Chapter Text
Though being a professor is an important thing in Sumeru, our dear Haravatat professor has been struggling on getting a good budget and pay.
She has quite the extensive list of materials needed to make some devices and puzzles that can help her students understand her concepts .
It should be covered, no? Unfortunately not, so Madam Faruzan has ended up using half of her pay towards such efforts. It’s not necessary but it helps all her students actually learn. Swearing to archon that she’s the only one capable of such feats.
There are some benefits to being a professor, the extra time. The special thing about Faruzan is she can finish all her lesson planning in one day giving her more time after work hours.
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“It seems the pay would be good, but must it be such a.. insinuating concept?” Faruzan muttered, staring at the hiring flyer of a certain cafe in the dark corners of Sumeru. She never thought such things were to be in such a demand in this knowledgeable nation, but alas every nation has that minority.
It’s only for the money, cause that damn egg won’t approve her mechanical diagrams to be covered by Haravatat’s budget.
Walking in she felt a bit wary despite the warm cheerful decoration, she could tell there was an inazuman influence. She approached the front desk with the flyer in hand.
“Ahem” she cleared her voice before introducing herself, “Good morning, I’m Madam Faruzan, I came for my interview”. Sticking out her hand for a hand shake the young woman.
“Morning!” The youngster was quite enthusiastic and quickly shook Faruzans hand. “Come with me, I’m glad you came here” the woman smiled.
Long story short, Madam Faruzan was, as expected, over qualified for the role and got the job quite instantly. The owner seemed to be more interested in her personality than her work experience.
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First day at her part time job, she’s on a new level of nervous. Having not felt like this since she first became a professor in her youth. Gripping her bag she walks in through the back door.
She gets ready, sliding on her dress, the apron, the socks and down to the shoes. Faruzan was in a maid dress, ready to start her day full of training and shadowing!
Walking out of the break/locker room, Faruzan faced a line up of women in similar attire. Each having a different style and vibe possible portraying their personality, or was it a marketing strategy. This grandma was prone to over thinking others intentions but nonetheless they all looked kind.
A face she recognised came up and next to Faruzan, the women was on the shorter side but had such a wholesome and enthusiastic personality. Best words to describe her was a clique wholesome shoujo female lead. The owner wrapped her arm around her newest employee and began, “Everyone, welcome our new coworker Faruzan!”.
The line up of 6 women all waved and began chatting, asking questions whether to or about Faruzan. One with dark hair, tan skin and glasses stuck out to the Professor. She had a more alternative style, heavy jewellery with sharp makeup if one was to describe it. The woman caught Faruzan’s lingering eyes and nodded her head towards Faruzan, “I’m Lowien, but to keep my privacy from the costumers call me Lola”.
What a soft voice compared to the whining students at the Akademiya. “Nice to meet you youngster, does everyone have a ‘stage name’ so to say?” Faruzan inquired, curious to if she may need one too.
A girl of a paler complexion giggled, “duuuuh! You’ll be needing one too”. A younger voice and more bubbly, she must be in her early twenties.
Her hair was colourful but in a way it’s obviously dyed, bringing in more charm to her.
Faruzan nodded with a hum. What name would she go by? “Thank you, what’s your name?”
She asked, looking over the younger woman’s way of decorating the maid dress with pins and ribbons.
The woman grinned cheerfully, “I’m Aziza, but call me Zia when costumers are around.”
Aziza held up a peace sign. “Wait! Can I pick a name for you?”
“That would be most helpful of you” Faruzan replied with a smile. She was quite pleased to see someone take so much interest in her.
Aziza hummed as she thought of a name for the blue haired women. “Hmm, how about-“, just as Aziza was gonna give her suggestion a more louder voice interrupted.
“Aru would be perfect!” a taller woman spook up. The women had a more muscular body and grinning face. “I’m Elaheh, if you need to break someone’s face call me” she cracked her knuckles as she chuckled.
The owner laughed, “Elaheh forgot to mention that to call her Lyla infront of customers”.
“Boss you didn’t need to call me out!” Elaheh huffed. The rest of the ladies laughed, the introductions to the rest went quickly and the work day started.
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The went by smoothly, Faruzan is you’re good at adapting quickly. She was shadowing Devana and helping her with small tasks. Devana was quite strict on her but you could tell in her brown eyes that she was proud of the professor.
“Alright great job everyone!” The owner collected everyone in the back room. “Faruzan you seem to be getting along well with everyone quite nicely.” With a chuckle the owner handed a little basket to Faruzan.
“What’s this?” Lifting up the basket Faruzan tilted her head.
A smile grew on the owners face, “A welcome basket, to celebrate you joining us.” The cook came out and popped a party popper.
“You’re one of us kid” the cook rested her hand on Faruzan.
Kid? Madam faruzan is not kid, “I’m older than all of you”. Faruzan nonetheless smiled at the welcoming feeling a bit more bonded to everyone than she expected.
The cook rolled her eyes “I still got more experience than”. This disrespectful cook always had light hearted jokes.
“I’ll let it slide this once Kerca, but Madam Faruzan never forgets!” Faruzan scoffed as she put on her cloak.
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‘My archon, it’s cold’ Faruzan thought as she grinned the basket in her hands. The walk back to her housing provided by the Akedamiya was not too far but far enough to feel long.
With her cloak she made sure to cover herself fully just so no one will discover that the renouned professor worked at a maid cafe. It being night was quite good way to conceal herself more.
Woosh. It was obvious that sound didn’t come from the wind, and in Faruzan’s view was a certain blue hat that was big enough to be an umbrella.
Recognising the mysterious hat guy faruzan decided to speed up a little,“Rein!” - she called out- “wait for me youngster.”
Hearing the name given to him by the traveler, Wanderer turned his head. “Tch” he clicked his tongue knowing that since the old hag spot him he won’t be able to escape her. He crossed his arms as he waited for her to catch up.
She was a bit surprised to see him in this area. “Are you on a late walk? It’s like 7 pm!?” She scolded as if she wasn’t out late as well.
This student of hers was quite pissed at her questions, “Why do I have to explain myself to you? Only superiority you have is the delusion you have of me being your ‘student’.” He used air quotes as he scoffed. “Besides you’re being more suspicious with that black cloak.”
Faruzan waved her hand dismissively, “Just didn’t want to stand out in the night can’t blame a woman for wanting to be safe”. She grinned resting a hand on her hip.
“If you wanted to be so safe, why are you out late far from your home?” He quickly replied with a smirk, trying to throw her off.