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It was a warm, sunny day. Opposite of the soldier trudging down the sidewalk. At this point, his feet were dragging. A terrible, burning sensation in his calves.
Dammit. He was supposed to be strong, but I guess this is what happens when you’re a German Nazi. Sighing annoyedly, he looked around the bustling crowds, in which stayed quite far from him. He could definitely see why as well. “I need somewhere to sit...” He couldn’t help but think.
Each place he had passed were either overcrowded with customers, or closed. But then, he stopped in front of one place. A bakery. His eyebrow raised at the few customers who were in there. And the large amounts of pastries that were still in the display case. His mind went to a more positive tone, thinking to himself, “I can get some pastries for my men.” His feet were already carrying him over there.
He walked in, the bell jingling above him, indicating the arrival. As soon as the door closed behind him, a cheerful voice could be heard in the back. The man walked out a door and walked to the cash register.
“Veee! Another customer!”
The man’s eyes were closed for a moment, before opening to show soft-hazel irises. And once those soft eyes landed on the rough-looking soldier standing near the doorway, his eyes widened. He turned back, seemingly talking to someone in the kitchen. Ludwig, the soldier, did not understand a thing they were saying. It definitely wasn’t english, nor was it german.
Though when he come to think of it, he was in Italy after all. So, ignoring the conversation the man at the counter was having, he approached. Looking at the display cases, he noticed one section, labeled, “Mind Blowing”. There was once cake with some weird looking icing. He noted to himself to definitely never get that one.
The cake looked fine at first glance, until it sat there. It appeared sloppy, the icing giving off a weird slimy texture. It wasn’t the color of the cake either. The main base was a nice yellow color, and the icing was a dark pink with hints of red.
Ludwig looked back up at the man, who was now staring at him.
“Ciao!... err...”
The man paused as someone called “Feliciano!!” from the back. The man turned, then glanced back at Ludwig apologetically. “Wait a moment please!” He then turned back towards the door and walked in.
At least the man spoke english.
He sighed, standing there, his legs aching. He crossed his arms, appearing to be impatient despite being the opposite of that. He pinched his temples lightly as he closed his eyes and exhaled yet again.
His eyes opened just barely, only to look around. It had a neat arrangement of colors, a beige tone with hints of brown. The floor had a checkered pattern. He could at least appreciate that.
The man scurried back out, leaning against the counter. “Ah! Sorry for the wait! I didn’t mean to keep you standing here!” He rambled, gesturing with his hands. When he noticed Ludwig was amused, his cheeks turned a light pink tint. He sputtered, “What... would you... like to order...”
Ludwig uncrossed his arms, looking back at the display. “Could I have twenty chocolate chip muffins and uh...” His eyes drifted back to the “Mind Blowing” section, his gaze landing on a Blood Orange Pastry. “Thirty blood orange pastries?”
The man paused, his expression changing slightly before smiling again. “I’m sorry but we don’t have anymore in stock right now!” He looked back at Ludwig.
“But there’s some in the back right there...” He pointed out, confused for someone like himself. “Those... are stale! Yeah... stale!” The man said, sweat forming above his eyebrow. Ludwig didn’t believe him for a moment, then decided it was better to let it go.
“Okay... then can I have thirty... blueberry muffins?”
“Yup!” The man’s smile returned, warm as ever. Like the weather outside. It was almost odd. Ludwig went to sit down, and yet within minutes, the man called out the order. He placed the two boxes on the countertop in front of Ludwig. “This is your first time here, si?”
Ludwig nodded slowly, looking down slightly at the boxes. The voice interrupted his thoughts. “On the house! I don’t wanting you wasting money for you to not like the desserts!” His eyes widened slightly, “Wait but-”
“It’s fine! Have a good day sir!.. Ciao!” His tone was like earlier, yet this time he sounded a little nervous. Maybe he only gave Ludwig the muffins because he was scared to get yelled at. Or maybe just out of the kindness of his own heart. Ludwig didn’t know which, and could barely tell by just a smidge.
‘Auf weidersehen... uhm..” He paused for a moment, staring at the man silently. His gaze was unwavering, making the man talk.
“Feliciano!” He replied to Ludwig, clasping his hands together. “And you...?”
“Ludwig.” Cutting Feliciano off.
“Arrivederci, Ludwig!!”
Ludwig recognized the formal goodbye, looking away slightly. He grabbed the boxes and turned to leave. He walked across the floor, ignoring the stares. Then opened the door and departed.