𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕞𝕚𝕕𝕟𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥 𝕘𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕕

[formidable]

OPEN POST It so happens that on a dark and stormy night in a city, (somewhere, anywhere really), someone may spot a beautiful gilded wooden door nearby wherever they are. Side of a building? In an alleyway? Near a dumpster?? Usually, it appears somewhere that's out of sight and out of mind, where the majority of people can't see it. The door looks warm and inviting and it's just a secret begging to be opened up so you can find what lies within... ❂❂❂ ... It's surprisingly normal inside; a surprisingly normal cafe actually. The interior is a warm mixture of red brick walls and sleek wooden floors and tables, along with comfortable looking sofa chairs and a large couch with a coffee table to accompany it. The ceiling is decorated with colorful hanging lanterns that cast interesting shadows on the walls and floors. A large black bookshelf sits next to the counter where there are various books and novels that have an age to them from past readers and customers. Behind the counter are the usual machines, bottles of syrups, jars of coffee beans, and tea blends in decorative jars. The black chalkboards aligned on the wall are strangely empty except for the special of that day and a lavishly illustrated logo which can only be the establishment's name. ❦ THE MIDNIGHT GRIND ❦ There's no other way to say it. This place is cozy. There is someone behind the counter, but depending on when you come in, it's going to be a different barista who will serve you. Or you can say hi to other customers and hang out with them! ❂❂❂ The Midnight Grind is a magical cafe with a door that appears in any location, across different universes and even time periods. It is a place to relax, eat, and drink, and collect yourself before heading back to whatever business you were in the middle of. It is run and owned by a witch named Iona J. Oakes, her golem companion Oren, and their main barista, Monts. Volunteers to help out with busy shifts are welcome and will be compensated appropriately. ➤ it's just a blur ➢ "Why'd I Wait?".

Comments

[oren]

[Oren pauses as he sets out three cups to get samplers ready (since he figures this time it might be enjoyable for the new customer to try different drinks).]

Long story.

Short version, power drained. Before, spoke normally. Moved smoothly.

Otherwise, I still function.

[clockworksoul]

Oh, truly? Is there something I might be able to do to help? I’m something of a dab hand with magic, you know.

[ No, Declan. How could he possibly know that? ]

Assuming it’s magic power that you mean. I would wager that if I were to try to detect the magic in this place, it would be off the charts.

[oren]

[Oren holds up a hand.]

No need. Creator maintains me. Can't reverse damage.

[He gets to work on a coffee sampler as he continues talking (black coffee, a cafe au lait, and an iced mocha).]

Unless you know how golems work.

[Even then, Oren's status as a golem is rather unique so...]

[clockworksoul]

Golems? Not precisely. I know a bit about homunculi and that sort of thing. Would it be too intrusive if I were to just take a look?

[ Please best friend who he has just met!! lemme roll for it in true d&d fashion ]

[oren]

[gonna have to roll for a nat 20 for that oof Oren just gives a sloooow blink at Declan.

And then slooowly shakes his head.]

Too forward. Intrusive.

[also may or may not have a complicated love for the witch who made him hmmMMmmm But he will give him this!!]

Made of a combination of crystals and other earth materials.

[clockworksoul]

[ Oh. Manners, Declan. ]

Ah, right. My apologies. I get rather ahead of myself sometimes.

[ He's going to make a note of that, though!! For Research Purposes. ]

[oren]

It's fine. Curiosity natural.

[At least Oren's a lot nicer these days.

He's done making Declan's drink sampler of black coffee, a cafe au lait, and an iced mocha all served in cups of relatively similar size though the first is in a mug, the second in a shallower cup, and the iced mocha in a tall thin glass.]

Try. Let me know which you like.

[clockworksoul]

My curiosity is sometimes a bit more unwieldy than most!

[ But he’s also clearly easily distracted by new, shiny things. The samples are presented to him and he looks them over with no small sense of wonder. He’s familiar with coffee, of course. He couldn’t live without the stuff. But this is fancy.

He tries them in order, and comes to the conclusion that they’re all good but– ]

Oh that last one was by far my favorite. A cold coffee drink! With chocolate! How incredibly... incredible!

[oren]

Iced mocha.

[Oren, though never the most expressive does seem pleased that Declan likes it.]

Coffee exists? Where you're from. Hot and iced? Or just one?

[clockworksoul]

Oh, yes we have coffee, though I’ve only ever had it hot.

[ He laughs, scrubbing at the back of his neck with a hand. ]

I would hardly be able to get moving in the morning without it!

[oren]

[Oren nods in understanding.]

Iced coffee common on our end. Several types. Not all sweet. Most are.

[Everyone and their mom has ordered a Starbucks style frappuccino at some point during the Grind's run so far.]

All drinks good. You can come again. Bring more guests.

[Gotta do what Iona does, bring in more business by being inviting! Even if he does speak weird.]

[clockworksoul]

I shall have to endeavor to sample the whole menu, then! The sheer possibilities are rather exciting, and I wouldn’t even consider myself to be a connoisseur of the stuff.

[ A shame that his most stalwart and constant companion neither eats nor drinks. The things that happen when you primarily hang out with a warforged. ]

Does the door typically appear in the same spot? Or must I seek you out? Waterdeep is a very large city, you know.

[oren]

Menu can change. Owner doesn't really write it down.

[Like c'mon Iona... You're killin' your rock buddy here.]

Black coffee, lattes, and mocha are consistent.

As for door, depends. Customers say they usually find it in same spot.

[clockworksoul]

Haha, well then. It’s a good thing I’ve got a good memory! Just let me know what you’ve got on offer at any given time and I’ll keep it all in here.

[ He taps a finger to his temple. ]