"Oh shit. Is it that bad?" he says. And almost veering on worried continues. "Cause otherwise that was a steeler 'Cretia impression. Or Barold maybe? With the glasses and all."

Angus took another breath.

"Yeah. Look, physically sir I'm fine. I have just had one hell of a day is all. Although I might just use mage-foot and go kick Taako's butt next time I see him!" Angus explained.

Then frowned,

"What do you mean by they seemed bummed out?"

"They're bummed out." Merle sighed too and tugged his beard. "Taako's out on the water, surfing his guts out and pretending not to be worried, upset or pissed off. I'm not sure which he is which to be honest. But I know he's gonna ask Krav if they can leave early, it's all over his face. Lup's pissed off and snappy. She was all for kidnapping you for real. Or breaking down your door and apologising face to face? But Barry spoke sense into her. Said you needed time to yourself. After she bounced off your spells twice. They were really strong, kid holy shit? I mean Lup could burst through them if she went full litch mode. But Barry was worried too. Kept doing that thing where he tugs on the back of his mullet you know?"

"Let's see, what else? Hm. Ren's kinda pissed off. And Kravitz is on Lup's side, which is fair. But it also sucks, being Taako's husband and all, so he's sad. Which then made the big guy sad and guilty? Thinking he's on your bad side doing whatever he's done. even though we've tried to tell Mags it's not his fault, but. cos it's about you, he's trying to think up ways to fix it. So now the others are all on the scale of also worried about the same thing too also pissed off at Taako…"

Merle paused a moment then finished with, "and I don't know for sure? But I think he and Lucretia have had another fight too. About you. but neither will say anything. So yeah. Bummed out."

"…Shit." Is all Angus can manage.

"What's eating you anyway?" Merle frowns. "Is this about the coffee shop job?"

"How do you-?" Angus starts. "Oh did Taako tell you then? That I was working there? Or did Lup just 'recommend' it like she has been to everyone? Or was it everyone pretending not to spy on me-?!"

"Oh, good work boy detective." Merle cut in with sarcasm abound. "Mavis told me you were working there ages ago! It's the reaction I got when I brought it up which was more telling. Which is weird cos there's no shame in that kinda work. But I gather Taako's been –!"

he hummed trying to think of what to say.

"You can still swear around me, sir."

"I don't have a good enough swear word to cover it." Merle said. "Ah. But I gathered Taako's been a real dipstick?"

"A what?" Angus frowns, "never mind, yeah he was. Did Taako tell you about today's 'goof'? Did you all have a good laugh about it?"

"No! Well, he didn't put it like that. No one's laughing, weren't you listening?" Merle said. "Taako said he's been banned for life and left it there. Kravitz got it out of him that there was some kinda magic scrap and no one's else is welcome there now. So Taako spoiled it for all of them. And you, I guess? Am I close?"

"Yep." Angus said. "That about covers it."

"What'd that crazy chef do, blow up the shop?" Merle sniggered.

Angus just glared at him. Merle stops laughing.

"Oh he didn't? Did he?" Merle said, "And without me and Magnus?!"

"No. He nearly caused a brawl though. He pushed a customer, knocked another out with a spell and caused a three-way shouting match between him, me, and Mrs Cosie. My boss." Angus explained. "Broke a table, a bunch of cups and some glasses too. The lady he knocked out had to be seen by the healers. "

"Huh. Hm." Merle looked like he expected more. And sat there weighing up what Angus had told him. Granted, when Angus said it aloud; It was pretty tame by Tres Horny Boys standards. No one died for one.

"You didn't get fired, did you?" Merle asked eventually.

"No. Not yet at least. But my boss isn't happy. So maybe." Angus said. And then added, empathising his point with finger with Air quotes, "She 'wants a word' tomorrow."

Merle whistled. "That's never good."

"Yeah, no it's not. No shit Merle."

"Bosses ey? They can be a real pain in -" Merle starts.

"She isn't!" Angus stressed. "Believe me Mrs Cosie is really nice, as a boss. This isn't the first time I'm in trouble because of other people distracting me. and Taako was bang out of order today, trust me. Not to mention that café is Mrs Cosies lively hood. He can't just fuck with someone else's business like that."

"wow either you've grown into cussing or you really are pissed. both? both are good." Merle said. "But hey, if you get fired it's no biggie. No job, no worries. But I bet the Bob could lean pretty heavily on her to give you your job back if you really wanted it?"

"I don't want them to do that." Angus snaps and stands up so fast he bangs a knee. "I don't want to be fired because of my friends or a dad! But I don't want to keep my job because my friends all bully or guilt Mrs Cosie into not firing me. And what if today gets in the papers and ruins her business? I don't care if Taako or the others think it funny or cute! He doesn't even care! He's made me look an idiot!"

"Right. and this?" Merle said unsympathetically and gestured up and down, "This doesn't make you look an idiot?"