Jace sits on the couch for a bit, playing some video games to clear his head for a moment. What an odd start to the day! I woke up single, broke, and had the shadow of getting fired hanging over my head. Now I have a girlfriend, I was able to give my ex-boss a face slap, and I have the start of a business opportunity.
Patchwork: "Congratulations!" Singing "You're a big kid now!"
Jace: "You're such a pain"
Patchwork: "Aww, I love you too, host! Although video games aren't going to help you much. There is much for you to fix in this world. Don't forget you still have another quest.
Jace: "About that. I want to make sure I'm clear on the rules. If I repair something on my own, I'm able to but I don't get points. However, of I repair something with a directive, I get points for completing the directive, right?"
Patchwork: "That's right, he can be taught! I didn't even need to use pictures this time! Good boy!"
Jace rolls his eyes. "I get the picture. And the reference. What about things that are already working? Take a wire off and put it back on?"
Patchwork: "Even taking out a screw counts. Putting the screw back in counts for a repair to allow me to do my thing."
Jace: "Ok, that part makes sense. The other part that was confusing to me. Why were you so insistent to get Riley and I together?"
Patchwork: "You don't fully understand yet what a blessing and a curse I am to you. The things you will be doing in the near future will make you famous and infamous. You will be having customers lined up at your door wanting you to repair their items. You will have governments trying to gain your services. At the same time, you will also have many forces in the shadows trying to stop you. This is a lot of pressure for any man to handle. Never underestimate the power and strength of a good woman at your side.
I scanned Riley before setting things up with her. She already liked you, which made my job that much easier. In her heart, she is fiercely loyal. She is the one that is willing to stand by your side to the end. You can set the world on fire, and not only will she help, she'll ask where you want it lit. My mission is too important to risk you cracking under the pressure. Enjoy my gift to you. Things are going to get real before you know it. Enjoy some down time and play some games now, tomorrow we're striking the match.
Riley gets back into her apartment and quickly shuts the door behind her. I can't believe he kissed me so suddenly like that! I loved it, but I was so shocked I couldn't fully enjoy it. She grabs some clothes before drawing a bath, dropping in a bath bomb. She slides down into the tub, enjoying the warm water as she reflects. I've liked him for so long. Who knew being playfully forward like that, just adding my number to his phone, would be so effective. Just wow! Plus, I've never had anyone trust me like that. I can tell he was being serious, too! Who knew systems were a real thing. It's amazing, but so scary at the same time. I think if nothing else, I can watch his back. He's right, if this gets out, he could be in real danger. I definitely need to watch out for him. Riley sighs and then relaxes into the water.
-The next day-
Jace woke up to a nudge from Patchwork.
Jace: "Patchwork why did you wake me up so early?"
Patchwork: Host, I told you this morning we were going to start things off. It's time we light the match and turn this world upside down.
Jace: "Who am I to argue? You are always right anyway, right?
Patchwork: I knew you would get it eventually.
Jace pulls out his phone and sends a text to Riley. " Hey, are you up?"
Riley responds with a video call. It's obvious that she just rolled out of bed. Her eyes look sleepy and her hair is a mess. Jace answers the call.
Riley: "Hey, yeah. I just got up a little while ago. So what's up? "
Jace: "I was about to head down to the Bean and Crumble, and wanted to see if you wanted to hang out and tag along."
Riley: "Absolutely! I'll be there with bells on! "
Jace: "If you really want to wear bells that's fine with me, but you're pretty cute already. The bells aren't necessary ..."
Patchwork: Hey! Sarcasm is my shtick! Stay in your lane!
Riley: "You dork! It's just a figure of speech!"
Jace: laughing "Meet me downstairs when you're ready?"
Riley: "Give be 10 minutes. I'm not worried about breakfast, they had a muffin that was teasing me last time."
Jace: "Great! See you in a few!"
Riley: "See you soon!" She blows a kiss at him and hangs up the call."
Ten minutes later, they get downstairs at the same time.
Jace and Riley speak at the same time: "Fancy seeing you here!"
Jace: quickly says "Jinx! You owe me a kiss!"
Riley blushes. "Actually about that..."
Jace: panics for a moment. "It was just a joke. You don't have to if you don't want to."
Riley looks at him softly. "Actually, I was thinking about this last night. That was our first kiss, and I wasn't expecting it. Do over?"
Jace looks at her surprised, then smiles. "Of course!" He pulls her close, and they take their time giving each other a kiss. Jace pulls back and looks at Riley. "Was that better?"
Riley: grins " If I say no, does that mean I get another? Seriously though, that was much better. Maybe another later. Let's go get some coffee and food!"
They walk together to the crumb and crumble, hand in hand. As they walk in the door, Emma notices them.
Emma: "Don't you two make a cute couple!"
Jace looks at Riley and she is blushing deeply
Jace: "We just decided to yesterday, in this very coffee shop! Certainly on our favorites list!"
Emma: "You don't have to butter me up! This place is running so much better thanks to you! What would you like? Just remember, your money is no good here. Hers isn't by extension."
Jace: "I would like a latte and an apple cinnamon muffin. What about you, dear?"
Riley's blush deepens: "Actually I was thinking of the same thing, honey!" I love being able to say that!
Emma: "Aren't you two cute! I'll get those going!". She tells her barista the order and they start working on it. "So anyway, I've been talking to the owners of some of the other coffee shops in the area. They would love for you to upgrade their walk-in coolers like you did mine! I told them $500 like we talked about yesterday. They were shocked there wasn't an extra 0, and said that will pay for itself in a week at the most! I have to agree with them on that. So you still want to do it?"
Jace: "That's actually partly why we came over. It actually sounds like a pretty good deal to me too!"
Emma: "Perfect! Give me a moment to find the paper... Ah! Here it is!"
Jace takes the paper and looks it over.
Bean Me Up - Manager Zeke Mallory
Grounds for Concern - Manager Tasha Vellum
Perkatory - Manager Damien Crowley
Drip Happens - Manager Kyle "Kilo" Jensen
Brew and Bother - Manager Marla Quince
Thinking of the city, he realizes those places are all spread around the city.
Jace: "This is great Emma! Being around the city will help me build a business!"
Riley: "Are you ready for this adventure?"
Jace: "Is it bad that I'll be happy to make some money? Maybe take you out on a real date."
Riley blushed again. "While I would like that, I would be happy to have a nice meal at home sometime too. As long as we are together."
Jace: "As far as I'm concerned, you're my girl. You deserve the best around."
Emma: "You two are so adorable! Can I get a picture of you? I want to put it in the cuddle corner!"
Jace: "I don't see why not."
Riley: "Sure, I'm game!"
Emma: "Ok, squeeze in close to each other, act like you like each other!" She laughs.
Jace puts his arm around Riley, pulling her close.
Emma: "Ok, say cheese!"
Jace: "Cheese...." In the middle of saying cheese, Jace is stunned. It's right at that moment when Emma was about to take the picture that Riley surprised him by kissing him on the cheek.
Emma: "Oh my gosh, that was perfect! I'm putting this picture on the wall right in the middle, and it may never come down!"
Riley with a bright red blush: "I got you back with that one! It was my turn to surprise you with a kiss! Plus I thought it would be sweet."
Jace: "Just like you!"
Emma: "So cute!"
Directive targets located
Please visit all locations within 24 hours.
Jace: "So Emma, you need to let me know if you have anything else break down. Riley and I have a special connection to this place now. Can't have anything breaking on you!"
Emma: "I'll hold you to that!"
Jace: "Seriously, thank you for the list though. I'm going to go start meeting with them now. Shall we Riley?"
Riley: "Let's go!"