Chapter Title: Cayne's Cafe
Series Title: Unlikely Brothers
Ages in this chapter: Tanner (20) Dashen (26)
Chapter Summary: Life is changing for the brothers as Dashen considers a new career path. Colton gets a chance to honor his long-passed father.
Two brothers. Unrelated by blood, but in every other way, brothers. On the couch. Kicked back, enjoying a holo-film. Deep in conversation.
"Is it weird, that we still live in the same house? I mean, we're adults. You've been dating Jayla for as long as I can remember, despite regular threats of bodily harm by both Colton and Rosina. I'm a full-fledged teacher now. Most family would have gone their separate ways at this point; definitely most brothers would. I'd call us strange, but we crossed that line a long time ago."
"Ah, finally tired of me, huh, Mouse?"
"Then there's that. I'm twenty, Dash. When does the nickname get retired?"
"You're still kinda small for a guy. Still boring brown hair. You get in and out of tight squeezes quite easily. It still fits. Face it, little brother, you're stuck with that one."
"I never gave you a nickname."
"No, but Colton still calls me an idiot. That's close enough."
"Well, you are that. Kinda."
"See what I mean? How's class going anyway? Kids doing okay?"
"They are. I really love it, Dash. You have no idea."
"Yeah, I think kinda do. That silly grin hasn't come off your face in the two months since you started teaching. Love what you do and do it well. Can't beat that."
"You don't love being a runner anymore, do you?"
"I don't know that I ever loved it. It was entertaining and fun at times. Dangerous more often than not. Occasionally boring. It's not all that fulfilling these days. It sometimes pays well, sometimes pays nothing. I end up under Quin's care in the hospital far more than I'd like. I admit, I've been thinking about trying something different, but my interests are limited, as you know."
"You like working the bar. Maybe Kebrey needs a hand managing things at the Rathskeller. Can't hurt to ask Colt. Worst he can say is no."
"Oh, Tanner, he can say much worse. Do I really want him glaring at me for the next three months?"
"It would be nice if you didn't have to travel as much. And run for your life. You run for your life more than I do and I've always been the one always with the target on his back. How's that for ironic?"
A booming voice comes in behind them. Virgil Colton.
"Irony is you two still on my damn couch how many years after I told you to stay the hell off it?"
"That's not irony, Colt. That's stubbornness."
"And that is why you are forever the idiot, Dash. What was this I hear about you being bored with running? Let's see, you've been doing it since you were fourteen or so and you're the best I have. One of the best on Terra. Rosina has a few on her crew that can kick you into next week, but you're much less lethal."
"I'm not so much bored as… unexcited."
"That's not a word, Dash."
"Shut up, Tanner. And it is a word. Look it up."
Colton stood in front of them, looming. His giant frame always looming.
"I overheard something about the bar. You actually like working the Rathskeller?"
"It's different. Safer too. I don't actually find people as boring as I used to either. It's a thought. Does Kebrey need a hand managing?"
"He does not."
"Oh."
"However. Odd that you bring this up today. I have been toying with the idea of buying another place. The bar on the other side of town is up for sale. I've inquired."
"You've inquired means that you made sure Rosina wasn't aiming for it."
"I did. She's not much into the service business, but it's mostly in territory that she runs for gambling purposes. If you really want to get out of being a runner, I'd be willing to let you try your hand at managing the place. If I buy, it'll be ready for reopening in a few weeks."
"You don't mind me retiring from the running game?"
"I won't lie, I may have to call on you on a rare occasion, but I can't have you getting yourself killed because your head isn't in the game and I've got other runners to fill the gaps now, several that you trained yourself."
"You got a new name in mind for the new place?"
"Indeed I do. I plan on naming it in honor of my father, Cayne Colton."
"Cayne's Place?"
"Too simple?"
"Cayne's Cantina?"
Following the conversation closely, Tanner chimed in. "You're going in the wrong direction. You have the bar thing covered with the Rathskeller. Why not make this place something a little more family oriented. There are so few of those places in main Kaolin. You said it's near Rosina's territory, so you know it's safe even with high stakes gambling nearby. There are more families in Kaolin than maybe you realize, Colt. A place for them to gather and enjoy and spend money... it's not a bad thing. I have the correct name for it too. Cayne's Cafe. Less intimidating than a cantina type atmosphere. I used to fear going in some of those places as a youngling on Coruscant. And for your father, what you've told us about him, he was a good man. Loved his family. Always put them first, especially you and your sisters. What might he think of a cafe where a family could get a decent meal and not feel like they have to watch their backs while they sit for an hour?"
The big man listened intently, arms crossed, interested thoughts roaming his mind at Tanner's words. He nodded finally.
"Always the smart one, aren't you, kid? It's not a bad idea. Would take a bit longer to renovate the place and hire, but it's definitely an idea."
—-
Just a bit over a month later, idea was reality. Kaolin's west side. Cayne's Cafe opened. Dashen Lesedi as manager. Twenty-six and ready for life's next chapter. One with less danger and adventure. One with less chances of getting his head handed to him on a platter or shot in the back by a trigger happy client.
"I like this idea, Tanner. Glad you talked Colton into it. He's never talked much about his family, but I know they were close. I met his dad a few times, but he was sick by then. A good man though. I was a kid, so I didn't know better, but I knew a decent person. One of the few people who actually looked at me and considered me, rather than just blowing me off as a lost cause. This place... it honors him without being overly sentimental. Hey, maybe you can bring your kids here from class. Take them out for a lunch one day."
"Maybe so. A field trip day. We're allowed two of those a year in the curriculum."
"There you go. Of course we have top notch security and best of all, I'm not anywhere near the kitchen."
"Thank the Force for that."
"Oh and that thing you said a while back before this whole cafe thing took over our lives? About is it weird that we as adult brothers still live together? I never did answer that, did I? Well, whatever makes us happiest is what we deserve. We've both had some crappy times in our past and I for one like sharing my life with my brother. We have plenty of time apart and our own places to hide out if needed. And I've not threatened to kill you in over a week. If that's not brotherly love, nothing is. Although, could be that we're a tad bit on the codependent side of things..."
"A tad?"
"Several tads?"
"I don't mind, Dash. If I was still... what I once was... I'd still be working and training to make it to the next step. I'd still be with Ayden working toward my trials. Without that, I have the next best thing. I'm here with my brother supporting him with his new job and hoping it's what he needs in his life because he's earned his next step."
"Thanks, little brother. We're pretty good just the way we are. You a teacher. Me a cafe manager. This place, honoring a man we didn't know well - you, not at all - but a man who's memory is deserving of being placed somewhere other than just hidden in the back of Colton's mind. We're all good and destiny's a funny thing, you know. None of what's happened since the days before Kossi died is anything like I ever would have expected."
"Well, big brother, it looks like you've got a few customers coming in to try out Cayne's Cafe for the first time. You've never been a people person, but even you can't screw this one up."
"You instill such faith in me, Mouse, and you make me want to strangle you at the same time. It's quite the accomplishment."
"I do what I can for my big brother, as he always did for me."
"Not sure if that's a good thing or bad. Oh hey, you want food? Colton told me to put that disgusting crap on the menu that you love so much. That weird purple fruit covered with a puke-green cream sauce. Whatever it's called."
"Casaba."
"Yeah, exactly. Whatever. I will treat you and your entire class of kids to lunch if someone else buys and eats the crap in the first week we're open."
"I'll take that bet. You've never even tried it, how do you know it's disgusting?"
"It's purple and puke-green and smells like feet. That's enough for me."
"But it doesn't taste like feet. It tastes delicious."
"Only in your little dream world does that nasty concoction tasted anywhere close to delicious."
"Try it. You'll like it."
"I'd rather eat your socks, little brother."
"That can be arranged, big brother."
"Oh yeah, let's see you and your scrawny little self try..."
The familiar booming voice of Virgil Colton appeared. "Boys. Or should I say, idiots. Are you actually standing here in my new establishment bickering about eating socks?"
"Dashen started it."
"Did not."
"Did so."
"Did not."
Large hands grabbed them both by the scruff of the neck, lifting them inches off the ground so only their tip toes touched the floor. "Don't make me count to three and toss you through the brand new windows of my brand new cafe. I will, to prove a point. Promise me you will behave like the adults you pretend to be and I will put you down."
In unison. "Promise."
"Good. Now, Dashen, go make me some money. And Tannerlin, go stare at walls or something. Let's see if we can make this a place that my father would have loved to see. I think... I know... he'd be okay with this." Hands that a moment ago held the scruffs of necks, now set on two shoulders, one on each side of his person. "Thank you, boys. For not letting me forget those of our past, those who were so important to making us who we are today. Get us three glasses, Dash..."
Three glasses later, filled with gentle ale's, raised and clinked together. Colton spoke once more.
"A toast to my father and family, Tannerlin's beloved Master Ayden, and Dashen, your much-loved baby brother, Kossi. This place, in a way, belongs to all of them. To family. Past and present. Idiots included, of course."
Smiles all around. Quick hugs to cement it all. Dashen began his first day as cafe manager. Tannerlin offered greetings to customers. Colton watched as a dream he never realized he'd had became reality. Cayne's Cafe was off and running.
END
