed the menus much the same as dealt cards, turning to smile just as the girls caught up with her.
"Martina will be your server today, enjoy."
Lina started walking away before the girls could comment. Instead of returning to her post at the door, she detoured into the kitchen for a moment.
There was something comforting about the hidden half of Ceiphied's. Chaos always ran rampant there, but it was like some wild dance that everyone enjoyed. Servers ran to and fro, twirling around each other while juggling various orders. Chefs flew between cooking areas, tending stoves and grills like a witch to a cauldron. The sounds of chopping knives, hissing steam, and beeping microwaves formed an almost musical background. All in all it was overwhelming, but at the same time it was like a second home. Instead of a canvas done up in a riot of color, it was a room overflowing with a riot of creation.
It didn't take long for Lina to spot a familiar batch of dark hair. Waving one arm above her head, Lina intruded a bit more on the cooking frenzy.
"Sylphiel!"
The woman looked up in response to hearing her name called, not that such a thing was uncommon. Despite her age, Sylphiel had already worked her way up to the head chef position, a role shared with one other, an older man that worked the night shift. Not that anyone doubted Sylphiel's qualifications. Her father had been a well-respected local chef and it surprised no one to see his daughter following in his footsteps. It helped that she had such a kind, yet professional, personality.
Breaking away from a pair of younger cooks, she made her way over to Lina, a bright smile on her face. It was infectious, and Lina found herself returning it by the time Sylphiel arrived. Her friend always seemed so happy, even though she'd seen Lina at the start of their shift, her current smile was as bright as if they'd been separated for weeks. If only Sylphiel had been her sister instead of Luna…just the sheer amount of support and comfort her friend was capable of…maybe she never would have given up on singing. On the other hand, it was turning to art that had introduced them in the first place.
"Lina, good to see you!" She looked around, trying to be sneaky. The effect was ruined by her bright smile. "Are you back here to sneak a free meal?"
Biting back a laugh, Lina tried to feign innocence. "Me? Honestly Sylphiel, how can you accuse me of something like that?"
"Experience."
Lina stuck out her tongue when a nearby cook snickered. The entire staff was familiar with her love of food, especially Sylphiel's. It was a long running joke that more of Lina's paycheck went to meals at Ceiphied's than bills for her home.
"Actually, I wanted to know if you're going on break soon." She grinned slyly. "But now that you've mentioned food…"
Her friend chuckled. "I'll bring something out for you, don't worry. Ten minutes sound good?"
"Okay, I'll wait at our usual table. See you then!"
- - -
"Lina?"
"I'm on break!" She snapped, daring Martina to contradict her. The younger girl hated working the front, only waitresses received tips after all.
Scowling, Lina slipped away just as another family walked in. By the time Martina finished with them, she'd be safely tucked away at her usual table waiting for Sylphiel. No one would intrude on a shared break with Sylphiel…well, unless the kitchen was on fire and in danger of destroying the restaurant.
In general the staff at Ceiphied's looked out for both Sylphiel and Lina. They weren't the typical high school part-timers. They were both in college, trying to pay the bills by working themselves to the bone. Aside from full-time shifts at the restaurant, both sold their artwork, a feat that took a lot more hours than most thought. If you really wanted to create something worth buying, you had to put a lot behind it. For Lina that meant working with Filia part time, creating paintings to sell at the various art fairs during the year, and offering year-round commissions. For Sylphiel that meant working on her books, hiring out to do murals, selling at the same fairs Lina did, and offering a similar commission schedule. Throw school work on top of that…most of the older staff made it their mission to see both girls take each and every break they were offered.
Smiling over her successful escape, Lina slid into the booth half of one of the back tables. Years ago Lina and Sylphiel had claimed the table for themselves, as it was the closest to the kitchens and the furthest from other customers. No one else used the table; it was warm due to its proximity to so much cooking, it was noisy for the same reason. If something came up, Sylphiel could dart back into the kitchen quickly, but on the other hand she had an easier time sneaking food out. Of course it was that last reason that meant the most to Lina, but that was besides the point.
As usual, Lina heard Sylphiel before she saw her. Opening the kitchen door led to a noticeable increase in sound. It could have been a waitress coming or going, but somehow Lina always knew when it was her friend.
Sure enough, a moment later she rounded the corner, two trays of food balanced on her arms. Smiling brightly, she set one in front of Lina, placing the other in front of her own chair. Lina had half the food gone by the time Sylphiel had taken her own seat.
"Can you even taste the food, Lina?"
Lina grinned at the tease, slowing down long enough to answer. "Of course! I know you cooked this, Sylphiel. You finished it a few minutes ago, using five spices and three sauces, but Zangulus worked on the salad."
"How did you know?"
"He uses more pepper than you do."
"And the rest?"
Lina shrugged. "Experience." Then she went back to her meal, finishing it off in moments.
Once done, Lina was up for actual conversation. While Sylphiel tackled her meal at a far more normal pace, two ruby eyes regarded her a moment, debating on bringing up one particular subject.
Lina had never been one to back down from anything, awkward subjects included.
"Sylphiel…do you believe in muses?"
The question came out in a rush and it took a moment for the other woman to put it all together. Once properly translated, she nodded, looking up from her meal.
"Yes, I certainly do. Actually, a lot of people do. Why do you ask?"
"Well, I guess I never really thought about it much before the other day. I tried asking Filia about it, but she really doesn't believe in them in the mythological sense."
"I'm not surprised. She's always been one for a more practical approach. I guess you could consider me a bit of a romantic…I've always liked the idea of a being that exists solely to inspire creativity. That is a wonderful gift and a blessed purpose."
Lina fidgeted a bit, thinking about her houseguest. It was hard to think of someone so…annoying as the type of being Sylphiel described. Briefly she thought back to the painting from the other day. She was modest enough to admit that she couldn't have painted that on her own. Zel's influence had made the difference. Maybe she was crazy, or had been around paint fumes just a bit too often. Suddenly the idea of a muse living in her home seemed even more impossible than ever.
Flushing a bit, Lina realized she'd missed a question from Sylphiel.
"Sorry, what was that?"
Her friend smiled gently. "I asked why you brought it up all of a sudden. You always struck me more as someone who approached things from a practical angle."
"Well, the other day I finished a painting…two actually, that are definitely a cut above the rest of my work. I'm just trying to figure out why. I don't really feel inspired."
Lina regretted the words even as they left her mouth. When Sylphiel's eyes started to sparkle, she suffered a flash of guilt at her lie.
"You finished another two paintings? May I see them?"
Unable to think of a good excuse, Lina gave in. "…Sure. They're at -" She suddenly remembered Zel. "Actually, can I bring them by your place later? It's a mess at home."
"Certainly! Tonight at nine?" Sylphiel paused a moment, head tilted in thought. "My roommate will be home, is it a problem if she sees them?"
"Not at all. Amelia is nice, our sisters were friends way back when. I wouldn't want to exclude her."
They both got up, each getting ready for their respective jobs. "I'll see you tonight then, thanks Lina."
"…Don't mention it."
I know I certainly won't be mentioning it to a certain muse at home.