Shinzo groaned, resting his head on the table. "Do we really have to stay in the restaurant?"
"We're recruiting her no matter what. Even if we sit here in protest," Paolo said, reading his book while he waited.
"You're annoyingly persistent."
Paolo grinned, peeking away from his book. "Do you hate my persistence?"
A small smile curled on Shinzo's lips. "Touché."
Vivienne peeped through a crack in the door before going back into the kitchen. "Aline, they're still here."
Aline sighed. "Just leave them, they'll leave when they're tired."
"But it's almost dark and we need to close," Suzie complained. "Just go beat them up like you do the ones that are annoying."
Vivienne removed a kettle from the stove, a smile on her lips. "She can't because she can tell they won't go down without a fight."
Aline scoffed. "I have no opinion on them except annoying and rude."
Vivienne hummed, pouring the hot water into two tea cups with tea bags in it. She then placed a plate of biscuits before stretching it out to Aline. "Take this to them."
"I don't…"
Vivienne gave her a look and she sighed, taking the tray of tea to the boys outside. Paolo beamed at her presence, but she cut off all his hope with her comment.
"I didn't come to accept your offer."
"Then we'll stay here till you do," Paolo said defiantly.
"You're a self-entitled prick, aren't you? Must be the reason you can't accept someone giving you what you want."
"The entitled prick is over there," Paolo said, pointing at Shinzo who immediately reacted violently by silently cursing at him. "I'm just trying to reach my goal through the best way possible."
"So I'm a tool for your objectives," Aline said.
"I disagree, human beings aren't tools it's what's fascinating about them. Instead, I see you as a fellow human being that I have the ability to share common benefits with. Don't you have a dream, Aline?"
Aline's eyes opened slightly, the question stirring unknown emotions in her. Vivienne leaned on the wall by the kitchen door, a satisfied smile on her lips.
Aline turned away. "That's none of your business."
The front part of the restaurant suddenly exploded, the debris of the buildings flying everywhere. The acrid scent of sulfur burnt through their noses, Vivienne and Suzie quickly jumping back and Paolo, Aline and Shinzo going into attack mode.
The smoke cleared, revealing the Jolly Roger of the Crossbow Pirates and the members standing behind it. The food stall owners closing up stared wide eyed at the commotion, the explosion not something you'd expect at six in the evening.
Captain Kirk pushed past his men, stepping into the little establishment. His brown eyes examined the room from left to right, his intimidating gaze landing on Aline. "So you're the one who beat up my men."
She narrowed her eyes. "They were stupid so I treated them accordingly, I don't see the problem." She pushed up her glasses, her calm demeanor slightly cracking. "However, if the reason you destroyed my restaurant is equivalent to their idiocy, I'll treat you the same way."
He moved closer until they stood toe to toe, both fighting to see whose six feet was taller. "I'm not very happy that you beat up my boys, but I'm more annoyed that you sullied the name of my crew."
"They did that on their own for being stupid."
Fire curled around Kirk's fists, the heat about to collide with Aline's face, but instead landed on Paolo's palm. Kirk, not expecting the interruption, glared at Paolo.
"How dare you get in my way?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't let you hurt my cook," Paolo said.
"I'm not your cook," Aline snapped. "And don't get in my way either, I can handle him."
Vivienne leaned in to Suzie's ear. "Use the back door and head to the guild immediately."
Suzie nodded, quietly slipping away while Aline distracted the pirates. After considering the situation, Vivienne believed it best to avoid provocation.
"Aline, stand back."
Aline turned sharply to her. "But Vivienne…"
"Aline, this isn't some bandit you're dealing with. Let's try and compromise."
Aline begrudgingly agreed, stepping back and letting Vivienne take the spot in front of the pirate. "Please, don't mind my daughter, she's a bit too hotheaded for words. If there's a way we can compensate for the harm she caused please tell us so we can resolve this peacefully."
"You're pretty smart lady, so I'll compromise just like you asked." The relieved smile on her face erased itself at his next words. "I'll be buying your restaurant… did I say, buying I mean I'll be taking your restaurant and that includes the workers."
Aline was the first to snap, her body instinctively reacting to the threat and reaching out to attack. Shinzo grabbed her arm, stopping her approaching rampage.
"Let me go, let me hurt the bastard."
"Idiot, don't provoke the situation. Your mom will handle it."
"But…"
"Don't underestimate mothers, they're not as weak as you think."
Aline's lips settled into a thin line, but she held in her already tipping rage. Vivienne's rage didn't have the hot, fiery texture of Aline, but instead chilled her being, causing an incurable blizzard.
"We Bisset's exist for two things: our food and our dreams. This restaurant is a manifestation of our existence." Vivienne glared at him, her determination reflecting through her eyes. "I won't let you destroy our existence."
Kirk snickered, spreading his arms wide. "There are only four of you in this room, you have no chance against the fifth strongest Manu crew."
Aline frowned. "The two boys aren't part…"
"Don't go crossing us out to easily," Paolo said.
"It's annoying, but I'll take part in this little scuffle," Shinzo stated. "Maybe if we help you out, you'll reconsider your stand on joining our crew."
Aline started to protest, but Vivienne spoke up. "Paolo was it… if you manage to help us clear them out, I give you permission to take her away."
"Hey," Aline protested at the decision forced upon her. "I haven't-"
Paolo grinned. "I like the sound of that."
Kirk and his men adjusted their weapons for battle, Aline giving up on the whole situation and unsheathing her sword.
"You know what just do what you want