Who: Caroline and Katou What: Random encounter turns into a possible job opportunity Where: Brewed When: Recent! Warnings: None! Status: Complete!
It would have been a harder decision whether Katou should spend what little change he had on alcohol or coffee if he’d managed to get any sleep the night before. As it was, his dreams, like every other night, were plagued by visions from the time he’d come to Preya, and he was definitely going to need a large cup of something if he was planning on keeping his eyes open today.
He had to assume that Setsuna had managed to succeed in bringing down God and stopping the apocalypse that Katou himself had brought down. He’d stayed behind on the wrong side of the gates of Heaven when he’d brought down the Star of Wormwood - he was, after all, the one among the group who had no right to step through those gates - but he was sure that the ramifications of wiping out a third of creation would have been felt even in this idyllic country.
So Setsuna was off somewhere, hopefully living happily with Sara. And maybe he’d found a way to save Kira too. It wasn’t likely, but Katou had decided that he liked the image of the three of them being happy together somewhere.
And here Katou was. Begging for change with the stolen guitar that was strapped to his back, and trying to decide between coffee and beer. The barista gave him his coffee, and the blueberry muffin he’d decided to splurge on, and went over to the stand, where he proceeded to pour a mountain of sugar into his cup, stirring it all the while so that it would mix in.
As usual Caroline’s day was booked. Full of meetings with clients and vendors. And with Elena being in Preya, Caroline wanted to spend as much time with her best friend as she could. Sleep was a luxury she didn’t have time for. Thank goodness for her vampire speed. Otherwise she wasn’t sure how she would get everything done. And of course, coffee. Not that it did all that much for her, but there was just a comfort in having it. A vice from when she was human. Drinking it somehow made her feel more energized.
She was waiting for her vanilla latte with two extra shots of espresso when she spotted someone familiar. “Hey,” she greeted the guy. She didn’t really know him but Caroline was pretty damn outgoing, always up for making new friends. “Haven’t I seen you playing guitar in Centurion Square?”
Katou finished dumping sugar in his coffee, and then looked at the girl who’d approached him. He didn’t recognize her, though she had obviously recognized him. He took a sip from his coffee. “Yeah, probably,” he drawled. “It’s a good place to make some cash. What, you got a request?” Katou couldn’t think of many other reasons someone would approach him for no reason.
A request? No. That wasn’t why she had attempted to strike up a conversation with the guy. Although she would have to remember that for next time. If he ever had the time to stand around and listen for more than like a minute that was. “Oh, no,” Caroline replied though she was giving him one of her warmest smiles. “You’re good,” she added although she was sure he already knew that. “Have you ever thought about playing for events?”
Katou wasn’t entirely sure what to make of this woman. He didn’t exactly give a ‘hey, please approach’ me vibe, and yet here she was, smiling at him like he was her best friend. “Events? You mean like weddings? Can’t say I ever thought about it. I ain’t exactly Robbie Hart, you know,” he said. He took a sip of his coffee and then made a face as he realized too late that it was still too hot.
To be fair, Caroline smiled at almost everyone like that. She was just a bright light in that way. According to Damon at her mother’s funeral at least. Something she didn’t particularly want to think about. “Weddings, sure.” Caroline honestly didn’t do many of those though. “Fundraisers, parties, that sort of thing.”
Katou frowned. The only job he’d ever had when he was alive had been selling drugs, and in death he’d gone on to do something so much more important than any job could ever be. It seemed strange somehow to think about doing something so normal as playing events. With people dancing and having fun. With people celebrating.
There was something about the woman that reminded him of Setsuna. Oh, he doubted she was as idiotic or reckless or selfish as Setsuna was - but there was something else there.
But dammit, they’d probably make him play the macarena or YMCA or some bullshit like that. “What exactly are we talking, here?” he asked. “You have some kinda event in mind?”
People didn’t usually frown when Caroline offered them job opportunities. She had clearly misjudged the guy. He was decent at playing his guitar, sure. But it was probably too risky to go with someone she didn’t know. “I already have music lined up for my upcoming events.” Which was true at least. “However,” she added pulling her card out of her purse and handing it to him. “If you’re ever interested.”
“I didn’t say I wasn’t interested,” Katou said, taking the card from her. He glanced at it. “I’m just looking for more information is all. It’s not every day some random chick comes up to me and asks if I want to play events,” he glanced at the card, “Caroline.”
Interested or not, it didn’t change the fact that Caroline’s next few events were indeed covered. Like she would ever be unprepared. However, she was always looking for new talent. New locations, caterers, musicians, etc. “It’s my job to look for talent,” Caroline replied a smile still plastered on her face. “I do a lot of fundraisers and themed parties or dances.” If he wasn’t right for a certain event Caroline wouldn’t hire him. Simple as that.
“Huh,” Katou said. There was a part of him that was flattered that she’d thought to ask him, out of all the street musicians in Preya. “Well, I guess I could do something like that. So long as I don’t gotta play like, YMCA or the Chicken Dance or something like that. You got a pen?” he asked, pulling a napkin out of the napkin dispenser.
There was always a chance that someone would request either of those dances. But it depended on the party. Most of her clients were a bit too upscale to be caught dead doing the chicken dance. “I think so,” Caroline replied reaching into her purse and fishing out a pen. That said she handed it to Katou, assuming he was asking so he could write down his information. He already had hers after all.
Katou laid down the napkin and began to write down his contact information. 加藤故. He paused, then looked back at her. Blond hair, big blue eyes, probably couldn’t read Japanese. Katou Yue. followed by his phone number. “Here ya go,” he said, handing it to her. “I ain’t got none of them fancy business cards, but hopefully this is alright.”
Caroline definitely didn’t know Japanese, so it was good he wrote down his information in English. “It’ll do,” she assured him giving her winning smile. “Thanks. I’ll be in touch.” Caroline meant it too. He was good, and she needed to start booking some new talent. Katou might just be the perfect man for the job.