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Ch. 1 Part 4. Plain Plan

Ch. 1 Part 4. Plain Plan

After the last customer buys some milk and cookies and leaves, Johann swiftly closes shop and goes to Will’s apartment. On the way there, he thinks about getting snacks for the night and goes into a corner store. Buying some chips and drinks, he leaves the store as a female voice says, “Hello”.

“Long time, no see, Johann. Do not give me that surprised face. I am staying here for a bit. Say, did you receive my letters? I wrote one 3 days ago, saying I will be visiting you in a few days” says a softly smiling girl, about the same age as Will. “Well, there is always work at the bakery, I have little time to tend to my personal affairs”, says Johann, apologetically looking at her, not making eye contact. “It is okay. I am staying at a hotel nearby, care to join?” asks Anastasia, carrying her smile to ask for company. A blush could be seen on Johann’s face, “No, I am on my way to a friend’s house, actually. We are having a game night tonight. Thank you for the offer, though. For compensation for not being company, how about you come to my bakery to catch up? I will even make you my signature plate”, he says, trying not to upset his friend. “I would love to”, she says, enthusiasm prominent in her eyes. “I have a sun allergy so I would not want to go out in the day. How about at 5? The bakery would not be as crowded and busy and the sun will be well down” says Anastasia, offering her number.

After the exchange, Johann’s phone rings… “Yo! Is there any store nearby? I think I am out of tuna. Care to buy some, mate?” says Will, frantically searching for something. “Tuna? Sure, I guess. I am outside of one right now. Hope you like sour cream and onion. Oh, and also, I met Anastasia here. She said she is going to be here for some time and she will visit me tomorrow at the bakery. You could meet her there, mate”, says Johann.

Knocking on the apartment door, a small struggle can be heard inside. Upon opening the door, a feisty beast jumps Johann. “Johann, don’t let her get out!” yells William as a white cat lunges through the door. “I got her, I got her, do not worry. Where should I put these?” says Johann, asking where to put the chips and drinks. “There is a counter left of the hallway. There is a small bowl on it too; measure out half of it for Yuki there. You can get yourself something on the top – I made some pizza and prickled chicken” says Will, pointing through the wall.

“You are more of a cook than me, mate. Where did you learn to cook like this?” says Johann, amazed by the taste of Will’s meal. “What took you so long, mate? You closed shop at 6, no?”, asks William, his expression indifferent. “I was going to buy some drinks for the night so I went to a store and came across Anastasia. She is staying at a hotel, it seems, and so she will come to the bakery tomorrow evening”, says Johann, taking a plate and sitting on the sofa. “So, how is she?”, asks Will, trying find out more about the woman. “She said she is fine. Traveling the country and finding new inspirations for her to write about, everything sounded alright”, says Johann. Putting the empty can on the counter loudly, “I am not talking about the situation – how is she, what does she look like and what not?”, says Will, frustrated. “Well, she is nice. Always wears a kind smile, mannerisms are matched with her kindness, small nose, average sized eyes, somewhat tall, kind of like you when fixated on something, pretty upbeat but somehow distant, allergic to the sun, has a small scar on her left cheek running up to her ear, wears glasses-” says Johann, before abruptly cut by Will, saying “Did she say something about a Finnish origin?”. “What has gone into you all of a sudden? Yes, I guess. Her accent is pretty hard, might even be from Russia”, says Johann, puzzled by Will’s sudden question. Searching through a pile of disk boxes, “I will have to find out for myself tomorrow. Your description of her almost match my childhood friend – the one who got her mana depleted… Ну, что есть, то есть. So, Pandora or Psionic?” says Will asking for what console they should play. “Pandora” answers Johann.

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The night goes by in a blink. Soon enough, the morning sun rises and the busy city bustles into life. Looking around the room, “The blueprint, is it so detailed?”, asks a sleepy Johann. “No, no, it is just a blueprint. Really well preserved, mana infused ancient technology but that is just a blueprint”, the cat jumps onto Will lap, “Your fur is so nice. Here, hold her for a moment, I need to brew some tea or something”, says Will, going to the kitchen to brew up a drink. While working on the manual coffee machine, “What do you think her name is?”, asks Will. “She is really friendly towards me, a complete stranger, so, I guess her name reflect that of her nature” answers Johann. “Shiro Li Yuki – that is her name. The first and last name of hers translates to “Snow White” in Japanese. Do you know why there is the Li in her name?” says Will, pouring frothed milk onto his coffee. “The terrorist Li? I thought you did not like the guy”, says Johann, playing with Yuki. “No, not that guy. I just heard of his name and remembered my old nick. Cassandra always called me Li and I called her San in return”, finishes making and sips from the coffee, “I wonder what she would have become if she had not died. She might have just become a baker like you. And with mana, I would have become someone else, too, huh? Maybe even a gunsmith”, says Will, holding the cup of coffee in his hands, warming them. Lifting his head up, “Firearms – I do not like them. Only purpose of them is bringing misery and pain. I did not know you were into such things”, says Johann. Sipping once, “Don't get me wrong – I just like machinery and things that explode, that is all. Even so, I still do not have any mana, it is only a distant dream”, says Will, staring at the wall, thinking to himself about something. “Would you look at that, it is already 8. Don’t you have a date to prepare? I, too, have business of my own so take care” says Will, asking Johann to leave.