Hakeem strolls into the ‘Shape of Brew’ cafe for his early afternoon shift. He has work at the labs after this, a few hours here then there. He was grateful he had no classes Friday so he could sleep in before his shift tomorrow. Behind the front counter is a tall, curvaceous woman. Blonde and bluehair framed a heart shaped face, skin golden caramel. The hair is a dead give away, it was one thing they never changed.
“Hi, Charlie. I thought you saved this one for summer?”
Charlie turns towards Hakeem, a half made latte in hand, and shrugs. “I felt summery today. I don’t dictate the vibe, I simply match it.”
Charlie is a doppelganger, a race of fae that could freely alter their body to any human form they saw fit, with one limitation that differs with each of them. Charlie’s limitation was their hair, always blond and blue no matter the length or shape of it. Doppelgangers can also be identified by their arcane signature, it was how they received I.D. from the bureau and could own business, drive vehicles etc… Charlie would often mention the hassle they would go through getting paperwork done for the bureau. They had to pick one form for all pieces of identification, even though their arcane signature was how they were I.D ed anyway. They complained it hindered their creativity.
Hakeem once suggested using their base form for identification, which earned an onslaught of decorative throw pillows.
“Well you look nice, as always.” Hakeem nods his head towards their boss/friend as he puts his bag down.
Charlie finishes the latte and hands it to the customer at the counter before swiveling on their heel to face Hakeem, hands planted firmly on their hips. “Nice?! This skin, these curves, this face, this sweet symphonic voice! Hakeem, this is one of my best looks! I don’t think you appreciate the fine tuning that goes into my appearance. Maybe I gave you too many shifts, your exhaustion has clearly affected your vision.”
Hakeem rolls his eyes whilst tying an apron around his waist over his black button down and jeans, tucking fluffy curls under a hat. “You need me here and I need the hours. I’m sorry I said nice. Charlie, you look gorgeous.”
Charlie preens, satisfied with the correction. “I still say you work too much but I’ll take the improved compliment.”
“Good. Now has it been busy? What do you need me to do?”
Charlies walks over to Hakeem who has joined them behind the counter. “We need more espresso beans and cups. I’ll grab them, be a doll and watch the front.”
Hakeem salutes jokingly as Charlie moves past him. “Aye aye, Captain.”
* * *
Eddie walks into ‘Shape of Brew’, he hasn’t gotten the coffee in a while. As he heads towards the counter a familiar face looks up from cleaning a small spill.
“Welcome. Oh, Edmund, Hi!” Hakeem waves Eddie over.
Eddie had forgotten Hakeem worked here, somehow whenever he did coffee runs it was always someone else behind the counter. “Hey, bud. I feel like I’ve barely seen either of you since I moved in last week. Guess that’s life huh?” They both chuckle, it had truly been a busy week for everyone in the apartment.
“Yeah, it’s been nonstop, then I crash as soon as I get back. Jackson seems to keep odd hours too, but I guess you enjoy the quiet, huh?”
Eddie shrugs, a forlorn expression on his face. “I come from a lively family, too much quiet feels unnerving.”
Hakeem knew what he meant. He misses the noises of home while he was away from La Fey, as chaotic as it could be. “I feel that, my family is the same way. Anywho, what can I get for ya?”
“Don’t hate me, I need about five drinks.”
Hakeem smiles and shakes his head, waving his hand to brush off the concern. “No worries. You got here before the evening rush, let’s get you what you need.”
Hakeem gets to work on Eddie’s order. He’s light on his feet, and has all he needs within arms reach. Milk steams, espresso brews, coffee drips and blenders spin. It’s a symphony of caffeine and milk. Hakeem saw it like a spell composition, everything has its place.
Hakeem didn’t have a lot of mana, but magic loved him. It showed him its secrets, he understood every spell he came upon. Every rune had its purpose, every line in a spell circle needed. As long as all the machinery,milks, syrups and containers were in place, Hakeem could make drinks in his sleep.
Eddie watches, his arm propped on the counter, chin in his palm, a small smirk growing from his lips. There’s something fascinating about how Hakeem worked. Eddie notices a small tune Hakeem was idly humming as he crafted his drinks, silvery eyes shining under the cafe’s lights.
“Okey dokey, Edmund, I got five drinks for you here. One large oat milk blonde roast latte, one large frozen mocha, one medium iced coffee with cream and vanilla, one double shot espresso and one small dark roast. Cream and two sugars, that one’s yours right?”
Eddie takes the tray of four drinks in one hand, and his small coffee in the other. “Wow, that was fast, and yes the small one is mine. Observant aren’t ya?”
Hakeem smiles shyly and shrugs, “A researcher needs to be observant, and I’ve been doing this for years.”
Eddie takes a sip of coffee, it’s made to perfection. Not too much sugar or cream, it’s just how he likes it. Has the coffee ever tasted as good from here?
“I’m grateful for your skills, this is delicious. I should only come by when you work. If this is your standard I fear for your coworkers.”
Hakeem giggles behind his hand, the sound warms Eddie like the coffee in his grasp. “You flatter me, sir. I’m glad you like it. See you at the apartment, yeah?”
