This is our fight song

[le_mat]

[Akira wanted to collapse after all that. But... this was what Zombina usually did, and he'll do his best to pick up the slack.

Luckily he's not alone, as Roxy and Max lend hands. And he needs those extra hands, since there's a full pot of curry from the diner that needs to be reheated (day two curry is best curry anyways) and bowls brought down. Not to mention making sure certain people at least make it TO the cafeteria. He'll leave the coffee to Bolton. He leaves those tasks to his helpers while he goes and writes the notes, all tucked under doors like last time:]

There's food in the cafeteria. Please, don't do anything reckless.

[You're one to talk, boyo. Still, as it heats up in the kitchen the smells of curry and coffee at least is a small comfort against the cold empty space outside]

Comments

[dejabrew]

[A mug of creme de menthe hot chocolate slides across the table to her.]

Hey, Ro.

[lmafo]

[ She sets the glass to the side... maybe too quickly? And smiles, or at least puts as much of one on as she can. ]

Sup, B?

[dejabrew]

[He notices, but doesn't say anything.

But he's gonna sit with her for a while to make sure she's okay anyway.]

Hope you're not lactose intolerant. I'll remake it with soy if you want.

[lmafo]

Nah, I'm good with milk.

[ She takes a sip. ]

It's really good.

[dejabrew]

Good, I'm glad you like it.

You mind some company for a while?

[lmafo]

I'd... kind of love it right now, tbh.

[dejabrew]

Then you got it.

Hey... Wanna learn how to work the espresso machine like a barista?

[lmafo]

Holy shit yes, I would love that, actually? Coffee's a... it's a good drink.

[dejabrew]

[He gives her a weary grin, and raps on the table.]

It's even better when you make it yourself. I wouldn't be surprised if Mama Kathy hires you on the spot when I'm done teaching you.

[lmafo]

I messed around with it a little the first week but... mostly I just made coffee mistakes. Coffee crimes. Now I get to do my coffee time.

[dejabrew]

And I'm your...

Parole Coff-icer.

[lmafo]

... You're the fucking best, dude.

[dejabrew]

[He's really not, but.]

Thanks, I try.

[lmafo]

[ I mean... compared to some people Roxy has run into??? ]

Take me in then, Cofficer White. I wanna put the days of my misspent youth behind me.

[dejabrew]

[He gets up from the table, slamming back the rest of his own coffee and pounding the mug solidly on the table.]

Let's go then.

[lmafo]

[ She stands up too, still working on her mug of hot chocolate, but for what it's worth the glass seems pretty much forgotten. ]

Let's.

[dejabrew]

[OKAY SO THIS IS THE ESPRESSO BAR.]

So this is the espresso bar. It pours water through here to pull the shots, and this over here is your steaming wand.

[He puts her in front of it and stands behind her.]

Take one of the metal pitchers and fill it up to the middle line with milk.

[lmafo]

Oh shit there's a wand involved in this biz?

[ THIS IS THE BEST DAY wait no there was a Big Trauma THIS IS A SLIGHTLY COMFORTING THING ON A REALLY SHITTY DAY!!

Anyway, its' milk-fillin time. ]

Alright, all the way up to the middle line with the stuff. What's the next step?

[dejabrew]

Now, grab that handle there - [he reaches around her to tap it.] Twist it to the right, and pull it off.

Then, take the grounds- [He's been at this, so he's pre-ground some coffee.] -and fill that little cup, and then tamp the grounds down with this little flattener.

[lmafo]

Aw yeah, these grounds are gonna get hella flat.

[ She does so! She's pretty good at this mechanical stuff. ]

[dejabrew]

[He grins, watching her do it.]

Now you put it back in, just the same way that you took it out.

And then you pick up the milk pitcher again, and put it up under the steaming wand so that the little holes are submerged, then you pull the handle to start the steam, and tilt the pitcher toward you until it hisses instead of screams. Keep it that way for a couple seconds, and then push it back onto the grate.

[lmafo]

Alright, alright, alright.

[ She hums a little as she keeps following the instructions! ]

I never knew coffee could be so... nuanced.

[dejabrew]

It's all about the little details. Now while that's steaming, pick one or two of the syrups over there to put in it, and then just put... mm, two pumps in.

Then you push this button here, and put the cup under this spout for the shots to pull.

[lmafo]

Oh shit I know what to do for this part, chocolate and caramel. That's the one that wasn't a mistake.

[ She goes to grab that shit. ]

One of each or two of each?

[dejabrew]

[He grins and shrugs.] If you want it extra sweet, do two. The chocolate is kind of thicker, so I'd probably do one of it and two of the caramel.