This is going to be a deductive form, which is to say that everything you know about this plumerian will be shown through a story, or series thereof, and not told to you. I've been wanting to do a form like this for some time, so please sit back, relax; and enjoy!
---The keys all fell in line under his dexterous paws. Guided to the notes by the rhythm of the song, Lock found himself caught up in the music as if he were sleepwalking; a man in a trance, who's soft-noted symphony was cascading into the open air with such fluidity one might assume it the song of an experienced pianist. Lock could feel it. The piano's warmth lacing his fingertips, making them buzz with a soft familiarity that made his heart skip. The swiftness of his fluid motions was paired only by his grace, the softness and tenderness at times was able to produce notes similar to teardrops; fleeting, delicate and sorrowful, but beautiful all the same. Lock felt a thin smile trace his lips as the song was drawing to a close, that is, until he heard the voice of another cut into the perfect melody.
"Hey, Lock!" Came the friendly voice, shaking Lock from the trance his song had induced in him. The jarred green and blue plumerian glanced over at his companion, not at all surprised to see standing before him a short, lanky pink plumerian. The look on his face was expectant, but pleasant; and his bright pink eyes shone with admiration behind the frames of his glasses.
"Hello, Cupid." Lock replied courteously. It was always around this time that his odd visitor showed his face, not that Lock minded much. The cafe was usually dull around these hours either way, though that didn't stop Lock from playing his music. He'd worked there for a good portion of time now, but playing in front of an audience... Well it still made him feel self-conscious and rather anxious. To remedy this, Lock often accidentally got himself caught up in the music and not the scenery, quite easily forgetting there may be onlookers to his performance.
"What brings you here today? The usual?" As Lock talked with Cupid, he played a soft, absent-minded tune on the keys of the piano.
Cupid gave a certain nod.
"Luckily I managed to snag a break today..." The pink plume gave a small sigh, pulling his arms in closer to his chest. Lock raised a brow skeptically, "Long day?" He asked, to which Cupid responded with another nod. Lock pulled himself up from the piano, his long black tailcoat draping down behind his legs; he paused a moment to adjust his hat before flashing the shorter plume a chivalrous smile.
"Take a seat and make yourself at home then." Lock offered, whisking one paw out to the empty dining room. The cafe was quaint, an inviting homely feeling occupied the entirety of the place; many circular tables with typical diner chairs were situated all around the place, and the counter at the farthest wall had a display case for the many deserts; as well as a chalk board spanning the wall above with drinks, specials and whatnot written upon it, as well as sketches of various things likely drawn in by Lock himself. Currently, Lock was the only one working, as it seemed to be quite often this late in the day, but he didn't mind. After all, he spent his time playing the piano until a customer came in to occupy his attention. It was his official title to be the chipper and easygoing background music for the cafe, but it was more often than not that he ended up taking orders, running food and maintaining the cleanliness of the place.
"Right then." Cupid nodded with a light chuckle at Lock's display. It was rather typical of him, Cupid knew, but nonetheless it still amused him. He wasted no time in taking his typical seat near the windows and waited for Lock to go about his business.
Lock disappeared behind the counter a moment before reappearing with a saunter to Cupid's table. He tipped his hat politely,
"How can I help you today, sir?" He offered warmly, to which Cupid rolled his eyes with a thin smirk,
"The usual." Lock had fully expected Cupid's reply, but he figured it polite to to to the table either way. With a fluid motion of his paws he twirled his notebook to face Cupid, the order written down though his pen had never touched the paper.
"This one?" He asked with a grin, Cupid stifling another snicker at his flashy behavior.
"Why yes, it is." Cupid confirmed, to which Lock beamed proudly.
"Be back in a moment then!" Lock was already walking off by this point, disappearing again behind the counter as Cupid was left to look on with wonder. Lock was quick when it came to whipping up drinks, quick; but not careless. He came back in a couple moments with a hot cup of hot cocoa for the doctor in his cafe. Setting it down before Cupid, he gave another pleasant smile.
"Marshmallows and whipped cream, as per the norm." He took the menu from Cupid's table as well,
"Put a little extra in there for you... Figured you might need it today.""Thanks, Lock." Cupid tried to return the smile, it seeming a bit awkward from him rather than the prim and proper gentlemen before him.
"Not a problem," Lock chuckled, winking wryly before swiveling on his heel and heading back off towards the counter again.
"I'll be but a moment longer." And again he was gone. This time he was off a good while before bringing out another small platter for Cupid, setting the light pink glass circle on his table, Lock smiled.
"Made fresh." He commented in reference to the thin slice of strawberry cake sitting in the center of said platter. A couple strawberries were set off to the side, and a nice drizzle of sweet pink was covering the delicacy.
Cupid beamed before he even noticed he was, catching himself he forced a humble smile; and an accidental blush in addition.
"Taking a seat this evening?" Cupid offered Lock sheepishly, to which Lock seemed to be pondering his options. He held out both his paws as if they were a scale, tipping to one side and then the other; though after a couple brief moments they stopped in the middle.
"If you'd prefer it, I can always accommodate." Lock stated as he'd reached his decision. Cupid nodded, and likewise Lock pulled out the chair across from Cupid and took a seat.
The pink doctor raised a brow at the green barista,
"Got the place all to yourself again?" Cupid asked curiously. Lock nodded,
"What else is new?" He responded teasingly with a joking roll of his eyes.
"Doesn't it get lonely?" Cupid asked,
"Not when I have my piano, no. I always find ways to occupy myself... And it never really hurt anyone to practice." Cupid nodded along as Lock spoke,
"Things have been really busy at the hospital today." The pink plume thought aloud, accidentally provoking a concerned look from Lock.
"How're you holding up with all that?" Lock cast Cupid an empathic glance, his eyes heavy with worry. Cupid shook his head feverishly,
"No no-- Lock, hey! I'm fine, don't you worry!" Lock didn't seem convinced.
"I got a break today, that in and of itself is a good sign. Today's been going well, it's just... busy." Cupid admitted with a sigh as Lock's seafoam eyes pierced his farce.
"Well you better take it easy, Cupid. I swear... It hasn't been that long since your promotion... Do take good care of yourself, alright Doctor?" Lock flashed a sly grin and Cupid rolled his eyes with a stifled snicker.
"Yeah, yeah... I will." Without another word, Lock stood and went over to Cupid, hands poised on his sides with a sassy, demanding sort of demeanor a mother generally possesses when scolding a child.
"Hugs. Now." Lock stated firmly,
"If you're having a bad day, please at least let me do that much for you. Lord only knows you deserve it for the hardships. If anything, relax here with me and take it easy on yourself for awhile before you have to go back. I'll play whatever songs you'd like, fetch you anything you'd care for- don't worry about the expense, I'll cover the tab- just please don't strain yourself." Lock crossed his arms and gave a swift nod of his head as if to affirm everything he'd just said.
Cupid stood shakily, rather taken aback by the kindness of the pianist he'd talked with so frequently. Sure, he was a regular here; but such kindness was unwarranted by the passing conversation they had. He considered Lock a friend, of course, but... He'd never quite thought of what Lock may consider him. As soon as Cupid was standing, Lock embraced the exhausted doctor, lightly patting his back before pulling away and giving a knowing smile. Cupid opened his mouth to speak, but was cut off by a soft-
"Don't you worry about a thing, friend." From Lock. Cupid smiled faintly as Lock breezed over to the piano, sitting at its desk he again felt himself caught up in a melody the world couldn't hear. As things began to hold still again, Lock's paws began to glide along the keys again, encompassing the cafe in a delightful, warmhearted symphony of keystrokes.
F i n
The small garden outside the shop was always somewhere Lock liked to go to clear his head. The flora set his mind at ease, and flowers had always captured a spot in his heart. The aroma breathed in through his nose set to calm his entire body, overwhelming him with a powerful sense of tranquility. He had a garden at home, yes, but there was one thing here that he couldn't so easily replace. There was a particular tree that sat outside, where often Lock would escape over his breaks to sit and think. He found that more often than not, his greatest inspirations came from underneath that tree; and while sitting under it, surrounded by denser grass and a multitude of flowers, he felt closer to nature than anywhere else in the world.
He'd write songs, poetry, recipies, or simply draw to pass the time; the seconds, minutes and hours lost meaning there where he felt most at ease. Sometimes he'd invite others to join him; for like most things he loved, he wanted to share this with those around him so they might enjoy it too.