Strawberries Special @ The Daily Grind

"Are you writing out the new specials, Ione?" Ione glanced up at the sweet voice that belonged to one of their newer employees; a sweet petite Pride pink and black doll. Beside them was another petite Pride grey doll. Ione nodded as they stood up straight from having been bending over the counter writing on the whiteboard.

"Yes. It's the strawberry season, and Limon has been helping me perfect the specials for the season. Not to mention you two with the taste testing. Would you like to see?" Ione moved aside so the two Pride dolls could move to look at the offerings.

'Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade with Popping Strawberry Pearls
Frozen Strawberry Mango Matcha Latte
Stuffed Strawberry French Toast with Scrambled Tofu
Strawberry, Banana & Chocolate Chia Mousse'

"Those look good on top of the selection we already offer! They will be popular for sure!" The pink Pride cheered
"It helps that the other items on the menu are easy to customize... right?" the grey Pride spoke up softly and Ione nodded "Indeed. I will put this up. You good at the coffee bar, Skye?" The grey Pride nodded as the other doll spoke up
"So I'm on food duty?"
"Up front, yes, Elodie. The others are in the kitchen in the back with the rest of our selection" Ione addressed her and Elodie smiled.

Once Ione had put up the specials on the wall, and opened The Daily Grind up for the day; customers slowly started coming in and being mostly pleasant, much to Ione's secret relief. It did help that the staff were not in shortage for the day.

Ione was not surprised when a certain chrome and blue Greed doll entered The Daily Grind shortly before the lunch rush. They watched her browse the menu and the specials before approaching the cashier counter.

"I'm going to get one of each of those specials~" Ione had to shake their head with a soft sigh. They were not surprised and it was evident to the Greed doll.
"Certainly, Ayabun. Go sit down and I'll have Elodie bring those out to you in a bit" They spoke as they rang in the order and Ayabun paid before heading over to sit down within view of the counter. She watched as Ione spoke to the two employees who both nodded and set to work promptly. It was not long before one of the employees walked over to her with her order. Must be Elodie. Ayabun offered a sweet smile as the two dishes and drinks were set down in front of her.
"Enjoy! Thank you for your order!" Elodie chirped as she returned to her work with Ayabun digging into the French Toast first.

"She really loves strawberries doesn't she?" Skye observed and Ione sighed softly "She's why we have the Strawberry White Mocha on our menu now"
Skye blinked in surprise as more customers came in and the trio were promptly pulled back into work mode.

Ione had been coming out from the kitchen in the back when they heard a vaguely familiar voice speaking

"I would like an iced drink. Caramel syrup lining the cup, using the lavender vanilla coffee blend that you have, and for it to be dalgona, please~" and they saw Elodie's jaw drop in surprise. The tall gluttony could easily tell from Skye's back body language that he was panicking a little. It was quickly proven when the grey Pride turned around and shot Ione a look that practically screamed 'HELP ME PLEASE!'

Ione moved over to the cashier and stared down at the pink Lust doll carrying a blue Gluttony. Oh yeah Ione remembered where they knew them from.

".....Ah I remember you two. Manis' littermates, yes? Are you ordering this just to annoy me?" They stared down with mild displeasure and annoyance. The Gluttony spoke up in soft gentle tone

"Ah no...He always orders complicated orders like this no matter where we go..." Ione sighed softly before turning to Skye "Go back to the kitchen and take a quick break. I got this one. Elodie go clear the dirty tables." The two Pride buns scurried off to do as asked while Ione refocused attention on the two customers.

"......May I suggest iced lavender vanilla coffee with caramel syrup, strawberry puree and strawberry cold foam instead?" Ione could see the Gluttony hold back a groan when the pink Lust bun's eyes lit up
"Strawberry cold foam?!"

"Yes, Reverie. Would you like that instead?" "YES PLEASE!"
With the Lust bun's confirmation, Ione rang in the order then added in a cup of Earl Grey for the Gluttony. It was paid for by the Lust and they stood to the side conversing quietly.
Reverie and Mosaic. Ah yes that were their names. They had only met once or twice due to Mosaic's wellbeing and Ione's dislike for overly sexual topics which Reverie was known for. It had been a while though.
Huh. Ione had to wonder how Manis was doing. If she was happier now? Shaking their head clear of those thoughts, they had Skye deal with the Earl Grey tea as they worked on the complicated iced order. It was better to focus on the present than dwell on the past. What's done is done.

When the pair left and the rush settled down, Ione leaned onto the counter with a soft sigh as both Elodie and Skye helped themselves to a drink. Their ears picked up familiar sounds of their current manager on shift walking into the coffee bar area to make himself a cup of hot drink. Then familiar sounds of hooves clicking across the tilted floor reached their ears and they cracked open their eyes to the sight of two Pride buns, one petite the other tall. The petite was red and had both Scales and Fins while the taller one was blue and had Tentacles.
Panacea and Baduhenna.

They straightened up and spoke over their shoulder
"Skye go help Carmen in the kitchen please. We're out of popping pearls and lemonade so they need to be refilled."
Normally Ione would send Elodie to do it themselves but they recognized their next two customers and knew Skye would be intimidated. The grey Pride paused, looked at the two customers before fleeing into the kitchen with Carmen. Elodie shot Ione a questioning look as they went to greet their customers.

Ione had known of the pair through Limon and their mutual friend, Montresor who owned Vaults of Nitre. Ione often used his wines in their cooking and had met the pair often on their visits to his property.

"Welcome, you two. What would you like?"
"I'll get the Sparkling Strawberry Lemonade with Popping Strawberry Pearls and Pan love will get the frozen Strawberry Mango Matcha Latte please. We'll dine in. Also how is Limon doing?" The blue Pride Ione recognized as Badhuenna spoke
"Didn't you see her the other day?" Ione questioned while typing in the orders. The two Pride shook their head and Ione sighed
"Must've gone to another pit then. She's been in a bit of a mood lately but she's okay. I'll have her get in touch with you two.....And Argus. Bram texted last night, prying about her."
They shook their head as Panacea and Badhuenna exchanged a look. "Don't worry too much, it happens sometimes. Anyways Elodie and I will make your drinks so please go get a table."
"Thanks, Ione! Also 'Lethe wants to know if you and Limon can make it to this Saturday's gathering?" Panacea inquired and Ione's lips quirked into a small smile
"We'll be able to. I'll be bringing over some turnovers and Limon will bring a container of ice cream from her parlor. Any requests, just text us. We haven't decided on the flavours yet."

Panacea smirked while pulling out her phone to text the group chat as Ione stepped away to get started on their drinks; Skye and Carmen having refilled the lemonade mix and popping pearls already during their short conversation. When both drinks were made, Ione went out to deliver them to the couple and sat down with them for a conversation since it was quiet in The Daily Grind at the moment.

All was well. Strawberry season meant business would be bustling as they were excellent in both sweet and savory dishes as well as in both hot and cold drinks. It pleased Ione quite a lot.