A Crown for the Bartender

Hops was working at the Rabbit Hole, as she usually did, and sighed softly as she noticed all the dolls and buns wearing flower crowns. She wondered slightly if any of the flowers on the crowns could be used in creating a new drink, before glancing over her shoulder as her name was called.

“You’ll be serving Angora’s table, get to it.” Another bartender said, and Hops huffed in faux annoyance, a small smile on her face. Despite the slight humiliation she felt when Angora would make her sit in her lap to be shown off or toyed with, Hops had developed a liking for the succubun.

She smiled a bit more as she went over to Angora’s table with her regular drinks in hand, placing them down on the table. She gave a small bow before looking at Angora.

“Is there anything else I can get for you today?” Hops asked, tilting her head just slightly. As usual, Angora leaned back and lightly pat her leg. Hops put the tray down, and maneuvered into Angora’s lap.

“How’s my favorite bartender doing tonight~?” Angora practically purred into Hops’ ear, and Hops shivered slightly, but leaned against her.

“I’ve been doing alright. I only broke one wine bottle and dropped two drinks so far tonight. So I’m definitely improving!” Hops said, and then noticed someone walk by with a dandelion flower crown. “Oh, that one’s pretty too, and dandelions could be mixed with honey to create a different mead that we could sell during spring...”

A soft, amused laugh spilled into Hops ear, earning another shiver from the doll. She glanced over her shoulder slightly to see a genuine smile on Angora’s face.

“You really do only think of drinks, don’t you? I’m glad you admired its beauty, but is the beauty only because you could make drinks with it?” Angora asked, curiosity shining in her eyes, as well as amusement. Hops frowned at this as she thought for a few moments.

“Well, some flowers will only provide visual benefits, but some can also make really good drinks... Is it bad that I like seeing what flowers could make good drinks?” Hops pouted slightly, which earned a hand trailing up her leg in a slightly more than comforting manner.

“Of course not, I just think it’s rather adorable that you seem to always have drinks on your mind... I do have a gift for you tonight, if you’d like to accept it.” Angora said, raising an eyebrow as if daring Hops to decline.

“I always love your gifts, so I’d be honored to accept it!” Hops said, one of her ears twitching in curiosity.

Angora reached to her side, moving a basket closer, and then glanced at Hops with a look that she knew well. Hops closed her eyes, waiting for whatever Angora was about to give her with excitement, her tail twitching slightly as though it wanted to wag but Hops wasn’t letting it. Hops felt her hair get moved slightly, and something placed on her head. She couldn’t help the soft gasp that escaped as fingers lightly brushed one of her horns, though frowned in confusion as she felt something against it after the fingers had disappeared.

“Alright, open your eyes.” Angora said, and Hops did as she was told, letting out another gasp as she stared at her reflection, a beautiful cherry blossom crown resting on her head, with part of it wrapped around one of her horns. “I spent a small fortune to have this commissioned for you, as well as enchanted to fit you in both your doll and bun forms. Do me a favor and switch into your bun form, I want to ensure that the enchantment was done correctly.”

Hops hesitated slightly, disliking going into her bun form while she was on shift, however she’d been asked by Angora, so she knew better than to decline. She shifted forms, looking up slightly at Angora, who smiled in delight, and waved a hand to say that she could go back to her doll form.

“It looks absolutely amazing on you, Hops. As I knew it would, of course. Here, have a drink with me, you deserve to celebrate today.” Angora said, pushing over a drink with a small umbrella in it, which Hops gratefully took and began to sip, a light blush on her face.

When Angora turned to talk to one of the other succubuns who had joined her in the Rabbit Hole, Hops gently reached a hand up to touch one of the flowers, hiding a smile behind the glass she was sipping from. She decided she needed to figure out a flower that would be beautiful for Angora, and make a flower crown for her as well, wanting to show her appreciation even more.