《New Paris [a Modern-day LitRPG]》V1 - C20 - an NPC Returns
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“So, a small flat white with extra vanilla syrup, soy milk, cream, marshmallows, and one raspberry cookie. Anything else?”
“No, thank you. You’ll bring it to my table, right?”
“Yes, as soon as the coffee is ready.” I told the customer.
They took a seat in our not-so-newly renovated terrasse, as I got to work. Although the coffee maker was just about the only thing that had survived, Manon had managed to get a hold of the exact same kind of green metal chairs and matching sets of earthy-coloured cushions in a surprisingly short amount of time. The tables had to be replaced with more modern, black-metal and glass ones, but overall the feel of the shop had remained quite the same.
I brought the order to the table outside, and went back to my station after exchanging politeness with that customer.
When I wasn’t busy taking orders, I would rearrange our pastry selection, or clean the counter with all the cups and sirops, waiting for Etienne to join or replace me. We hardly ever had enough traffic to warrant two people at the counter, as the other person on the floor would typically clean tables, and restock crockery. Manon was that other person today, but seeing how nice the weather was outside, and how few stay-in customers we were getting, she deemed I could manage by myself, and retreated into her office.
So, with no one to keep me company, I returned to my other main activity: getting lost in my own head.
The two days in Geneva had been exhausting, and, despite somehow managing to sleep this night, I was slowly feeling the effects of the tiredness settling in. It was strange, the way the System operated and governed this world. Getting attacked with a sword didn’t leave any scars, but being hit in the face with a chunk of ice did. Skills could affect my ability to resist to magic (or skill-induced, the two words could and have always been used interchangeably), but not my own emotions and conditions, like fear or tiredness.
I had been living here for three months, and I did consider myself well-adjusted, but sometimes I couldn’t help myself but think that this was all some sort of dream, that perhaps I was in a coma after the terrorist attack on the train, that I would wake up any time, and my mum and dad would be there. And they’d bring their dog Bonaparte with them, and that gross little bulldog would drool all over the hospital equipment –
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But a part of me didn’t want to go back, even if there was a possibility to, which I did not recall from the book. This same part of me was the one that constantly told me that I should go on an adventure, that I should strive for more. Especially now that I had Cain- Thebes (as was his actual name)- by my side. And I knew I could, but I also didn’t want to get into trouble. There were people way more powerful than me in this book- in this world- and even if I couldn’t die, it didn’t mean I’d leave a happy life after an encounter with them. Even if Cain could protect me, if Huáng Yǔháng’s right hand teamed up with that pop-star girl from volume 2, and the sea-witch from the ‘Cruise-ship’ spin-off –
“Hello, um, could I have a coffee?” A voice interrupted my train of thought.
“Yes, of course, what would you like to have?” I answered in my polite business tone. “Wait, you’re that guy from the, umm, wall.” I snapped my fingers as I recognised the young man before me.
“Yes,” He replied with an awkward smile. “I didn’t think you’re remember…”
I did remember him as the overworked guard with self-confidence issues. But I didn’t remember his name. Thankfully that could be easily remedied.
Memoire
I didn’t typically go around offering free coffee to people, but he looked like he was in desperate need of a break, and maybe someone to talk to.
“Thank you.” He smiled, as his cheeks turned slightly pink. “My name is-”
“Jean-Yves!” Someone in the same military-style uniform as him called out.
“Yes, I’m coming!” The man I’ve bene taking to replied and ran over to the giant wall.
MP -1
“Jean-Yves!” I exclaimed in a tone that came off as too friendly. “Yes, I do remember you, what would you like to drink?”
“A, umm, coffee?” He said as he blushed and looked away. “I’m not sure what there is, I never come to these kinds of places.”
“You say that as if we’re some sort of illegal business.” I joked, as I pulled out one of our fold-up menus, the laminated ones that went on the tables when we had more traffic.
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Jean-Yves examined the menu with an expression lacking conviction. Hoping to help him along, I suggested:
“What do you like? Sweet stuff? Bitter stuff? Hot? Cold? I can make you something custom. We’ve restocked not long ago, so there’s also a full range of syrups.”
He glanced at the counter behind me, trying to see what kind of syrup bottles we had. I watched him with an amused smile. It was almost cute, how lost he seemed in this coffee shop. Like a kitten who went outside for the first time, and tried to figure out what grass was. With this thought, the smile vanished of my face, as the kitten and grass metaphor reminded me of Cain who was still stuck at home. I wondered how long it’d been since he last saw grass.
“I’d like a latte, with hazelnut and vanilla syrup then?” Jean-Yves finally decided.
“Right on it. Stay in or take away?” I asked.
“Umm, well, I had figured we’d … umm, sit together, but I…”
I had turned around to fill the coffee-maker, and mentally swore when I heard those words. Jean-Yves seemed to be misunderstanding the situation. As I glanced back, I saw how he was nervously fidgeting with his hands. I couldn’t bring myself to outright tell him that I didn’t make my offer in any romantic kind of way, but seeing him like that, I felt bad for him.
“Actually my shift isn’t over until this evening, so …” I lied.
“Oh.” He looked at me with surprise. “I can wait- wait, maybe not but…”
“Hey, Lo, I’ve got you something.” Etienne suddenly emerged from the stairway leading downstairs. He was holding a small paper bag in his hands, no doubts containing stolen pastries.
Both Jean-Yves and I snapped out heads towards him, him in surprise, me in an attempt to convey with my eyes that I needed him to play along with my story. He made a confused expression, evidentially having not undersood my intentions, before asking:
“What’s going on?”
“I’m making coffee.” I replied in a tone that was all but natural.
“To go.” Jean-Yves clarified, as he looked away.
I prepared his coffee in awkward silence, before handing it to him and watching him leave. Etienne stood there the entire time, observing the situation with concerned confusion.
It was only when I took out my father’s card to pay, that he finally spoke:
“Was that your boyfriend or something?”
“No!” I immediately sput out. “Do I look like I have a boyfriend?”
“Well I don’t know.” Etienne replied with a bitter tone I’ve never heard him use before. “This is for you.” He said as he dropped the paper bag on the counter before heading downstairs, without even giving me a second glace.
“That wasn’t my boyfriend!” I called after him. “I’ve met him once before, that’s all. Etienne!”
But Etienne did neither respond nor come back up.
I sigh.
My life was starting to look more and more like that of a character from ‘immortal immorality’; shaped by misunderstandings and driven by selfish goals.
“Oh, such drama. I hope you’ll be okay.” An old lady who’d just come up to the counter said.
She wore ceremonial robes, and gave off the strangest impression. The way she looked at me, it was almost as if she could see though my soul and into my future; or that she was about to give me some ‘valuable relationship advice’. So, before she’d had the time to do either of those things, I asked:
“Sorry about that. What would you like to order?”
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My Demon Pet System
After spending his entire life on gambling and alcohol, a man died alone in his cold apartment when life decided to give him a second chance.
8 2638The Beta's Unwanted Mate | ✔️ Complete
#1 werewolf#1 teenfiction"That night meant nothing to me Olivia.""You were just like another girl to me." He smirked, "and you KNOW how I do girls. I lure them," he took a crumpled paper in his hands and softly straightened it, "I fuck them. HARD." He tore the paper off in pieces, "and then, I throw them out of my life," he concluded, crushing the paper into a ball and throwing it with a perfect shot in the bin.I looked up at him in shock, anger and heartbreak."You actually thought I got jealous!" He scoffed.Out of nowhere he threw me against the wall and I gasped as his arm pressed by my sides and he trapped me."ALSO, DON'T YOU DARE CALL ME YOUR MATE AGAIN!" he growled, I breathed heavily as fear started crawling in. Tears flowed down my face. I struggled to breathe. "I NEVER wanted a mate. Especially not like you." He gave me a glare as if the mere sight of me disgusted him. "Who would want a mate like you anyways, huh? You're ugly, nerdy, clingy, way-too-innocent and being with you will DESTROY my social reputation."Listening to those words shattered my Wolf and she howled in pain.I gasped, trying to get some air but he pressed me against the wall harder. "Look at you," he chuckled, "So pathetic. You're not even able to defend yourself. Moon goddess made a mistake mating you with me. I will correct it .""I won't reject you," he said, "oh no no. Rejection is easy. I will TORTURE you. I will sleep with other girls, I will flirt with them in front of your eyes and I will watch you and your wolf die everyday. I will break you to the limit where you won't ever be able to come back. And then, I will leave you to rot.""One last thing. Don't you DARE tell anyone that we are mates. Are we clear?"I nodded frantically, my heart clenching till where it was unbearable.He let out a dark chuckle and released me,"Good girl."I collapsed on the floor and almost passed out from the lack of air in my lungs.He just walked away & left me there to rot.
8 573Paradox
Ren Sutaraito didn't have the best past but then confronting this strange girl they both faced hardships to overcome trials that were physically impossible in our world. Not all is as it seems...They must find out why they existed and find a way to rebuild it.
8 201The Grand Experiment's Dick
A comedy/action story with NOT AN ANGSTY FUCK as the MC. Schemes, backstabs, and dirty tactics are to be expected. The game system is very gamey with stats and etc. actually mattering for something. It might be good, it might not be. Whatever.———— [ Please act like a man and face them. Running away is such a cowardly tactic. ] “Hahaha! If running away is cowardly, I don't want to be brave! Only the last man standing has a right to laugh at the losers. I will do anything to be that last man! [ You can be the last man by fighting. Are you not embarrassed at leaving your team behind? ] “If a man is fears embarrassment, and therefore doesn't run, then I must be the bravest man on earth! No one runs away faster and more efficiently than I do!” [ …You really are a wretched individual. ] “A thick-face and a scheming heart is better than any blade. Why fight yourself when you can trick the two people who want to kill you into fighting each other? It’s all fair play in my opinion!” [ I have no words. ] Hahahahaha! Why fight when you can run? Why do anything yourself? And only move when you're hundred percent sure its a win. A snake’s fangs are its best asset. And a Komodo dragon needs only to wait for its prey to die. Minimum danger, maximum rewards! That is I, Dick's, philosophy in life! ———— Cover is Toadally Awesome
8 95Addorn: "The Freed of The Void"
Have you ever wondered why the Dwarves in games, movies, and comics, were so great at developing weapons or in some cases creating technology that was so far ahead of their time? Or even why they seemed ruthless and resilient, always somehow surviving even if it meant living underground to survive? And also why were they always in most cases described as greedy for gold or other luxuries? This is the story of the legendary race and the truth behind these stories that followed after this tale.The story begins with the Humans finding out the earth will be decimated, by a cataclysmic event that had happened millions of years ago, in 2 years time. Followed by the awakening of a man, or in this case an infant boy, reborn into a world of myths, legends, and fantasy, only to be a King of legendary proportions.
8 147Girl Football
Everyone said she couldn't do it; so many obstacles stood in her way on and off the field. But she didn't let their words stop her. She just wanted to prove that even though she was a girl - she could play football.But, could she fight through the pain of the memory of her father all while dealing with the ridicule and pressure of being a high school quarterback?Copyright © 2017 by Morgan Powell. All rights reserved. Complete.
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