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The Gramophone Café is quiet, aside from the signature music softly playing. The warm yellow lighting offers a feeling of safety that many have grown accustomed to, knowing it will always be there when they need it. Today there are maybe two people at the counter at any given time. That's where most people bother to look. What few care to notice is the girl now sitting at the furthest table in the back.
Eugene, however, has a sharp eye. He'd recognize his friends anywhere, and she is no exception. Especially because she always wears her favorite brightly colored clothes. She wears a blue and orange cropped tank top with a heart in the center over a sheer pink shirt, matching orange shorts held up with a spiked belt, and bright green fingerless gloves. Around her neck is a necklace with an orange crystal pendant that shimmers in the lighting, and decorating her wrist are blue and orange bracelets.
Sunny is staring at the empty seat across from her very intently, as if thinking really hard about something. She doesn’t notice him approaching her table.
Eugene slides into the empty seat without hesitation and makes himself comfortable, adjusting his bright pink jacket. She blinks a few times at the interruption of her staring contest with the chair.
“Heyy Sunny! I couldn't help but notice your serious expression. You alright?” He speaks with his usual playful tone, but the last sentence has a sense of sincerity to it.
She shifts her gaze up to Eugene’s face and smiles softly.
“I’m alright. Well… I think so anyway. I've just been… thinking.” She responds hesitantly. She glances up at the decorations on the walls around them.
Eugene leans back in his chair and crosses his arms. He tilts his head, resembling a puppy who’s confused.
“Thinking about what? I'm not sure I know what could have you so troubled.”
She looks down at the table, dark hair falling forward. After a moment she shakes her head, but doesn't look up.
“I've been… hearing others' thoughts again.”
Eugene freezes. Even though he recovers quickly, Sunny still notices from her view behind her bangs. She decides not to comment on it.
“I don't think it's more Landkeepers,” She explains hurriedly, “They sound... different compared to before.”
He leans forward, putting his elbow on the table. “Different how?”
She turns to look towards the rest of the café and doesn't answer. The only sound is quiet talking from the other side of the building, barely audible over the soft sound of music. Eugene almost thinks she isn't going to say anything else until she finally speaks up.
“For starters, they don't talk about estate sales or customers or anything like that. Instead it's just… normal everyday stuff. Talking about how the clouds look like different shapes. Or how some sort of food smells particularly good.”
Nodding, Eugene ponders this. He absentmindedly traces his finger on the tabletop, his other hand fixing his dyed platinum blond hair.
“Have you heard anything about who they are?” He asks, putting his cheek on the palm of his hand.
She shakes her head, fidgeting with the hem of her gloves. She’s still staring at the rest of the café.
“No, I haven't heard anything about them. All they talk about is… stuff I can see. Or things I'm doing.”
“Such as...?”
Pausing, Sunny turns and looks back at Eugene. She seems to be trying to put together the words she wants to say.
“Well… like… arguing over what food would be the best to eat. Or… debating on how to respond to another person in conversation.”
Eugene leans back in his chair, putting a hand to his chin. He gives Sunny a look that says he’s trying to determine what she’s thinking.
“Like right now?”
She shakes her head, her cheeks coloring slightly. Opening her mouth to speak, she and Eugene are startled by sudden loud laughter from the downstairs area. Several of their friends had just entered the Gramophone Café, clearly talking about something hilarious if the laughter was anything to go by.
“Hey,” Eugene says softly, pulling Sunny’s attention back to him. His gaze doesn’t waver from hers. “I’ll help you figure it out. I’m sure the others will too, if you decide to tell them.”
Sunny takes a breath and nods. He grins at her and stands up from his seat, offering her his hand. She looks a bit confused before he tilts his head in the direction of their friends.
Accepting his outreached hand, she stands and they begin to walk down the stairs to greet the others. Eugene gently bumps her shoulder with his on the way down.
“It seems like these ones aren’t being mean or violent, so that’s a good sign. Otherwise I’d have to beat them up!” He exclaims while pumping his fist in the air, making Sunny laugh.
“Yeah, that is a good sign.” She says, though it seems she’s mostly talking to herself.