<i>It was a slow morning in Yongen Jaya. It's a beautiful day outside. Birds are singing, flowers are blooming. On days like these, many citizens would pass by a quaint looking shop and stop in for a fresh cup of joe. However, today was very different. The door seemed barred from the inside and to accentuate the the lack of life there were several tumbleweeds caught up in front of the store. Several passersby noticed the oddity of the usual place being so clearly out of commission, and with heavy hearts they marched on without coffee in hand.</i> This simply will not stand! I must do something! <i>From the shadows came the voice of a well spoken man. He had a dream in his head and a song in his heart when he took the first step into the light. A grin began forming on his face as he wheeled his clunky looking bike in front of the closed down shop. It only took a matter of seconds for the man to convert his clunky looking ride into a rather impressive stall. A large sign was hung on the front of the stall and it read, &quot;The Wandering Barista&quot;.</i> Not as flashy as a proper transformation, but it has a certain charm nevertheless. <i>The man flips his ponytail back and poses as if holding a hand out to an invisible dance partner.</i> Let's get brewing shall we?

<i>The National Diet Building. The epicenter of the political world for this nation, and the site of a slightly disheveled man riding his clunky excuse for a bike.</i> Haaah....haaaah....whew.... <i>The man just barely manages to make it to a tree before collapsing. His bike discarded and leaned against the tree, he simply sat on the ground and looked up at the last light of the day beginning to fade. The lights of the Diet Building began to turn on and illuminate the area with a soft yellow glow. People walked past and paid little to no attention to the man gasping for air as they went about their business. He calmly brings up his apron and wipes the sweat from his face as he slowly catches his breath. The redness in his face slowly fading into a soft pink. He'd clearly been exerting himself to a large degree.</i> And that... should be that... That was my best time yet! Haha...whew...

<i>Inokashira Park. The always stoic image of calmness. A soft breeze dances through the trees as their branches sway in harmony. Casting your gaze towards the main path in the tranquil park would reveal a young man parking a rather clunky bike. Watching him, you can see that he is converting his bike into a makeshift stall of sorts. He places a sign in front of the stand with a smile. It reads, <b>&quot;The Wandering Barista&quot;</b>. One could assume what the purpose of his stand was for, but just to be safe he placed a menu on the counter of his stall. The usual coffee and tea fare was present on the parchment, however there weren't any food items. The man smiles happily as he waits for people to make their way through the park.</i> And now...we wait!

[The night was as calm and cool as you would expect from an evening in January. The moon hung high in the sky behind a handful of clouds. Light filters through the gaps between the gaseous forms and illuminates the scene below, Nakano Broadway.] [The large consumer paradise was only dimly lit as it was well after closing hours. The main floor houses several shops and restaurants on the sides of a very wide hallway. The ambient light would seemingly cast shadows of a human figure, but it would just disappear mere moments later.] [A soft laugh would come from within the building as a strange smoke begins to pour out of the many windows and vents. The laugh only increases as a pair of gunshots ring out briefly. Pop! Pop! Both the gunshots and the laugh stop...but only for a moment. From a window on the second floor comes two security guards at high speed! They hit the ground with a roll as a loud crunch pierces the air.] &quot;Fufufufu! Ohohoho~! More....more! Soon the knight in shining armor will appear! Kyahahaha! I can't wait any longer!&quot; [A monstrous sounding voice comes from the second floor window, albeit, the figure was obscured so it's hard to say who it was. However, back on the main floor came a bright red light even through the smoke.]

[The night was just as you'd expect on a January evening in Tokyo. The air was cool and still, people lined the streets as they finish the last of their shopping, and the moon peeked through the clouds as if it were keeping an eye on the goings on below.] [However, all was not as it seemed. A more careful eye could see a shadowy figure atop a large businesses building. From the figure's arm came a stream of thick clouds that would break off and join the others in the sky. The figure would nod at its work before pointing down towards the streets below. The clouds would follow the figure's arm and begin to descend upon the unknowing pedestrians below.] [Having little time to react to the descending smog, the pedestrians are unfortunately subjected to the vile cloud as they begin coughing and gagging as it fills their lungs. However, nothing violent happens. No blood, no gore, no death. Instead, as the pedestrians breathe out, they feel a wave of giddiness wash over them as their legs begin to wobble. It would seem that the smoke did little more than soothe the pedestrians and slow their motor functions. Those who were in vehicles were smart enough to stop driving immediately as the effect took hold.] [A villainous laugh can be heard as the figure leaps off the building and lands on the street below. The figure, now illuminated by streetlights, could be seen as a monstrous looking man with a large green leaf on his back. His arms were without human features, instead having a tobacco pipe for his right arm and a flamethrower for his left. His cloud remains in the area as he begins stalking towards a jewellery store.]

<i>The wandering barista finds himself back in Roppongi Hills. The gentle winds carrying white powder from the large Christmas tree and allowing it to dance through the night air. The man stands before the very same tree in his usual attire, unflinching in the embrace of the cold winter night. His bike was parked by a bench some fifteen feet away from him.</i> A few more days, huh? Surely it will be another lonely Christmas. Even with friends, it just... <i>The man sighs as he looks up at the lights with a bittersweet smile.</i> So long as people are safe it matters not. How could I be so greedy? What I do is not important, making sure others are safe, that is my job. <i>The man finishes speaking to himself and stands in silence.</i>

<i>Ryoma sits alone on a park bench in Yongen-Jaya. Nothing but the clear skies and a full moon to keep him company. This was a rare occurrence for him, not having his stall ready and waiting in the wings. His bike is leaned against the back of the bench. He lets out a soft sigh as he holds a solid white K-Cup in his hands.</i> Haaaa... I need to come up with a new blend soon, but I just can't seem to come up with a theme. <i>Another sigh escapes his lips as he looks up into the sky. Several glistening dots are woven into the beautiful blanket of darkness. He smiles softly at them as they glimmer.</i> I wonder. Are these the same stars I once gazed upon in my world? In my time? <i>Tears seem to well up in his eyes before he promptly wipes them away.</i> Haha! I'm getting too soft it seems!

<i>A light flurry begins to blow through the night sky and starts to coat the several trees lining the sidewalk. These trees were already caught up in festive cheer as the lights twinkle to life. A blue and white medley for the eyes to behold. However, this sight is only an appetizer as the wandering barista makes his way up to Plaza 66. The man grins with excitement as he sees his goal before him.</i> I've heard tell of this but seeing it in person. It is beautiful! <i>He begins to tear up as he slows down and pulls off to the side of the plaza. The target of his fascination comes in the form of the ten meter tall Christmas tree adorned with beautiful amber lights. A wave of bliss would wash over those who see the tree.</i> I never got to see this before. Ah! Well no time to mope around! Let's get brewing shall we? <i>He does a quick pose before laughing and moving to open his stall. The small flecks of snow continue to dance in the night sky.</i>

It's that time of year again! The leaves are gone, the ground is covered in snow, and the air is absolutely frigid! I'm curious what everyone likes to drink during the colder seasons. Be it simple or seasonal, what do you all prefer? I, myself, do enjoy a nice cup of peppermint hot chocolate! I have a bit of a sweet tooth around Christmas. But overall, I enjoy a nice hot cup of tea. Which kind? I can't choose!

<i>The wandering barista can be seen pedaling down the bustling streets of Akihabara as the sun begins to set. He pulls over to the side of the busy streets and parks his bike next to a vending machine.</i> This place is something else... <i>He looks around in a daze of sorts. Coming from the past and seeing all the technological advances all at once would be enough to give anyone a start. However the man just shakes it off and begins to convert his bike into the cafe stall.</i> I cannot fathom as to why all those men were walking around with pillows. Perhaps they are going to a sleepover! No. They seem a touch to old for that. <i>The man laughs innocently before returning to set up.</i>