Cooper stood behind the worn oak bar, wiping down a glass with a rag that had seen better days. The tavern was quiet in the early morning light, the kind of peaceful quiet that made him appreciate the life he’d carved out for himself here. Sunlight streamed through the dusty windows, casting a warm, golden glow over the tables and chairs that would soon be filled with the usual mix of locals and travelers.
He could hear the soft creak of floorboards above him, where Mina was likely playing or getting into some kind of mischief. The thought brought a smile to his face. That girl was a handful, no doubt about it, but she was his handful, and he wouldn’t trade her for anything in the world.
The door creaked open, and Cooper glanced up, his expression a mix of curiosity and practiced indifference. Another customer, most likely here for the breakfast special or just a drink to start the day. Without missing a beat, he leaned an elbow on the bar and gave a nod.
He reached for another glass, giving it a quick polish as he waited for the customer’s response, already mentally going over the day’s to-do list. But at the back of his mind, he was thinking about Mina, hoping she’d be in a good mood when she came down later. Maybe they’d have time to sneak in a game of cards before the afternoon rush.
Yeah, today was gonna be a good one. He could feel it. Then he realised there was someone behind the newcomer as well, someone that, wait, was that?
@Maika Arainai
He could hear the soft creak of floorboards above him, where Mina was likely playing or getting into some kind of mischief. The thought brought a smile to his face. That girl was a handful, no doubt about it, but she was his handful, and he wouldn’t trade her for anything in the world.
Today’s gonna be a good one,he muttered to himself, setting the glass down with a satisfied clink. He could feel it in his bones—the kind of day where everything went right, the kind of day where maybe, just maybe, he wouldn’t have to deal with any trouble.
The door creaked open, and Cooper glanced up, his expression a mix of curiosity and practiced indifference. Another customer, most likely here for the breakfast special or just a drink to start the day. Without missing a beat, he leaned an elbow on the bar and gave a nod.
Mornin',he greeted casually, his voice gruff but not unfriendly.
What’ll it be?Cooper’s sharp eyes took in the newcomer, sizing them up out of habit. It was a skill he’d honed over the years, knowing exactly who was walking into his place and what kind of day they were going to bring with them. But for now, he was content to let things play out, still holding on to that feeling that today was going to be just fine. Maybe even a little better than fine, if he was lucky.
He reached for another glass, giving it a quick polish as he waited for the customer’s response, already mentally going over the day’s to-do list. But at the back of his mind, he was thinking about Mina, hoping she’d be in a good mood when she came down later. Maybe they’d have time to sneak in a game of cards before the afternoon rush.
Yeah, today was gonna be a good one. He could feel it. Then he realised there was someone behind the newcomer as well, someone that, wait, was that?
@Maika Arainai
08-17-2024, 01:40 PM
