Nephfei Prompt: Cozy Cafe

"Come along, come along!  You know that fall weather calls for a nice hot drink!  There's a lil hole in a wall I've been dying to show the two of you, and now that you're here it’s my treat!"

Chicory had a spring in their step as they bounced off the airship and onto the docks of Winglin's sky port, their body quivering in barely contained excitement as they waited for their friends to follow.  It was a perfect autumn day for sightseeing, as the wind was just cold enough to be inconvenient and the sunlight just weak enough to fall short of warm... and despite all that, the harpip city remained as pretty as a postcard picture.

Ludwig surveyed the view with wide, appreciative eyes as they ducked their head below the airship's door.  The leaves on the trees were turning fanciful shades of red, yellow, and brown, and the grass that lined the footpaths had a lovely golden sheen to it.  Framed among soft clouds and a dazzlingly blue sky, they couldn't help but admire the wonders of harpip architecture before them.

"The weather up here doesn't seem so bad."  They nodded, fluffing up their cloak-like wings against the chill.  "No howling wind, and you can't even see the edges of the island if you don't look back!  Come on Mac, it's safe!"

Both spinxyn looked back towards the ship and the large, quivering shadow that was hesitating in its doorway holding up traffic.  Macbeth had needed a little more convincing to come along on this adventure, as he'd never been up in the sky islands before and was worried he'd slip off the edge with one misstep; a fear that neither of them had managed to completely assuage on the way over.

"I-I can't...." he whimpered.  "I'm gonna f-fall if I look down..." A little hiccuping sob left the enormous spinxyn's throat, causing his friends to skitter back across the walkway to his side.

"H-hey big guy, no tears!"  Chicory stammered, frantically patting at his shoulder.  "You're not gonna fall I promise!  Just... don't look down and everything will be ok, ok?  Here, me and Lud will hold your paws, it'll be fine I promise-"

Sandwiched between his two reassuring friends who covered his eyes and muttered soothing words of encouragement, Macbeth allowed himself to be awkwardly marched onto the platform and out into the streets, far away from any visible cliff edges.  Chicory beamed up at him as he gained his bearings and relaxed, congratulating him on getting so far.  But with the threat of gravity no longer hanging over them, they realized something bigger was now in their reach and jumped up in excitement.

"Welcome to Winglin you two!"  They yowled, making a grand sweeping gesture at the city around them, beckoning for the others to follow as they trotted down the main road on the hunt for their so-called perfect cafe.  “You’re gonna love this place,” they purred.  “It’ll be worth it, I swear!”

‘Worth it’ seemed to entail a surprisingly long walk that took them up and down all over the streets, with Chicory happily pointing out their favorite haunting grounds; over there was the sweetest little chocolate shop you ever set eyes on, over there a bakery that made amazing salmon pastries, here and there and seemingly everywhere were assorted spots and statues that were perfect for pranking unsuspecting harpips, and right down that road was their favorite park where the warmest and coziest sunbeams would shine into at 2pm.  Yes, even despite the chilly weather!

But where was the cafe?  Right when the question was on the tip of Ludwig's tongue, Chicory had them round a corner down a flight of wide stairs to the side of a cliff.  A little corridor of a cave led to a polished wooden door set into the rock, the words HOLE-IN-THE-WALL CAFE printed in neat handwriting. 

Chicory couldn't help but cackle a little at the admiring gasps that came from their friends as they pushed the door open and ushered them in, and who could blame them?  The interior cave was decorated lovingly with terracotta brick walls and polished wooden floors, assorted fancy teapots and coffee brewing equipment displayed proudly on shelves hung with delicate and decorative ivy.  For every low coffee table there were an assortment of colorful cushions surrounding it, perfectly plush for the discerning spinx or harpip's derriere.  The vibes were definitely cozy and comfortable, and a fire crackling merrily away in the stove against the far wall assured that the cafe was wonderfully warm.

The tall harpip behind the counter was decked out in the colors of a secretary bird, and waved enthusiastically at them when they strode through the door.  Chicory wasted no time in vaulting themself over the counter to throw their arms around him in a tight hug.  

"Leegs!"  they crowed, "I told you we'd be coming and here we are!  I'd like you to meet my friends, Ludwig and Macbeth - this is my buddy pal Legs Baby, you guys - but we're here to sample the fall menu...." their expression turned sly as they cuddled into their friend's feathers.  "And the house special afterwards."

Legs Baby beamed at the two newcomers, completely ignoring the purring spinx attached to his chest.  "Pleasure t'meet you!  Tree for the fall menu and d'house special?  Absolutely, please take a seat wherever you like!"  He gestured to the variety of tables, allowing Ludwig to take the lead to plonk down on a very comfortable floor-cushion.  Macbeth followed, pattering an anxious circle or two on his before settling, and Chicory finally detached themself from their harpip friend to sit across from their friends with the menu clasped in both paws.

The three of them leaned over the table to look at the offered drinks, with Legs making cheerful suggestions when Macbeth began to tear up with indecisiveness.  After scribbling their orders down, the harpip fluttered back behind the front counter to prepare things, leaving the spinxyn to catch their breath after their long morning walk.

Chicory was more than pleased that their friends were enjoying this little lull in their adventure!  And once Legs returned with a crowded tray, the three of them were more than ready for the drinks displayed!

A piping hot cinnamon apple cider in a tall, sturdy glass was plopped down in front of Ludwig, a spiced pumpkin chai latte in a shimmering brass cup slid over to Chicory, and Macbeth received an enormous ceramic mug of hot chocolate, topped with a veritable mountain of marshmallows, cocoa powder, and whipped cream.  As a bonus, the harpip set down a plate of three complementary macarons, each one in the shape of a plump and creamy pumpkin with an enticing scent to match.

"Dig in, my friends!"  Chicory purred, immediately swiping a macaron to cram into their mouth.  "Enjoy yourselves!"

Legs Baby returned to the counter to the sound of contented sipping, crunching, and general noises of satisfaction.  Nothing could warm a chilly fall day away like a warm beverage and the company of friends!  Though he supposed Hole-in-the-wall's special seasonal menu didn't hurt either, and by the sound of the chatter and purring, his customers were extremely satisfied.

Between giggling at the ridiculous milk moustache Macbeth gained with every big sip, and taking turns to chew on the cinnamon stick that had been steeping in Ludwig's drink and complain about its spiciness, the three spinxyn were very full and content once their cups had been emptied.

"I suppose it’s time to get going," Ludwig sighed, licking their lips to catch the last few traces of sweet apple cider.  "Oh, but didn't you order one other thing, Chicory?"  Their large eyes blinked at the smaller spinx curiously.

Chicory's expression turned devious once again.  "Oh yes, we're not done yet.  Not until you've tried the house special."

Macbeth's lower lip quivered.  "D-don't say it like that.... is it gonna taste bad?"  He glanced over nervously, eyes already threatening to spill over with tears.

"No!"  Chicory flustered, demeanor dropping instantly at the thought of upsetting their big friend again.  "Nonono Mac, it’s nothing like that I promise!"  They flapped a napkin at him, glancing helplessly towards the counter.  "The house special is... well its.... Legs, help?"

The chuckling harpip once again materialized at their table, a silver pot and three empty espresso cups on the tray he carried.  "D'house special is a little ting ere we like to call.... divine-y tea."  With a sweep of his wing he set the cups out in front of the curious spinxyn, giving the pot a little swish around before quickly and expertly pouring a dark liquid each of them.  It smelled strongly of... espresso.

"It’s not really tea at all!  Its coffee, but its special cuz I'm bad at makin it.  Y'look into d'cup and what you see at the bottom?  Is coffee grounds, ja, but it the shape of em that's important."

"It's like reading tea leaves!"  Chicory piped up.  "Except it’s special because Legs makes em with coffee."

Macbeth peered at his reflection in the cup, his eyes beginning to moisten again.  "I don't want to drink the divine-y tea."  He whimpered.

"Ah no, I don't expect you to drink it!"  The harpip replied quickly, giving him many consoling pats on the back.  "I mean, you can but it’s very bitter n smokey - it’s mostly for looking, ja?"  He waved a wing over at Chicory who was already staring intently into their little cup.  "Dis one is an expert at reading the divine-y tea so before d'tree of you head out again...just think of it like havin a lil fortune told!"

Ludwig hid a little smile behind their paw upon seeing the squinting faces Chicory was pulling at the brew.  "Is that so?  Well, what are you seeing?"

"I'm seeing...." Chicory cocked their head, making another comically thoughtful face that caused even Macbeth to choke back a snort of laughter.  "The shape of an acorn!  Or maybe it’s a cloud?  Sunshine in the steam... the park!  Oh, it must mean it's that lovely sunny hour in the park and we gotta do our sightseeing there next!"

They picked up the little cup and tossed back the espresso shot, slamming it down on the table with a whoop.  "Next cup, pass me yours Lud, quick!"

Ludwig did as they were asked, doing their best not to burst out laughing at the other spinx's antics.  "You're... not planning to drink all three of these are you?"

"No no, but tradition dictates I drink my own divine-y tea when served."  Chicory replied smoothly, taking a deep breath of the fresh coffee steam before lifting the cup to their face to peer in.  "Aha, I see the shape of an airship in these grounds!  You're gonna find a penny under your seat when you catch the ship back home!  Did you want to drink this?"

"Ooh a penny!  Sounds... lucky?"  Ludwig raised an eyebrow, smiling in amusement as they took the cup back into their paws.  "That sounds like an awfully specific fortune..."  After a moment's hesitation they took a tiny sip from the cup, only to scrunch their face up at the taste.  The espresso was very, very gritty and burnt.

"And for Macbeth...." Chicory continued smoothly, smiling at their biggest companion.  "Let me see, let me see....."  They peered this way and that at the brew beneath Macbeth's anticipating gaze.  "Well.  Well, well, well, well, well...."

"I-is it something bad?'' The big spinx looked stricken, his paws gripping the table edge tightly.

"Not at all!"  Chicory replied brightly, making him breathe a sigh of relief.  "This espresso tells me that it’s very burnt and demands justice!  The grounds say we're entitled to one free muffin as compensation -  hey Legs!  Look at this one, it says we can take a white chocolate cranberry muffin to go for my friend here!"

Legs sauntered over once more and peered into the cup, nodding in agreement a moment later, much to the surprise of the others.  Surely he couldn’t be agreeing with Chicory on such an outrageous claim?  "You quick at spotting these dud ones, ah?"  He chuckled, packing the muffin into a paper bag before pushing it into a very startled Macbeth's paws.  "What a lucky fortune, eh?"

It was the work of a moment to get their bill settled, and shortly after, the trio were once again setting out into the weak fall sunshine to roam the city further.  Legs Baby bid them an enthusiastic farewell, before setting about retrieving cups and dishes and dumping them into the sink behind the counter.

"Ahh..." he thought ruefully, resting his chin on his hands as he watched his visitors disappear around the corner.  "And here I thought I was getting better at brewing coffee…  It's a good thing I have a nice, wonderful, honest friend like Chicory who can read the divine-y tea so much more clearly and better than I can!"

~ fin.