Affurgato Mingle

[necromanswers]

♥ Who: Lup + Open Mingle
♥ Where: A new cafe in town...
♥ When: Now + the rest of the month as needed!
♥ What: The grand opening of Havenwell's quality dining experience
♥ Rating: May vary! But probably PGish



A message is transmitted to every communicator in the morning that reads:

INTRODUCING AFFURGATO!

Come one and all for the best food in town as of today, which admittedly isn't difficult but is still going to blow your socks off. Your friendly neighbourhood wizards are here to save your tongues with Affurgato, a pet cafe full of warm fuzzies and sweet treats. Come for lunch, pet a cat, take the edge off. Bring your date for whatever off-brand V-Day is celebrated in this world. It'll be great.

Going forward it will be open for lunch and early dinner on weekends only, but for this week, doors will be open every day!

The message is accompanied by an address and open hours.

Those who venture to see what's up will find the business as stated, Affurgato, with a lovely carved sign out front and broad open windows to display the interior. You may even find a small striped cat at the curtain, pawing at the glass as if to coax you inside. The air that filters out through the door, when opened, smells heavenly, like the best baked goods you've ever tasted.

It's time for lunch!

Comments

Lup | OTA

[necromanswers]

[Lup is, of course, keeping busy in the cafe! She'll spend a fair bit of time moving in and out of the kitchen, keeping an eye on things, switching out with her twin as needed, running the joint as smoothly as possible when there are people in the shop. Any time someone needs something, if she's not immediately available, Ditto will scamper over to the kitchen door to fetch her, and just like that, her attention is yours.

When things are quiet and she's not busy working, she'll be mingling and getting feedback on how people are enjoying the place, accepting suggestions on what might make it more appealing. She's not above criticism (though the food is spectacular and she won't buy a word said otherwise) since she wants this place to thrive. Mostly because she's bored and the replicators suuuuuck beans.

Come to her if you have any particular off-menu requests, or ideas for what animals (besides cats) would catch your attention. You might just get a surprise out of such a recommendation...]

[astralera]

[ Era doesn't show up on the first day of opening, nor the second, but decides that the third day should work nicely — long enough that perhaps an initial rush may have died down, and she won't feel quite so uncomfortable. She's hesitant to order any food, because once she starts she knows she would have difficulty stopping, and she can't spend all of her money on Lup's café (even if Lup probably deserves it), though the thought of tasting proper hot chocolate is incredibly tempting.

Upon entering, Era offers Kova and Ditto each a quiet greeting before glancing around for her friend. Once she spots the twin she's seeking, she heads over to offer her congratulations. ]

Hello, Lup.

[necromanswers]

[Lup's especially attentive towards the arrival of familiar faces - though admittedly, with the small population in town, most non-robotic faces are familiar - so Era gets a casual wave in return as she heads out from the kitchen.]

Heya. Ready for lunch?

[unsunderworld]

[Unsurprisingly, Emet-Selch prefers when things are quiet, near the end of the cafe's day, for when he stops in to visit.]

Well, this would surely be a prime location if the majority of the foot traffic had any interest in eating. I suppose that's the price to be paid for your lack of competition.

[...Pay no mind to what sounds like a critique, he's smiling.]

[necromanswers]

Man, now I want a rival restaurant to crop up so that we can completely demolish them in popularity. We're a competitive bunch here.

[It's pretty easy to be on top when you're the only one in the running. And sure, there's a few little cafes here and there, but they're run by the robots who can't even eat and aren't worth mentioning, really.]

[twistedempathy]

[Will may not be the first person in line, but he is quick to visit. Good food, good owners, and good furry friends to enjoy it with? Consider him sold!

Will is openly admiring as he comes in, clapping his hands energetically and beaming at Ditto's little performance in the window.]

Would you just look at this place? You guys did so well!

[necromanswers]

I know, right?

[He gets a cheery wave as he enters- it's quiet enough now that she's not needed in the kitchen, so she's been throwing toys for Kova. Ditto hops down from the sill and trots over to weave between his legs.]

With all the work we put into it, anything less than amazing would be a crime.

Honerva | OTA

[shroudedsecrets]

[ As advertised, Kova is right at home in the cafe. When he's not peeking at the window to observe anyone who might be approaching alongside Ditto, he'll either wander around, ears and tail alert, greeting anyone who might be familiar more warmly, and those unfamiliar are studied a bit more intently. Or given a toy, if they try to engage with him.

Honerva, usually dressed in varying ways, is also somewhat of a fixture here, to help the twins with their work. Granted, her tasks are something she needs to get used to, herself; such as serving orders to waiting patrons. Which is fairly smoothly handled, though it might be noticed that even as she walks with what was asked for, the trays are being levitated by magic. ... It is a magic establishment. How can she help you ...

She's usually around the area to be flagged down for a question, keep an eye on the animals, or to take a food order as needed, though she might need to slip away for a break when things finally get more quiet. Too much people-ing, not enough people-energy; a little rough on an introvert, no matter how capable. She's doing her best. ]

Set before the event, whatever that turns out to be.

[unfavorableinstigation]

[When Nita first enters Affurgato, she finds herself immediately struck by the place's charm.

Though that may be one of the pets making a beeline to her for pets.

She'll spend some time scoping the place out before sitting down, trying to focus on the smaller items on offer.]

This almost feels like home...

[It certainly has a vibe similar to some of the more aesthetically-inclined places in New York.]

[necromanswers]

[During that quiet lull between when the doors are about to open and when the first customers arrive, Lup is fussing around in the kitchen, prepping ingredients, counting dishes. Not nervous per se - that's a rare thing for Lup even on bad days - but a little more serious perhaps than normal. Ditto is curled up on one of the wall shelves nearest the kitchen, purring quietly to give the area a soft, soothing ambiance.]

[thermoregulate]

[ For as much as Todoroki knows about Honerva (give or take), seeing her as an employee, here, does come as a bit of a surprise. He'd never imagine she would be a part of such a social setting. Although of course it's a pleasant surprise.

However, Kova seems to have noticed him, first. Todoroki crouches down, politely offering a hand out to the cat. They've most certainly met before; only, this time, he doesn't have Rio or Harmony with him. If receptive, Kova will definitely be getting affectionately scratched on his head and behind his ears]

Hey, Kova.

[astralera]

[ Era likes visiting when things are relatively quiet, and she can claim a corner table where nothing but wall is at her back. It makes her feel more protected, and with the egg she's obliged to keep safe and warm tucked against her stomach any additional protection is welcome.

She brings a tablet meant for notes and sketches with her, setting up a work station at her table where she can reference the books from her FLUID communicator as she continues her medical studies as best she can on her own. If she isn't focused on studying, she's busy theorizing new arcane geometries for various things — energy efficiency, proximity-based traps, new Carbuncle variants, or whatever else might come to mind. ]

[this_loser]

[They had him at "pet a cat", but seeing Kova in the window would have drawn him in anyway. He makes a beeline for Honerva as soon as he's through the door, taking in the atmosphere as he goes. Cute.]

Hi! New dress?

[iustaegis]

[ Sometime near closing and when there's literally no other guests in the cafe, Pyra-- who has been quietly, leisurely enjoying some floral tea-- has decided to wave Honerva down to sit with her. ]

Honerva...! Honerva, come sit with me, if you're not busy? [ She beckons with her hand, then extends it to her, making room so that they might sit side by side. ] There's something I'd like to talk about.

ur favorite gremlin child

[abracafcku]

[During one of the downtimes for the kitchen, after Taako had already set up the bread and the fillings for all the sandwiches, prepped the food and put them all in their containers for quick and easy assembly, he's actually out in the cafe section. It's rare, since he's usually busy or resting after transmuting everything, but here he is to interact - minimally - with the people visiting. Since the customers are all currently occupied, that means there's not much for him to do except wait for an order to come in. And an unoccupied Taako is either asleep or up to mischief. Guess which one it is today?

When he spies Honerva waiting around for something to do, he picks up a soft toy shaped like a ball and tosses it at her back. Will it hit? Will it get incinerated? Who knows! That's the fun.]

closed [ somnus + lup ]

[iustaegis]

[ She would not miss Affurgato's grand opening for the world, and so here she is, cheerful and excited to be in a restaurant that is, more or less, run by an entire family. With the charming decor and delightful pun in its title, Pyra seems to become in better spirits the moment she sets foot through the door... and she has not come alone, but hand-in-hand with another who seems to be the opposite of her demeanor in every way.

Led to a table and given menus, she sits beside him, pointing to one of the desserts. ] This one. This one is their specialty. [ Her eyes lift from the menu to watch his expression as he reads over the menu. ]

Have you ever had anything like it?

[meridio]

[Somnus, in contrast, appears to experience no shift in mood—if he's even in one—upon entering the cafe. It's abundantly clear at first glance whose idea it was to come here. At the table, his unchanging mien is paired with a thoughtful silence as he reads over the indicated portion of the menu.

Hearing about it is one thing. Having it is another matter altogether.]

I have not.

[His eyes flit to another section of the menu. He may as well be looking at a wall of unfamiliar text. Chancing a glance over the menu, he locks eyes with Pyra.]

Have you?

Guzma | OTA

[yallstupid]

[Well, this is a neat little ad. Knowing the Keebler Twins here are very capable of keeping their word of "best food in town", Guzma heads toward the market square to try and find the advertised little bistro. It's not difficult, and though he's...grown less of a fondness for cats over the years (when someone is shoving how absolutely perfect in every way they are down your throat, you'd get irritated, too), he's not about to be cruel to them. He's brash, not heartless.

But that's neither here nor there, Guzma is here for the food first and foremost, and as he enjoys a soup and a sandwich, it's the cocoa that's the biggest draw for his sweet tooth. While not his preferred Tapu Cocoa - which is spicy and sweet, and leaves a lingering tickle on the tongue like electricity - this shit is good. Deep, rich, and smooth as silk...10/10, my guys, this Cocoa Connoisseur would absolutely recommend. He might even get a second cup, if the twins can get it to go...

Though, of course, he does linger a little bit, especially when, during his meal, one of the cats plunks itself right in his lap with a soft mewl, bumping and rubbing its head against the fellow's arms as he reaches down to stroke it.]

Yo, homie, smell the food on me, huh? Or maybe the other cats? [No doubt he probably has the scent of Alolan Meowths mixed into his hoodie, especially...what with them being everywhere near Po Town. Or, the two cats that Ren had on Enso, and how she'd always be with at least one of them.] Just keep them li'l switchblades lax, yo, and we cool.

[necromanswers]

[Ditto's friendly to everyone - he's been instructed to be while he's on the clock - but he's not hesitant at all to greet people that Lup knows personally, even offhand. At some point near the tail end of Guzma's meal, Lup herself wanders over, taking in the sight with a chill smile.]

Someone looks comfy. Made a friend, did you?

yo

[abracafcku]

[Taako knows his food is swank af, and while it may not be the main draw of their establishment, it's definitely one of the big ones. Not many places offer what they have on the menu, especially with the fresh-baked sweets and breads. The fact that Taako is using nearly all of his spell slots for this doesn't even bother him when he can watch people enjoy the food.

And the view of seeing normally crochetedy people melt when cats choose them as their pillow for the day. There's something special about being chosen by such a fiercely individualistic creature and as Taako sweeps through the cafe area, picking up any cups and dishes that Honerva or Lup hasn't grabbed, he notes Guzma - his favorite (not)thug - being crowned with that honor.]

Nah, my guy, Ditto's good. He won't pull out his murder-fingers unless that's your thing.

Todoroki • ota

[thermoregulate]

[ Todoroki is both delighted and eager when he learns of Affurgato's opening. Ever since he's found himself in this world, he's sorely missed the Feline Fine Café back in Empatheias. At least up until it closed its doors when both owners were sent home. Regardless of having two cats of his own (with Rio actually previously being one of Feline Fine's), the place brought him great comfort and a sense of peace.

While of course he's wondering about the cats' whereabouts, he otherwise walks around a bit while taking in the initial feel and ambience of the establishment.

He'll get around to the food part of this at some point. Cats are much more important. ]

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Cats, indeed, are much more important. Nita doesn't know for sure if cuddling cats counts towards the 'physical contact' requirement in this city, but it certainly counts for her.

That and, these pets not being from Havenwell, she can talk to them in the Speech, which is a different kind of reassuring.

Todoroki can find her having one of those conversations with said cats, having been talked into being a physical stand for an improvised version of a cat game.]

/Ow. Does it count as points off if your platform is injured?/

[yaoyoroshka]

[See, some people here actually have their sights on the food. Some people named Momo. (Her priorities here would be 60% food, 40% cats; may he forgive her.) So while Shouto walks around a bit more to inspect the place, Momo's simply by the side, scanning the cafe's menu. When he ends up wandering back near her, she'll grip onto his arm to get his full attention, this somehow done without her eyes straying from the menu.]

Shouto! They have cake!

[It's a Very Important Discovery, okay?]

[Locked to Regis]

[of_northern_skies]

[The message had been dropped on his communicator, sure, but it did so to deaf ears. Well, no. Not deaf. But it did drop in a closet. In the dark. Probably with a layer of dust already gracing it's screen.

No, what ended up catching his attention was, in fact, the cat pawing at the glass. He'd seen a house cat before, but it wasn't in Narnia. Narnia, in fact, didn't have many domesticated animals, only wild and Talking. In Archenland, however, it was a different story and many a cat had graced him with allowing him a pet or three.

For as much as it was the feline in the window that drew his attention, it was the smells coming from inside and the line to get in that held it. Apparently, this place was new and popular, which made sense. It was a cute little tavern, though he had no doubt that calling it a 'tavern' wouldn't go well. Especially once he got a look at the menu and didn't recognize nearly 90% of it.

Though, that part was rapidly becoming very familiar to him, much to his annoyance.

Mindful of the line, he flicked his fingers for the kitten in the window once or twice before he finally gave in to his curiosity.]

Alright, little one. You win. I'll come in to see you.

[For as careful as he was about the people in the line...you'd think he'd turn a little slower with such a bellowing cloak draped around his shoulders.]

[kingkingcxiii]

[Regis won't lie. When it comes to food, he has been spoiled. After all, he grew up with the best chefs in Lucis, even if they did put a few too many vegetables into his food. Here has really been no different. Yes, the food has been weird at times, but weird or not, Ignis has graced those in the house with amazing dish after amazing dish. Why would he go looking for food elsewhere?

In the end, it's not the food that makes him take note of the cafe, but those who own it, all those he knows in some way or another. Another being the key word as he finds out not long into his first visit.

(They're twins. So much makes more sense now about that meeting in the archive. Should he mention it to Lup?

...

Nah, it's probably better for his pride if he doesn't.)

He expects the next visit to be a little less damaging to his pride, but then a familiar cape sees fit to wrap itself around him causing him to stumble blindly into its owner.

So much for being better for his pride...]