333

Its been a long day. Today of all days you agreed to work a double. David had suddenly quit and you saw him on the news a few days ago. He won the lottery, the lucky fuck. Oh well, maybe you will pick a ticket up after tonight's shift. You look at the clock as you haven't seen anyone in about an hour. Its almost 3:30. "Bah, I will lock the door and do some organizing in the back." You go up to the door and lock it with a nice tactile "CLICK!". Toss in an earbud and start sorting some stuff. a few minutes pass and you hear a "DING". Huh, sounded like the bell on the counter. Then another, "DING! DING!". The hell?
You take out the earbud and walk to the front. Sitting at the counter is a very well dressed and groomed, wait does he have red skin? Horns!? "Hello dear." He says with a smile. "You must be new, I am Charles Xorn. I am what you know of as a demon. I am a servant to the Dark Lord and more than that his personal assistant. I have come to fetch his morning coffee." In all the time you have worked at this shop you have never seen something such as this. As the words fall out they hardly seem real. You notice his horns are a deep red and white, pushing back behind his head, almost like hair, gray hair even. he has on a very well kept dark black suit adorned with gold buttons, cuffs and even a simple pentagram lapel on each side of the collar. Gold rimmed glasses, and a single gold ring on his hand. His eyes are very cat like and match his golden adornment aside from a hint of green in his right eye. As these thoughts rush past you and your own attraction to them it seems he interrupts. "Ma'am, I apologize. Can I order please? I will be paying so there is no reason to worry. Just a normal coffee order for such a normal day." His words spark you and you go into a bit of autopilot. "Oh sorry, I am just uh.. you understand I am sure. What's the order?"
He tells you the specific order. Simple coffee, a bit of milk, a single scoop of peppermint and just a single pump of caramel. "This is what the devil orders? Hmm, I would expect that Chris Cringle orders this one.." You think to yourself silently. You hand him the coffee and he lays a single one hundred dollar bill on the counter. He smiles and simply says, "Keep the change, its the largest single denomination that I can give you unfortunately so it will have to do. Thank you for you and I will see you tomorrow at this same time dear." He give a gentle nod and bow and walks directly into the door. Except instead of hitting the glass he simply walks right through and goes down the sidewalk. You wanted to see where he went though! You hustle up to the door and unlock it only to look that direction and he is gone. "Drats, what the hell was that." Then you smell the typical smell of alcohol as the sound of a drunk man wanting coffee brings you back to reality.
You remember he said at this same time tomorrow. You look at your watch, 3:34. "Hmm, what's so special about this time." you think to yourself as the night goes on making coffee like normal. The night goes and you end your shift like normal. The money he paid was real and you use it to buy your own meal before you go home and get some rest. You wake midday from a call from your manager. You answer with a meek "hello?!". "Jessica! I think I need you to work the night shifts for a while until we can get someone who can replace David.  I will gladly give you an extra few dollars an hour during this time if you can work it." Your thoughts go back to the demon and your curiosity. Well you do have questions and certainly you would like to get some extra cash. "Sure, count me in. So just the normal 9PM to 5AM right? Starting today/tonight?" You tell him with a bit of excitement. "Yeah, take the day to get used to the schedule. Ill compensate you starting from last night." He says as you feel the weight lift off of his shoulders. He would have had to work the night shift if you didn't agree so its does make sense.
Hanging up the phone you get a bit of excitement, even decide to get a decent lunch for once. Over your lunch you mull over your questions, at least the ones you can pick out of the thousands. Is the order always the same? Why my shop? What if the person didn't make the coffee? That last one makes you shudder a bit. Best not think about that one. Wait, are angels real too? This subject is just way too deep. You finish up and get a bit more rest before 9PM. Going in you are really busy for the times you expect. Keeping the place in shape and playing on your phone to pass time. Watching the clock tick by. "It's 3:30AM, a few more minutes." You say lightly. "What if I made the order early?" You start getting the cup out and grabbing things. A few minutes pass as your trying to get the stuff out. "DING!" you hear from behind you. "Oh, I was just getting things ready." You turn to see the same smiling demon. This time his suit is a bright white. All of the same accents but instead of gold they are a green, but his smile is just as deep and warm as last time. "Ah hello again dear. Glad to see you again this evening. Just the morning trip for the Dark Lord's coffee. Same as yesterday. Thankfully he has been in a good mood as of late. I like to think the coffee helps." He smiles a bit deeper and gives a mild chuckle. You smile and get him the same. Simple coffee, splash of milk, a single crushed peppermint and a pump of caramel. "Here you are Charles! I made sure everything was made fresh as can be. Hope he stays in a good mood!" you tell him as you hand him the coffee. He gives a bit of a haughty laugh and lays down the same payment as yesterday. "HA! You and me both darling! His bad moods are not to be trifled with. Maybe I can dodge them for a few more lifetimes!" He gets up from the bar where he has been waiting and steps to the door just like last time off to carry this prize to his master.
This same routine continues for many weeks and months with minor conversation each time. You have learned that demons retain their complete selves from their past life and that every demon fades with time until they are nothing. There are some exceptions and servitude to the master is one of them, the others you haven't broached as a subject yet. After some months that same ritual comes to pass. Only this time as you are making your way to the front something is different. Charles starts getting a bit more agitated and rings the bell three times, now four, five. Something is off. Charles looks as clean and well dressed as ever but his face tells the tale of tales. He has a very off putting mildly angry look with a bit of fear mixed in. Before you can greet him he snaps the order. "Just a latte, coffee and milk only. Quickly, time isn't a thing to be trifled with. Over the course of the last few months you have actually found that the exact time Charles shows up is 3:33AM. You also have figured out that when this happens time seems to stop or go very slowly while Charles is in the shop. So you know he is lying at this point. But you do not argue, you simply make what was requested. Charles leaves a handful of money on the counter and leaves. Not even a single shred of banter. He is a demon after all he isn't supposed to be nice. But this was different. You decide to go about your morning and finish up the shift like normal. Maybe tomorrow will be better.
Nine o' clock comes slowly. Barely sleeping and worried what the dreadful time has in store for you after yesterday. The time creeps by on the shift even feeling like 100 orders are taken in less than a second. Finally 3:33 pops up on the clock. Charles once again has a very sour look and says "The same, just a simple latte and milk. Quickly...please..." The 'please' in his voice would be easy to miss if it hadn't basically been a whisper, and maybe a slight plea for help. You make the latte as instructed and try to talk to Charles. "What had the Dark Lord done to sour your wonderful personality Charles?" but there comes no answer. He gives the ever so slightest smile and puts the money down as he leaves. This time at least the one hundred dollar bill. After about 20 minutes of day dreaming the door swings open again and in your mind you hope its Charles returning. Unfortunately its not, and worse the two that just walked in are holding guns. One of them immediately  runs to the counter rushing you so you can't respond. The other locks the door. The 'CLICK' almost feeling like the trigger was already pulled.
The two men together rush the counter and demand everything from your pockets and the register. Panicking you dump everything. What are you supposed to do anyway? The closest man takes the gun and the second starts to jump the counter saying something. All you caught was "Oh no baby, I want much more.." but just as his feet touch the other side of the counter you hear a familiar voice. "Gentlemen, I believe that a mistake has been made." While the voice is familiar, there is something different there. Its more calm, more collected, and certainly not well meaning. The men turn to Charles who is wearing a suit you have not seen. It is a very dark red, almost maroon or even black if not for the bright lights. The other aesthetics of his suit being bronze or copper in color. Almost as if a haze was on them. Almost dirty. Charles never looks dirty.
"Gentlemen, I will only ask once and I will not delay. You have ten seconds to remove yourself from this place before things get messy. But let me be honest, I like messy and I am counting at twice speed." He then starts counting. The first number seems slow. "One" Then the second number and you realize he is going to count to ten. "Two" You count with him. "Three" He is counting fast. "Four" Your heart is counting too. "Five, Six" Did he just count two numbers together? "Sever, Eight, Nine!" Charles voice is getting scratchy and deep, what one would call as demonic. "TEN!" The two men turn their guns and fire at Charles. He simply smiles and drops the two bullets. Before the casing and the bullets are on the ground Charles has moved up and disarmed both of them. Smacking their guns with his tail as he pushes them into the back room. As one of the guns hits the ground it goes off. Suddenly you feel a very warm, no.. HOT sensation in your stomach. The pain being brutal, and forcing you to pass out. As your light fades you hear the screams of the two men. Unsure if he is torturing them, eating them or just killing them.
You come to still in the coffee shop. Charles is over the top of you with his signature smile on his face. His suit is once again a brighter color. White with emerald accents. He greets you as you wake. "Ah there she is sweet girl. Thankfully the bit of magic I do have works on humans." He says as helps you to your feet. You check your clothes and body. No bullet wound. "How?" You ask him meekly, still feeling the searing pain but quickly subsiding. "Ah, never fear, the bullet did go through." He tells you as he shows you the bottom of a cup. "Its still got your blood on it, but you otherwise are in mint condition. Come, sit at the counter and drink some water. I feel I owe you an apology that I came to deliver and I am certainly glad I did." He helps you up as he tells you this and hands you a cold bottle of water.
You take a few sips and start to let the stars stop flying in your mind. As your stress starts to lift he speaks softly, but warmly. Much as he did the first day you met. "First, don't worry, no one will hear anything that happened here, I also have fixed all damage caused as well as cleaned up any loose ends. All but the bloodied bullet, which is yours to do as you wish." He points to the cup with the bullet. "But second, my attitude towards you has been sour for a few days and that is not kind of me. You have done nothing but be nice and I should have done the same even if my work was making me insufferable. So I thank you very much for still being you. You also asked what has soured my mood. Well, the short of it is that the Dark Lord is not happy. I do not know the nature of work for the lord of demons but he isnt in a good mood and he is taking that out on the rest of the underworld. But thats nothing we should concern ourselves with. I promise I will be proper and respectful from here on out. That is a promise." he then summons a piece of paper and a quill. "Now, I am allowed to make very few deals in my work. But I am able to make them. This page is a deal. You are not required to sign it certainly but this deal, with a demon, is ever binding both ways. I cannot go against it and nor can you. However this deal is written specifically." He pushes the paper towards you to read.
I (Charles Xorn), promise to be respectful and polite to Jessica Steely forever and all of eternity. I am also not allowed to harm her in any way. This contract only expiring when in the event of her death or when my own essence fades. Signed Charles.
Reading the few words carefully you are satisfied. "So what if I were to not sign this and we just shake hands?" you ask him mostly curious. "Well, I certainly can make this promise and I aim to keep it. However, I think this deal means more to both of us. It simply keeps me honest should my own mind forget itself. It also seals in the event that something happens and I am to be forced to harm you, which I certainly do not want to do." He sounds firm, and direct. Certainly no tricks here. He hands you the quill. "This is a blood quill so signing it will hurt a tad, but I promise, no lasting marks and the pain will be gone as soon as you sign it." He smiles as he tells you. "Ok, then I agree." You pick up the quill and sign it. The pain is quite light and manageable. Your signature then glows and sets in the paper. Charles takes it from you and it bursts into flames as it is put in his pocket. "Excellent. Now, I must be off. The Dark Lord let me make this errand and I certainly shouldn't keep him waiting. Plus, we have two new souls that I need to re-introduce myself to." His voice on the end makes you shiver slightly. But he gets up and starts to walk out.
"Wait!" You say, making Charles stop mid step. "What would a deal with the Dark Lord look like?" Charles tilts his head slightly and his expression changes a bit, something to more of concern. "Well, I must warn you that deal with him do come with a debt. Unlike this one we just made. But certainly they would be ever binding. What kind of deal would you like to make with him?" He leans slightly against the counter as if to inspect you as he speaks. "Well, I would like to offer a deal but my first requirement is that he must drink the latte I make him tomorrow first. If he doesn't want to try and take me up on my deal then he will get his usual latte order. So tomorrow I will do this. I will make two cups. One with his normal order, and one with what I think he will like. If he accepts my terms you take mine to him. If he doesn't then you take his to him and we act like it never happened." You stumble at first as you start the words. But as you speak you gain confidence. "No matter what, he gets his latte at exactly 3:33 AM. But if he takes my terms then we come to the table with understanding." Charles thinks for a moment. "I- I will ask. I will take whatever punishment he deals out if he doesn't like this. So if you see me tomorrow I will deliver his message. If you do not...then I guess I will still have delivered his message. Either way, tomorrow we will see." He steps towards the door as is his usual, unlocking it as he gets close. "You are quite the curious girl Jessica." He says over his shoulder. He then steps out into the morning air and walks away. "Now that I opened my big mouth. What do I make the Dark Lord of the underworld..."
You end your shift in a tizzy. You are both scared out of your witts and excited to no end. What does the Dark Lord enjoy? Could he have a nut allergy? More questions and more things to distract from the task. "Surely not pumpkin spice.." You chuckle to yourself. No, this has to be something delicious and something that he would drink every single day. Sugar? No, that would just be stupid. You spend hours thinking and thinking. You eventually fall asleep at your computer as you research what would make the best coffee. Your dreams are filled with the the information from which you were trying to derive your options. You found that coffee used to be called the "Devils Brew" because they thought it was evil. This was certainly fitting and gave you quite the chuckle when you figured it out. Almost didn't know how to take it when you found out. "No wonder this guy likes coffee, it pissed off all of humanity at one time..."
'BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!' Your alarm starts shouting at you. "Shit, its time to go to work....I better get this figured out or I am fucked." You start your walk to the shop. Plenty of time. You walk by admiring everything as you go. You then pass by a little taco and elote stand. You see the guy sprinkle different things on them. You then see him take out a zester and put nutmeg and lemon zest on them. You order one and start eating as you walk to work. The taste is perfect. You can taste the nutty and sweet flavor of the nutmeg and it compliments the citrus of the lemon. Perfect. Add a hint of peppermint and its complete. "Oh I have GOT this!" you say as you nearly sprint to work.
The night goes as expected, but your giddy. Your about to serve the devil the best cup of his own brew that has ever been brewed. You even picked up some fresh lemons. Time starts to roll faster and faster as cup after cup flies. Finally its 3:30AM. "I guess I should get started." You start making the Dark Lords typical cup, making sure everything is perfectly fresh. You set that one on the counter, and start the next. By the time your done Charles will be walking in the door. First a little dab of peppermint in the bottom. Next nice fresh hot coffee. Little dab of milk all foamed up just to specification. Now the lemon zest. It should sink through the foam. Finally, a fresh heavy handed scratch of nutmeg over the top. Almost turning it brown. Your getting so into this prep you didn't even notice the time. You peek at the clock behind the counter. Like clockwork. 3:33AM and the hands have stopped. You turn to put the cup next to the other and as you do you see Charles is sitting at a table away from the counter and someone else is sitting at the counter. Charles is drinking the first cup. The other is waiting with a simple smile on his face, ready for HIS cup of coffee.
The man sitting at the counter is a thin fellow. His skin red but slightly darker to a more red color. He too is dressed in a fine suit. He has on a green suite with very similar jewelry and accents to Charles. His however are a black and red. The glasses even remind you of Elton Johns. The pentagrams on the collar are instead horns with a crown and it looks like they are literally on fire. "Well hello Jessica, its a mighty pleasure to meet you. I am as you know am known by many names. You may call me Dark Lord, or Lord. I am told that you have offered to make me a cup of coffee that might make you favorable for a contract. I wager you are looking for the same deal that David got, but that was more pity for a dying kid who wasn't able to make coffee anymore...So what have we made here today. I only caught the last few seconds and didn't see much else..." His voice was sweet, sexy even. He never raised his voice or even had a change in tone. Like a well oiled machine coming buttery smooth over the best set of headphones you have ever worn. A very welcoming and warm set of tones.
This is something you had not anticipated. The man showed up himself. I guess you don't go toe to toe with the devil and not get a little warm. "H-h-Hello Lord, this is quite the surprise, I never thought you would come yourself. Uh what I made well..." You take a deep breath and stop your trembling, whenever that started happening. He speaks as you try to compose yourself. "Sweet child, your deal with Charles still stands and I honor it as well. You will not be harmed. I just wanted to see what you made and was quite interested in the idea you came to me for a deal. Do not fear me. This could be motor oil and I would simply leave, but disrespect is not your type so I am confident this will be good." His words again are smooth and for a moment you feel are a false sense of security. But something in you knows, he means what he says. There is no trick in his wording. "Ok Jessica, its time to do this..." You think to yourself. "Lord, what I have made well...would you be willing to drink it first and then let me know what you think. I feel like this speaks more for itself than it does from describing it. As you can see I am a nervous wreck..." You say, trying to get the words out as fast as possible but also trying to gain your confidence. The Dark Lord just laughs with a warm smile as he reaches for the cup. "Alright then sweetheart, lets see what you came up with."
He takes a long drink of it, stops after a second or two and gives a small. "Hmm..." Then goes back to drinking. Before anyone can breath he has taken the whole thing down and sets the empty cup on the counter. "Hmm.." he murmurs again. "Now how the hell did you get this idea from an elote stand." He says and smiles deeply. "Charles, when you told me this girl was quite curious I thought you were pulling my tail." You hear him say as your still processing everything. "Wait, you were watching me today? I have been dreading the last 24 hours and you saw everything..." You say somewhat emotionless and slightly angered. He somehow manages to smile even wider and laughs very haughtily tapping the counter slightly. "My my Jessica, you can't have thought you give this kind of ultimatum to the Lord of the Underworld and not get some kind of curiosity. Honestly as much as you have dreaded it I have been drooling and just giddy with excitement over the details of this very moment. Not many people can get my respect but damn have you ever done so." He nearly falls out of his chair with the amount of laughing and excitement he is expressing. "So I think it is no secret that you certainly have earned the right to a deal with me. I only have one demand in this whole deal and I will be upfront about it. What are your terms! Be honest with them, don't be shy!" He exclaims and then summons a dark black book and very fancy pen. Both of which match perfectly with his style choice.
"Well, they are very simple. I will start first with my offering to you specifically. I will make you coffee for as long as I am alive and have the ability to do so. Then, my terms on what I want. My first demand is that you must always employ Charles for as long as he wishes to be employed. Second, you must treat him with respect at all times. Certainly you are his master, but you must also respect he does work for you and wishes to be treated with respect. It is after all an honor to be in your service for him I am sure. Now for myself. I only want two simple things. My bills are always paid in full and on time. But they do not come out of my bank account. House, food, cars, the works. Finally, I wish to never have what happened to me yesterday happen to me again." Your voice cracks and tears start to flow a bit. "I wish to never.....have that happen again....please.." You fall to your knees and start weeping. Full blown tears, enough to flood a desert in seconds. You then feel a warm hand on your shoulder, and a soft warm voice in your ear. "You have a deal young lady. Those are terms that are more than enough." Your crying deepens and you throw your arms around the Dark Lord as he speaks to Charles. "Charles, bring me the book of deals. The red one." Charles responds with a simple "Yes sir, right away. Be back in 5."
A few more minutes pass and you have collected yourself slightly. The Dark Lord helps you from the floor and much the same as Charles had done previously. He hands you a bottle of water. "Take a drink and catch your breath." You do exactly that, taking a drink you realize you didn't even reconcile these feelings before. You were scared out of your mind. Now though, things seem better. You know that you won't ever have to deal with this again. After a minute you choke the words out. "W-What about your terms? Don't you want something from me? I am sure more than just the coffee you have been given for the last few months." The Dark Lord gives a smile and a slight chuckle. "Darling, you faced the Devil and went toe to toe with expectations and in the end only cracked when you were overwhelmed with other feelings. You gained more respect from me today than anyone has in over 1000 years. Your terms of coffee are more than acceptable after the display of confidence."
Just as the Dark Lord finishes his sentence Charles walks in with a rather large red book. The Dark Lord thanks him and then opens the book to a blank page and writes out exactly what was requested of him. He turns the book to her and summons his very elegant blood quill. "These are the terms exactly as you asked me. I have also taken the liberty to close any loopholes so that they stay in tact. Please to read them over." You read them carefully. Aside from impeccable handwriting everything seems perfectly in order and as it should be. You put the quill to the paper and Charles speaks up. "Be sure Jessica. This is no small ask." You look at him and smile. "I am quite sure of this. If nothing else we suffer together." You then turn to the page and take every stroke of the quill with the pain it causes and enjoy the pain that is the best decision of your life. You finish and the Dark Lord speaks first. "It is done. I am bound to this contract just the same as Charles is his. Charles, as your first assignment. Your to make sure that Jessica always has protection. I will also accept you taking moments away to deal with problems yourself. Also, be sure that those two souls are given extra duty while any new ones are given the same. Take the book back, make it so. I will work in your place for now until you return. Take your time. I would like to get to know and talk with Jessica. After all, every demon in hell will likely know her name and face."
Charles takes his leave with the book his face smiling wider than ever before and his step just as peppy. After he leaves you speak up. "So you are really going to make sure to come personally every time so the three of us can have a cup of coffee together? If I didn't know any better Charles might have asked you to to setup a date..." He smiles his tail flicking as he does. "Well, the world may never know. But certainly I would love another cup of this lovely drink you made me. Just a bit more nutmeg for me this time though. Didn't know I needed this stuff in my life."
Every night at 3:33AM the Dark Lord and his assistant Charles drop by your home as they have for the last 40 years. Stopping by to catch up on the day, talk about life and death, and enjoy a nice cup of coffee. Its been 40 years, but today is different. The Dark Lord has brought a note. Its something you expected for a while. Your last living cup of coffee. But hey, not your last with the Dark Lord and his assistant. The devil's brew certainly is a good treatment for the soul.