Why Today? [Eugene]

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryphon had a lot going on. Between his own mental state, his worries, his education, his father, his relationships with anyone... he had gone downhill, to be plain and simple. He had thought that leaving Pilot Ridge would make it all better somehow. A new town, new faces, a new university course, it was bound to be different, right? And so it was, but not in the way Gryphon had wanted or anticipated. The new town was one thing - he hadn't chosen the best location. Metas were mostly accepted, but this town seemed to have at least three people on every street who didn't like the fact he had wings. That was depressing in itself. The new people at the university he went to for a short time, just... he didn't click with a single one. The course had been okay, but he still didn't know what he was doing with his time. He wanted to dance, and it wasn't dancing. He basically couldn't handle how unstable he felt and imploded for a while, not leaving the apartment he had had. During that time, he sent presents to some people. Phen, Oriel.... Kodi... he hadn't heard about the incident that had occurred as a result, and it was probably best that he didn't know. He hadn't heard anything from Kodi. Not that he'd expected to, after everything... and he was basically over him anyway.

Kind of.

Okay, so he did occasionally think about him when he couldn't sleep at night. It was difficult to anchor himself to anyone else. He had tried but it just didn't work. But he didn't want Kodi back, Gryphon knew how much damage that relationship had done to him and he didn't want to risk that pain again when he was fixing himself right now. He just wanted him to be okay.

Anyway, after all that Gryph had dragged himself back to Pilot Ridge, found a decent apartment to rent and looked for a job. The last thing he wanted to be doing right now was forcing himself to go to university when he knew he hated it. A couple weeks ago he managed to get a job here, as a waiter, and a job at SuperKwik. He needed them. He still had an abundance of money, that wasn't the issue. He just need to fill his time between counselling sessions.

In the middle of his shift, Gryphon went to take a plate of food to someone's table, and... well, he knew what the dish was, but they never prepared it like this. He supposed the person it was going to had OCD or some harsh allergy or something and tried to ignore it. He went over the correct table, said the name of the dish to check it was the right person, put the food down in front of them carefully and turned to continue working...

[Deleted]

Gene had been eating out the past couple of days. Normally he never would, it was too annoying trying to get restaurants to prepare his food in exactly the manner he wanted, but he’d been going so often between home and the hospital that it was just more convenient to get something while he was out, rather than just go all the way home.

Or maybe he was just sick of hearing Aggie’s pestering and eating her cooking and he knew she was going to raise a fit knowing that he was spending all of his free time these days spending time with Kodi, who wouldn’t be released from the hospital for another few days. Getting away from that cooped up room might also be a reason why he was taking the risk. Also Kodi would probably want something to eat, so he would order some random piece of junk later for the dentokinetic to consume when he returned.

Gene sat up straight at the table, his manners impeccable for one his age, his grandmother would say, and unfolded the napkin upon seeing the waiter return to the table with his platter, preparing to receive it straight away. When it was placed in front of him, Gene grimaced. “This isn’t what I ordered,” he said firmly, darting a glare up to the idiot waiter whose fault it no-doubt was. “I said no pickles, no spinach, no beans, no condiments of any sort….and this is…” He gestured towards the plate. “It’s atrocious,” he said simply, pushing the plate away slightly and turning his nose up at it. “Take it away at once and do it again. And do it right this time!”

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Being a waiter wasn't so bad, Gryphon had found. He certainly didn't want to make it his life career, but it was alright, and his coworkers were lovely people (when they weren't being harassed by rude customers, but that did happen all too often). Now, Gryph had dealt with the odd person asking for something weird or getting frustrated that the menu didn't have exactly what they wanted but this guy... this guy seemed to be another story.

Gryphon stopped in his tracks when the boy (yes, boy, he acted mature but he looked fifteen) began complaining. He turned back around and listened, brow furrowing slightly as the boy listed off a lot of the dish's ingredients and he hesitated. He wasn't sure that this guy was being serious somehow, though that glare had been pretty seething. Gryph gave a tiny sigh, knowing this guy was going to be a battle, and took the food back. No pickles, no spinach, no.... what else was it...? Well, he certainly wasn't about to ask the kid, the last thing he needed right now was a directed insult. "I'll get that fixed, then," He said carefully, taking the plate back to the kitchen and trying to explain the issue. There was complaining from the workers in there too, but it wasn't Gryphon's fault.

Whilst he waited, he continued to serve other people, people who were a lot nicer and people who had real manners. He cleaned up a table where someone had picked out what they didn't want to eat, and that was fine. Ugh. A while later, the boy's meal was ready again. Gryphon knew he had been vague because he didn't quite remember, but this looked better, he guessed. He to a few breaths to keep himself calm before he took the plate over to the boy and placed it down, "The chef sends his apologies." He said softly. This time he waited for a response, trying to remain calm looking as he folded his hands in front of himself and took another deep, relaxing breath. He had been working for a few hours already and looked a little tatty, probably needing to flatten down his hair and readjust his uniform so it looked better. His image certainly wasn't helped by the slightly tatty grey sneakers he was wearing, but that was only because Fang had chewed his work shoes and all his other shoes had been muddy this morning. He waited.

[Deleted]

Seriously, how hard was it to get an order right? Wasn’t that why waiters had that little notepad, so they could write it down and not have to rely on their faulty memories? It was one thing that Gene observed with this particular server as well, he simply said he’d get it fixed, but it didn’t look like he was listening at all. Or maybe he was just that confident in his memory? Well, he was. Gene wasn’t. “You better,” he warned, his eyes narrowing even further.

He hated being made to wait. If they just got things right the first time, then Gene wouldn’t have to. As it was, because of this blunder, he was going to be late getting back. While the waiter was gone, Gene sent a quick text to that awful guy in the hospital, explaining his frustration, then went right back to waiting, his foot tapping impatiently. When the server finally retuned, Gene actually mumbled out a “finally”, as though it’d taken forever. It had to him.

Though the plate he received…. “It still isn’t right,” he grumbled. “You took away the onions too. And the peas. And the potatoes look burned.” Gene rolled his eyes. “Can you get anything right? Or do I need to get the manager involved?” How much longer was this going to take? “Also my drink is empty and nobody’s come by to refill it yet.” Wasn’t it their job to refill before it became just ice? Now it was ice and soda-flavored water. Terrible.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

Gryphon wasn't the one who took this boy's order originally. He had just brought the food, because he was available at the time and no one else was. And now that the other workers had realised how rude a customer this guy was, they weren't going to go anywhere near him, so Gryph was stuck trying to make sure he didn't have a hissy fit or get him fired. But he wasn't appreciating the attitude. If the boy had been polite, maybe Gryphon wouldn't have felt sour, but he didn't like being scolded as much as the next guy.

If Gryph had any idea who Eugene was going to see, he might have acted differently. Probably wouldn't have spoken to this kid at all, because... he would be worried? About what, Kodi finding out that Gryphon wasn't in university and was waiting tables instead? He probably wouldn't care anyway, this guy wouldn't even tell him... and even if he did, it didn't matter. Gryph wouldn't care, nope. Nope...

The moment he began speaking again, Gryph had to take another slow breath, which he did as quietly and subtly as he could, closing his eyes and trying his best to push back the frustration that made him want to empty that plate into this uppity boy's lap. "I didn't take anything," He muttered through gritted teeth, trying his best to ignore the insults and threats - but that was certainly difficult. He held back a somewhat harsh comment, clenching his fist for a moment before pulling out his notepad and pen, "Tell me exactly what you want and I'll get it brought to you that way." He said, really aiming not to show his frustration at this situation, but he was starting to fail. There was only so much he could take. "And tell me what drink you want, and I'll refill it." And probably spit in it if he insulted him again. If only he could sass this kid into the next century, that would fix everything... sigh...

[Deleted]

Gene knew how to be polite, when the situation called for it. Maybe. He was an entitled little shit most of the time, and felt that he was justified in the complaints he alway made about everyone else. After all, how could they be that stupid? Seriously! It was maddening to him how so many people couldn’t understand simple concepts. It was the food server’s job to serve him the food exactly as he ordered it, and in their best interest to do it right the first time, that way they didn’t have to be running back and forth and wasting time and money and food, and he would be left off a lot happier because his attendants weren’t incompetent.

The most he would give this particular worker is that he was trying…not hard enough, obviously, but trying in general was somewhat admirable(especially that was something Eugene didn’t do on a regular basis). And he was being patient, another quality that Gene lacked, though that was because Gene didn’t feel he should have to be patient about anything that he shouldn’t have to wait for in the first place.

What Gene couldn’t see was how much his waiter was holding back in the face of Gene’s unreasonableness. Though conversely, Gene’s aura was still faintly seen floating around him, a distinct murky red and green swirling around an overall light gray. He was getting bored with this matter and wanted to leave already. Maybe if he threatened to take his business elsewhere they’d kick it into gear? He took a deep breath instead and nodded. “I shouldn’t have to repeat it so many times,” he complained before telling the man what his order was exactly how he wanted it, specifying exactly how he liked his potatoes cooked, what foods were absolutely not supposed to be on the dish, which foods were supposed to come on a separate plate altogether because he doesn’t like his food touching each other…it was a lot to remember, but Gene had said it so many times, he couldn’t fathom why it was so hard for other people to get. “And for the drink, I was drinking a lemonade,” he finished with a snobbish nod. Because lemonade was delicious.

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

If only Gryphon hadn't gotten this job recently. If only he wasn't still trying to make a good impression so that the manager would like him. If fricking only. He wondered if this was how everyone else would have dealt with this kid, or would they have forced someone else to serve him? Get the manager to whoop his skinny ass? Jumped off a cliff in frustration? All of them seemed plausible. Just not with Gryph involved. He smiled a lot, usually, so it wasn't too difficult to do keep looking pleasant as he dealt with this kid, except his cheeks had started to occasionally hurt.

It was like Eugene didn't realise that the world didn't revolve around him, and that he wasn't the only one in this restaurant. And maybe he didn't realise that Gryphon, and all the workers here too, were human as well and sometimes, they messed things up. He wasn't sure how it was so easy for him to be oblivious to that, but this kid managed it.

Gryph did notice the faint aura, though he thought it was something more to do with his eyes than this idiot. He took an extra deep breath on that comment. This kid was beginning to sound like Gryphon's dad, and that was not a good person to sound like all, but the connection didn't exactly shock the winged man. He pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind for now though, and instead tried to decipher how the hell he was supposed to write all this down. He somehow managed it though, and once Eugene had finished his speak, including his drink, Gryph repeated back everything he had written down. Something was probably missing, because this kid did not do the friendly gesture of slowing down to make sure Gryphon would get everything the first time around. If he was corrected, Gryph would let it happen, but with a frustrated sigh. Once everything was corrected, he would give Gene a fake smile. "Brilliant. I'll get that to you as soon as possible." He picked up the boy's plate and glass as he spoke, "But have you heard of those things called manners? They're magical things, you know; I've heard they can actually get people to do what you want without them wanting to skewer your eyes out." So much for not sassing him. Gryph went to get his order called up, again.

[Deleted]

Of course people messed things up. Eugene was well aware of that, being one who did something substandard in most(not all, thankfully) of his classes. But there was a certain level of common sense that was unforgivable. Write things down if you couldn’t remember them. Double check before bringing it out. Don’t assume that the request is just because you have a fussy customer. Granted, Eugene was a fussy customer, but it wasn’t their business to know! He could have food allergies for all they knew and if they didn’t get it perfect….what if he was sent to the hospital for that? Or died? That was a much bigger problem for them than just being a little irritated for having to do their jobs.

This whole philosophy was no doubt a rant that his snooty-to-do rich grandmother often went on whenever they happened to eat out together and the same thing happened. She always made sure Gene had his food prepared exactly how he wanted.

Gene had to appreciate that this person took the time to write it all down….it didn’t change the fact that the other person who had taken his order in the first place failed to communicate the order properly to the kitchen. He prayed that this one would do better. “No, it’s…” he stared before listing his order again, specifying the parts that the waiter had repeated back incorrectly. Gene wasn’t going to comment on that sigh, but he wasn’t going to forget about it either. “Make sure you do,” he told the person, resting back against the cushion of his seat. That last comment, however…. Gene knit his eyebrows and his aura flared a burning red. “No,” he said sternly. “Forget about the order. Now you get me your manager. And I want your name so he knows which whelpling he needs to fire.” Wasn’t it the golden rule of customer service? ‘No matter how difficult, the customer was always right’? How about service with a smile?

[Gryphon Matsuoka]

If someone had an allergy, they usually made it extremely obvious, by saying so and making it very clear what they can't have. In those cases, it was also made extremely obvious to the cooks and they took the utmost care in making sure the allergen doesn't contaminate the customers food in anyway.

Not wanting your potatoes to touch your carrots, or whatever the hell it was, wasn't a sign of an allergy. It was a sign of somebody being a picky bastard who wanted to make other people's job harder because he couldn't manage food being on a plate normally.

Which was why he lashed out. He had had enough. He was very certain the chefs had had enough of this kid too. And the last thing he wanted to hear from him was the word 'manager', but there it was. This was one of the days he wished he could pinch Kodi's ability so he could rip out this kid's throat and walk away.

Ohhh yes, he was angry. It was just a good thing that he wasn't a violent person and wouldn't ever think of actually doing that. Well, he could dream.

"I have a nametag, you know." He said, signalling at it. It sat straight over his heart, and indeed read his name, 'Gryphon'. "But sure. I'll go get the manager for you, sir." He just prayed to God the bossman would understand. He walked off, tucking his pencil and notebook away and going into the back. After a slightly heated conversation about the situation, the manager walked out, with Gryphon following behind him, to Eugene's table. The manager gave him a quick glance and Gryph looked at the kid with a slightly bowed head, "I apologise for my behaviour. It was completely unprofessional and it won't happen again." Probably because Gryphon was going to avoid this kid in the future at all costs. His manager then spoke to Eugene, explaining what he was doing about the situation - docking Gryph's pay for a month, Eugene would get his meal free, if he still wanted it - but Gryphon wasn't going to be fired. The winged man sighed. The last thing he needed was extra stress - but at least he wasn't actually in need of the money.

[Deleted]

Picky or not, it wasn’t any of the waiter’s business why he wanted his food done a particular way. All he had to do was get the damn order right without turning it into a 3-ring-circus. While may a person with allergies or a particular disability may be more ‘sympathetic’, it still didn’t give this server any right to speak in the manner he did to a customer. And Gene was going to make sure that this kid got a hard lesson in ‘perseverance’.

Granted, if Gene was doing this job, he likely wouldn’t have half as much patience as this guy had had already…but then, Gene would take a job that tried his patience like that in the first place.

Indeed he did have a name tag, but that’s not what Gene was asking. He asked for the server himself to provide his name, not for him to give lip because Gene didn’t search the man up and down trying to figure it out himself. “Make sure you do that,” he told the man with narrowed eyes.

While the server was gone from the table, Gene used the moment to calm himself as well. He didn’t think he was being difficult, just asking for something and being expected to be okay when it was A. gotten wrong, and B. when he was given attitude for having a problem with his order not being how he specified. Anyone who was expected to be ‘okay’ in that situation was a complete loon. That said, Gene didn’t like being so upset either, and used those moments to text Kodi and complain about his terrible experience, keeping out the servers name of course, because that was irrelevant to the boy’s complaints.

When the server returned in tow with the manager, Gene looked up at one with contempt and the other with something of less contempt. “I don’t care whether or not he gets paid,” he said outright. “I appreciate the apology. But your promise to never let it happen again means nothing to me, considering you let it happen once.” Gene turned his eyes back and forth between the two as he spoke. “I want this person retrained. I don’t know how long he’s been working here, but he obviously need a comprehensive reminder of how to do his job, and how to behave towards customers.” It didn’t matter to him if his meal was complementary either. Gene could afford to waste the money.