Nano
procrastination symphony
▌Chapter 1: Flicker
“A candle is a living, flickering light. It can easily be blown out. As we watch a candle burn we see the wax diminish. It melts away - a symbol for life.” —Gunilla B. Norris
Expressing its summer spirit, the Sun sat at its zenith, warming the streets below while periodically ducking behind a stray cloud to relieve the air of its scorching rays before the temperature could become too stifling to bear. In response to the fair weather, the loud chirping of cicadas cried over the footfalls of the pedestrians milling about. Businessmen and students alike crowded the streets, whether they be on their lunch breaks or enjoying the beginnings of their summer vacations. Occasionally, some of the more aimless drifters found their eyes drawn to the brightly smiling face of a large white dog sitting within the shade of a certain café’s awning. Upon meeting its eyes for a few seconds, the dog would bark at the passerby, as if inviting them inside. Then, satisfied with the number of potential customers it had successfully roped in with its endearing puppy eyes, the self-proclaimed poster dog stood, shook itself, and padded back into the café.
In contrast to the sticky air outside, the inside of the café was cooled down to a far more refreshing degree. The interior, decorated with a variety of plants which complimented the earthy tones of the walls and furniture, was split into two main areas. The front of the store featured a long counter facing the cafe’s large window and a few loose tables for those who wished to focus on eating or studying. To the side of the register and serving area, a modest pair of double, half-sized swinging doors separated the dining area from the “play pen,” the section of the café dedicated to playing or relaxing with the various animals staffing the café. Compared to the front half of the café, the back room was furnished with smaller and less tables and set up beanbags and couches in place of chairs and stools. Food was permitted in the area but limited to drinks, snacks, and smaller dishes such as sandwiches.
Even without Chase the Samoyed’s schemes to increase the café’s flow of customers, the café was already bustling with activity. Since its establishment ten years ago, the summer months had always been the busiest season, hosting both vacationing locals and tourists. However, the atmosphere of the dining area was unusually charged in comparison to the playpen. A majority of the customers gossipped at a volume just low enough that their words were obscured from the ears of the wait staff. If one listened closely, phrases such as “that’s terrible” and “who would do such a thing” could barely be made out in passing. One particularly emotional customer, however, prattled on to her friend complete with dramatic gesticulation as the pair waited for their drinks and lunch orders.
“I was shocked when- What was the school’s name again? East Ryde? Hasn’t it been the fourth time already? How is it that the police haven’t caught that person yet?” she said. When her friend held a finger to her mouth as a signal to lower her volume, the teen coughed and looked over her shoulder nervously. To her relief, the other customers were too engaged in their own conversations or mobile devices to pay attention to her outburst. In the first place, many of the other discussions mirrored the girl’s own, perhaps adding on a few details and rumors here and there. After all, it wasn’t an everyday occurrence that an arsonist would attack a single school repeatedly. It was even stranger that there was never any conclusive evidence found to determine who or how the explosions had occurred.
To the expectations of some of the Noah’s Ark staff, the sound of a bell chime rang out as a familiar woman walked into the café with a manila envelope in hand. When she caught the gaze of one of the workers, said worker gave her a curt nod, a signal that the Manager was present in the café. Without a word, the woman, Karen, cooly made her way upstairs.
It was a new case from Babel, likely one that was related to the rumors that had been floating about recently.
- - - - - - -
Date: Friday, June 26th
Location: Noah’s Ark Café
Time: 1PM
Weather: Sunny (83°F)
Location: Noah’s Ark Café
Time: 1PM
Weather: Sunny (83°F)
Expressing its summer spirit, the Sun sat at its zenith, warming the streets below while periodically ducking behind a stray cloud to relieve the air of its scorching rays before the temperature could become too stifling to bear. In response to the fair weather, the loud chirping of cicadas cried over the footfalls of the pedestrians milling about. Businessmen and students alike crowded the streets, whether they be on their lunch breaks or enjoying the beginnings of their summer vacations. Occasionally, some of the more aimless drifters found their eyes drawn to the brightly smiling face of a large white dog sitting within the shade of a certain café’s awning. Upon meeting its eyes for a few seconds, the dog would bark at the passerby, as if inviting them inside. Then, satisfied with the number of potential customers it had successfully roped in with its endearing puppy eyes, the self-proclaimed poster dog stood, shook itself, and padded back into the café.
In contrast to the sticky air outside, the inside of the café was cooled down to a far more refreshing degree. The interior, decorated with a variety of plants which complimented the earthy tones of the walls and furniture, was split into two main areas. The front of the store featured a long counter facing the cafe’s large window and a few loose tables for those who wished to focus on eating or studying. To the side of the register and serving area, a modest pair of double, half-sized swinging doors separated the dining area from the “play pen,” the section of the café dedicated to playing or relaxing with the various animals staffing the café. Compared to the front half of the café, the back room was furnished with smaller and less tables and set up beanbags and couches in place of chairs and stools. Food was permitted in the area but limited to drinks, snacks, and smaller dishes such as sandwiches.
Even without Chase the Samoyed’s schemes to increase the café’s flow of customers, the café was already bustling with activity. Since its establishment ten years ago, the summer months had always been the busiest season, hosting both vacationing locals and tourists. However, the atmosphere of the dining area was unusually charged in comparison to the playpen. A majority of the customers gossipped at a volume just low enough that their words were obscured from the ears of the wait staff. If one listened closely, phrases such as “that’s terrible” and “who would do such a thing” could barely be made out in passing. One particularly emotional customer, however, prattled on to her friend complete with dramatic gesticulation as the pair waited for their drinks and lunch orders.
“I was shocked when- What was the school’s name again? East Ryde? Hasn’t it been the fourth time already? How is it that the police haven’t caught that person yet?” she said. When her friend held a finger to her mouth as a signal to lower her volume, the teen coughed and looked over her shoulder nervously. To her relief, the other customers were too engaged in their own conversations or mobile devices to pay attention to her outburst. In the first place, many of the other discussions mirrored the girl’s own, perhaps adding on a few details and rumors here and there. After all, it wasn’t an everyday occurrence that an arsonist would attack a single school repeatedly. It was even stranger that there was never any conclusive evidence found to determine who or how the explosions had occurred.
To the expectations of some of the Noah’s Ark staff, the sound of a bell chime rang out as a familiar woman walked into the café with a manila envelope in hand. When she caught the gaze of one of the workers, said worker gave her a curt nod, a signal that the Manager was present in the café. Without a word, the woman, Karen, cooly made her way upstairs.
It was a new case from Babel, likely one that was related to the rumors that had been floating about recently.
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