There were a distinct lack of bakeries in Vale, with one of the sole holders of this business title, Cafe Scarlatina, being tucked away next to the library. It's owners, Velvet Scarlatina and Coco Adel, were all too happy to capitalise on such a niche market; Velvet had a penchant for creating pastries from even the most mundane of household ingredients, while Coco had a keen eye for business, and knew her way around coffee and other such beverages better than most pros, a fact she took care to make known in the taste of her brews. The couple had garnered more than a few loyal customers, human and faunus alike, and as time passed, it was decided (mostly by the discovery one day of Velvet, snoring into a sheet of cookie dough after baking for almost 50 hours straight) that some help was needed. A blessing in the form of Velvet's longtime friend, Blake Belladonna. She had been at the cafe when Velvet was discovered knocked out, as she herself was their first regular customer, and had offered to help with the rest of the day's orders. Coco immediately pointed her towards the aprons hanging behind the counter and gave her the orders she'd just received, before almost sprinting to Velvet's side. She returned after settling the sleeping young woman in at the desk in the small office inside the cafe, expecting the small line of customers that had gathered to be still there waiting for Blake to gather their orders. She was pleasantly surprised and instantly impressed as she saw Blake hand the only customer still at the counter their order. Blake's calm efficiency helped keep the cafe running smoothly for the next few hours, until closing time came and the last of the customers trickled out. Giving her a wide grin, and a blush inducing swat on the behind, she thanked the girl. "You were a lifesaver today, I really appreciate the help."
"It was nothing. I'm glad I could help you and Velvet out. If there's anything else I can do, let me know."
"You know, we could use some more help around here, and if Velvs is okay with it, I think you're our girl. Drop Velvet or me a line tomorrow if you're interested." She took up a napkin from the dispenser on the counter, folding it in half and scribbling something on it with a pen pulled from her apron pocket before handing it to Blake, who took it, reading a cell number she presumed was Coco's on it. "Thanks again for the help today, it could have gotten pretty dicey if you weren't here to help. I'm sure Velvs appreciates it too. I'll be sure to let her know you were damn good out there."
Coco offered a hand, and Blake grasped it hesitantly, before being pulled into a quick one armed hug by the other young woman.
"Any friend of Velvet's is a friend of mine, and I know Velvet's lucky to have such wonderful friends."
Blake blushed at that, and said her goodbyes with a heartfelt smile on her face. She liked Coco, and she was glad Velvet had found someone like her to be with. The next day she called Coco, and a month later, she'd grown accustomed to being on the other side of the counter. It was a cool evening, and Blake was enjoying the rich smells of the bakery. A cup of Coco's hot chocolate brew was sitting behind her on the back counter, a treat for a hard day's work, as Coco knew Blake loved that particular blend. Being an employee certainly had its benefits, Blake thought as she savoured the aroma with a small but content smile on her face. She perked up slightly as the door opened. The cafe's latest patron was a new face to Blake, a small brunette girl, dressed in high waisted shorts, a white blouse and a long red scarf, her hair dyed red near the ends, and whose silver eyes ensnared Blake's rich golden ones instantly. After a few seconds she blinked, annoyed at her lapse in professional behaviour around a customer, and made sure to put on her most charming smile for the young lady.
"Welcome to Cafe Scarlatina, how may I help you Miss?"
The girl blinked, then smiled at Blake.
"Oh, hello! I'm Ruby, and I'd like a small hot chocolate and a box of your kisses please."
Blake's eyes widened, and a blush spread across her face, mirrored almost instantly by Ruby as her mouth opened slightly and she brought her hands up to cover her lips quickly. Before she could say anything else, Blake recovered, and chuckled softly to herself.
"Our Velveteen Kisses go 4 for $2.00, and a small hot chocolate is $2.50."
She rung up the order, quickly moving to place a box of 4 of the "kisses", which were in fact small, bite sized cupcakes Velvet had recently started baking, in a bag. Pouring the hot chocolate into the appropriately sized cup and covering it over, she placed the items on the counter. Accepting a ten-dollar bill from the still blushing and now nervous Ruby, she returned the change to Ruby, who promptly placed all of it in the tip jar. Blake gave her another smile at that, which only deepened the girl's blush. Blake almost felt bad teasing the girl like this, but she was just too cute. As Ruby turned to leave, Blake suddenly called out.
"Miss Ruby?"
Ruby turned, her blush fading and her head cocked inquisitively.
"My name's Blake, and if you want to know more about my kisses, I'll be here from 12 to 7 every day."
Ruby's blush returned in full force, and she hurriedly nodded her head before walking quickly out, looking back at the still smiling figure behind the counter. Blake chuckled, and as she resettled herself behind the counter, she hoped Ruby was the type who liked to learn. Her kisses were, in her opinion, a very extensive topic.