Moonlight - a Crosshair x OC love story

Vertigo

Clair lightly swayed from side to side to the aesthetic music as she adjusted the knot of her apron. The busiest part of noon had just gone by, and all the workers stopping by for lunch were already heading back to their jobs. Soon, couples of friends or lovers would arrive for some afternoon tea and pastries, which was always her favorite part of the day. Tea and bread... Clair had set up the Allium Cafeteria for that very reason.

Enjoying the momentary calm in the restaurant, Clair waltzed into the kitchen to oversee the inventory of pastries for the day. The specials were still in the oven, five trays of twenty. The board was already filled in with the specials menu, so it would still be a matter of minutes before prepping everything for the rest of the day. She was never one to stand idle; the very fact that the restaurant was hers was proof of that. Clair went on to arrange the recently washed and dried dishes, leaving them ready for future use. It was when she was just finishing up when her assistant and close friend Bree walked into the kitchen with confusion splattered across her face. Clair couldn't help but laugh a bit and asked Bree what was up using only the movement of her eyebrows.

Bree was still visibly concerned. "I think there are clone troopers outside."

Clair flinched in surprise too. "What do you mean 'think'?"

"See, that's the thing... I'm not sure if they're clones."

"Yeah, I mean it's not like they come here often. But they had the same face, right?"

"I think..."

At her friend's reluctance, Clair walked over to the door and pressed herself onto it, standing on her toes to get a view of the restaurant. She'd been right, clones didn't often go to that part of Naboo, let alone her restaurant. She could only pinpoint two times in which a clone had stumbled upon the Allium Cafeteria during his time off, but it would be on strange occasions for the clones themselves. Regardless, Clair knew very well what clones looked like, sounded like, even how they behaved, which is why the four men who were entering the restaurant left her baffled. Yes, their faces were similar and they were armored, but at first glance they were individuals rather than different versions of each other. Out of curiosity, perhaps too much curiosity, she lingered behind the kitchen door observing them.

*

Tech was the first one inside and he was pleased by the look of the place. "This will do nicely. It's clean, not too busy, and from the looks of the specials board, the food isn't overpriced."

"Do we have to?" The sharpshooter protested.

"I'm starving!" Wrecker bellowed as he shoved his way through Tech and Crosshair. "Let's get some food!"

Wrecker took his place in one of the tables near the middle of the cafeteria. The table was sized for the normal individuals on Naboo, and already it seemed way too small for him, but he didn't mind. It would hold his food when it came and he was more than ready for it. His three brothers followed calmly after him, with Crosshair at the back like he usually was. Hunter could tell something was up with the sniper; he was frowning just a bit more than usual.

Reluctantly, the squad sat around a joyful Wrecker, who'd gotten his hands on a menu and was gawking at every possible dish he could order. Tech eyed the menu as well while Crosshair simply observed the cafeteria, still visibly angrier than usual. He rolled his eyes at every suggestion Wrecker made, even when they were deliberately to make Crosshair do anything besides frown. Crosshair simply shook it off and looked aside.

"We might as well just leave and go back to Kamino," he said. "It's not like the regs are going to need us."

Hunter sighed. He should have known he'd still be angry about that. He looked at his brother, trying to make him understand. "Cody asked us to stay here in case things act up again. We'll leave when he gives us an all clear signal."