#elanthielrian wright

viva la domestic terrorism

Arc 11 Off the Rails: Coffeeshop AU

Does this count as an AU? Yes but like only *barely* and that’s what makes it so funny to me.

Some highlights of this concept that make me smile:

- They work at Albion Coffee Roasters. It’s just ✨Fantasy Starbucks✨ including shitty union busting tactics. This is still fantasy world with magic but also with like… cars and cell phones and shit.

- Foq is (obviously) not an employee. He is a trust fund baby who makes everyone else’s life difficult in the best possible way, as usual. Still always dressed in something fabulous but incredibly over the top. Pretends to be a college student, no one believes him.

- Suds was fired for tinkering with the various coffee machines. He was trying to make them better, and probably succeeded but like… it’s a shitty corporation.

- Piper is a harried appliance repair tech because I love her.

- Chet is an employee but no one is actually sure what his job title is because he never seems to do anything that an employee would be required to do. Yes, I know this is not particularly different from the arc. It is just Who Chet Is

Bartolomeu Albion grabbed Atelut's hand, begrudgingly but cordial. That was how the Albions shook hands. For him, this was just another handshake with yet another scapegoat. She should be grateful! Most discarded employees do not get the courtesy of a face to face termination, let alone a handshake. Still, she earned that much. She was reciting company line, even still, even after he explained that she would be watched and demonized. Atelut dedicated her life to Albion Rail, and she would continue to do so - in a way. So, Mr. Albion, of the goodness of his heart, felt she earned a parting gesture. It was only a handshake, after all.

The shake went on for longer than she recognized. Atelut kept her grip strong, the wave of anger, resentment, and grief flooding her judgment worse than Foq’s drinks did the night before. As she imagined her life without the only purpose she ever knew, an urge welled up inside and for just a moment she wondered what would happen if she channeled all of it right into the very hand she shook. She thought about it as Rian talked, and her attention shifted to how boldly he tried to defend her.

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