Work Text:
Mr.Argent’s request seemed rather simple. Deliver some papers to the architect shop he hired for the redesign of his house, they were going to Court of Fontaine anyway.
Being close to the Opera Epiclese and Marcotte station they decide on taking the Navia line back to the city and enjoy the view.
As there’s still some time until lunch they’re the only ones taking the aquabus except for a tall young looking man wearing a light blue vest with a hydro vision hanging from the back off his shoulder. He doesn’t notice them at first, busy taking photos with his kamera, but when he does he seems surprised.
“How unusual. I didn’t expect anyone else to take this one, the next aquabus is the one most people take at this time of the day.” He says with a friendly tone.
“Why are you taking this one then?” Lumine can’t help but ask.
“I had to take a few pictures for a job, but I also need to get back to work before the lunch rush. So, why are you taking this one?”
“We’re delivering some things to a shop in Court of Fontaine, but Paimon never paid attention to shop names when we’ve been there before, so Paimon doesn’t know which one it is.”
“Maybe I can help then. What is it called?”
“JUMP’s Architecture.” Lumine answers.
“JUMP’s Architecture, Repairs and Cafe? What a coincidence, that’s where I work. Though since you only mentioned the architecture part I’m guessing it’s for Kei.” The man tells them.
“You have a cafe?!” Paimon almost screams in delight.
“Isn’t that name a little long?” Lumine asks, ignoring her companion.
“We wanted to run a shop together, but we couldn’t decide on what type, so we did all three.” The man explains.
“Ah! I haven’t introduced myself, have I? I’m Yuto, while I mostly work in the shop, I also do photography on the side.” He then introduces himself.
“I’m Lumine.”
“Paimon is Paimon.”
“Nice to meet both of you.”
Once they arrive in Court of Fontaine Yuto leads them to the shop. The two story building stands out with its design, while blending in through its style. Outside are a few tables and some flowers, creating a cosy feeling.
“Isn’t it nice? Kei designed both the inside and the outside after how we wanted it.” Yuto says before opening one of the doors and stepping inside.
“I’m back!” He yells into the shop.
“Welcome back!” Three voices call back.
“Kei, I ran into two people who have a delivery for you on my way back.”
“I’m guessing they’re the ones behind you.” A man with cat ears sitting by a big table says back.
“Kei is the one with cat ears. Now if you excuse me, I have to get back to work.” Yuto tells them before leaving through another door.
“So you have something for me?” Kei asks when they come up to him.
“Technically we were told to just deliver it to JUMP’s Architecture, but that Yuto guy said that it probably was for you.” Paimon explains.
“Well, I’m the one responsible for architecture.” Kei says as he takes the papers.
As he reads through them his tail slowly starts to sway more and more irritated, though his face stays calm.
“Kei, are you okay?” One of the other guys in the room asks concerned.
“Whatever it is, please don’t go after the sender with your sword.” The other one pleads.
“Don’t worry Kota, I was thinking of making a new contract instead.” Kei tells the other before turning towards the travellers.
“Sorry to bother you, but could you deliver my answer to mr.Argent?” He asks.
“Sure.”
“Great! How about you go to the cafe and eat lunch while I fix some things for the delivery? Ryosuke is a really good chef.”
“Sounds like a great idea! Paimon is starving!”
“Perfect. Take the door towards the left by the entrance and you get to the cafe. I’ll come get you once I’m done.”
“So, what were those papers about?” Daiki asks once the two travellers have left.
“Not only did mr.Argent decide that he wants more obscure things with the building, but he also expects me to accept being paid 200 000 mora for the whole thing! The contract stated my payment per hour for this type of project and I’m pretty sure I passed 200 000 last week!”
“Would you even accept a job with that payment?”
“If it was a small simple one or just some renovation that doesn’t demand too much I could even go lower, but this is neither. He’s expecting me to do a high level job for basically free.”
“I wouldn’t call 200 000 mora free.”
“He wants me to design a building on the same level as the higher ranked scholars in Sumeru do, which I’m capable of, on a beginners salary!”
“So what are you writing into the contract?”
“Oh, only that the final product will be of the same quality as its price range and that I’m not responsible for eventual accidents.”
In the cafe
“I’m back!” Yuto says as he enters the cafe part of their shop.
“Welcome back!” Hikaru and Yuri greet him back.
“Did anything happen or did you just forget that you’re working in the cafe today?” Hikaru asks, having noticed through which door Yuto entered.
“Oh, ran into two travellers with a delivery for Kei.” Yuto answers while putting away his kamera.
Not long after, Lumine and Paimon enter the cafe.
“Welcome, what… Ah, it’s you two! Finished your delivery?”
“Well…” Paimon starts.
“We were asked to deliver something back.” Lumine answers.
“So we’re getting some lunch while we wait for the guy to finish it.” Paimon finishes the explanation.
“You’ve come to the right place then. There isn’t a single dich I can’t recommend, though anything with strawberries tends to get a bit more care.”
When Kei comes to tell the two travellers that he’s done, both are in the middle of enjoying their food.
“Just came to tell you I’ve finished the things I had to prepare, so come talk to me when you’ve finished eating.” He says before going up to the counter.
“Hikaru, do we have any failed pastries left?”
“One or more?”
“Three, I’m grabbing one for Kota and Daiki too.”
“One moment.”
When Lumine and Paimon enter the shop’s workshop part again they see Kei eating cake together with the two other guys who were working in the room.
“You finished faster than I thought. One second and I have what I want you to deliver.” Kei says, getting up to get some papers.
“I want you to tell mr.Argent that he has three options if he wants to go through with the new demands. The first one is to sign the new contract on those papers and I will continue according to what stands in them. The second is that I continue from what stands in the original contract and that the payment is according to what it says. The third one is that we break the job contract and I sell what I’ve done so far with a discount. I will pause my work on his house until he has answered and if he wants to discuss other options he has to come here and do it himself.” Kei tells them while handing over said papers.
“Isn’t that a bit harsh?” Paimon questions.
“Maybe, but he wants a high level of work for the cost of a newbie. I think I have the right to set my foot down.”
“Paimon takes it back, he’s the unreasonable one.”
“Ah, before you leave. Here’s your payment for the delivery.” Kei says handing over 5 000 mora.
“You’re paying us already?”
“I can’t exactly pay you when you’re not in the city, or do you want to have an excuse to come to the cafe?”
“Paimon likes the excuse to come to the cafe.”
“That’s because you always think of food.”
“Well, if you want an excuse you can come by whenever you need something repaired. It’s quite common for our customers to enjoy something at the cafe while we fix their things.” Daiki cuts in.
“It’s decided. This will be our go to shop for repairs!” Paimon decides.
“Paimon.” Lumine sighs.
“Ahh, this makes me think of when we were out adventuring.” Kota thinks out loud with nostalgia in his voice.
“Can you please stop making me feel old when we’re only in our early thirties?!” Kei begs the older, annoyed.
“Please ignore those two, this happens now and then. Doesn't help that they started adventuring at the same time.” Daiki discreetly tells Lumine and Paimon.
“Well, it’s probably about time we go anyway.” Lumine points out.
“Then I wish you a safe journey. We look forward to seeing you again, even if it’s just for a snack.” Daiki bids the two travellers goodbye.