Time Lizzy Saint

justwritingscibbles:

Finally got around to writing something for Phantom. The story became to big so I’m gonna split it up into two or three parts. Depending if you all want it to be continued.

Hope you enjoy!!

It started off small.
Tiny explosions. Sudden fires sparking indoors. People gossiping and rumours spreading. The internet blowing up with new art content and theories.
All signs that a new ego had been created.
You weren’t all that into researching and feeding into the internet’s obsession with alternate versions of well known people, but when it started to get personal; it was hard to ignore.

You kept your head down as you worked. Cleaning dishes and wiping down tables. That polite, but set in stone smile plastered on your face as you took orders from customers. It was the usual routine.
Except now, your boss had started asking you to tell him of any “creatively inspired people” that came into the cafe.

“Anyone that is writing a script, comes in with an instrument; Hell! Even if they’re doodling on a napkin, I want you to inform me. Write down their name from their cards. Ask for it. I don’t care how you get it, I want a list brought to me.”

It was an odd request, and you were pretty sure it was very illegal. But the head man slipped a generous boost to your pay for keeping quiet.
So of course, whenever you saw someone with a sketch or a piece of writing that wasn’t business; you gave your boss the heads up.
It felt cruel; but your finances begged you to just do as you were told.It was on your birthday that you finally found why this was all happening.

NateMare wandered in. Acting as he always did, like he damn well owned the place. Sliding into the end booth with his feet up on the table, a guitar in his hand and a cocky wink as you wandered past.
You were busy with another customer, but that didn’t stop you from slapping his leg. Forcing him to remove his feet.

“I just cleaned that.” You hissed, before apologising to your current order and taking down their food.

“You’re working on your birthday?” NateMare asked with an arch of his eyebrow. “I thought you had today off.”

“I did, but no one came in and the cook promised me a large dinner. Why are you here?” You pretended to take down an order from Mare as the two of you spoke.
The boss knew you two were friends and chatted endlessly, but it still didn’t stop him from scolding you for wasting time.

“I came to sing you ‘happy birthday’. Since you ditched me today, I thought I’d bring the plans to you.” Mare had that type of smile that was both ‘shit-eating’ and also ‘I know I can get away with this because everyone in this room thinks I’m attractive’. It boiled your irritation, but it was rather sweet he thought of you.

“Don’t you dare. This is a quiet cafe. It’s apparently known for being a peaceful place. And you’ll get me in trouble!”

“I’m known for helping people change their minds about things,” Mare smirked. But his fingers halted on the strings of the guitar. Sighing heavily and setting it aside. “Fine, fine. I won’t humiliate you… yet. When do you get off?”

You glanced at the clock on the wall and shrugged. “Sometime after lunch. Another hour and I’ll be free.”

Then I’ll make you uncomfortable by watching your every move, and giving you feedback about how your outfit has a orange stain on the back, until you finish.” NateMare replied.
Another smirk tugging at his lips. “And tell chief to double the size of your take away food. I’ll steal some.” You nodded and hurried away to help another customer.

Not without checking your uniform in the reflection of the windows first. And, of course, finding a spot of orange on the lower back of your shirt.
Grumbling, you carried on with your work. Ignoring the snicker you heard from Mare.

——————

“I just have to give my boss something, and I’ll be finished.” You told NateMare. Placing his fifth order of raspberry smoothie on his table.
He replied with a little murmur of ‘thanks’ and a soft ‘no worries. Take your time’. His concentration on a napkin and the pen he had you get for him. No doubt a new song he was writing. You knew by the various crumpled bits of paper around him, that he was having trouble with it.

You dashed into the back of the cafe and knocked on the office door. You were startled to find the door locked. Instinctively going to open it the moment you arrived; since Andy always bid you entry.

“In a bit.” You heard his voice call through the door.

You frowned and stepped back, about to turn around and leave before remembering his warning when he first started the ‘name list’ thing.

‘If you don’t fill up your daily quota then it will go on your record for this place. Miss any three days of not delivering even a single name, and you will be let go. No excuses!’

“Oh uh, Andy it’s (y/n). I’m about to leave but I still need to give you the list of customers for today? I actually had a girl come in and gave me a name of a group of people who do contemporary body art together-” You were cut off by the door opening and an eager grin plastered over a familiar face. Eyes glittering excitedly as a man stepped out of the office and plucked the piece of paper from your frozen fingers.

“Well, well, well. This is an impressive number of names. You sure did good today, kid. I appreciate it.” The voice was even the same! A twinge of an accent tilting the tone, though. But everything else about him; the confident posture, the smile and even the way he praised you, was so Nate-Like.“

You even dress like him.” The eyes flicked to you so fast you didn’t have time to duck away and run. You barely got a chance to cover up your words with something else.

The smile tilted with curiosity. The ego leaning on the black cane he held as he leaned forward, looking you over with a narrowed gaze.

“You know who I am then?” The Nate-ego asked. You swallowed the lump in your throat. Racking your brain for the snippets of information you caught from the blogs you followed.
What the hell did this guy do again??
You vaguely remember the gifs that passed your screen as you scrolled through Tumblr.
And worse, the screen-shots Mare sent you with doodled horns and a pink moustache.
All you could remember was alot of people freaking over the red suit and the cane.
Wait! Something about the cane…. What was it??

“A friend of mine said you… uh… helped them… find work?” You hoped this guy didn’t notice the shake in your hands. Or the way your tone answered his question with another question.

You couldn’t yell for Mare. This guy could kill you well before he made it to you. Or worse, use some sort of magic on you.
Did this guy use magic? Was his character that solid yet? Damn your ‘no ego researching’ rules!!

There was a tense moment of silence as this ego looked you over. But then his menacing expression broke out in a wide smile and a hand came down to clap on your shoulder.
“Well, any friend of my contractors is a friend of mine. Nice to meet you. I’m Phantom Red. More a stage name, but I’m yet for someone to tell me I can’t use it.”

If you didn’t know who this guy was, he’d almost seem friendly. And even now, you were smiling in return to his joyous character. The cane twirling in the air as he changed hands to shake yours.
And then a card appeared between his fingers in the flurry of movement. Tucking it into your palm as you shook.
A dramatic flare to the introduction.
So very Nate-Ego.

“This is (y/n). A hard-worker and they’re the one that gathers the majority of the good names. They never give me a half assed identity.” Andy beamed at you from behind Phantom.
Pointing at his red vest and mouthing the words. ‘New Manager.’

Everything seemed to fall into place now. Why the sudden shift in customer service. The influx of money coming into the cafe and the surge of new customers.

This ego was building it up! Using it to get names of new people.
And… it was also the reason why so many people were disappearing now. They were most probably the names you gave to him.
And you quickly spiralled into a set of regrets for not walking out of this place the moment you sensed danger. Especially now you met the culprit.

Phantom however, was overly excited with meeting you. The hand in yours gripping more tightly as he shook it vigorously.
“Ahh, so you’re the busy bee that’s been keeping me afloat. I must admit, I didn’t think this establishment would bring in many new contracts. But hey! Here I am, speaking with your boss about expanding this place. Make it a real attraction to bring in new folks. Since you’ve been so successful with getting me new collections, I can help you in return.”

You were so confused. What did he mean ‘new collections’? And what would a Nate-ego want with a small cafe?

“Is that what you do, sir? Build up little shops?” You asked.

And Phantom nodded, happy you were catching on so quickly. “Sure do, doll. I pick out the special little gems and polish em’ up. You’re the first of few that are getting redesigned. Isn’t that exciting?”

Everything in your body screamed ‘faker’ and ‘snake-charmer’. Phantom just seemed too excited about all this. And you weren’t enjoying the whispering voice in the back of your mind saying that the “help” Phantom will return, won’t be good.

“It is. Very good. But uh, I’m sorry. But I have to go. Big plans tonight.” You stretched your lips into, what you hoped, was a convincing smile.

Phantom frowned and tilted his head. Leaning on his cane as he examined you. “What’s the rush, doll? Gotta partner waiting for ya?” His wink caused a small blush to dust your cheek.

You’d think being around NateMare so much would immune you to that, but nooooo.
This guy was just as flustering as his other kinsmen.

“Its their birthday, boss.” Andy chuckled. Seeing that you won’t answer, Andy stepped in for you. “No doubt they’re going out to spend time with that musician they’ve been seeing.”

At the mention of your friend, Phantom’s eyes sparked with interest and he turned to glance at Andy with a wicked smile.
“Oh? And what kind of musician is our lovely friend here seeing?”

“Look, Andy, I really need to go-”

“NateMare he’s called. Weird fella, but he pays well and his music isn’t so bad. He’s actually outside waiting for them.” Andy shrugged his shoulders and you felt your heart leap into your throat.

Phantom didn’t react. His eyes only sparkling with that same curiosity.
He doesn’t know about Mare!

Phantom turned to look at you. A more, sultry smile, curling his lips as he spoke to you.
“Come, come. You should smile! It’s your birthday. How ‘bout this. You and me go meet your little buddy and I can discuss some things with him. This place will need a good player to sing for the crowd. Maybe we can get him a spot in the limelight.”

Before you could say no, Phantom had his hand on the small of your back. Guiding you through the place till you reached the doors to the where the customers sit.
He opened the door, bowing a little as he motioned for you to go ahead.
Shaking, you stepped out into the air conditioned place and went over to Mare. Who was so deep in concentration that he didn’t notice you or Phantom come up next to him.
Not until Phantom hissed through his teeth and the hand on your back disappeared to clasp over the tip of his cane. Almost protectively.

“You!”