There's a strange man grabbing your attention

Thankfully Kai was right about the business men. While quite a few of them undress you with their eyes, most are simply too tired to get up to their usual antics. You do your best to keep up your customer service face, always with a smile and a kind word. Keeping their glasses full and their food warm gets you quite a few tips.

Some of the men are still a bit rowdy though. One feels up your leg as you take his order, the one across from him cops a feel. You do your best to ignore it. That is allowed.

Then one of them gets the bright idea to pull a tail.

It's one of the rules that your boss strictly enforces, no matter how wealthy or influential. A kitsune's tails are their most prized possessions, a measure of their power and knowledge. There are legends that tell of a hundred year curse for pulling a kitsune tail. While you can't confirm the hundred year part, you have seen a long stretch of bad luck befall the families that pulled them in foster care. That, combined with your previous trauma, is what leads the idiot to almost lose his hand.

Your teeth nearly take the appendage clear off. The only thing that saves him is the patron at the table next to him. He grabbed the idiot and pulled him backwards. It's a shame, really. You don't get the chance to maim pervs like him enough.

"Out." you hiss, tails whipping around you. The man makes to argue, but his friend quickly quiets him. He whispers something to him in what you think is French and then turns to you.

"I'm so sorry, Mr. Fox." he says. You recognize him, he typically shows up every few months. He's been handsy before, but always tips well. "He's new, doesn't know the rules yet."

You eye him coldly. You can't do or say what you really want to, so you do the only thing you can. Call for the boss.

The hope that you would let it slide fades from the mens' eyes. Your boss comes from around the corner, clearly upset at being called upon. "What is it this time?" he asks, looking from you to the man on the floor.

"The younger one pulled a tail." you explain, glancing around the room. The rest of the men don't argue your story. Right now, they're more worried about saving their own skins.

He huffs and motions for the two of them to follow. They do so, the idiot making sure to keep some space between the two of you. Good. He does have some sense of self-preservation. He is a bit screwed though. You can't help put smile as he trips on his feet. And there is the bad luck, right on time.

"Are you alright kitsune?"

The voice catches you off guard. You turn to the man who spared the idiot the loss of his hand. There isn't much to see of him, as he's heavily bundled in a coat, hat, and scarf, but his eyes... They're as red as rubies. There is an air about him, something that makes you want to simultaneously get as far away from him as possible and press yourself as close to his body as you can. You lower your tails, feeling the section relax at the sight.

"I'm alright sir." you say, trying your best to plaster that smile on again, "So sorry for the interruption. Is there anything I can do to make it up to you?"

"No need darling." he says before taking a sip of his coffee, "Keep up the good service and we'll be even."

You nod gratefully and focus on getting through the rest of your shift. Yet you keep getting drawn back to the stranger. You have never see him around before. There's nothing special about him at first glance besides the eyes. He's covered head to toe, like he doesn't want anyone to see him. You've seen the type before. The ones who want to experience what you have to offer, but terrified of being recognized.

Yet, he's nothing like those men. You can practically taste the anxiety pouring off them. Their eyes dart around the room, as if expecting to see an angry husband or a disgusted boss. This man is as cool as the winter air. He gives off no scent, no sign of any negative emotion. All he does is sit at his table, sipping coffee and watch the room. Wait. Not the room. He's watching you.

The two of you watch each other as customers come and go. You feel on edge. Something about this stranger is calling you to him. What is it? You know certain supernaturals have alluring properties. Vampires, sirens, incubi, and kitsunes have the ability, though some other races have spells that produce similar effects. This stranger... What could he be?

Eventually he leaves and you find yourself wanting to chase after him. Sadly, he had done so while you had been stuck in the kitchens. You sigh, a bit miffed by the unsolved mystery. After serving another table, you go to clean his.

He left it in good condition. His plates are stacked neatly, silverware is sitting in his coffee cup. Underneath the cup you spy a tip and a piece of paper. It immediately grabs your interest. You pocket the cash and open the paper. Inside is a simple note.

'Will wait for you outside after close. Mention this to no one. Be ready.'