Day One: Running a Business is Hard
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hibikiga
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The tiniest sigh. The gentle tap of claws on the wood counter. Her wild-colored mane splayed about the counter as if she were a decoration, Mau finds herself at a loss.
Cafe O’wlait should have been a hit, she thinks - setting up shop in the Astrolodome near the researchers that work tirelessly day and night, providing much-needed caffeine for His workers. Of course, in true Arcane fashion, nothing can quite go the way she plans it.
“Prrt?”
She’s startled out of her dissociative haze by her familiar, Aphid. Owlcats were such a funny species, she thinks, a smile coming across her small face as she looks back at him.
“Oh, don’t worry about me. I am just thinking a bit too much…” She laughs with a bit of a flustered tone.
“Prrdt.” Aphid saunters off for a moment, before returning with a fluttering Fae behind him. Tiddlywinks the fae was just as at a loss for words as she was, but the only tell-tale sign was that of his fins drooping.
The thought had come across that perhaps their tiny staff members were to blame, but she thinks that their two familiars sure were large enough to find through the shop windows, right?
“You’re the same as me, then?” Winks perks one fin, training his eyes on Mau as he glances around the cafe. “Business has been… well, quiet, as of late.”
“Don’t ya worry, little’n’s, Spike’s got ya more than covered!” A Ridgeback crashes into the cafe front, the bell announcing their arrival as it sounds harshly through the store. “I’ve got the plan! The ridge with the plan, they call me!”
“…You’re ten minutes late,” Tiddlywinks interjects, his fins drooping again. “Besides, what sort of plan can come out of your maw? Nothing good, I’m sure.”
Spike scowls, but they grin soon after. “Naw, naw - hear me out. You’ve always been a party pooper, you know that? Clearly… we just need to start learnin’ that poofy latte art stuff!”
“…Like every other Cafe in Sornieth?” Mau cocks her head lightly. “I mean, we’re small enough to do such detail work with little to no problem, but…”
“Listen, gimmicks are the way to go, definitely!”
“Spike, we appreciate the enthusiasm, but… honestly,” Tiddlywinks perks his fins again. “What’s the point in gimmicks if no dragon is here to see them?”
“Maybe something we can do outside to attract attention…?” Mau huffs, fluttering up off of the counter. “Starfall Celebration is mere moments away, surely there is more wing traffic than ever…”
“Like what? Magic show? Insane coffee-drinking contest?” Spike props themself up on the counter. “Juggling? I can juggle.”
“Dear Arcanist, save our cafe.” Tiddlywinks mumbles, sitting upon the counter as well.
Whoo-ly, Spike’s familiar, starts to chirp a bit out at the window.
“…They seem interested in drumming up more business as well,” Tiddlywinks watches all three of their familiars approach the window. “Perhaps they can read the room better than initially thought.”
“Or maybe…” Mau begins.
“It’s that blasted rat-themed cafe across the street…!” Spike calls. “An ember mouse just ran across the way. Surely Nocturn can keep his familiars contained?”
“When were you gonna tell us about that guy?! Who is Nocturn, anyways? Right across the street…?! Some nerve!” Tiddlywinks’ fins perk sharply and he turns a bit red as he spots the rival shop across the way.
“…Maybe we need to have a coffee-off with his cafe?” Mau turns her head a bit.
“…What does that even mean?” Winks sulks a moment as he looks back.
“Well, if you have any ideas, I’d certainly love to hear them…”
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