Path of the Vampire forum

Posted: **09 Apr 2017, 13:57**

The job had been coerced from Elizabeth, though Cosimo didn’t know why he hadn’t gone to his sire earlier. Up until now he’d made meagre money creating weapons that weren’t perfect, slipping between guns and swords and back to guns again – he preferred them, their mechanical pieces and the way they fit together. He lacked the artistry that went along with the heat of the swords.

The idea for the job had arisen when he heard of a relic that could be bought from one of the more eccentric shops in the city. It was an expensive ********, though, and Cosimo simply lacked the funds. Although Cosimo wasn’t as proud a man as he could have been, he didn’t often like asking for help. But this, he had thought about. He could ask, but it would only be for a loan. If Elizabeth could loan him the money he would work for her for free. He would pay her back, with interest. He had it all worked out in his head.

Eventually they agreed their terms and Cosimo got himself a job at Queen of Tarts. It required that he wear a pink apron, but he didn’t mind. He didn’t mind at all. In fact, although he’d only been in the job a couple of nights he found his spirits truly lifted. He wasn’t just working for himself. He was working for someone he admired, and he was doing what he’d once wanted to make a career out of. Not that he wanted to be a baker, per se, but it was close enough. And who didn’t love the alluring scent of baked goods? It was an immediate balm for the soul.

Besides which, the Italian was thriving amongst the customers and found that customer service was, in fact, his forte. He was full of smiles and jokes and strutted around the shop in his pink uniform, proud to wear it. What was it they said about real men and pink? The shenanigans ensued when a rowdy guy came to buy tarts for his girl. She’d requested them, from that new place down the road.

“You’re the last thing I expected in here, man,” he’d laughed. That’s how the conversation had started – how, surely, a man in pink would lure the women. Though a man in nothing might lure them better. Truth be told, the customer was drunk. Drunk as a skunk but his good humour was infectious and one thing led to another – next thing one knew, Cosimo was out on the street dressed only in his apron, frilly as it was, his bare backside free for all to see. In his hand he held a tray with a lavish clear cake dome over the top, taste testers underneath. When he grinned the dimples were deep, flour smeared across his forehead.

The tipsy customer had laughed his way down the street, telling everyone he passed about the half-naked Italian out the front of the Tart shop. And they did, indeed, flock.

Posted: **09 Apr 2017, 14:52**

“Tarts.” The word danced over her lips as Mia remembered the last item on her outing list of things to pick up while in town. “Clocktower Mall.”

The warm air floated through the door with the choice pull of her hand. Despite a sizable crowd swelling on the street she stayed on her route to accomplish the last part of her Friday mission. Perhaps it was a random sighting of the resident rock star or celebrity known to haunt the city in recent years. If Mia was impressed with celebrity she would be quick to wiggle her way in for a closer look, but she was not. Her mind was on something sweeter in her mind than anything that could be purchased in a bakery. Agnes Cawley was worth the trip inside the first floor of the rather tall building conveniently erected in the high traffic area of Wickbridge. Eighty-five years had passed since the woman took her first steps of a rather selfless and devoted life. If she wanted a tart from a particular shop then Mia, the dutiful grand niece would accommodate the request without question.

“I never…” A couple of shoppers moving in a fast pace towards the door appeared both shocked and in a hurry all at once. “That is a first! I want to see this!”
“Excuse me.” Mia stepped to the side avoiding the direct to the door path the two women were heading.
“Indeed!” The single word was left with her as the door closed behind her.

Mia shrugged off the impatient two and moved along towards the visible shops with a sizable crowd flowing towards her. She glanced over her shoulder as two mall security followed in the mix brushing past her with their hand radios as they did. Shifting her shopping bags already acquired she found each a more comfortable positioning then stepped into the fragrant specialty shop. Customers were buzzing back and forth and randomly dropping out in a chorus of giggles and whispers. Again, she found herself stepping back and forth to avoid being an obstacle to those exiting.

“Excuse me.” Mia’s voice was finally heard by the first set of eyes that appeared to be on the clock and employed. “I am here to pick up a tart.” That pretty much said it all right there.

Posted: **09 Apr 2017, 16:22**

Elizabeth should have been to the tart shop over an hour ago, but a problem with a sewing machine at Cutting Corners had taken up some extra time she had not anticipated. After Elizabeth replaced ]the broken needle and replaced another part, she was able to re-thread the machine and finally be on her way. Let me know how it works...one should not have to do too much sewing, if any more at all tonight." It was true, the shop was destined to close within forty minutes. "I shall be back in two nights." Elizabeth let the manager of the Quilt shop know as she pulled on a white, knee length wool coat and headed out for the evening.

She tried to stop into each place of business that she owned every other night-the exception being her first shop ever. With Emerson there and another, fully competent person, Elizabeth stopped there every third evening, and spent each weekend night there. Weekends were always the busiest time of the week for a flower shop. The last place for the evening was her bakery-that garnering more of her interest and time than the other two that seemed to have high quality managerial people who knew how to keep things running. Elizabeth often gave them a monthly bonus if sales remained the same, or went up.

As she entered the back of the bakery, through the place where the actual 'magic' happened to be at work in regards to making the tarts, Elizabeth called out for her childre. "Cosimo?" Elizabeth asked, putting her coat on a hook on the coat rack near the door, and grabbing her apron. Her apron was different compared to the other apron's everyone else wore, simply because Elizabeth loved the flower at the top of it and it was pink. Pink was more or less the 'theme' along with a light sea green colour that adorned the walls and decorations.

When the blonde woman did not get any replies, she had figured him to be at the cash register or perhaps arranging the tarts in the cases. A tray of tiny tarts, was grabbed as she passed by the counter. With her back to the door, it was budged open with her backside. However, when Elizabeth opened the swinging door to see not a single person inside her shop, but a window full of people and...a view of Cosimo, Elizabeth thought she would never, ever see. Her eyes tripled in size as the tray 'flew' from her hands and crashed to the floor. Never, in all her life! Elizabeth stood there, staring at a full backside view of Cosimo's backside and the first thing she could do was scream into his mind, 'What on earth are you doing, Cosi?!' As flustered as the woman was her eyes couldn't move away from him, or the crowd of mostly women, gathered around him.

What a scene.

Posted: **11 Apr 2017, 10:10**

The first thing Cosimo wondered was how dead he would be if Athena happened to walk past. But why should she? She would have no reason to be in this mall, right? And she was too busy with her own job -- which similarly required a lack of clothes and selling oneself to the opposite sex.

Not that Cosimo was really selling himself to the opposite sex, no. Even men came to see what the fuss was, a few wolf-whistles breaking the serenity of the mall. After a few minutes of confusion, Cosimo got into the swing of his role. The dome was lifted from the tray with a flourish, and tentative fingertips reached forward from the gathering crowd to try the sweet things that the semi-naked Italian was offering. Not here just for fun and games, Cosimo told them all what each sweet thing was and indicated that, should they want to buy more to take home for dessert they were fully welcome to. All they had to do was step inside the doors.

Too focused on what he was doing, Cosimo did not see the security guards making their way toward the small crowd. More pressing was the voice that suddenly sounded in his mind -- a familiar voice. He flinched before flicking the hair from his eyes as he half turned to look through the glass and into the shop. The movement lured from the ground another whistle and some tittering laughter. Cosimo could only laugh and grin, shrugging his shoulders at Elizabeth. He arched a brow and blinked in quick succession, an expression that asked for forgiveness rather than for permission. She had asked what he was doing, and in answer he pointed to the blonde waiting at the counter to be served -- no one was attending to her yet. Sales! That’s what he was doing. Even as he pointed to the waiting customer, several more stepped through the doors -- whether to get a good look at Cosimo from behind through the glass, to buy their tarts, or both, they would all soon find out.

“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you what you’re doing,” a stern voice called through the crowd. An immediate hush fell over the crowd. The security had arrived. Cosimo left his sire and his boss to the customers while he turned to face his doom. He wondered whether his dimples would work on these stern, burly men.

”I am selling tarts,” he said, holding the tray up for the security to try.

”Please, do try. They are delicious,” he said, grinning sweetly -- like he was doing absolutely nothing wrong.

Posted: **12 Apr 2017, 01:24**

Every crystal clear layer of glass served as a protective viewing window to all varieties of tarts that left her mouth watering. Mia had a sweet tooth just as much as her aunt did. A decade ago she would never have been standing in a shop looking to purchase what likely couldn’t compare to the family recipes held by those who raised her. She would have been in a kitchen skipping out on playing outside with her friends with an apron on and digging in cupboards for whatever was asked for like a confectionist assistant. She sighed still finding it so hard to choose despite her thoughts playing on her attention trying to take hold of it. Those were the good times.

The aroma of the shop only added to the distraction and temptation to buy more than one or a baker’s dozen. If she stood there long enough gazing at what she couldn’t possibly choose from she would risk leaving empty handed given the time of the evening it was. She glanced at her watch on her wrist then stuck out her index finger ready to settle on the conversation tart her aunt had specifically mentioned. It was then that her hand reached out but retracted as she caught a glimpse of sugary art. Her hand went to her chest and the fingers curled visibly bunching up the material beneath their clasp. Just when she thought she had made up her mind she realized she couldn’t commit to it which was so unlike her. Then and there she was stuck staring at she had never seen before. It was the one. She had to have it.

“Please, tell me that one is for sale.” She cooed while leaning closer effectively bending down as if was capable of feeling her instant adoration. She glanced up to the one who was wearing the pink apron on the other side of the sales counter and had access to the pastry display case. “Do you have more than one?”

Sounds of the growing crowd behind her earned a brief glance over her shoulder. Spotting the security had her neck twisting more as her fingers darted to cover her lips. Her bags she was carrying were pulled closer as if there was a threat to what she already paid for with the growing activity.

“I will take a dozen if you have them.” She turned back around hooking her thumb over her right shoulder to point out what had her concerned. “Everything okay back there? Maybe I can get them wrapped up before anything happens?” There was no way she was leaving without what she had her eyes and heart set on.

Posted: **13 Apr 2017, 12:14**

There was commotion outside of the most serious degree, but customers were starting to flock inwards for these tarts, or perhaps to get a better view of her childre's backside. As they stood in line, at random intervals, people would turn towards the window, talk, laugh, or even blush. Elizabeth would deal with whatever Cosi was up to, later.

A blonde woman was up at the counter before Elizabeth had the chance to clean up the tarts that had been spilled all over the floor. Blue hues wandered over to the tart the woman wanted, Elizabeth smiling at the choice. She had merely made and baked the tart, while her assistant, Cassidy had designed the flower. It was an art form that Elizabeth could not take complete credit for. "I believe Cassidy is in the back and is currently making more. While I was in there, she had about a dozen finished. Will that be enough?" The woman inquired with a tip of her head. "Otherwise, you are free to wait at a table and...enjoy the view?" What else could the woman say or suggest with such a distraction from Cosimo?

Cosimo! You are bound to get arrested for such a state." Elizabeth couldn't help but crack a smile, regardless of how dangerous the scenario might be for him. What would Athena think? Yes, Elizabeth had went there, because Elizabeth was positive that if he loved her and she loved him, than neither of them would like the end result, should Athena ever get wind of what had transpired here this evening. "And no. I mean, Yes. Everything is fine. I just did not expect the bakery to be so...busy." Elizabeth said apologetically, before holding up a finger. "Let me see how long it would take for Cassidy to finish with a complete dozen? If one would just sit but a few minutes, I am positive she will not be much longer." With that, Elizabeth extended an arm towards an empty table on the opposite side of Cosi's full rear view, but not making it impossible to see either. One of the benefits, and apparently consequences as well.

Posted: **15 Apr 2017, 06:27**

What would Athena think? Indeed, the thought hadn’t failed to cross Cosimo’s mind. As much as he tried to justify it, he knew that Athena wouldn’t be happy. But he’d come to the conclusion that he’d prefer to shout the house down with Athena than to live in silence like they had been for so long. And, if she were to discover what he had done here, if she were to find out, there would be shouting. Nay, screaming. And maybe that would make it all worthwhile. If he got himself arrested, she’d surely find out. But the Italian was going to work his hardest to keep such a thing from happening.

Ignoring the voice in his head, choosing to try win Elizabeth over later, he instead focused on what was right in front of him. A woman in her thirties with a resigned boyfriend at her elbow merely laughed at the security.

“Aw, c’mon. There’s no harm in a bit of male nudity, is there? There’s far more flesh seen from women on billboards. Give us something back…” she said. The man at her side appeared accustomed to these rants, and Cosimo merely winked at them both.

”I agree. There is no harm in a dimpled backside, and if a man is to be arrested for being only half naked I would think the world has become a little too serious,” he said. ”Besides, bare backsides are seen all of the time in children’s movies, si?” he asked, arguing his point. He wriggled the tray beneath their noses, tantalizing them with the sweet scent of freshly baked tarts. They were still warm, even the inside of the glass dome had misted up.

”Keeping control of the ruffians in this mall must be hungry work. Please, do try some…” he cajoled. One of the guards reached for a tasty treat and the other cleared his throat and nudged his co-worker with an elbow.

“We’re going to have to ask you to put your pants back on, sir. You’re causing a scene…” he said. His voice was decidedly less stern than it had been. The Italian could only grin wider as he realised he was slowly winning them over.

Posted: **16 Apr 2017, 12:23**

"Thank you."

And so she made her way to the table as suggested with the promise of what she asked for to be available soon. While she did she discovered a view that she could not miss. A rather bustling crowd of bodies that quickly swelled to the point some were literally stuck against the glass. Curious as any other customer within the shop she monitored the activity while unloading her arms of her previous purchases.The bags she had been carrying found their place beside her as she slid into the seat. Her eyes stayed glued to the window as security finally entered in the mix. As they did a few bodies shifted so that the dark head she noted standing a bit taller than the rest was visible for the first time from the shoulders down. The bare backside of a well toned male would explain all the commotion.

“Excuse me…” The empty chair closest to the window she was viewing moved as the voice challenged her focus. “Is this seat taken?”

Mia looked up to find a tall man seating himself before she could answer. She glanced back over her shoulder just in time to find her order was ready. So much for getting to find out how the events would unfold. She checked her watch and realized she was cutting it close.

“It is now.” She flashed a rather bright spendy smile. “I believe the live promotion is going to have this place the most popular bakery in the city.” Her bags were retrieved with the stretch of her body over her now vacant seat. “I see why my aunt was quick to rave about the goodies that could be found here.”
“Yes, me too.” The tall distinguished appearing businessman chuckled while eyeing the view closer to him with appreciation. “I think they are onto something.”
“Speaking of which…” Mia shifted what would need to hang over her shoulders if she was going to carry a dozen delicate rose tarts in her hands. “My order is ready.”
“Enjoy.” The salt and pepper close cut never bothered to pull its attention from what lured him to sit down.

With the transaction quickly made and the tarts worth waiting for in hand she exited the shop with minimal difficulty. A side step here and a few dodges of new arrivals to the scene she found her way free of the commotion. The mouthwatering aroma beneath her nose was tempting her with every step out of the final set of doors and into the dimly lit streets.

Posted: **17 Apr 2017, 02:56**

Any place near a mall wasn't exactly Athena's scene. She didn't like crowds, didn't like to shop, wasn't really even sure what inside a mall looked like anymore when she preferred to order things from catalogs and online. However, Cosimo had told her about his job at the Tart shop and she figured that she could go and visit and make the Italian she loved so much happy. The night air was cool, so she decided to walk the entire way there. It gave her time to think, and she did, mostly about Cosimo and also about how much she missed her best friend. If time permitted it, she would have to see about visiting the woman soon even if she didn't know how well that would roll over considering her disappearance .. again.

Athena was fully aware she had a lot to make up with when it came to the people she loved. Sighing to herself, she made her way inside the mall finally, the hand holding the map she had jotted down easily moving up so she could eye over it to make sure she was heading in the right direction. When she was left by herself, she often found herself lost or just close enough to her destination rather than right on it. Maybe if she went more places than just work or home, she could find her way around easier.

But Athena paused, both from finding that she was indeed heading the right direction but also because there was a great crowd right outside of the tart shop that she was told he worked at. But why? And she couldn't deny the sizable crowd, or the way that there seemed to be a few officers in lead of it. With Athena's experience, that just spelled trouble and she sighed again. Did she really want to stick her nose into this? Yes, of course she did, especially since the chance of Cosimo being in trouble was great. If he was in trouble, she would be there to help and that's all she could really ask for. Athena started to walk again, this time picking up her pace and shoving the map inside the pocket of her denim jacket. It was hard, to weave herself through the sea of women but she managed to do it with pushes, shoves, and her pointy elbows. If anything, the necromancer was a natural brawler and she really had no problem being physical when she felt the need. Just two more steps would bring her beside the officers, and she paused in her steps taken back by the sight before her. Her boyfriend, holding a tart tray and not only wearing a pink frilly apron but showing off his bare backside.

".. Oh what the flying **** do you think you're doing, Cosimo?!" Ath shouted, her face scrunching up to show her obvious displeasure. If she weren't so damn dead, her face would've lit up in a bright red flash of pure rage. It went straight from the boiling pot of her stomach up to her throat, and out of her pretty little mouth. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides then, struggling internally not to just knock the tray of treats from Cosimo's hands and just let him have it in front of all these people outside of his job. It wasn't easy, to reel in her anger when she had clearly already went from zero to a hundred real quick but she tried - for Cosimo. This was his place of work, this was a shop that his sire owned, a woman she hadn't had the pleasure of meeting yet and she did not want them to meet because Athena had lost her bloody temper ( and her mind ) in front of everybody without a second thought.

So, without even requiring the need to anymore- she stood there and took deep breaths in and out. She counted, she did everything in her power to just calm the hell down before she really did cause a scene.

Posted: **21 Apr 2017, 02:02**

With the other blonde gone about her way, Elizabeth was slammed with other orders due to Cosimo's 'stunt.' Amusing as it was, there was hesitation that needed to be minded in her mind. No one within her 'family,' had been overly successful in the matters that regarded their heart, and should Athena see or ever get wind of such a thing...Elizabeth sighed and shook her head. She hoped a stunt like this would be something the pair could laugh about later amongst themselves and not cause any unhappy endings.

Elizabeth did her best to keep an eye on her childe, while keeping an eye on the shop. More cashiers would be needed, it seemed. Something she would have to thank Cosimo for as well. Expansion was always good for business and the pocketbook too. Elizabeth was positive that tarts would not be 'flying' off the shelves tonight if he had not been exposing his backside. "Three lemon-my dad loves lemon, and then do you have anymore of those flower looking ones? The one the other girl had?" A woman shouted at her from all the commotion and noise that traveled inside from where Cosimo stood. Elizabeth shook her head, backed away slowly and took a deep breath in. Crowds were one thing, but noisy crowds were another thing. "No...No. I'm sorry, no." Elizabeth said quietly, still backing away from the small gathering around the counter. "I...will ask." Elizabeth said while her fingers dropped to her sides, and found the fabric of her apron and rubbed it between the thumb and index fingers. "Okay. Can you do that, then?" The woman asked after a few seconds passed and Elizabeth hadn't moved from her spot.

"Oh. Yes. One moment." Elizabeth said while she nodded slowly, then smoothed the fabric of the apron down. "Cassidy will help thee." Was all that was said, before Elizabeth disappeared into the back room where all the 'magic' happened in search of Cassidy.

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