Thread: The Little Cafe on the Corner [CitrillicxKveria]

After Moe had left to take care of his other duties, Rin gave a wistful sigh by now the cupcakes had been poured into their trays, and put into the oven to bake. He removed the bread he'd put in there earlier and left the racks out along the wall to cool. While the cupcakes were baking, he made a fresh batch of German chocolate and chocolate buttercream to pipe onto them once they were cooled. Of all the sweets on the menu, the German chocolate cupcakes were his favourite, though he avoided eating too many of them if he couldthe coconut-pecan mixture that adorned the top was sure to go straight to his hips with no hesitation. Instead, if he must eat at work, he usually made himself a fruit parfait and sat out at one of the tables on the floor so he could be among the customers. He liked to watch them and see how much they loved his pastries, most of which were his own creation. The cheesecake seemed to be one of the more popular items on the menu it came in seven different flavours, but the base was Rin's own low fat, low calorie creation. He had reason to take pride in this place the people who did come loved every moment of their experience. The staff was friendly and the food was ridiculously good. The coffee was the best in the area, and Rin had learned to make one fancy-looking latte. They were way cheaper than Starbucks and better quality too they didn't use any artificial colours or flavours and everything was always fresh made. Anything that lasted more than three daysunless it was a cake that had been cut into, they only had the rest of the day to be finished off because a cut cake gets crusty if left overnightwas donated to a local shelter so that those who would never be able to afford such fineries would also be able to indulge in Rin's expertise the food wasn't being wasted by being tossed out either. Lately, more and more food was going to the homeless, and that was unsettling. He was trying to think of different ways to bring more people in through promotions and advertising. Flyers would be a start they could be handed out or sent out with newspapers, and come with a 15 off coupon, which was a lot more than Rin would like to give away, but he had to do something to bring people in. Generally once someone had given the cafe a chance to impress, they became a recurring customer, like the woman who came every morning for a green tea latte and a cranberry white chocolate muffin. Rin had known her since his first week open when she was still just a little girl. She would come in with her mother every Sunday for tea and muffins, and his was her place of choice for her birthday every year. He always made her something speciallast year had been a rainbow chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich cake everyone who had been present had a piece on the house because there was just so much of itand he felt that she deseved it, because every morning now that she was an adult, working and attending university on her own, she always stopped at the cafe first thing. He hoped to bring in more customers like her. He'd just pulled the cranberry white chocolate muffins out of the oven and set them out on a cooling rack when he heard the front door open and went out to see who had come in this early. Miyabi was standing in the door with a stack of mail in his hand, and pulled his hat and jacket off to hang them on the coat rack by the door. Hey, I got this month's bills, he told Rin, coming up and handing the stack over with a very neutral face. His English still wasn't great, but the two always made a point of not speaking to each other in their native language in public because it was considered rude. Ainsley has a fever, so Noel asked me to let you know he isn't coming in this morning. Oh, that's too bad. Is Noel still coming in this afternoon? He probably will. There was a silence after this as Rin looked through the mail, then shook his head, pulling off his hair net and beginning to brew some coffee from the beans they roasted and ground themselves. Don't let it get to you. You have support, okay? I'm here to help, and you know that. I have more than enough support, I know that. We're going to figure something out. Moe's agreed to help too, so.... I just don't want to have to cut wages and there's really no one else to fire.... He let out a heavy sigh, freeing his voluminous golden hair from the bun it was twisted into, so it hung just past his shoulders in a long ponytail that spiralled around in a loose curled column. It's too much work for just the four of us, the hours are too long. I need some volunteers. Put up an ad, maybe? There's a ton of students who need volunteer hours for school, so do that. I'm going to print some posters and hang them at all the stores in the area, and I'll put a few up at the club too. Don't worry about anything. And I'll take time off work to help out if you need it, so just ask, okay? Rin waved him off flippantly and it caused Miyabi to raise an eyebrow behind square-framed glasses. I've got Moe's help. Who needs you? Ah... I see how it is. Well, let me know when you want the apartment to yourself and I'll make myself scarce. With that, and a little chuckle as a bright red flush made itself a home right across Rin's creme-coloured skin all the way up to his ears, Miyabi took a coffee to go and left the cafe. Rin huffed out, puffing his cheeks in a childish manner, but turned to examine himself in the mirror behind the counter. His own reflection usually uplifted him, but today was different. He looked tired and his skin was losing that flawless glow. Another sigh and he flipped on the kettle, letting it boil while he went to take a few orders. He was happy that none of the customers would have any idea what he was talking with Miyabi about. This was the last thing that needed to get out.