F&R Sweets

A seemingly out of place storefront: glass stretches from the turquoise canvas awnings overhead, down to the deep blue, knee high, window box; displaying an enormous variety of candies. An extravagant sign in the window reads “Anything for any sweet tooth.” The heavy wooden door creeks and rings a small bell dangling from the ceiling as it’s opened.

As the atmosphere of the store wafts across a guest, the smell of sugar is nearly sickening. A quick inspection of the interior reveals thousands of sealed glass boxes, each filled with a different kind of sugary treat, clearly labeled and priced – per pound – and a counter of stainless steel. Beyond the counter are many isles of huge wooden barrels racked on an angle, floor to ceiling, the rows obviously reach the rear wall of the shop, though it is not clearly visible.

A young girl perched on a stool behind the counter, greets customers as they enter and chime the bell:
“Hello! How may I assist you?”

As the customer gives their order, a behemoth of a man places bags filled with each flavor on the counter in turn, darting out from between the barrels as a flash before disappearing for the next item. He sets the last bag gently on the counter;
Farnikhtn: “Is that all for you today?”

Customer: “Eh—uh—Y-yes… uh- thank you, sir…” He gawks as he hands the girl the money for his purchase.

“Thank you, have a nice day,” the pair behind the counter chant in unison as the customer leaves.

F&R Sweets is open for business!

Jakob Evanwing walked slowly into the shop as his entourage of bodyguards and clientele quietly waited outside. He nodded quietly at the young girl behind the counter as she recognized the man and knew his business before he even spoke. She quietly made her way to the backroom and began to do something loud and busy making sure she didnt hear a word of what was about to be said. "Hello, Farnikhtn." He said with a certain authoritating tone. He flashed a mischevious grin as he ran his finger down the counter making a low tone streaking sound against the glass. "I suggest you know why Im here." He said with both his mouth and hands. His body reaked of authority as everything around him seemed to just bleed in agony. This man was not one to take lightly and he put that off very well.

Pluto, Nao, and Holy roll into the store in their roller skates with full rocker skates. Mad Dog follows in after leaving his BMX bike outside. The looked around the store for anything they'd want to buy. Pluto looked for anything chewy, Nao looked for anything sour, and Holy looked for chocolate of any kind. Mad Dog was distracted by the suit at the counter and his aura of authority they gave off. He sneered at him and then stared at the guys in suits outside. The girls didn't seem to care about the people in suits with a professional air about them, but Mad Dog is a rebel at heart. He hates authority of all sorts, it's been like that for as long as he can remember. Maybe because he's the youngest of seven brothers and all of his older brothers are police. The girls decided what they wanted and waited behind the man in the suit. Mad Dog then switched to glare to the suit at the front.

Pluto smiled cutely as she said with her light voice, "You're getting better at freestyle slalom skating, Nao. If I don't practice some more, you might surpass me." She giggled and Holy smiled as well. Nao averted her gaze away from the other two as she blushed. She then said with her husky voice, "We all still have more to learn." The vibe they each gave off changed entirely to pure bliss. The other two knew what Nao was talking about, Sweet Soul. Pluto and Holy sighed as all three girls thought of the guy of their dreams. Mad Dog just let off a full blown glare and killer intent unto the suit at the front. I hope you feel uncomfortable piece of bacon shit.

Farnikhtn inhales deeply and silently stands releasing the deep soothing breath, “Ruach!” he bellowed with force enough to snap the youths from their reveries. The young girl appears from an isle in a heart-beat, startled, and mostly hidden.

Ruach: “Sir?”
Farnikhtn: “Sleeping in the back again? I’m disappointed…”
Ruach: “No Sir, Absolutely not!”

She looked around nervously as Farnikhtn glared at her before issuing his order, “Take these four on a tour,” gesturing toward Nao, Pluto, Holy, and Mad Dog,”get for them whatever they desire, samples of anything they want to try, and give them a special price on anything they purchase.”

Farnikhtn turned to the four as he completed his sentence, “You,” Farnikhtn stepped in front of the young man breaking his gaze, “I expect you to help these nice women, some of the candies are very high, and Ruach is too short to reach them even with the ladder…” he stood there for a few seconds staring, intimidation was easy for a man his size, “… now go, you five, go enjoy!” He thought quickly before continuing, “Have some taffy ready for our guests when we return.”

Without a moment of hesitation Farnikhtn turns toward the door, “So, let’s go for a walk, your other men can stay, we will not be long.” The air about the shop seemed to change as he escorted Jakob outside.

Jakob followed the man outside as they quietly and slowly walked the streets. His eyes traced outside looking at the cleanliness of the streets and people walking by enjoying the bright sunshine filled day. He gently put his hands behind his back and clasped them together as they walked a little faster. "Well, Im not here to buy candy." He said letting out a small laugh. "Im sure you already know me being here is of some importance. This is something that needs my personal touch." He said with a smile on his face. "I have a man doing reconnaissance on a particularly interesting target of mine. A product that escaped much time ago. Now, normally I'd let by-gones be by gone but in this case this product possesses something of value to me. Now the man, you know, has his mission and now you have yours." He pulls a phone out of his pocket and hands it to Farnikhtn. "This is your top priority. Everything else falls second to this particular responsibility Ive placed on you. His number is in that phone as well as mine. Call me when you've procured the object that I need. Remember, a true Apex soldier's job is never done." He said with a smile as they had managed to make it back to the front door of the candy shop. Jakob motioned his hand over his shoulder as a man handed him a small closed envelope. He handed it to Farnikhtn. This is the stolen property. You know I would go to anyone else if this didnt need your skill." He turned around and faced away as his entourage gathered in front of him. Before leaving, he glanced over his shoulder at Farn and smiled. "I know how you work. I need her alive." He said as he turned around to face his entourage. "Anyone else gets in your way, Do whatever you need to do." And with that Jakob disappeared off into the distance. A photo slid out of the envelope revealing the property that needed to be reclaimed.

“No guidelines? No additional information? No specifications on resources?” Farnikhtn’s lips curled into a twisted grin as the thoughts and strategies began to rush through his mind ”If anybody else gets in my way, do what I need to do?” He stepped into the store, the tolling of the small bell called the end of the delightful tour, Ruach appeared nearly instantaneously.
“Girl, call the number in this phone that does not belong to Mister Evanwing, hand me the phone when he answers,” Farnikhtn gently tosses the phone to the young girl, “You will be tending the store while I am away.” He sits comfortably leaning against the wall, Ruach calls the number after some fumbling, it is answered before the first ring even finishes.
“So quickly? Usually you have to wait, and they call you back,” she mutters as the phone is handed over. Farnikhtn’s look of enjoyment turns to disappointment as the conversation begins,
“You are not a professional? Tell me what I need to know!” The sound of his voice shook the walls. He sat, staring at the picture, memorizing it.

Pluto, Nao, and Holy were having fun looking at all the different kinds of candy and every now and then asking for samples of candy they haven't even heard of. They smiled every time Mad Dog would reach for the hard to reach places and handing the candy to the little girl. He blushed every time, he gets easily embarassed when it comes to helping girls in general. They finally found what they wanted and more, so they each bought three pounds of random candy they found interesting. All three loved this store and never went to another because of the two who work here. Farnikhtn was a very kind but straight forward guy while Ruach was just adorable. At least that's what the girls thought, Mad Dog was scared out of his mind of the man but he has a big brother feel whenever he's around the little girl.

When the tour ended and they paid for their candy, Farnikhtn came back into the store spouting out orders to little Ruach. Pluto and Holy waved to her as the three girls made their way out of the store to go to their home. Mad Dog stayed behind, telling the girls he'll meet up with them later. He then turned to the two shop owners saying, "Umm, would it be fine if I helped Ruach while you're gone? It'll be hard for her to reach for things and I got nothing special to do with my time anyways." He scratched the back of his head as he blushed.

“You are not a professional? Tell me what I need to know!” Ichijin went wide eyed from the booming voice from the other end. Oh, it's the foreign soldier. "It's me, Sweet Soul. It's been a while since we working together. Not that long actually now I think about it. Anyways, I found where the target lives and I bought an apartment just across from where she lives. How do you want to go about this, Farn?" He then paused, waiting for an response.

Farnikhtn flashed a stern look to Mad Dog and seemed to say “Stay there and shut up,” without ever directing a word toward Mad Dog. “Meet me at--at Club Skyye, you don’t know how this works, no need for specifics, just be there when I am.” He hung up the phone without another word, “Sweet Soul, a cute handle the boy’s got,” he released an exasperated laugh. “You, insect, what makes you want to work here?” Farnikhtn redirected his attention to Mad Dog, “Do you think Ruach needs your help?”

Ruach seemed to be getting candy and sweets for other customers that Mad Dog had just helped her retrieve, with amazing speed, and a smile that never disappeared, “He could do what I usually do in the mornings, Sir!” She chimed in only to be reprimanded with a flash of Farnikhtn’s eyes.

“The girl has a point, you will do as Ruach demands of you, your primary duty will be preparing bags in one quarter pound and in one-half pound of our more popular products-"

“But Sir, that’s not what--" her interruption was halted by another quick flash of his eyes.

“You will prepare these bags, she will direct you to the most popular products, if she asks for help, however unlikely, you will do as she says, understand?” His demanding tone impressed seriousness on what he was asking, though he directed at Ruach more than Mad Dog. “Also,” he added, ”you will call her by a respectful title, like Ma’am, if I even feel that you referred to her as anything else, I will break you.” Farnikhtn finished his sentence with a completely casual atmosphere about him, and left the store for Poseidon’s Palace without hesitation.

“Aww, I hate it when he leaves,” her gleeful smile vanished, “the store is so- so big.”

Mad Dog genuinely smiled as he continued to gather candy for the customers that came in at a steady pace. Ruach was so nice to him and she was very easy to work with. She had very detailed orders and he followed them perfectly. He felt that there team work is practically flawless. Then out of nowhere, Switch was in the line. Holy shit! It's Switch! That's just weird seeing him here. He looked down on himself and realized he was wearing a apron and on of the founders of The Sleeping Forest is going to see him. Switch, Jet, and Z were the first people to ever see Sweet Soul and they were the real ones to create The Sleeping Forest, Sweet Soul is just the head figure. They didn't really use Sweet Soul and the Forest wouldn't be what it is without him. Mad Dog kind of panicked a little but he didn't realized Switch was standing there in front of him at the counter, ordering from Ruach. Ruach then told Mad Dog, "A quarter pound of foot long gummy worms." Mad Dog kicked into gear and gathered the candy quickly. He handed it back to her and Switch paid for it. Switch then turned to Mad Dog and said, "Remember the meeting." Switch then walked out as Mad Dog paled a little. Switch was just too serious sometimes. So was Jet, Z was the only laid back one amongst the three. Oh well, they kept the balance all this time. They must be doing something right.

Being busy almost this entire time, Mad Dog was begining to wonder if he can make it to the meeting. He doesn't want to leave Ruach all by her small, lonesome, innocent self. He decided that he can miss just one meeting. He'll make it up to his peers later. But he was still wondering why Farnikhtn wasn't back yet. A lot of the people from the Forest stopped by after hearing that Mad Dog was working at the candy store. It got the store a lot of business and it got Mad Dog a lot of questions to answer. He explained to all of them that he's justa temp, helping the adorable Ruach. Of course he didn't tell them he thought she was adorable. Although, everybody saw right through him. A lot of his peers continued to come by just to tease him and buy candy. This was probably the most busy day this store might have possibly seen.

Farnikhtn finally appeared outside; he could easily be picked out among the people in the crowded streets. Ruach’s blissful smile crossed her face again the moment she noticed him through the store front. “Girl, I’m back. Where’s that gnat you have helping you?” Farnikhtn noticed Mad Dog panting from the long day of work, “HA! You’re still alive! That’s good, you did well today. Hmm… come back every morning, I’ll give you 2 hours of work each day, sound good? Oh, here’s your pay for the day.”

Ruach anticipated his actions and already had cash to hand him. “Two-hundred, Sir, he’s worth that much I think. He seems like he’s in a hurry to get somewhere, so we shouldn’t keep him long.” Ruach looks over to Mad Dog, her serious attitude seemed to do a complete turn-around as she said, with an irresistible smile, “Can I come with?”

Mad Dog grinned as he took the money and put the cash into his wallet. Mentally, he was bouncing off the walls of his skull from the joy he felt. He had a job, his father even told him if he didn't get a job soon, he'd be kicked out and now one was just handed to him. He responded to Farnikhtn's orders with nods of confirmation before saying, "Yes sir." Even with the authority figure problem, Farnikhtn seemed to command obedience rather than demand it. It was slightly refreshing though, he didn't follow anybody till he joined the Forest and even then he was a loose gun. He never did find anybody he felt pure respect for till he met Sweet Soul, which he never really took any real orders from him. He was more like a idol rather than a leader, but people followed him none the less. So many people follow him.... He was quickly brought out of his thoughts when Ruach asked if she could go with him to the meeting. "If she wants to come, it's fine by me." He spoke before thinking. His thoughts came and he realized she might be coming with him. He'd have a nervous break down if it weren't for the fact that his new boss is here and a beautiful girl is here while a lot of the Sleeping Forest groupies are still lingering around.

“Yay!” Ruach disappeared into the back for an instant, and when she walked to the front again she had changed her clothes; a dark red, loose fitting, pleated summer dress, and a fairly large brimmed hat resting on her head, the deep red around the edge faded into white closer to the middle, it was secured to the bun she had hidden in the bowl of the hat with a white ribbon.

Farnikhtn took note of her shoes, as he had noticed the most obvious sound of boots as she entered view, “If you’re going to spend so much money on clothing at the tailors, shouldn’t you at least pay the shoe maker to make you proper women’s shoes?” It was a painful rhetorical question that left the girl red-faced.

As the last of the customers finished their purchases Farnikhtn turned the sign in the door to read Closed, “I have a call to make and will be closing the store until you two get back,” his tone made it sound as if the pair would be gone until the next morning at least. Farnikhtn shut and locked the door behind them, picked up his phone, and called “I.K.K.I.” he leaned against the cold steal counter as he waited for an answer. I wonder if he’s actually going to be able to do it.

Ruach stood hands together, with perfect posture near the door as Mad Dog retrieved his bike, “Are the friends that you’re going to meet the ones that kept coming in today?”

Mad Dog was excited as hell about Ruach coming with him. And getting a job in the same day, today just can't get any better. Getting on his worn out bmx bike, he gestured for Ruach to sit on the front. She seems small and light enough. Biking her all the way to the Tran Center sounds nice. He made a blissful sigh as Ruach was analyzing the the bike. She shrugged a little before she sat down on the front of the bike. All of sudden, the front wheel bent in half as the front half crumpled down under her weight. She continued to sit while Mad Dog jumped away in fear. Standing up and turning around to see the new status of the bike, she gave a full check up with her eyes. She then turned to Mad Dog saying, "Old bike?"

Speechless till Ruach spoke to him, he responded, "Yeah, had it for a while now."

Ruach giggled a little as she said, "Well how'd you expect it to hold both of us then, silly?"

Scratching his chin in confusion, he continued saying, "I've carried Nao recently, I thought......"

Ruach smiled as she interupted him saying, "I'll get you a new bike later. We can't keep your friends waiting now can we." Turning around again, she began to make her way towatd the nearest Tram Center. Mad Dog followed shortly after, deciding he was going to replace his bike anyways. Still. Glancing back at his old bike, from his point of view, Ruach weighed half a ton or something. Shrugging, he caught up with her and the two made it to the Tram Center in no time.

"Hello?" Infinite's voice was very uncertain but held a business like tone. While answering, she looked down on Ichijin's face. He's so handsome when he's asleep, he doesn't have that neutral face on anymore. She caressed his left cheek with her free hand and continued to trace the outline of his face as she waited for a response.

Hello
“Really, you’re another novice aren't you?” How do they always manage to find me Farnikhtn sighed in disappointment, “You must be the boys handler, at least they are smart enough to give him one,” he looked toward the ceiling to think for a moment, “We should talk in person, where can the boy and yourself meet me, preferably public, a metro hub would be best.” If she answers this right at least I know she’s not completely new.
Farnikhtn made his way to the second floor hall, phone pressed to his ear waiting for a response, it was narrow from his perspective, his shoulders nearly rubbed the bare wood walls. The window at the end of the hall provided all the light, it faced Evanwing Plaza where the huge crowds flowed; he heard the answer he was looking for as he gazed over the awnings on his store front, “Yes, that is perfect, I will meet you there.” He hung up the phone and entered his home to observe personal hygiene before going to meet with IKKI.

“Really, you’re another novice aren't you?” Inifinite sweat dropped at the man's comment on how she answers the phone, at least that's what she belives. The thought of being Ichijin's handler was interesting though. She thought of a place pretty quick too, "Meet us at the North entrance of the Newcastle Emporium. We'll be there in two hours." Clicking the phone shut, she smirked to herself as she went to take a shower. He doesn't have a choice in this matter, I'm going to join Apex for him whether he likes it or not.

Farnikhtn closed the front door to the shop, ducking under the awning to lock it. The giant was quite cheerful; it had been decades since he had a relaxing shower, and a quiet meal. She always interrupted any peaceful moments, falling off of… something, getting angry at an oh-so-friendly stranger with mischievous hands; at least she always smiled, even turning that strangers bones into dust seemed enjoyable through her eyes.

“I wish I could be so free,” he murmured under his breath as he waded through the sea of people, “even though she’s not allowed to do anything at all, she’s so happy. Well, completing the objective, that is all that matters right now.”

He stood out among the populous, head and shoulders above the average person, he traveled to Newcastle Emporium.