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Charity
Jan 27, 2011 16:40:15 GMT -5
Post by Zephel on Jan 27, 2011 16:40:15 GMT -5
It's been a while since Zephel has the time to travel around the different countries, working and pets kept him extra busy, plus his weekend walks to Ianne for some trainings in order to keep himself fit both physically and spiritually.
Though, once in a while, it's nice to take a walk somewhere outside his usual routes...like in the edge of Veyyard for example. Last week, the element-wielder was sent to Arthera to deliver a cake he made, and noticed exactly how many poor children are there who eyed his cake as he carried it around.
So now, here he is, back in Veyyard, and with not just a cake. Zeph had brought a whole huge basket of pastries, marched right into the St. Lux Eterna cathedral, asked the monks there if they could invite the poor children who roamed around the dark streets to the church, just to give them a treat.
All hand-made by Zeph himself. Its funny to see that a man who has no apparent liking of cakes can do so well in making the very thing he hates.
So there's Zephel, standing in the center of a mass of children, handling little croissants, tarts, rolls, buns and a lot of other titbits and cakes to the little ones...while having minor problems in keeping them still.
"Calm down, calm down! There's enough for ALL of you, so just stand in a LINE. ....IN. A. LINE. RIGHT NOW!!!" His yelling actually made the children listen, and for once, follows his order. ...Perhaps it's that sword of his that scared them. The white-haired doesn't care though, discipline is crucial for him to gain control of the situation.
Only then did Zephel handed the pastries to the children calmly, with the help of the monks. After that's done, the element-wielder just sat there at one of the benches available, leaned on it and simply watched how the children ate and enjoyed his pastries. Children and sweets are hard to separate, after all.
All of them are in rags, he noticed. Some even without shoes. Zephel stared at them silently. Even without all the material wealth, they seem so content with the treats that it's so clear to see how happy they are of their indulgence.
Zeph can't help but smile at the sight.
( OPEN )
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Ayame
Immigrant
Posts: 43
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Charity
Jan 28, 2011 3:48:02 GMT -5
Post by Ayame on Jan 28, 2011 3:48:02 GMT -5
Ayame was on her way of donating some old clothes. She didn't need them any more so she thought she would drop them off. The church was always grateful for what ever they got. So she decided that she would give away her stuff that she didn't fit anymore. Just as Ayame was about to enter, She noticed something. The kids were all smiling eating pastries of all kinds of sorts. Ayame peered around the corner to see a man dressed in white sitting in the middle of the court.
Ayame smiled. 'what a nice man' She thought to himself. He looked so happy too. Sitting there smiling as he watched the children eat their pastries. Ayame smiled as she then walked towards the priest. "Here you go, thought you would like these" Ayame said with a smile. She then turned over towards the white male.
She then walked over towards him, smiling of course. Popping her head near his shoulder. "Wow, did you make all of these?" She asked curiously. With a mischievous smile on her face.
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Charity
Jan 28, 2011 12:58:58 GMT -5
Post by Zephel on Jan 28, 2011 12:58:58 GMT -5
Zephel did noticed from his peripheral vision that there's someone entering the cathedral, but he didn't paid enough attention to who that exactly is. He was distracted by this little boy in the crowd of children traded his egg tart with another kid's jam roll. The others who noticed that and realized it's possible for them to switch their pastries does the same, and not long after that, they discovered that it's better if they share their different types of pastries, so they have a chance to taste everything.
Zeph can't help but to let out a singular chuckle out of his throat.
He didn't even noticed his personal space was being invaded until a voice popped up from nowhere beside him. Zephel was so close into letting out a short 'GAH' of surprise, but his jaw was already closed to begin with so that didn't happened. Thankfully.
The white-haired scooted away from the girl, either he's providing her a seat, or he's trying to get away from this girl and her frightening smirk. Zeph was just about to answer the girl's question when one of the children went towards him and handed him a croissant.
"Oh, thank you.." he smiled, patting the child on the head, "Do you want a piece of cheesecake instead? One of the monks there are slicing it at the moment, so go to him, you might get the first slice." His tone was so surprisingly gentle when he spoke to the child, very unlike how he usually interacts with people.
After the child tottered his way to the said monk, Zeph turns his attention back to Ayame, now answering her question. "Yes," he answered dryly, before offering her the croissant he just received, "And you are?"
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Ayame
Immigrant
Posts: 43
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Charity
Jan 28, 2011 16:13:15 GMT -5
Post by Ayame on Jan 28, 2011 16:13:15 GMT -5
"Wow! Thats so cool" She said excitedly. Ayame smiled at the sight of him being so gentle to the children. It was sort of... appealing to her. Handmade sweets for the little children and he was just giving it all out. Of course the even more of a sweet sight that the children were all sharing and trading. The sight of the children, almost gave Ayame a sugar rush. It was so cuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuutttttttte. Even giving her goosebumps.
"The name's Ayame, what's yours?" Ayame said Jumping over the back of the bench sitting next to him. She looked at him with a bright expression on his face. He seemed a bit weird though. She could tell the differnet tones in his voice from when he was talking to the kids then to her.
She was somewhat eagar to get to know this guy. She almost saw a bit of Sasuke in him. But just almost.
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Charity
Jan 29, 2011 11:20:46 GMT -5
Post by Zephel on Jan 29, 2011 11:20:46 GMT -5
Zephel already expected that this girl would simply jump over to the front of the bench, and that's exactly what she did. She looked like one of those happy-go-lucky type, so it's easy to guess. He also assumed she's from the same school he was in.
"I'm Zephel," he threw in his name as he turned to watch the children again, still handing out the croissant the kid just gave him towards this girl, "And do you want it or not?" Mainly because Zeph doesn't eat these things.
"What are you doing so far out here, anyway?"
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Ayame
Immigrant
Posts: 43
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Charity
Jan 30, 2011 22:07:37 GMT -5
Post by Ayame on Jan 30, 2011 22:07:37 GMT -5
And already he was seeming so much nicer than Sasuke. It took days for her to learn his name. She smiled at him cheerfully. She was so busy in thought that She didn't even realize he was offering her a croissant. "Oh! Why thank you Zephel" Ayame then ripped off the edge of the croissant and took a bite of it. Her eyes grew wide as she tasted it.
"Oh wow! This is yummy! You are a good baker! You should open your own bakery!" She said some what excitedly! It really did taste good. One of the best she's tasted. She was almost curious what else he could make. It's no wonder the kids all decided to trade and eventually shared.
"Oh, I was giving away some clothes, With it being cold I was sure the could use them" She smiled. She kinda had this thing lately where she enjoyed helping out. Ayame has been a kind person, but was never directed to donating stuff until just recently. It wasn't that she didn't want to give it up. Because Ayame has never been a material person. Just that the idea didn't come to mind.
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Charity
Jan 31, 2011 7:29:08 GMT -5
Post by Zephel on Jan 31, 2011 7:29:08 GMT -5
Zephel's eyebrows hit his hairline in surprise when this girl beside him suddenly outburst of how tasty the croissant is. The white-haired can't help but to blink at her, considering nobody ever got excited this much of his pastries. Or maybe she's one of those types with a very large sweet tooth, or passion for pastries.
"...Thank you..I guess.." he WAS trained by the toughest and most influential baker back in his last school. What was planned to be an innocent half-time job actually is a break-through for him to discover another unsuspecting talent of his. "You ever went to Rio Nunez Cafe? ..If you plan to visit it soon, I might just give you a discount."
He smiled slightly after hearing Ayame's reason of being here, though not really looking at her. "That's very thoughtful of you, Ayame," he replied, only looking at her by cornering his eyes when he spoke her name. His attention was mainly focused towards the children, or he just doesn't feel comfortable being in eye contact with anyone.
"I haven't even been to Veyyard until last week. That's when I noticed how troubled the children here is. I learnt most of them are orphans too.." He said calmly, pausing for a bit. Honestly, Zeph wasn't the type that would talk much, but just by watching these poor children, he can't help but to let out his thoughts. "I don't have much to give. So I thought baking for them would do, though I doubt it's enough."
The little child from before who gave Zeph the croissant returned to the rest of the group, with a small plate of cheesecake. The rest of the children, upon noticing the monk who's been slicing it calling out if anyone wanted any cheesecake, began to rush towards him.
Zephel smiled again, "..Now I'm tempted to go here and give out free pastries every week."
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Ayame
Immigrant
Posts: 43
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Post by Ayame on Feb 1, 2011 4:27:53 GMT -5
She smiled. "You're very wel-.... wait... does that mean you already own a bakery?!" She asked confused. Of course he owned his own bakery/cafe like thing if he's offering a discount. Well so much for that idea. Ayames eyes beamed wide. "Woah thats so cool!" She said excited. He really was a good baker. She could see why the kids loved it so much. Ayame took another bite out of her croissant. It was so warm and so tasty. She felt like she bit onto something heavenly. As if it were a cloud or something.
Ayame blushed slightly. "Oh, It was nothing, I bet they liked your pastries way better than some hand-me-down clothes anyways" She said ripping off a piece of the croissant, then eating it.
She then stopped for a bit. "Yeah... Veyyard is quite... depressing" She said softly. As if all of her energy had dissapeared or something. She was thinking about the young children that were orphians and struggling to survive at such a young age. Ayame almost wish she could do more, but what else was she to do? Ayame didn't have much to donate. She was pretty much left high and dry too.
Ayame giggled at Zeph's final comment. "I'm sure they would love that" She said somewhat brightly. Still somewhat sulking about the fact that she couldn't do much more for them.
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Charity
Feb 1, 2011 17:40:31 GMT -5
Post by Zephel on Feb 1, 2011 17:40:31 GMT -5
"Ahahah, no no. I'm the senior chef there, so though I don't technically own the cafe, I'm basically responsible for everything," even Zeph surprised himself he let out a laugh, probably because he got affected by the children who are laughing loudly at the moment of something.
At her statement of his pastries being better, Zephel turned to look at Ayame with a confused glance, "It doesn't really matter how grand your gesture is, or how much you give them." He then turned back towards the children with a small smile on his face, "I think they're happy by just knowing you care about them." Almost as in cue, the laughter of the children heightens, probably due to the sugar that's starting to get in their toll.
The silver-haired sighed, he wondered how these children fare for themselves in such a country. Veyyard is way different than the other countries after all, it doesn't even fit to have children wondering around the place. He just wished that there's a sort of sanctuary for them here to feel protected...
Zeph's eyes widened at the sudden idea, then quickly turns his attention towards Ayame. His blood red eyes shone like never before as he began, "Ayame, what do you think of constructing an orphanage...or a safe house for children of some sort, here?"
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Ayame
Immigrant
Posts: 43
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Charity
Feb 1, 2011 18:21:05 GMT -5
Post by Ayame on Feb 1, 2011 18:21:05 GMT -5
"Oh! That's still awesome though!" She said with some excitement in her voice. Just to be able to work in a bakery sounded like so much fun. She would love to have a job like that. Zeph spoke once more, and his statement only made her smile. She felt good about herself, She was happy to help. "Thanks" she said softly. Ayame was adopted herself so, she could understand the feeling. She giggled as she as all the children got louder due to the sugar rush that was starting to set in their system.
Zeph then suddenly had an idea. She could see it in his eyes, but she could only reply with her wide emerald eyes. But thats when he spoke of building an orphanage or some sort. Ayame's eyes got even wider. "Why! I think thats a wonderful idea!" Ayame said standing up with excitement. Ayame was pumped and ready to go.
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Post by Zephel on Feb 3, 2011 1:40:52 GMT -5
Zeph backed away slightly, not really used to energized people...even though he was always surrounded by of the type. Even right now, with the children beginning to get hyper, and Ayame beside him all pumped up by his sudden thought.
The white-haired rubbed his temples with a sigh, though smiling while doing so. Perhaps the happy atmosphere can really do effect him in a way, what's odd is he has no idea he's easily influenced by the air around him like this. So he just lazily stood up, a hand rubbing the nape of his neck unsurely, "Even if I did somehow set this plan into motion...I'm going to need some help. ..Would you...somewhat...I don't know.. Help..me? I mean, if you want to, that is, I'm not pressuring you or anything."
Yeah, it's pretty much clear to see Zeph doesn't ask for help much, or he's too snobbish to do so in the first place. Ever since in DD, the elementalist never got the hang of asking people for assistance, nor communicate with them, on normal terms. He tends to get awkward when he DOES decided to ask for help.
It's almost too funny.
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Ayame
Immigrant
Posts: 43
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Charity
Feb 3, 2011 17:56:53 GMT -5
Post by Ayame on Feb 3, 2011 17:56:53 GMT -5
Ayame smiled. It was funny he acted as if she would reject him or something. She let out a small giggle. "Of course I would!" Ayame said excitedly grabbing his hand. Ayame didn't think that such a cold looking guy could be so warm and kind. So generous too. He seemed the opposite of what he seemed which only goes to show that you cant judge a book by a cover.
"We'll find a way to make it happen!" She said excitedly. She knew that it was going to be a long process. But it had to be done. These children cant stay out on the streets by themselves. They needed a place they could go too. If it wern't for her adoptive family she would've been in the same state. Which is why she decided to donate in the first place. She was eternally grateful for them.
"Oh they just have to let us build one THEY HAVE TOO!" She said
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Charity
Feb 4, 2011 13:59:45 GMT -5
Post by Zephel on Feb 4, 2011 13:59:45 GMT -5
Zeph's face considerably brightens when Ayame agreed that she'd help, though that face quickly altered into one that resembles surprise when the girl took hold of his hand. Not liking when someone invaded his space nor a fan of people touching him, Zeph would've pulled his hand away, but she looks so excited, he didn't want to ruin it by doing that.
"Yes, but... Building an orphanage in Veyyard is a...mad idea, don't you think? I mean, it's Veyyard," ever being the pessimist, or a realist he prefers to say, of course the white-haired had thought of this. Veyyard is THE most dangerous country out of all of the others, and building an orphanage here just seemed a little...off.
"Though it's a good deed for the children, I doubt the people here will view it positively.." his tone darkens. With only children occupying the place, then it's the perfect target for the other sinister inhabitants of Veyyard to attack it, raid it, steal the funds, anything could happen.
He paused for a minute, his eyelids narrowed as he cornered his eyes. Zeph could possibly support the funding, with his position at the cafe, but then again, with him working all the way at Ianne, who's going to take charge here and protect the children? Isn't the orphanage built to protect the children in the first place?
But then his eyes darted to Ayame, "...How far is your knowledge on fighting?" Assuming her to be a student from DD, he expects her to be rather skilled.
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Ayame
Immigrant
Posts: 43
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Charity
Feb 17, 2011 22:15:59 GMT -5
Post by Ayame on Feb 17, 2011 22:15:59 GMT -5
The more Zeph spoke, the more her hopes were getting crushed. You could see it, as she sunk back into her seat. Placing her face in her palm. She then began to wonder what should she do. Her thoughts were jumbled, when Zeph spat out an idea Ayame looked at him wided eyed.
"Um.... " She bit her lip. Should she tell him that she's not the best at fighting? Ayame had never really paid attention to class, Nor her brother. All she really knew was how to run like hell. She always had the energy. So running was no problem. But when it came to a whole group of kids... Ayame had her doubts. Ayame then looked towards the ground. Slightly embarrased with herself. "Not very well" She mumbled.
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Charity
Feb 19, 2011 16:26:24 GMT -5
Post by Zephel on Feb 19, 2011 16:26:24 GMT -5
Zeph shuts his mouth when he saw the aftermath of his pessimistic views on Ayame's reactions. He sat down next to her with a frown, slightly feeling guilty to be speaking such things, but it has to be said. Spirit alone won't be enough.
"Oh... That's too bad, then." Unlike Ayame, Zeph's used to all these things that's holding down his plans, so he takes it as a stepping stone and just continued wherever he's going. "If that's the case, if you know someone that can help, then by all means, try to invite them over. Because I'm still going to build an orphanage here."
Just looking at all of these children, it filled his heart with despair to know that they have to live through hell every day. And most of them haven't even reached 10 years old, he figured. It worries him, and he doubt that he could sleep well tonight thinking about this.
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