Chapter Text
Beep Beep Beep Beep Beep
...
Sheets rustled, alarm turned off and a pair of footsteps heard in the room. They walked along the hallway and reached their kitchen. Filling a teapot with some water they put it on the stove. While waiting for it to boil they prepared a simple toast for themselves. Just a quick breakfast to go on the morning. Looking out of their kitchen window they saw the city, already bustling with people from the first hours of the day. What was the hour? It was nearing 7 am. Most jobs must've started their shift at 7 or 8. While they still had time. Should they sleep more? The dreams they had for a couple of months were pretty interesting. They wanted to experience it more...
They took the toast they fried on to their plate and made themselves a Chamomile tea to start the day. Walking to their living room and sitting on their sofa, they opened the TV to look at the morning news. Lately many famous celebrities were coming to United States. They knew the reason. It was to make advertisements, partnerships and new contracts with the famous Cacao Collective Agency. Oh he knew that agency.
Ring Ring Ring
They grabbed their phone and opened it.
"Hello?"
First there were no sounds from the other line. But after a few seconds a shout came from the phone.
"OH NO! WHAT WILL WE DO?!"
It was a woman's voice and they sounded very frantic.
"W-what? What happened?"
"THEY'RE HERE AND WANT TO START THE PHOTOSHOOT TODAY! Ugh... How am I gonna prepare the set in just a day without thinking about an environment or not knowing the clothings???"
They stood up from their seat and closed the TV.
"Wait wait... So it means our shift has been moved front?!"
They quickly went to their room and looked for a proper pair to wear on themselves. Their phone was on speaker now. The woman from the other side continued to speak.
"Yes! We were supposed to start our shift at 10 am then talk about the details of tomorrow's photoshoot. I was in need of the clothing designs Golden Cheese has made to set the stage. But now they expect us to be there at 8 am! I'm already here and thought nobody has told you yet. I was right..."
She was really right about that. Nobody told them anything.
"Thank you really White Lily. Or I would be drifting to my second sleep on my couch. And since I'm the photographer... Sigh"
They finally got ready and put their things in a bag. Tied their hair half up and went out of their house.
"No problem, since you were the first person that I met when I came to this agency, it's only fair that I take care of you like you do for me."
She said from the other side and made them stop on their track for a second.
"Thank you Lily..."
A chuckle came from her, that is sweet like sugar.
"You too Pure Vanilla."
☆°•.•°•. •°•. •°•. •°•. •°•. •°•.•°☆
In a meeting room the door opened and White Lily came in. She sat down to a chair in front of a big circular table. People in the room all turned towards her. A woman who had tanned skin and short marigold hair opened her mouth to speak.
"What is it? Is he coming?"
White Lily nodded her head.
"Yes, just like I thought nobody called him yet. He should be here in half an hour."
The woman pinched her nose.
"Sigh... Since he is the photographer, he is needed at the last part. Okay lets talk about the concept our client has wanted."
Everyone in the room nods and gives all attention to the woman. The one that called Golden Cheese.
"So, Mystic Flour. Can you go over the details of what our client wanted?"
The woman just near her has opened up the documents on her arms and started reading it. This woman was Golden Cheese's assistant, Mystic Flour. With her white hair that is put up in a bun and her long eyelashes she was giving a calm and collected look.
"Our client is Doughael, they mainly work on concept photoshoots. Today they will be advertising a new product named "Blood Contract". It's a new type of perfume that is wanted by many. And for the concept they wanted us to prepare a stage fitting it."
Everyone in the room murmured to themselves about how little information they were giving us. One of them spoke.
"Shouldn't they give more details for the concept?"
Mystic Flour shook her head.
"Doughael said that this was given by the product owner. But they added some things. I was just about to mention them."
The person nodded awkwardly and shifted in their place, mumbling an apology.
"Doughael wanted the stage to look like an abandoned church that is taken over by cultists. Since the product is looking like a blood in a bottle, it seems like a sacrifice."
White Lily put a hand to her chin and thought. She could work with that.
"Hm, then I shall look into my priest clothes. Mozzarella, can you get the boxes from the storage, they should be..."
"On the third corridor and seventh shelf on the far back."
Mystic Flour added quickly.
"Oh, thank you Misty."
She nodded. Mozzarella shot up from her place and jogged to the storage.
Golden Cheese turned her head to White Lily and asked.
"Have you thought about the set Lily?"
Finally snapping from her thoughts she nodded.
"Yes, but I need props. For that I need to contact Mr. Elder Faerie. And getting all the props would take too much time. Can I ask when will the photoshoot start?"
Everyone looked at Mystic Flour, Golden Cheese's assistant.
"Uhm, I wasn't given an exact time for that unfortunately..."
It was great, the most important thing was not known. It could be anytime. Even just now.
"You all don't need to worry yourselfs."
A deep voice came from the door in the meeting room. It was a man with brown skin and black long hair. His eyes shined a shade of dark purple. He was also tall and built muscular.
"Even though it is today, it is not in an hour or so. You may prepare it as you like. The shoot will be at 5 pm. Since Doughael has another matter to attend to they could not give the most important detail."
"Mr. Cacao... Thanks really you saved us from working frantically."
White Lily said, relieved. Everyone else nodded agreeing her and released their tensed shoulders. Dark Cacao, their boss smiled softly.
"It is nothing much, I merely want my workers to feel relaxed. I don't want you all to mess up something just because of a tight deadline. You all are capable people."
His words made everyone happy. Dark Cacao was a person that cared about his workers as much as he cared his agency. Cause what is a company without people with quality. And what makes quality is their trust and accomplishments, their will to finish a work and never leave it halfway.
He looked around and curiously asked.
"Where is Pure Vanilla?"
White Lily quickly answered his question.
"He is on his way Mr. Cacao. I contacted him about today's shift change cause nobody did."
He first had a dark look on his face, thinking about something deeply. He mumbled some words. White Lily was only able to make out the words "punishing" and "firing".
"Okay, thanks for telling. Let him know that if he has problems he should come talk to me. Have an easy time all of you."
After bidding goodbyes he left the room, leaving everyone alone with the ideas they had for the photoshoot.
Golden Cheese leaned against White Lily and spoke.
"Do you know the relationship between Dark Cacao and Pure Vanilla by any chance? They seem like brothers somehow, just not related."
White Lily nodded, thinking the same thing but sadly she didn't know their relationship.
"Yes, they really do. Its good that they seem close. Anyways Mozzarella came about 5 minutes ago and on the far back in the room. Unboxing the clothes."
Golden Cheese blinked and turned towards the back. Seeing Mozzarella she left White Lily's side. After that White Lily decided to call Elder Faerie about the props so she left the meeting room to talk.
☆°•.•°•. •°•. •°•. •°•. •°•. •°•.•°☆
Pure Vanilla was in a bus, that was full to the brim. Luckily he found a place and sat down. But it was uncomfortable. And there were also traffic. Making his normally half hour trip to an hour. He decided to leave the bus and walk, since getting fresh air is better than this sweat smelling bus.
After leaving the bus and walking around he bumped to someone. Quickly apologizing he looked at their face. Oh, this was Hollyberry. She was smiling at Pure Vanilla.
"Oh ho! What a luck to see you here Vanilla. You don't live close here, are you here to take the long way?"
Pure Vanilla shook his head.
"Yeah, I live more far. I just left the bus. There's too much traffic to go to the agency."
She nodded and grabbed his arm.
"Hm, how about we walk together? You seem to be late, I am late too and what's better than some company!"
He chuckled and nodded, they started walking together.
This was Hollyberry, Cacao Collective Agency's Event Manager. She planned many events for the celebrities that came to the agency. Welcome parties, contract congratulatory dinners, celebrations and so on. Apart from that she was like the mother in the agency, looking after everyone. Especially Pure Vanilla. When Pure Vanilla first joined the agency with Dark Cacao's help, Dark Cacao tasked Hollyberry to teach everything in there to him. Since then they're good companions.
"Hm, say. Have you feeling better after all those years Vanilla?"
He looked towards her and shook his head.
"You don't need to worry about that. I am really fine. I overcome my fears. And 4 years has already passed."
She smiled and patted his back.
"That's the spirit Vanilla."
She gave him a big smile. Pure Vanilla liked the way she smiled every time.
"Oh, I got some mails last month or so. It seems some famous idols, actors and racers are coming to our agency. I am in need of some ideas to prepare a good banquet to welcome them all."
Pure Vanilla blinked. He was curious. He wanted to meet more celebrities but he was a bit shy.
"When are they coming? Did the mail mentioned it?"
Hollyberry looked around then whispered his ear.
"It's in a month"
He was shocked. It was impossible to prepare a grand banquet that will satisfy them in a month! It will put everyone in a hurry.
"What?! It is too soon. How are you going to prepare one?"
She just laughed.
"Ah don't worry. This information is not known by many from your side and you all won't be tiring yourselves to prepare. We got help from some other companies. And it is not a month. This mail was sent to us 2 months ago. Making the preparation period 3 months."
Pure Vanilla thought deeply. A grand banquet, 3 months preparation period...
"Are they really famous people Hollyberry?"
She smiled and put a finger to her lips.
"Ah ah, now that can stay a secret Vanilla. I'm sure you'll like them. Since you're our best photographer, you will get to see them!"
Pure Vanilla felt a shiver down his spine. Great another big project that needs his skills. He was getting more nervous.
"Oh, we're already here? How fast did we walk. Anyways see you later Pure Vanilla"
He blinked and looked around. They were already in the agency's lobby. Hollyberry left while waving her hand and disappeared in the elevator. Pure Vanilla took a deep breath and sighed. Time to head up and join others.
☆°•.•°•. •°•. •°•. •°•. •°•. •°•.•°☆
The clock was nearing 9 am. Pure Vanilla walked in the room and saw everyone working. Golden Cheese was on one side making arrangements to the clothes in front of her. On the other side White Lily and some others were discussing what could they add more to the set. He put his bag to the chair he owned and finally caught his breath. Seeing him Mystic Flour came to his side.
"Welcome Pure Vanilla"
He looked at her. She was the same as always. With her serious look.
"Thanks, although I'm late..."
She shook her head understanding that there must be traffic.
"I'll quickly summarize what we talked and what everyone is doing now."
"Please do so"
She took a breath and started explaining.
"Our client Doughael will be advertising a new product and gave some ideas on how the set should look like. White Lily has ordered some props from Mr. Elder Faerie and right now they're talking where to put them, the best way to capture their beauty."
Pure Vanilla nodded. He could help them with that.
"Golden Cheese is trying to put together her priest clothes to make something that could fit a heretic. But since sewing takes time it won't be done until afternoon. And for the background models we thought, Mozzarella is preparing some cloaks for them to wear."
He nodded and looked at Golden Cheese. It will be a very tiring day for her. Since she cant even go out for lunch break.
"And the time our shoot start is 5 pm. Dark Cacao himself has said."
He held his chin and thought. What could he help with. And White Lily called upon his thoughts.
"Pure Vanilla! You're here. Can you help me set the stage in an hour? Since you take the photos your help is much more needed."
He nodded. Before going he slightly bowed to Mystic Flour and thanked her again.
"So what you have in mind Lily?"
She showed the board she was drawing.
"So I thought of adding some chandeliers. And some crosses around the walls. Props such as pews and flowers. Is it a good idea? Should I add more?"
He tilted his head looking at the board.
"How about adding chandelier to the ceiling and tying some fabrics or ribbons to it. It makes it look good I guess. Like banners."
White Lily made an "O" with her mouth and wrote it down.
"Oh that works thanks! By the way, Dark Cacao said if you have any problems you should go and find him. I think the person tasked to call us regarding our schedule changes is gonna get fired."
Pure Vanilla blinked.
"What, why?"
She shook her shoulders.
"Probably because of today. I just heard him mumble."
He looked down then nodded at her. He walked away saying he'll be back for the set preparation.
☆°•.•°•. •°•. •°•. •°•. •°•. •°•.•°☆
Dark Cacao was sitting in his office, looking through documents with Caramel Arrow on his side. She was his most trusted assistant. He handed some documents to her.
"May I ask what this is?"
She took them and read through it. It was about a worker.
"Find them and say that they are fired. Their documents will be handled by the end of today."
She blinked. It's been a while since Dark Cacao fired someone.
"Can I learn the reason?"
He nodded.
"They were not suitable for this job. Since they forgot to even call our photographer about the schedule changes, I think they needed a reason to be better at their job."
She nodded and was about to leave the room but they heard a knock.
"Come in"
Dark Cacao shouted.
Pure Vanilla looked behind the door and slowly went in, closing it afterwards.
"Hello Dark Cacao. I heard what you did."
Pure Vanilla got close to Dark Cacao's desk and sat on the chair. Dark Cacao put down the papers in his hand and looked at him.
"Of course you would. It was your friend White Lily isn't it? Such a good friend she is."
They chuckled.
"Yes she is. But really you dont have to fire them."
Dark Cacao straightened in his place.
"Well it wasn't the first time they had this problem. I got many complaints about them. So don't worry its not fully because of you."
Pure Vanilla smiled bitterly. He felt like it was though. Dark Cacao looked at Caramel Arrow and signed her to go out. She bowed and left the room.
"How is your mother Pure Vanilla? Have you visited her this month yet?"
Pure Vanilla looked up.
"Ah, I haven't. But I'm sure she's fine. She has many friends in her neighborhood. She calls me from time to time and tells me about her days. Its nice to hear her voice."
He stared down at his lap. Dark Cacao sighed.
"I know it must be nice to talk to her and hard at the same time. Since you got to meet her after 5 years. It must feel strange to you."
He nodded. And the reason he hasn't visited his mother yet was because of his own feelings. He felt weird. Maybe it was because of his father...
"Don't think of the past Vanilla"
Dark Cacao's voice cut through his thoughts. And he nodded quickly.
"Let's clear your mind a little. How about drinking some tea?"
Pure Vanilla looked at the clock, it was only 9:15 am, he had time. So he smiled and accepted his offer.