A new Arrival at the Mysterious Wish Shop [Closed]

[yuuwish]

Who: Akira Hayama, Yuuko Ichihara and Clow Reed (closed).
Where: The Mysterious Wish Shop in Fayren.
When: Just an ordinary day, right about now.
What: Akira arrives to the shop, looking for a job. Yuuko happens to be looking for a servant/slave/Watanuki ersatz chef.
Warnings: PG-13. Some teasing, Yuuko being Yuuko. But fortunately Clow is here to keep her in check.

Yuuko was sitting on a black rocking chair on the front porch of the Mysterious Wish Shop, smoking a cigarette. She was wearing an elegant long sleeved purple kimono with blue butterflies on it and adorned with a large golden sash. Her long black hair was put up into a loose bun, held in place by several richly engraved golden and silver hairpins. Her legs were crossed causing the bottom of the kimono to part slightly revealing long thin legs from the knee down to the foot. Next to her was a small table set for tea time and two empty chairs.

"Hurry back with the tea, Clow" she whispered, looking in the distance, as she let some ashes fall from the cigarette she held via a long black cigarette-holder. A small smile started curling her lips. "Or else you're going to miss the beginning of the show."

Izaya Yayoi, their part-time maid and cook, had been increasingly busy lately and Yuuko and Clow weren't going to ask her to overlook her otherwise important obligations to come work at the Shop. It had been part of the deal to begin with, after all.

That said they still needed help. A chef, someone who would do grocery shop and maybe tidy the place a little bit too. But Yuuko was not one to go look for people, except for a few exceptions she could count on the fingers of a single hand. No. She believed in Fate, or Hitsuzen as she would call it. Things that were meant to happen would happen. You just had to wait for them to happen and be ready when they did.

The Witch of Time could tell 'he' was going to appear at the corner of the road any time now. She didn't know who he was and admittedly she was pretty curious about him. But at least she didn't have to worry about welcoming the wrong person. Only the ones who were meant to come to the shop could see it, after all. That's why the on-going situation with the Hands of Decay was never truly an issue for Yuuko and Clow.

Yuuko smiled and looked towards the Shop's door as Clow finally made his appearance with the steaming tea pot. "You're going to miss not having to brew your own tea anymore, aren't you?"

Comments

[reedfate]

The scent of burning tobacco was one Clow was used to at this point. At least Yuuko was classy enough to choose the highest quality of tobacco, to the point that it even had a rather pleasant smell, than just smelling like smoke. Business had been slow at the Mysterious Wish Shop, thanks in no small part to the Hands of Decay. They were safe there; to even find it, not only do you have to already know where it is, but have a reason for going. The Hands had neither, and even if they did, Clow and Yuuko were more than capable of defending themselves, either if neither of them were in any hurry to start a fight.

No sooner had Yuuko asked him to hurry back with the tea did he appear in the doorway with it. He was clad in a simple blue robe, emblazoned with a design of the sun on the back and the oversized sleeves underneath the forearms. He brought the tea pot to a small table near the rocking chair, and took a seat in a nearby wooden lawn chair, pouring Yuuko and his cups.

"Perhaps not, if our new friend is capable of doing it right," he answered. If not, well, he'd learn. Brewing a good pot of tea wasn't exactly difficult, after all. "He'll make it here safely. That said, I do hope someone takes care of those Hands of Decay people soon." He's even been tempted to get involved, himself, but he resists it. It's usually the sort of thing he'd send Yue and Cerberus to deal with, before Sakura took her rightful place as the heir of the Clow Cards. Of course, the Sakura here isn't the Sakura he knew. He really should get in touch with her, now that he thinks about it.

"And you? Are you going to miss going shopping, or taking turns cooking?"

Not that they can't go shopping when they feel like it, but cooking sort of defeats the purpose of hiring a chef, except for his days off.

[fragrantic]

In the endeavor of finding somewhere to work with cooking - and in particular, somewhere that wasn't a shop where he would have to work for either Yukihira or Kurokiba - Akira had been searching for any place that might be hiring. This far he had been out of luck and he was starting to wonder how many chefs actually lived in this place. Was that why his classmates had opened their own shop?

He had chosen to wear his school uniform for the endeavor, since for this sort of situation, it was the best alternative out of the pieces of clothing that he owned. It was important to look proper when you were doing things like looking for a job or going to important meetings. It was something that he always had to point out to Jun because she was careless and clumsy with a lot of things. Having had to keep an eye on her had at least made him good at taking care of others, ever since he was taken in by her.

Did he pass this street before while he as getting to know it? He's pretty sure he did. He stops in front of the unfamiliar building, because he really can't remember seeing it before. Or the people in front of it. He inclines his head in lieu of a bow. "Good afternoon," he greets. It's sort of interesting, and odd. He usually didn't miss entire buildings.

[yuuwish]

"If I am going to miss going shopping or cooking?"

Yuuko gave Clow a nonplussed look, as if she was wondering if he was being sarcastic. Yuuko being Yuuko, going shopping meant she was barely walking by Clow, looking for new clothes or perfume or jewelry - basically anything but groceries - while letting him carry all the packages. Same thing for cooking. Taking turns meant she would actually do it once a week, twice at most, and stick to the basics like putting meals from the catering menu into plates and such. Really there was not much to miss. But if she had to be honest, she liked living with Clow like a married couple. After all the years they'd had to wait to be reunited. So yes, yes maybe she was going to miss it.

"Well I guess we can still go shopping for other things anyway. And there are always the weekends or whatever days our new cook will request off."

She said that casually but Clow would know better. She briefly laced the fingers of her free hand with Clow's after he sat beside her, and then she noticed Akira and she leaned forward, studying him like the cat studies the mouse. When he was close enough to greet them, she resumed her nonchalant posture.

"Good afternoon, young man." Yuuko answered pleasantly. "Welcome to our shop," she said gesturing vaguely in the direction of the building behind them with the tip of her smoking cigarette.

This boy reminded her of Watanuki with his school uniform. A Watanuki with longer and fairer hair, no glasses and without the always present grumpy or embarrassed look on his face. Yeah, if he was indeed coming here for what she thought he was coming for, he might actually do.

"Is there anything in particular we can help you with today?" she asked for the sake of pretending she was just a normal shop owner.

[reedfate]

Clow just smiled as Yuuko spoke. It was true; he did carry the bags. In truth, he actually liked it, and there was no reason they couldn't do it anymore. Whatever reservations he might have had about being with her again, after what he had done to her, were gone now. She had made it clear that she doesn't hold it against him; if she had any negative feelings about basically being turned into a zombie, she didn't let it show. She was supposed to die that day, and simply by thinking she would open her eyes again, she was trapped between life and death, unable to die, causing irreparable damage to fate itself.

But she didn't care. In fact, it might have even turned out for the best. Without him doing that, Watanuki never would have met her. And it isn't as if she could stay dead here, anyway. He had no reason not to be with her. He never stopped loving her, after all.

And there he was. His hand squeezed hers as he sat down, bespectacled eyes falling upon their guest. He said nothing as Yuuko greeted him, only smiling that typical Clow Reed smile.

"Yes, welcome," he greeted, still smiling ear to ear. "Would you like a cup of tea?" Were there three cups sitting there before? Because if there weren't, there are now. And one was empty.

[fragrantic]

The way he was observed wasn't an unnerving one, like the looks he could get when he lived on the street. Nor a competitive one, like a lot of people in school looked at him. Taking first place in the Autumn Election had made those sort of looks increase to most of the student population, even if there were not all that many that he would consider a challenge. Kurokiba, Yukihira and Nakiri Erina were the biggest ones, probably, although he had never had a shokugeki with either Nakiri girl in his year. But Erina was still the tenth seat of the Elite Ten, which made her the only one ranked above him in their year.

He took in the front of the shop further, as he stepped closer. He could not stop wondering how he could have missed it until now. He knew that this was a weird place though, and supposed that he might be able to figure out the reason eventually. Did they usually expect company though? He had not paid any attention to the amount of cups so he had not noticed if there had been two on the table before. "Ah.. Sure.." He had not really thought people other than Jun would offer strangers tea. "You don't happen to be looking for a chef or cook or something?" He had been a little thrown off by the sudden offer of tea but it was best to be straight forward--he had always been straight forward, anyway, even as a kid living on the street. He didn't even know what kind of shop it was that these people were running but you could always take a chance.

Sorry about this is late...

[yuuwish]

"A chef, you say?" Yuuko pressed a thoughtful finger against her chin, as if she was pondering his request, "Funny you'd ask that." She gives Clow a knowing glance. "We actually are. Preferably a full time one but we'd settle for part time."

It was funny how strangely at ease this young man already seemed to feel. But it was a good point as far as the position he was applying for went. Not being easily fazed by unusual things was always a plus when you decided to work at the Mysterious Wish Shop.

She takes a sip of tea, setting her cigarette down for a moment as she does. "Do you have any references?"

A name would help too.

[reedfate]

The fact that he was even here at all meant that his words were true. The Hands of Decay, or someone who wasn't a customer or looking for a job, couldn't even find the Mysterious Wish Shop, much less find them. It would just look like an empty lot. Such was their magic. One had to be guided by fate to find them, which was fitting enough, considering the nature of the business they did here.

"As a matter of fact, yes," he concurred with Yuuko, pouring Akira a cup of tea. Were Akira to take a sip, it would be strong; local herbs from Fayren, if Akira had tasted it before.

"A chef, a grocer... someone to help around the house with errands, mostly. We do have a business to run, after all." He'd wait to discuss payment and benefits until after he answered Yuuko's question.

[fragrantic]

"Really?" That was great though, if they would hire him. It would be nice to have a stable place of work and a way to pay rent properly, and save up for a greenhouse so he could grow his own spices like he did at Shiomi Seminar. "I don't have a preference, no, full time would be fine with me."

Even before he actually tasted the tea, he could tell each herb apart. He might not know the names of all of them if there are herbs that doesn't exist in his world in it, but his nose is really good and it's one of the reasons why he has become such an excellent chef despite his young age.

Chef, grocer, errands.. Well. "I do those sort of things for Jun all the time at home, so it's nothing I don't have experience in." As for references... "I haven't worked anywhere here before since I haven't been here for very long but I am the second best student in my year at Tootsuki Culinary Academy which is my world's top culinary school. I haven't had any shokugeki with the one that's number one yet, though." He wants to test his skills against Nakiri Erina's. "And if you'd like to try something of mine before deciding, that would be fine too." And also understandable, and he thinks it would be required. Just going by reference isn't an entirely good idea, since there are some bogus people out there and it's always best to test the chef's food to know that they're really good.

[yuuwish]

"Is that so?" Yuuko sounded impressed. She turned to Clow. "Do you hear that, darling? One of the best students of a highly reputed culinary school. I guess references are kinda unnecessary in that case, aren't they?"

She stretched one of her long pale leg from under the table, causing the bottom of her kimono to part a little and reveal a bit of her slender thighs. Whether she was doing it on purpose to test Akira's reaction or just because she was not self-conscious enough to care. Probably a bit of both. Yuuko was known to be a tease, as Akira would come to find out soon enough.

"And if you don't have a preference, then we'd definitely prefer full-time. That said... before we can formally hire you... you need to tell us your name. Unless you'd rather we choose a nickname for you?"

From the mischievous look she gave him, she might already have thought of a few~

[reedfate]

"I did," he replied, that smile as fixed on his face as ever, as if it were his default facial expression. "I'm already impressed." He already had an idea to test his qualifications; but that could wait, for now. They were still interviewing him.

Clow's eyes lingered on Yuuko's bared thigh before drifiting back to Akira. Yuuko was an incredibly beautiful and sexy woman by all standards. And as Akira was about to find out, just like Watanuki had back in their world, she was well aware of the fact and had no qualm using it to test her employees' self-control.

"I also wouldn't mind tasting your cooking, first," he replied. Not because he didn't believe Akira was a good cook - he had no trouble believing that at all - but, well, what's a job interview without showing your qualifications? "Just a small appetizer would be enough. You're welcome to anything in our pantry. But, do finish your tea, first. It's best when hot."

[fragrantic]

There was no need for her to test him, he’s way too much of a cooking and spice nerd to pay attention to women. Though he wasn’t as deep down in the spice nerd swamp as Jun, because unlike her, he had great grades in all his subjects, and not just in cooking related classes. Still, Akira was way too focused on his cooking. He really could do without nicknames. He had been able to avoid it this far (so to speak; what he was called before he had a name was not something he could call nicknames.) But he has seen that look in Alice’s eyes, he’s pretty sure that she’ll just ignore him if he asks her not to use any nicknames. “It’s Hayama Akira.” He nods. He wouldn’t dream of not letting them try his cooking before they decided if they wanted to hire him. Though he was very confident in his cooking. “Of course, I’ve never tasted tea like this before, are there herbs native to this world in it?”

[yuuwish]

Aww, Akira. You're no fun. If you're not going to at least blush a little bit, then where's the fun for Yuuko in teasing you? She smirked slightly. Sooner or later, she'll find what makes you blush or flail. She always does. She's had a lot of practice. And a nickname was definitely a go. She only needed to find the right one.

"Akira Hayama, huh? ...Which Kanji characters do you use to write your name?"

She whould let Clow answer the question about the tea. He was pretty proud of his special blends of tea, after all.

[reedfate]

Wow. He actually resisted. Color Clow impressed, though he knew Yuuko wasn't going to give up on that. She takes things like this as a challenge, one she was always intent on winning.

"As a matter of fact, yes. Thankfully, the Hands of Decay haven't threatened that business in Fayren." Yet. They're monsters. He wouldn't put it passed them to cross that rubicon of human morality and start targeting tea. "They're native to Fayren. It's something about the special soil they use to grow alchemy regents, which also happen to be very good for growing these tea leaves."

It's even better than the tea from his own world.

[fragrantic]

He wasn’t there to entertain her, he was there to cook and perform other duties that came with the job. “Hayama is written with the kanji for leaf and mountain, and Akira is written with katakana.” He doesn’t want her to mess with those names though. He only got them less than ten years ago, and they meant that he had finally found a place to belong, and finally had a family in professor Hayama and Jun. He has a lot of interest in the topic of the plants, he has been helping Jun cultivate plants that should not be able to grow in Japan or in greenhouses for several years, and he would love to know more. “Really? Do you know if it’s natural soil or if they have used some kind of special mixture?” Of course, the climate was an important factor as well, but so was the soil used.