Chapter Text
“Blake? Blaaaake?”
“Huh, what, what?” Blake blinked, bleary eyed at the counter she was supposed to be cleaning. Snapping out of her daze and rubbing the sleep out of her eyes with the palms of her hands she glanced over to her closest friend and co-worker Ilia, who was standing hand on hip and an eyebrow raised in question.
“Sorry,” Blake said sheepishly, running a hand through her hair, “I didn’t get much sleep last night and you know how much I hate the morning shifts,”she continued while trying to stifle a yawn. Blake was definitely more of a night owl and having to get up at 5am to be at her job for 6 while doing the morning shifts always killed her. The one upside was that her boss was never in this early. She shuddered at the thought. Looking back to Ilia though she gave her an apologetic smile and a small shrug to which Ilia blew out a breath and smiled back.
“I could never stay angry at you Blake, and you know it.” She smirked while saying that. “So, hurry up and finishing wiping down we’re opening in 10.” With that Ilia turned around and headed over to the kitchen area to finish cutting fruits and Blake did as she was asked and finished wiping the bar down, ready for the early morning customers. She took a moment to look at the medium sized shop they were working in called the ‘Surfers Paradise,’ known for its smoothies, shakes and alcoholic beverages, perfect for a warm day on Daibon beach. It was actually a pretty nice building with the bar area in front open on three sides so people could sit around and Blake could see the whole beach. It also had a had a thatch roof on top. The shop was split in three with the bar at the front, a wall that separated the kitchen and bar with a beaded door in the middle and then a small storage area in the back. It was a bit cramped, but it could’ve been worse. The best part about it though, in Blakes opinion was that because of the thatch roof drooping down it meant it gave them shade when the sun was at its highest and because of the open bar she could see all along the coast, and she liked being able to keep an eye on what was going on. She closed her eyes and relaxed for a moment, feeling the soft sea breeze blow gently on her face and she took a deep relaxing breath. She could do this. She needed the money and if she was honest the work wasn’t too bad, she just had to wake up.
“Hey Blake, could you grab a couple boxes of oranges for the smoothie machine on the front counter.” She heard Ilia shout out from the kitchen.
“Sure thing!” She called back and went through the beads scooted past Ilia and grabbed enough crates to just about obscure her vision. A great idea. She started to carefully maneuver her way out of the small kitchen and back out to the front. It was then she heard a women’s voice.
“Hey, sorry if I’m too early but are you guys open yet?” Blakes ears perked up at the sound and she bent down to place the oranges. It wasn’t uncommon to have a customer come a little early and usually it was no big deal, if a little annoying.
“No, your fine just give me one- “she stopped mid-sentence and nearly dropped the crates when she looked up at the woman. Standing before her was the most beautiful person she had ever seen. A woman with a wild mane of blond hair barely kept in check by a high pony tail and a pair of aviators pushed up on her head. She wore a black two-piece tight fitting athletic swim suit with orange and yellow stripes on the sides which matched the flaming surf board she was holding beside her. The outfit also had the added effect of showing off just how ripped she was, pure lean muscle. As Blake stood up, still stunned, she also noted how bright her smile was and her vibrant violet eyes. “Um are you ok? Did you hurt yourself?” The women looked concerned now, her illuminating smile replaced by a worried frown.
“What? Oh no um sorry I was just…” Blake sputtered out as she felt the warmth in her cheeks rising.
“You guys alright out here...?” Ilia poked a quizzical head out through the beads after hearing Blake rambling and rolled her eyes once she’d taken in the situation. She stepped out from the kitchen and made her way to Blakes side. “Sorry about Blake, her brain doesn’t start functioning until at least 11 or after she’s had 5 cups of coffee.” Ilia said jokingly raping her knuckles on the top of Blakes head which snapped her out of her daze, and she scowled at Ilia, ears flattening. Blake cleared her throat and tried to compose herself. Ilia did have a point, it was too early to have coherent thoughts.
“Yes, sorry about that, what can I get you?” The women started smiling again, clearly relieved Blake hadn’t hurt herself.
“Just a strawberry smoothie and a milk to go please,” she beamed at Blake, one side of her mouth curling up slightly more than the other.
“Sure thing, what size?”
“Just regular please,” Blake nodded and quickly rung it up on the register.
“That’ll be 4 lien please.” As she rooted around in her purse that she’d taken out of a backpack that Blake only noticed she had now, Ilia said she’d go back to make the smoothie, giving Blake a wink as she left.
“Ah! Her you go, 4 lien!” She said, the smile still plastered on her face. Blake took it and couldn’t help smiling back at her. It was infectious.
“So, what has you up so early, usually it’s just the old people and dudes having a midlife crisis but I’m going to guess surfing?” Blake asked trying to fill the silence. She seemed to like her joke too as the women gave a hearty laugh.
“Yup! I wanted to catch some early waves, see what its like in this area, and my sis was super excited about swimming in warm waters for once too,” she chuckled. Blake couldn’t help noticing how sweet her laugh sounded, just like honey.
“Must be your first time here then,” Blake was curious now and she nodded.
“Yeah. First vacation in a while actually and I really wanted to enter the Daibon amateur surfing contest. Kinda been a big dream of mine since I was little,” she said sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck. The contest was on in a week and it was the biggest event of the year. There was a carnival and everything. Thousands of people would come, and it would be where most of the beaches income would come from. It would be a couple more days until it got busy with surfers this early, all trying to feel out the waves before the big day. Blake was about to wish her good luck, but Ilia interrupted her.
“Here you go, one strawberry smoothie and a milk.” She said handing the two to the woman.
“Ah thanks so much!” She smiled appreciatively at Ilia but didn’t walk away just yet.
“Hey, I have an idea, seeing as you’re new here, how about Blake gives you a tour of the place when she gets of work?” Ilia said smirking at Blake and throwing an arm around her shoulder. Blakes ears instantly flatted and she gave Ilia daggers as she felt her cheeks getting red again.
“That’d be great actually!” she replied excitedly, “as long as you want to though,” she added a little hesitantly, clearly noticing Blake's reaction. Ilia gave Blake an elbow and she squeaked.
“Yes, yes of course I would. I finish up around 1pm if that’s ok?” she mumbled, looking at the ground, trying to hide her blushing, but if she saw she didn’t say so.
“Perfect! I’ll see you then Blake,” she said emphasising her name, and turned to walk away, taking her board with her. Blake stood blinking for a second before leaning over the counter and calling out,
“Wait what’s your name?” The womsn kept strolling but turned her head, flicked down her aviators and giving her a sly grin called back,
“It’s Yang. Yang Xiao Long.” And with that she started jogging down to the water from where Blake now noticed a small girl in a bright red swimsuit who jumped up and gave Yang a hug before taking her drink.
“Jesus Blake you are so gay,” Ilia cackled doubling over at the scene that just took place. Blake just kept scowling, but she was smiling on the inside. “The way you froze up, classic. You’re usually so cool and suave but that was just laughable.” She stood back up straight wiping a tear from her eye and grinning at Blake.
“She’s just cute ok.” She mumbled at her, but it just set Ilia off again and Blake huffed, crossing her arms defensively. It felt like it’d been so long since she had been in a relationship, and Yang seemed so happy and bubbly. She shook her head at the thoughts. She’d been talking to this girl for a minute and already she was planning to date her! She needed to calm down. Who knows what she was really like. She couldn’t let something like that happen again. She rubbed her face trying to refocus, but it wasn’t really working, and she could feel herself starting to spiral. She jumped as a hand was placed on her shoulder, her ears going straight up, but it was only Ilia.
“It’s Ok Blake. She seems genuine.” Ilia’s voice was calm and reassuring, all the teasing gone. Blake pinched the bridge of her nose her ears dropping forward, defeated.
“I know, I just, I can’t do that again.” Her voice quivered as she said that.
“Its not going to,” her voice stern. “I won’t let that happen.” She pulled Blake into a hug.
“Thanks Ilia.” She whispered and as she pulled back, she looked up to one of the many entrances to the beach. Her eyes widened. “Oh shit.”
“What what?!” Ilia panicked whipping round to see the large gaggle of people in tight white shorts and an array of colourful t-shirts and visors. “The joggers,” she gasped dramatically, and Blake gave a small laugh. Ilia looked back at her stern again,” You good?” she asked. Blake appreciated just how caring she was, she was sad they just didn’t work out romantically, but both were happy staying close friends.
“I’m good.” She gave her a reassuring smile and looked back down to the sea where Yang and her sister were making their way to the water. Ilia seemed satisfied with that answer.
“Alright then! Stop gawking at the hot customers and get back to filling the orange juicer!” Blake smiled and rolled her eyes but got back to her job. The early morning joggers were actually the worst but at least she had something to look forward too now, shoving any bad thoughts deep down where they belong.
The morning rush woke Blake up a little and got her back into her usual reserved yet attentive self. There was a constant flow of people through the entrance as the sun started rising higher into the sky. Most were humans on holidays, spending a week on the sunny island of Menagerie. They came in droves with their floaties and sunburn. Seeing as this was a more high-end resort area, they tended to be richer families from the cold climate of Atlas and because of this she didn’t always get the warmest reception. It varied, some just ignored her simply asking for the order and getting away as quick as possible while others didn’t care about her ears. Blake actually liked this, it meant she didn’t have to talk to them. Some of them though, well, she didn’t really like thinking about those interactions.
She sighed, trying to clean the smoothie that had been tossed on her. She had heard him mumbling how he was fed up with being served by ‘filthy animals’, but it wasn’t like it was the first time she’d heard it. “Here ya go,” Ilia said, coming out of the storage room and throwing her a fresh t-shirt. They kept a few for just such an occasion, even if it was rare enough. They gave each other a knowing look but that was it and she went to change in the back, coming out feeling a little better and she resumed her position by the till. Luckily the flow of people had ceased, and she leaned an elbow up on the counter and rested her chin on it, looking bored, waiting for the hours to tick by. She looked at her phone and groaned. She still had an hour to go before she was off but more importantly… Her gaze turned to the sea for the hundredth time again scanning for the blond, Yang. And there she was, riding a wave like it was nothing. Even from this distance she could see the pure joy visible on her face. She’d been watching most of the day, well when she could, and every time Ilia would start giggling catching her staring dopey eyed at the woman.
Eventually after what had seemed like the longest day ever, the clock struck one and the two girls went to grab their stuff. Their two co-workers, Emerald and Mercury, had arrived to take over. Emerald was nice if a bit two faced sometimes but Blake couldn’t stand Mercury. He walked around like he was better than everyone else as well as being a player.
“Sup ladies, looking as good as ever,” he said as he walked past smirking at them and eyeing them up and down. Ilia gave him the middle finger and Blake gifted him with one of her scathing looks but it just made him chuckle. Emerald rolled her eyes at Mercury’s behaviour but said nothing and the two ladies left the shop, glad to be done for the day. Blake was starting to feel nervous now. Why had she agreed to this? She’d been talking to this girl all of two minutes. No, it’s fine she was just showing her around, that was it. Ilia practically reading her thoughts jabbed her lightly in the side with her elbow for the second time that day.
“Chill man, just have fun.” She grinned at Blake but that didn’t help her at all, her nervousness showing now with her ears slightly angling back on her head. Ilia just laughed again, finding her gay panic adorable. “Look I’ll see you tomorrow, and seriously just relax, you need it,” turning around she hurried off to go catch her bus home, leaving Blake on her own a few meters from her workplace anxiously waiting for the mysterious woman to turn up and hopefully not mess up while showing her around.
She looked down at herself. She was a bit annoyed that someone had to have thrown a drink on her today as she had been wearing one of her favourite tops, a shoulder less black shirt that still had straps, so it didn’t constantly fall down. She sighed at the light grey plain t-shirt she was now wearing that was a little too long for her, but it wasn’t so long as too cover her dark blue denim shorts which was a small victory. She then took out her phone and made sure her long black hair wasn’t sticking out all over the place and she had time to fix her makeup in the shop bathroom before she had left. She didn’t have much on just the usual purple eyeshadow. She glanced at her ears before putting the phone away and a fresh wave of anxiety washed over her. What if Yang was just messing with her because she was a faunus and was actually off to the side laughing at her-
“Hello?” Her thoughts were interrupted as the woman herself stood before her waving her hand in front of Blake looking slightly worried. “Seems you space out a lot huh.” Yang stopped looking worried and her warm smile replaced it. Blake mentally cursed herself for looking like an idiot again.
“Just not my day I guess,” she replied as coolly as she could and took a moment to see that Yang had changed out of her swim gear and was now wearing an orange knot front crop top, with an open white shirt over it and finally a pair of ripped light blue jean shorts. Her hair was also out of its ponytail and was still wet from what Blake assumed was a shower which was confirmed a moment later.
“Haha no worries, sorry I’m late by the way, just wanted to freshen up,” she explained scratching the top of her head and then ruffled her hand through her hair trying to get rid of some of the knots. “So, you ready to show me what this place has to offer?” Yang asked, she looked excited and Blake couldn’t help smiling at her again.
“Sure, ready as I’ll ever be, what about your sister though?”
"Oh don't worry she went back to the hotel, she was wiped after the travel and today," she chuckled. Then dramatically gestured for Blake to lead the way, who, in response quirked an eyebrow but hid a smile and the two started making their way down the beach, beginning their tour of Daibon.