(set: $cafe to (prompt: "What is the name of the café you work at?", "cafe"))
(set: $petname to (either: "Chimp", "Pony", "Dots", "Quinn"))
It's currently noon on a warm summer day in the city. You work at a cute pet café in the city. $cafe is a small building where delicious treats and drinks are served with puppies and kitties wandering the premise!
[[Let's get ready!]] Several people walk in at the same time. You take a sigh, it's just as busy as usual, but you were really hoping for a slow day. You feel something tapping against your leg. You glance down and see a total furball made up of a pup and a kitty play wrestling. You smile and know the day could be worse, your shift will be over soon enough.
Which customer do you greet first?
[[Goth]]
[[Nerd]]
[[Uhh]]
[Or do you go to the back of the building and procrastinate a bit longer?
[[Procrastinate]]Near the window covered by shade, a woman with long dark microbraids sits. You've seen her come here a couple of times, usually on what seems to be her lunch, but this time she's not in her usual office attire. She is deep into a large book, one that you couldn't possibly read. A black kitten jumps into her lap making her lose her concentration. While petting the cat, she looks over to you, again startled.
"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't notice anyone had come up to me. Would I be able to order a cup of rose tea and a biscuit?"
You gaze into her dark eyes and find that you're losing yourself in her serene smile. Her voice is that of a siren's.
"Hello?"
"Yes sorry, I can get those for you right away," You say. That was so embarassing.
[[A cup of rose tea and a biscuit]]Playing with one of the puppies is a woman caked in makeup, which isn't to say it looks bad, but it is a lot. Her platinum blonde hair is pulled up into a high-ponytail with a cute fuschia scrunchie.
She suddenly turns to you, "Hiii~ I didn't see anyone but these //cute// little babies over here... $petname kept me very good company though hehe~!"
Your heart beats faster than the regular pace and your face begins to flush. Thoughts like, //Oh my gosh her laugh is so cute// start racing through your mind.
"Are you okay babes? Do you need water?" She asks as she stands up slowly brushing herself off, putting $petname on the floor.
"Yes..." you begin to trail off, "Um, sorry! Did you want to order something?"
"Yeah ummm... I wanna get something //suuuuper// sweet! Just not sure what... Could you ring something up for me to try?"
What do you bring to her?
[[A can of cold brew]]
[[A freshly pressed strawberry lemonade]]
[[Just some water]]Tapping her foot aggressively is a tall chiseled woman covered in sweat, she looks impatient as ever.
"Hi over here!" she calls you over to the counter hurried. "I wanna get back on my jog, so if you could please hurry?"
Her abrasiveness makes you blush and blurt out, "I'm sorry I'll be with you now! To get your order I mean!"
She squints confused, but brushes it off.
"Can I just get a water and.. if you have a bagel or something that as well."
You hurriedly check around to see what you have in stock, before BOOM! You trip over the cable plugging the lights on the pastry display in, landing right on your face. You groan and slowly get up, before falling over again. //Why me// you think to yourself.
The lady jumps over the counter and picks you up in her strong, sweaty arms, "Shit, are you okay?"Hidden in the corner of the café is a girl with round framed glasses, the rims are thin and gold. Her brown hair sits on her shoulders messily, but it suits her. Her dark gray hoodie engulfs most of her torso then revealing a pair of legs covered in tattoos of animals, mosaics, and sigils.
You slowly approach her, noticing how she quickly inhales as if she's preparing for something.
"Hi can–"
"Hi I'd like to or–"
You both pause and look away embarrassed. When you look back up her eyes are locked onto her feet, honestly it looks like she's looking into the ground.
You inhale, "Can I help you with anything today miss?"
She perks up flustered, "Um yes.. can i get a (indescernible ramble).."
"Um. I didn't hear you I'm so sorry!"
"Oh yeah sorry can I um I would like a (indescernible ramble).."
Okay, you don't have a clue what she's saying, and you think this could probably keep going on for hours. What do you get her?
[[A can of coffee and a trinket]]
[[A cup of milk tea and a biscuit]]
Giggling on the phone is a short woman with long, long, hair in a white crop top and micro shorts. Her makeup is simple and natural. Her MK purse has a few fuzzy trinkets attached to it. She glances over at you and finishes up her conversation with her friends before approaching you.
"Hiii can I have a strawberry matcha latte? And a chocolate croissant?"
"Um, yeah sure, anything else?"
"No that's it!" Knelt on the ground is a person who's body is being suffocated underneath a blue hoodie they're wearing. Stickers, pins, and other accessories are covering both the hoodie and the bag they have sat next on them.
"Meoowwww," they say. To a cat, not you.
"Um.. Sorry to interrupt, can I take your order?"
They look up at you with big blue eyes and the most flushed face you've seen.
"Oh um, yeah!" They follow you to the counter holding the kitten they were previously meowing at. "I just can't believe how cute he is! Does he have a name?"
"I think this one is named $petname. You're absolutely right, he //is// adorable!" You say looking into their bright eyes. You quickly look away thinking //that's enough eye contact for today!// to yourself.
They squeal and hold $petname close. "Aren't you just the cutest little thing $petname! I might have to take you home! I'd treat you right little bean, yes I would! I'd treat you so good!"
[[Can I take your order?]]You take a look at your coworker, Stace, a look to the back-door, and then a look back at them. They sigh, then giggle, unlocking the back door. You both exit, silently agreeing this will be your fifteen minute break for the day — you both know realistically it will be longer.
[[Sit]]
As soon as you sit down, they exclaim, "Oh my GOD! I just want the day to be over already! Aren't you exhausted yet?"
"What, I'm not that tired," you respond sardonically.
"Oh haha, real funny! You're always tired, even when you say you're not."
They're right, you do find that even after sneaking a small latte you're still exhausted. Maybe you need more caffeine, or maybe you need more sleep. Who knows! Definitely not you.
Their dark brown hair glows of sunlight, even in the small amounts that you get in the back of the building, even if half of it is shaven. Their skin is as bright as pressed olives. Their smile is crooked, but still theirs. Your heart skips a beat as you two meet eyes, you look away at their piercings.
Do you go back inside or do you stay with them for the rest of the break?
[[Go Back Inside]]
[[Stay]]"I'm sure I'm not tired. Infact, I'm going back right now."
"Oh you're a riot, I'm gonna stay out here for a bit longer, see ya later dork!"
As you return inside you see the group of people still waiting, patiently. You totally forgot your third is off today, no one was able to help them.
Who do you approach first?
[[Goth]]
[[Nerd]]
[[Uhh]]"You know, I've been thinking about getting one of the piercings you have done for myself," you say.
"Oh yeah? Which one, you know I have a billion."
"Um, this one right here...," you point to the metal bulb rested between their lips.
They pull your hand and make you tap the piercing "This one? It's called a vertical labret. It was the second piercing I ever got, the first was the septum,".
Your heart beats deeply as your finger rests on their lips.
"Are you okay?" they ask pulling your hand away.
[[Yes, I'm fine]]
[[No, there's something on my mind]]Leaning on the wall is a person covered in so many colors, that it almost hurts to look at them. All of their accessories belts, piercings, bracelets, necklaces, and more gleam in your eyes. They're lost in their phone, scrolling and texting away while listening to music on their headphones.
"Hi!" you say to them. "Hello," you repeat. It's not the first time something like this has happened, but it always feels embarrassing to have to get a customer's attention by tapping them.
[[Gently tap their shoulder]]
[[Walk away]]You stutter "C-can I take you.."
"What was that?" They ask turning towards you.
"Can I take your order?"
"Oh yes I would like ummm.. hmm.. do you have any reccomendations actually? A drink and a pastry, as long as it's under $15 together."
You think to yourself, //they look like they'd want something sweet, like their smile//. What! That's crazy! Who said that! Anyways, what do you reccomend them?
[[A cold brew and a buttered croissaint]]
[[A frappe and a chocolate chunk muffin]]
[[A cup of earl grey tea and tea cookies]]You lay the order out in front of them on the counter, they give a half smile. I guess they were expecting something else.
"Thanks! Do you take tap?"
"Yeah your total is here, have a nice day!"
They take their order and walk out the café awkwardly. You can't help but wonder //Could that have gone differently? What other choices could I have made.//
''//Author's note: Yayyy! you got one of several endings! I hope this was fun to read through! It was fun for me to write!//''
[[Beginning!]] As you lay the order out in front of them, they smile brightly. I guess this was perfect! Phew!
"Thanks! Do you take tap?"
"Yeah your total is here, have a nice day!"
They put their order down on the table next to the counter and continue to play with the small kitten. Suddenly glancing over towards you the smile and say, "I like your shoelaces!"
Your face flushes, what do you say back to them?
[[Thanks, I stole them from the president!]]
[[Um, thanks I like yours too!]]As you lay the order out in front of them, they give a half smile. I guess they were expecting something else.
"Thanks! Do you take tap?"
"Yeah your total is here, have a nice day!"
They put their order down on the table next to the counter and continue to play with the small kitten. Suddenly glancing over towards you the smile and say, "I like your shoelaces!"
Your face flushes, what do you say back to them?
[[Thanks, I stole them from the president!]]
[[Um, thanks I like yours too!]]You bring her back exactly what she asked for, A cup of rose tea and a biscuit.
"Thank you darling, this is perfect," she says graciously.
Your thoughts swirl..., "darling,"? Surely she couldn't be talking about you. Who else would she be talking to?
"You're welcome!" Your voice cracks. //Shit.// Your face flushes as she giggles.
"It's okay, it happens to the best of us, no need to be embarrassed," She's right, you relax your body and exhale.
"Is there anything else I can get you miss?"
She gazes around the room, deep in thought. "Oh yes, if you don't mind, would you sit with me for a moment? I want to ask about the pets here, but it's okay if you have other things to tend to,".
[[Sit with her]]
[[Walk away]]Which customer do you greet first?
[[Goth]]
[[Nerd]]
[[Uhh]]
[Or do you go to the back of the building and procrastinate a bit longer?
[[Procrastinate]]You answer quickly and they giggle at you. "You're obviously not with how you just answered! What's on your mind dude?"
Your face flushes and your heart sinks. You've known Stace for a while now, and you always feel this strange fluttery feeling near them. You don't want to admit it's a crush, because that's just embarrassing. But you know it is. You're sure they know too.
"Are you tired or something?" they ask pulling themselves closer to you.
"No I'm fine,".
"Are you suuuuuure?" they pull themselves in closer.
[[Go Back Inside]]
[[No, there's something on my mind]] "I need you to turn around," you say.
"What?" you've never seen them more confused.
"Do it, please. Just for me," you sigh reluctantly.
"Whatever you say boss," they chortle.
Your mind floods with memories that you've shared with them this summer. Is this something you're ready to do? Now? Here? At work? You feel like you're gonna combust.
"Is everything okay back there?"
Your lips begin to form the words, "Stace I like you," but before you can they turn around and say, "Wait,". Your eyes meet, tears in yours, anxiety in theirs.
"I like you too. I know that's what you're gonna say, I've seen the signs," your face flushes hearing this.
"How did you know? I thought I was hiding it so well," you choke out, tears running down your face.
"It's okay, you don't need to be embarrassed. Just come here."
[[Scoot into them]]You embrace them, their warmth brings you a comfort you've been scared to admit you not only wanted, but needed.
"We come back here almost all the time, we tag the wall together and snicker as we blow smoke into the air. We graze hands almost everytime, and trust me, I know that you've been doing it on purpose, I do it on purpose too. I just can't hide this anymore, I feel so connected to you, in a way that's almost indescribable,".
Your mouth is left agape, you can't believe that the summer is almost over and they've stolen the words right out of your mouth.
"Sorry if this is all too much, I understand that we're just coworkers and that we have other priorities. I don't mind at all–"
"Shush! Just shush! I just need a moment to think," you gaze into your lap, inhale, then exhale. "It's not too much I just didn't expect it to be reciprocated I guess, or not so eagerly,".
"Of course I feel the same! We hang out after work all the time, you come over to my place and sleep over when your upstairs neighbors are arguing! We spend more time together then anyone else I know!"
You open up your phone, fifteen minutes passed a while ago. "Look um, we should both get back to work, but before we go back..," you begin to trail off.
[["Before we go back?"]]
"Before we go back?" they ask. You feel their body tense up, you're still in their arms.
You inhale what feels like all of the air in the world, and exhale, "Will you go on a date with me? Like we can hang out and watch movies and do stuff?"
They laugh, loud, louder than usual. "That's what we do anyways! But if you're willing to call it a date.. I wouldn't mind that...,".
You feel their body relax, your does too. You melt into each other, grateful to have each other to share.
''//Author's note: Yayyy! you got one of several endings! I hope this was fun to read through! It was fun for me to write!//''
[[Beginning!]] You pull the chair opposing her out and sit comfortably. "I'm sure you've noticed, we have a variety of cats and dogs here, all of different breeds and histories. What would you like to know?"
"Well I've been coming here for a few weeks now, and this same little sweetie always comes jumping into my lap during my break. I believe her name is $petname?" She says this while petting the black kitten in her lap, she purrs generously, communicating how much she likes it.
"Yes, that's right," you respond, "What did you want to ask about her?"
"I was just curious, is there a chance that I could take this baby home with me?"
Your face flushes hearing her say the word "baby", she giggles when she notices. You absorb every last drop of beauty in that laugh, feeling your stomach swirl.
"I'd like to get to know you more as well darling, I've seen you around here a couple of times and to say you pique my interest would be an understatement."
You start sweating, there's no way this is happening, this is so crazy. You look away flustered, "Um yes the pets here are up for adoption, we partner with a local agency to help them find homes, you can read more about it on our website...," you trail off, still in shambles from what she said last.
"And as for you?" she asks.
"As for me?"
"Well you've always been helpful to me when I come here during my workdays, I'd like to get to know you more silly! But it would make complete sense if you need to go help others!"
[[Continue to talk with her]]
[[Walk away]]When you bring the order back to her you see a sigh of relief. Guess you got the right stuff! Or something close enough.
"Thank you so much," she squeaks out.
Her voice is so charming, even when it cracks. It feels warm and familiar, not forced. Her eyes meet yours and you realize you had just zoned out and stood there for way too long.
"UM yes of course sorry I got side tracked..," you're so embarrassing when you talk to anyone.
"It's okay.. um.. I like your tattoo.." she mumbles in the softest voice you've heard yet.
"Oh yeah, i like yours as well! the little frog is my favorite."
She giggles and asks for you to sit with her.
[[PROCEED]]
[[Walk away]] When you bring the order back to her you see her tense up a bit. Guess you got the wrong stuff.. damn it.
Thank you so much," she squeaks out.
Her voice is so charming, even when it cracks. It feels warm and familiar, not forced. Her eyes meet yours and you realize you had just zoned out and stood there for way too long.
"UM yes of course sorry did I get the wrong stuff..," you're so embarrassing when you talk to anyone.
"It's okay don't worry.. um.. I like your tattoo.." she mumbles in the softest voice you've heard yet.
"Oh yeah, i like yours as well! the little frog is my favorite."
She giggles and loosens her body. She asks for you to sit with her.
[[PROCEED]]
[[Walk away]] You pull the chair opposing her out and sit comfortably. She smiles at you gently and starts talking about her tattoo.
"This is a coqui frog, it was the first tattoo I ever got. They mean a lot to me."
"Oh did you have a pet frog as a kid? I wanted to really bad, it always seemed really cool," you sputter out.
Again, giggling, she responds, "No... when I was little my dad would call for me and my brother by mimicking the call they make. So they hold a special place in my heart for that reason. They also symbolize um, femininity, it feels close to my identity as a woman."
You smile back at her, her eyes are really beautiful, you almost forget everything she just said. Processing it, you think //Wow that's really symbolic and beautiful//, still staring into her eyes.
She looks down, "Um I like your tattoo... the one on your arm... did I already say that?"
As you snap back into the present you take a look at the tattoo on your leg.
"Don't forget, I'm with you in the dark," She hums. Your smile grows wide, it's so rare that someone gets what your tattoo is referencing. You clap giddily and start rambling about your favorite videogame franchise.
"Yes!!! those games meant so much to me growing up, it was never really easy for me to socialize with people my age, but when those games were coming out I finally had something that I could connect with people over. Or people online at least, it still was hard for me to make friends IRL,".
[[Apologize flustered]]The words, "Um I'm sorry, I hope that's not too weird," stumble out of your mouth. You feel like a kid again, worried you said the wrong thing, worried you've outcasted yourself.
"Not at all! I felt the exact same way about them. Actually...," she pauses and stands up, taking her hoodie off. She's wearing a loose tank top, it's a little stained. She turns around and points to her upper back. An outline of an upside down heart is tattooed there. You smile and know your safe.
"I understand what you mean, don't worry," she says. "I got this one because I always felt like.. a monster in some ways.. it's not easy growing up different. But I learned how to embrace it and make it part of me. Now I'm a boss monster!" Her laugh is so cute.
"Um..." you linger on this thought for a while... should you ask her for her name?
"Is something up? I understand if you need to go, and um, serve other customers," she giggles.
[[Ask her name]]
[[Walk away]]"I've had a really good time talking with you, what's your name?" you ask suddenly.
She perks up and smiles, "My name is Autumn, and yours? Well actually I can tell from your name tag. I hope this isn't innappropriate to ask but... do you have a Discord? Or an Insta, I'd just love to get to know you more, you seem really cool."
You feel like that one scene from the Charlie Brown specials, where his smile melts after the little red haired girl kisses his cheek. You exchange social medias and continue to chat on and on.
''//Author's note: Yayyy! you got one of several endings! I hope this was fun to read through! It was fun for me to write!//''
[[Beginning!]] "Well what did you want to know?"
"To be honest, I'm looking to introduce more people to the local underground scene. I know your coworker, Stace, is active there a lot, but it would be nice to have another familiar face to see during shows. And maybe we could go together if anything interests you?"
"Um, well I'm not really sure if I know anything about the underground goth scene, I know it's a music based subculture, but my music taste is a lot more aligned with electronic and pop stuff."
"That's okay, there's a lot of varying types of goth music, I feel like you could be really into nu-wave goth or maybe noise-pop stuff,". You feel nervous opening up and getting to know her more, but it's exciting to have someone who wants to be your friend! You chat with her for a bit longer, you feel your body slowly relax, like a flower beginning to bloom towards the sun. Except her beauty resembles the moon far more.
"By the way, my name is Arlene. I know your name, you don't need to reintroduce yourself sweetie." You might as well melt into a puddle after hearing this. Her gaze is so comforting.
"Arlene.. is such a gorgeous name," you say softly. "It's a name I could get used to saying."
"And what does that mean?" She asks.
[[Shy away]]
[[Open up]]You take a deep breath and say, "I've had a really great time getting to chat with you, and I'm grateful that you've set time aside to get to chat with me too! I was um wondering, would you be interested in like... sharing the music that you're interested in with me?"
You panic thinking to yourself, //Gosh that was such an embarrassing way of phrasing it, why can't I just be forward, oh well, it is what it is.// She smiles at you and responds, "I'd like that quite a bit, can I take your email down? So I can email you some mp3s?"
''//Author's note: Yayyy! you got one of several endings! I hope this was fun to read through! It was fun for me to write!//''
[[Beginning!]] You take a deep breath and say, "I've had a really great time getting to chat with you, and I'm grateful that you've set time aside to get to chat with me too! I was um wondering, would you be interested in like... going out for lunch or dinner sometime?"
You panic thinking to yourself, //Was that too forward? She's totally going to think I'm weird why do I do these things.// But she doesn't. She smiles at you delicately, responding, "I'd like that quite a bit, can I take your number down?"
''//Author's note: Yayyy! you got one of several endings! I hope this was fun to read through! It was fun for me to write!//''
[[Beginning!]] "Thanks I stole them from them the president!"
Their smile grows wide and they ask, "When did you start using Tumblr? I started using it a long time ago, probably when I was like 11 or 12."
"Oh um, I started using it when I was like 14 or so, it's where a lot of the fandom art I like comes from so I went on there. Plus it's way less toxic than Twitter, or toxic in a different way."
"I totally agree... Also I love your tattoo! those games meant so much to me growing up!
Your smile grows wide, it's so rare that someone gets what your tattoo is referencing. You clap giddily and start rambling about your favorite videogame franchise.
"Yes!!! those games meant so much to me growing up, it was never really easy for me to socialize with people my age, but when those games were coming out I finally had something that I could connect with people over. Or people online at least, it still was hard for me to make friends IRL,".
They giggle and ask you to sit with them while petting $petname.
[[Sit with them]]
[[Walk away]] They smile gently, yet disappointedly. They pick their order up and begin to walk out.
''//Author's note: Yayyy! you got one of several endings! I hope this was fun to read through! It was fun for me to write!//''
[[Beginning!]] You sit and chat with them for a little longer. They introduce themself, their name is Naomi.
"Do you do art? I like drawing a lot of fanart, mostly for videogames and stuff, but also anime too!" Naomi's personality is so infectiously bubbly that
"I have to go now," they say sadly. "My lecture is about to start back up."
"I understand, it was really nice meeting you! Would you um...," you start forming the words to ask a question but doubt yourself. //I don't know if they're that interested in maintinaining contact// you think to yourself.
"Hey what's your Tumblr?" they ask while walking out, "I wanna