Second Chance:
A new announcement on their chalk board about female wait staff soon joining them. A single picture of Mina's first finished uniform with the model's face blackened out was shown. Mina's uniform concept was also shared while information about them being trained wasn't shared. Made a buzz with those regulars who visited the cafe on a weekly basis.
"This is going to boost our already popular status," Angel was still warming up to the idea, "We may need a second hand in the kitchen."
"Why not ask that Makoi girl?" Dann suggested, "She seems to be a natural."
Blush that formed on his face he thought last time he laid eyes on her when she visited him out of worry. She openly took an interest in their current menu from the drinks and food they served. Had him wandering if she was checking out their competition by doing research. Made him tongue tied when he tried to talk about her as his face visually grew red.
"That would be a complete no," Dann knew the way Angel looked, "Why don't we go check this Laurel Leaf out?"
Angel ended up pressing his lips together as his eyes went wide over the offer Dann made when he headed toward the back door. Knowing Cipher and Kai can cover opening shifts without them. Out the door Dann went with Angel struggling after him after he grabbed his stuff. Following him through the usual pathway until they walked on the main road. Going in the direction of the train station without a word being exchanged between them. Made one after the other one that didn't know they were half- brothers.
"You cannot be that nervous in seeing her," Dann commented to Angel, "Someones like Uncles were able to find someone."
"A victim of possession met at a bar visited by a private Military force," Angel reminds him, "The other is the brother so a future senshi."
"As long as they're happy." Dann shrugged.
Only go quiet when he felt like a hypocrite from becoming interested in Makoi without expressing himself. Fact she is always with her brother when he shows up for work is harder on him. Hematite was always business minded and never seemed to give Angel a chance. Got him more and more insecure as he fell further and further behind Dann.
"What's wrong?" Dann noticed Angel was quiet again.
"How were you able to talk to Mina?" Angle recalled Dann meeting her and her brother all in one day, "She's always coming back to our cafe and hanging out at our home."
"I treat her like a human being and not a collectible doll," Dann recalled her face that day, "Just talk to her."
"Talk to her." Angel repeated his words.
This stayed with him long after they got to the station where tickets were bought. Gained the attention of schoolgirls that flocked to Angel and Dann. Pictures were taken and questions were asked about them being available. Had Angel kindly telling each girl that wanted his number a quiet no. Dann gave away Cipher's business cards and told them about their family's cafe. Ended when the two headed to their train platform. Needing to make it to the car and get a seat before they were crowded in. Which got them promised by the school girls about visiting.
Made Angel blush at the thought about total visitors just wanting to see him. He ended up shrinking away from and just following Dann the whole time. Not bothered by being packed in once they found their seats. Out the window he looked when the train started to move forward. Where he zoned out for the rest of their journey to the front door of Laurel Leaf. Leaving Dann to the most of the guiding when they got off the train.
"You ok?" Dan asked him.
He got a teetered hand from Angel when he walked through crosswalks and down side walks. Posing for pictures when someone stopped them for one. Mostly tourists and school children on their way to cram school. Came to an end when the smell of freshly baked bread made with garlic powder, basil, oregano. Entrees Angel's nostrils when he slowly took a breath of air. This was where he separated from Dann when he followed his instincts. Lead not to the front door where customers entered to make orders for freshly baked goods. To the back door of the building that staff used where the kitchen was busy.
He never entered when he heard a roaring laughter of an uncle he never really liked from the kitchen. Had him open the backdoor to find an overly friendly face wearing an apron and chatting up Makoi. She in turn was acting like an absent minded fool with red face and avoiding eye contact. Shy manner in which she acted toward the taller man just angried Angel. Had him forced the door open when he found his voice and a back bone.
8*8
Makoi always knew she had a problem with boys from as far back as she could remember. She started attending daycare alongside her brother and friends. Her mind always went blank over the appearance of the opposite sex. Getting tongued and unable to talk was a treat she shared with mom. Hematite and Nephrite were no help in pointing that out to her. Amiko once asked her if she ever got like this around her father and brother. Left her to nod her head side to side when she thought about it.
How she found herself in the same space as Angel as the two were forced to work together. They were fulfilling a series of large orders without any help. She was doing most of the frosting decorations with frosting bags in hand. Angel was taking names good out of the pans when they were cool. Clunks of pans being tapped on the counter and shaken to loosen baked goods. A part of the noise beside a radio that Angel put on to play in the background. Was in her reaching range, if she wanted to change the channel. Just awkward tension between the two was still there.
"Ever since I was a little girl," She found herself explaining, "Like my mom, I always seem to blank out when I am around men I am not related to. Which my dad and brother think is a joke when I am working or attending school."
"My uncle Sadge has a reputation of flirting and hitting on anything," Kai sighed, "A problem growing up for my mother when our world and Court of Flora still existed. Young men and women in newly established positions of power and were unwed, he slept with and moved on."
"You didn't want that to happen to me?" She felt touched.
"I stayed away from the subject of love since anyone close to legal age for courtship," Kai said to the radio, "He already claimed as a former sex friend or fling."
Makoi felt touched by his vulnerable memory that he shared with her, having her put down her frosting bag. Walking over when he turned off the radio for complete silence. Left him to accept her closeness when she reached up and rested an arm on his. Two got close enough that noses could touch and lips could come together. When the ding of the front counter's bell had the two separating.
"Customer." They both looked toward the front.
He ended up allowing her to handle who was up repeatedly ringing the bell as he finished up. Off came her apron as she made her way toward the front of the bakery. Not ready for who stood upfront as she apologized for the renovation taking place.
"Fun." A man with a dog's head as he tongue hangs out just stood there in shabby clothing.
His attention was clearly focused on Vintage Brass Desk Bell by repeatedly hitting it. Which left Makoi to stand there and wait for him to stop pressing the bell. Channeling her inner zen was slowly becoming a problem for her.
"Sir?" She asked, "How may I help you?"
That the bell ended up getting crushed when slowly the men with dog heads turned to look at her. His tongue got sucked back into his mouth as his dead eyes looked at her. She gulped as she stood her ground while not blinking or breaking eye contact.
"Is there anything in our display case or bread selections that catches your eye?" She asked him.
Up went one of his hands until they came slamming down on the front counter bell with much strength. Which had Makoi on the defensive like she was taught by her father. Trying her best to recall when he taught her when an unruly customer shows up.
"Rude," The person ended up barking at her, "Was having fun."
"Since our bell was to get our attention," She reminded the person, "You want to order anything?"
"Rude. Rude. Rude," The person started growling at her, "Was having fun."
Angel came charging toward the front desk with a pot lid when the dog's head bared their teeth at her. Into the air he jumped with his mouth open and full growl taking over. Only run into solid metal lid snout first and be pushed back behind the front desk. Left him whining when he landed harshly into a table with his backside.
"What spirit is that ?" She asked.
"Jackal," Angel put down the pot lid, "Mind of a wild dog that only thinks of himself."
Way the ears flatten on his head alone left how he slowly crawled back onto his feet from wreckage. Had Angel combing his loose hair back from his face when he took off his apron.
"This is the second time one of them came here," Makoi pointed out, "Most be that's it's a crystal point?"
"Sadly," Angel reached up to his tie clip, "Maybe."
Crackling energy with blinking lights followed Angel morphing into Knight Keraunós with a hood drawn. Before he could leap over the counter to handle Jackie. Makoi reached up with a bare hand without the electrical energy zapping her. Pulled off Knight Keraunós' hood by grabbing the back and pulling.
"Too late to say this," She spoke as loudly as she could, "You look better without the hood."
"Thanks." He blushed.
In those passing seconds her fingers grasping his hood channeled his electricity into her being. Toward her heart and mind the currents flowed and awakened a sleeping power within her. One that brought forth a memory of when she was a small child.
8*8 flashback 8*8
Makoi came across her mother's Crystal Change Rod from one of the draws in her vanity. She ran around her parents' large room treating the item like a wand. Acting like she was a magical princess about to cast her spell. When a voice deep within her called to her, One that came in a ball of green light with ribbon like wings appearing before her. Telling her a path of a future senshi lays out before her and will wait for her.
Put a smile on her face before her mother walked into the room and saw this scene. Waiting for the ball of light to fade so she could approach her daughter. Take the Crystal Change Rod from her small hands and put it back. Not ready for her daughter to awaken yet as a senshi and face the darkness of the world. Sighed and turned back toward her daughter with a fake smile.
"I saw a mini you mommy." She happily squealed.
"That you'll see … when you get older." She offered her hand.
She then kneeled down as she kissed her daughter on the forehead after parting her bangs. Before pulling away and asking her who wanted to play with. Her older brother in their play room or her daddy's in his study.
8*8 flashback 8*8
Outline her mother's kiss appeared on her forehead as she heard that familiar voice long ago. Who drew out her Transformation Rod from a hidden locket in her skirt.
"Repeat these words," Her fairy friend told her, "Jupiter Power, Make Up."
Makoi, not waiting a second more, took hold of that Transformation Rod and yelled those words. Allowing a wave after wave of electrical energy surrounded her. Her rose earrings were the only civilian part of her that was left as she now wears a gold tiara on her forehead. Her standard Sailor uniform is dark green as the dominant color (skirt, collar, tiara stone, choker, glove ends, boots and the front brooch). Her front and back bow share the color of pink. Her boots just go a bit over the ankle, have a heel and can be tied with white laces.
"Welcome new Soldier of Protection." A voice happily squealed.
Fairy wished her luck before disappearing completely from her sights until she was left alone. Left her to make her way over to the other side of the counter. Where a minor fight was taking place between Jackal and Knight Keraunós. Left scorch marks around a trashed dining area.
"Jupiter double thunder," She triggered a small antenna to extend from the middle of her tiara. Pulling electrical energy forth until two rolling spheres appeared before her. Grow in size of two basketballs that crackled with energy. She tossed out toward the Jackal from behind and the confrontation. Allowing him to continue to be shocked while she tended to Knight Keraunós.
8*8
Makoi wore her new waitress uniform with a new form of conference from greeting a customer to dropping off an order. Made her the second most popular one besides Mina still in training.
"You shouldn't mope," Dann placed a large cinnamon roll made with orange zest and mango, "She just takes to it more naturally."
"Not helping." She looked at the tasty treat.
"Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses," He wished he could explain better, "Your uniform design works while she works wonderfully in it."
"I dislike you." She took that fork from him.
She ended up eating the new treat Angel made while describing what she liked or didn't like about it. Which Dann recorded while a customer walked up to the front counter. Noticed the sweet picture of the female staff that was introduced in a display. Mina and Makoi came in colored frames next to the guys that were on the clock.
"May I help you?" He asked the customer.
Mina was left to finish eating the cinnamon roll without an interruption until the plate was empty. Down went her fork when she swallowed with her mouth closed as she sighed. Wishing she didn't finish eating like she did when she saw no crumb was left.
"Have a nice day." Makoi saw a few customers out.
She even posed for a picture when they took out their phones when she held open the door. She wore her best smile when the flashes went off and her image was captured.
"Come back with me and tell Angel what you thought of the cinnamon roll." Dann asked Mina.
