Mike and Baxter's Roasted Chestnut Store
Prologue: The world that followed
Sometimes, big actions change the world. Sometimes a big group of people together make something that changes how the game is played from there on. But sometimes, a simple, single decision can flip the world as we know it completely upside down.
I am sure many of you readers are familiar with timelines. And if you are not, I think you need to read or watch TV a little more. One of the formats for timelines is one were different versions of a world branch into different paths, creating the called alternate dimensions. It's in those timelines were things like a small different decision can create something new. And this story takes on one of those branching stories.
The world of New Life Comic has always been host of conflict; the main of them being the intolerance between two races: humans and nivieans (basically, furries), with humans being the perpetrators of the act. In their main story, there was this young man called Ryan Lancing; who had lost his memories of a dark past were he would hunt members of the niviean race. He was found by a female niviean with a fox appearance called Sara, and together they would try to redo their lives. But it didn't come easily, as Ryan had many enemies. Between them, there was a male dog niviean called Mike. He was tasked in killing Ryan from the world controlling organization, the Guardians, whom Ryan was member of (is a complicated story, so bear with me). Although he had no sympathy in Ryan for his past atrocities, Mike's reasons were nobler; save his family.
But here, is where things changed. In the original timeline, a plan that went wrong caused the rest of the story's events. But in one version, Mike took a different decision. He instead apologized to the two main protagonists, and asked their help. This lead to events that culminated in saving his family, exposing the Guardians for their real actions, and with them out of the way and the public not trusting them, the then secret supporters of equality took charge, and in span of a few years, the intolerance was in its most part demolished. It came with some costs. Due to his past and current actions, different kind of people hated Ryan, so he had to change his last name, and avoid dragging in attention as much as he could; while he embarked into making a new life of himself. Sara was there with him all the time, and would help as she could.
But what about the person who invariably caused the change, Mike? His family was saved and moved far. But he now was unemployed. And with nowhere to go in this changing world. What would the future have in store for someone like him?
This is where our story begins…
On a typical week day, Mike decided to once again try to find a job to sustain him. He had heard about a Café that was hiring a kitchen helper, so he went inside to ask for the job. He slowly approached the counter to ask out for it.
Mike: E-excuse me mister… b-but I heard you were hiring someone to help, and I was wondering if I could apply for the job.
Store Clerk: Oh, I am sorry, but we have already hired someone. Good luck next time.
Mike: Oh… well it was worth a try, sorry to bother.
This wasn't a new thing for him, but he was already getting hopeless about his situation changing any time soon. He couldn't just give up though.
However, while he was asking out, Mike had been noticed by someone having lunch on a table. He was a male cat niviean, with white fur and yellow hair. When Mike had talked, he had recognized him from many years ago. So before Mike could leave, he heard himself called out.
?: Mike? Is that really you Mike? Oh man, wow! It has been so long that I saw you!
Mike was confused, as he didn't recognized who was talking to him.
?: You may not remember me. I am Baxter. You and I met some years ago. I think you were escaping from that slavery farm, and you passed through a town I was in.
That ringed Mike's bells, and he was able to recognize that guy he met those years ago.
Mike: Oh yeah, you are that guy who welcomed me and the others. Yeah, it's been quite a long time huh? Things surely change from then. You look good, though.
Baxter: Thanks. Well, I am glad I got to see you again. But hey, why don't you come over so we can catch up on how things have gone? I'll invite you something to eat.
Having nothing better to do, Mike accepted his offer. They sat down on the table, had the promised lunch, and they got to talk and catch up. Mike explained him the things he had done, most of which he wasn't proud of in the slightest, as well as how he was first in the line to see the reformation that had happened, now known as the Liberation. Baxter payed attention to everything Mike spoke, and could both sympathize and understand everything he saw. Baxter would tell about his mostly normal life, as well as his own perspective during the Liberation. Truly, both of them had lived very different lives.
Mike: And now things are going like this. We nivieans can finally live in peace for the most time, and we can again live side to side with the humans. Is pretty crazy how quick things changed. Guess most people were afraid of the Guardians than anything.
Baxter: Yeah, it was a bit of a crazy ride. But I personally think is for the best. Not having to hate makes you feel the much better with yourself.
Baxter payed for the meal and stretched out his arms before getting up.
Baxter: Well, this was fun, and I am glad we got to catch up after so long. Well, take care, buddy.
Mike however, hold Baxter's arm before he could leave. Baxter stopped, surprised.
Mike: Actually… I was wondering if you could do me a favor. You said that you work in the Fish Shipping industry. Well, I was wondering if… maybe, you knew about a job that was free there? I have been searching for quite a while now, and had no luck. So… think you can help me there? I will accept anything really.
Baxter looked at him, and saw his desperation over the job issue. He sighed and sat at the table again.
Baxter: *Sigh* I will be honest with you man. Dunno if you heard about it, but the fish industry right now is in a sort of crisis. Worker union is on strike since a while now, and work has virtually gone paralyzed. I actually don't really have a job… this strike is making me unable to do it. And until the strike ends, whenever that is, I am stuck without income. I'm going on with the savings I got, but I still need to work. I am really sorry bro…
Mike looked shocked at the news, and felt the few hope he had left vanished.
Mike: Well… it was worth asking. Thank you. I guess I will get going now.
Baxter felt bad for what was going on however, and after a few thought, he called Mike out.
Baxter: Well… I know I said I couldn't help you with something related to a job, but I know I can do something. You said you got nowhere to go, so why don't you come to my place and stay for now?
Mike: What? Oh, nonono! I couldn't possibly bother you with this.
Baxter: No bother at all! My place is big enough for both of us, and plus, I could do with some company. Come on; let me at least help you with that. What do you say?
Mike really didn't want to bother Baxter, but he indeed didn't have a place to go, and he was being so nice to him. Mike smiled at him.
Mike: Alright man, thank you so much.
Baxter smiled back at him.
Baxter: Alright then, let's get going there.
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A few hours passed, and Mike had installed in Baxter's couch. He was still pondering how his life had turned towards this. Life definitely hadn't been good for him overall, but for once, at least he felt things weren't as bad as lately. At least he had a temporal place to go after the day. And this guy, Baxter, he seemed a little weird, but definitely friendly. If anything, Mike was thankful.
Baxter saw his friend in thought, and thinking how he could cheer him up, came up with an idea. He went into the kitchen, and took out a pan, a spatula, some condiments, and a hermetic box. From the box, he took out some little rounded things, chestnuts. He opened them carefully, put them in the pan, and with some spices, made some roasted chestnuts, which he then placed them in a bowl.
He then sat next to Mike and presented him the bowl.
Baxter: Hey dude, want some snacks?
Mike look at the bowl with the peculiar cooked nuts.
Mike: Hmmm? What is this Baxter? I don't think I have seen this before.
Mike took a few of them.
Baxter: Heh, yeah this is something not many people know. They are roasted chestnuts; is something I like to cook now and then.
Mike ate the chestnuts. He was surprised at how good they tasted; definitely different to eating them in raw, or in other ways he had eaten them before. It was a pretty interesting thing for sure.
Mike: Wow, this is actually quite good, man! How did you know about this technique?
He said so while taking another handful.
Baxter: Thank you! It's a recipe my mom invented actually. She would cook this for me and my siblings all the time when we were kids. I like preparing and eating them whenever I am in deep thought.
Mike: Well that's nice. Though I do have to say… aren't chestnuts kind of rare on this region? Where did you got them?
Baxter grinned and he leaped out of the couch, going into another room. After a bit, he came out with a big plant pot. On it, a relatively small tree was planted. Mike was surprised when he saw that tree was some sort of miniature chestnut tree, which actually had some chestnuts in its foliage.
Mike: What is that?
Baxter: Oh this little thing? Well, is a long story. In short, I found this little tree being sold along others. It was pretty withered and uncared for, and the owner said he would probably use it for fuel. I don't know why, but I felt compelled to buy it. I took care of it until it got green again, and one day, I found out it was a chestnut tree. And it turns out; this tree actually produces chestnuts regularly. If I take all the ones it has at any moment, it will produce again in like half an hour later. I don't know what it may be, but I imagine is magical in nature.
Mike was pretty fascinated at it. It was quite the curious thing. He continued enjoying the chestnuts calmly.
Mike: Well, this really is quite the original idea. Is some good food and not well known. You know, someone could actually make some money selling them.
Mike didn't notice that those last words of his actually got Baxter thinking deeply. After a few minutes, he was pretty excited over something.
Baxter: That… is actually a good idea bro!
Mike: I'm sorry, what are you talking about?
bBaxter/b: What you said! About selling roasted chestnuts to people. It actually sounds like an interesting idea! We could prepare them, sell them to people in the city, and make some profit from it.
Mike looked at his friend, who looked pretty hyped about the idea. But he wasn't exactly sure about how good it was.
Mike: I don't know Bax… being something rare could work both towards and against us. How well could we actually do?
Baxter: I don't know, but is it really important? Look, you don't have a job, and I'm in a position where I am more or less the same. We may not get rich with this, but I believe we could make profit enough to not get broke. As I see it, we got nothing to lose.
Mike: Mmmmh… but what if we do fail?
Baxter took the bowl with a few chestnuts left.
Baxter: If it fails, well… I guess we can live from eating this, heh.
Mike couldn't help but let out a chuckle. He was certainly right, what was there for them to lose at that point?
Mike: Alright man, I am in!
They shook hands.
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The next day, outside their building, the duo placed a small table, a bowl filled with roasted chestnuts, and a sign saying "Roasted Chestnuts, one bag for 1 Munny." Both were pretty excited, and got ready for any customer interested in their treats. The day went on however, and their enthusiasm withered as time went on and nobody really stopped to buy anything. Most people just passed without paying attention, a few just turned around briefly. But nobody really stopped. The day went on, and by the end, the 2 were pretty disappointed and with no earnings that day.
Baxter sighed as he began disassembling the table. Mike just looked blankly at the bowl still full of chestnuts.
Mike: Well… that blew even worse than I imagined…
Baxter: Yeah yeah, I know… I think that our presentation is too poor. Rarely, people take seriously stands like ours. They just turn to see, but nothing much from it. *Sigh* I guess we didn't plan this out well enough…
As the duo was about to go however, someone passing by actually stopped in front of them. She was a mature human lady, with some distinguishable purple hair. She had stopped as she had recognized one of them.
?: Wait a second… hey, is that you Mike?
Mike recognized her once she began to talk.
Mike: Lady Laura? Is that you? Oh, hello! Long time no see.
Laura: Yeah Mike, is been a while. I am glad to see you again though, you look well. Have you seen Sara and Ryan lately?
Mike frowned.
Mike: Not really, I lost contact with them since a while now.
Baxter: Will you present me to your friend, Mike?
Mike: Oh, sorry. Baxter, this is Miss Laura. I met her several years ago. She actually was part of the leading force of the Liberation. We kinda owe her the fact us nivieans and humans can live together again.
Laura: Oh Mike, don't be so modest. It was you 3 who made all this possible really. And I gotta say, is great to see things so peaceful again. I really owe you for this, young man.
Laura looked around and saw their now dismantled operation, and felt compelled to ask what was happening. So the duo explained to her everything until that point. She listened to them carefully, as she enjoyed a few chestnuts.
Laura: Ouch… yeah I can sympathize with you guys. I really hope things look up for you soon.
Mike: Thank you Ma'am.
Laura got thoughtful for a few moments. She seemed to be remembering something very important. She suddenly clasped her fingers and looked at them happily.
Laura: You know guys… I think I could be able to help you out. Please come with me.
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Some minutes later, Laura had taken the 2 nivieans into town; around a well-known street. They had arrived to what seemed a small and abandoned building. She opened the door and showed them inside. It was a dirty and old small place, but it was equipped with some unused tables and chairs. There was a counter, a small stove, and a door to a somewhat big storage room. Both of them weren't getting what she wanted from them.
Baxter: Umm… Miss Laura, what is it you want?
Laura turned around to face them and gave them a warm smile.
Laura: I want you 2 to use this place for your roasted chestnuts. I acquired this old store many years ago but never got to use it much. It would be a shame to let it rot, and you need a good place, so, I want you to keep it and do good things with it.
Both guys were shocked at the proposition. She had just given her a whole place for them to try out their food selling. And she wasn't asking anything in return.
Mike: Miss Laura! We couldn't ever bother you with this! Is such a great thing from you.
Laura: Hey, I said it would be better for me if this thing got some use. Plus, I told you sweetie. I am grateful at your actions that made this new world possible. I want to show that gratitude with this. Please don't be shy, and make something amazing with it.
Both Baxter and Mike couldn't feel more amazed at this. Seeing her insistence, they finally agreed to take her great offering. Laura handed Baxter the keys, and with one more warm smile from her, left them to their own things.
Baxter and Mike looked around the store. It was much more than they had ever wished for. They were actually given an opportunity to succeed. Neither of them could imagine what could possible happen from now on. What kind of situations or happenings they would experience. But they had been given an opportunity, and they weren't by any chance going to let it pass. They would see this 'till the end.
And this is where their new story begins.