Artist’s Eye

To say Oliver was excited was an understatement. His mentor had returned from a trip late in the evening. So rather than cook at home, he offered for them to visit Tormino's for dinner. 

"You seem very excited," his master noted. Oliver had a bounce in his step the whole way over.

"I'm glad you finally get to meet everyone. My friends are very inspirational for my art and have been very supportive of me.

"I'm glad. It is good to surround yourself with inspiration. And good food."

Oliver nodded as they approached the small restaurant. From the windows, it didn't look too busy, but the workers were dashing around. Oliver opened the door for his master, the man taking in the atmosphere.

"Ah, is this the painting Markel told me about?"

"This?" Oliver pointed to the mural that greeted them near the door. "This was the original painting before I started working here. I had to repaint it after I left." 

The older man nodded, his eyes scanning the artwork.

"Hey Oliver, are you visiting or dining in?" asked Miles as he approached the front.

"Dining in tonight."

Miles nodded, pulling out two menus.

"Follow me," he insisted with a friendly smile, leading them to one of the booths.

"My name is Miles." He directed his statement to Master Malzieu. "And I will be your server this evening. Anything to drink?"

"Jasmine tea," answered the elderly man.

"Water for me." Miles nodded, turning to leave when Ramona tripped over her feet. Miles ran forward, catching her at the last moment.

She whispered something neither of the artists could hear from their spot. But they could both see the teenagers turning pink as Miles helped her up.

"No worries." He smiled and they continued their way.

"Does that happen often?" The old man turned to his apprentice.

"More often than not since Miles started working here last year."

Master Malzieu looked back at the two teenagers who managed to pass by each other without the girl tripping. Both turned pink at the proximity.

"Your drinks." Miles set the beverages down on the table. Master Malzieu watched Miles and he did not seem to mind in the least.

"Are you both ready to order?"

"Oh no, not yet." Master Malzieu picked up the menu to look at the fare, as Miles looked over to Oliver. Both boys shrugged before Miles wandered off.

"Your friend and the girl would make interesting art subjects," commented Master Malzieu.

"I have drawn them before, but never a portrait and never together."

"When he catches her, the movement and grace of a gentleman carrying a fragile doll is a good subject. Rarely appreciated in modern art."

Oliver nodded, looking between his two friends. He turned his attention to Norman and Anita; they would also make an interesting subject for a painting. Shasta threw a ladle at Norman's head, hitting him in the forehead, the ladle caught by Leigha.

Anita turned to Shasta, who argued right back, only for Norman to snap back up and quarrel with Shasta. Leigha joined Anita behind the bar. The girls tried to prevent either boy from crossing barriers to continue their argument. Luckily, Norman's phone rang a song that Oliver was positive he might have heard before. Sierra burst out of the kitchen, searching for the sound and the girls to point to Norman. With a sad sigh, Sierra returned to the back.

Norman stood, leaving Anita with fond wishes and then glared at Shasta. Shasta continued to glare as Norman left. Anita tried to talk to Shasta about fights in the restaurant in response to which Shasta said something. Both started blushing and went back to work.

"Oliver!" 

Leigha crashed into their booth, squishing Oliver to the side.

"I missed you! So much has happened, and I finally have a friend to talk about it."

"What happened?"

"Well, remember when Shasta and Anita learned they are soulmates."

"Soulmates?" asked the old man.

"Soulmates. They have the same mark on their right hand." Leigha held up her hand and gestured to her palm, trying to draw the mark.

"Anyway, Norman said he's not going to give Anita up, and Shasta confessed his undying love for her. Now everything is crazy because Norman comes by every day to either work on some new hobby or fight with Shasta. He picked up knitting because of the weather."

"Uh-huh." 

Oliver's brain reeled, trying to take in this information. He pressed the button on the table to summon Miles.

"So two men are fighting for one lady's affection?" asked Master Malzieu.

"I know, right! It's so romantic! Like the manga said it would be," Leigha sighed. "I know someday that might be me being sought by a man while my brother fights him off for me."

"You're a grown adult; you can take care of yourself," answered Miles as he approached the table.

"Aw, Miles, you wouldn't fight for your sister's honor?"

"You have little honor left to fight for, and knowing you, you would maul him before I even got the chance."

Leigha pouted, crossing her arms as she slumped in her seat.

"Don't you have a customer or two to look after?" asked Miles, pulling his sister by the arm so she had to get out of the seat.

"Fine."

Leigha stomped away, making a point to be melodramatic about the affair.

"Have you decided what you would like to eat?"

"I'll have the Spaghetti Bolognese," answered Oliver.

"And I'll have the Gravy and Cheese Omurice," answered Master Malzieu.

Miles nodded, back to being all smiles as he left.

"You have very interesting co-workers," commented the elder as he sipped his tea. 

Oliver nodded, noticing Leigha and Sierra coming from the back with what looked to be the women's uniform, only for Miles to haul Leigha back and Shasta to pull Sierra away from the horrid thing. Oliver knew if they had made it any closer, they would have asked him to put it on. He didn't want to imagine what his master would say.

"Very interesting indeed." Master Malzieu surveyed the scene. He could see where Oliver got his inspiration.