Chapter ~8~ [Video]

[imhisaunt]

[Delmar has pink frosting smeared on his cheek that he hasn't realized is there yet, but aside from that, or perhaps because of it, he looks his usual chipper self, grinning widely and hands fluttering in a wave at the screen] 

Hello, everyone! I just wanted to make sure that all of you new folks knew about The Bear Hug Bakery. 

[He lifts up the phone and turns about so that he can get a quick, albeit shaky, scan of the cheerful yellow bakery] 

Everyone is welcome and if you have any favorite pastries you just go ahead and let me know and I will try and make it for you. Also we could always use more helpers if you'd like to lend us a hand. 

Have a good day! 

Comments

[laststartofall]

Good any time. [Even now, if Delmar is. He shifts slightly in his seat, glancing over one shoulder as a male voice starts calling his name in the background.]

You want something for it?

['Jet. Jet... Jet!' shouts the voice. Jet closes his eyes briefly and shakes his head.]

Ignore that.

[imhisaunt]

No, no, it won't cost you a thing.

[The Bear Hug bakery was intended as a place for giving hope, Delmar has no intention of taking anything from anyone.]


...is...that person calling for you? It...sounds urgent....

[laststartofall]

Just a second.

[He covers the receiver carefully, shouting back 'What?!' before removing his hand from the phone and cocking his head to one side to listen. A mumbled 'nothing!' comes back and he shrugs, giving Delmar a smile.]

Nothing urgent.

[imhisaunt]

You sound very used to being yelled at like that. Do you have children?

[laststartofall]

[He laughs. It's a warm and gentle sound, quite soft.]

Children? Could say that. Got some people that need looking out for. [All adults, most of them close to his own age, but still needing some taking care of.

The name attached to his message is 'Jet Star'.]

Call me Jet.

[imhisaunt]

It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Jet.

[He nods with a smile]

My name is Delmar

[laststartofall]

Just Jet.

[If you please. He left all need for any polite titles behind him when he ran from 'civilised' society years ago.]

Got some time free now, if you do.

[imhisaunt]

Now is just fine. Do you know where the bakery is?

We're just next to all those little motorcycles...the...ah! The mopeds! We are right next to those.

[laststartofall]

Mm. [A small nod.] Know where they are. Be there soon, need to see what 'nothing' Party Poison wanted.

[Because it's never nothing.

It's about half an hour when he ducks into the shop, imposing in person but with a kind of relaxed, friendly air about him. He gives a small wave to the man behind the counter.]

Hey.

[imhisaunt]

[Delmar doesn't get a chance to ask what kind of name 'Party Poison' is...is it a rock band? A code name? But in the time between the call and Jet's arrival he comes to the conclusion that it was probably for the best that he didn't ask. That would have been rude.

When Jet appears in person, Delmar's eyes widen a little, betraying the fact that this young man, by appearance, is quite intimidating.]

Hello [He calls out, trying not to let his shyness around strangers get the better of him but unable to hide his timidness entirely. It's one thing to speak to someone over the phone, but in person Delmar has zero self-confidence.]

Are you ready?

[laststartofall]

[In Jet's crew, much as it is with dogs, it's the little ones you have to watch out for. Jet has all the aggression of a well-trained mountain dog, while some of his friends are more akin to snappy terriers.

He catches the look Delmar gives him, and cocks his head slightly without drawing it into question. Instead, he latches on to the question asked of him and nods, tight curls of hair bouncing slightly.]

Ready. Sure you're doing this for nothing? Not used to free trade.

[imhisaunt]

[Delmar waves his hand through the air, gesturing for him to come behind the counter to where the kitchen is]

I'm very sure. I wanted this bakery to be something that cheered people up... you know, a place where people can feel nice.... I don't want anything from them. If I can give them something that makes them happy then that is trade enough for me.

[laststartofall]

[He follows behind, thumbs hooked loosely into the belt loops of his jeans. For the hot weather, he looks overdressed, but it doesn't seem to be bothering him at all.]

Nice of you.

[Jet doesn't lurk, though he's aware of how he can do it accidentally.]

Wanting to do something for my crew. Something that isn't... [A small, vague hand gesture.] ... Something simple.

[imhisaunt]

Your crew? Do...you have employees here?

['Crew' is not lingo for friends in Delmar's very limited social sphere. In fact the only time he's come across it is in reference to teams of laborers or--]

...or are you in the navy?

[He certainly doesn't look like he's in the navy. Not with such long hair. But perhaps that grew in the time he's been in Hadriel?]

[laststartofall]

[Jet shoots the man a puzzled look, then quietly laughs as he shakes his head.]

People I run with, back home. My friends.

[He'd laugh harder at the the thought he could be part of some organised armed force. Sure, he'd fought in a war, but he doesn't think he could really call it the same thing.]

All been through five shades of hell. Think they'd like this.

[imhisaunt]

[Delmar turns a light shade of pink, somewhat embarrassed]

Oh....of course. That makes much more sense.

[An apologetic smile]

I'm afraid I don't know a lot of the...um... the phrases younger people use here.

[Then he turns to where they store the ingredients]

Well then we must find something nice to make for them.

[laststartofall]

Most people here got the same thought.

[Doesn't matter how young they are. The language of the Zones is a thing all of its own and while sometimes context clues help, a lot of the time they're no use at all.]

Bet you got some ideas? Gotta be something chocolate. All got a sweet tooth.