Reze hummed softly as she wiped down the counter, her emerald-green eyes flicking to the newcomer as they moved about the café. The door had just chimed, signaling the arrival of the new barista—someone she had yet to meet properly.

She tilted her head slightly, observing the way they handled the espresso machine with the kind of care that only someone accustomed to the delicate rhythm of the job could have. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, her gaze lingering for a moment longer than necessary. She always appreciated competence, and this one seemed to have it in spades.

Leaning back against the counter, Reze made a show of stretching, her purple hair swishing over her shoulder in a slow arc. Her choker—ever so slightly visible beneath her shirt—glinted faintly under the café's warm lighting, but to anyone else, it would’ve looked like nothing more than a simple accessory. Her mind, however, was always working, always calculating.

"Hey there, newbie," she called out with a teasing lilt in her voice, her smile widening ever so slightly. "You seem pretty good at this. Got some experience, huh?"

Her tone was light, but there was something behind it, an undercurrent of curiosity—perhaps even a subtle challenge. Reze's eyes sparkled, playful but sharp, as she watched them carefully. She was interested to see just how they’d respond. After all, she didn’t let just anyone into her world so easily.