How did it turn out this way? Earths second chance

Chapter four, part 3: Holt

    "Hello my name is Raven, how may I help you tonight?" He asks for the seventh time since I have been here. The tall woman smiles softly at him and gives him an insanely long drink order with twenty different modifications.  "Of course. I will check you out and you can pick up your order down there when it is ready. Thank you so much for coming in."
    She nods before paying and heading to the other end of the counter to wait for her coffee. I notice that Raven seems to be sitting on a stool that is elevated by a wooden platform. Something I didn't notice until now despite the twenty five minutes i have been waiting so far. I wonder if there is a reason he isn't standing like everyone else. I make it to the front of the line faster than expected. I can't help but notice light freckles that are all over his face and seem to be highly concentrated on his nose and cheeks. His eyes are huge and doll-like with their bright hazel color. He says his welcoming line once more to the man in front of me who doesn't let him get halfway through his sentence before ordering over him.  Raven just politely nods and takes the order down before checking the man out who is now huffing about being late. He puts his hair up before switching with his co-worker right as I approach the register.
       "How can I help you?" The tall woman who took over asks me.
        "Coffee. Black please." I give her the payment then walk to the other end of the counter to wait. Raven is now giving people their order and wishing them a good night. He moves quickly through each ticket and the line seems to be moving much faster than before.
       "Black Coffee for Holt." He says softly, putting the hot coffee cup on the counter.
        "Thank you." I grab the coffee and tip generously. I definitely got the coffee faster than I placed my order. I notice a slight limp as he goes to make the next person's order.
       I decided to sit down and take out my laptop from my bag to do some work here. I watch him from the corner of my eye and watch as his limp seems to increasingly get worse and worse over the course of time he is walking around making peoples orders. Eventually he trades back to working the cash register so he can sit back down. I find him intriguing, why would he willingly switch with someone if he knew it would just cause him pain. I turn back to reading my email that is full of speculations to who this man in the black veil may be. I respond to all of them with a thank you and I'll look into it. In all honesty whoever this veiled male is they are clever and good at blending into a crowd something this white haired doe eyed male working at that the coffee shop could never do. I was right before about him drawing attention with his personality and pretty looks. He is definitely someone I want to be on my side. He would be a great asset. How to convince him to work for me though is a whole other thing. Maybe working here wasn't a great idea. I can't seem to get very much done when he is around.
    "Hello sir, could you use a refill? The first two are free." Raven asks from the register towards me.
    "Uh, yeah. That would be wonderful, thank you." I get up and hand him my cup with a soft smile.
    "Great. It was just black coffee?"
    "Yes, thank you."
    "No problem." He gets up and pours the coffee, handing it back over to me mirroring my smile.
    Returning to my table I look back at my computer and start going over some of the building ideas that our construction team has been working on. They are all great ideas however none of them are remotely actually functional. They would most likely keep any form of vines or plants from getting in or destroying them but they just aren't buildings anyone would want to spend time in.
    "Bye Raven! Thanks for closing for me tonight. I really appreciate it."  One of the girls says holding arms with another one of the girls that works here as they walk out.
    "No problem. Have a good time tonight. Be careful on your way home." He responds back sweetly and waves them a goodnight before starting to clean the cafe. Looking over at the clock I realize that it is only about an hour and a half before they close. I hope it isn't rude to stay.
    "Don't worry. You can stay as long as you would like. I don't have any plans after work. I'm just cleaning some of the cups out. May I ask why you got a togo cup when you were just gonna stay anyways?"  He says with an overly sweetened voice. I know he hates me but while he is playing nice I might as well see where this conversation goes. Maybe I can get some information.
    "I wasn't originally planning on staying. You could say that I am avoiding someone right now."
    "I'm sorry to hear that. I can understand the feeling, I do find it better to communicate. You never know, maybe you don't have the whole story." He says washing out a cute pink and gold cup.
    "Why are you working here?" I ask.
    "Why not, it is colorful and full of life. Most places here feel dull, why build something if it looks so bland and makes people feel like they are in some sort of dystopian when architecture can be beautiful and environmentally friendly.  I know many of my kind who love to create, and would have loved to help build all of this in a brighter, more colorful and stainable way."
    "Do you? Could you possibly give me their contact information?" I try, maybe they can make something that this veiled man won't see as a threat.
    "I'll ask around for you. I can't make any promises. Come by tomorrow. I will let you know then."
    "Sounds great." I start to pack up my laptop and other belongings. "I will see you tomorrow then."
     He nods, putting the cup down on the drying rack and grabbing another one to be cleaned. "You are welcome to stay until closing. You still have about an hour."
    "Thank you, I do have to go back to the office. I unfortunately have to fill out the paperwork for the budget. The school recently got destroyed so the kids don't have anywhere to learn. I'm getting a lot of emails about it." I explain, "Have a good rest of your night."
    "Wait, the school? How did that happen?" He nearly drops the cup out of his hand turning to face me.
    "It was built right above the underground living space you people use to live in. the ground caved in and brought the school down with it. We didn't account for the ground being unstable in that area. It had nothing to do with the man in the veil from my understanding. It was pure stupidity I hate to say."
    "I see. Have a good night." He says not facing me anymore rather staring at the sinks running water.
    "You as well." I open the door stepping out into the crisp night air  as the small bell on the handle rings behind me.  Walking to my office I can't help but notice how beautiful the sky would be if there weren't so many lights taking away from the brightness of the stars. I wonder what these builders Raven mentioned will recommend to make our way of living better for everyone. He seemed so cold towards me near the end of our conversation. I suppose it is getting pretty late. He may be tired. I can't think of anything I said that may have angered him in anyway.
"Holt!" Shay, my best friend yells from down the street. "Hey man, I have barely seen you since we came to Earth. You haven't been avoiding me right?"
    "Why would I do that? You are always in my corner." I respond back walking up to him smiling. "So have you thought about my proposition?"
    "Yeah, I have. I think I am going to have to accept. Although I don't want our work and personal lives to cross too much. What happens during work stays there."
    "I agree. So you are going to help me find this guy? You aren't gonna keep fighting me on the fact that this guy is someone who needs to be taken down?"
    "Well, I don't believe in killing him but after seeing all the damages he has caused and lives he has taken I don't mind helping you find him and bringing him in front of the courts."
    "Killing. I would never kill anyone on purpose." I tell him slinging my arm around his shoulders. "Shall we get some drinks to talk about your role some more?"
    "Sounds great." He says as we walk to a small pub with dimmed lights.