The scene is Valhalla in a random coffee shop. The au…

Brynhilde: Not just any coffee shop. This is the 1st Avenue Cafe where only the most prestigious of nobles visit. They serve only the finest of…

The author’s eyebrow twitches. His pencil quivers and his notebook is suddenly closed. He’s been dreading this one.

Brynhilde: They serve only the finest of pressed ristretto. It’s a special kind of esspresso that isn’t as…

Author: As I was saying…

The scene is Valhalla in a random coffee shop. The auth…

Brynhilde: This is perfect for those like myself that have a flavored palette. I enjoy the lack of aroma and tart taste as compared to normal coffee. The esspresso also m…

Author: Uh, Miss Brynhilde?

Brynhilde: …means there is less liquid. It’s for a more pure experience with a stronger match of caffeine. I prefer to…

Author: Brynhilde?

The author is trying hist best, but Brynhilde seems to be ignoring him. Perhaps she doesn’t know how an interview works.

Brynhilde: …to have just a pinch of creamer and sugar. It helps keep the experience more pure, much like Valhallan Tea.

Author: Ah, Valhallan Tea comes up ofte…

At this point Brynhilde has stopped speaking, she pulls up her ‘Ristretto Espresso’ to her lips and simply closes her eyes. She barely takes a sip of it and sets it down. A napkin quickly goes up to her face.

The author leans forward in disbelieve.

Author: But you barely drank it!

Brynhilde: The whole point is to nurse this cup for the next few hours while reading a newspaper, and chatting about this and that with other nobles. We do need to keep up you know.

Author: Right.

Brynhilde: Being a noble is a very important part of Valhallan society. Wouldn’t you agree?

The author blinks and his head cocks to the side. He turns to the audience.

Author: Anytime now Sweiza.

As if on cue, Sweiza bursts in. She’s in her typical white attire. She bows repeatedly.

Sweiza: Sorry I’m late.

Brynhilde: Starla, it is about time. We’ve been waiting.

Author: She had just a sip.

Sweiza looks from Brynhilde to the Author and then to Brynhilde’s cup. She stifles a smile at the author. Sweiza marches up to one of the waitresses. She is informed that she will have to wait. Sweiza doesn’t comply. She gives her order then and there. Valhallan Tea, with lots of sugar, lots and lots of creamer, and lots of honey. She has this figured out by now. She marches over to the duo’s table and sits down. She makes some effort to be a little more graceful about it.

Brynhilde: Starla, you surprise me.

Sweiza says nothing and simply looks towards the kitchen and makeshift ‘coffee bar’. Sweiza slams her hand on the table.

Sweiza: Bring me my Valhallan Tea!

One of the waitresses is taken aback and drops her drink. The author looks over at the waitress and then to Sweiza. Sweiza simply looks down at the table, eyes closed and with a smirk on her face.

Author: You two are most certainly polar opposites.

Brynhilde: I see her potential.

Another sip of Valhallan Ristretto and another napkin to her lips.

Sweiza takes one look from Brynhilde and looks up at the ceiling. Her eyes refrain from rolling, but they twitch ever so slightly.

Sweiza: Well, originally she was only in it to be a Valkyrie. Thankfully fate puts her through enough tests that she actually outgrows this… thing that she is. Something about Noble Oblige.

Brynhilde lets out a deliberate giggle. It lasts briefly as her eyes close and her hand comes up to her mouth.

Author: Isn’t it true that Brynhilde is of noble blood?

Sweiza goes to speak and Brynhilde interrupts her. Rather, Sweiza lets out a yelp as Brynhilde’s heel dig’s into the top of Sweiza’s foot. Sweiza looks away and towards the kitchen.

Brynhilde: I was borne of the Brynhilde family. We have certain relations managing this and that.

Author: Could you be more specific?

Brynhilde: My father is a salesman. He sells only the finest vehicles and vessels. Mother is a writer for the Valhallakin Chronicle. She covers only the most important events in Valhalla. None of that lowfested news that occurs in Midgard mind you.

Author: I thought they were dead by the time the story took place?

Brynhilde suddenly drops the act and gets more serious.

Brynhilde: About that. That is a shoddy plot device.

Author: Isn’t it true you wouldn’t have met Lady Strife otherwise?

Brynhilde: Had my family not been killed in the war, I could persue more leisurely activities.

Author: You mean not chasing being a Valkyrie?

Brynhilde: I am going to become one aren’t I?

Sweiza looks over from Brynhilde to the author.

Out of nowhere Sweiza pulls open the script for Angel Blade III. She starts reading ahead and lets out several snickers and laughs.

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Brynhilde’s act further drops. Now a worried expression crosses her face.

Brynhilde: What? What’s going to happen to me?

Sweiza beams and tosses the script behind her. A big smile creeps on her face. A hopeless Brynhilde looks down at the script as it disappears once it hits the floor.

Brynhilde: Are you two conspiring against me?

Brynhilde realizes her mistake. She has lost her poise and composure. She quickly stiffens up and clears her throat. Again she makes with another sip of ristretto and a napkin to her lips.

Brynhilde: Mmm, delicious.

Sweiza looks at act in front of her. She’ll have none of it.

Sweiza: Waitress! Where is my order!

Sweiza slaps her hand on the table again. The same waitress from before drops a platter; she is clearly shaken at Sweiza’s loud boisterous personality. Sweiza looks to Brynhilde with a beam.

Sweiza: You’re not fooling anybody. You deliberately drink that tar because it is so bitter.

Brynhilde flinches. She closes her eyes. Another cup of ristretto and napkin to her lips. She simply ignores them. These two are beneath her enjoyment.

The author finally sees his chance.

Somewhere in Valhalla, in a coffee shop located along First Avenue, he has setup an interview with…

Sweiza interrupts him.

Sweiza: Waitress!

One of the waitresses hurries over and starts bowing.

Waitress: We’ll have it out in a few minutes. We’re having some trouble getting the ingredients. If we could ask you to be a bit more patient…

Sweiza quivers in agitation. Brynhilde lets out a chuckle as her hand covers her mouth. She maintains the same grace and poise as her composure cannot be shaken.

Sweiza grins at her and raises her hand. She makes a mock slapping motion at Brynhilde’s back.

Brynhilde: Sweiza, behave.

Sweiza: Not on your life.

Author: Speaking of which, is it true that most Valkyrie die before they become Valkyrie?

Sweiza: I think that is wh…

Brynhilde: I’ve waited to become a Valkyrie for five years running. I will see my day in the sun.

Sweiza: You can’t even handle the sun!

Brynhilde’s composure drops again as she glares at the girl.

Brynhilde: I was being rhetorical.

Sweiza: Nuh-uh! You were being… uh, what was that word? Pretendious?

Author: Pretentious.

Sweiza: Ah, pretentious! That’s it! You were being the very thing you hold in contempt in others.

Brynhilde raises her head. Her nose goes straight into the air, quite deliberately.

Sweiza: What a snot-nosed…

Brynhilde: Sweiza, enough. Behave.

Sweiza: No way! I finally get to treat you like the commoner that you are.

Author: Ah, about that. Is it true that your family isn’t as noble as you make it out to be?

Brynhilde’s body stiffens in anger as she fumes at the author. Her eyes close as she looks down at the table.

Another cup of ristretto and a napkin to her lips.

Sweiza hunches over and cocks her head to the side watching Brynhilde.

Sweiza: Waitress! Hurry up!

Author: You two are most certainly a stark contrast with each other.

Sweiza: As I was saying, she only hangs around to be a Valkyrie. Just wait until what happens later.

Sweiza stiffles a giggle and covers her mouth to mock Brynhilde. She doesn’t refrain from pointing at Brynhilde.

Brynhilde: What is going to happen to me?

More than concern and worry fill her voice.

Author: Oh, let’s just say your self entitled personality gets a turn for the worst.

Brynhilde looks from Sweiza to the Author.

Brynhilde: Fine, whatever. I’ll anwer your questions and you can make yourself.

Author: Pardon?

Brynhilde: Your type isn’t welcome in a cafe like this. You aren’t prestiged like some of us.

Brynhilde looks over at Sweiza once.

Author: What about her?

Brynhilde: She is a Valkyrie.

Author: Is it true you tried to become a Valkyrie for five years running and Odin rejected you each and every time?

Brynhilde: That is what I have Lady Strife for. Lady Angst here…

Brynhide’s eyebrows cock up with intrigue as she looks over at Sweiza. Sweiza is busy ushering the waitress over to bring over her Valhallan Tea - modified to her liking of course. Then there is the free bonus of croissants.

Brynhilde clears her throat. Sweiza gives it no attention.

The author slaps his hand to his face.

Brynihlde coughs louder. Sweiza looks over with a croissant stuffed into her face.

Sweiza: Hmm?

Brynhilde: As I was saying, Lady Angst is my insurance that I become a Valkyrie.

Sweiza wolfs down the croissant and smacks her chest a few times to help. Everyone is now staring at the trio. This girl clearly is not used to high society, least of all being in the presence of nobility.

Sweiza: Lady Angst? What kind of title is Lady? I’m a Serif and a Sera, that is all.

Another sip of ristretto and napkin to the lips.

Sweiza eyes her with some curious delight. She then helps herself to her own tea.

Author: You two are quite the stark contrast between each other in both manners and eating habits.

Sweiza simply nods.

Brynhilde looks between the two.

Brynhilde: Grace and refinement is a hallmark of the nobles.

Author: I thought your parents worked hard and scraped to get by in their position. Didn’t you earn what they did?

Brynhilde smirks as her eyes close. She looks down at the table and says nothing.

Sweiza: He means you are lazy.

Brynhilde again flinches as she tries to maintain her posture.

Brynhilde is about to say something when the trio notice a blue figure divebomb one of the croissants. Sweiza looks at Brynhilde and then the author. She pushes her chair back and chases after him.

Sweiza: Come back here with that you pest!

Brynhilde is about to say something, but Sweiza charges up and grabs her cup of tea. She quickly drinks it. She quickly bows to the author and to Brynhilde and charges off again.

Brynhilde resumes attempting to speak. Sweiza comes back for a final time and grabs the plate of croissants.

Author: How do you put up with her?

Brynhilde looks wide eyes from Sweiza to the author.

Brynhilde: You tell me. You are the one that wrote us.

Author: I figured it would be an interesting pairing.

There is sudden silence as an ominous figure appears at the cafe door.

It turns out it is Lady Strife. Complete silence fills the cafe as she approachs from behind Brynhilde. Her heels click together.

Strife: Valkyrie Sylvia.

Brynhilde suddenly freezes and a smile crosses her face.

Brynhilde: You honor me Valkyrie.

Strife: I require your assistance.

Brynhilde: Whatever for?

Strife: I…

Strife’s eyes and head follow the commotion near the makeshift ‘coffee bar’. Sweiza has captured Sprite, but there is a mess on the floor. Apparently several drinks have been spilled and another waitress has dropped an order.

Strife shifts her focus to the author.

Strife simply shakes her head. Her attention is back on Brynhilde. She leans over and whispers something into the woman’s ear. Brynhilde quickly focuses on the author. Her eyes are worried.

Brynhilde: What do you mean that happens to my sight? Who is going to take care of me?

Strife covers her mouth and points towards Sweiza.

Brynhilde: Wh-at? Why? What did I do?

Strife refrains from pulling up a chair.

Strife: A fate far worse than death awaits you.

Brynhilde stammers.

Strife: There is more to being a Valkyrie than just looking good.

Brynhilde looks at the author.

Author: I could always have you made a shield maiden.

Just then Rezra charges in and up to the table.

Brynhilde freezes. Strife just eyes her once.

Rezra: Has anyone seen Sweiza? She was supposed to practice stances with me and…

There is a commotion towards the coffee bar. Sprite has stolen another croissant.

Brynhilde: What in Midgard…

Strife: That little thief is just creating a distraction so he can get into the kitchen.

Brynhilde looks up towards Strife.

Brynhilde: Why did you let that thing in here?

Brynhilde motions towards Rezra. Rezra half closes one eye at her.

Rezra: Spoiled brat!

Author: Okay, I think that is enough for now. We’ll conclude this interview. Seriously. Why is it whenever I want to write the more interesting character…

The author, Strife and Rezra look at Brynhilde. Another sip of ristretto and napkin to her mouth. Strife simply nods. Rezra is curious and pulls the cup with both hands once Brynhilde sets it on the table.

Brynhilde: Annoying.

Rezra simply dumps it into her mouth. She makes a face.

Rezra: Gross!

Strife can’t stifle her smile.

Strife: Perhaps you should conclude this interview.

Brynhilde: Wait, I’m being interviewed? Why didn’t you say so?

Author: I think we’ll wrap it up, we haven’t accomplished anything with this group. As usual.

Brynhilde: I’ll get rid of them. Give me a second chance. I didn’t know.

Stife: Maybe if you paid more attention and were more proactive instead of focusing on yourself, you would be a Valkyrie by now.

Brynhilde’s eyes glass up.

Author: Sorry folks. This appears to have been a waste of time. Tune in next time for when we interview…

The author holds his hans as if showing her off…

Author: Rezra, a tigerfelk from the east.

Sweiza is over by Rezra by this point. Sweiza simply beams at her and ribs her. Rezra tries to hold her hands clasped in front of her in a dignified fashion. It looks terrible. She ends up laughing while Sweiza ribs her.

Author: Why do I bother?

Brynhilde: Wait! I’ll behave! Maybe we can do this solo next time. I promise, I…

Fade out.