Mood(ier) Than Usual

[unshelledbullet]

Who: Squall Leonhart and the bubble
Where: A coffee shop in the plaza
When: Morning
Style: Starting in action, feel free to change
Status: Open

[He could not get over it. Squall simply could not get over it. This murder fiasco left him with overwhelming guilt and a feeling of uselessness.

Squall hates feeling useless. And when he tried owning up to his failure, people kept trying to comfort and coddle him. And he couldn't understand why people wouldn't just accept his apologies.

Why is this so much harder than it should be?

Eventually, he stopped trying, needing some time to cool off and feel miserable in peace, so he headed for a coffee shop he visited fairly frequently. Unfortunately for him, the only available seating was outside. The shop had started serving a seasonal blend with pumpkin and spice, business was booming.

And as such, Squall is currently seated at an outdoor table with a pumpkin spice coffee in hand, and he is positively radiating negativity.

Talk to him? Or just ask how that coffee tastes, that's good too.]

Comments

[cheapshinigami]

[Tatsumi approaches the coffee shop, thinking about bringing home some specialty tea for Tsuzuki and maybe something for breakfast, maybe some bagels. He notices Squall sitting outside and looking sad or is it angry? He is not quite sure, but maybe he could use someone to talk to?]

Good morning, Leonhart-san.

[unshelledbullet]

[Squall isn't the greatest at recognizing people, but there aren't very many people who call him "Leonhart-san," and it's quite easy to narrow it down.]

Good morning, Tatsumi.

[He sounds quite civil for someone who's angry with himself.]

[cheapshinigami]

[Tatsumi is not only Japanese, but also very polite.]

Are you faring well? [Because it sure doesn't look like he is.]

[unshelledbullet]

Not really.

[No denials here. He's not in the mood for it right now.]

MUFUFUFU~ [the last visitor]

[bufudine]

[Serph had been to see Rinoa, so now it's time to see Squall. Admittedly, he should have talked to Squall sooner, but their duties kept that from happening. Well, Serph isn't one to dwell on what he should have done, especially when there's still so much to do. So when he sees Squall, Serph signals his approach by keeping his footsteps audible and takes a seat opposite Squall.]

How are you?

Always

[unshelledbullet]

[Squall's original intent was to just be alone, and really, he should know by now that just never happens. Ever. After the line of visitors he's had today, he's not surprised at all to see Serph. At this point, he would have been surprised if he didn't show up.]

Fine.

[bufudine]

[Of course. Under other circumstances, there'd be a good chance he'd leave it at that, despite knowing that Squall wasn't fine. But he has a fairly good idea what's wrong in this case and it's definitely not a good idea to let this fester.]

I can listen.

[Or he can, you know, wait here in silence until Squall can't take it any more. Because he'll do that, too.]

[unshelledbullet]

[Squall doesn't recall saying that he wanted to say anything. In fact, he's pretty sure that he has given the indication that he does not want to talk about anything that's bothering him.

But if Serph wants to sit there and stare for a while, then he's welcome to. Squall is just going to sit here and drink his coffee.]

suddenly combo

[unshelledbullet]

...

[SIIIIIIIIP.]

[unshelledbullet]

[...shit, that stare is actually kind of unnerving.]

[detectiveprincess]

[Naoto had only arrived at the coffee shop recently. Of course while she wasn't there for the coffee, they did have some decent teas as well. She had ordered some when she had seen the man outside. The way he was behaving reminded her of when the group had been upset about the loss of Nanako-chan. All the guys had brooded to the point where there were those who were scared to even come near them.

Taking her order of hot Earl Gray, she went over to his table. She attempted to present herself as male-like as possible.]

Excuse me, is this seat taken sir?

[unshelledbullet]

[With all the business that's been going on, Squall had completely forgotten that the usual time for new arrivals had come and gone. So when an unfamiliar person asks if the seat across from him is free, he's briefly confused, but he quickly figures it out.]

It's free.

[He's operating under the assumption the young man simply can't find seating elsewhere.]

[detectiveprincess]

[Naoto pulls the chair out and takes a seat. She sits there for a moment, sipping her tea and observing the area - namely him, but not making it obvious. She sees that he's tense and upset. She's automatically sure that he was a part of the recent events that took place.

She gently puts the cup down, not looking at him as she speaks her next words.]

It's been a rough few weeks to a month for everyone, hasn't it?

[blitz_acing]

[Tidus doesn't even like coffee, but noticing Squall, he stops. He hadn't spoken to him since before the murders, but now seemed as bad a time as any. After trying to pretend to be as casually interested in the shop itself, he wanders over to Squall, not bothering to take a seat.]

Can I try it?

[unshelledbullet]

[EW TIDUS NO THAT'S GROSS. Squall gives him a disbelieving look. That would warrant a punch, under normal circumstances. But today, Squall doesn't feel like punching anyone unless that person is himself. And trying to punch himself would be extremely awkward.]

Get your own.

[It's not like they cost any money!]

[blitz_acing]

[Tidus would be happy to punch Squall for him if he asked! He shakes his head.]

Why would I get my own if I don't even know if I'll like it? You already have one.

[But that's not the point!!]

[booyaka_boom]

*You know, for all the bubble of happiness and light that she usually was, there'd definitely been a darkening around her after recent events. She'd come to the coffee shop too and she had noticed Squall.

Selphie had picked up a large hot chocolate, and she dropped herself into the seat directly beside Squall, some cream slopping over the side of the mug. She said nothing*

[unshelledbullet]

[Selphie finding him here isn't all that surprising at all. He looks at her to acknowledge her presence, but he doesn't say anything. She's going to break the silence soon enough.]

[booyaka_boom]

*Selphie frowns at her hot chocolate then picks out a marshmallow, chewing on it thoughtfully*

I feel like it's my fault, too. I feel like...

*She sighs and glances briefly at Squall*

I should have been there.

[fightforastar]

[Tifa notices him outside, but decides to go in and get one of those seasonal coffees for herself before approaching him. She might not know exactly what he's thinking, but with recent events? She thinks she can guess the topic.]

I'm surprised you're not scaring away any customers, making that face.

[unshelledbullet]

They really like their coffee.

[Plus most people in the city know he's mostly harmless as long as you aren't causing trouble.]

[fightforastar]

[Doesn't mean she can't tease.]

It does smell good.

Mind if I sit down?

[teradine]

[Coffee . . .

Not something Argilla had really grown accustomed to, but its smell is actually quite nice. She remembers it well, though this time, she doesn't even have to go inside. There sits Squall, all by himself; and although Rinoa hadn't actually told her directly, she had a feeling she may have been talking about him.

Blaming himself--

It's the only reason why he would look so dejected, even though things are finally under control.]

May I join you?

[Argilla walks up casually, a neutral expression-- unassuming and without pity.]

[unshelledbullet]

[As down as he looks, Squall is better than he was when he first sat down. His coffee is long gone by now, all that remained was an empty cup that had yet to be thrown away.

Still, even in his worst moods, he would never turn Argilla away. There is something about her that he finds difficult to say no to. He gestures to the empty seat across from him.]

Of course.

[teradine]

[Honestly, even if he had refused, she likely would've had a few words to say before she left; but she's glad he hadn't made things that difficult. When he gestures to the empty seat, she takes it easily.]

Serph told me you were here.

[He implied that Squall might enjoy some company. Or at least, that's how she took things.

But she doesn't really go into all that much detail.]