can't a man have some coffee in peace

[melancoffeea]

[The thread that connects him to the supreme primarch's power has unraveled, taking with it his wings. Rent of what makes him an archangel, he's no better than a human with a purpose thrust unto him by a weakened witch. All in all, the whole situation reeks of nonsense.

Indolence won't help his brooding any. Sandalphon tours the city instead, pointedly taking the less populated path. Even then, too many people approach him with their wares and saccharine smiles, and he rebuffs each one with a single-word response. It's not soon enough when he slips into a shop that smells faintly of coffee, hoping for some peace and quiet.

But even here, the employees jump at every person to come around. Sandalphon grits his teeth in reflex annoyance when a rehearsed greeting and a request for an order is thrown his way. He hadn't intended to buy anything. Still, he can't just turn around and leave.]

Fine. Give me coffee.

[That unleashes a whole new can of beans. Regular or decaf? Perhaps a mocha, a latte, or a cappucino? And what about ice?

Does any of this matter? No one makes coffee like Lucifer. It hasn't been more than two hours, and Sandalphon wants to quit Shehui.]

That doesn't matter to me. Make what you want.

[At the very least, the service is quick—too quick. Sandalphon eyes the cup in his grasp with mild suspicion. What's with the lid?]

Comments

[melancoffeea]

[He knits his eyebrows. To begin with, Lucifer shouldn't have to be forced into this arrangement. Ultimately, though, he gives a nod in response.]

If there's anything that you need, tell me.

[Sandalphon doesn't doubt that Lucifer can take care of himself; however, if there's any way that he can make these difficult accommodations easier on the latter, then he's willing to do whatever it takes—including kitten rearing.]

[supremo]

Of course. I would be grateful for your assistance. [His expression softens.] I only regret that I must burden you with such mundane tasks.

[Like... kitten rearing... Even though he's sure Sandalphon will make a wonderful kitten dad. But between things like that and running errands for him and the like, it felt— a bit beneath him. He considered him an equal, and yet he had no choice but to ask him things like this... It was unfortunate.]

Until we determine what to do with him, I imagine we'll need proper cat food.

[melancoffeea]

[Better him than Lucifer, if they must engage in those mundane tasks.]

Right . . . There are a few stores I can think of that should carry such a thing. I'll look for them in the morning.

[Then snapping his head in the direction of the sofa, Sandalphon squints. He could've sworn that he saw something like a paw sticking out in the open. He keeps his voice even and soft.]

Did you see that?

[supremo]

[He smiles a little, less because of the kitten's movement and more because of Sandalphon's reaction. He turns to look in the direction of the kitten and nods.]

It looks like he may be interested.

[That seems like a good sign, at least!!]

[melancoffeea]

[Listen, that kitten is the whole reason they're loitering in the doorway. Not willing to spook the creature after all that effort, Sandalphon falls quiet. The paw slips back under the sofa, and that seems to be the end of that—until a gray head emerges to sniff tentatively at the bowl of milk.

The kitten, still wary of its surroundings but led by its sensitive nose, slowly inches toward the drink. Sandalphon, meanwhile, may as well be a statue with how still he is.]