AltonicKeys

"Oh, do tell! Can I get you something in the meantime?"

It was a small, quaint building. A counter, cluttered with equipment and ingredients, sat front and center from the door, and tables with chairs filling the rest of the space. A backdoor to a larger kitchen stood behind the counter. Everything had a red, orange, or yellow hue in various shades and vibrancy. "What can I get for you? I recommend a Flame for the bold, or just a regular latte for newcomers." Gerald waved from the counter. "Journal guy! Step inside, welcome back."

Gerald swung the door open with a bucket of water in hand, ready to throw, before he recognized the priestly garbs. "Oh! Hello, father!" Setting the bucket down, he turned the lights back on. "Hey, you were that guy from a week ago! Come in, come in!"

I come in with my giant asphalt spreader truck, and run you over, grabbing the sandwich from you as you are encased in concrete. A moment later, I arrive with my giant road roller, compressing the asphalt and flattening you. Once it dries, I drive my giant paint truck to spray the regulation lines on the road. This doesn't do anything, but at least the road is repaved and marked now.

Granted. In your eyes, everything is made up of little "20/20"s, slightly resized and recolored to fit the object it represents. This doesn't actually affect your life that much. I wish for a chair with really long legs

Granted. There is suddenly a shortage of metals, and there are no more files. You have to gnaw off a bit of metal from something in order to burn it. I wish for a really cool rock

"Why don't you try some, I think you'd wish you named yourself after this drink." Gerald brought out a Flame for the Flame. Weird fire entity or not, he will enjoy the drink, and maybe even tip for Herald while he's at it. Gerald came back to normal Herald, unglowing, and frowned. "Hey, he was gonna try this. Oh well. Maybe next time. " Gerald wasn't sure he wanted a next time

This... Doesn't seem like a game. The kid didn't seem to like orange Herald either. So he said, "Why would you name yourself after my coffee? I guess I really am that good?"

Gerald coughed. He stared in Herald's flaming eyes, considering the situation. After a moment, he pointed at his cat. "What do you think of my cat, Flame?" "Well, not personally, but I've been hearing some odd theories about the king and the princess lately. Something about Clears, clairvoyants, and the like. Maybe that's a lead for your journal?"

Gerald glanced at the Herald and the child on the other side of the counter. "The king, huh? Sounds interesting, sure, I'd be glad if you brought that!"

"I'm not so sure, my cat's pretty ferocious. I'd like to meet this other Flame, show them my Flame. They'll be 'extinguished' pretty quickly, hehe." He scratched the cats neck, who was still busying itself over its fur. "Oh? I hear the sound of dirt, do tell!"

"Well, I hope there's no weird plot going on. There's rumors going around, of some overthrowing, but hey, you didn't hear it from me," Gerald said as he winked.

"Yeah, I've heard there's some drama with the chief. That he dumped his old girlfriend for riches. I'm sure he's got his reasons. Maybe there really is a 'spark' of love between him and the princess, haha."

He grinned. "Well, any other Flames should be afraid of my immortal cat then." He set it on the counter, which curled up and licked itself. "Well if you're becoming a regular, may as well give you a discount then! By the way, have you heard the news with the princess and the police chief?"

Gerald nuzzled his cat, still in his arms, and unaware of being framed. "Well, I sure hope you're not going outside to talk to people!" "There aren't a lot of other Flames out there, unless I got a new rival? I hope you're not hosting some other Flame, haha!" "Coming all this way for my coffee, huh? Glad to hear it!"

Gerald looked at his hands, then the door, then his menu. He glanced at the cat, and decided this was the most logical option. He walked over and hefted it up. "Flame, have you been whispering to people?" It meowed. "So it's not out of the question then, huh." He smiled. "And I assume this cult is called The Flame?" He flipped a coffee presser in the air. He's got quite the reputation now, huh?

Gerald stumbled. "Is that so? ...Can I ask why?" He's now thinking this is some game the two are playing. He'll play along, why not?

He gave a small bow. "Haha, well, thank you! Only the best at the Flame!" Gerald raises an eyebrow to the pair. They're just letting anyone be a cop, huh? Nothing wrong with that of course. "Well, I hope the only law you're breaking is your continued patronage to this criminally good shop, haha." "Why, I'm doing great! Business has been booming recently. You're from the country side?"

Gerald smiled at the compliment. At least he thought it was? Herald was a cryptic person, but he did't judge. "Why yes I do! Among other things, of course, but hot cocoas and croissants coming up!" After a minute, he brought out two mugs of steaming hot chocolate and two plates of small, buttery croissants. "If you need anything else, just tell me. But, forgive my curiosity, why would a young one like you hang with a fellow like Herald? Well, no offense to the man in question, of course." "Hello good friend I have also met once! Hot latte, just for you." He brings out a cup on a saucer and presents it. "So how are you doing today?"

Gerald glances at them. "Hey, I'm wondering that too. He just kinda hangs around here and disappears."

A head peeked out of the shop door. "Hey, what are you guys in line for? There something on the door?" Gerald turned around and saw the big "CLOSED" sign still up from the wedding. "Woah, who put that there?" He did. "Come on in, everybody, let's get those bodies warmed up now, shall we?" He removed the sign and held the door open. "Oh hello, Herald, who's the little one? Trying to indoctrinate people to The Flame are you? Well, who am I to stop you?"

Granted. But you can only get things done while you're distracted. What does this even mean? Why don't you go on a spiritual journey to find that out, and rediscover your sense of self. And no, there isn't a cliff at the end of your journey. No, I'm not going to push you off. No, my fingers aren't twisted behind my back right now. I wish to be able to use allomantic steel, but on people.

Hm. Yeah. Maybe I will. Why not.