All In A Day's Work [Emil/Hannah]

And there went the final of his cases for the day, a grieving young lady that had left his office with her woes heard and her spirits lifted just a bit. He had taken a moment to carefully go over his notes, not that he doubted his meticulous practices in taking every little note he could throughout his sessions with patients. A taxing and tiring job for many, but never for he, as he always left his office with briefcase in hand and a peaceful smile on his face. It was something many admired, even envied of him, but as long as he fed them the words they wished to hear of how he could ever manage to maintain himself under the weight of negative emotion he was subjected to, there was naught any disruption nor disturbance in his day, and they got the pointless words of advice that their simple minds could easily digest with contentment.

Such was the life of Dr. Emil Holsen.

As he was saying his farewells to the staff as he did so routinely, a petite blonde figure caught his attention. Ah, Hannah Chiza; by all respects an outsider, yet appearing to be rather interested and dedicated in her work here. They had crossed paths several times, but the first he had truly heard of her was in various reports and communications. It never hurt to keep the strange close by - how else would you keep an eye on them?

"Ah, Miss Chiza, I see our time has overlapped yet again," His voice was sweet and soft, an acceptable volume, a tone that glowed with familiarity and warmth, "Are you finishing with your duties for the day? It may be late, but would you humor me with a little chat over tea? I know an excellent place not too far a walk's away."

Ah, he'd have to tell Ella that he would be late coming home again. As good mannered as she was typically, unusual breaks of schedule triggered her ire. Hopefully her routes kept her busy, or at least was home with the cats long enough to temper her irritation.

Appropriately, he'd give a gentle laugh to Hannah's rather useless assessment of the time, "Certainly, if the ceiling light row is your sun and the panels your sky," It was obviously meant as a lighthearted tease, something even mere acquaintances such as they engaged in, as long as he wasn't overly familiar. His face played a slight look of surprise when she offered her hand to him, clearly as an indication she wished to be guided. Of course, no gentleman would turn down a lady's offering hand, and as such a role he would take the hand, a small smile on his face as he held the fragile, tiny digits with remarkable care in his gloved hand. It was an interesting show of vulnerability to him as he gave a courteous nod of the head.

"Alright then, we'll be off," Leading her out of the hospital and onto the pale streets, he kept his steps relaxed and gradual, allowing Hannah plenty of leeway with her pace; as powerful as she was noted to be, she was blind at the end of the day, and it was only polite and correct to be ginger with his contact and speed.

"It certain feels like the apocalypse to some; a capital swallowed up by a hole infested with vicious hollows. How are you taking things?"

Shinigami were peculiar, long lived and detached from life as they were indeed gods of death by even their very namesake; a response befitting that frame was certainly within his expectations, especially for one such as Miss Chiza. It was the 'a day ending in y' kind of response that was anticipated, and he would respond thusly, "Well yes, it's been disaster after disaster. At some point you either grow used to them, the mind fixes on only the most recent of them, or you crack. Thankfully, I have seen to very few who have outright broke from the reoccurring terror. The common human mind can only withstand experiencing so much catastrophe unfiltered, you know?"

Saying a hello or two to a colleague on the street, his attention was brought back to the shorter woman, a light smile on his face, "One thing I tell others, is to think of it as if they are on a ship at sea. Typhoons are as natural as calm waters, and neither last forever. Strife is as temporary and fickle as peace."

He seemed lost in thought for a moment, before quickly looking back to her and softly noting, "Ah, don't worry about paying. It would be quite bad of me to ask you out and not treat you, yeah?"

Soon, the two would make it to his place of choice; a rather upscale coffeehouse he frequented, opening the door and leading Hannah inside in which he was greeted by name, and soon the two would have ordered and be sat down, comfortable at one of the tables. Though it was a busy evening, the atmosphere was maintained, quiet and calm as low level chatter happened around them.

"You know," He spoke with a musing tone, looking at his surroundings for a moment, "My daughter actually introduced me to this place. It's one of her favorite places to fetch something brewed. She's quite picky with her 'caffeine fixes', so I certainly trusted her judgement. Now i'm acquainted with just about the entire staff, they truly are skilled individuals."

With a lowering sigh, he'd add, "Perhaps she'll spare me if I bring her today's roast..."

"Hmm," He took a moment to think just as their orders were brought to the table, giving kind thanks and a wave of the hand to the employee as he'd go on to answer Hannah, "Well yes i'm aware of the quality, it is good. I've had some while on business over at the Harbor, though unfortunately i'd have to decline. She abhors surprises and is quite picky about her coffee. She's excellently behaved and does well in school, but if something is out of beat with her day she does not take it kindly..."

A tone of increasingly awkward nervousness could be marked in the man's voice, an appropriate escalation of tone for someone experiencing some form of troubling yet minor affair, still smiling fondly with speaking about his child, "I certainly would rather take it safe and order her usual here before we leave, lest I risk another dousing of hot coffee from a frustrated tweenager..."

As if right on cue, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket just as he was picking up his milk tea, seamlessly removing it and looking at the screen, a picture of a dark, massive cat with a face one could call 'unamused', amber eyes staring back at him with the caption of "Moka is not pleased with you." So she was home. A soft chuckle left him as he sent a quick reply and tucked the phone back in,

"So what of you? Do you have anyone to come home to after this?"

A kindly smile was given through Hannah's soft chiding, a soft laugh leaving his pale lips as they parted to speak, "She is rather attached me, but all children should learn that mother or father won't always be within reach. I may have spoiled her a bit much with my presence; she's adopted you see, from a terrible living situation. I have done all I could to give her a comfortable home and plenty of love, though that youthful clinginess hasn't quite worn out yet."

He'd lift his cup of black coffee soon after the tea was finished, taking a sip and savoring the flavors; fruity with a hint of chocolate and spice. Only a madman with poor taste would put anything in coffee of this quality. The entity before him would confirm an assumption or two, unsurprising given what was known of her, though he was curious,

"Pardon me, but what is this 'Glimmer Gang', if you don't mind me asking?"