Legends & Lattes

On opening day, no one comes by. Tandri practices using the coffee machine, and Laney stops by to support the business. She buys a latte and watches the machine work with interest. However, she leaves the latte on the counter, untouched. Tandri drinks it. She then presents her ideas for advertising to Viv. She made mockups of signs advertising free samples of coffee, the “exotic gnomish sensation” (75). Tandri believes samples will draw in regulars. Viv gives her blessing to begin the campaign. While Tandri is out buying supplies, Viv visits the Scalvert’s Stone under the floor, asking it to not make a fool of her.

Tandri paints signs all afternoon. At closing, she takes Viv around town to show her where the signs should go. Viv asks if she believes this will work, and Tandri assures her that things cannot get worse. Viv is worried about Lack, whom she spies with a Gatewarden down the street as they head back to the shop. Lack approaches and remarks on her hanging sword. He reminds her that she has two weeks before her payment is due. Viv does her best to remain calm, and jokes about needing business to pick up first. Lack knows she is a threat, so he implies the Madrigal’s people have muscle of their own. When he leaves, Tandri asks what he was talking about; Viv reassures her. That night, Viv considers the Blink Stone that Roon gave her, the thin line between success and failure.

When Viv opens the shop the next morning, there are three people already waiting: a dockworker, a washwoman, and a rattkin baker. She presents them with a menu, with brief descriptions for both coffee and latte. The washwoman is somewhat impressed by her coffee, while the dockworker finishes his wordlessly. The rattkin savors his latte in one of the booths. Customers trickle in throughout the morning. Viv and Tandri work well together, tending to customers and cleaning. Once the morning rush ends, the shop is empty for a while. Eventually, a well-dressed young man walks in, carrying a satchel. Tandri informs Viv that he’s a student at Ackers—the Thaumic Academy in Thune. Viv visited the academy once. Tandri is more familiar with it, but her tone suggests resentment. Viv tries to offer the young man coffee, but all he does is sit at a booth and work. He stays for three hours before leaving.

Viv goes to town and purchases a slate and chalk, so Tandri can make a decorative menu for the wall. While Tandri works, Viv wonders if morning will be the only time they’re busy. They hang Tandri’s menu and decide to offer free samples for another day to see if any customers return.

The washwoman and rattkin return the next morning, along with several new customers. The rattkin eagerly orders another latte. The café stays busy most of the morning. Tandri adds that the free samples are only for that day to the slate, so customers will know they’re expected to pay tomorrow. The Ackers student returns later in the day and goes to a booth. Viv is frustrated that he won’t order anything. Tandri approaches him and sweetly asks if she can get him a sample. When he declines, she asks about his work. The student, Hemington, is doing research. He tries not to give details, but Tandri insists, having sat in on classes at Ackers herself. Hemington explains thaumic ley lines, and how they cross through Thune. He’s studying a theory about their impact on material things. He reveals a ley-compass on his palm: According to it, the ley lines don’t pulse as normal in the café. Viv worries about Hemington discovering the Scalvert’s Stone. Tandri insists Hemington take a sample of coffee. He is averse to hot beverages but reluctantly accepts the sample, leaving it untouched as he continues his work.

Viv asks about Tandri’s time at Ackers, but she says she only took a few classes relevant to her personal interests. She adds a stipulation to the slate that a purchase must be made for dining area use. When Hemington leaves, he notices the addition. He says he’d buy something if they had anything to eat. Viv ponders the stove Cal installed.

During a slow period, with a single dwarf occupying the dining area, Viv turns around to discover a large, shaggy cat the size of a wolf sprawled across the floor. No one saw it enter, and the dwarf identifies it as a dire-cat. He thinks they’re lucky but is uncertain. The dire-cat purrs at Viv and Tandri. Viv realizes this is what she heard on her roof and what took Laney’s loaf the other day. She lures it out of the main area with a bowl of cream.

With the café empty again, Viv worries it will remain this way. Her former party member, Fennus, strolls in; he’s a well-dressed elf. Viv and Fennus have always had tension because of his disdainful attitude. She was hoping to never see him again, but she forces a polite demeanor. Fennus heard about her shop from Roon. Viv offers him coffee for their grand opening, but he mocks the use of the term “grand” to describe the empty shop. He concedes that the location has a “ring of fortune” to it after rapping on the coffee maker (95), alluding to a line from the Scalvert’s Stone rhyme. The dire-cat places itself between Viv and Fennus, looking menacingly at him. Fennus isn’t intimidated, but leaves shortly after. Afterward, Viv and Tandri agree to name the dire-cat Amity. Tandri noticed the tension between the former party members, and wonders what Fennus wanted. Viv wonders too, but has a clue: the Stone.

The next morning, regulars return and happily pay for their coffee. Viv wonders how she can make use of the stove and serve food alongside her drinks. She excuses herself and slides into the booth where the rattkin, back for a third time, enjoys his latte. She asks if he knows about baking, having seen his apron and flour-dusted fur. The rattkin uses few words but nods. Viv asks if he could bake something for the shop. The rattkin, who introduces himself as Thimble, agrees to return tomorrow with something to show Viv.

Hemington returns during the afternoon lull. He purchases coffee with no intention of drinking it so he can work in the shop. An old acquaintance of Tandri’s stops by, and Viv can tell she is on edge. The man, Kellin, knows Tandri from when she attended Ackers. He attempts to flirt with her, but she responds with hostility. Viv intervenes, and Kellin informs her that she can’t keep him out, as he works for the Madrigal. He leaves when Amity shows herself, but promises to return. Afterward, Tandri tells Viv about Kellin’s unhealthy obsession with her while she was at Ackers. Viv promises to keep him out, but Tandri jokes about Amity needing a meal. The pair makes Amity a bed in the corner of the shop that evening, but she shows no interest in using it.

The next morning, Thimble arrives with a cinnamon roll the size of Viv’s head. Viv and Tandri are completely taken by the confection. Tandri declares that Thimble is hired, and Viv and Thimble agree on weekly pay. In addition to payment, Thimble asks if he can have free coffee, to which Viv obliges.

Thimble arrives for work with a long list of needed supplies and ingredients. He enjoys his coffee before he and Viv leave to gather the items. Before they leave, Amity walks in, making Thimble tense. Viv worries about the potential dynamic between a dire-cat and a rattkin, but Amity shows no interest in Thimble. Thimble proceeds to take Viv around town, showing her where she can buy his items.

Thimble works on his first batch of cinnamon rolls, quickly filling the shop with a delicious aroma. The smell attracts more customers, including Laney, who asks to save a roll for later. Viv and Tandri privately discuss what they’ll charge for the rolls. Tandri insists people will easily pay four bits for the confection. She adds the item to the menu. The first batch of rolls sells out quickly, and Thimble begins his next batch with enthusiasm.