Morning at the Bakery (ludwig/roderich/open!)

[Belle Johansson]

A thin layer of powder covered the lithe blondes face masking her peach pale skin with a fine dusting of flour. She huffed and blew a stray piece of hair from her fringe, blinking her emerald green eyes as she wiped off the flour. Belle smiled fondly as she bent over the large cake she was currently decorating furrowing her brow in concentration. It was a vanilla flavoured sponge cake and she was currently coating the top of it with a thick layer of strawberry icing, her favourite strawberries just tasted so lovely she couldn’t help but add there sweet flavour to nearly every cake she created!

Once she’d glazed the beast of a cake she took out a tiny bag of cherries from the refrigerator and began to add them around the circular sides of the desert. Carefully and with much practised precision she lifted the masterpiece off of the counter and placed it on silver tray before she carried it threw to the main room.
As it joined its fellows she took a moment to relax, business was pretty quiet today which was not a bad thing generally considering business normally boomed; it just seemed a bit dull without the usual crowd of folk.

She wasn’t complaining though it was nice to have a little rest after baking, she’d cooked so much this morning the blonde was beginning to worry that some of the cakes might go stale. She frowned for a moment before a familiar voice of her boss called her into the back kitchen.
“Now Belle, I need you to watch the store for me while I run to the market, where almost out of flour.” Smiled the old lady.
“Of course Mrs Weatherspoon.” Said Belle returning the elderly ladies smile.
“Okay dear, remember to take the pastries out of the oven at two, we don’t want a repeat of yesterday do we?” she said with a smirk.
Belle shook her head furiously as a light blush prickled her cheeks tinting them a pale pink.
“Don’t worry I’ll make sure to remember.” She smiled.

As the old lady left Belle returned to her place at the counter it was such a beautiful morning it was a shame she was cooped up here. She shook her head lightly as she opened one of the windows allowing a cool breeze to filter through the room. Such a pretty day... She felt her thoughts wander as she thought of all the things she could be baking, Danishes, doughnuts, iced buns. There was so many things she could try, hell there was so many things she was still waiting to try.

A jingle of bells from the glass panelled door broke the young blonde from her thoughts, darting up she beamed brightly at the new customers.
“Welcome to the bakery,” she smiled reciting the well practised line she'd been instructed to address each customer with “How can I help?” she asked her warm tone lacing her words.

[Roderich Edelstein]

Subject: New Target Acquired
R-
I heard about a new place! Rave reviews. Meet me at 15:00. Directions enclosed. Delete upon reading. Secrecy imperative-i.e. Gil.
L

And that was all Roderich got in a message from Ludwig midmorning while he was between class and work. It was Ludwig's way of inviting him to come try out another cafe or bakery's cakes and tortes. For as long a Roderich had known him the younger man refused to visit them alone.

Having found out a long time ago that Roderich liked sweet things too, he had since drug him out every time he got a craving for cake. Roderich didn't know why he couldn't go alone, but Ludwig seemed convinced two guys grabbing a table at a cute little bakery was better than one.

As Roderich arrived at the bakery, he noticed Ludwig already there sitting outside on a nearby bench impatiently waiting. Of course Ludwig would be early. He knew the man was waiting impatiently because his hand tapped lightly against his knee as he watched for Roderich as casually as a hawk watches for a rabbit. He usually wasn't that impatient of a man, but he got excited when it came to cakes.

Roderich walked up to him. "Alright, let's go scope out this new place of yours."

[liechtenstein]

[Hi Belle! Sneaking in as promised...]

Lilli walked quickly down the street, a bunch of fabric for her family's tailor shop rolled under her arm when a yellow-cream cake caught her eye in a display window. She stopped, glanced around and walked closer to the window. It was delicately decorated with cream roses, each "petal" carefully curved. Lilli knew this work. There was an empty space next to it though, probably for a new cake to be put on display. Lilli glanced up at the shop's sign and smiled. As expected, it was where Belle worked!

She leaned forward a little more to peer through the window, wondering if there were a lot of customers at this time of day. Papa had mentioned that Ms. Weatherspoon was interested in buying a few hand-embroidered napkins/handkerchiefs to display the cakes over. They could discuss business and Lilli could meet Belle at the same time.

Didn't look like there were many people inside.

Lilli sprang back, realizing she had breathed a moist little fog on the window. She clumsily tried to erase it with her dress sleeve, hoping she wouldn't be spotted outside when she noticed the men near the bench.

[Ludwig Beilschmidt]

He reread his message to Roderich before deleting it as class ended. He couldn't help it when he passed the shop yesterday as he was heading back to the train station. It was closing when he passed by, but the older lady noticed him as he was looking at the display in the window. She informed him that they will be open tomorrow if he'll come back. He just couldn't help himself. Those cakes looked delicious and wonderfully made and the smell.... that sweet baked sweets smell.

He just had to take that invite. He quickly got to the station luckily with the train right there and got on the train towards the lowlands. Throwing on a long sleeved button shirt over his t-shirt. Placing a hat on his head as he made his way off the train pulling his bag on his back again. He found the bakery again and sat down on the bench.

'First phase done now for Roderich to get here.' He kept eye out for the other man even though he was 20 minutes early. He slowly started to tap lightly against his knee as waited impatiently. He really didn't want to wait any longer, but it would be odd if only a guy went in the shop.

'Come on Roderich.' He catched the movement to his right as he looked up to familiar violet eyes.

"Alright, let's go scope out this new place of yours."

Ludwig nodded as he stood up and walked in with Roderich following after. The bell rang as the door open up. Going with the usual routine Roderich picked out their seats as Ludwig checked out the sweets and a menu for them. He almost smiled as he looked at each dessert that behold before him in the glass case. He looked up at the chalked board that held the names and prices of the sweets. He walked back to his companion as he commented

"I think I might get the White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake."

[Roderich Edelstein]

As they walked in Roderich noticed the tailor's daughter standing near the entrance admiring the attractive display of edible delicacies in the display window. As Ludwig opened the door and headed in, Roderich noticed her quick shy glance over to them and back. He detoured slightly to lean near her and whisper.

"Miss Brunhart, they're meant for eating not for looking." He took hold of her hand in a gentlemanly fashion as he continued, "I beg you, please join me," he started leading her toward the door. "And rescue me from the solitary company of that," he jerked a finger toward his friend, "and I'll buy you a slice of whatever you're pretty green eyes have already picked out."

The door bell chimed sweetly again as Roderich held the door open for Lilli gesturing for her to enter ahead of him. He followed behind and lead her over to a small brightly lit table near one of the front windows. A white muslin table cloth with scalloped lace edging covered the top.

Ludwig came back over after having surveyed the field and selecting his target. "I think I might get the White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake," he stated as he handed Roderich the menu. He only raised an eyebrow briefly in response as he took note of the extra person at the table before pulling out the cute little round chair with decorative metalwork for the legs and back that matched small wood and metal table. Roderich tried to hide a smile at the odd picture the tall broad man made as he tried to delicately tuck his legs under the short table without knocking his knees into it.

Roderich nodded as Ludwig took the third seat across from Lilli and to his left. "Good choice, I'm thinking a slice of the Sacher Torte Heart with Truffle Top I saw in the window would be a nice dessert to pair with an cup of coffee."

He opened the menu briefly, glanced for just a second before closing it with a satisfied nod and handed it to the girl to the right of him. She glanced up shyly at Ludwig then looked to Roderich. Her look reminded him that he was being absentminded again.

"Ah, where are my manners? My apologies. Lilli Brunhart this is Ludwig Beilschmidt, aficionado of anything baked and sweet." He gestured to the man to his left and then turned and gestured toward his right continuing, "Ludwig this Lilli, creative genius with needle and thread. She and her father always help me to look my best. Don't you?"

He gave her his warmest reassuring smile. "Now that that's out of the way, what sugary delight in that menu strikes your fancy?"

[Your turn Lilli! :D]

[liechtenstein]

Lilli carefully tucked her roll of fabric underneath her seat and fumbled with the menu as Roderich passed it to her. She glanced quickly at the the blond stranger and quickly cast her eyes down back at the menu.

"Oh, Roderich is exaggerating!" Lilli exclaimed at the menu of desserts. " I'm not nearly as good as my father and he does most of the work!"

There was such an array of sweets it was overwhelming. A good half of them, Lilli had not even heard of before. But, Roderich was treating her like a lady and there was a stranger (who was so tall!) and she knew she was getting a bit flustered and needed to calm down.

"Hmm...no coffee for me," Lilli said. "So maybe something not as sweet since I won't have that to balance it out. Maybe you can recommend something Roderich, or you, Mr. Beilschmidt?"

Ludwig had very sharp eyes and looked like a no-nonsense sort of person, but anyone who liked sweets had to be a softie on the inside, at least that's what Mama said.

Lilli remembered being intimidated by Roderich when he first stepped into the tailor shop, the way he he was so articulate with his fingers and the way he sat upright like someone very well bred. Then he took a nibble of Mama's cookies and his smile was soft as a dandelion.

"Hmm," Lilli continued. "I'm afraid I can't even pronounce some of the ones over here." She put down her menu and pointed to a range of French desserts as Roderich and Ludwig bent down for a closer look.

[Belle Johansson]

A smile lit her pale features as the chime of the bell that sat above the door rang. And she watched nosily as the three people entered the bakery and sat down at one of the small tables by the window. The tables were something Mrs Weatherspoon had suggested; it was her theory that more people would want to enjoy their cakes inside where they’d be comfortable and warm.

She knew of one of the trio that had entered the bakery, it was little Lilli Brunhart the lovely girl that Belle had taken under her wing, she loved Lilli like a little sister she was always so sweet and it was always nice to talk to her, whether it was sharing secrets, or giving advice (however bad the advice was) or simply hanging out. The other two were people she wasn’t familiar with, though they seemed friendly enough, however she did keep a watchful eye.

Once she was sure they’d finished deciding on a desert, she tied her white apron carefully around her middle and grabbed her tiny note pad and a pen. With a friendly smile she mouthed a ‘hello’ to Lilli as she approached the group.
“Good morning,” she began “welcome to the bakery, are you ready to order?” she asked her tone sunny as usual.


(ah... I totally didn't know what to write >.> anyway I hope its okay)

[Roderich Edelstein]

Roderich leaned down along with Ludwig to see what Lilli was pointing at. "Ah well, I may know what it says, but my french pronunciation is terrible. I won't subject your ears to it. But I can tell you that item is a type of shortbread cookie."

She pointed to another line. He answered again,"A lemon custard pie with a baked whipped topping."

She looked up and sighed, "So what do you recommend?"

Ludwig interjected, "Do you like Apricots? There was a fresh baked coffee cake up front. Not real sweet, with a light topping of honey and almonds."

Roderich nodded it was a good suggestion.

Before Lilli could answer, the pert young baker came up to the table her pen and pad in hand and a sunny smile that lit her face.

“Good morning,” she began in her lilting voice, “welcome to the bakery, are you ready to order?”

Well, he thought! How improper of him to miss her standing at the counter as he was coming in, especially when she had such a lovely voice, like a nightingale's. He smiled inwardly. It didn't hurt that she was pretty too.

He gave her his most charming smile, "Good day to you too, I see that the delectable desserts aren't the only charming delights to be found here. The young lady here was trying to decide on a dessert. Perhaps you would be the best choice to recommend one." He laid his chin lightly on the back of his left hand to give her the full effect of his violet eyes as he waited for her response.

He missed whatever her reaction was, because right at that moment he felt a sharp pain in his left shin.

"Lass das," Ludwig growled out under his breath. Roderich knew Ludwig only spoke German to him when he was annoyed. Roughly translated, he just told him to 'leave it' or 'knock it off'.

'What? Can't I greet the waitress?', Roderich thought as he just barely stopped himself from reaching down to rub his wounded shin. He refrained from frowning, but he definitely gave Ludwig a look that clearly read, 'What'd I ever do to you?'

[Ludwig Beilschmidt]

He leaned down along with Roderich and listen as the other responded to her questioning finger.

"So what do you recommend?"

He interjected "Do you like Apricots? There was a fresh baked coffee cake up front. Not real sweet, with a light topping of honey and almonds."

A young baker came up to their table with her pen and pad in her hand.

“Good morning,” she began in her lilting voice, “welcome to the bakery, are you ready to order?”

Ludwig thought that the baker was a cute thing and...Roderich started to smile.
'Not good' He does this sometimes when he see a cute girl.

"Good day to you too, I see that the delectable desserts aren't the only charming delights to be found here. The young lady here was trying to decide on a dessert. Perhaps you would be the best choice to recommend one."

'Ugh'
He glared at Roderich as he laid his chin lightly on the back of his left hand.

'That's it!'
He quickly kick across to the other man's left shin.

"Lass das," He growled out under his breath. Roderich knew that he only spoke German when he is annoyed.
Roughly translated, he just told him to 'leave it' or 'knock it off'.

Roderich shot him a look that said,
'What? Can't I greet the waitress?' As he barely stopped himself from reaching down to rub his wounded shin. He gave a quick 'I'm watching you signal without the girls seeing it. He could tell Roderich refrained from frowning, but he definitely gave Ludwig a look that clearly read, 'What'd I ever do to you?'

Ludwig rolled his eyes and softly said "Terraccia."
Roderich raised an eyebrow as saying 'Really?'
Ludwig sighs as he gave a slight look that said
'Just stop it alright?'

He turned his attention back to young baker as he said,
"I would like the White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake if you have some left."

[Roderich Edelstein]

'Really? He's still going to hold Terraccia against him?' Roderich raised a questioning eyebrow at Ludwig.

Ludwig gave him a tired look and turned away to order.

Roderich decided to let it go for the moment as the waitress turned to take his order. But he did take the hint and this time toned the smile down to simply warm and polite as he answered her questioning response.

"A small cup of coffee for me, please, and. . ." He was about to ask for the Sacher torte, but then his shin shot up a reminding throb of pain. So out of spite to the offending culprit, he suddenly changed his mind and added, "And a slice of whatever you just made and put out on display. Surprise me."

[liechtenstein]

Lilli smiled secretively under her hand when she saw Ludwig and Roderich teasing and nudging each other. She turned her head up to look at their waitress.

"Belle!" Lilli exclaimed happily. She returned Belle's smile with one of her own and rose abruptly to envelope her friend in a hug. Unfortunately, her seat was under the table and rocked their small table.

Lilli and Belle both rushed to steady the table and turned to look at Ludwig & Roderich's stares of surprise. They laughed to each other as they steadied the rocking table.

"I'm very sorry, Belle!" Lilli said. "I'll help bring the orders over if you'd like. And...I think I'm going to try the Apricot coffee cake!" She threw a small shy smile at Roderich and Ludwig.

[Belle Johansson]

Rather obliviously she listened to the customer’s orders with a polite but complacent smile and scribbled down what they wanted.
“Good choices,” she complimented as she scribbled down the orders “I’ve just finished a fresh batch of the apricot coffee cake this morning.” She said with a light chuckle
Belle caught Lilli in a hug and smiled jovially at the younger girl.

“Hey Lilli,” she said with a bright smile “how’ve you been doing?” she asked as she quickly reached out to steady wobbly table. Her emerald eyes widened for a moment as she (with the help of Lilli) carefully steadied it.
“S-sorry about that.” she said softly as she apologised to the two other customers as her pale cheeks flushed with embarrassment “I’ll get to your orders right now.” She turned to work away as her cheeks flushed a soft red; it was odd how embarrassed she was getting over the incident.
She cocked her head to one side as she watched Lilli follow her and ask to help.
“Well only if you want to help.” She said thoughtfully, as she turned away with the orders written down “There’s a spare apron in the backroom, um could you bring out a cup of coffee please?” she asked kindly.

Getting to work she cut two slices of the delicious coffee apricot cake, and a slice of the strawberry cherry cake she’d put out on display only ten minutes ago. She did hope they’d enjoy it, because she had worked really hard on it and she hated to disappoint.
“So Lil, where did you meet your friends?” she asked Lilli thoughtfully. She moved gracefully through the store and hummed tunefully as she placed the deserts on the tray, carefully arranging them so they looked pretty on the plates. Passing it to Lilli she nodded over to where the customers sat.

[Ludwig Beilschmidt]

Ludwig watched as the two girls disappeared into the kitchen. He looked around the bakery. Other than the muslin table cloth that cover the tables the owner kept it simple for the shop. A light blue paint cover the walls with the simple glass case that held all the assorted sweets. The main window had a cake or two on display out to let people get a peek of the little delights of the store.

He glance over to Roderich as the other man rubbed his sore shin. He leaned back and relax in his chair as Roderich look over at him.

"So you know Lilli because her father is a tailor hmmm. Does a pretty good job. Her dress is pretty and fit well for her."

He still feel like he can't do idle chat if his life is depended on it.