coffee delivery

The morning haze clung stubbornly to Burrowgatory, the faint glow of bioluminescent fungi casting the streets in an eerie blue light. Billie grumbled under her breath, the burlap sack of freshly picked coffee beans slung over her shoulder like a bag of bricks. The Heavenly Embassy might’ve been perched on clouds, but the weight of its errands was decidedly down-to-hell.

She adjusted the sack, feeling the sharp bite of the strap against her collarbone, and glanced at the little slip of paper in her hand. Scrawled in Dove’s neat handwriting was the name and location of her next stop: Paradise Café.

“This better be worth it,” Billie muttered, stuffing the paper into her pocket and quickening her pace.

The café was tucked into one of Burrowgatory’s quieter corners, its neon sign buzzing faintly against the stone wall. The words “Paradise Café” were spelled out in an elegant script, but the quirky drawing of a coffee cup with wings and a halo betrayed the eccentricity of its owner. A faint, inviting smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted from the doorway, mingling with the sharper tang of whatever experimental concoctions Beanny was undoubtedly whipping up inside.

Billie pushed open the door, the small bell above it jingling softly. Inside, the café was a strange mix of cozy and chaotic. Plush chairs in mismatched patterns were scattered around, and shelves crammed with jars, bottles, and potted plants lined the walls. Behind the counter, Beanny was bent over a steaming cup, a pair of goggles perched on their forehead and a streak of flour—or was it sugar?—smudged across their cheek.

“Delivery,” Billie announced, letting the door swing shut behind her. She hefted the sack of beans, letting it hit the counter with a dull thud. “Where do you want these?”

Beanny straightened, their face lighting up as they spotted Billie. “Billie! You’re a lifesaver.” They wiped their hands on their apron and leaned over to inspect the sack. “These are the beans from the embassy gardens, right?”

“Yeah, fresh off the enchanted vine or whatever.” Billie crossed her arms, watching as Beanny untied the sack and peered inside.

“Perfect,” Beanny said, their voice almost reverent. “These beans are going to revolutionize my menu.”

Billie raised an eyebrow. “Revolutionize, huh? What’s wrong with regular coffee?”

Beanny gasped, clutching their chest as if Billie had just committed a grave sin. “Regular coffee is fine for amateurs. But this?” They held up a single glowing bean between their thumb and forefinger. “This is artistry. Magic. A miracle of agriculture and caffeine.”

“Sounds like a lot of hype for a cup of coffee,” Billie muttered, though she couldn’t help but smirk at Beanny’s enthusiasm.

“You’ll see,” Beanny said, already bustling behind the counter. They pulled out an array of tools—grinders, steaming wands, and a strange contraption that looked like a cross between a siphon and a chemistry set. “Sit down. You’re about to witness greatness.”

Billie hesitated, her gaze flicking toward the door. “I’m not here for a drink, Beanny. Just doing Dove a favor.”

Beanny turned to her, their goggles slipping down over their eyes. “Come on, Billie. You carried these beans all the way here. Don’t you want to see what they can do? Besides, I insist.”

Billie sighed, knowing she wasn’t going to win this one. “Fine. But if this tastes like dirt, I’m walking out.”

“Deal,” Beanny said with a grin, their hands already moving deftly across the counter.

Billie sank into a chair near the counter, her arms draped lazily over the armrests as she watched Beanny work. The cherubun moved with a strange mix of precision and chaos, measuring out the beans with a tiny scale before grinding them into a fine, shimmering powder. Steam hissed and gurgled from the strange contraption as Beanny adjusted knobs and levers, their face alight with concentration.

“So,” Billie said, breaking the silence, “you really think this stuff’s going to catch on? Fancy coffee in a place like Burrowgatory?”

“Absolutely,” Beanny replied without looking up. “Succubuns love indulgence, right? And cherubuns- well, they deserve a treat now and then. This is something both can enjoy. A bridge between two worlds.”

Billie snorted. “A bridge made of coffee?”

“Why not?” Beanny said, flashing her a grin. “Stranger things have happened.”

Billie couldn’t argue with that. She leaned back in her chair, letting her gaze wander around the café. Despite its clutter, there was a warmth to the place that she couldn’t quite put her finger on. It felt... safe. Like the kind of place where you could take a breather, even in a city as chaotic as Burrowgatory.

“Here we go,” Beanny announced, setting a steaming mug in front of Billie with a flourish. The liquid inside was a rich, dark brown, but faint swirls of gold shimmered across the surface, catching the light in a way that seemed almost hypnotic.

Billie frowned, leaning in to inspect the drink. “What’s with the sparkles? Is this safe to drink?”

Beanny laughed, pulling off their goggles. “Perfectly safe. It’s the magic from the heavenly soil. Gives it a little extra... zing.”

“Zing,” Billie repeated, unimpressed. Still, she picked up the mug, feeling its warmth seep into her hands. She took a cautious sip.

Her eyes widened as the flavor hit her tongue. It was smooth and rich, with just the right balance of bitterness and sweetness. A faint, almost floral undertone lingered in the background, tying the whole thing together. It was... really good.

“Well?” Beanny asked, their eyes shining with anticipation.

Billie set the mug down slowly, her expression unreadable. “It’s... not bad.”

Beanny clapped their hands together. “Success!”

“Don’t let it go to your head,” Billie said, though her tone was lighter than usual. She took another sip, savoring the taste. “Still don’t get why you’re so into all this.”

Beanny shrugged, their smile softening. “It’s about more than coffee, you know? It’s about creating something special. Something that brings people together.”

Billie tilted her head, studying the cherubun for a moment. “You really believe that?”

“Of course,” Beanny said, their voice unwavering. “Burrowgatory’s rough. People need little moments of joy to get through the day. If I can give them that, even for just a few minutes, then it’s worth it.”

For once, Billie didn’t have a snarky reply. She picked up her mug again, letting the warmth and the quiet of the café settle over her.

When Billie finally stood to leave, the sack of beans still sitting on the counter, she glanced back at Beanny. The cherubun was already busy cleaning up, humming softly to themselves as they worked.

“Hey,” Billie said, her voice cutting through the gentle noise of the café.

Beanny looked up, their ears twitching. “Yeah?”

“Keep doing... whatever this is,” Billie said, gesturing vaguely to the café. “It’s not half bad.”

Beanny’s smile widened, their eyes crinkling at the corners. “Thanks, Billie. That means a lot.”

Billie shrugged, shoving her hands into her pockets. “Yeah, well, don’t get used to it.”

As she stepped out into the bustling streets of Burrowgatory, the faint taste of coffee lingered on her tongue. She wouldn’t admit it, but she’d probably be back.