Double Feature

Chapter 1

Maggie Halifax had been at Night Raven College for over a full semester. Winter was finally giving away to spring and she wanted to go see the near by town's weekend farmer market. By a small miracle she had convinced Azul Ashengrotto to make with her. Azul didn't come alone, of course the Leech twins Jade and Floyd joined them.

"This is all quite lovely." Maggie commented as she pushed a stray honey brown lock behind her ear. She fought the urge to readjust her headband. She didn't have a lot in her closet but she did have a few cute things now thanks to her friendship with Vil and Rook. This outfit was one of her favorite. She was still bundled up due to the weather barely cracking 60 degrees but her purple ombre chunky cardigan that she wore over a cream colored turtleneck and black slacks with cute cream ankle boots.

"Indeed." Azul agreed as he closely strolled beside her. He had chosen to wear black slacks with a line and bubble pattern a black sweater over a white button up but he still had his gray great overcoat around his shoulders.

Floyd who reminded Maggie of a kid at a candy store. He seemed to want to try everything and look at everything. "Let's go look at that stand Shrimpy." Floyd said as he butting in between Maggie and Azul. He had grabbed her upper arm and pulled her over to a nearby stand filled with different knickknacks. He was the most flamboyant dressed. He wore black sweat pants with a white stripe down the leg an Under the Sea shirt under his neon green and blue windbreak jacket.

Jade hovered behind Azul as he chuckled. He wore light gray cargo pants with a black and dark gray patch work jacket. "Floyd seems to be in a very good mood today. Who knew a farmer's market would interest him so much."

"I don't think it's the activity but the company." Azul grumbled as he followed behind Floyd and Maggie.

"Perhaps, but isn't that why you agreed to this outing as well?" Jade countered.

Azul just glared at Jade.

"Oh isn't this so cute?" Maggie said holding up a necklace that had a scallop shell pendent on it. She pushed on the side and it popped open to reveal a watch face. "Oh that makes it even better." Maggie smiled as she looked at it closer.

"Why's that?" Floyd asked more interested in her treasure than the others on the table.

"Because it's cute and practical." She replied.

"The miss has a good eye. That piece is only 20 madol." The owner stated.

"Let me see it." Azul said holding his hand out.

She handed it over to him as Jade tried to distract her. "Is anything else you like here?" He asked.

'It's a bit old but not an antique. Most likely a replica. 20 madol is a fair deal.' Azul thought as he put it back on the table and pulled out his wallet.

"Would the young lady like a box?" The owner asked pulling her attention to the interaction.

"Oh Azul you didn't have to do that. But no box please." Maggie stated blushing as she picked the necklace off the table and immediately put it on.

"Thank you Azul." She beamed at him.

"It's nothing." He blushed and muttered as he looked away as she grinned down her new watch necklace.

Towards the end of the farmer's market was the main street of the town that was lined with more shops, restaurants and cafes.

A cafe with an emerald oning caught Maggie's sea form green eyes. The name of the cafe was printed on both side and front of the oning, The Conch. She stopped in front of it and was scanning over the menu. "It has seafood." She stated as she pointed at one of the options.

"Is this where you want to eat lunch then?" Jade asked as he looked over her shoulder at the limited menu.

"Yes, I love the Mostro but let's try something new." She said then leaned in closer to Jade and whispered. "And we can check out the competition."

"My thoughts exactly." Jade grinned.

"Let's grab a table then." Floyd said dragging the group inside past the small empty outdoor seating area.

"Please just grab a table!" A voice called out from behind the counter.

"They must have just opened for the day." Azul commented as they sat in a corner booth.

They picked up the menus that were tucked into a holder in the wall and began to look them over when their waiter walked up to give them each a glass of water. "Hello, I'm Riele and I'll be your server today." A red haired young man introduced himself. He had vivid green eyes that seemed to be as sunny as his smile. He wore gray slack and a white button up with rolled up sleeve under an overall emerald apron.

"Riele?" Azul gasped. "You work here?" Azul asked quickly trying to recover his composure.

"Oh I'm the owner. One of my waiters called in sick so I'm covering for them. How have you guys been?" Riele asked smiling at the group.

"We're well." Azul answered.

"Wonderful, would you like something to drink besides water or do you need more time with the menu?" He asked.

"I would like a mocha macchiato." Maggie stated smiling back at him.

"Two please." Floyd added.

"Just a regular macchiato for me please." Jade said.

"Earl gray tea." Azul said not looking up from his menu.

"Alright." Riele said and handed back to behind the counter.

"Isn't that the Prince you said you went to school with?" Maggie asked as she peaked over her menu at the Octa-Trio.

"Yes.' Azul grumbled. "We should just get our drinks and leave."

"We said we wanted to check out the competition? Even more reason to now." Maggie countered quietly.

"Shrimpy isn't as sweet as she leads on." Floyd grinned.

Before Maggie could reply the cafe door flung open and Neige LeBlanche entered. He looked flustered as he began to strip off his over sized red coat.

Riele popped from behind the counter at the noise. "Thanks for coming in on such short notice." He called out then went back to making the coffees.

"No problem. I'm sorry it took me so long to get here. Dominic passes on his apologizes for calling out." Neige said as he handed towards the back.

Maggie sank in her seat a bit as Neige went by.

"What's wrong?" Jade chuckled.

"I'm met him before at the SDC. I'm not a fan but he seemed to like me." Maggie whispered as she sat up fully now that he was gone.

"Oh someone you don't like without knowing. That seems usually." Jade commented.

"Yeah, I've only ever heard you bad mouth the sea loin." Floyd said.

"Can we talk about this later?" Azul hissed as Neige and Riele came towards the table carrying the drinks.

"Oh it's you again. Hello." Neige said as he placed her drink down in front of her.

"Hello." She replied giving him her best customer service smile.

"Riele this is Maggie Halifax. I met her when I did the SDC she was Vil's manager. Rumor is she was back up for the team as well." Neige explained.

'Where did he hear that ridiculous rumor?' Maggie thought as she tried to keep a straight face.

"A back up for Vil Schoeniet's group? You must be quite talented. That was such a close competition. The closest ever." Riele said.

"I was more manager than anything else." Maggie assured them. 'And house mother, my poor dorm is still in shambles.' Maggie thought.

"Oh I'm looking for a singer for next Friday night. The usual called out due to the cold that's going around the school. He doesn't think he'll be well by then." Riele explained.

"Friday night?" Maggie asked biting her lip. "I think I might have a prior engagement that night. Do you have a business card?"

"Yes of course let me get you one." Riele said walking away from the table.

"Are you ready to order any food?" Neige asked as he took out a pad of paper and pen.

"I think we'll just have the drinks thank you. So if we could just settle our bill." Azul stated as he tried to glare at the raven haired boy.

"Alright then. I'll be right back with the bill." Neige said as he left the table.

"We're not discussing this here." Azul growled and Maggie just nodded.

They quickly drank their coffees as Neige brought them their bill and they gave him cash to cover it and a tip.

"Here we go a business card. Sorry it took so long, my office is a bit of a mess." Riele joked as he handed her a business card the same shade as his hair.

"It wouldn't be like that if you didn't keep so much in there." Neige gently ribbed as he walked away from the table.

"Please call me as soon as you know if you can do it. My customers will be disappointed if I have to cancel Friday night's live music. I'm sure you would knock their socks off." Riele beamed at her.

"Thanks you. I'll you know by the end of the day." Maggie said as she got up from the table and shook his hand.

"Come on Shrimpy." Floyd said as he escorted her towards the door.

"See ya later guys." Riele said as he waved looking a bit confused at their reaction.

Thanks for reading. I hope you enjoyed this first chapter. This will be a short fanfiction just 4 or 5 chapters. I need a break from my other long running fanfiction. I was a Octa-Trio fan before my other loves of Diasomnia and Pomefoire. It was nice to go back and write a simple fanfiction with Azul and my first OC Maggie.