(2020-09-18) All You've Done For This Place
Austin Braxton takes interest in the Guidry bakery
Players:
madeline..alyster..

Another day, another bakers dozen sold or something. Maybe the place has picked up lately, a few newer faces coming in for business. Its getting into fall season though. More visitors for fall, especially if early snows, ramping up for ski season for sure. Its then that a really nice vehicle pulls up outside. A Lamborghini Urus, a ridiculous sort of SUV from a sporty brand of vehicles. If one recognizes that for what it is. A man on a phone gets out, in a suit, looks to match the vehicle itself. He comes to the bakery and starts to browse, looking at the walls and floor, almost like inspecting, but not looking so much at the offerings in the bake shop. Maybe waiting for someone to notice him, or just being himself. Those who might notice some of the faces around town may recognize Austin Braxton. Maybe he's heard his brother has been hanging around these parts, or he suddenly has a sweet tooth.

It's been a busy haul today for the Guidry lot, with all hands having been on-deck earlier to see the rushes through. It's not often that the whole family is there in the run of a day and by now, some of them have left: it's Madeline, Babette and Jude closing the place down for the day. The rest of the family are off running errands: Bentley (Dad) is gone to tighten up some logistics for the Historical days; Claire (Mom) went home and Piper, the youngest girl, is taking the day off before she's having to make a wedding cake in the wee hours of Saturday (tomorrow.)

Anyway, it's… slow, for now. The middle brother Jude is in the back cleaning up, and it's both Babette and Madeline entertaining the stragglers and collecting dishes. This is when Austin Braxton shows up. Madeline is talking softly to an elderly patron and it is Babette — the 83-year-old 'namesake' of the place — who sees and greets the man. She is a tiny well-dressed elderly woman with clear, sharp dark eyes and soft silver-white curls framing her face from beneath a cloche hat. "Good afternoon sugar," She offers to Austin. "Come take a seat." Said in that velvety smooth Cajun accent. Madeline pauses and looks up.

"Sugar," he says, his voice is crisp and easy to listen, even if his tempo is fast, like he has places to be. "Quaint, fitting. This is the place my brother's been slumming." Which is sort of a question and sort of an assumption on the man's part. He hangs up the phone without so much as a good buy and tucks it into his pocket. Moving to look around a little, one arm crosses his chest, holding the other above the elbow. he lifts that one up to tap his chin. "Do you know what the last appraisal was on this place?" Then he moves to the offered seat. Looking to the woman that spoke and the younger one, presumably family. Seems he gets to some point, but it doesn't seem to involve the best slice of pie or some cupcakes.

It doesn't take Babette long to ascertain what this man is about. The Guidry family, in Calaveras coming up on a year now, are still feeling out who is who and what is what, especially re: the key families. But one can just tell by looking at this little old firecracker that the hotshit car and the nonchalant behavior doesn't put her off. Her rouged lips twitch once as Austin turns the term 'sugar' over in his brisk way. Dark eyes watch the phone being pocketed. Babette doesn't know who this man is.

But Madeline, who knows Alyster and understands — to a degree — his gripes with his family… she keys in quickly. Slender hands are smoothed along her white pants, and she still looks radiant and fresh in a fitted white chef's coat with her hair pulled back into a chignon beneath a hairnet. She moves to join her grandmother as Austin asks a very…. well, that's not a polite question.

Babette squints, "Now what sort of question is that? Never you mind, good sir. As for slumming, there is no need to be rude. We take pride in our little shop." Said with an air of politeness but beneath it, steel. Madeline comes to her side and looks upon Austin with very blue eyes.

"Is something the matter?" Madeline asks in her fluting way, hand on Babs' shoulder to keep her in check.

Fridays were typically the unpredictable days for Alyster occupying his table. Today? He doesn't seem to be here. Having spent the earlier part of the morning getting some errands run. However, a bit of good news led him back to the bakery now and hopefully in time to still get a scone! Little did he know what bad news was already waiting there. As he opens the door, he realizes it's later in the day so typically less people and that's what makes him feel comfortable calling out. "Babette! Madeline you won't believe the good news!"

Footfall and words stop as he sees his brother. Alyster himself walked to the bakery. Wearing jeans, sneakers and a zip up hooded sweater. He looks so completely opposite from his older brother down to his kind eyes and brown hair. "Austin." Not a question. Because well obviously it's him. "Hey." Still, his presence didn't have to automatically mean trouble. Ever the gentler of the Braxtons. Alyster tries to give the benefit of the doubt. "The white chocolate raspberry scones are fantastic."

There is a hint of smile, like amusement at some inside joke, which fades faster than it came on across Austin's face. "Little shop," he returns, some key to where his amusement arouse even. "Yes, I'm sure its quite the pride of," a pause, another tap of his chin, "Mississippi or Arkansas." He may be saying the wrong place on purpose, just based accent. Seeing that Cajun is pretty specific and hard to mistake. "You've done well," like him ceding that idea is a bonus of some sort. A glance to Madeline who asked if there was some matter at hand. "Not really, I'm just curious what this unit was appraised at last. If it was last year, then I can account for some inflation." His eyes turn back to the elder woman, "I wouldn't want to be offensive when I make my fair offer."

His voice slows as someone comes in and he turns from where he sits near the ladies. Returning to the other, "Brother," he says with great familiarity and friendship, in some culture somewhere in the world. "Its true then." That his brother is hanging out here instead of places like the Country Club or other places lawyers typically go (or are assumed to go). "You'd recommend the scones?" As if that's conversation, despite what he was just saying to the Guidry family that is present.

<FS3> Madeline rolls Presence: Great Success. (8 7 8 7)

The younger baker can feel tension in her Grandmother's fine bones, and Maddie knows what this means. Two pinches of color arise in powder-fair cheeks… Arkansas!? Babette takes a breath and the smile on her face is pinched, but still there. "We had our start in Baton Rouge." Babs says with that same ringing sort of pleasantry-warring-with-'Are You Effin' Kidding Me' … gotta hand it to her. Maddie recognizes the signs, indeed, and she smoothes her Nana's flouncy blouse… piping up to speak to her in.. French? Sounds like it… Louisiana French, bourne of Acadian ancestors. Babette reddens, touches her granddaughter's hand, and ambles away to visit with her patrons.

When Madeline takes over, this is when Alyster arrives and looks rattled. Just as well Madeline summon forth her calmness and stand at her full, prim height (only 5'5", but still.)

"Hello Alyster, we've fresh scones today in fact. We knew you were coming." Said kindly, before she turns to Austin and offers him a beaming smile. "And offer? What makes you reckon that we intending to sell, Mr. Braxton?" Madeline asks smoothly and politely, "I would love to hear your thoughts on everything. May I interest you in one of those scones and a coffee?" Calm and collected as one could hope. She could be a problem.

Well yes he'd recommend the scones, Austin. That's what he just said! Granted the youngest Braxton has learned the hierarchy well. Not daring to speak such words to his brother. "Yes. They're very good. Though everything here is fantastic honestly." He'd know! He's here every day! Then, there is a New Orleans equivalent of 'bless your heart' to Babette's tone and Alyster lofts a brow. Watching the woman respond to her brother. Before watching Madeline and her talking in French. Then, the older woman leaves.

That's when Madeline talks about…selling the bakery? Right, maybe he should have just assumed the worse. At least the disappointment wouldn't be so obvious on his face. Frowning, he looks to Austin. "Please…don't do this. Not here." There is a small frown to his features. A softness to his voice as if he thinks he can honestly reason with him.

With a smarmy sort of way, he leans his hand folded onto the counter, such that he leans slightly over and on one elbow. The hand underneath the fold angles up to point at the counter as if demanding. "Yes, let's try a scone and some coffee, please." Full of manners this one. A look and grin to his brother, his best brother in the world practically. Does that read to Alyster as 'you know me,' with his own brand of confidence. Then his eyes focus more on the younger Guidry. The arrogance probably suggest he may have even known it was Baton Rouge before she informed him. Or he is just that indifferent. But he's not trying to fluster the woman so much, just happenstance she's the one present as he begins this gambit of his.

"So, the thing is," he pauses as if searching the word, borrowing from the lexicology used by the grandmother, "Sugar, its not about your families intention so much as my sudden interest in developments along Main Street here." If he has interests in real estate here, this could be among the first news of this intention. This seems more a Hawthorne interest, the quaint Colorado town for tourism, so close to the historic Winchester hotel downtown. He turns a softer face to his brother, "Not now at least?" He questions. "This place has really built up over the last year." Thanks to the Guidry family and the bakery doing well. "I can float an offer," as if undecided himself, "Or look at other avenues." Eyes to go to Alyster, "I can see they're not interested in selling. Probably want to check that all the papers are up to code with the city. And keep an eye towards taxes, no telling what may be on the agenda as far as tourism taxes and restaurant sells are this year." Like he'd push those he knows to increase those on purpose to try and put a little squeeze on things in the net revenues of smaller businesses.

Cornflower blues flit to Alys as he appears to get anxious, and if Alyster looks her way.. he will continue to see that look of radiant calm on Madeline Guidry's features. She almost wishes she could emote to him that everything will be okay. Just as well it's Maddie taking over, because fiery Babette was ready to tell this man to go fly to his fuck. NOT good for business, but one acquires a certain…. armor.. when they reach this age.

As Alyster and Austin talk, Madeline moves to collect the still-warm scone and the hot, potent coffee from the respective stations. With a flourish these and all of the fixings (cream, sugar, butter, cutlery.. etc) are set down quite gracefully in front of the elder Braxton. Meanwhile, standing in the door with his apron turned-down halfway, swabbing his hands with a rag, is a lanky 20-somthing young man who tries to catch Maddie's eye… he does. Madeline gives a little shake of her head to Jude Guidry.

Maddie gets Austin set-to-rights with fare just in time to hear out his following words. She stands there, hands folded politely at her waist, head tilted demurely. There's just something so… old-timey.. about her. "We've all of our affairs in order, Mr. Braxton. Taxes, deeds, paperwork.. the whole song and dance. We've worked hard to get things set up here, and we've acquired ourselves a fine base of customer loyalty. This entire storefront has been refurbished." Madeline smiles gently, but her eyes seek Austin's. "We are doing rather well."

Anyone who has lived here, pre-bakery, will remember that this particular building was once a bit 'tired'… even it's previous 'life' is hard to recall. It's been transformed.

Alyster looks between Madeline and Austin as everything is said. She is sticking up for herself fine. Not the type to White Knight, AJ stays out of it for the moment. However, he does walk over to sit in the seat next to his brother's. Looking to him. The youngest Braxton's form is tense, something about growing up not only the bottom of the sibling food chain but also without the same ferocity as his family. It's led to this demeanor whenever he hears tones start to take on a certain meaning. Maybe it was self preservation. Or it could just be he was good at reading people. Either way he looks away from Austin and over to Madeline now, "Before I forget…the good news I had mentioned. The stray kitten I found in the alley got adopted today. The shelter phoned to tell me. I knew you'd want to know. May I please have my usual?"

Still that lean on, slightly over, the counter, his top hand in the fold takes the cup of coffee. Just the way it is, a blow at it. "I do take notice," he says looking at her, maybe about the raise in value, or something else. He takes a sip, "Damn, this is a good cup of Joe." He looks down at it, then holds it up to Alyster as if to ask if his brother has tried it. Reality is he has if he's hanging out here, so he doesn't ask and puts it down to tear off a piece of the scone then, sitting back up more as he does that. "You have brand loyalty, they'll go wherever you go. I'm sure your family will do just fine in another location." Though, its a good location, that has gotten much better with the attention to this store front property on Main.

Taking a bite, he mmm's a little much. Nodding his head to Alyster, agreeing, good scone. He puts that down too. One finger lifts from his fist, he taps his lips and nose tip, as if chewing thinking and keeping his thought in place as he does so. It remains, he sprinkles his hands over the plate letting the crumbs fall like dirty garage grit from his hand. Showing he's over it all. One drink, one bite. Ready to say something else to Madeline, he pauses, and sort of chortles. A very quick and brief escape, he looks to Alyster. "Good charitable work for a lawyer of your caliber." Between the lines, its a 'you can pay the charitable non-profit to do that work for you if you want to feel good about yourself.' Without actually saying that, cause he's in a good mood maybe. "I can see your family needs time to consider what an equitable offer would be. If I don't hear back, I'll send a generous offer. It'll be my best one, and it will decline quickly." Into some other tactics most likely. He reaches for his wallet to dig out a hundred to leave on the counter as he stands. Probably ready to turn and leave.

"The kitten? Oh, I'm glad." Madeline smiles in earnest to Alyster, her tone like warm sunlight through the panes of a window. This sort of behavior is not exclusive to Madeline: all of them here, they're all like that. Warm, attentive. "I knew you were coming, I have everything ready for you—" But before she is ready to turn, she notices Austin's behavior with the fare. Madeline, who was raised to never waste food… feels a twist in her guts at the sight of this.. man… dismissing what Jude made.

Babette, meanwhile, has heard enough. The older women whom she regales have also been watching the exchange with the Braxtons and they look perplexed, maybe a bit anxious. That's all the old girl needs, especially when her hearing — still pretty good for one her age — picks up on… oh hell naw.

As Austin haughtily produces the bill at the tail end of his words, the tiny Southern woman is back in the circle… her button black eyes seem to smoulder, "We are not going anywhere." Babette says firmly to Austin, red lips pinched angrily. "Every Main street needs a place where some can feel at home.. and comfortable… and cared for. Now I'm not going to move or look into something better. This right here is perfect, you hear me? You go sniffing elsewhere with your deals." Babette grates out firmly, Madeline takes her arm softly. "Nana. Mind your nerves." She whispers. Babs glares at Austin, slides his money back to him. "That is on the house." Indicating the food.

Jude Guidry is back out and leaning on the counter beside the cash register, as lean and wary as a cougar as he guzzles down a bottle of water, his own blue eyes locked upon Austin.

It took a lot to get Alyster to the point of anger, but insulting his friends was a good way to achieve that. However, while he was quicker to give a witty response to Annaliesa, Austin was a different matter. It took a different type of approach and AJ speaks now in a firm tone, "Austin please." It wasn't commanding. Yet it wasn't timid either. Making it a request that kept the decision power in his brother's hands, but still made his own obvious stance clear. Enough was enough. He was antagonizing good people.

His own arms folded on the counter, Alyster presses them down against the surface to release some of his anxiousness. With his brother standing and not only leaving the food, but also leaving that bill there. He almost seems ready to stand now. However, Babette is soon making her way over and telling Austin exactly what she thinks. AJ's gaze holds shock for a moment before there is a grin there. When she makes the comment about the oldest Braxton's food being on the house, he lowers his gaze to the countertop now to keep from laughing out right.

The curt nod of his head, understanding on the offer. "A little southern hospitality, I like that," he'll pick up the hundred even. It doesn't go back to his wallet, he points around with one finger, "This was the nice approach." A look to Babette as he still holds the money. "Main street does need its caretakers." As if their standards of caring for mainstreet might differ, but he seems to be backing away for the moment. His intentions made clear at least. He turns that hundred towards Alyster, "This is the minimum you should charge for an hour of service, I think that's what the tax lawyers charge the ranches come this time of year." S-Corp, sole proprietorships and LLCs tax season with deadlines in mid September and some in October, but Ranches tended to go towards S-Corp if they could (to help on the home front). "Half what you'd get in a proper junior partnership and a third if you started your own firm." Though probably not tons of the 300+ an hour lawyers in this neck of the woods, some certainly. "Fair enough, it was good food." Is, he's using past tense a little. "Thank you." He'll move to turn and get out of their hair. The hundred is never put back in his pocket, maybe he'll toss it outside or leave it in a trash receptacle, recycling and all that. He's turning and moving for the door just the same, a slight wave over his shoulder, his back given to the group. Its hard to tell if he's upset or just being Austin and is always in this mood.

Madeline, meanwhile, feels secure in how steadfast the family is with their 'baby'; this place means a lot to all of them. If anything rattles Maddie, it's seeing Alyster's trouble. His pleasing of this older brother to relent. Madeline can't help it; she feels a tiny rash of gooseflesh up along her arms. She will get down on her knees tonight and thank the Powers That Be for her family that she loves dearly and is loved by. Blue eyes flit in the direction of the gawking Jude as he wrings a dish towel… she can't ever imagine speaking to her brother like that, or have him behave like Austin.

"You bet your Goddamn bippy this street needs people who care." Babette grates out, but pauses to tap out a sign of the cross immediately after. Quick apology to Up There but it was called for! She tilts her head at Austin's 'gratitude', "Have yourself a fine night now, Mister Braxton." Babette drawls, grumbling softly to herself in French. This is when Jude finally comes forth to collect her, see about sitting her down with tea. "C'mon now slugger, let's take a breath. He ain't gonna do a thing, and that's the truth." He murmurs soothingly to her.

This leaves Madeline standing with Alyster, watching Austin leave. When the wealthy man's back is to them, this is when Maddie's pretty face falls into a scowl. To Alys, "I am sorry you had to see that."

With the warning given 'this was the nice approach', Alyster keeps his gaze away from his brother. Just because he didn't know if it'd be a frown of sadness or a glare of actual anger that he'd send Austin's way, but neither of which would help. When the hundred is turned his way and the advice about lawyer fees is given, he stays silent too. Whether feeling that not responding would be more insulting to his brother or hoping it would just end the exchange faster, who knows. He may get paid in cupcakes and grilled burgers, but that exchange made him happier than any monetary one ever could

With the departure of Austin then, there would be a frustrated exhales as Alyster's form relaxes fully now into an almost slump. His eyes stay on the counter for a decent moment before he looks to Madeline. Frowning and shaking his head, "Please don't, Maddy. I'm the one who should be apologizing. Besides…I'm used to him." He felt to blame. Maybe it was paranoia or maybe there was some truth, but AJ had to wonder if Austin's sudden interest in Babette's had to do with his own time spent here. With how his family kept tabs on him it was entirely possible. "Forget my usual. I will finish his order so it doesn't go to waste."

He leaves in peace, gets in the Urus, drives away to harass someone else most likely. He does drive north, maybe to the clubhouse at the Northshore links, see who's lingering at the country club. Austin get's out of everyone's hair here at least.

As Jude works to calm Babette down, Madeline smiles gently to Alyster.. the scowl is short-lived. "He's a headstrong one… I can't imagine what it must have been like to grow up with him. It will all be okay, Alys.. really." As far as Madeline hopes. She wishes her father could have been here, this afternoon… not because she feels incapable, but the man is far more formidable than a 24-year-old young woman and a Southern belle elderly woman. This exchange will reach Bentley Guidry before the night is out.

"You may have his order free-of-charge, only if you want to… but it's really alright, Alys. We compost everything…" Maddie pauses, sees in Alyster's expression this resolute need to make up for what his brother did and said. Unnecessary but…. she will not argue.

"Nana created some beautiful lemon syllabub… you can be my taste tester. Are you ok with lots of dairy and booze?" Madeline gives Alys a gentle touch to his shoulder, "No payment needed. You trying to stand up to him was payment enough… and it's an experiment, anyway. I don't quite know, yet, how popular syllabub will be here, in Calaveras." There's that radiant smile again.

"Sit tight, and you can hang out as we close up and tell me about the kitten." Says the slender brunette, before making her way over to the counter. She has bills to settle, people to soothe… and comfort food to dish out.

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