A Cozy Cafe (PLEASE JOIN- OPEN)

[Evangeline Topclaw]

10 : 00 AM,
XX / Dec / Yr. 04

(((Evangeline does not bite- all races and factions welcome. Just don't start any fights please? Its broad daylight in a cafe on mainstreet, for reference)))


Evangeline's Cafe was open to the street, a lovely floral scent wafting out the open door. The smell of tea and strong coffee filled the air. It was daylight out, but the tea shop was much darker then the outside street, relying on ambiance lamps and and the gentle flicker of candles to guide its patrons.

Evangeline sat at the counter, chin on hand, strumming her accounts book with the tips of her fingers. A small saucer of tea steamed to her side, and she picked this up, taking a delicate sip before placing it back down. She had a lot of morning customers, simple folk looking for morning coffee or tea to get on the right footing for the day. Evangeline wasn't at a lack of customers, but these mornings were very dull nonetheless. She checked the time on the far wall, and made a mental note to invest in time travel.

The servicewaiters were doing all the work, and to be sure, perhaps Evangeline could be helping them, but she wouldn't. She payed them to work, not to complain about the work, and if she wanted to sit about strumming her hands, that was her prerogative. Either way, she had a small package under the counter that needed delivery, and wondered when the owner would show up.

[Oberleutnant Windhover]

Windhover walked along the street, his hood down as to not draw any unwanted attention. He scrunched up his nose, rubbing it with a hoof from the chilly December air. His sleep the prior night wasn't exactly restful, so he felt a bit sluggish at the time, wiping his eyes to help restore their full ability without causing any pain.

Among the things that he spotted along the street was an open door, with a lovely smell floating out from within. It was a tea shop. Mmm... Tea..., he thought. He could really go for a hot cup right now, and decided he'd do just that. The pegasus trotted in, fishing a few bits from his coat pocket. The individual running the shop, however, was a griffon. Most others like him would turn around and walk away on sight. Windhover, however, was no racist, and treated all he didn't know with an equal, common respect, unless they themselves just warranted otherwise. He sat down at one of the tables, raising his hoof just a little to offer a subtle indication that he was ready to order.

[Evangeline Topclaw]

Evangeline sees the customer, and crosses the counter. "Welcome to the Topclaw Teahouse, how may I serve you?"

The Pegasus looked pleasant enough. He wasn't going to be a trouble customer- Evangeline always made a thing of personally serving new customers, to make sure that it was done right on their first impression. "We serve teas, coffees, and later in the evening we serve stronger stuff. We also have biscuits, muffins, and other confections."

[Oberleutnant Windhover]

"Ah... Thank you for the warm welcome." The pegasus was rather pleased with the introduction.
He didn't need much time to think about what he wanted. Windhover was an avid fan of tea, his favourite of which was Earl Grey. He almost perked up a bit at the mention of biscuits. Biscuits and tea... Something he hadn't had in a long time.

"I'll have a cup of Earl Grey tea, and a few biscuits. No sugar, please. Thank you..."

[Evangeline Topclaw]

Evangeline nods, and walks to the prep area to make the tea and biscuits. A small tray of biscuits fresh from the oven sat by the tea preparation area. The hot water was already steaming in the kettle, so Evangeline prepared the cup and teapot. She sifted a measured amount of the Earl Gray tea mix from a fancy tea carton, and dropped it into the tea pot.

She poured the hot water from the kettle into the tea pot, and placed the brewing tea pot on a tray. She retrieved the biscuits, jams, and butters, and an appropriate fork, and place those too on the tray. The last touches were some fancy silver butter knives.

She brought the tray to Windhover, and set his tea cup on its saucer. She placed the infuser over the front of the pot, and poured the freshly brewed tea into its cup. She lowered the biscuits and jams to the table, and the little jar of cream. "You didn't say if you wanted milk or cream, so I brought those just in case. Will that be all for now?"

[Wiste]

A red diamond dog walks into the establishment. Anyone present who has been the the clinic under the city would have seen him before, and his white garb with the red cross on the back only cements the fact that this is a healer, not a warrior. He slumps in a booth, exhaustion evident by his bloodshot eyes and fatigued expression. He has not even the strength to call for a waiter, just staring at a vase of flowers on the table before him.

[Evangeline Topclaw]

A waiter approaches Jokers table. It was a pony in delicate garb, a pleasant shade of lilac. "You seem tired. Can I get you anything?"

[Wiste]

The medic looked up, taking a moment to focus on the waiter. "Could you please get me a strong cup of coffee and a shot of tequila?" He spoke flawless Equestrian, with a Trottingham accent, albiet a little hoarse and worn at the moment.

[Evangeline Topclaw]

The waitress nodded. "It's a tad early, but I'll get it out for you." The waitress headed off to the service area. The coffee was simple enough, they had three pots sitting on the warmers. She placed the tall mug and the coffee pot onto the service tray.

The tequila was another matter altogether. She didn't have a key to the alcohol cabinet, and it wouldn't be unlocked normally until noonish. She carried the tray to Joker and set down the mug. "Your tequila will be out in just a moment," she said, pouring the cup. "Do you want me to leave the pot of coffee with you, or do you think it'll be fine?"

[Wiste]

He says nothing, just slumped there, trying to stay awake. As soon as the cup hit the table he grabs it and starts to gulp the boiling hot liquid, eager for the caffeine boost.

[Evangeline Topclaw]

The waitress is slightly unnerved by Joker's hasty caffiene consumption. "Honey- uhm, don't burn yourself." She put the coffee pot down on a corkwood coaster to save the table from being scalded, and wandered off to get the Tequila.

Evangeline was in the middle of serving a patron, so she simply sided up to the Griffon and asked for the liquor key in a hushed, professional fashion. Evangeline handed the key over without taking her conversation off of Windhover.

The liquor cabinet was located behind the service counter. She placed the key in, slid it open, then took a gander at the alcohols they had in stock. She saw a bunch of mezcal and instinctively reached for it, but paused- mezcal was not Tequila, she recalled. She moved the bottles aside, finding the 100% Pure Blue Agave Tequila, imported from a region she'd never been to.

She recalled that most Tequila was served in shots, so she got a tray and loaded it with a two shot glasses, some sliced lime, and some licking salt. She poured the Tequila, placed the bottle down, and carried it out the the Dog.

"You're Tequila, sir."

[Oberleutnant Windhover]

"Yes ma'am. Thank you..." He looked up to the griffon, giving her a firm nod.
He wasn't very accustomed to being out in public like this, but in all honesty, he sort of... likes this place.

[Evangeline Topclaw]

"Thank you, sir," she said to the stallion. He seemed nice. It was always good to make nice customers into regulars. She made her way back to the service station, and put the Blue Agave liqour to the side, closing the alcohol rack. She checked that the waitress was still out serving the alcohol, and made a mental note to get the liquor key back when she was done. Normally Eva and Eva alone touched the booze, but Eva made budges when customers rolled in at awkward times. The clock on the far wall chimed that it'd rolled onto eight o'clock.

Evangeline sighed, and patted her fingers over the counter top.

[Wiste]

The dog was more awake when the waitress came back, although now that the tiredness was gone, a slight pained expression was on his face. He thanked her for the hard liquor in a hushed voice, then looked around. "Do you have a restroom here?"

[Evangeline Topclaw]

"Yes. The bathroom is in the back, the door next to the stairway."

The mare reaches with one hoof into her apron, and pulls the a key out. "Here's the bathroom key."

[Wiste]

He stand up and snatches the key with his left arm. Pausing to switch the key to his other hand, he grabbed the two shots and headed to the back.

[Evangeline Topclaw]

The mare watched in confusion as the Dog grabbed the key and headed into the bathroom with two shots in stow. She didn't do anything to stop him, but when she thought the Dog was out of noticing range, she creeped up on her manager and told her the news. "That Diamond Dog just took his Tequila into the bathroom with him..."

[Wiste]

As the waitress turns around, she notices a red splatter on the ground, smelling faintly of iron and salt. The blood trail leads from the booth to the restroom, a small puddle under the table.

[Evangeline Topclaw]

Evangeline pursed her lips. "Go get some rags and clean up all that blood. I'll see what I can do about that Diamond Dog." Evangeline got the second bathroom key from under her counter, and headed off to the bathroom door. She knocked loudly on the door. "Hey, bleeder, you dying in there. We're not a hospital, so finish up what you're doing or I'm coming in there."

[Wiste]

A small grunt sounded, then a slight whimper "I'm... I'm fine, almost finished. I'm a doctor"

[Evangeline Topclaw]

"Doctor my ass-" she muttered. She swung the door open, a small police baton in hand. "Now finish up whatever- oh, well maybe you are a doctor. Sorry, to erm, interrupt. Normally ponies don't try to perform medicine in my bathrooms. Uhrm..."

[Wiste]

The red dog sits on the floor next to the sink. A good amount of red blood is splashed in the pool of water, turning it murky. The two empty shot glasses lay on the floor, knocked there by an errant twitch. He lays his head back, eyes bleary with tears, a crude yet effective needle job on a fairly large gash on his left forearm. A needle, blunted with use and some thin, malleable wire sit next to him.

He looks up when she enters and gives a small grin "S-sorry about your bathroom, ma'am, I'll be sure to pay extra"

[Evangeline Topclaw]

"Yeah, that'd be great. Listen- should I call, maybe another Doctor? I mean, you seem bright and all, but uhm... you're in a bathroom with a big ol', erm, cut in your arm..."

The waitress brought Eva a bowl with boiled water and a rag. "Here, uhm, this might help."

[Wiste]

He gets rather unsteadily to his feet, stumbling slightly before grunting and thrusting his trembling arm through the sleeve of his white robe.

"No, my dear, I'll be just fine. Let me pay and get on my way, there are plenty of ponies waiting for my help back at the clinic"

[Evangeline Topclaw]

The griffoness backed up and let the Diamond Dog have his way. "Try not to, urm, nevermind." The griffoness extended a claw for the promised money, but otherwise allowed the Diamond Dog out.

[Wiste]

Joker reaches into his pocket and counts out the bits for his drinks, then adds quite a few extra. 'For Damages' is all he says as he walks out and down the street.

[Void's Mirror]

An hours walk lied behind Mira as she finally had reached the city that must be Manehatten. She had heard about it in other towns and wasn't sure if that was the best place to be. But she had a debt to pay and so long as she hasn't done everything to do exactly this she won't leave this city again.
She had told the guards the same as she had told every other guards of other towns and they had let her pass. She followed the Main Street and got a first impression. And that was no good one.
She saw a café alongside and decided that she first should take a breakfast and entered the house as a Diamond Dog went out. She nodded greetingly with a light smile. Then she was insdie and looked around. Finally she set down on a random table.

[Evangeline Topclaw]

The waitress/assistant was in the bathroom, sponging the blood off of the ground. Evangeline approached Mira, who'd just walked into the cafe'. "Good Morning~ and how may I help you?"

[Void's Mirror]

Mira looked up at the griffon. She still didn't feel that well among those lionbirds. But she smiled her typical little almost shy smile.
"Morning. I would really appreciate a breakfast and maybe one...no, two information if you please. A coffee would be a nice start, and... well, do you have something to eat for ponies?" She was pretty sure that it's been a stupid question for there were some other ponies sitting around.

[Evangeline Topclaw]

Evangeline smiled back. "I can get you coffee in just a bit. For breakfast, we're serving pastries, biscuits, cookies, cakes, scones, english muffins, bagels, cereals, and fruits. All vegetarian, if that is what you meant. We get all of our goods fresh from the bakery next store."

"You wanted some information? I can certainly help to the best of my ability."

[Void's Mirror]

"Well, then...", Mira said, thinking, "I take a bagel, please." She was very hungry after the events of the early morning and said the first thing that her mouth was able to phrase.

"And...I would like to know, first: do you also sell food to go, like: that I can take with me? And also, can you maybe tell me where I can find a place to sleep?"
The city seemed very rundown but she hoped that there was still or already something like a bed&breakfast, a hotel, anything.

[Evangeline Topclaw]

Evangeline made a mental note- coffee and a bagel. The mare was now asking about taking her food with her. Well, Eva thought, she did have stuff to wrap a baggle in, but she'd prefer to keep her matching mug and china set in one place, and not scattered across Manehattan. The mare also wanted to know about places to stay, which was a bit trickier of a proposition. Of course they're were places to stay- but it hinged on the mare in questions pocket book.

"Well, we can certainly wrap your bagel, or whatever else you order up. That's no problem. Just be sure to leave our china here when you're done with our coffee," she said, giggling. "If you want a place to stay, there's hundreds of places you can stay on Mainstreet if you can afford the stay. They're a bit pricier because they're fancier hotels. If you're looking for economy, you can always find a place to sleep in the Western Residential District."

Evangeline waited to see if the mare had any more questions before she left to attend to the coffee and bagel.

[Void's Mirror]

"Oh", Mirra said. "It's okay. I will eat my bagel here. And the coffee, too. Well, I will drink it, that is." She smiled awkwardly. "It's just that I...eh... would like to take something for a... friend. Nothing to drink. Just food." She didn't know what to tell the griffon. "Well... I think about what it will be later on, o-kay?" She smiled really awkwardly now. She hadn't given enough thought of how to handle this situation which obviously ended up in talking embarrissing nonsense.
Mirrow also got to know where she could sleep. Western District for economy. Good. "Thank you", she said, again smiling. Or more: without ever having stopped to smile.

[Evangeline Topclaw]

The morning was coming along well for Evangeline. She provided the necessary things for the mare- her coffee, her bagel; she brought the typical cheeses and hams, cream cheeses, butters. If the mare'd have a good breakfast, these'd be crucial.

Evangeline brought it on a dainty platter to the mare, and seeing no pressing business going on, sat down next to her. "So, what brings you to Manehattan?"

[Void's Mirror]

Mirror gave the griffon a thankful smile as she brought her the bagel, and begun to spread it with butter. Her gaze was caught by the ham. She blinked a few times but then ignored it simply. She didn't have to eat it. Hopefully.
She smirked lightly as she heard the question that was asked to her a few times already. She got used to stay to the truth as close as possible. "Well, I am only passing through. I grew up on a farm but decided that I wanted to discover my mother country. So I go from town to town. But so far, I haven't been in a city as big as Manehatten." Actually, she tried to avoid these cities. They seemed much too dangerous, but the accident in the morning brought her here and she had to live with that now.

[Evangeline Topclaw]

Evangeline nodded. "You're not going to find any cities bigger then Manehattan, I think. It's the biggest there is. I didn't catch your name- I'm Evangeline," she said, offering a talon.

[Void's Mirror]

"Mirror", she said, shaking Evangeline's talon. "I must confess I like your name. It's very pretty." Mirra took a bit of her bagel. "So...ehm... I am almost afraid to ask but... you know that I don't eat any ham, do you?"

[Evangeline Topclaw]

Evangeline looked to the ham, then panicked. "Oh- OH! I am so sorry!" she grabbed the ham off of the table and raced it to the back where it'd be out of sight. "I'm soooo sorry!" she said as she rushed about in a panic.

"I know ponies don't eat ham! What was I thinking! I wasn't trying to insult you- Please, take, take a refund! Please, this was unforgivable." It was hard to tell, what with the feathers, but Evangeline appeared to be blushing profusely.

[Void's Mirror]

Mira became slightly frightened as she saw the griffoness' reaction. "Oh, no, please! I didn't mean... I was just curious. Please, calm down. I took no offence, honestly."
She really hadn't. She had seen enough griffons eating meat since they had entered Equestria so that she got used to it. She tried not to think about it once having been sweet animals.
"Everything's okay", she said. Hesitating, she streched out her arm and placed her hoof lightly on Evangeline's shoulder before she took it back again after a millisecond, feeling awkwardly. Though she met like about hundreds of ponies and griffons since she left home she still wasn't sure how to behave. Her lack of knowledge about conventions was really unexpediant. "I don't want any refund", she said, trying to smile.

[Evangeline Topclaw]

Evangeline looked ruffled up when she was done panicking. She flattened her feathers down to her body with a talon, before sitting back down awkwardly at the table. The other patrons had stopped to stare at the spectacle for a few moments, one of the very rare lapses in Evangeline's professional demeanor.

Evangeline eye'd the spot the ham had sat at, before swallowing nervously and smiling.

[Void's Mirror]

Mira bit lightly on her lower lip, looking thoughtfully. "Actually, thinking about it, I could use the ham." She spread her arm out, this time to push the ham from the back of the table closer to her again. "Like, you know, as I said I would like to take something with me." She smiled, then thought of something. "Of course, I pay for it!", she added hastily.
"It is for a friend... as I said." Mirra hoped it would sound senisbly. "A diamond dog!", she blustered out, suddenly thinking of the one she met when she entered the café. "Yeah, a diamond dog and those tend to eat meat." She smiled the best smile she could offer though her heart was beating in tension. She was good at telling lies she was used to. But new ones were still kinda hard. She hoped the griffon wouldn't suspect anything.

[Polar Chrome]

The entrance door to the café opened and closed, announcing arrival of a new patron. A light grey coated pony, with brown hair and hazelnut eyes, pair of glasses and a long black coat, covering his cutiemark, walked in. Polar looked around and noticed a that the corner table was free. The unicorn shuffled past a griffin and an earthpony talking about something over a plate of what was either a pink cake, or a ham. Polar paid the discussion little of his attention, only making sure his briefcase did not accidentally hit anyone as he moved across the establishment.

He seated himself in the corner, sitting with his back to the wall and with good overlook of the entrance and the front window into the street. The briefcase he was carrying was placed under his chair. He looked around cautiously and waited for the waiter to show up.

[Evangeline Topclaw]

((I'd like to apologize for my ruined posting cycle. I've been having all of my energy drained by heavy workouts T.T for the Navy ))

One of the wait staff approached Evangeline, and gestured to the pony who'd sat at the table. Evangeline nodded and rose from her seat. "Of course, take the ham." She was inwardly relieved that something had come from her mistake. "I've got to attend to more work, I hope you got what you needed?" She had to cut the conversation short to turn her attention back to the new pony.

"Hello, welcome! How may I be of service?" she asked Polar Chrome.

[Void's Mirror]

Mira nodded lightly confused. "Yes, everything's fine, thank you." She didn't want to keep the griffon from work. She only wondered how and when she was supposed to pay for her breakfast. But before she had to worry for that, she needed to eat a bagel and drink a coffee.
She really hated her shiness.

[Polar Chrome]

Polar made a small, polite smile as the griffin approached him to take his order. "Good morning, I'd like to order a cappuccino, please."

Polar felt ice in his stomach the moment he said the word 'cappucino'. Suddenly, he wasn't sure if that was only a Canterlot thing, pressed coffee and milk foam, if it did not automatically framed him as a foreigner to this city, and worst of all, he did it in front of a feckin' griffin.

"...and a daffodil sandwich, please," he added. Hopefully, she would focus on the sandwich more than on the coffee. Hopefully.

[Evangeline Topclaw]

Evangeline kept her smile up as he asked for a cappuccino; "I can't say I'm familiar with that drink sir, but I can see if we got something else for you."

That was of course a blatant lie- but the cafe' was rather under equipped for coffees, and so far she'd not but four customers in her entire history of running the place ask for cappuccino's. She'd rather play ignorant then fess up that they didn't own the equipment or know-how to make one.

"On the Daffodil sandwich, would that be dry, or with condiments?"

[Polar Chrome]

Polar nodded, keeping a calm face, but behind it, he started to sense trouble. She never heard of cappuccino, or at least wanted to appear as such. That could mean several things, one of them her being a spy for the griffin commandature. 

Polar started to get nervous. He had to get out, but he also had to not make it look too suspicious that he knew. "Just dry, please," he answered to the griffin, hoping she would leave to get his order and allow him a free look over the room to devise a plan of retreat.

Polar's eyes drifted over to the second pony in the room. Oh shoot. The griffin was talking to her as well as he entered... a collaborator for them! She would keep look on him while the griffin would... likely... do something in the kitchen.

"Just... dry please. Yes."

[Evangeline Topclaw]

Evangeline prepared the drink, oblivious to the paranoid tendencies of any of her customers. Her waitress began taking notes for the bill, leaning on the counter and staring in Polar's direction as she went into a daydream. As it were, she was serendipitously leaning on a counter, taking notes, and staring at Polar at the same time.

Evangeline brought the drink and noted the briefcase Polar kept with him. "On a business trip are we?"

[Polar Chrome]

Polar watched the griffiness as inconspicuously as possible, or so he thought, at least. In reality his eyes simply darted between looking forward, deeply studying the texture of opposite wall to short, two second looks on the catbird. She seemed to be taking notes. Oh, shi- probably already gathering intelligence... crapcracpcrap! Stay calm, Polar... just... stay calm, damnit.

He suddenly realized he ordered food in a hostile territory. And that he either had to eat it to not become suspicious, or dart it outside, where she would be on home ground and have the advantage of flight. He was smaller, yes, so he could likely easily hide in between the urban elements, but he had no street knowledge of the city. He would get lost, and then, in some dank, smelly and dark narrow street, surrounded and caught, or even worse.

He stared at her as she asked him if he was on a business trip. Polar realized he looked like he would, coat, better looking clothes and a suitcase. He stiffly nodded. "Yes, a... business trip of sorts, yes. Some... trade talks about... some industrial equipment delivered to Canterlot..." he said a lie stitched together with a very hot needle.

[Evangeline Topclaw]

"Huh! I always heard that Canterlot was a ruin," she said, putting the tray down for the pony. "So, they got some sort of civilization going up there, or is it just salvaging operations or something?"

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