ROLEPLAY HQ - crumb-layer

Arlo had gotten the closet shop, finally. Years of busting his ass since he was twelve. His shop ran well and in the two years he'd expanded, getting the shop next to him as well. They were open 21 hours a day, he and his business partner splitting the time. College students always needed snacks and coffee and a place to work.... Arlo sighed flipping through the few resumes he had to pick from. He needed someone to do some chores for him. Sighing he set them all aside into his file box. All of them wanted full time and he couldn't offer it. Cassian was blowing up his phone and he shoved it on mute in his pocket, walking to check on the batistas in the front. The two shops were combined but separated by a wall, an open work space and coffee shop on one side and the bakery on the other. "Doing alright?" He smiled to Jacey who grinned back. "We opened a few minutes ago." "Good. Carie show?" "She's just in the restroom." Arlo nodded softly and went back to his kitchen to finish his morning work, sliding the filled trays into the case. He'd made it so he could refill the bakery cases from the kitchen like the coolers in a grocery, leaving him free to stick to his space. He kept to his shop, hells his apartment was above it.

9:49 AM

@SirFüncelot

It was early. He had just finished his morning run and was now running low on fuel. His stomach was rumbling, and he knew he should probably go and find something healthy to eat that complied with his diet, but how could he resist the sweet smell of freshly baked goods? Ethan just had to follow his nose around the corner, taking off his headphones and letting them rest around his neck. He simply followed his nose, ending up in front of a store he had never noticed before, despite it sitting right across from campus. He really should get out more. Besides the delicious smell, a sign at the door caught his attention. Looking for part-timers! Everyone welcome! Ethan had been thinking about getting a job and earning a bit of money on the side. With his scholarship, he didn’t have to worry about his tuition too much, but money was still tight, and if he didn’t want to eat chicken and rice for the rest of his life, he probably should start earning a little something extra. Though, when and how should he manage that? His schedule was packed with training, classes, and exercising. They probably didn’t want him around at random times throughout the day. But… This was a bakery, right? They probably started early. Thinking things through one last time, he stepped into the shop, which was still basically empty, seeing as it had just opened. There was one person behind the counter, and someone else seemed to fill the trays with baked goods from the back. Ethan was still dressed in his running clothes. A gray hoodie and black shorts. Probably not the best first impression, as he was also kind of sweaty, but that couldn't really be changed right now.

11:29 PM

With a smile on his lips, he stepped in front of the counter, waiting until he had the employee’s attention. “Good morning! I’d like one of those pastries.”, he got right to the point, pointing at one of the trays that had just appeared on the shelf behind them, not entirely sure what it was even called. It didn’t look too sweet, but with its delicious brown color, it was basically calling to him to have a bite. “And I saw you’re looking for a part-timer. Is there anything more you could tell me about that? I don’t really have a lot of time at hand, but I figured with this being a bakery… Maybe there’s work that could be done early in the morning? Or at night?” @Vox

Jacey giggled and pulled them out, wrapping it in parchment. "It's 3 dollars. Do you want coffee? It's free next door." She added and pointed to the archway between the two neighboring shops. She set a paper card atop. "Can give them this card and get a small coffee. Let me grab Arlo, he knows the hiring stuff more." She went to go back into the kitchen and paused, "Arlo's kind of an ass. Don't let him scare you okay?" She warned and popped back. Arlo pushed the swinging door, brushing his hands off on an apron emblazoned with the shop name- Arlo and Heritage. Dyed gray hair was pulled and pinned harshly back out of his face, a t-shirt tucked into black jeans tucked to thick boots. "Hi. Jacey said you wanted to talk about a job? You ever work in a bakery or barista?" @SirFüncelot

He took out the money he had been asked for, eyeing the coupon he had just received for a moment, while the woman behind the counter seemed to get her boss or something. Ethan wasn't a fan of coffee. It was too bitter and the sugar and cream he would otherwise take to make it more bearable... His diet plan didn't really agree with that, but he still pocketed the little slip of paper. Maybe Marianne would appreciate the free coffee. She was running on so much caffeine already and the year had just begun. Surely she would love this. At least a lot more than he currently did. A little anxiously Ethan waited in front of the counter, the paper bag with his pastry in one hand as he watched a man step out through the doors behind the counter. He was good looking for sure, as he maybe stared a little bit too long. The tousled gray hair... It looked good on him. And his voice. Nice and smooth like chocolate. It sent a shiver down his spine that he couldn't quite place and whatever he had just said went completely over Ethan's head. He had to scold himself to get back on track, shaking his head subtly as if to shake off a fly. "Ethan! Nice to meet you!", he started off, a little overly excited while extending his hand to give him a firm handshake. "I scooped ice cream every year in high school during summer break. Does that count?", he returned, nervously scratching his neck. Of course he would need experience... Everything would be too easy... "I may not have any experience, but I'm a quick learner and a hard worker! I'm sure there is some heavy stuff you need to carry around. Or cleaning. I can do that! Or whatever else you might need!", Ethan declared, trying to win the other over with a smile, unsure if he was already aware of the working hours he could manage. Hopefully that wouldn't ruin his chances entirely. @Vox

"I can't hire for more than 4 or 5 hours. Pay here is done through tuition repayment. I was looking for someone to help and do chores. But you need to get a hold of the paperwork for the credit pay." He waved off the hand shake. "Get a hold of your papers and come back and I'll think about it." Jacey nudged Arlo and the man made a face, gesturing she should take care of the customers that were starting to filter in. "It's fire at will here. Learn fast." Arlo added and smiled tensely, unpracticed. "Nice to meet you." He held out his half of the paperwork, and went back into his kitchen. He hated talking to people. It was always uncomfortable. He wished he could just jump through to the further relationship or friendship.... -- The paperwork held how much the job paid and the hours opened. The pay went directly to paying a school tuition rather than in pocket, and was partially funded by the school itself. Through this, he'd be technically paid 20 an hour, and given several credits to boost his classes. Arlo's number was scrawled across the bottom with 'text me for any questions. Don't call. I won't answer.' @SirFüncelot

There were a lot of information that he just received and to be honest, Ethan barely understood half of what the other just told him. He could barely blink and stare, holding the stack of papers that was just handed to him, while watching the man already leave again. What had just happened? He had no clue, but as it seemed... Maybe he could work here? If he managed to procure whatever paperwork was needed of him. Hopefully he could find and gather it before someone else got the spot. Which was very likely, knowing how unorganized he was. It would take hours to find what he was looking for. With a sigh Ethan left the shop, making his way over to his dorm room, already calling Marianne on the way there, bribing her with coffee and free lunch to help him out with whatever these papers were. Thankfully she was feeling merciful, which meant he had everything together by the end of the next day, after bothering one too many people. Usually not how he did things, but there were probably a lot of people trying to get the spot with all of these benefits, so... Ethan preferred to be fast. His last class of the day had just ended and he had sprinted all the way from the other end of campus over here, hoping the shop was still open. His hopes weren't high, seeing how late it already was. It was starting to get dark and there was barely anyone out and about anymore. Maybe it would have been best if he had come first thing tomorrow, but... A little part of himself had wanted to be the first to hand in his application, hoping it would give him a better chance, seeing as he didn't have many other qualifications. Maybe he should have tried to just get a job at his gym or something... At least there he would know what he was doing. But baking? He could barely cook without burning the place down. This certainly would turn into a safety hazard at some point. Should he even mention that? @Vox

Arlo was the only person inside, sitting stretched out on one of his chairs. He'd gotten the set at the thrift store for five dollars. Pretty good he thought. He idly pet the fabric he'd reupholstered with, changing the old fabric out for one with leaves and flowers. He looked up as the bell went off and smiled faintly. "Good to see you back. Honestly thought you wouldn't." He felt better this time, his voice softer. "Sorry for my shit mood before." He pushed up, offering his hand to shake. "Arlo. I own the shop. Obviously." He laughed softly embarrassed, gesturing at the name on his polo. He took the paperwork and flipped through it, checking what he needed was in. "For schedules I make them on Sundays. If you need more or less work text me or talk to me ahead of time. It's flexible here since most are students. Your school comes before this stuff." He tossed the paperwork on the counter, popping the door of the case. "You're not allergic to anything are you? Try this?" He offered a piece of cake on a little paper plate, "I've been making cakes for like four hours and I have no sense of taste anymore. It's supposed to be like those creme egg things with the fondant in them. I can show you around the shop now if you want. If not, when would you like to start?" @SirFüncelot

Ethan hadn't expected the door to open as he pushed against it. But seeing as there was still light inside... He wanted to give it a shot. There he was. The same guy from yesterday. Sprawled out on a chair but with a subtle smile on his lips this time around. It made him return the gesture a little awkwardly as he stepped fully inside, closing the door behind himself. Ethan felt as if his head was empty. The nerves finally hit leaving him a little anxious and caught off guard. "Ethan. Nice to meet you too.", he replied while handing off his paperwork, standing in front of him a little awkwardly. They shook hands, though he could only shake his head as well. "It's alright. I probably came barging in by surprise.", he replied, scratching the back of his neck. This went better than he had expected, though something about the man in front of him threw him completely off track. His voice, his demeanor... Everything. "I'm not allergic to anything and I can start whenever you want me to.", Ethan replied, taking the plate that was offered to him, inspecting the small piece of cake from all sides, before grabbing it and eating it in one bite. He wasn't quite sure how it was supposed to taste like, but it did taste heavenly. Pillowy soft. Not too sweet. And with a subtle hint of... something. Ethan couldn't quite place it, but hummed in response, a genuine smile spreading across his lips. "This is good! I like it!", he replied honestly, obviously showing his opinion to the other. If this was going to be his every day now... Eating cake and pastries each day... It certainly was as if he had arrived in heaven. Which truly was nice. "I can only work early mornings and in the evenings. Kinda like now? And before opening. But if you need me any time else... I can see if I can squeeze it into my schedule somehow. Showing me around would be nice though. Do I need to remember anything? Hygiene stuff or something?" @Vox

"We open to staff at four am when I start prepping. Shop at 5. Any time before noon or after 10 pm you can come in." He lead into the back. The kitchen was small but set for work. "Two ovens. Two fryers." He gestured to the items, debating what to say. "I'm going to have you do chores for rest of staff. Cleaning, helping, organizing. Just until you learn." He smiled, leaning on a massive mixer nearly the same height as him. "The main thing to remember is this is food. Shower before you come in, keep your hair up, wash your hands. Even if you are just doing dishes or trays. Your tasks would be anything from helping make glaze, doing dishes, sorting inventory, stocking stuff, selling on campus when we have those days, helping pack orders." He showed his office and the employee storage, just a few locking lockers for their things. "You still interested?"

8:15 AM

@SirFüncelot

Like a little puppy Ethan followed the other into the kitchen, nodding and humming as Arlo began explaining. Everything he said made sense, so he really had nothing to complain about. The working hours weren't ideal, but he could just stay longer in the evening to make up for his short mornings. Yeah... That should work. Or better... He would make it work! "Yeah... Yeah that sounds good. I can be here at four. Or earlier if you need me. Just let me know. I can also stay as long as you need me to after ten. Just to make up for not being able to be here as long in the morning and throughout the day.", Ethan replied, looking around the room. He would be lying if he said he understood what any of these machines did, but surely he would learn over time. And for now his tasks seemed rather easy. He could clean and handle all the other chores. "I still would like to work here!", he declared a little bit over excitedly, standing up a little straighter, while brushing out a few wrinkles on his shirt. "It sound slike fun and if I can still help despite my inexperience... I'd like to do that!", Ethan added after another short pause, giving Arlo a bright smile. "I can start right away if you need me to! Just tell me what to do and I'll get to it." @Vox

Arlo couldn't help but chuckle at his excitement, and sent him home with food in paper to go containers with a reassurance there'd be work tomorrow plenty for him. Come the morning, Arlo was there to meet him no matter what time he'd arrived. It hardly seemed the man ever left.... He'd changed into a pair of exercise leggings and a long tshirt, a half apron about his waist. Ethan came in in the middle of morning rush and he was brought into the work quick. Arlo led the way like a drill instructor, giving instruction while he himself was busy making more to go orders from the front. Ethan became a tray ferrier and supply fetching quite quickly, helping the women in the next shop get supplies as well as within the main bakery. The employees of the front happily accepted them with thanks, too focused on getting through the hoard of students. Only after the rush ceased after a few minutes did Arlo take a moment to properly say good morning. "Thank you for jumping in. I had no time to talk long." He chuckled softly brushing off his palms on his apron. "You did good. Mornings are always a lot." He took his time to fix his hair and get Ethan an apron, apologizing as all he had were pink ones- "Aprons are required in the back here as the oven is a burn risk on your legs. Sorry you're stuck with pink cuz the others in the wash." Only once his hands were washed did they start on something simple. A frosting pipette filled with chocolate in hand the two set into trays of pastries, drizzling chocolate across them. "Try to make it look nice and not on the tray." He chuckled then immediately dropped the pipette tube and ruined one. That one got moved onto a plate by a very red in the face Arlo. "So you do the school stuff, any scholarships? I'd wanted to go back to school but I opened this instead.... Not that I'm complaining. Okay I'm kind of complaining..... Though I wasn't smart enough to get a scholar nor could I do sports. And sadly baking doesn't give you money off tuit

8:26 PM

ion. I'm rambling I'm sorry I'm happy to have help finally." He quickly turned to pop the tray through onto the case behind him, trying to not feel ill. God I'm stupid as hell.... "Those look good. Thank you. Keep going." He took the tray from Ethan to put into the case, gesturing to the other two trays.

8:26 PM

@SirFüncelot

Ethan came by the next morning as soon as he could. Which meant he first finished his morning jog and a session at the gym, before he rushed to the bakery after a quick shower. By the time he got there, it was already more than busy, and he was put to work right away. Carrying boxes and trays around, stocking various high up shelves with things that weren’t needed as often. Certainly not the most complicated tasks available, but he was just glad to be doing something helpful without getting in the way of the morning rush. It wasn’t as if he could do something else anyway. As much as he wanted to, Arlo seemed quite busy the entire time. As did everyone else, so no one could really instruct him. As soon as everything had calmed down a little bit, Arlo was right there for him to properly greet him for his first work day. Ethan just smiled, a little bit embarrassed, as they made their way back into the main part of the bakery. “Pink is fine. As long as it keeps my legs from burning, I’m taking any color.”, he replied, dutifully putting the apron with the bakery logo on and tightening it in the back. It looked a little small on him, but he chose to ignore that, diving right into whatever it was the other explained to him. He couldn’t say he had ever decorated a cake or even baked one, and even if he tried to, Ethan couldn’t possibly name the pastries that were placed in front of him. And decorating them with chocolate… It certainly took a lot for him to not mess up, so he barely listened to the other talk as he slowly spread the glaze over the individual pastries, his face seemingly frozen in a concentrated glare as he was doing his best to not mess up. Sure, he was going rather slowly, but he was satisfied with the results. Yes, some of them looked a bit wonky, but with a little more practice… He might become good at putting chocolate on stuff.

2:10 AM

It wasn’t until he had finished the first tray that he was able to pay Arlo any mind. “Yeah. I’ve got a sports scholarship.”, he replied, scratching his slightly flushed neck. “If you couldn’t already tell.”, Ethan added after a while, and then continued to speak while setting up the next tray in front of him to keep going after speaking up. “What did you want to study? Or… What would you want to study if you could freely choose?”, he asked, readjusting the grip on his piping bag before he got back to work, trying to multitask, though it made him go even slower. “Can you study baking? Or is this just your second favorite thing you’d want to do?” @Vox