How To Slay A Dragon [JT]

[Ailene Haschiro]

Business had certainly been booming recently at Rēgīna. Perhaps it was the holiday season? University students were typically on break around these times. With very little to do at home, many of them sought out new hangout spots. Among them, Rēgīna and Cafe Maldoche reigned supreme. Rēgīna offered a far more traditional Tea House experience. All of the tea was handcrafted by Ailene herself. No machines or other artificial processes were used. She had begun importing different kinds of loose-leaf tea that were popular in different parts of the world. This way she could appeal to many different cultures and people.

This newfound success, however, was a double-edged sword. Despite the supposed break that University students had, Yui and Amber were nowhere to be seen. Ailene had no idea where the former was. The Fullbringer didn't really question it, but it did leave her worried. Amber, by contrast, was on a study-abroad trip to France. Ailene remembered what it was like to travel as an Arrancar. She could go anywhere she wanted, whenever she pleased. Becoming human was about give and take though. She liked Karakura and leaving Rēgīna unattended for a longer period of time was unacceptable. 

Alas, Ailene was working on her own, trying to offer the populace of Karakura some peace of mind after the recent killings. They had grown more rampant of late. rumble rumble. Ailene sighed for a moment, "Well speak of the devil." She gave her patron their cup of tea before looking up at the noise coming from the shelf. It seemed that the "queen" herself had awoken. Mélusine yawned upon awakening, stretching her tail and wings. The scraping of wood filled the room causing everyone to suddenly look up. Nothing. No reaction. They'd simply focus on their own conversations, tea and the various baked goods that Ailene had in her display case.

The draconian figure had a brief look around. Spreading her wings, she glided down towards the countertop and focused on Ailene. Curling her tail around her base, the man sitting at the countertop briefly saw his tea get jostled ever so slightly. Once again, he'd offer no reaction to that fact that a dark-scaled dragon literally nested before him. "Mmm. That was one hell of a nap. I feel refreshed!" Ailene simply chuckled, paying her no heed. She was focused on fulfilling more orders. 

Mélusine scoffed slightly and groaned. "Oh yeah. I almost forgot. You don't want to seem crazy and talk to the invisible dragon." There was nothing, but mocking and condescension in her voice. The Head Barista groaned ever so slightly. She turned around as the tea was brewing and pulled out a black marker. As she wrote, Mélusine perked up. "Hmm? What you writing there?" She'd effortlessly hop from the counter to Ailene's shoulder with grace, using her wings and tail to stabilize herself. 

As she stared down at the intricate sign, she couldn't help, but give Ailene a look. Once more, the purple-haired woman paid her no attention. Putting a cap back onto the marker, Ailene picked up the sign and pressed it against the glass. Anyone who walked by would now see the big bold letters that read out, HELP WANTED!! She'd keep it up for a few days to gauge interest, but for now she had more important things on her mind. Returning behind the counter, Ailene prepared another batch of tea. Mélusine, meanwhile rolled her eyes and just hopped back onto the counter. "Well. I hope that someone interesting drops by soon or else I'm going to die of boredom..." She lazily rested her against against the wooden top. 

[Hoshi]

"TODAY'S THE DAY! I'M GOING TO FIND SOME PLACE THAT BELIEVES ME AND ALLOWS ME TO WORK! SO, HELP ME THERE WILL BE SOMEWHERE IN THIS CITY!" Hoshi with all 1 foot of his plushie glory was running his way through Karakura. Typically running past others and into the alleyways of the city. Much as he wanted to go ahead and let all the world know of his presence, the staff at Xcution had politely "reminded" him that he was something of a "secret project". And that he needed to be inside the compound more often than not. Shizkua help him, these scientists were so uptight and concerned. He found the whole thing ridiculous since other companies were making robots and parading them around from time to time. He had no doubt that a simple, and unfortunately, plain doll like himself would easily blend in.

Spoiler alert. . . he didn't. But Hoshi neither knew this nor cared. In fact, it wasn't his problem if someone were to ask him. That was for the nerds back at the company to figure out. Meanwhile he needed to do SOMETHING. Fucking anything at this point. He was bored and restless beyond compare. So, he needed some kind of task. . . lest his mind wander again. Which was why Hoshi was running around Karakura today. Both to move his "body" around and to try and find something he could do. Some kind of part time work. Hell, maybe train him somewhat so he could try to regain functionality that he'd lost due to those fucking shinigami. If he had blood, it'd be boiling from how mad it made him. Especially when he recalled how strong he was. Strong enough to melt down several sections of their lab and sensitive technology. Bastards earned that though.

"Enough moping and thinking that negative shit. I need to look to the future! Find me a task and get on it! And I'm not about to let some stupid shinigami of my past some 20 or more years ago dictate what I'm going to be doing now. Especially when I can be the world's most aggravating menance. Or most competent worker. Whichever comes first. Preferably the latter. I gotta make sure Shizuka is paid back after all. Life debts are no joke. ANYWHO ENOUGH TALK! TIME TO RUN BITCH!" And so the little doll ran and thankfully without any loss of stamina. A strange but welcome advantage of not having a humanoid body let alone a fleshy one. Eventually as the day worked its way into the afternoon, he'd managed to find a few joints that had help wanted signs.

The only issue was . . . they screamed and ran away when he spoke to them. Well. . . one did. The others politely, though with some degree of shaking, requested he find another position elsewhere. He'd even given them the whole spiel of how Xcution was making these awesome robots and he was one of them. And the cool part was that they could think and operate close to the level of humans. He seriously thought that many others were going to jump on that since he had understood Xcution to be some big fancy schmancy company with boku money. Turns out he must have been wrong considering how others viewed him. Whatever though, it didn't matter. He was going to find a job today or someday. It was only a matter of time! Thus, as he hopped between streets that's when he saw it. A lovely little cafe of sorts. Or well some place that served drinks. Hot ones from the steam he could see though there looked to be a few iced variants.

When his, literally, beady eyes saw the sign and read "Help Wanted" he immediately ran across the street. Almost to his detriment mind you. And "slammed" open the door. Realistically he opened it normally as he didn't have much strength in this frail body to move things that were bigger than him. Especially metal things but damn if he didn't slam himself into the door and try to move it with gusto. He almost immediately heard whispers amongst those around and without batting an eye he simply put an arm on his "hip" and waved around and gave everyone a big smile. Then he spoke up loud enough so everyone could hear him. "Hello everyone! I'm sorry to bother ya'll but is the owner around? I saw that lovely sign asking for help and . . . hehe. Well, here I am~. The one and only Hoshi. And no, the name for star isn't just because I'm so damn bright with my shining personality. It's because I'm that great a worker that you'll see everything I do leave little stars shining when I've accomplished the task at hand."

"But enough of me, I really do need to speak with the owner. If you don't mind speaking up, I'll make my way to you! Also let me know if you'd like me to get up on the counter, I understand it can be painful to look down at me for an entire conversation. Neck strain and junk." While Hoshi waited for someone or something to respond to his boisterous commentary he glanced around the shop. It was nice, cozy even. Filled with a few people, namely those around the physical age he was supposed to look like. So somewhere in their 20's. Some had books. Others had computers. And all had some degree of shock on their face. He would have snapped his fingers at them if he had the appendages to do so. Hopefully calm them down some. But alas he had none so he simply just stood around and swayed back and forth on his little legs until he was called. All the while smiling brightly for everyone around.

[Ailene Haschiro]

Despite not seeing eye to eye on many things... Ailene had to admit that Mélusine had a point. While she did not share her other half's love of carnage, it was a bit boring today. Usually, the girl would have Yui and Amber to talk to and relieve some stress. Unfortunately, both of their University schedules had prevented them from working shifts. While Ailene loved her time in Rēgīna more than anything else, it could get a little dull sometimes.

For a brief moment, Ailene reminisced about her days as one of the fabled Espada. Despite her utter hatred for that way of life, she had to admit that she thoroughly enjoyed the freedoms that came with it. She could readily go anywhere she wanted to go thanks to the use of Garganta. Now, however, she was confined to Karakura. This wasn't a bad thing inherently, but she did miss some of the adventures. Some of the thrills. Thankfully it seemed as though her savior would arrive.

Turning to the counter which sat nestled against the back wall, she heard a familiar jingle. Lower-pitched than usual, but it was undeniable. The front door opened, and Ailene smiled and spoke loudly, "Welcome to Rēgīna, I'll be with you in one moment." It was surprisingly reflexive as the girl rustled through jar after jar to find the loose tea leaves that she wanted. After all, she deserved a little bit of a break herself.

That's when a voice rose above the rest. "Hello everyone! I'm sorry to bother ya'll but is the owner around? I saw that lovely sign asking for help and . . . hehe. Well, here I am~. The one and only Hoshi. And no, the name for star isn't just because I'm so damn bright with my shining personality. It's because I'm that great a worker that you'll see everything I do leave little stars shining when I've accomplished the task at hand." Ailene raised an eyebrow and rose to her feet. Turning to face the door, she would be surprised to see... nobody. There was a clear look of confusion on her face. It seemed that she was the only one that couldn't determine the origin of the voice.

Helping her out, Mélusine piped up and pointed her claw to the floor. Walking up to the counter, Ailene looked down and saw the stuffed cactus doll as he had more to say, "But enough of me, I really do need to speak with the owner. If you don't mind speaking up, I'll make my way to you! Also let me know if you'd like me to get up on the counter, I understand it can be painful to look down at me for an entire conversation. Neck strain and junk." Already, Ailene was immediately reminded of someone. The Mod Soul, Shio. 

Both of them shared these persistent thoughts of grandeur. More than anything, though, Ailene was surprised to see a Mod Soul here in Karakura of all things. She cleared her throat for a brief moment. No doubt that many of her patrons weren't spiritually sensitive. Many of them likely never met a denizen of the Soul Society. To them, this would seem to be nothing more than a party trick. Nevertheless, Ailene had to address it. She'd walk out from behind the counter and kneel down with a bright smile.

She'd hold her hand out and grin as if to offer to shake the dolls' hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Hoshi. My name is Ailene Haschiro. I am both the Head Barista and proprietor of Rēgīna." She was going to be as courteous as possible. It was in her nature after all. "I admire your initiative and drive, but your..." She tried come up with a sensitive way to say this next part. "Pocket-sized doll form may make it difficult to serve tea.." She chuckled nervously. Looking down from the counter,  Mélusine on the other hand would be entirely blunt. Briefly hopping over to a nearby table, she let her tail hand off the edge as she peered down at the Mod Soul. "She's saying that you're a shortstack, Mod Soul." She'd grin, looking down on Hoshi as she did with any creature. 

[Hoshi]

Hoshi beamed a bright smile when he heard Ailene speak. He ran closer to the counter, namely the chairs by them so he could make it a bit more convenient for her to speak with him. She hadn't commented on how she'd want to speak with him, so he probably was going to be spoken to at. . . near eye level. Meaning she'd have to bend down to speak to him. Poor thing, he hoped he wouldn't cause any unnecessary back strain. He briefly considered if he should hop onto a table anyway to make it easier on her. But when she walked around her counter and started speaking to him, he immediately waved at her and stood at attention, giving her his utmost focus. Sadly, he sort of . . . figured that her response would be of a similar nature however he had an argument for why he could help! He knew he could support the shop if she gave him a chance! He just knew it.

He was about to speak about what all he could do when he heard a snarky remark. He heard a thump before he heard Melusine and once they started speaking, Hoshi's button eyes narrowed, and he practically glared at the pompous lizard. I can handle being politely turned down but this? I'm better than this. He looked back at Ailene for a moment and briefly excused himself for a moment. "Sorry Ailene I need to take care of this jerk. But I promise you I'm more useful than you might think at first! I've even got a power that'll help you out, of that I'm certain! Though I may need some oven mitts. Hehe. Anyway, one second, can't let that disrespect slide given it came from the laziest waste of space I've seen in a while."

Then he walked over towards the table that Melusine was lounging upon, and he yelled at her. "HEY FATASS! Yes, YOU! If you think you're such hot shit, then say it to my face! You'll regret it if I have to come to you. Lizards aren't the only thing I've burnt to ash." Hoshi glared at Melusine dead in the eye. Unconcerned and more importantly, unafraid of her form. Sure, he'd never actually seen a dragon. And certainly, he was mildly concerned about it or would be had he not been disrespected in public. Never mind the fact that the humans in the shop likely couldn't see the fiasco going down and most likely thought he was malfunctioning. Which was. . . unfortunate. But Hoshi was not a man who thought about the consequences of his actions nor the world around him so he continued to be made at Melusine regardless of those around.

[Camila Adaronde]

22 paragraphs counted, so that’ll be 110 TP for Ailene and Hoshi!