A/N: I recently have developed a liking…okay, an obsession…for the pairing, Sync x Anise. Don’t ask me why, I just don’t really like that girl paired up with Ion. We need more SynAni fics around here!!

.::Food Fight::.

Act One

Daath was considered the holy city of Auldrant. It was the main base of the Order of Lorelei, and throughout the continent of Padamiya were located several stone markers, visited by many on a pilgrimage. Despite its size and popularity among the masses, Daath was still a quiet place, and it did not have the facilities of some of the other cities of its stature.

It lacked entertainment.

Well, that’s what Anise thought about it. It was her opinion, and she was irritated that the other members of the Order didn’t think so. They all seemed to be content with the mundane life that was thrown at them in between missions.

That’s why, when a new rumor spread, the puppeteer was a little more than overjoyed to hear about it.

They were saying that a new restaurant would be opening very soon. It would be just like the ones in both Baticul and Grand Chokmah. It would have the same ‘feel’ as them, similar choices of food, and would be what many called “five-star”.

Anise was incredibly excited for this new attraction to come about. Being herself, she was thrilled to finally be able to eat and be treated like one of the aristocrats out there. Or at least, like one of the members of the richer crowd. She was certain that restaurants like that were only available to the rich, and she vowed that she’d be one of the first to try it out.

A month later, as prophesized, a new café opened its doors to the citizens of Daath. It was as if someone had made an enormous hole in the wall of the rather cheap Inn, and renovated it to have fine glass doors and windows.

For the first few days after its grand opening, the café, christened Cinnamon, was always packed with people from morning to night, so much so that the Fon Master Guardian wasn’t able to keep the promise she’d made to herself.

Watching over Ion took up most of her schedule, and she was desperate to be given some time off. Perhaps Ion would even be so kind as to accompany her!

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“Anise.” The young Fon Master muttered as he looked up from a small stack of papers piled up on his desk. “There is something I’d like to tell you.”

“What is it?” Anise responded, cheerful as ever. She was standing by his door, cradling Tokunaga in her arms.

Ion gave a faint smile. “I have a meeting with the Maestros this afternoon at two o’clock.”

Her expression not changing in the least, Anise lifted an eyebrow. She was curious as to where he was going with his statement. “Okay…?”

“Having said that, I think the meeting will last for approximately two or three hours. Would it be to your liking if I gave you some time to do what you’d like?”

Instantly, Anise’s face lit up as she ran over to Ion’s location, stopping right beside him. “I-is this what I think it is!? Ion…are you giving me some time off!?” she squealed, already knowing of his answer.

“Yes, that’s correct.” replied the green-haired boy. He glanced at the clock suspended on the wall, reading that it was 1:45 PM. “I’ll even give you a head-start. I’m sure you want to go to that new restaurant.”

Squealing in delight even louder, the puppeteer said, “How did you know about that? I didn’t tell you about it.”

Ion chuckled, neatly placing the papers into his desk drawer, after which he proceeded to stand. “It’d only be natural of you to want to go. You’re interested in things like that, aren’t you?”

“Oh Ion, thank you!” Anise cooed, taking her cue to leave his room. The two of them walked to the round glyph, and used it to teleport to the ground floor below. Ion parted ways with his friend at the main hall of the cathedral, turning in the opposite direction she was headed and into the Chapel in the back.

“Alright! Time to go check it out!” Anise cheered, jumping and running out of the heavy steel doors of the church.

----//o//----

Cinnamon Café was something the brunette had only seen in the large cities of Kimlasca and Malkuth.

The moment she laid eyes on its chocolate brown sign with its golden lining and its name painted in thin, twisting letters, she had a feeling that she would be visiting this increasingly popular hangout more than once. The door was made of glass fitted with a gold handle, and the clear window panes showed all that passed the glamour of the shop.

“In a place like Daath, something like this seems out of place.” Anise mused to herself as she stood gazing at the building’s façade. “Oh well! It’s not as if I’m complaining about it!”

With an audible giggle, the girl pulled on the handle, grinning even wider as she felt the cold steel. She entered, and immediately, delicious smells wafted through the air. It was sweet, with a faint touch of the nutty scent of a mocha frappe being brewed, the cakes and pastries on display at the counter, the sharp smell of coffee, and a whole other array of food and beverages to be consumed.

Framed posters hung from the pale yellow walls, and there were many sets of round tables and chairs situated about the chamber. It was no surprise to Anise that practically the whole café was filled to the brim and the waiters and waitresses looked as if they’d fall down and die of exhaustion at any second. Still, they kept a genuine smile on their faces, and it was great that they could muster the energy to do that.

Anise discovered a vacant table off to the rear. It was the only one left, and she assumed that it must’ve been destiny. She sat down, and excitedly picked up the menu lying right in front of her. The choices were not so different from those available at the restaurant down the street, but from the pictures, Cinnamon Café looked like it would surpass that cheap establishment by a long shot.

“Excuse me!” the puppeteer called to a waitress who passed by her table. “I’d like a chocolate cake, please.”

Something in her words caused the waitress to chortle. “W-will that be a slice, or a whole, miss?” she questioned, fighting the urge to cover her mouth.

Anise narrowed her eyes at the sudden humiliation. Giving a fake chuckle, she uttered, “Of course, I want a slice! Why the hell would I want a whole cake!?”

“I-I see. Please wait a few minutes for your order.” the woman answered timidly, and walked away through the crowd.

“Weirdo.” Anise grunted. She took to staring at the scenery outside. A bit dull with all its gray-colored glory, but it was home nonetheless.

Suddenly, a familiar voice from behind startled her. She had ‘zoned out’ long enough not to notice anyone who approached. “What a coincidence seeing you here, Anise.” the irritating voice declared.

It was female, and the said female had long, pink hair and was clad in the black uniform of the Oracle Knights. Anise cringed when her suspicions about their identity were confirmed.

“Same to you, Gloomietta.” the brunette replied with venom in her voice. “So…why would you even be talking to me? Hmmm?”

“It’s not like I want to!” Arietta retorted, clutching her doll tightly. “We just couldn’t find anywhere else to sit…”

“Did you say ‘we’?” the other girl muttered.

“Exactly.”

Arietta turned back, and only then did Anise see the other member of the God-Generals. Sync the Tempest stood quietly, not saying a word. His arms were folded across his chest, and he regarded the two bickering females with a smirk.

“Pardon us. Like you, we don’t get many breaks either.” he said mockingly. “Since every other table is full, we’ll just go ahead and occupy the rest of the chairs of this table.”

“W-wha…?” the brunette stammered as the two Oracle Knights proceeded to sit opposite her. “Who said you could do that without my permission!?”

Unfortunately, her question was ignored. Arietta and Sync eventually placed their orders, both suddenly reminding Anise of a couple. She blushed slightly at the thought. “Are you going to answer my question or not?”

Sync sighed. “You needn’t mind us. We just wanted to try out this café, and were pretty desperate to find seats.”

“How can I ignore you two if you’re just sitting there!?”

“I don’t know. You’ll find a way…probably.”

“Grrr!!”

Anise huffed, leaning back in her chair at her loss of the argument. She silently eyed the other two, noting that not a word was exchanged between them. They didn’t talk to each other, but seemed lost in their own thoughts. She felt rather uncomfortable at the awkward silence, and finally attempted to break it.

“So…uh…why are you guys so tense?” she inquired.

“I’m not tense. I’m far from it.” Arietta growled, glaring at her rival.

“Oh?” the other girl whispered, seeing as to how nervous Arietta was. “What about you, Sync?”

The boy waved his right hand passively. “I’m just tired from my recently-concluded mission.”

While Sync’s answer was plausible, Arietta’s was not. The way she avoided eye contact, how her face was red, and how she had replied was a complete give-away to how she truly felt. But no one was particularly interested in getting the girl to confess. After all, why would Anise be concerned about her problems in the first place?

Once again, the awkward silence prevailed.

That is, until the waitress came back carrying skillfully in her hands three ceramic plates, which she laid out in front of the trio. “I’ll return with your beverages shortly.” She added and turned towards the counter again.

Apparently, Arietta had ordered a plate of penne pasta while Sync had chosen a sandwich of sorts. It was stuffed with lettuce, ham, tomatoes and a white sauce that looked to be mayonnaise, nonetheless. The two had yet to feast on lunch, and this was it.

Ion’s current guardian hungrily picked up the steel fork to her left whilst staring at the heavenly slice of cake. She quickly realized the lack of refinement in her actions (not that she had much of it) and with a small giggle put it back down. She wanted to marry into money, didn’t she? It was time she learned some proper manners!

Cinnamon Café’s cake was absolutely scrumptious. It was no wonder people said that it was like the other elite restaurants across the world. The cake was cold and moist; chocolate syrup oozed out of its middle, and the plate was decorated with thin lines of caramel. Anise cooed silently when she tasted the sweetness of the dish. She put a hand to her cheek, and sighed in contentment.

What she failed to notice though, was the other two sitting across from her were still there, and were currently staring in disbelief at her…eccentric actions.

“Are you still sane there, Anise?” Sync questioned. “Looks to me like you’ve lost it.”

The waitress returned with their drinks, and set them onto the table as well.

“Boooo! I haven’t gone crazy!” Anise cried in defense. Suddenly, her tanned face twisted into a grin -- a scheming one. “At least…not as psychotic as you are.”

The male God-General fell into a state of silence. Then he said, “I’m definitely far from that.”

“Aww! Don’t deny it Sync! You know that deep down, you’re just crazy…like ME!”

Sync choked on what he was drinking, and slammed the glass down on the poor table. “Say that again, little girl!”

“I am not little!” Anise insisted angrily, responding with the driving of her fork downwards into Arietta’s arm, which had unfortunately been resting on the table. Don’t worry; it was blunt, and Anise had not done that intentionally.

“OW!” the other girl wailed, retracting her skewered limb in pain. She was suddenly very, very angry. Her hate towards the puppeteer as well as her resentment for the brunette being Ion’s current guard surged forth from the depths of her heart. She had tried to suppress them for so long, but right now…she just couldn’t.

Cradling her sore arm, she sneered, “How dare you do that to me! …You will pay!!”

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Muhahaha! Food fights…aren’t they wonderful? Though I’ve never actually been involved in one…

Anyway, there’s another chapter (which is the conclusion) coming right up your alley!

Kannono