Witchfire [Open, casual, just hanging out <3]

The Witchfire cafe sits on Marlar’s Lane in Waterdeep’s Castle Ward, roughly halfway between The Market and the Blackstaff Academy. It offers breakfast, lunch, and a variety of beverages, hot and cold, but perhaps most importantly, it has an impressive, ever-changing selection of baked goods and sweet treats. The owner, Helaena, a human woman with long, tawny curls and striking sea green eyes, known as Laena to friends, employees and regulars, greets every customer with a smile and a “What can I help you with today?”

Helaena looks out on her cafe with a faint smile, taking a moment to breathe between the opening rush and the first lunch guests. She loves her job, but it can be a bit Much. Still, the people make it all worth it.

After a long and winded trek by foot along the lands of the Realms, the chimera's mismatched hues carefully shifted whilst entering the cafe, her nose gently twitching as she faintly sniffed up the scent of sweets and baked goods...a more than welcome smell, as the Sylv would slowly step up to the counter.

A small figure wearing a cloak made of leaves, and a wooden mask painted to look silver opens the door to the cafe. The mask of the figure tilts up slightly, as if they’re inhaling something. They wait patiently in the line, fidgeting with the fingers of their gloved hands.

> Reply to: @Sylv Ulabban (@Dami 💜 (Sylv / Daloth)) > After a long and winded trek by foot along the lands of the Realms, the chimera's mismatched hues carefully shifted whilst enter... Helaena smiles at the creature in front of her. "And what can I get you today?" She gestures to the menu written on the chalkboard behind her. "We're out of the steak and ale pie, I'm afraid, but there's plenty of everything else, we're still serving breakfast, and there should be enough cake to feed a small army," she joked.

A small blink of the creature's eyes, as all she would do was step a bit closer towards Helaena with an almost deadpan stare. And then, she would retort with the question; "Do you actually have that much cake?" A bit hard to tell if she was being serious or not with the question, her eyes almost piercing down the owner.

Helaena chuckles, a bit awkwardly. "Uh, we do have a lot of cake, as you can see..." She gestures at the counter, filled with a variety of sweet treats and baked goods. "I made the blackberry muffins myself this morning, they're quite good if I do say so myself."

A quick nod, as she would soon go through her travel bag to pull out a small bag; one practically heavy looking, and a bit damp. Upon setting it down, the sound of plenty gold and its clinking went off, as the chimera meekly muttered out "As much as this can get me, then..."

Helaena blinks repeatedly, her eyes wide. "Well alright, then..." She counts out the coins, then starts setting plates of cakes, cookies, pastries, muffins, and every other sweet treat you can think of on a huge tray. Eventually, it's crammed to the point where she worries no one would ever be able to lift it. "Would this be adequate?" she asks politely, marveling at how one creature, regardless of size, could eat that much cake. "And would you like anything to drink with that, perhaps?"

Eyes widened, and her mouth even salviating a bit, all she could really do was grab the tray and nod. " J-Just some rose wine, if you would? I know it may be a bit too early for it, but I've been up and about for way too long..." And with a grip on her bountiful, sweets filled feast, Sylv's forearms would tighten a bit in muscle before lifting the plate.

"Of course! Would an Amnian Zinfandel suit? It's quite fruity, very refreshing." Helaena's smile doesn't falter as she brings out a bottle with a condensation-damp label, showing it to her customer.

"That one sounds perfect, thank you!" The almost icy exterior of the hybrid wanes into a peachy warmth, as her lips quickly curl into a soft smile. "T-thank you again, I truly appreciate this!"

Helaena pours a glass of the wine in quick, practised motions, adjusting the plates on the tray to leave enough room for the it. "Enjoy!" she calls after the customer, her expression somewhat bemused. "Uh, who's next?" She frowned at the state of her cake display. There was still some, of course, but it was far from full to bursting as it had been before. Oh well. Worst case, there was still some waiting in the back.

With another nod, the chimera would quickly skitter off to a vacant, almost burying her view in the amassed pile of goods and wine, as she almost instantly began to dig in.

The masked figure looks over at Helaena curiously, unsure of whether they can approach or not. Their mask tilts up again, and they inhale something. As their head tilts up, the hood of the cloak falls back, revealing cream colored curls, and two small pale horns, one with a notch in it. Their pointed ears seem to wiggle excitedly as they inhale the scents.

Helaena takes a moment to reapply her best customer service smile. "Is there anything I can help you with, friend?" she kindly asks. "It's perfectly fine if you'd simply like to browse for a bit, I know the options can be overwhelming."

“O-oh! You speak to me, friend!” The figure slowly approaches the counter and stands on their toes to seem a bit taller. “W-what kind of lemon treats do you have? I-I am partial to lemon cake, but… I wish to know more about the versatility of the lemons of this plane of existence!” As they speak more about lemons, their nervous matter of speaking melts away and is replaced by an eagerness and excitement.

Helaena laughs outright. "Well you're in luck, friend! Lemons are my favorite, so we have..." She winces. "Perhaps a few too many things with lemons in them." She starts listing off options. Apparently the cafe stocks not just a lemon-flavored sponge, but also a lemon meringue pie, lemon shortbread, lemon and poppyseed muffins, and last but not least, a panna cotta topped with lemon curd. "Does any of that sound interesting?"

There’s a tiny, excited squeal from behind the mask, one of pure joy at hearing that Helaena is a fellow lemon lover. “O-oh! They all sound delicious! I … am having trouble deciding on just one… hrm…” They reach into the pocket of their cloak and pull out a handful of gold coins and places them on the counter. “Are these enough for me to try one of each lemon delight, with a pot of tea?”

Helaena can’t help but smile, wide and genuine. “Of course, love.” She sets a tray of five different desserts, and a tea service for one. “Let me know what you think, I’m always looking for feedback,” she lets Bell know with a wink.

Rue walks by the front of the shop, peering in the window. It’s hard to resist the allure of cake, and these ones do look particularly tantalizing. She takes a look down at her clothes, stomping any excess muck from her boots before she pushes open the door and steps inside.

Their ears perk up and flutter lightly as they eagerly eye the tray of lemon desserts. “O-oh! Oh how marvelous! Thank you kindly, friend! I shall enjoy these delights and give to you my most honest feedback!” They bow politely to Helaena before carrying the tray of desserts and tea to one of the empty tables to enjoy.

Constantly peeking at the tiny piece of parchment with a neatly-written list of groceries on it, the tall man with a mane of graying hair enters the bakery. He doesn't go straight to the shopkeeper, instead stopping in front of the glass case with different pastries. He has a troubled look on his face, as if unsure what to buy. The fingers of his left hand twitch a bit, as if he points at different objects in front of himself while muttering something under his breath. Several times he glances at Helaena, but still not asking her for help.

> Reply to: @Gabriel (@Regnard|Gabe fanclub leader) > *Constantly peeking at the tiny piece of parchment with a neatly-written list of groceries on it, the tall man with a mane of gr... Looking up from her own array of sweets, the chimera spots the taller man standing in front of the display cases, and the troubled look in his eyes. Staring back at her own tray, and then back at Gabriel, Sylv would slowly rise up whilst holding the tray, and would quickly skitter over towards the other; not saying a single word, but holding out the goods towards him .

Helaena is thoroughly confused as to who is next in line. She looks at the tall, graying man, and the redheaded woman, both lingering near the counter. "Uhhh... Can I help either of you?" she tries.

Rue gives a slight start, looking to the tall dark man with the chimera at his side and back to Helena. “Oh, erm… well if he knows what he’s having, feel free to help him first.” Her eyes scan over the display cases. “I walk by here nearly every day after work, and I can never decide what I actually want to get.”

"Hah, I can't say I don't understand. Would you like something to drink to start, perhaps? If you're in doubt, I could guide you, perhaps? I make most of the desserts myself."

Glancing over towards the two, before quickly biting into one of the muffins, she let out a soft noise before swallowing; " I can definitely recommend any of these! They're probably the best sweets I've had in months ... "

Rue’s expression brightens, her eyebrows raising slightly at Heleana’s words. She chuckles at Sylv’s recommendation as well. I’ll take a tea? she says, the request coming out as a question. I’m rather partial to lavender if you have it.

"Oh, of course! I'm quite fond of lavender, myself." Helaena digs out a silk satchel of dried lavender blossoms, and sets the herbal tea to steep. "Anything else, for now?"

Rue lets her eyes drift over the display case again. At the risk of sounding a bit one note, I am partial to florals. She laughs quietly. Rosewater… lavender… oh, lavender and honey if you have anything like that.

Helaena can’t help but smile. “What about lavender honey shortbread? They go wonderfully with the tea.

> Reply to: @Sylv Ulabban (@Dami 💜 (Sylv / Daloth)) > Looking up from her own array of sweets, the chimera spots the taller man standing in front of the display cases, and the troub... The unexpected gesture of generosity makes the man pause, and his confused glance slides off the case to the tray, and then to the creature. What? Is this for me? I can't take that. And you shouldn't give the goods you paid for to strangers. He adds, frowning a bit at the thought. Then, as he realizes he's lecturing the stranger in a way he'd lecture his own child, Gabriel shakes his head with a shadow of a smile. Thank you for the offer, though. He adds thoughtfully, returning to looking at the pastry. The shopkeeper words make his head snaps at her, and his troubled frown deepend. He opens his mouth once, twice, and then tries to speek in a slightly disgruntled tone. Do you have children? What would you recommend to buy for a 5 yo kid? Except from chocolate... He quickly adds, lips tightening in a grimace. Chocolate is a no go. Gabriel murmurs to himself.

Rue smiles, pointing a finger at Heleana as she hits the nail on the head. Sounds perfect!

They watch the cafe get more crowded, enjoying a sip of tea and munching on the lemon sponge while people watching.

A slight wince at the comment about not giving away goods to strangers. Part of her wanted to tell Gabriel that no one should go starving, but she kept quiet, and slowly nodded. Slowly walking back to her table, she slowly munches upon a tart, her own tray more than halfway empty already ...

“Five years old, and no chocolate?” Helaena recaps. She frowns in thought. “My oldest nephew is four, now, and he loves my muffins and cupcakes. I have blackberry, and lemon/poppyseed, and a strawberry cupcake… I could put some sprinkles or extra frosting on it if they would like that,” she offers with a smile.

They go wild after a bite of chocolate, you can't even imagine how it's like. A hoard of horses galloping upstairs all evening. Gabriel chuckles to himself, and his stoic face softens a bit at the memory of his little fawns. Despite the amount of grumbling and mock annoyance he often shows at the kids' shenanigans, he still loves them very much. More than he ever thought he would love a child. Then, hearing what Helaena offered to buy, Gabriel glances back at the glass case, trying to find the mentioned pastry, looking a bit lost with all that choice of food. Blackberry does sound good...they like berries...And strawberries too. He mutters to himself, trying to guess if his kids would like that. Then, realizing that he can't actually tell whether they enjoy these specific tastes, the man sigh and utters quietly, more to himself then the shopkeeper: I should stay home more often...

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"What about a few of each?" Helaena offered, not unsympathetic. "I put a bit of stasis magic on them, so they should keep just fine for a few days. Or perhaps you and their other parent could enjoy some, as well?" Helaena had two nephews of her own, dearly loved but not seen as often as she'd like. She understood. The graying man seemed lost, but well-intentioned. "I'm sure they'll love a treat, especially if they come from you."

Thank you. I'd appreciate if you pack them in some colorful envelope. They like bright-colored paper. Rip it in tatters and throw around the house. Gabriel chuckled softly, looking less tensed now that he had to spoke with someone who could relate to his struggles and was so helpful. I'm not the biggest fan of sweets, but my husband...What honey-flavored deserts do you have? The man asked, looking at the glass case once again and thinking whether Yllcelis will enjoy any of it.

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"Colorful packaging it is," Helaena confirmed, digging out her most brightly colored cake box and adding a handful of sweets for the children to them, extra frosting and sprinkles included. "And I have some lavender honey shortbread, if that would suit your husband's tastes? If not, there's the honey panna cotta, or perhaps the baklava, I make it with honey in the syrup..." She frowns, trying to think of more desserts with honey in them.

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You said baklava? Gabriel's brows arched just a little bit at the mentioning of the traditional Amnian sweets. He used to eat it with his mother and younger brothers when he still had home to return to. It brought some bitter-sweet memories, the ones he learned how to treasure anew. Do you cook it just with honey, or there are different flavors too? In my homeland, they used to cook it with rose, pistachios and pomegranate as well... He smiled to himself, almost tasting the flavor of his childhood. You know what, I'll give it a try right now. And the others...pack one of each. My husband really likes to eat. Gabriel barked out a laugh with a mischievous expression. He knew Yll would likely beat him for exposing him like this, but the ranger just couldn't help himself. And do you serve any drinks here as well? Tea, maybe?

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"It's a quite traditional recipe," Helaena defended herself. "Pistachios and pomegranate syrup, yes, and rosewater, everything you'd expect if you got it from a bakery in Amn. I worked in an Amnian restaurant back in the Gate," she explained, then blushed slightly as she realized that was perhaps more information than her customer wanted or needed. "Right, so, one baklava, and the others packed up for later... Would you like mint tea with your baklava, sir? I find the freshness cuts the richness of the dessert quite well."

You did? Then I expect the deserts to be well-made. Gabriel nodded in appreciation, leaning slightly at the counter. The mint tea would do...unless you have chai? Or masala? It's a black tea with milk and spices. He hurried to expain, realizing that Laena might not know the recipe.

"Of course!" Helaena chirped, reaching under the counter for a container of strong black tea mixed with whole spices. "I'm afraid I only have the one variety at present, but it's quite good, if I do say so myself. I mix the blend myself."

Then I'll have it. The ranger nodded, detaching the heavy pouch from his belt and placing several coins on the counter. Then, stacking back the change and throwing some small pennies into a tip jar, the man steps a bit aside to let the other customers order their food, and then leans onto the wall with his arms crossed. He can't help but smile at the mental image of his little fawns consuming the sweets with happy faces.

"I'll get that started for you right away," Helaena confirms. "Who's next?"

Bell approaches the counter shyly, fidgeting a bit nervously. “H-hello! Your lemon desserts…They were delicious! Amazing! A perfect balance of tart and sweet! W-which… is why I want to ask… two things!!” Bell holds up two fingers. “One, do you have any berry desserts? And two, .. do you have those … urm… little light balls, with the cream inside?”

Helaena eyes the small tiefling-like creature with a bit of concern. That was a lot of dessert already, and they wanted... more? "You mean profiteroles?" she asked in response to the question about light balls with cream inside. "You might be in luck, friend, I have some with raspberry whipped cream as the filling. And a number of other berry treats, of course," she gestures to her somehow-still-filled display, "but perhaps start with one?" she tries.

“I-it’s not for me! It’s for me to take home for later!” Bell clarifies. “My little sprout, he loves those.. the pro..fitter…rolls… and my crocus, he loves anything with berries.”

"Oh, of course!" Helaena laughs, a bit embarrassed. "Well, in that case, perhaps a few of the profiteroles for your little sprout, and I'll assemble a few of my berry treats for your crocus," she offers, repeating the sweet nicknames without a moment's hesitation. "Do they like blackberries?"

“Thank you, Laena friend! That would be perfect! He’s going to be so so joyed!” Their ears wiggle happily underneath the cloak of their hood. “My crocus… he enjoys most berries! He is partial to blueberries I think, though!”

"Blueberries..." Helaena muses, frowning in thought. "I could have sworn... Give me a moment, will you? I'm quite certain I left some blueberry cobbler in the back."

They nod slowly, tail swaying excitedly underneath their cloak. They wait patiently by curiously eyeing different things in the cafe, admiring the scene and general aesthetic.

"Aha!" Helaena announces in triumph, holding aloft a pan of still-steaming blueberry cobbler like a trophy. "I knew I had this somewhere. How much would your crocus like, my dear?"

“Enough to enjoy with a cup of chamomile tea, please? He enjoys sweets with tea.” The scales of Bell’s tail take on a faint pinkish, purple color as they wag their tail slowly

“Enough for a good cup of tea it is,” Helaena confirmed, cutting a generous slice of the cobbler and sliding it into a small, cardboard box. “I do hope your family enjoys it,” she says with a smile.

“T-thank you, Laena friend! They will!” They shuffle in their pockets and pull out some more gold pieces along with a blue cloth pouch with a sweet floral scent. “Orange blossom tea. A gift for you. For the lemon sweet delights, and wonderful treats for my family”

Helaena smells the tea, her eyes slipping shut in contentment at the sweet, fresh fragrance of orange blossoms. She carefully puts it away amongst her personal belongings. "Thank you. Friend." She smiles at Bell. "You're much too kind. If you ever come back, do let me know what your family thought of the desserts."

“Oh! You know I will be coming back here! Very much” Bell does a polite little bow, holding their little boxes of treats, then heads back to their table, tidying up, before leaving.

A tall, bulky looking, iridescent white dragonborn enters the cafe. He smells the air and his eyes seem to widen for a moment, pupils dilating. The tip of his tail starts to flick a little before he approaches the counter “Greetings.” His voice is a low rumble, almost a growl, but not unfriendly. “What do you have, that has meat in it?”

"Would you prefer red or white meat?" Helaena asks, already mentally sorting through options. "We have a venison stew, some chicken pot pie, roast beef sandwiches..."

“Red meat… please. Yes… beef sandwich.” The dragonborn speaks in a low , serious voice. His eyes dart to some lemon sponge and there’s a glimmer in his eyes for just a moment before he makes eye contact at Helaena. “Maybe a small slice of this cake, to take home?”

"Of course! Would you like the sandwich for here or to go?" She makes a note to add extra meat to the sandwich, this man seems to... need it, somehow.

“Here. Here is fine.” He seems deep in thought for a moment before asking. “I smell chamomile…My…sibling tells me it calms the nerves…” He makes eye contact again with Helaena. “Can…it be made into a drink?”

"You mean like... a tea? Uh, sure, we have chamomile tea. I could also ice the tea for you if you'd prefer something cold? But it is very soothing. Good for nerves."

“Yes. Tea and cold it is nice.” He blinks at Helaena and has a quiet realization. He rolls up his sleeves slightly and loosens the collar of his shirt. He seems to relax just slightly, but there’s still an intensity coming off of him. “Yes…” he reaches into his pocket and places some gold coins on the counter, counting each of them to himself in Sylvan. “This is enough?”

Helaena looks down at the coins, almost twice as much as she'd charge for a lunch, a cup of tea and a slice of cake. She counts out his change, and hands it back to him. "Let me get that iced tea and sandwich for you, just a moment."

The dragonborn nods slowly and waits patiently. Something about the way he looks at things and the tip of his tail flicks, seems familiar.