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The Dreamy Café (IC)

Yumetou

Yumetou

Onshi
Upon the southern shore of the Misty Lake, there is a building which should not be there. A modest structure, seemingly appeared overnight. While it was not unusual for a Youkai to create a home for themselves so rapidly, few had ever done so to open a business. The woman who owned the shop was certainly no Youkai, even if she was odd for a human...

The name of the café was likewise a mystery. There had never been a sign above the door announcing its name. There had never been an advertising campaign, or anything else which might have given away what the café was called. Yet across Genosokyo, everyone seemed to know it by one name.

The Dreamy Café.

The Café had only been open for two weeks. But already, stories of the strange little café have spread across Gensokyo. Human and Youkai alike exchanged excited tales of its entrancing food and savory drinks. Of rooms, which seemed to stretch and shift, vivid colors, unnatural geometry and of the...peculiar mannerisms, of its hostess. It is these stories, which drew you to the Dreamy Café…

From a distance, the building looked fairly banal. Certainly less imposing than the Scarlet Devil Mansion on the horizon. A small cottage standing on its own. The walls were warmed by the sun and inviting, surrounded by a small but colorful garden garden.

Beyond the door, was a wide room, a varnished mahogany bar forming an ornate oval. Stools set at regular intervals dotted the side of the bar. Empty of customers, save for a trio of fishermen on the far side conversing among themselves. At the center of the room, encircled by the bar, was a large oak tree, its leafy limbs extending to cover the wooden beams overhead. Colored lanterns hung from its branches, giving the space a mellow atmosphere. Against its trunk, there leaned a blackboard set with a menu. Though in lieu of names and prices were only pictures in chalk.

There was no sign of the proprietor of the shop at first glance. Though the moment your gaze shifted away from the bar, the figure of a young woman stood up from behind the bar. With her dark brown hair and magenta dress, she did not look particularly special in a land like Gensokyo. Despite her closed eyes, she seems to look at you quizzically. A pale hand rose, making her twin braids bob, as she gestured to the menu behind her.


Spoiler




 
Aya: (hmm… quite the interesting place. I might be able to find some nice bits of news if I just sit and listen. Though it’s quiet now, there’s no telling of what could happen with anybody who walks in.)

*She takes a quick nod to the mysterious bartender and sits down at the bar.*
 

Aya: “Ah, I’m not in the mood for much right now. Thanks for the offer!”

*She opens up for notebook and begins to take in the noise of her surroundings, listening for anything from anybody that could draw someone’s attention. While waiting, she begins to outline articles, like one on the cafe, to pass the time while listening.*

 
*Kosuzu, after hearing about this "Dreamy Cafe" from all the rumors in the human village decided to check it out herself. As she's getting closer, she starts to move her head around, observing her surroundings*

Kosuzu: (This place seems a lot more normal that people make it out to be)

*She steps inside and sees Aya*

Kosuzu: (Aya looks like she's writing something, maybe she's focused on her work, I don't know if I should bother her right now)

*She ends up sitting at one of the stools, looking for a catalog or a menu to order from, but the closest thing to a menu was a blackboard with nothing but pictures. She kept looking at it, hesitating if she should ask someone for help*

 
*Noticing Kosuzu, aya gazes wanders over to her as she sees her being a bit nervous*
Aya:(oooo, that girl always has some kind drama about her, I should keep an ear out. Let’s see what I can do to get her talking…. Ah, maybe I should order something to get another person chatting!)

Aya: “Hello, bartender lady! I’d like the item on the bottom right of the menu, the drink. Please and thank you!”

 
*Kosuzu after seeing that Aya stopped writing in order to order something, sat closer and decided to start a conversation with Aya*

Kosuzu: "Hello, Aya. How has work been? Bunbunmaru has been selling pretty well recently."

 
Aya: “Oh, you know, the usual going about hunting for a good scoop. And we are currently sitting in the middle of possibly nice little extra article to put in. Though I’m a little underwhelmed so far, it won’t hurt to just review the place and leave it there. What brings you here?”

*As aya says this, she jots down another one or two details, like the drinks or the oak tree within the cafe*

 
As Aya declined an order, the arm of the stranger girl dropped to her side dramatically. It was hard to tell on a face like hers, but she almost seemed to be scowling. Before slowly, she sunk behind the bar once more. There, she remained silent, until Aya called for a drink, some sort of pink bottle, marked with a trio of Yen. A single arm lunged out from behind the bar, shooting a thumbs-up from behind the counter, before the proprietor emerged again.

As she emerged from behind the bar, walking purposefully towards the two, Kosuzu and Aya could get a better look at the owner. She was short, though not unusually so for a human. Beneath her long braids and the calm expression of her face, she wore a magenta dress, with a dark purple corset around her waist, and a jacket tied at the neck. Around her waist was a checkered length of cloth like an obi, which matched the tights she wore over a pristine set of buckled shoes.

Without a word, she placed the bottle in front of Aya. It looked like a pretty standard Japanese soda. Probably strawberry. Its small size (compared to American sodas at least) made up for by its unique taste. The fun sound of a colorful marble bouncing inside added a playful element to the drink. But as Aya looked the drink over, it was hard not to notice something wrong.

Bottled soda like this may have been a novelty in Gensokyo. But now and then, one would see a drink from the outside world. But while the bottle looked familiar, the label was definitely not written in any language of the outside world. The chaotic jumble of lines and curves vaguely resembled Katakana. But the way the logo looped around the label and onto the glass itself resembled no other bottled drink. Were one to turn the bottle around in one’s hands, the lettering just seemed to continue on, with no other writing visible. No manufacturer’s information or nutritional guide. Just the nonsensical name on the drink, looping around, until coming back to the front of the drink. Where the writing was different from when Aya first looked at it...

 
Aya:(interesting, quite the set of characteristics for a seemingly normal soda…)

*She takes a furtive and quick sip of it and starts noting it’s characteristics, like the odd label and it’s presumed origin of the outside world, though she doubts it a bit*

Aya: “Thanks for the drink!”

 
Aya: “It’s… something. I cant really put my finger on the taste, but it’s oddly familiar. Wanna try?”

*She slides it over in Kosuzu’s direction, still confused on what to even call the taste in her article.*

 
*Kosuzu after being hesitant for some seconds, grabs the drink and takes a sip*

Kosuzu: "You're right, it feels so strange yet so familiar. But it's definitely not bad. Maybe I'll order one myself"

Kosuzu: "Barwoman, I'd like to order the same drink please."

 
As the pink, translucent soda passed Aya’s lips, she would be met by the novel taste. It was a soft, bubbly drink. Sugar and strawberries flooding her taste buds. The soft aftertaste of cream with it. But there was something else in the taste. For the barest moment, her body would feel young and joyful again. The smell of fresh-cut grass stung pleasantly at her nostrils, and Aya felt nothing but childhood joy.

And then, it was over. The taste of strawberries and cream slipping down Aya’s throat, before it was gone…

Kosuzu took her own sip. Her own mouth met with the taste of strawberries and sugar. Though her nose would smell no scent of grass, she would feel a moment of happiness, less strongly than Aya had. As she called for a drink of her own, the proprietor gave her a thumbs-up. Reaching under the table, she picked it up. Walking around the counter. Before she set it in front of Kosuzu. The sound of glass on glass as the marble rattled inside.

It only waited to be seen, if the fresh drink would have the same effect on Kosuzu...

From behind her back, the matron of the coffeehouse pulled free two menus. Setting them down in front of both Kosuzu and Aya. Like the menu over the bar, the menus were plain. Lacking any descriptions or prices, each marked only with Yen. Instead, each had a pictograph, displaying the item for sale. Ayume knew both menus were identical.

Aya’s eyes however would find a menu sporting traditional Japanese cuisine. Sushi, udon and tempura mingled on the page. Most options were vegetarian, though the the occasional dish of chicken or fish appeared as well. Kosuzu’s on the other hand would display a number of pastries and sweets. Pastries fashioned after cats sat next to chocolate-stuffed croissants and colorful cookies. All begging to be ordered...

 
Aya: (Hmmmmmm… many different choices, all the same style though. That’s another thing to note down.)

*She quickly takes a couple more notes and then looks back up.*
 

Aya: “I will have the tuna sushi please. Kosuzu, what are you interested in getting? There so much on here to pick.”

 
*After thinking about it for a bit, she decided*

Kosuzu: "I'll get some some of these croissants. Oh, and these colorful cookies. All of the seem delicious though."

*Kosuzu finished giving her order and looked back at her drink. She opened the bottle and started drinking, only to be met with a completely different taste. She was really surprised. After looking at Aya's drink and then her own, just to confirm that they were the same thing, she tasted it again. But the result was the same, she felt completely different. Immediately see started seeing older memories of hers, memories like reading books with her grandpa and her first time working at Suzunaan. See felt as if the memories were embracing her in warmth.*

Kosuzu: "Wow, how did this happen? Aya, did you also feel like you were relieving old memories when drinking this soda?"

 
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Aya: “Yeah, it reminded me of skies above youkai mountain, before I was a reporter and just flew above the mountain a bunch.”

 
*Yuyuko enters and takes a seat, waiting for someone to take her order

Yuyuko:"My, what a lovely place, its quite a shame Youmu had to run some errands, still I can not wait to see what they offer here!."

 
*Aya looks over at yuyuko, smiles, and turns to the barkeep.*
Aya:*quietly* “Careful, that ghost can eat you out of this cafe. Some say she has an infinite appetite.”*as she says this, she giggles a bit.*
Aya:(As usual, I’m gonna keep track of all of this. Who knows, there’s already some interesting characters filtering in as I write.)

 
Aya’s order was met with a nod from the hostess. Kosuzu’s order followed a moment later, acknowledged with a thumbs-up, before Ayume turned. Despite her closed eyes, she had no difficulty maneuvering her way past the tables and chairs. Every step from her polished red shoes giving a playful squeak. As she reached the bar, Ayume leaned over the counter, forced to stand on her tiptoes. For a moment, her feet wobbled as they threatened to leave the ground before she thankfully stood up. Sporting a tray in her arms. Upon this tray was the plate of sushi, lined up upon a linen napkin set with a woodblock print of a tuna. Beside it, a delightful array of cookies. Carefully arranged in a neat pattern. Steaming croissants sat nearby, a smaller plate carrying chocolate, jams, butter and even cheese.

Turning, their hostess carefully walked back towards the two. Her face serene and eyes closed, before she set the tray on the table. Kosuzu’s croissants came first, placed before her. Aya’s tuna sushi next, along with a pair of bamboo chopsticks. Before the cookies were placed on the center of the table. Satisfied, Ayume stood. Giving both a polite bow.

Aya’s advice thankfully did not seem to disturb the owner's expression. Though for a moment, a pulsing vein appeared on the side of Aya’s head. Vanishing in a moment as the hostess serenely turned, and made her way to Yuyuko’s table.

As Kosuzu bit into the croissant, she would be met with the taste of a fluffy, lightly-buttered pastry. With it, came a sudden flood of emotion. Momentary shyness, quickly replaced by excitement and happiness. Made all the stronger with her additions to the croissant. Aya’s sushi on the other hand gave a rush of authority and respectability, which flooded her body from where the fish met her mouth. There was reason to be frightened, yes, but she also had reason to be admired…

The emotions of both vanished as soon as they came. Kosuzu’s nervousness and Aya’s apprehension went first, leaving them both with only the residual feelings of shy excitement and authority.

As Ayume reached the hungry ghost’s table, she pulled a menu from beneath the tray. One which had not been there moments before. Passing it gently to Yuyuko, the noble lady of departed souls could see a line of traditional Japanese faire. Though as she flipped through it, the serving sizes became larger and larger, and the meals slowly more Western. Certainly not food expected at a coffee shop. A twelve-piece bucket of chicken with sides. A seventeen patty hamburger doused in cheese. An entire cooked pig. Those closed eyes stared down at Yuyuko, beads of sweat forming on her brow…

The arrival of another customer would normally have been a source of frustration for Ayume. As it was, Alice’s arrival was a rush of relief. The woman turned to face Alice. Eyes closed as she silently bowed in greeting. Ignoring the menu behind her as Yuyuko turned to the seventeenth page of what had been a one-page brochure. Without a word, Ayume gestured to a free table. A fresh menu sprung from beneath the tray, before she passed it to Alice. The food this time would be more European breakfast faire. Teas and coffees, pastries and mixed fruits.

She could only hope that Yuyuko did not notice the other three’s menus. A conversation about such large menus might bring up the differences in their menus, Ayume did not want to hear that conversation between customers again…

 
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