The bell above the door jingled for the third time that morning.
'For spell's sake, who the hell is it again?' Irritation struck him, and he glared at the visitor.
"Yo!" Effie called out, her voice ringing throughout the cafe.
If it was any louder, it might have cut the constant chatter around them.
"Are you still pretending to be a humble café owner, or are you finally admitting you're secretly a rich, brooding recluse?"
Sunny sighed, already reaching for another cup. "If you're gonna mock me, at least order something first."
Effie strolled in like she owned the place, a bright grin on her face and windswept hair from the chill outside.
She stopped just short of the counter and gave him an up-down look.
Then she paused.
Tilted her head.
"...Damn," she muttered, eyes narrowing. "You're looking extra good today. New shirt?"
'You too? Damned this [Charm] attribute...'
"It's the same one I wore yesterday." He responded in a dead tone, his voice dropping.
Effie nodded, whistling low. "Then it's definitely the face. Or maybe it's the 'mysterious saint who rules a shadow citadel' thing you've got going on. Either way… unfair."
He gave her a flat look as he poured her usual drink.
"Don't start."
"Too late," Effie grinned.
She turned her head then, eyes landing on Nephis, who hadn't moved from her spot in the corner.
"You're still here?" Effie raised a brow, walking over to her table. "What, staking the place out for some secret Valor business?"
Nephis blinked once. "No. I just like the cake."
Suddenly, a big grin appeared on Effie's face. She had found the right moment to attack, and she sure as hell will advance.
"You know," she said, eyeing the empty plates stacked near Nephis's elbow, "I was gonna ask if you're camping here now… but judging by those cake slices, I think you might already have moved in."
Nephis didn't look up. She finished the last bite of her fifth slice with the same blank, graceful efficiency as the first.
"I like the cake," she said simply.
"Oh, I can see that. But five slices, Neph? Should I be worried?" She grew quiet, and leaned in to whisper.
She slowly sighed quietly, and muttered. "No. I just like the cake."
Effie placed a dramatic hand on her chest. "Damn. That might be the most emotion I've heard from you all year."
Nephis blinked slowly. "It was a factual statement."
"And yet, I still feel like there's a hidden love confession buried in there somewhere." She leaned in, grinning. "You're not just here for the cake, are you?"
"Oh, Saints preserve us," she said with mock horror. "Is that a blush?"
"I don't blush," Nephis replied evenly.
"You do now. It's faint, but it's there. I'm telling you, if I squint hard enough-"
Nephis picked up her fork again.
Effie leaned back in triumph, folding her arms behind her head.
"You know, Neph," she said cheerfully, "for someone who once looked like they were ready to burn the world down, you're awfully soft when you sit in his café. Even I felt it when I was on my way here."
Nephis didn't rise to the bait. But her next bite of cake was slower.
Sunny, still at the counter, tried very hard to pretend he wasn't listening in.
But his ears had gone a little red.
"So…" she said slowly, glancing between them.
Sunny was behind the counter again, and Nephis was mid-bite.
"…When are you two just gonna kiss already?"
Nephis choked.