The Hopeful

There was perhaps no better place for Reed to work at then the small coffee shop. It was depressing but true, so he resigned and allowed his fate to play out the way it was meant to.

This day wasn't any different from any other day in the last few days. His alarm rang at exactly six in the morning, his tea was too hot so he left it on his table and took a shower instead.

His way to work was perfectly planned, he walked down the three steps of his apartment complex at 7:05 and reached the bus station at 7:13, two minutes before the bus arrived.

Sometimes his darkness was illuminated by the unmistakable glow of a mystical energy, blue and sparkling but faint. He himself didn't have such an aura.

At 7:30 he reached the stop he had to get off at from where it took him seven minutes until he reached the small coffee shop. He was always the first to enter, turning on the holographic signs and lights was his responsibility.

Ardy would arrive approximately ten minutes after him and together they cleaned the kitchen and the public area of the shop. Reed only brewed coffee and assembled the drinks, he was too anxious to enter the front part of the shop while customers were there.

This day...it had started and for him. First some moron had left their morning paper on the stairs in front of his home and he had nearly slammed his head into the metal rail around the stairs.

Next, his bus had been late, terribly late, and the first time in a year he had arrived at the same time as Ardy.

In light of these not all too pleasant events he was content to sit behind the counter, an audio book steadily keeping him interested. He didn't expect anyone to come to the coffee shop so early, they had their few regulars but they frequented the shop at night due to its long opening hours.

The virtual ball above the door rang just as his book reached its climax and he scrunced up his face, not ready to speak to anyone right now.

Annoyed he plucked the headphones out of his ears and got up to great the new customer.

Never in his life had Reed seen such a radiant and beautiful spiritual aura. It filled the whole shop, leaking out the windows into the street. Whoever was standing in front of him had to be incredibly powerful.

Not that that person would even know that, officially magic and spirits didn't exist in the modern city, they were stories told to children by campfires and in books for teenagers. Only few believed in magic, and Reed had never met anyone like himself, that knew what it looked like.

Reed did his best to conceal his wonder and decided to smile at the person instead.

"How may I help you?" He had to set down his fingers on the counter to keep himself from fiddling with them. The costumer stayed silent , his spirit ever so slightly swaying with his movements.

"A cup of coffee, please." Reed was surprised to hear a deep voice, smooth even though he could clearly tell it was breaking. Perhaps the man had not spoken all day and had to strain his vocal cords to respond to him.

"Absolutely. Sit down, my colleague will bring you your drink." Reed could hear the sound of soles walking over the faux wooden floor, then the rustling of fabric. The man must have sat down. Reed had to resist the urge to cover his eyes with his hand, the spirit was so bright and ever moving.

He busied himself by replacing the water in the coffee machine and started to cook the mans coffee. His hands found the cup where he last placed it, along with a small can for milk, sugar and a try. Ardy was probably already putting on her uniform in the back so he would get her to serve the guest.

A part of himself wanted to go out there himself, talk to the man, maybe get to know his name, where he worked..... but he resisted the urge. What was so different about this one guy? Sure, he was filled with power greater than he could ever imagine but knowing that would do him no good. Reed had experienced the hunts himself, he remembered when the world around him had become darker until his home had not a single light left in it.

Saddened by this memory he handed the cup to Ardy, careful to only let go as soon as he was sure that she had savely gripped the cup. Ardy was a blank spot for him, she didn't posses any spirit at all, like most people in this godforsaken town.

He cursed the fact that the stranger hat sat down so far away from him, he was sure Ardy was talking to him but he could only make a few words. He could hear her return, her heels loud against the floor. She took the sugar and the milk from his hands.

"He's a cute one, I can tell ya that much. I'd see if I can get his number." He could practically hear her smile in her words and a strange sensation settled into his stomach. It felt like a burning fire, crawling up his windpipe and flooding his mouth with a foul taste.

Was he.... nervous? He couldn't tell, he had never had such an intense desire to clench his fist and... and bash her darn skull in! Reed shook his head to get those intrusive thoughts out of his head. Ardy hadn't done anything wrong at all. Nothing at all.Still, as she returned to him, he had to force the smile to stay one his face.

"His name's Calister. Neat, huh? And he asked for a club card, so we're gonna get the number!" Ardy was horribly excited.

Calister.

What an absolutely beautiful name. Reed wanted to say it but he didn't dare to. So he just smiled at the wonderful blue of Calisters spirit.