"I do believe that won't ever have to happen, hun," Alden remarked, smirking lightly. He adjusted his glasses to the morning limelight, his eyes popping wide at the new worker names Camilla. "Well, hello, dear~..." he chimed, smiling softly to the girl. 'Sigh. This girl shouldn't be working. She should be at school, bloody hell,' his mind bantered, sighing inwardly. But he wouldn't say anything on it. It was her decision for it, after all. "As dear Riku said, I'm Alden Wayers. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Camilla sensed some shock in Alden's expression. She ignored it and smiled back at him. She wasn't risking questioning anything in the new place. Maybe when she got a little more adjusted she would start to voice her opinions more like she used to. She really wasn't in the mood to start off badly. She was already making pretty good progress with the people here. She didn't want to mess it up. "Hi, Alden." She responded, trying out the name. It seemed like a lot of people around here had names she never heard of. "Nice to meet you too."

It was late. Latoyia grabbed the doorknob to the front door of her apartment, making sure it was closed. Yep. She slowly walked to the stairs and leisurely walked down each step. It was a Saturday today. Latoyia didn't have school today and she had slept in. With no breakfast, she found herself heading towards the teashop.

Latoyia was an extremely skinny girl who had long white-blonde hair and bright purple-colored eyes. If you didn't know her personally, you would probably think she was a middle-schooler. She was very short and petite, but anyone who knew her knew that she was well beyond her teens. Latoyia was actually 20-something years old and her personality fit her age very well. Sometimes, people wondered if she was actually lying about her age and was actually 30 years old.

Latoyia headed towards the teashop, smiling to herself when she saw the "Open" sign. She slowly opened the door and embraced the warm smell of tea that filled her nose as she stepped into the shop. Latoyia walked deeper into the teashop and said, "So what's your recommendation for today?"

Riku looked away from Camilla and Alden at the sound of the door bells jingling again. He smiled brightly as he recognized the girl. He swiveled around and leaned over the counter. "Hello Latoyia, nice to see you today." at her question Riku tilted his head in thought. It was a habit of his that he could never figure out where he'd picked it up from. Recommendation huh?" he turned to look at the chalkboard menu, the one that he cleaned every night and meticulously rewrote with something new everyday. "Well, the pomegranate white tea is a nice drink for someone with a sweet tooth. How does that sound?"

Camilla smiled at the girl that just walked in. Camilla assumed that she must be a regular too considering Riku knew her name. She also wondered if any other people worked at the teashop. Riku seemed to be doing fine on his own. She began to wonder what made him hire her. She really had to stop thinking so much and just go with it. she kept her mouth shut though, just watching the conversation between Riku and this girl who said her name was Latoyia.

Alden let Riku to his job, sipping mildly at his tea, breathing in its soft, yet strong aroma. He never knew why he liked Earl Grey so much. Perhaps his subconscious triggered it from his liking of manga and D. Grey-Man and such. He looked back at Camilla, tilting his head softly, a curious look on his face..."Ahem, Ms. Camilla..." he softly called, smiling in a reassuring manner. "May I ask? Where did, or do, you go go school?"

Camilla eyed Alden strangely at his formality of calling her 'Ms. Camilla'. After all, she was only seventeen. She had to think about this for a second. She didn't want to have anything brought up other than school so she had to choose her words carefully. She smiled at Alden before answering. "Well...before I moved here, I went to South Ridge High a few miles away from here, but I'll be going to Parkmount High School." She explained hoping that it wouldn't trigger any other questions she didn't want to answer-well not now at least. She thought that maybe if she got to know these people better, she would open up a bit more.

"Sounds great." Latoyia sat in the first empty table she saw. She sneaked a look at her watch, wondering if she had time to go shopping for a new outfit today. She decided that she did. One of Latoyia's teachers had assigned a big essay due on very soon, but, what the heck, it could wait. She badly needed an outfit anyways.

A little bored, Latoyia glanced around the shop, taking in all of the new faces. One of the regulars (was his name Alden?) was having a conversation with a new... helper (or maybe a waitress?), Latoyia noticed.

Note to self: ask Riku about it. Latoyia dug through her purse, looking for planner to see if she had anything besides shopping to do. There was nothing, except an unwanted "meeting" with some unimportant person from her school. Latoyia slowly flipped through the planner as she patiently waited for her tea.

Riku hummed to himself as he got out of his seat, excusing himself from Camilla and Alden as he disappeared into the backroom. He pulled out a tea cup and saucer, setting them on the table, now singing softly as he worked on making the tea.

A few minutes later, he reemerged with a fragrant cup of tea in one hand and a small plate of sweets in the other. He made his way over to Latoyia's table and set the food items down with a bright smile. "Here you go love. knowing you, you probably haven't even eaten breakfast yet."

Alden just plainly smiled, sipping his tea once before returning his gaze to the girl. "You seem a big timid, ne?" His hands moved up in a kind of way of saying "but it's not your fault." "I can't blame you, though, you're in a place with new faces practically everyday." He sighed. His personality, in his opinion, was troublesome with social moments at times (perhaps why he wanted to become an artist). "I must be bothering you. You'll have to excuse me..."

Camilla raised an eyebrow at how easily Alden was at figuring her out-well the timid part, at least. She played it off coolly. "Uh, not really. Just around new people, I guess. It takes time for me to get used to things, you know?" She paused. "And no. You're not bothering me. It's nice that the people here are really friendly. It's nice knowing that people care when there's a new girl in town." She paused again contemplating on whether or not she should say more. "I miss everyone back in my old school and everything. Just the town itself...so thanks for being friendly." She smiled decided that she should wait for a response instead of talking further.

Alden smiled at the progress. Just the new person jitters, ne? He understood that completely. "No need to thank me, dear...I should thank you, really." He laughed, leaning back into the chair. "Other than Riku-san, I don't have many friends myself...not even those that are friendly to me." His gaze looked back to the younger girl, his smile sogt. "Just by telling me about yourself I feel better. So, in this case, thank you."

Camilla smiled at Alden. She was kind of surprised that he doesn't have many friends given his friendly nature. "You don't need to thank me." She stated. As the new girl, she felt as if she shouldn't be thanked for anything. After all, she just got here so it's not like she could have done something thank-worthy. But if Alden think she did, then she was going to respect that. "It's not a problem telling you about myself, really." She said. "I guess you just made a new friend."

Latoyia grinned at Riku. "Thanks a bunch." She paused and reached for the tea cup. She slowly sipped it, letting the scent hit her a little bit at a time. "So, uh, who's the new one?" Latoyia gestured towards the girl talking to Alden. Waiting for Riku's response, she glanced at the sweets and tried to pick one to start with. They all looked so good. Latoyia decided on the strawberry roll cake, sitting by itself on the top right hand corner of the plate.

"Oh, she's Camilla~ my new helper~" Riku replied. He turned and tilted his head, watching the girl interact with Alden. "She came in looking for a job, so I just gave one to her." He shrugged then. His logic seemed simple enough to himself. Someone needs a job. You give them a job. No need to fill out forms or anything. Simple.

Alden slowly smiled, closing his eyes once more, inhaling the rich aroma. "I suppose I did, hmm," he remarked, glad that he did. This day was turning out to be a good day after all...
Which reminded him. Didn't he need to do something...? A deal, perhaps...he searched through his messenger bag, finding his small, tattered calender. It was only half way through the year, and yet, it was already so beat up...
Alden gagged...'D-dammit!' he mentally cursed, dropping a tip for Riku and Camilla. "Gomenasai, Riku-san!" he called, rushing out the door to an important transaction of his...

Camilla sat there following the silence of the air from Alden's departure. She didn't know what to do next-like she has been since the second she woke up. Out of reaction, she got out of her seat and walked over to the back. She ran a hand through her wavy auburn hair and sighed. She figured that she could wipe more tables, but that could only keep her busy for so long. She looked around the shop and looked at Latoyia and Riku. She figured she could talk to them in another attempt to make friends...So she proceeded down the shop with a towel in her hand.

"I see," Latoyia said as she swallowed another piece of the strawberry roll cake. Wanting to try a new taste, she picked up her tiny fork and started poking at the medium-sized red velvet cupcake. Apparently, Riku had also figured out that her favorite colors at the moment were red and pink.

After taking a bite out of the cupcake, Latoyia sipped a little more of the pomegranate white tea. The teashop always made the best tea. That's why Latoyia found herself there almost every morning she didn't have school.

Suddenly, Latoyia's blue flip-phone started vibrating in her purse. She immediately opened her phone to check who it was. She sighed. It was that unimportant person from school again. As Camillia walked towards her, Latoyia said, a bit harshly, into her phone, "Hello?" She glanced at the girl and waited for a response from her classmate on the phone.

Camilla stood there awkwardly, seeing that Latoyia was on the phone. She looked out the window and saw a familiar-looking car. She then remembered something. She was supposed to meet with Felix and Keri, her friends. They were visiting to check out her new apartment. She shook her head. She had to call them and tell them that the plans would have to be rescheduled. She didn't want to seem like she was just trying to get an easy job. She continued to look out the window and to her contentment, the car wasn't Felix's. She smiled in relief and resumed her awkward position.

"Yes, this is she." Latoyia paused, listening to the person on the other end of the phone. "Uhh.." She paused again, this time thinking to herself. "I'm actually... busy today. With someone else. Sorry." Latoyia waited for a response. "Okay, see you at school."

She closed her phone and set it on the table. Latoyia took another bite of the red velvet cupcake. She looked at Camilla who was standing there, looking a little awkward.

Latoyia smiled at her and said, "So I hear you're Camilla, Riku's new helper?" She paused. "I'm Latoyia, nice to meet you. And, sorry for eavesdropping before, but you said that you go to South Ridge High? I went there too, all those years back." She grinned at the younger girl.

Camilla grinned at Latoyia. "Yeah. I'm his new...helper, if you call it that." She chucked a bit to herself. "Uh, yeah. I went to South Ridge High." Camilla answered. "And 'all those years back'? Meaning..." She waited for a response. from Latoyia. Then she tried to figure out exactly how old Latoyia was. Obviously 'all those years' was an exaggeration. The oldest Latoyia could possibly be was twenty-five - which Camilla highly doubted. Considering the fact that Latoyia was...friends with Riku, she should be around twenty-one. So 'all those years' probably meant like three years ago, because there was no way Latoyia was forty.

Melia woke up in the morning with the rays of the sun hitting her eyes. She was exhausted, completely jet-lagged for just getting back from Paris just the night before. Melia was a make-up artist, but a very talented one at that. Although to many she did not deserve the fame. Since Melia got popular from doing how-to video's on the internet. She eventually got up, hearing the sounds from her brother downstairs. Melor. Her older brother of coarse, by only a year. They both had the same birthday, which is why most mistook them for twins.

Melia dressed quickly. Wearing something very simple compared to her normal attire. Melia had to changed her style completely in order to get into half of her gigs. Although it was worth it. She was able to give her brother the life they both longed for. Not a rich one, but a comfortable one.

You see, the siblings grew up with no father. And their mother left when Melor was sixteen. He had to get a job at the tea house next door in order to provide for his little sister. Melor never completed high school. Now he is going back for his GED finally. After seven years. Melia headed downstairs of their loft apartment. Melor was laying on the couch in his boxers. A math book in front of him, and himself sleeping.

"Brother." Melia said sweetly. Rubbing her own eyes. He woke up slowly. Stretching hard.

"Morning... oh wait! Check my answers." Melor said to his sister. Holding up a piece of paper with nothing but chicken scratches. Melia took the paper as she went into the kitchen. Checking every single one of his answers. Although found he only had one right.... A small sigh came from her lips. Her brother was not an idiot as many thought. Math had always been a great weakness to him.

"Lets go next door." Melia suggested as she came back into the living room. Grabbing her tote bag filled with make-up of all sorts. She decided to go with a relatively simple look. One that would make her green eyes just pop. She applied her make-up. Just very simple browns and a bright blue.

Melor in the meantime went upstairs. Changing into a pair of dark jeans, and black button up shirt. He also put on a few necklaces and a bulky bracelet before sliding a black light wool coat over his shoulders. For a man, Melor did care deeply for his looks. Although maybe that was just what picked up from his sister. He came down just a second later. "Alright, lets go." The tea shop next door was one Melor visited at least a few times a week. His sister also when she was in town. Before leaving Melia made her brother take his math book. She would tutor him while there. It was a quiet place after all.

After all that the two were finally ready, they went outside and walked the short distance to next door. Wiping their feet at the mat before going inside with the ring of the bell. They had been coming to the building since they were just mere children. Buying sweets with extra quarters and lunch money. They took a look around, Melor being the first one in gave a small wave to the regulars and owner. Then Melia followed the rhythm. The two would appear to be twins. Melor was only slightly taller standing at six feet even. While Melia was just two or three inches shy of his height. The two took a table in the corner. Their usual table when they were together.

Camilla waited for a response, but was instantly sidetracked at the new customer's appearance. She figured that she might as well do Riku a favor. He could continue talking to his friends and she would go serve them. It only seemed fair because he was being so nice to her. Any other place she might have applied for a job at would ask for age, qualifications, and a lot of paperwork. She could have a criminal record, but Riku didn't bother to figure that out - not that she DID have a criminal record. She was very grateful that he gave her the job, though. She would've been looking all over the place for a job and probably not get one until her funding ran out. Her rent could only pay itself for so long. But by the time she did get a job, she'd already be living in the car she didn't have, so she'd be by herself on the street. Her closest friend lived about three or four miles away and it would be a hassle on their parent's part to have her stay there. Her boyfriend couldn't be of much help either considering he already had two roommates. So she was on her own on this one. Riku really saved her. She figured that she would get around to getting him a thank you gift sometime soon.

Camilla slowly approached the table that the new customers were sitting at. She smiled at them politely. "Hi, what would you like today?" She instantly felt as if she might appear to be stupid if taking orders didn't work that way. Everyone else walked up to the counter, but they didn't do that so she was confused. But what else was there to do than just wait for a response? She kept her mouth shut because she thought if she said more, she would make a bigger embarrassment of herself.

Latoyia was taking small bites of her cupcake when Camilla asked her the question about her age. Her mouth was full, so she could not answer. When the new customers came in, Latoyia was about to answer her question. But it seemed that Camilla was eager to help out. "Aww, she left. And I was about to answer her too. Oh well," she said to herself. Latoyia had finished her red velvet cupcake and she was now moving onto the Chocolate Mousse cake. It was the last pastry on the plate so she had to savor this one.

Latoyia looked at Riku. "Hey do you mind doing me a favor?"

((argh Ash-chan~ huge post for me to read :cry: but i'm happy to have you here ^^))

As the girls were interacting Riku had been lost in thought, only reacting when Alden left by raising a hand and nodding his head. When Melia and Melor walked in, Riku decided it was time for him to actually do something. He smiled again at Latoyia. "Yea, sure. What do you need love?" He motioned for her to continue speaking even as he got up to clean up the things Alden had used. He swept the tips into a small box. That would all go to Camilla later, along with her pay for the day.

After depositing the used cup and dishes in the sink in the back of the back room, Riku reemerged, stretching and humming lightly yet again. He made his way over to where Camilla was standing at the sibling's table and threw an arm carelessly across her shoulders. "Hey guys~ I see you've met my awkward little helper?"