SOREN
After we did some grocery shopping, we went back in our apartment and place the items in our table. The quantity over quality items we checked out. Selene shoved those in the closet and the foods in the refrigerator. I'll go clean that mess later, I owed her with that discounted items in the store. We only got few moneys left. I hope it will be enough until we find a part time job. Thank god for that Cha-cha or something girl. Then she strips.
"What are you doing." I said.
"Changing clothes, duh." She said. Already changing her top. "Sorry, I was in a hurry."
Huh. I was too stunned to speak. Albeit, rushly changing to her "nicer" clothes – in front of me. She is definitely rushing and going outside again.
"Hey, hey, hey, are you going outside again?" I asked. Just in time to tugged at her sleeve.
"Yeah, why?" Selene replied. "I told you, I got a job offer at Crimson Moon Town, with one of my friend – I just need to secure it before we got busy with classes." She said, already zipping on her mini backpack. "It's near the plaza."
"Can I come with?" I said, "Look I have nothing to do and I'll be your moral support?"
"What the – Why, don't you have that muscle training or something? Gosh, you are so c-l-i-n-g-y." She replied. "We just met, like four days." Do I look like I train at every hour?
"No, it's probably 3. I only trained on mornings, I wanted to goof around in the evening. You are so bad at math. Lucky you, it's bonding time with your roommate." I said proudly.
"….." She stares at me. "Fine, but behave. I swear to god, the first time I met you – I thought you are a different type of person."
"Yeah you said that." I said, grabbing my phone and keys. "Let's go roomie."
SELENE
Within twenty minutes of walking, we finally arrived at the plaza. I informed Cage that I am already at the courtyard circle. It's a large space for people to relax and enjoy the busy streets of the city. Just around the block are the food stalls that people likes hovering into. On the other hand, are the musicians jamming on their street performance. I also texted him that I had my roommate with me. He got excited for some reason. Though I know why. And there were lots of people in the plaza too. Some may be students of Arcana East, which is yeah considering it's just below the floating school and students doesn't want to be confined in the school grounds. There are also Dragonkins here, which from the stories in Ives are pretty rare to be seen with other races. Then there are couples – openly flirting in the public. I looked at Soren, and she just smiles back. Damn this woman.
"Selene, over here – "Cage yelled from the distance, waving. He is in front of Cozy Bean Corner Café with yellow and pink signage. I waved back.
I looked at Soren who is distracted looking around with restaurants, café and shops in the plaza. Sighing, I grab her.
"Soren, come one – there's the café." I said. She nods and hold unto me. Like a lost child. And we went to Cage.
"So… Is this your roommate?" Cage said. "Pretty huh." And winks at me. I knew he would tease me. "But wait…. AREN'T YOU THE GIRL EARLIER IN THE MOCK ARENA?" He says flabbergasted.
Soren, finally paying attention. "Yeah, that's me. Am I that recognizable?" she said. She really didn't think that she was popular, like I am telling her earlier at the grocery store.
"Well, just that Selene – didn't tell me her roommate was the one in the arena earlier. And wow, you were really great at there. And pretty too." He said. Looking at Soren closely. "Maybe why Selene is not sharing that info with anybody."
"Oh shut up, you were so engrossed with Callahan earlier that I didn't tell you." I said pinching him.
"You two were funnily close huh." Soren said chuckling. "I am Soren by the way, you?"
"I'm Cage – well Selene and I were classmates during high school in Ives. It just a chance I've seen her here in Arcana East. Really though she was going in other University." Cage started.
"Yeah – Cage is also something. I guess it's a good thing I know a familiar face here in Arcana. Though I still haven't seen Mayo and Yor?" I asked.
"Eh you would not see them here during weekdays. They only go out during weekends." Cage said. "Well, enough about them, I am sure you two are here for the job. I'll asked a bunch of questions for you later Sori-bear." He glanced between the two of us. Yeah I know where this is going. "And specially you – Selly." He said with that goddamn smirk he had when he is teasing. "My Aunt is waiting for you inside.
"Sori-bear?" Soren asked why she was given that lame nickname probably. "He's the one who likes Callahan right?"
"Yes, Sori-bear." I said. She looks at me annoyed. I find it funny. "Don't worry whenever he meets other people, he often finds way to give you a nickname." I just realized… Did Cage thought Soren is also applying for the job?
SOREN
As soon as we walk from the Café, named Cozy Bean Corner – there are lots of cats familiar. Lola, Cage's Aunt welcomed us and said that "we" will be both interviewed after a while and she called for Selene first. For the mean time, we could look around the café. There's a tabby one, tuxedo, harlequin and a Calico meowing in the chair – looking at me like it wanted to get petted around.
So I did.
Fur were soft, they are vibrating by the touch and has this dilated pupil. So cute.
I was distracted that Cage is tapping my shoulder.
"This is fun, you like cats huh? You would like it here." He said. "Selene is done with the interview; you can go to my Aunt's office now. Don't worry she won't bite Sori-bear."
"Okay… Though honestly I wasn't applying for a job." I said honestly. "But it's nice, since I think I needed it too."
"Oh I thought you were… Selene didn't tell me (she did multiple times in a text). The cats also like you." He said while Selene was giving him looks.
"Go on roomie." Selene said, then she sits near the cats and petted them. "I'll wait for you here."
They are still teasing each other when I went to Lola's office. Lola, just like Cage, had a pretty black hair. And looks so young – even though I don't know her age. She has a mole under her left eye. She is wearing pink polo – a uniform in their café.
"Hi Soren, how is your vibe with the café?" She said. She looks joyful.
"Oh it's amazingly cozy. Plus, the familiars were really friendly. You tamed a lot of them." I said. Remembering that despite looking so cute cat and dog familiars were the hardest to tame. The easiest one were the ravens.
"Glad you enjoy the vibe. Those familiars were abandoned by their owners after the war. It's hard earning their trust after the owner abandoned them but they are really helpful in the café." She said. A Calico just jump into her table and sat. Lola petted them.
"I know Selene is the only one Cage did say applied – but we are really short staff and needed extra hands. My other other staff is currently in the hospital and won't be back 'til next month, and the other one had an emergency in her home town. Though I won't force you if you don't like it." She said.
"Oh no, no. It's fine. I actually needed a job too – plus I get to play with the cats. But like Selene, we can only do part time."
"Yes I am aware – you two can cover night shift." She said. "Hmm. Oh yeah, are you two a couple? You two seems really close."
"N-no… Does it look like that? She is cute though." I said without thinking. Damn my stupid tongue. And brain.
"Hahahaha, you just give me that energy. Well even though you are not, and if there are times that both of you would probably get there – I support it, just don't let it distracts you from work." She said. Then she explains the shifting schedule, trainings and uniforms. Cage would handle it for us.
"And don't worry I won't tell Selene you find her cute yet. You guys were adorable." Lola said. I blushed when she said that. Why do I feel embarrassed now. I only met the girl for three days.
SELENE
"Selene, that is your type. You do like this type of girl, remember Cia?" Cage said teasing me. As he kept doing it since Soren went to his Aunt's office. "Though honestly Soren is the whole package you think? Excluding both of you are broke right now. And living in a cramp apartment." He started. "But I guess that makes you much closer, right?"
"Shut up Cage, she might hear you!" I said whispered yelled.
"You are so red, you are crushing on her, aren't you?" Cage said. While holding on her laughter. "And you two were roommates, albeit accidentally. Don't worry, Aunt Lola's office are sound proof."
"N-noooo. I don't have a crush on her. I just find her pretty that's all with her ringed eye and all." I said as a matter of factly. "Besides it's too early for that. I just met her for a few days."
"Sure, then let's make a bet." Cage started.
"Urgh, what bet?" I said.
"Damn, your reactions and blushing were funny." Cage said. "If you fall in love with her – hmm… let's see. You do all my assignments with my worst classes for the whole semester."
"Fine fine, and If I win?" I said.
"I'll treat you for your favorite sandwich for the whole semester." He said smugly. "You think you win though?"
"Well, let's see about that." I said, shaking hands with Cage.
"Cage, would you give the both them their uniforms?" Lola said, the interview was done I guess.
Soren went straight near me to pet the cats again. Cage just smirk and went to get the uniforms.
"I think I'm lucky I tag along with you huh." Soren said, now looking and smiling me while petting the cat.
"…."
"… Maybe." Is all I can say.