z_jay | [Video | January 1st, Afternoon]

Good afternoon, Luceti. Eugene, here, and I hope you're all keeping warm out there. I know many of you are probably still recovering from the solstice celebration earlier this month, or festivities that might preoccupy you during the end of a year and the beginning of the next, but I am in need of a favor from a few of you.

[His smile is hopeful, a little nervous, but not tremendously so. That nervousness does prompt him to lick his lips to wet them, giving a semi-glance offscreen for a moment before continuing.]

I, uh, will need whoever's helping Tasha out with her café to contact me as soon as possible. Nothing's gone wrong, but I think it's a good idea I get to know you all better. I don't think I've met you all just yet. But we can work on fixing that.

Anyway, business is open as usual, if you need a warm drink to keep you from freezing. Drop by, I'd love to have the company! As always, listeners...

[Now his smile is genuine, feeling a little bit of embarrassment since technically the audience was watchers instead of listeners, but old habits die hard.]

Don't do anything crazy, out there. Just kidding-- stay safe.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Hate to bear the news to you but she's not here anymore. Not saying you're not welcome to wait, but you might be waiting unnecessarily.

[It was better not to mince words, in his experience, giving out information clear and concise was his job, after all]

Not here anymore? She stopped working here?

I can promise you she'd never stop working here unless she literally couldn't be here. But she's gone home, and left the care of her coffee shop in the hands of those who worked with her.

[His smile is soft, fond, wistful, because he missed her, and he was certain he wasn't the only one]

So you're looking at the new, de facto owner. Are you sure you don't want anything to drink?

Gone...home?

[Surely he can't hear the glass shattering, because it's all inside of Rue's head, shards and the sound of wings.

She looks very shocked.]

Not too long ago, she left this place in my care. To say it was unexpected is an understatement, but...

[He smiled a little, though it was sad]

Gotta keep this place going. A little bit of her legacy, I suppose.

[Rue spent much of her life striving to hide heartbreak, so it doesn't really show in her face now, after so much practice. It is her wings that move, feathers fluffing like the most ineffective shield against losing a real possibility for-]

I see.

[Offering to replace Tasha in this instance seemed rude to him, and he licked his lips, looking for something to say that could smooth over the awkwardness. Though he suspected that the loss of Tasha was being taken fairly hard. Not necessarily because he could see that, but it was an assumption he'd make]

Well... let me or any of the servers know if we can do anything for you? Sorry, I didn't realize you hadn't heard.

[No one could replace Natasha for her anyway.]

When?

Within the past two days, I can't say when precisely.

[There seemed to be something deeper going on here, and he wasn't sure he should be the person to say this, but...]

I know it's little consolation, but if you do need anything, I'm sure Tasha would like us to provide it for you.

You can't.

[She even shakes her head. This man will not be able to come up with the difference.]

[Unfortunately, then, there wasn't much more he could do except not waste her time, so he paused for a beat before nodding, bending a little to indicate he was taking his leave]

Well, if there is anything we can do, don't hesitate. Sorry to bear this bad news.

[Video | January 1st, Afternoon]

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