It was the morning after, a tired morning. One in which not much sleep had been had. Talia was dragging ass and badly. If it weren’t for the night prior she’d probably be in a rather terrible mood but in fact she was rather content. It was a rather good night and it showed and she strolled into the coffee shop, in the same attire she was wearing the night before. Her hair was slightly disheveled but wet from the shower, a shower she desperately needed. 

Leaving Johnnys place in the same clothes was one thing but not showering, that was not something that couldn’t happen. 

She was debating on just going back to her place before starting her day but his coffee suggestion was a bit too tempting. 

The walk to the coffee shop was rather quiet, with only a few glances at each other. Sure he still had his sunglasses on but was that much of surprise? It was the head tilts in her direction along with the smiles that keyed her into it all. Smiles that she had no qualms with returning. 

It wasn’t until they just about got to the coffee house that Talia finally spoke. 

”I’m gonna need a couple coffees to make it through today, I blame you.” 

Johnny was used to making it through days without sleep. He was doing pretty good, maybe it was the little pick me up he had snuck in before he left home. He had considered offering some to Talia, she looked like she was exhausted, but he was a little worried she would think he had a drug problem or something. He was thinking about all of this and fumbling with the small little bag in his pocket as they walking towards the coffee shop... until Talia finally broke the silence. 

”I’m gonna need a couple coffees to make it through today, I blame you.” 

Johnny glanced over at her and began thinking out loud without even realizing it.

"Maybe I should just offer her some... would probably help. I am sure she wouldn't think much of it..."

"Huh? What are you mumbling?" She asked as she tilted her head like a confused dog. 

Johnny sighed and reached into his pocket, pulling out the little bag of white powder and tossing it to Talia.

"If you want some have at it... will help a lot more than a coffee. Your call though." 

It took her a moment to gather what it was and what he was talking about, her mind just wasn’t connecting things fast enough at this point. The moment she realized what it was, she quickly grasped her hand around it. Concealing it from the outside world. 

”Does it really help more than coffee?”

He nodded, “I don’t do it often, only when I need it but it works like a charm and that stuff is the best stuff money can buy. I mean do I look tired?” 

”You aren’t acting like you’re tired but I can’t see your eyes behind those shades of yours.”

He slid his glasses down towards the tip of his nose and gave Talia a glare before winking in her direction. 

”It’s gotten me through some grueling hours on sets back in the day.”

Talia hmm’d for a moment before turning her hand upwards and slowly opening it up to expose the bag to the light.

”Do I use the whole thing?”

"I wouldnt recommend it, not if you haven't done it before. Maybe a third of whats left?"

Johnny glanced at the bag in her hand as he answered, trying to double check how much was left. He usually just dumped some onto the table until it looked like a decent sized line himself but he didnt want to lead her astray.

"Yeah probably like a third of that. Did the trick for me, or maybe I am just so upbeat and awake because of the company. Who knows? Was a good night."

They kept walking for a few more minutes as Talia examined the bag and Johnny watched with amusement. He was a bit surprised that she hadn't tried coke before, those college days she was talking about the night before sounded pretty wild. 

"Ah here we are, your coffee. I'll grab the drinks if you want to find a table, what do you take in your coffee?"

Talia looked at the tables then looked back at Johnny, grabbing him by the wrist she pulled him towards the back of coffee shop towards the bathroom. It was a single room, usually just for a single person but she made sure the two of them fit into it. Sure it wasn’t the most ideal place to be doing this but it’s better then dropping this bag on the table in the middle of the morning rush. 

”Didn’t get enough of me last night?” He inquired rather cocky. 

She shook her head from side to side but smiled. 

”No..”

”Oh you didn’t?”

”No... that’s not the reason. If I wanted that we’d still be at your place. You need to show me how to do this stuff, cocaine is one thing I’ve never dabbled in. It was too expensive for my likes.”

She held out the bag in front of her. 

”Well, you gonna help me out here or not?”

"Alright then, sure thing."

Johnny grabbed the bag from Talia and poured some of it out onto the bathroom counter beside the sink. He then reached into his back pocket and pulled out a business card and a one dollar bill. 

"Hmm... first time one of these No Foul Play business cards has come in handy to be honest. I kind of just thought it would be cool to be able to hand people something with my name on it... " He said with a shrug.

He used the card to spread the pile into a thin line, then rolled up the bill and handed it to her.

"I am guessing you can figure out the rest. Just inhale hard, trust me you don't want it going half way up and just stopping at your nose... after that maybe we can talk about the real reason you dragged me into a bathroom. Just can't get enough huh?" 

Johnny laughed at his own comment as he waited for Talia to build up the courage to do the line in front of her. Johnny Cage was a huge fan of Johnny Cage and found himself pretty damn amusing. 

She watched as he spread out the line on the counter and listened as he explained what to do and what not to do. 

“If this stuff works as good as you say it does, I may need to find some way to burn the energy. If my heart explodes and I die though just remember it’s all your fault.” 

She fumbled the bill in her hand and focused on the pile in front of her. Johnny was cracking off some other comment, probably something sexually related but it was something she didn’t hear. She was too focused on psyching herself up to do the bump. 

Leaning down, Talia pushed her hair to one side and put the bill to the table. Covering her one nostril and putting the bill to the other one, Talia sniffed up the line as fast as she could. Of course it was just as she was done but still leaning down a couple of hard knocks echoed through the tiny bathroom as a voice spoke up.

”Hey! What’s going on in there?”

It caused Talia to spring up and look Johnny in the eyes, at least she assumed that’s where his eyes were. She pointed at him then pointed to the door, hoping he’d say something.

Johnny froze for a a few seconds as Talia pointed to the door, suggesting he say something to the man on the other side. He could tell she was trying her hardest to be quiet so he thought about it for a few seconds.

"Hey, um sorry man we will be out in a minute. The lady here had a bit of an accident, I am sure you understand the whole thing is rather embarassing. She was just so damn excited about your coffee. Not to worry though all good now. Just helping her avoid causing a scene ya know?"

There was a pause when Johnny finished talking, from both Talia and the man on the other side. She looked like she was going to kill him and well who knows what the guy was thinking.

"Oh, okay then. Just don't be much longer alright?" The man finally answered.

"Yeah sure thing, be out in a minute."

Johnny looked at Talia and smiled.

"Worked like a charm! Feeling a bit better yet? Oh and how about we grab that coffee now?"

Her heart was racing but she wasn’t sure if it was from the cocaine or from the guy knocking on the door. Was probably a combination of the two but to be sure about it was only a test of time. 

One thing she did know though was that she couldn’t believe Johnny used her as the reasoning they were both in there. Like what could have been so embarrassing? It was a thought that raced through her head as she began processing multiple scenarios out. One after another after another but all inside her own head. 

It wasn’t until Johnny mentioned coffee that she stopped thinking on it. 

”Coffee? Yeah coffee sounds good. I think we should do that, cause I like coffee. I don’t like it when it is burning hot though, cause I always seem to burn the shit out of my mouth. It has to be just right, like the kids story. You know the one who the three bears and the little girl that breaks into their house to eat their food. Can you imagine how pissed you’d be if you got home from like a walk and found someone ate your dinner and then was sleeping in your bed. Like really? I’d kill a bitch over that shit but I think I’d have reasoning...” 

Talia was just rambling on and on, it got to the point that Johnny raised his hand in the air and put it over her mouth to shut her up. Even it was just for a brief moment. 

”Coffee, not too hot. I got it. Can we?”

Talia nodded her head and waited for him to remove his hand from her mouth.

Talia was seemingly stuck in over-drive from the coke, she was talking so fast Johnny could barely keep up with what she was saying. There was a bunch about coffee, something about a bear, killing a bitch... the more he thought about it though, other than the speed at which it was all coming out it did sound like normal Talia.

She nodded agreeing to go get some coffee when he asked again, so he removed his hand from her mouth. Johnny reached and opened the door and Talia pranced right past him and out to the coffee shop before he could even take a step. It was almost a skip.

"Alright then. Guess she's feeling pretty good. I'll get the coffee..." He said to nobody. As Talia was already long gone...

Johnny made his way out to the seating area and spotted Talia at a table on the far side of the room. She was kind of bouncing in her chair starring towards the counter, it was like she was hoping she could will a coffee accross the room with her mind. He shook his head and chuckled as he headed over and got a few coffees, and a muffin... just in case she was hungry and headed over to her table before placing everything down.

"There you go. The muffin is for you.. if you want it. If you dont I'll eat it, wouldnt want to waste."

Talia sat at the table in her chair as still as she could but for some reason her whole body was moving, especially her left leg. It was like it had a mind of its own. It was shaking and her foot was tapping on the floor, sure she was starring at the counter but really she was trying super hard to focus her leg to stop. 

The harder she tried the worse it got.

That was until the moment Johnny got to the table, she gripped the coffee out of his hands and once it was in hers her leg stopped. Was of course something she didn’t notice, she was too focused on the coffee and that muffin now sitting in the middle of the table. What kind of muffin was it? Hopefully it wasn’t one of those fuzzy ones he always tried to pawn off on her. 

He had this thing about fuzzy muffins, it was something she never understood and something she had never seen him try himself. 

Regardless she shrugged and took a sip of the coffee, a sip she instantly regretted. As the molten hot liquid in the cup scorched her mouth causing her to spit the contents back into the cup.

”Oh the coffee is hot, just fair warning.” He said with a smile.

”Didn’t I just finish telling you about hot coffee? Now I’m not gonna feel my mouth the rest of the day, thanks... I wonder if I can ever taste again..”

Johnny just watched and listened as Talia burnt her mouth, and then ranted for a little bit about burning her mouth. 

"Yeah, hot coffee... who would have thought huh?"

He laughed a bit to himself, as he took the lid off of his own cup and set it aside to allow it come time to cool off. 

"Thanks for the amusing warning though. I might have forgotten myself to be completely honest. You okay?" 

She still looked like she was in a decent amount of pain and he kind felt bad. He slid his coffee back over in ront of him, getting a bit impatient waiting for it too cool. He started blowing down on it, he blew several times until he was satisfied that it was safe to drink and then popped the lid back on and took a sip.

"Ahhh that is good. You were right, coffee, good idea."

He leaned back in his chair finally relaxing a little bit, it felt like it had been a long time since he took a minute to just relax.

Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Talia's purse and considered asking for a smoke for a minute. He wasnt a smoker, and he wasn't drunk... why the hell did he want a smoke? He pushed the thought aside and went back to focusing on his coffee and Talia. 

"You going to eat that muffin?"

Talia followed suit, taking the lid off her coffee and giving it a blow. Slowly she took a sip, this time not scolding the piss out of her mouth but it didn’t matter all too much the damage was done. 

”Welp... I know I drank coffee but for the life of me I couldn’t taste it. You sure you got me coffee and not just hot water? Cause this has no flavor, then again maybe my mouth is just dead now. Rest In Peace my mouth.”

Talia pouted for a moment but focused onto the muffin that Johnny was pointing at. 

”What kind of muffin is that, is that one of those fuzzy ones? Cause I’m not sure I trust a fuzzy muffin.”

"I don't think your taste buds are working properly, the coffee tastes great. You must have really done a number on that mouth..."

Johnny tried to think of something to help out with the burnt mouth but came up with nothing. Once the damage was done there wasnt really much to do... so he gave it a shrug and went back to his coffee. He zoned out a bit sipping away and thinking about god knows what... until Talia inquired about the mystery muffin again and snapped him out of it.

"Oh right the muffin! Nope no fuzz, that's an ol' family recipe that fuzz. Can't get one of them at just any ol' coffee shop you know. This one is blueberry. Seemed like a good breakfast muffin. Would have gotten two of them but I am really not hungry so if you want it it's all yours... not that you'll be able to taste it..."

“Family recipe? There’s actually a recipe for a muffin like that? I kind of just figured you take a normal muffin and hide it for a while. By the time it’s found again it’s fuzzy but what do I know.”

She looked down at the muffin on the table then back up at Johnny. It did look like a normal muffin and it had no pocket lint on it so that was quite the good sign. She wasn’t necessarily hungry herself but it would have been kind of mean if she didn’t at least have a little taste. Maybe it would help reduce her heartbeat some. 

It was a sound she could hear throughout her body, the constant thumping. This cocaine stuff was a hell of a drug, why she didn’t use this stuff before was beyond her. 

”Do you hear that?” She asked causing him to pull his glasses down the bridge of his nose once more.

”Hear what?” 

”My heartbeat, can you hear it?”

"Oh there is a recipe. A top secret recipe. All of these awesome fuzzy muffins I have brought you, you haven't actually tried one have you?"

Talia asked if Johnny could hear her heart beat, it threw him off for a minute, enough so that he pulled his glasses down to look at her over top of them.

"Hear your heart? I don't hear anything. You think its racing because of the coke or is it just a side effect of my awesome-ness?"

Johnny smirked, having amused himself once again. It was a common occurance and yet it never got old. Not for him anyway. Talia didn't answer right away though, she just picked a piece off of the miffin and tossed it into her mouth. She was clearly either hungry, or just ignoring him. He was pretty sure she heard him so he returned his focus to his coffee once more while she ate.

It was a good coffee and it was almost gone. He was doing pretty good though, might not even need to head home for a nap as he originally expected. He started thinking about what he could do with his day as he finished off his coffee, he had nothing planned. Nothing he remembered anyways.

"So whats the plan today? Anything exciting?"

Talia had to give it a thought for a moment, for the life of her she couldn’t even remember what day it was. Was it Monday, Tuesday... Saturday??? 

She looked over at Johnny with a bit of a blank stare, a bit of an awkward silence momentarily passed before Johnny waved his hand in front of her. 

”Hellooooo... Talia... you with us?” 

Still there was no response, sure she was looking directly at him but for some reason she didn’t see him.

He snapped his fingers and spoke her name loudly. “TALIA!” 

It caught her attention and the attention of the few tables sitting around them. 

”What?” 

”Are you okay?”

”Yeah, of course I’m ok. Besides my mouth still hurting a little bit but you already knew that, right?” 

He slowly nodded his head before speaking. “Plans for today?”

”Uh, I need to go home and change. Wearing the same outfit 2 days in a row isn’t the best for presentation purposes, I should probably brush my hair too. At least I got the shower taken care of this morning, so I can cross that off my list.” She gave him a wink before continuing. “Other then that I don’t know, I don’t think I have anything planned but I can tell you I’m ready to do something. I’ve got so much energy right now, that stuff you have is amazing... you’ve got plans? Cause if you do you should cancel them or take me with you but I do need to change, then again I can probably just pick up an outfit out if need be or just suck it up and wear this again.” 

She was ranting again, Johnny could see this going on forever so he put his finger to his mouth. She got the hint and stopped talking, just grabbed another piece of muffin and waited to see what he had to say.

Johnny finished off the last of his coffee and tried to process everything that had just flew out of her mouth before speaking.

"I don't think I had much planned, but now that I am awake I feel like I need to go do something. Or maybe I am just forgetting what I had to do today? I feel like ther was something... can't remember what..."

Johnny gave his head a shake hoping it might shake the lost thought lose from where ever it was stuck. It caused a few people to stare at him like he was a crazy person but he ignored them and continued.

"Tell you what, since your so gung-ho to do something, and I can't remember what I needed to do... why don't you go home and get yourself ready for the day. I'll go to the HQ and make sure I am not forgetting anything important. We can meet up there when you are ready and figure something out? I'll warn you though... if I am forgetting something important and need a hand... I might show up at your place and rush you out the door to help me out"

Talia just nodded and grabbed the muffin as she got up from the table.

"Guess it's a good muffin after all eh?" Johnny asked as he got up himself and followed her out to the street. 

It was a cold early morning and Teach was not happy at all to be awake. There was a lot to do today, many places to visit, people to engage with, and errands to run. To say that Teach was groggy was nothing short of an understatement. However, it was important that he get an early start on things. He mustered all of his energy to get out of bed, get dressed, and to step out the door. 

As he made his way to his first appointment, he spotted a small coffee shop up the street. He rubbed his eyes, they burned slightly to the touch. He was certainly not fully awake yet, and this might just do the trick. He stepped inside and the smell alone was starting to lift his spirits. He made it to the counter and spoke to the barista. 

"Mornin' I'd like something strong. Not something strong enough to wake the dead, something stronger. Something to shake the very bones of the dead. Got something like that?"

Vincent was mad that he didnt had any coffee at home whatsoever. Luckily there were many wonderful coffee shops around the city a d he decided to take a closer look. He walked the streets and saw Smokey Raw Coffee shop. He never been there so he decided to stop by. He walked in and looked around. What a place!? He thought to himself. Saw an empty table he walked over and took a seat. He looked at the menu and decided for a coffee.

"Hello there, can I get cup of coffee, black please?"