<object height="360" width="640"><param name="movie" value="https://www.youtube.com/v/3jWRrafhO7M"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/><embed height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/v/3jWRrafhO7M" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="640" wmode="transparent"/></object><br/><br/>The morning sun peaked over the skyscrapers of the city, illuminating the world with a soft golden light. A clear sky with only a few puffy white clouds was all that remained of the snow storm that had past just the day before; even the cold bite in the air had subsided. The streets reflected the sun's early rays, giving the air a warm glow and serving as a powerful alarm clock. With a yawn and the fumbling of keys, the small man unlocked a pair of dark brown doors. He ran a small gloved digit over the metal handle before lightly placing his hand on the glass. With his strange act done, the man swung open the door and took a step into the building. Immediately, the sound of clattering mugs, the thump of books placed on shelves and the chatter of magical beings, whirring machines and shuffling feet filled the air.  A trio of green colored imps fluttered past, playing some strange iteration of keep away combined with tag. They're holding what looked like a small snow-globe.<br/><br/>"Come on, Toli! You gotta try harder than that," the lankiest of the three chuckled as he tossed the glass overhead toward another. Just as it left his tiny claws, the sphere came to an abrupt stop in the air, as if paused mid-motion, before slowly floating up and gently landing in the palm of an unamused Homunculus's hand.<br/><br/>"Julius." the man's voice was not harsh but it was very clear, as if amplified. A normal man with piercing emerald eyes rushed through, hefting up the trio in his arms and retreating to the back with great urgency.<br/><br/>"So, sorry, Fes. Told Nixi not to give them sweets before bed, won't happen again." he said hurriedly before disappearing into a storeroom. Fes gave no response as he made his way to the front counter and placed the glass trinket in its rightful place before slipping off his gloves and stowing them in the pocket of his black peacoat.<br/><br/>He made his way behind the counter and stowed his coat and red scarf on a pair of hooks off to the right. He took a single deep breath before issuing a firm clap. Like getting the attention of an unruly crowd, the noise level of the store dropped off. The chatter of the cafe and the grinding was still present, but it sounded more distant now. It was as if the entire world been placed at low volume in an instant. Just in time as well. A couple of regular customers made their way into the store. The pair greeted him with a smile and a wave before making a bee-line for the cafe. His smile only lasted for as long as the pair had looked at him before a sour expression colored his face. He definitely should not be the one and only person standing here. He swore under his breath before nearly stomping off toward the back room. The double doors swung open to reveal a warehouse-sized room filled with stacked boxes of writing materials, papers, reagents, potions, ingredients and tomes. Fes stormed through the room and made his way down a flight of stairs.<br/><br/><span style="font-size: 150%; line-height: 116%;">"Where's Lucius?"</span>Fes nearly howled through the corridor. Doors creaked open and a few irritated heads poked out to see what the commotion was about.<br/><br/>A heavy voice croaked back " he's at home, said somethin' about not feelin' great,"<br/><br/>Fes ran a hand through his hair and let out a small low laugh "Why am I learning about this right now?" his voice was so low that he might've been talking to himself.<br/><br/>The voice stammered "I- I didn't think-"<br/><br/>"Exactly, you didn't fuckin' think. HE didn't think, and now I'm gonna be thinkin' about how many teeth I can knock out of his mouth for making me cover his shift." with that, Fes turned on his heels and made his way back up the stairs "sleep tight,"<br/><br/>Today was off to an excellent start.