THE JARS THAT BLEED BEFORE THEY BREAK.

[glassjar]

Congrats! You've somehow stumbled upon the pocket dimension where five people with questionable morals (some more questionable than others) live and operate. Are you here on business? Do you have an appointment? Or are you here to see a friend? (Come on, don't make us laugh.)

Maybe you're here on accident due to some multiversal, magical, or otherwise supernatural nonsense? It's happened before, it was bound to happen again.

You can wander towards the house, see if anyone's home. Or you can explore the lush grounds, and maybe run across the wolfman groundskeeper who might try to usher you out towards the nearest portal, anyway. The world is your oyster, just try to be a good guest.

Comments

diamonds are a girl's best friend

[infusion]

Welcome to the Midnight Grind!

[For Iona, the greeting is instinctive the moment she hears the door open. And just as instinctive is her looking over, eyes bright with anticipation at who she will lock gazes with.

She's standing on a ladder with a chalk marker. This time around the Grind employees will, in fact, attempt a set menu although customers are still allowed to order what they wished as long as the ingredients were available in the back.

Oren is standing below her, one hand around a ladder leg to keep it steady. He also looks over and immediately recognizes the new guest. For Iona, it takes a second and she pauses from writing ("Waffle Burger") to furrow her brow as she tries to file through her memory.]

Hm. Haven't we seen you before?

[lyrelyre]

[Lyra's all bright eyes and a smile when she walks in, removing her oval-shaped sunglasses and letting them rest atop her head as she glances around. Her eyes land, of course, on Iona and Oren first thing.]

Oh, hey there. Wow, Jake didn't bother mentioning how cute this place is.

[And to the golem, she waves:]

Hi Oren!

[Her smile stretches a little wider, and she eases a few steps more into the cafe proper. And then to Iona again, she addresses with a lilting voice, light and pleasant to listen to.]

You don't remember me? What if I said... "urn". Jog your memory?

1/2

[infusion]

[She did have a very nice voice. If Iona's arm didn't tingle slightly, she'd be amazed at how natural it sounded. Of course, more importantly, is the trigger word. Because in a few seconds, Iona's eyes widen and she plops her bottom on a ladder step.]

Aw, fuck!

[oren]

Language.

[Oren helps Iona off the ladder and then he turns to nod in acknowledgment to Lyra.]

Welcome. Have a seat. Will get you started.

[lyrelyre]

[She screws up her face a little at the sight, amused, trying not to laugh out loud at poor Iona's fall.]

Oh, come on. Let a girl say "fuck" if she wants to.

[Lyra, you're not helping.

But she finds a seat near the front, easing both elbows on the table and lacing her fingers together. She rests her chin atop that.]

I'm glad the door showed up for me. I was really getting curious.

[infusion]

[Iona wipes her hands on her jeans looking back and forth between Lyra and Oren. Her golem seems pretty okay with the young woman so... Well, Iona would have been okay with her with or without Oren's input, but his was always telling.]

Um, glad to have you here! Been a while huh?

[Oren has moved to the other side of the counter, already getting her drink started so Iona decides to do business first.]

Would you also like something to eat? I'll make sure it pairs well with whatever he's making.

And uh, we don't have to expect any other company, do we? [crosses fingers, no morgan]

[lyrelyre]

Sure. Whatcha got?

[But at the second question, she angles her head a little, knowing.

Playfully:]

Did you want me to call someone up? Invite them here with us?

1/2

[infusion]

[Iona immediately raises both of her arms to create an exaggerated 'X' motion and shakes her head rapidly.

That would be a no.]

[oren]

[Oren has looked up from his drink making to also shake his head silently at Lyra. In contrast to Iona's rapid shaking, his is slow and it makes for a funny sight.]

[lyrelyre]

Wow. [She laughs, once more an airy yet weirdly ethereal sound.] Okay. Who’s the one we’re trying to avoid then?

[infusion]

I mean, it's not like we'll reject him if he comes in... But we haven't seen Morgan visit again yet.

[Might as well be honest. Iona sighs, shaking her head at herself.]

Sorry. I know we're technically over the Urn Incident and I doubt he cares about it that much. I'm really sorry about that by the way. You probably could have been doing something more fun that night.

[lyrelyre]

I mean, that was definitely a night to remember. But it was work. It’s not like I had plans for anything else that night. I went along because I thought it would be easy.

[She shrugs.]

But it’s okay. Morgan doesn’t really radiate “coffee shop hipster vibes” so I doubt he’d come around that often. [She probably just jinxed them.] I know he’s sometimes off-putting, but he’s not really that bad.

[Or Lyra has a higher threshold of tolerance for the things he sometimes does.]

[infusion]

Mmm. I'll take your word for it then... [For now... Iona takes a deep breath and gives Lyra a friendly smile.]

Anyway, I think it's the perfect time to properly introduce myself to you. [She pats her chest.]

I'm Iona Jacqueline Oakes, owner of the Midnight Grind! And a witch. And Oren's already met you. We're happy to have you here.

[Despite her initial reaction to seeing her, there's no doubt that the sincerity in Iona's words is real.]

[lyrelyre]

[She grins brightly at the introduction and coos-] It’s nice to meet you, Iona. That’s a pretty name.

To make it official: I’m Lyra. Just one of five weirdos. Nothing very fancy, not like a witch.

But thanks for the warm welcome. It’s cute.

1/2

[infusion]

You're welcome!

[Maybe it is that supernatural charm of Lyra's or maybe Iona does feel more pleased with the praise. Or it's probably both. Iona doesn't mind either way.]

Anyway! Cafe time! [She looks back at Oren who has some ingredients out and is looking them over.]

Oren, what are you making for Lyra?

[oren]

[Oren is silent for a few seconds thinking. He knows that he gifted the house with green tea already so he won't make anything with that. And since it's almost lunchtime, he decides to ask for Lyra's preference to get ideas for different drinks that might be more refreshing instead of caffeinated.]

Lyra.

Flowers or fruit?

[lyrelyre]

Ooh, a tough choice.

[She taps her cheek, thinking for one whole second.]

Flowers!

[oren]

Alright.

[Oren gets to work by getting a tall glass and filling it with ice and then sparkling water. Next in goes a bright red rose syrup, some lemon juice and a twist of it's peel to decorate the rim.

Iona works on the food in the back as Oren presents Lyra's drink to her.]

Sparkling rose lemonade. Not too sweet. Can readjust.

[lyrelyre]

[She takes it, holding it up to appreciate the color first.]

Wow, Oren. How long have you been doing this? I'm impressed.

[And she hasn't even had a sip yet!]

You should work the bar at our place sometime.

[oren]

Since before Iona was born.

[Lotta time to practice, what else can he say?]

Bartender.

[He repeats it after her and it's in a somewhat questioning tone.]

Who usually makes drinks? At your place.

[lyrelyre]

[She swirls her drink with her straw, taking a sip (it’s good!) and considering the question.]

Well, no one’s going to go out of their way to mix drinks for everyone unless they’re in a really good mood.

[Or looking to get pretty plastered.]

But Morgan’s not half bad at it.

1/2

[oren]

I'm probably better.

[oren.........]

[infusion]

Haha! Oren, you're such a competitive weirdo!

[Iona's laughter emits from the kitchen and she emerges with a grilled panini sandwich (chicken, pesto, sundried tomatoes) and serves it to Lyra.]

Here you go! A nice lunch to go with your sparkling lemonade. [Speaking of drinks...]

We're thinking of adding some light cocktail and wine options for the cafe! Just as a change of pace. So if you're interested that's something to keep in mind!

[ever the cheerful businesswoman]

[lyrelyre]

[She laughs at Oren's reaction.]

Maybe we'll have to put that to the test one day! A drink-off. A... bartender-off? Oh, I'd love to see that.

[He can only imagine it. Morgan versus Oren. How funny.

She offers a thanks to Iona when she brings her the panini, remarking on how good it smells. But naturally, she perks up at the mention of wine, too.]

Careful. I could be here every night if you start offering wine.

[infusion]

I guess as long as... Well. Yeah. Who knows when huh?

[Iona looks at Oren thoughtfully as he moves to the other side to take care of some other customers (who are totally not glancing Lyra's way whenever she speaks, nope).]

As long as Oren doesn't mind and if he wants to do that himself.

[Most of Oren's independent action was never... For just himself.]

He doesn't really have fun in the normal way, just saying.