Therious had made a dash toward the stairwell, and practically jumped down, soundlessly. Reminder, he is still a Celestial. So, he won't get hurt easily. He started leisurely walking, totally looking like he had been the entire time, up to the clerk desk. She was the first person he saw, so he thought he better ask now than later.

Therious: "Um, hello, I'm Therious, err...can I...ask you a question?"

Female Clerk: "O-oh...! Um...h-hi...um...y-yeah, sure, you can ask...a question..."

Therious was half glad that she was just as uncomfortable as he was. He wasn't so good with women, considering, from where he was from, position, power, and good-looks were everything.

Therious: "Um, thank you, uh...I...need to find a way to get yen...from a job...so..."

Female Clerk: "Oh! So, you're looking for a job! W-well...um, there's this butler café about a block over...it's called...urgh, I can't remember...but one of the...um, 'butlers' there got fired, so..."

Therious: "Thank you very much! I really appreciate it!"

Therious' smile bloomed across his face, genuinely happy. He had something to work with, and surprisingly easily got his starting point. Get a job a butler café. What's a butler café? A butler, Therious knew, was a man dressed in a tuxedo who walked around serving food and stuff. He wondered about that a bit. Therious thanked the lady and walked out into the world.

*****

Therious had been wandering for about an hour, and still couldn't find any man walking around in a tuxedo, carrying a platter with...he didn't know, um, tea and crumpets? Well, yeah, he couldn't find anything like that...well, up until now he did.

Therious: "Wow..."

So this was a butler café. He saw through the windows, men in uniforms serving mostly women...actually, all the customers ARE women. Therious gulped. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all...? He nervously walked inside...making an attempt, not to knock over one of the butlers...run into any of the guests...that kind of thing.

???: "Oh, are you here for the job application?"

Therious: "A-ah...! Oh...uh...yes, yes I am..."

A man in a butler uniform, dark brown hair, light gray eyes, perfect smile, posture and with a soft monotone voice, taps Therious on the shoulder making him jump.

Rikyodu: "My name is Rikyodu. But everyone mostly calls me Ri."

Therious: "I'm Therious. Nice to meet you."

The two shake hands. Now most of the women stare at Therious now.

Rikyodu: "Wow, with your looks, you might end up as the most popular on the list."

Therious: "List? Popular? Me? But I sort of just started and..."

Rikyodu: "Right...so to boost your reputation, you need to do your best to stick to character and be nice to who you serve. Every once in awhile, you have to charm the women to gain extra tips."

Therious: "Tips...? Uh, got it...so...when do I start...?"

Rikyodu leads Therious to the back locker room, and hands him a uniform from the rack, in the back of the room.

Rikyodu: "You can take the locker right next to mine. My name is spelt R-I-K-Y-O-D-U. There's an empty one right next to it without a name."

Therious: "Okay...so...I put this on...?"

Rikyodu: "Haha, what else are you gonna use it for?"

Therious: "I don't know, maybe..."

He inspects the multiple sleeves, adding both the top jacket and undershirt.

Therious: "A nine-tails whip?"

Rikyodu: "Haha...you're funny, Therious, I'll give you that. Keep it up and you'll probably get the job by the end of the day."

Therious: "You mean...I don't have the job yet?"

Rikyodu: "This is just to test you. It would be really disappointing if you just looked good but not being able to serve."

Therious: "I-I...I'll do my best...!"

*****

Near the end of the shift...

Therious: "My lady, here is your tea."

(customer): "Oh...! Um...hehe...thank you!"

Therious leaves the table to its non-stop giggling and delivers a custard to another table. He decides that he'll charm this table for the last one. He looks out the window. It's already dark.

Therious: "Your custard, mademoiselle."

(customer 2): "Well...thank you! Hehe...! Say...aren't you new?"

Therious: "In the process, my lady."

He felt like he really has gotten the hang of this butler thing. He thought about using this talent for the girls, considering that he also did have to make things in the kitchen. Common curtesy was a fire. He was secretly watching Rikyodu and some other butlers around the café for help if needed. He now knew some new words, cover-ups, charms, gestures, and tones of voices. He didn't really feel very shy anymore after the first hour. 

(customer 2): "Wow, a gentleman like you! I would LOVE for you to get the job!"

(customer 3): "Right? Like he was born for this!"

Therious wondered if he was...

Therious: "If I am, I will promise to serve you all with the best of my abilities."

(customers): "*squealing*"

...Then finally, the day was over and Rikyodu brings Therious to the meeting room, right next to the locker room.

Rikyodu: "Honestly, that could've been your first day on the job! You did so well!"

Therious: "Ha...I really hope I DO get the job. That was really enjoyable."

Rikyodu: "Nice...hey, why do you want to work at a butler café, anyway?"

Therious: "Well...I have...family to take care of at an apartment. So...I need to earn yen to pay the rent."

Rikyodu: "Oh...how big is the family?"

Therious: "Well...including me...there's seven people."

Rikyodu: "Seven?! And you're the one to provide all of it?! What, are the rest underage or something?"

Therious: "Technically, yes."

Therious did remember that they were basically made two weeks ago. They're not even a month old yet.

Rikyodu: "How are they related to you?"

Therious: "Erm...I'm their...father..."

Rikyodu: "...You're a father? Oh, that would explain it? You have a wife?"

Therious: "M-me...? No, I don't..."

Rikyodu: "Good, you don't want to put your rep in danger. You gotta show me these kids of yours."

Therious: "There's six of them. They're all girls."

Rikyodu: "Oh, wow, all girls? What are they gonna say when daddy comes home a butler?"

Therious: "Haha..."

Therious was starting to think of them as actually daughters. Though, he didn't really expect them to be so...lifeless. They reach the meeting room, and saw inside three other butlers in uniform, like Therious and Rikyodu, and another man, who apparently looks like the boss.

Boss: "So this is the chick-magnet, Therious. Welcome to the crew."

Therious: "Chick...magnet...?"

Therious was thinking how in any way was he attracting baby chicken and wondering if there was actually chicks following him around the café. He was almost sure that there wasn't any. He decided to ask.

Therious: "Um...how do I attract chicks...?"

(butler 1): "Ha, and he says that so curiously. He's so innocent."

(butler 2): "Like maybe he's the innocent type? Teenage girls seem to be into that kind of thing."

(butler 1): "As much as that bad boy marathon last year?"

(butler 3): "Urgh, don't remind me..."

Boss: "Okay, you three, simmer down a bit."

(butlers): "......"

Rikyodu: "So, you want to recruit him?"

Therious looks at the boss hopefully. The boss hangs his head and chuckles.

Boss: "Therious, is it? You're staring at me, like a child asking for candy. Are you that desperate?"

Therious: "In this case, I am."

Boss: "Like that determination. It'll help you along the way. Okay, welcome. You're in."

Therious breathes a heavy sigh of relief, breaking into a smile. Rikyodu comes over and pats him on the back.

Rikyodu: "Calm down, Therious. You got the job. Go home for the day."

Therious: "Thank you...I'll do my best!"

*****

After changing clothes, and receiving a booklet of what to do, opening/closing times, members and such, Therious makes his...very long...way home.

Female Clerk: "Oh! I was wondering what happened to you."

Therious: "I had gotten lost a couple times though made it through okay."

Female Clerk: "Though...you're practically glowing. I'd take it, that you got the job?"

Therious: "Yes! I did! And I'm so happy!"

Female Clerk: "Well, I guess I'm happy for you!"

Therious: "Yes, goodnight, miss."

Female Clerk: "Goodnight, sir."

Therious speed-walks up the stairwell and into the room which he was careful to remember. He knocks at the door and it nearly flew open at the same time his knuckle rapped at the wood.

Therious: "Oh...ah! Uh...Ayla...?"

Ayla: "Took you forever. Karanos told us what happened. Get inside."

Ayla grabbed Therious by the arm and practically flings him through the doorway. He stumbles and almost landed on Karanos.

Luciel: "Caution, Therious. So, you have the job. Excellent."

Therious: "Thank you...I guess."

Luciel: "You are equivalent to a human here...as much as we are to become. Retire for the night."

Therious, without argument, for he was just about to knock out right there, stumbled toward his room. He goes inside and closes the door. Then he walks over to his bed and flops down on it, not bothering to take off his shoes. Therious stares at the ceiling for awhile...going through the events of today. He started wondering if he wanted this to all to be a dream, or for this to actually be real.

Therious: "Well...*yawn*...we'll see in the morning..."

*soft breathing*

Yes, we will.