[Hymn #15] [Movement]

[nightcrossed]

[[OOC: This and subsequent entries take place after the hiking thread (which is still going on, as far as I know) And her maid outfit is as close as I can get to a cafe uniform so, enjoy.]]

[Tear sat at one of the cafe tables with a sheet of paper and a pen, comprising a list. The room was mostly vacant and the atmosphere relaxed. The restaurant's manager had set her about the task of coming up with ideas to attract more customers, and she was brainstorming dutifully. It didn't hurt that an influx of customers brought with it the potential for tips, which she didn't particularly need, but were bound to be useful eventually for lessons or supplies.

So far she had written down the obvious: extending the menu, lowering prices, advertising, offering some form of entertainment, following some sort of theme which might be popular with the other residents (or maybe switching themes every week so that returning customers would have something to look forward to). It had also crossed her mind that hiring more staff members might draw a larger crowd - after all, there was only so much she could do by herself, and she didn't much want to run herself ragged if it could be avoided. Although, it was fairly obvious that Tear was the type to do just that unless someone convinced her to stop.

Tear paused in her work long enough to adjust her headband and help herself to another sip of tea.]

Comments

[fluorite-flux.livejournal.com]

*seems to spring up out of the ground next to her, leaning over her shoulder to look at her notes* Brainstorming? ^.^

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

[Luckily for Tear, she had learned a few things since her hiking trip. One of these was to not throw knives at people who appear in unusual places. Unless it's Raven.]

...Oh, Fay-san! I didn't notice that you came in.

[She smiles slightly.]

Yes, the manager's trying to figure out how to attract more customers, so I'm working on a list. I think the main problems are that people just eat in the cafeteria because it's free, and that they're unaware of the cafe's existence.

[fluorite-flux.livejournal.com]

*chuckles* I am sorry to have startled you, but you looked so deep in thought.

Hmm, I think I understand what you mean, but there are other eating establishments around here that seem to do just fine. Perhaps this place needs a "hook?" A "signature," so to speak. A dish it is famous for, for example.

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

Oh, no, it's all right. You didn't exactly startle me, since I've come to start expecting people to appear without warning. You can thank Raven for that.

I suppose something like that might work. The cafe's sweets are very good, and if we offered a unique recipe that no one else has access to, I think it might attract attention. I'm not sure what recipe that would be, though. All of our dishes seem pretty ordinary. I could check out some cookbooks from the library, but I'm not about to go experiment in the kitchen myself.

I'm not exactly highly recommended when it comes to cooking, at least not these sorts of foods...

[fluorite-flux.livejournal.com]

Perhaps something seasonal would be good to start out with. I hear there are many recipes that involve the use of flowers and cherry tree leaves. People might come in here to pick up sweets themed for flower-viewing. ^.^

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

Something with flowers? That sounds like a good idea.

You wouldn't happen to know which plants are safe on this island, would you? I'm afraid I'm not familiar with any of them. I'm not even sure which trees are the "cherry trees" you speak of.

That was one hinderance I ran into while hiking... I couldn't be sure if the flora were poisonous or not.

[scoop-tengu.livejournal.com]

[Aya liked the cafe. It was a relaxing place to sit down for a moment and enjoy a cup of tea. It was also good for people watching, like what she was doing to Tear.

About one fifth of a second after she put down her tea, Aya was behind Tear, hovering slightly to look over her shoulder at her notes.]

Maybe stocking complementary copies of a certain newspaper could boost sales.

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

[Tear looked up at her, beginning to get the feeling that people approaching from behind was normal.]

You might have something there. If we offered reading materials, customers might hang around longer to browse through them. Not only would that keep the floor full and potentially attract more people, but they might order larger quantities to eat because of the extended stay.

I... wonder if there's a way to encourage socialization. I know lots of people use the cafeteria, but it's crowded at peak times and difficult to hear over the buzz of all those people. This cafe is a lot quieter, so maybe the atmosphere is worth promoting.

[Tear added as an afterthought.]

You really take pride in your newspaper. I've read a couple of copies myself.

[scoop-tengu.livejournal.com]

A journalist's newspaper is her livelihood.

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

I guess so. You're very good at adding interest to your stories, I'll give you that much.

So, is this something you've always enjoyed doing?

[scoop-tengu.livejournal.com]

I don't remember.

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

But you really seem to like journalism...

Well, I guess Memento Eden does encourage one to try new things... I like this job well enough, but I'm not sure it's my calling.

[apurposetolive.livejournal.com]

*Luke strolls into the restaurant, starving after a hard day's work and ready for something not from the Ari Apartments' cafeteria, when his gaze runs past Tear...and Luke does a double take. And stares.*

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

[As luck(?) would have it, Tear happened to notice this reaction. Maybe her uniform was inappropriate? She hadn't thought it so unordinary (it seemed modest enough by her standards, which were pretty strict), but if it was garnering attention, then maybe she should reevaluate her appearance. Either way, Tear's response was embarrassment. She didn't much like people staring at her. Especially when they weren't staring at her face.

Tear would have rather shouted at him to quit staring at her like an idiot, but since fighting with a customer wouldn't leave a very good impression, and since he hadn't exactly done anything wrong, she turned her frustration into a question instead. It was best not to jump to too many conclusions.]

Why are you staring at me?

[apurposetolive.livejournal.com]

Eh...huh?

Oh, uh... What's with the outfit? Was there a costume party or something?

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

[Tear frowns slightly at this.]

Is it that strange to you? The cafe's work uniform, I mean.

Part of my job as a waitress is to wear this. It's the same way for knights, maids, and other workers - they have specific armor and costumes that they have to wear while they're doing their duties, right? I don't think this is really any different.

[Added very, very quietly.]
...and I thought it was kind of cute...

[She returns to her regular manner of speech.]
If you have a problem with it, I can call the manager for you.

But that's besides the point isn't it? I imagine you came in because you were hungry rather than to gawk at my uniform. So, what do you want?

[Leave it to Tear to cut to the chase and bypass the rules of friendly customer service.]

[apurposetolive.livejournal.com]

Geez, sorry, I was just asking.

Anyway, I, uh... Eh, whatever, just give me some chicken broth or something. I've kind of lost my appetite now.

1/2

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

...

[Irritation and annoyance ensue, but she keeps them to herself.]

All right. Just a moment.

[And she's off to hunt down food for the noble.]

2/2

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

[And she returns a few moments later with a steaming bowl of chicken broth, a roll on the side, and a cup of Earl Grey. She sets them down neatly in front of Luke.]

If you need anything else, let me know.

[She hovers nearby for a moment, wondering if she should attempt a conversation or just leave Luke to himself.]

[lillovefreak.livejournal.com]

Uwaaaah! That outfit is really cute!

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

Y-you actually think so?
Well, thank you very much.

[Mixture of embarrassment and satisfaction over here.]

Oh, right.
Welcome to the cafe. Can I help you with anything?

1/3

[lillovefreak.livejournal.com]

Yes! It is adorable!

Oh, yes. I'd like a small cake and some tea, and...

2/3

[lillovefreak.livejournal.com]

...

3/3

[lillovefreak.livejournal.com]

...Huh?

Re: 3/3

[a-severed-fate.livejournal.com]

Heh. [Smile.]

Okay. Coming right up--