[Action] Making Preperations / Hamete Strip Mall

[never_go_back]

[It's almost time.. It's so very close, and Kodachi Kuno is very excited about opening the place once things are finally ready. Of course she's aware there is competition since she's been paying some attention to the network announcements but is she worried? Not in the slightest, as she has a secret weapon..

Along the strip there's a large banner that reads 'Cistaceae opening Sept 1st' hanging over a small doorway. The inside is fairly small, but what's important right now is getting all the tables and such properly installed- and she's better suited for directing rather than moving things around so she's called for some others to help her get the place set up.

So right now she waits for Karla in one of the chairs with a rather bored expression toward the wave of people strolling about the strip. She knows the swordswoman for certain will arrive at this time (though will need training on how to be a proper waitress), and expects Brock and whomever else willing to help decorate and clean to arrive a little later.]

.. I am so dreadfully bored.. And this place is so small, I do hope I get wealthy very quickly..

[She mumbles to herself. As it stands, this place doesn't look like it can seat more than eighteen people at once.]

Comments

[swordprincess]

[Karla arrives at the destination and glances around. She comes to the same conclusion, that this place is quite small. Oh well, at least it'll mean that her waitress job will be a little easier while she adjusts to it.]

Oh, Kodachi...is this the place?

[never_go_back]

Karla!!

[At this point Kodachi was slumped over the only table that didn't have another stacked atop it. Well at least at first, now she's standing and looking absolutely ecstatic!]

You are here! Wonderful! And yes, this is the place! It is not much, I know.. Perhaps in time you- er, we will earn enough to renovate into something larger.

How have you been, dear?

[swordprincess]

Well...we can hope so...

[She sounds uncertain, as she really has no idea what to expect.]

I've been all right, I suppose. There hasn't been much to do around here...

[monkeystowaway]

[The name immediately jumped out at Sun when he saw it. He remembered it from that flier that Kodachi had been handing out. But that had been a while ago, and it looked like they had an opening date now. At least he could attend their grand opening now that he knew when it was.]

That just makes it seem more exclusive. [Sun says as he stands in the doorway eating a pear.]

[never_go_back]

[Kodachi stands up, she's dressed rather casually in a white blouse and tan skirt.]

Mere 'hope' will not do! No, I have the perfect plan for you, Karla! i have been thinking about it for weeks and it is almost time to put it into action!

[She pauses a moment to consider Karla's words.]

Is that so.. Sounds to me as if you are ready for work! Tell me, dear, have you ever done any sort of served for a table before?

[never_go_back]

... SUN-SUN!!!

[Talk about a surprise! Kodachi appears to be absolutely ecstatic as she jumps to her feet. Then her eyes light up.]

Exclusive.. Exclusive! Yes, I do believe you are right, that is a perfect selling point! Exclusive..

[She pats her sides, looking for a notepad. She doesn't have one. Oh well! She waves for the young man to come in.]

Look at you, acting so cool. Get in here you big silly~. How have you been!

[monkeystowaway]

Hey, Kodachi.

[He says before giving her a smile. Sun didn't think his sudden appearance would get such a reaction from her, but he's not mad at it. And he did believe the small size of the place could work as an advantage, as long as the food was good enough.

He walks inside, coming over to where she is.]

I've been pretty good. [At least he didn't have anything to complain about.]

What about you? Been fast at work getting this place up?

[swordprincess]

Really? What sort of plan?

[Karla pauses as well, thinking of her past life before she began her search for her brother.]

Well...in my house, the women were told to do what men say. But...this isn’t the same thing, is it?

[never_go_back]

[Kodachi might be a little too happy to see Sun, it's true. But this is because she is happy to get a chance to put him to work! Once he's close, she gets to her feet and raises a hand to her cheek.]

Well, I have been trying, but it is so very difficult! All of these things are just so heavy, though I can move the chairs a little. So I came up with an idea..

I have been attempting meditation so I can get strong enough to move them!

[Which, well, is an outright lie. But she's counting on him showing some chivalry and helping her out. Will the gamble pay off?]

[never_go_back]

What sort of plan indeed... You see, Karla, this is no mere cafe.. This is going to be a costume play cafe! Which means that you are going to be wearing a cute new costume every week! Is that not the most interesting idea??

[Kodachi certainly seems happy about it.]

And.. Well. It is somewhat the same, but also different. It is important to be kind to your customers and take their meal orders, but the real selling point is addressing them as 'master'. Now of course you are not really their servant, but it makes them feel important. Are you following so far?

[swordprincess]

[Karla scratches her head.]

Well, it does sound interesting...

[However, she has to frown at the last part.]

I have to call everyone 'master'? I'm not sure I like that idea...

[It makes her feel...well...less important. She'd rather think of everyone as equals.]

[monkeystowaway]

[See, Sun can sort of figure out what she is doing. Because he remembered that she actually carried him on her back. So she couldn’t really be all that weak. So he’ll let her little gamble pay off, if only because he saw it as a friend asking for help.]

Well..I guess if you are really having such a difficult time, then it would be rude of me not to offer to help you out.

What do you need me to do?

[never_go_back]

Ah! Truly?? [See that sparkle in her eyes?] You are such a gentleman, Sun-Sun, thank you so very much!

[She gestures off to the side, along the right side of the room are 5 tables, two of them which are on top of another.]

I need the two tables that are on top brought to the right side of the room, please. And the booth seats over at the counter need to be placed on the left side of the room too, if that is all right.

[never_go_back]

Of course it does! I haven't any doubt it will be good enough to place backsides in seats, especially with a beauty like yourself around.

[Kodachi gives a fluttering laugh behind her hand. Then wags her finger.]

You must understand, business is providing a service. Remember, a happy customer is a returning customer, and there is no any greater honey than flattery.

[But then she blinks.]

Hmn.. But then again, not everyone here is Japanese; that may end up coming off as strange. Perhaps you have a point, dear..

[swordprincess]

Yes...it does sound strange to call everyone "master." If the main purpose here is to serve food, then we should make the food the best it can be, right?

[never_go_back]

Karla, dear, that sort of thing is perfectly normal in my culture, [she says with a dismissive wave of her hand.] Besides, even the most delicious food will not convince a customer to return if their waitress makes it an unpleasent experience.


[She then gives a thoughtful glance to the side.]

You can get food anywhere. But you can only enjoy the maid experience in this particular cafe- I shall be training you to provide that unique experience!

[swordprincess]

Well...I certainly don't intend to make it unpleasant...

[But Kodachi does have a point. Karla smiles at the offer.]

Okay. How do we begin?

[monkeystowaway]

[Sun looked at the two tables and then over to the booth seats. He was expecting it to be a smaller job than just this.]

What specific spot do you need them in? Can you point it out for me?

[never_go_back]

Ah yes, good question! Well, I suppose the first thing we will need to do is perform a bit of role-play to see what you need to learn.

[Kodachi stands and attempts to take Karla's arm to draw her over to the doorway.]

First you will need to greet the customer, then show them to their seat. Then once, they are settled, ask if you may take their order. So I will be the customer, all right?

[never_go_back]

[Time to prove those abs aren't just for show, Sun!]

Excellent question! First, take a glance at the layout.

[The two of them (y) stand at the entrance, looking north.

Kodachi points to the tables stacked atop each other on the left, then points to the opposite walls where there are no tables. The additional booths are pointed out as well.

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I need those over there so they fit inside the booths, then those extra booths over here. They'll click right against the wall so you will not need to drill anything, merely push them in~.

[swordprincess]

Roleplay? That sounds good.

[And she lets Kodachi lead her to the doorway.]

[never_go_back]

Splendid! And.. Action!

[Kodachi reaches behind herself then withdraws a folding fan, which she snaps open and waves in front of her.]

This looks like a superb place to dine~.

[swordprincess]

[Oh, is it time to start already? Karla blinks for a moment, but then composes herself and begins her "role." She clears her throat as she approaches with a smile.]

Good morning, welcome to...our cafe. [The name of the cafe sort of escaped her there.]

[And then what's next...? Karla glances at the seats in the room, trying to decide where to seat her "guest." She picks a random table by the wall.]

Here, I'll show you to your seat.

[She begins to lead the way towards the chosen table.]

[never_go_back]

[First she looks pleased, but then she huffs as she closes her fan then shakes it in the other's direction.]

Karla! The cafe is called 'Cistaceae'!

[But that aside she follows along, then takes her seat.]

But other than that, a fine greeting with a lovely smile. I don't have the menus printed yet, so pretend you have one, and tell me about today's special. Feel free to make that up.

/So laaatteee. Hope you don't mind him jumping in?

[beautifulmidboss]

[It had been a long month, but Midboss had finally recovered enough to wonder around town unescorted again, much to his relief. Even luckier, he had gotten away with relatively few scars across his beautiful body.

That morning, he found himself strolling through the strip mall, glancing into the various shop windows as he browsed, when his attention was caught by the banner. Curiously, he went over to investigate, only to see Kodachi sitting around inside. This was her doing?

With a smile, Midboss gave a small knock on the window to catch her attention.]