Morning Cofee Anyone? (Open)

[AALEKH KASWALA]

Aalekh was enjoying himself right now, actually that was a lie. He was pretty bored sitting here by himself in a starbucks just waiting for them to finish his coffee. He always thought of starbucks as some sort of place that people could meet and stuff but today it was just a slow day. The employees were taking forever to make his frap too, he just wanted to sit down relax drink his frap and concoct a plan for the day but currently the latter was difficult since he didn’t actually have anyone to hang out with. He hoped someone would indulge his boredom at some point.

It was even worse than originally planned since the whole place was almost empty today. There were only a few customers and they were all in discussions of their own. He though deeply about this whole setup and about the human in general. They didn’t seem to notice any changes or slights in their everyday lives even though demons were everywhere. It made him happy to be an exorcist; he could live his life knowing that these oblivious people would live under someone’s wing.

It would be nice if he an exorcist to talk to, Aalekh had to refrain from summoning Marid or Fid since both of them were crazy annoying. He liked them both in their own special ways and their arrogance tended to not really phase him anymore, maybe when he had first discovered them but now all was normal in the world or at least how normal it could be in such a fucked up place. Someone called out his order number so he walked towards the counter and got it but it seemed that someone else had also ordered something and hadn’t picked it up yet he picked it up and began scouring the store for whoevers drink it was.

[JUST BLAKE]

he wouldn't rank starbucks as one as humanity's greatest achievements.

maybe it'd get commendations. honours in the the spades. or, at the very least, a gold star with 'nice try' on it and along with the status as a minor mortal miracle, if just for the triple alliteration. if only for admiring its sheer determination in the art of being definitely everywhere but that was an easy crack at 'em; hey, in the genie's time in the twenty first century just had learn to appreciate chains in all their glory.

plus their coffee wasn't too bad. just'd think he'd cope; it did its job for what he needed which was a kick to get through the rest of the day - something that constituted as hopefully leaving before eight, watching reality tv and suspending some twenty-something gymnast's corpse from a ceiling. the last part was all going to be very, very good. he'd been planning it with delicacy, waiting patiently - not his usual style, but it'd be worth it. he'd had his eye on this guy for quite some time now - would-be olympiad. not for much longer, mind ya. it was all very charming stuff.

enough of that, though, where was that coffee.

it was only then just took a moment to look up from his blackberry, eyes rather dismissively looking around. it seemed like there was nothing to collect on the basis that someone else had seen to such. politeness? eh, it wasn't too much, but supposed he should be thankful. hell, maybe the other wasn't even holding his coffee but among other activities of the day including some early morning perjury, premeditating murder and making plans to watch jerseyshore stealing coffee was probably the least of his crimes to be worried about.

should probably do away with the whole 'invisibility' deal in the first place, though, if just not to leave the kid looking around too long. sharply whistling to draw attention from the other there was a vague wave, if just made slightly ineffective due to having to keep a thick, manilla file held beneath his arm. he was slouching against a table he had judged it too much to sit down - something maybe the other had passed a bit ago but, honestly, just hadn't been paying the slightest bit of attention. a hand went to straighten the tie - all part of a expensive suit, mind you - while the other went down to slip his blackberry away in the shirt jacket pocket, “fancy givin' me my coffee?”

not much to look at. late teen, student or something he assumed, “you get points for… well, pointless altruism, i guess. and a thanks.” eh, he wasn't so much of a fan of such manufactured stumbling over words but he'd let it fly, giving the other a grin.

“fancy givin' me your name too?” at least the other would be a fair bit of distraction before he'd have to go back to case files. starbucks maybe wasn't the best achievement mankind had done but it had gave half an opportunity to mess with a couple of humans in a break, who knew.

[AALEKH KASWALA]

Aalekh heard a whistle that was obviously meant for him, it seemed the mysterious coffee recipient had made an effort to show himself. This was the life wasn’t it, all these normal people that had no real problems and didn’t have to face life-threatening situations near every day. Aalekh for one had to face literal demons that haunted people’s closets at night. He wasn’t one to indulge in petty things like coffee while the world suffered under a constant threat. He didn’t find all demons to be as repulsive as some exorcists did, it was their own society down there and his right was solely to kill the ones who caused trouble.

Aalekh located the source of the whistle which was a rather clean cut man holding a manila folder. Aalekh made some observations trying to know him before he did anything rash. First off the Manila folder hinted to some kind of more business related job, a private investigator or even a lawyer could fit the bill. His clean cut suit indicated his obvious affinity for wealth; he was a wealthy man which meant that his job made him a lot of money. Lawyer seemed to be the most suitable fit of a man like him but in all entirety it was possible that he had some kind of other job, high ranking businessman also fit that bill. Aalekh knew quite a lot about business seeing as he was no stranger to wealth.

Aalekh approached him with an air of casual disregard, it was best that he not make a fool of himself here, this man seemed to look like the judgmental type and Aalekh did not want to strike the wrong cord. He approached the man who was leaning on a table opposed to sitting which was pretty odd to Aalekh but it wasn’t his place to judge because someone was leaning instead of sitting. Aalekh noticed him slip his phone away and ask for his coffee. Aalekh obliged him by handing the man his coffee. ”Yeah sure, here you go mr….?” Aalekh asked in inquisitively since Aalekh wanted to know his name.

you get points for… well, pointless altruism, i guess. and a thanks.

”I wasn’t trying to be altruistic and in all honestly because I was looking for someone to talk to but thanks anyways.” Aalekh said giving a small chuckle. ”My names Aalekh I go to that fancy rich kids school, True cross, what bout you?” Aalekh said giving another smile. It was funny how people didn’t even realize the real motives behind true cross academy, its actual purpose another thing that they should be happy about. It was better if everything stayed that way he didn’t want people to look at him weird for going to that school. That was if it could be called a school opposed to a prison where they taught you how to throw your life away for a cause that could all be utter bullshit.

[JUST BLAKE]

the other was expecting an introduction with the coffee it seemed; apparently just wasn't the other one with second motives, however much those motives had been made from boredom. seemed a little presumptuous for a kid - no, very presumptuous. he didn't like it from the other. it was alright when just himself did it, though. despite that as he took the coffee there was a thankful smile, bringing it close. he made no movement, instead laughing pretty openly at the other's boldness, “delacroix, mister delacroix.” he was pretty proud of how he half-mangled the pronunciation of the french surname, it , “but, hey, no need to be formal and go with titles. you used to 'em? just james'll do.”

james delacroix? not his best, just had to say he was pretty disappointed in his choice, but it'd do. the words were accompanied an easygoing tone with a relaxed shrug there was another noise of amusement at the next part, "and i'm the lucky guy, huh? 'fraid you didn't exactly hit any kinda luck in speaking to me, though." he spoke good-natured, only grinning for the other, but he paused to he heft himself off leaning on the table. instead he slammed the manilla folder down against the table; - not intentionally, it seemed the files' weight prevented anything graceful or quiet - and sat, coffee placed on the table if only after a quick drink. after that just lazily gestured towards the chair opposite, "if you're gonna be like that want a seat?"

the name aalekh got no reaction. true cross, on the other hand, got a glance up from the coffee. fancy rich kids school maybe; recognition of the name spread across the man's expression. a normal citizen definitely woulda heard of that place he was sure but to a demon it wasn't exactly uncommon what the place was.

fancy that. an exorcist just brought him his coffee. if only that was how most meetings with those religious zealots usually went down. just might have been more inclined to make his presence known then.

"you mean that flashy place just off the bay? no shit," just seemed a little disbelieving as took the time to size up the other. no visible weapons, mental sigh of relief there, but he'd had little contact with exorcists in his time in santa prospera - there was almost no experience had he had with modern exorcists from which he could draw from. at least it was a student - hey, he could make do with that, "kudos to you, then. y'know, for being a fancy rich kid. they don't have a starbucks there or nothing?" queried back in what he did there was another lax shrug, even if like he say, the kid was being bold (but apparently honest so, hey, it wasn't a big deal right now). he would just have be careful.

"a little too old to be going anywhere. i work in hr," human resources. just liked the irony, "i wasn't kidding when i said you hadn't struck anything good, kid. must pale in comparison to that ritzy school, huh?" his tone was never bitter but, if anything, continuously playful.

"what's it like there anyway?"

[AALEKH KASWALA]

Right off the bat this man was beginning to bullshit Aalekh. Aalekh was an incredibly suspicious person to begin but this dudes reluctance to share his actual name was making him more suspicious to who he really was. He gave a name like James Delacroix it was hard to see how Aalekh didn’t believe him. The only fault he had made was strangling the sounds, anyone with a keen ear or at least some knowledge of French knew with absolute certainty that this man was not pronouncing it right which led to the assumption that this man did not even know his last name, the least he could have done was say it right.

Aalekh wasn’t going to pursue the guy on the matter, he didn’t want to tell Aalekh his name completely understandable. Aalekh acted calm and collected like he normally did and gave a mundane response. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Mr. Delacroix.” Aalekh emphasized the last saying it correctly instead of the way James had said it. He said a few words before slamming his folder on the table and telling Aalekh to slide in comfortably with him, Aalekh did exactly that and slid into the sit opposite of James looking him dead in the face.

The name True cross seemed to change his expression for a bit, this was all Aalekh needed. This man knew more because most people wouldn’t be taken aghast or even surprised at the mention of True cross academy. Most people would have shrugged or not really given a reaction, it was just a rich kids school where they learned different things than most. This man had a change in reaction even if it was slight there was a high probability that this man knew exactly what True cross academy was and knew more than most with the high likelihood of him being some kind of demon or professional but Aalekh wasn’t going to jump to conclusions just yet.

He watched as the man talked listening to every word waiting for him to give better proof of the knowledge that Aalekh had acquired. He talked about that place like everyone knew what and where was, which most people did. He wasn’t showing any telltale signs of anything really, not of being a professional or being a demon. It seemed that he was taking it slow, trying to slowly fool Aalekh into thinking that he was just a normal citizen like everyone else. No demons or exorcists involved whatsoever, just another normal man talking in a starbucks over some Coffee with a stranger. ”HR eh, don’t worry you’re not the worst I could be talking to right now.” Aalekh gave a shudder as he thought of one person in particular.

"what's it like there anyway?

”It’s kind of religious with exorcism, I don’t really believe in it unlike everyone who seems to like being spoon fed everything, it’s like watching the daily news during elections, it’s all so biased, I just happen to be one of the few who can think for themselves, what about you, what’s HR like.” Aalekh was trying to incite some kind of reaction to see if he knew anything specific, Right now Aalekh was leaning towards assuming that he was a professional.

[JUST BLAKE]

a pleasure to meet him? polite still, kinda boring, but polite. the other's emphasised pronunciation of the last name was what he wanted to hear though and got a decisively amused reaction; he was laugh, his host woulda laughed anyway, and there was only glee in his face as he parroted back, “the pleasure's all mine but pretty sure i'm gonna have to correct you right off the bat; it's just delacroix.” distinctly ~incorrect once again. just seemed to half titter at the correction, "de-luh-krux. it's easier that way."

was the intenseness just part of this exorcist package? just was fairly uneasy at the look he was getting as the other sat - one of continuously staring straight at him - and was pretty sure that was something that unnerved most humans. was it the done thing in starbucks? just was gonna go with no for this and regarded the other with a fairly uncertain look, "you okay? or just something on my face?"

eh, probably nothing. he'd just credit it down to another personality trait the exorcist kid had along with that bizarre lack of human tact. like what he said next as just made yet another sound of amusement and the affronted look was obviously feigned, "jeez, i'll take that a compliment then? i think i was going for a "hey no man hr's pretty sweet don't go sayin' that"." he was pretty sure the people who actually worked in hr needed the moral boosts anyway.

just took an interest in how the other ended that sentiment though. aalekh had said "not the worst" - specific? the djinni was half-interested how james delacroix classy hr guy panned out in comparison to someone else, "just playin', but i know you aren't doing any of that. are you trying not to talk to someone?"

the next part, oh boy. "never woulda taken a school for exorcists to be religious, huh?" the sarcasm was good-natured and just didn't think it too facetious to start off the reply with that. because, really, what had come next was a gold mine. just was proud of how he somehow managed to keep his straight-face - maybe shouldn't have been considering it was something his host had been so proud of too, keeping it up through the lying - but what the other was saying was just unbelievable. had he hit the jackpot - y'know, the one pertaining kid exorcists with big egos?

seriously, though, was this for real? he actually had luck, fancy that now.

"'one of the few', huh?" it was for real. there was glee in his voice - you'd have to argue that when wasn't there as just kept up the humour in tone as he continued, "i'm glad you can resist the status quo. defy it, even. that make you a better exorcist, you think?" a little direct but, hey, he was gonna take lessons in tact from this kid today. the query after his own question got a shrug, "what about me? you mean, in regards to how i think for myself?"

"that question's way better than the other one where you ask me about about hr," just added exasperation towards the end of the sentence in regards to his supposed hr work, just felt it'd be a bit more real that way, "i think, as tend to do for myself, that you need to give your fellow exorcists a bit more credit." 'fellow exorcists' substituting the usual 'humans are brilliant' tune he sung about mortal's wonderful freewill and thinkin' but he'd edit a little for this performance. it felt half wrong praising but he'd make do, "you're just one of the many thinkin' exorcists. i can assure you that."

just doubted they were words that'd sink in but his usual alternative method of teaching people their lessons weren't exactly starbucks-suitable.

[AALEKH KASWALA]

The guy seemed rather amused at his reaction. Instead of giving him the signal that he messed up on this whole face he gave him something equally as surprising. Apparently that was how the name was meant to be said an odd one for sure. He was trying so hard to see through this guy but it was just hard, like he was an impenetrable freaking wall he had all the stops and everything planned out if this guy was bluffing he was an incredible liar. It was no doubt that he was a skilled one. ”Why you’re an odd one for sureMr. Delacroix.” Aalekh emphasized the last name once more but added a slight skeptical tone to it.

Aalekh snapped out of his intense gaze, he was making his inquisitive way to obvious, he had to play it cool and smart, this guy shouldn’t know that he was being evaluated right now, there was a bit of skepticism of this dudes real identity but simply summoning a demon to figure this out would scare half the people at starbucks. Neither his snake nor his fox would be welcome around here and fid wasn’t going to show her human form around this dude. ”Yeah you got a little something right here.” Aalekh circled around his own face pointing out the entire face. He gave a chuckle at his joke.

Aalekh took a sip of his Frappuccino in order to seem more relaxed and casual this one was going to be tough to crack not that he ever really tried to see through people. It was another thing from being suspicious from the beginning, he doubted the man’s genuineness and wasn’t believing a single thing of what he was telling him, it was that one reaction that set him off and it was going to be a hell of a conversation from here on out. ” well if that’s what you want to hear then ‘no man hr's pretty sweet don't go sayin' that’.” Aalekh gave another well-meaning laugh to lighten the mood a bit more, this may be a little too tense, being relaxed always led to finding things out easier.

”If it was possible to avoid her I would but she is practically a part of me, as much as I can’t stand her shes a friend ya know.” He said with a little less shuddering and a little more cheerfulness to his tone, God knows how annoying fid was but she was one of his closest friends even if he didn’t like to admit it. She would always be there for him, mostly because he summoned her but that was beside the point, they were both friends. He answered this question a lot more cheerful and less critical like before, he had to keep up a face just as much as this guy.

”As much as I’d love to praise myself for this I can only help feel weaker, I can’t give my best to a cause I can’t completely believe in, a conundrum if there ever was one.” He said in a sigh. It was true that is what he thought but he wasn’t arrogant at all, those were simply his talents and his fellow students deserved as much credit as him. ”Im sure it is, wouldn’t want to bore you know would I.” This was an interesting conversation indeed, a deep conversation about exorcism and free thinking with a stranger he was trying desperately to see through.
The guy seemed to think that he was insulting his fellow students with his little speech on free thinking. That wasn’t the case he simply didn’t want to fall into such a lie, it wasn’t like him. ”They do deserve credits, the lot of them are smart intelligent individuals and they can give themselves to a cause, that is a good thing at least they have something to believe, it satisfies them I just don’t have the same tastes, I just can’t believe and in a sense I am the one lacking the inferior, I can’t find bliss in ignorance whereas they can, There content and they are completely satisfied with that but I do not share the same tastes, It is a difference in preferences not intelligence.” Aalekh said in one go, a good speech if there ever was. He felt sad in some ways, he couldn’t find himself to be at peace to him it was a war to try and figure out what really happened. ”If I was to better myself above my peers I would be vain and that is not a good trait to have.” he said adding a little bit more. Maybe this would draw some kind of reaction but it was doubtful if anything.

Aalekh took another tentative sip of his Frappuccino Aalekh had enough questioning to do It was time for the man to ask some questions of his own.

[JUST BLAKE]

“odd one?” just mirrored not only the words but the other's skeptical tone. it wasn't something that stayed as he continued, however; instead there was a far more playful ring that bordered on the flirtatious, “oh, you flatter me mr kaswala,” and aalekh's surname got its own treatment of mispronunciation. just made no attempt of making it subtle that he was enjoying doing that ridiculous amounts. whoever thought mispronouncing things could prove such a challenge to humans, “but i bet you say that to all the guys you bring coffee in starbucks. i mean, is this your usual gig?” there was a gesture to his own drink before continuing, “you bring someone their coffee and stare at 'em for a bit? have to let ya down; i'm already taken. recently engaged, in fact. better luck next time kid.”

the others attempt at a humour didn't get a laugh, though. it's response was a shrug and while the demon's grin was still there it was pretty evident just didn't find aalekh as funny as himself, “cute. i think a face comes standard with the whole human body.” was he pushing it there? well, just was assured he was safe enough for now.

the kid seemed to be relaxing at last, though. the whole formality thing was entertaining but didn't seem right out of someone ten years beneath just's vessel so he was going to look over the other's 'joking' issues. that being said he actually laughed, “i'm really convinced when you say it like that.” sarcasm again but he seemed to be brightening up more than anything, “but maybe inject a little more feelin' next time. a little more believability. and some pizzazz. everything could use a little more of that. i didn't quite feel it in my heart,” another shrug but more relaxed as he started leaning back in his chair, “'m kiddin', though. hr ain't that bad at all. sometimes, anyway. but, like i said, bet that's not the sort of thing you've got in your horizons. after all, i've never met a part-time hr rep, part-time exorcist but there's always time to, right?”

just found it hard to be particularly invested in aalekh's relationship but he gave a nod anyway, “i getcha. kinda weird, but i getcha - i'm sure it's a deep enough relationship for you anyway. good to have those, then. or is it more than friends? kinda sounds like it.” his implication was obvious enough but just sounded genuinely curious.

the demon was far more interested in what the kid had to say after, though. just kept reserved in his reactions for the short while, anyway, and it was hard to determine what he thought of what the other was saying at the beginning, “the cause of true cross bein' the whole exorcism-keeps-people-safe shtick? what can't you believe about that?” a laugh; he found the others sigh pretty entertaining and just couldn't hold it in, “you've really got a conundrum there, then.” the other's apparent courtesy got a roll of his eyes but was all light-hearted. still leaning back in his chair fairly dangerously, he slapped a hand over the manilla folder, “really, kid, i've got,” a move to check his watch on his other wrist before continuing, “time to waste and a folder fulla sexual harassment to ignore. by all means, go ahead.”

just had to admit, though, in all his time in a human vessel he'd never heard 'bliss in ignorance' used seriously by another human. he remained silent when the other finished, however. a hand went up, motioning for the other to wait a sec as just drunk a little more of his coffee.

“so in layman's terms, you're too lazy to fight demons? or you just prefer 'em?” once that was over he questioned simply, looking bemused at the other, “kudos to you, then. questioning what those other exorcists don't.” he sounded disappointed. he usually preferred the long-winded, philosophical humans even if he was becoming somewhat blasé about the morality thing they still had going. such a shame.

“the verdict on you being vain ain't out yet, kid. you're not the judge here.”