[netbook/probably also action] It's time for more cafe things!

[forwander]

[After everyone is back at the Grove again, Passenger goes back to work, which means an expansion to the cafe's menu!]

Good afternoon, this is Passenger.

The Magic Lamp has some new offerings including two new drinks (sobia and limonana), three more savoury options (vegan mushroom shawarma, plant-based hashweh, and chicken kabsa), and four new desserts (atayef, ricotta kunafa rolls, muhalabieh, and harissa). I did not intend for the numbers to line up so cleanly. The menu itself will be posted in the frame by the door if you'd like to peruse without coming in.

Additionally, we have a new member of staff, because spirits keep wandering in here. As always, I ask that the staff members be treated with respect.

[If you do come in for a visit, Passenger's new staff member and Oolong's new brother he supposes... is a little guy. His name is Lemonade. He serves the limonana. He does not run out of drink ever, unlike Oolong who has to brew new teas all the time.

He's starting to like his little staff creatures.]

Comments

[ghostharasser]

I can 1000000% guarantee the whole menu is full of bangers. Everyone should come try the new stuff!

[sesa]

Having personally taste tested and vetted all of them multiple times, I wholeheartedly recommend everything new that's been added.

Though...I suppose another taste just to be sure couldn't hurt...

[lilyberation]

( there's a very loving sketch of oolong and lemonade, and with lily's skill level it's pretty much phenomenal linework- )

I would crumble for them.

[jesterlies]

I would crumble OTHERS for them!

[forwander]

Your help is always appreciated, Dipper.

[forwander]

Are you coming by for a visit then, my dear?

[forwander]

[Beautiful. It will be hung up on the wall above the cat bed that they sleep in.]

We can't have you crumbling now, Lily. Think of the children.

[forwander]

This is acceptable and, might I add, encouraged.

[lilyberation]

This is true. I would not be able to give them pats...

[sesa]

As if you need ask. I'm on the way as we speak.

I have to meet the newest little member of your staff as well, don't I? How long has he been there?

[forwander]

Quite. Need I remind you that your importance to this place cannot be overstated?

[forwander]

Not very long. A day or two.

I'll have several dishes started for you by the time you come in. I hope you brought your appetite, my love.

[sesa]

[Oh yeah, in that case, Sesa doesn't even bother writing his response. He's just going to Show Up to the cafe within the next few minutes, walking inside with a huge grin on his face. He's got a little bit of grease on his face from being back to work in his workshop, which he doesn't seem to have noticed yet as he moves to take a seat at the bar.]

Now where is this new little member of the family, mm?

[forwander]

He's over there, in his own pet bed.

[He is splooted with all his little glass leggies splayed out like a lizard's, while Oolong sits nearby and makes steam noises. Both creatures are very happy and full of liquids.

They are so very weird.]

[sesa]

[Sesa, dramatically, reaches up a clawed hand and clutches at the front of his jacket where his heart would be.]

Be still, my beating heart...I suppose you simply attract cute things to your doorstep at this point, no?

[He's including himself in that. HE is cute thing.]

[forwander]

[Yes Sesa you're adorable and he loves you so much. He's going to Get you.]

I must. Food spirits are quite interesting, are they not? I wonder how many there must be in this place? Something benign and cute is more than welcome here, considering the other things we deal with.

[They must trundle on in whenever Passenger has closed up for the night, because he only ever finds them the day after they've arrived. This is the second time now.]

[alphacraft]

More creatures? They're as bad as the stray cats in Ka Bue.

[sesa]

I wouldn't be surprised to learn there were quite a few more than we can see with our eyes. Perhaps they're attracted out of hiding by the smell of your cooking, or fresh tea brewing?

[Both of them so far are creatures that produce some kind of beverage- both tea and lemonade respectively- so it does make him wonder if there are more food-based ones hiding about. They have all seen the fruit sharks floating around the beach, after all.

Saying that, he'll lean forward over the edge of the bar a little and gesture with his free claws.]

May I try a sample?

[He asks the little lemonade pitcher splooted nearby.]

[forwander]

[Perhaps so. Elliot doesn't think much of it, shrugging like "makes sense to me".]

I've, ah... named him Lemonade. ...it seemed apt.

[Look, you can't expect him to be good at this, he doesn't typically have spirits as pets okay? Anyway, little Lemonade stands up and walks over to a glass.

Sesa will have some lemonade now.

It tastes like lemonade. :) ]

[forwander]

Is that a problem where you come from? I can't say I've encountered many strays until... now.

[alphacraft]

They're considered lucky by some, and have few natural predators. They also have the nefarious advantage of being cute.

[forwander]

Are you particularly fond of them? Do you often take in strays?

[alphacraft]

I don't dislike them, but I was never one to take strays in. They take time and money, and I had better use for mine.

[forwander]

Are there no programs where you lived for rehabilitating or trap/neuter/return? We don't have a stray population in Sargon, but it was a problem in Columbia where I was born, and those sorts of programs were a dime a dozen.

cw: euthenasia :c

[alphacraft]

There are several of those programs, but they're only so successful. It's a very large population in a relatively small area. Unfortunately, the alternative is euthenasia.

[forwander]

I see. Rather disappointing... I take it there are no nearby cities willing to assist with adopting or rehabilitation otherwise?

[ASMR: Old people talk about pet politics]

[alphacraft]

It's the same wherever you go. Animal care isn't profitable. The people who care don't have the money, and the people who have the money don't care.

[forwander]

You would think that the wealthy would want more pets to show off their wealth, but I suppose that is only the case in Sargon. The Padishahs are always adopting expensive burdenbeasts and flaunting them in the streets. They're well cared-for, but perhaps not seen as more than mere objects, which begs the question as to if that animal is being given true quality of life or not.

[alphacraft]

Is that so? Ka Bue is an island nation, and the wealthy prefer to flaunt their land.

[lilyberation]

( there is silence. those in the cookie house may hear a soft 'waaaaaaaaaaaah...' of affection and wibbly tears. it's fine, she's fine. )

Thank you, Passenger. :)

[sesa]

[It tastes like lemonade! But it's GOOD lemonade, and that's what counts.

Sesa tips his glass to the little guy, chuckling.]

My compliments to you, this is very good.

[And then, to his husband:]

Tastes like a contender vying to beat out my drink on the menu.

[forwander]

It is always those living with extreme wealth that feel the need to flaunt to those of lesser status, is it not? Are the people of Ka Bue as mindless as the people of Sargon, believing the wealthy to be their "betters" and kissing the hoofsteps of the burdenbeasts they ride upon when parading their wealth?

[alphacraft]

It has always been the wealthy who demanded such treatment, though it's no longer a matter of life and death. There was a time when failing to bow to your overlord as their carriage passed on the street might get your whole family executed.