"Oh, this is lovely." Lain sipped on her earl gray tea "How on earth did you find such a darling place like this Ms. Shishiro?"
It smelt like a warm vanilla scone. It was like a fairy garden for humans, the seating areas were arranged like cute fairy huts and flowers were cascading down the walls, even the flower lights above were a cute vintage style.
"They messaged me online – I thought it'd be a nice quaint little cafe for us~ I thought you said you loved mimosas though, ah?"
Ms. Shishiro did mention she was an influencer that one time. Currently they were under an artifact that casted a slight illusion over them so she wouldn't be recognized — as well as some artifact that masked their conversation.
"Oh – I just like getting caffeine first, I haven't had much to eat since well… brunch seemed so close. I'm afraid my appetite's gonna go crazy if I don't have a little something beforehand, I wouldn't want to drink on an empty stomach either."
Lain: "(ノ _ <,, )
"Oh my – oh my, that won't do, feel free to order any appetizers — it's my treat. Say, Ms. Lain, we're about the same age, you should start coming to brunch with us~"
"I'm fine waiting to eat with everyone, really – the portions look a little big. Though, I do recall me being older. I'm… late thirties and you and Z – mid thirties?"
She glanced at Z. What a busy woman… How often did they have time for brunch like this? And Z seemed to be the type who drank black coffee – a smooth and robust dark roast. But uncharacteristically she ordered an espresso martini right off the bat, how cute.
"Ah. I forgot. Well I suppose the ages tend to blur, you're practically one of us." Ms. Shishiro joked.
"Oh, you're too kind. Hm… what are guys getting?" ໒꒰ ྀིᵔ ᵕ ᵔ ꒱ ྀི১
"I'm feeling eggs this morning, maybe their spinach quiche? Their french toast looks pretty, too. I might just order them for the photos?"
"You're that hungry?" Lain tilted her head.
"Oh — I just give it to Ms. Z when this happens. She works out so she has to eat a lot."
"Ah… Well I was gonna get the blueberry french toast so you can take pictures of mine. And what about you, Ms. Z?"
"The hashbrown casserole." Ms. Z said bluntly.
"Wait… it's been a while since I've had hashbrowns… next time then — next time–" Lain patted her menu politely, pushing it off to the side.
Ms. Shishiro hummed, "I saw on your resume that you were a librarian before — I just wanted to say that's so neat."
"It was pretty fun while it lasted."
"It seems like a pretty comfy job, so why'd you leave?"
"I had my own agenda, of course. I had my own doubts, but gosh — they offered me a room. The manor was quite religious as well, so they had a bunch of texts on the old world. That on top of having everything taken care of besides cleaning my own room, it was a no brainer — especially with how beautiful everything was; it was as if Saintess Laurent blessed the architect. It was a pretty good deal for just some poems."
"Ms. Lain, did you by any chance, catch onto them?"
"It's just typical Virosian behavior, and they really were nice hosts. I did stay to myself in the artistry wing," Lain's voice trailed on as she noticed that peculiar look in the other's eyes "but if you're asking me if I was willing to turn a blind eye — yes."
"Fair enough."
They quieted down as the waitress approached them, "Are you guys ready to order now?"
That waitress noted down all their respective orders, and came back with them in a fair amount of time — and of course…!!! With bottomless mimosas!
"So, you ladies just hang out on days like this?" Lain turned to Ms. Z while Ms. Shishiro was busy snapping shots of her french toast, not wanting her to feel left out.
Ms. Z barely poured a droplet of orange juice "Mn."
"Don't mind her," Ms. Shishiro cooed as she made a zooming in motion with her fingers, "She's more of a night owl; her biological clock is fried at this point, so she's still a bit dozy. Her dayjob's bartending – more like night job huhuhu~"
"My my my… it seems that I have lots to learn about everyone in the bureau."
"Ahhh… I knew I was forgetting something during your introduction! We mainly use podcasts or blogs to keep up with everyone and learn their history — but that's more of an agent thing, we have this whole branch system in other countries and all that, so it's vital background knowledge for discussing discoveries or before meeting in an exchange. You're fine though, Ms. Lain — really."
Done with her photos, she curtly pushed the blueberry french toast back to Ms. Lain.
Ms. Lain finally began pouring her own mimosa "Oh it's fine. This secret society thing is quite neat and rather fascinating, actually. If such is vital for discussing discoveries, I think I should hop to it then too. I'd like to be more in tune with what I'm researching as well."
"If you insist then, nobody's stopping you."
"...Can non-agents make blogs?"
"Anyone in the know can make podcasts or blogs… but you see, us 'behind the scenes' people tend to use forums…"
"I guess that makes sense. I've also been wondering, you seem to have agent abilities — but you chose to become a researcher, why is that?"
Ms. Shishiro began digging into her quiche "Oh, I was injured in line of duty — honestly I don't know what that has to do with me, since I can still perform well. But someone and the higher ups insist that I take a 'rest' so now I just do my research in Aberose, while they figure out what to do next."
She sighed a long sigh, pouting as she poured herself a mimosa.
"I think it's just an excuse for them to keep me undecided. My family and Virosiad agreed on keeping me here, so they don't have to send one of my cousins here to honor their exchange treaty."
"Ah."
"It's definitely been a lot less boring with you though, and with the kiddos back."
Ms. Shishiro: (..◜ᴗ◝..)
"Do they come to brunch with you guys too?" Ms. Lain started on her food as well.
"I haven't had the chance to catch Mr. Orial for brunch yet, unfortunately. Me and Mr. Beo already have lunch together most days so it never crossed my mind… don't tell this to Mr. Beo since he's my mentee, but how about we keep this as a girl's thing?"
Pfttt, "What about Mr. Orial then?"
…
"...We just make him drag Ms. Shinobu along, of course?" She said, uncertain of herself too — but still sounding confident, "I haven't seen her since I've left the motherland, it'll be a fun reunion for sure. I'll tell her all about how her little brother's been reeling since her absence~"
"Ms… Shinobu? I think I've seen a name like that but I can't recall where it came from." TOT
Ms. Shishiro hummed "Yes~ I've heard all about it from Mr. Beo how my little Reena's actually been best friends with Mr. Orial all along. You must've seen her name from the local Virosian paranormal activity reports. He'd basically be one of the girls if he brings her along."
Ms. Lain nodded.
Ms. Shishiro sipped her mimosa "Oh and the funnest thing of all is that she isn't even aware of the Bureau of Paranormal Activity–"
???
"How??"
"My darling mentee's shadiness works wonders~"
Was he convincing? No. Was he confusing as fuck? Yes.
"Speaking of Mr. Orial, back at the manor I said we should go see the magnolias together. To think it's already spring now…"
"Mn, I have a few strawberry farms I keep up with as well. There's actually a new train trip that passes by the wildflower fields, but I just can't find the time to fit it in with my work at Aberose. It looks rather pretty as well but it's a week long trip… They even sent me a ticket and a rather fine room — but I just can't."
"Oh??? The new Mirafeld rail? Oh gosh, the videos I've seen of the train passing through the flowers look absolutely ethereal… I've even heard at the end of the cliff you can see the ghosts of your loved ones by the sea, that's how beautiful it is; they call it heaven's edge. It's a shame you can't take photos or videos though."
Lain shook her head, "They must not want it to be spoiled so soon… but I think it just adds to the mystique charm of it all, especially with how everyone claims the view is such a poignant moment."
"Really? It's a shame ah… I'll have to figure out what to do with my ticket, it seems so wasteful."
Ms. Shishiro reached to the side – ready to pour herself a mimosa, but the champagne glass felt oddly empty.
Oh gosh–
Lain: ( ╹ -╹)?
"Ms. Z… did you drink it all?" Ms. Lain tilted her head, dumbstruck at the woman's empty glass and plate.
Ms. Shishiro groaned, "Oh not again–"