Once Upon A Dewdrop

ᴡᴇʟᴄᴏᴍᴇ!

One month after the completion of her new establishment, Dew Eleanore was holding a pair of scissors ready to cut the red ribbon that would mark the opening of her Stardust Café in the District of Asahi in the city of Quezon. Her purpose was to alleviate the stress of the citizens around the area given that her café was located at the heart of the city. 

If anything, she is overjoyed that her passion to help is tangible in the present as her late grandmother taught her through food and drinks! Within the café everyone would be treated equally. Inside the cafe, expect being treated more than as a customer, that people would be treated like a long time friend.

A modern jukebox was playing the theme of the Rotaria University, then followed by the theme of Hymn Lace - a famous band in the city.  Without a doubt it was music to her ears. As the grand opening nears, a few supporters, friends and curious passerbys can be seen among the crowd wearing their smiles filled with anticipation.

Snap!

Sounded the scissor, signalling a new beginning, a new chapter for the cafe that will hold many memories for the business enterpreneur Dew Eleanore. Cheers followed before laughter, Dew opens the door for all the customers , she greeted them in a blithesome manner and they were pleased with it. 

"Hey miss Owner, are you gonna let us taste your brewing tomorrow or today?" Joked a customer with a grin on his face.

Snap!

It was a different one, it was the snapping back to reality, she didn't expect to be a little lost in thoughts. Thoughts and what ifs, 'everything would be a lot of times nicer if he was still alive...and with me.' Dew thought as she turns around, switching to a brighter version of her, she called out. "Welcome to Stardust Café! May I take your order?"

"I'd like two Espresso with milk on ice for me and my Senior." a voice replied.

Dew looked up to meet the eyes of a tall man standing before an even taller man in blue uniforms. "Let me just repeat that two Espresso with milk on ice?" Echoed the woman as she writes their order down, and taps the calculator to compute the cost of the orders. 

"Got that. Anything else? We have lots of cakes that will contemplate with your drink." Gestured Dew, pointing the screen monitors that flashily advertises the different cakes and even have clips on how its platings and arrangements are made to further please the customers.

After glancing at the monitors and shaking his head, Inspector Leejay Silverstone decided to choose a table nearby the windows of the café. If he remembered correctly, it was a café suggested to him by the locals. And having nothing else to do but rest, he paid a visit.

It was just another time of the few times he's been on a café. It was a whole lot different from what they had at the District of Mentis so obviously, he was amused by how things work in Asahi despite being able to visit the place every other month or so depending on his work schedule.

The 23-year-old Multimedia Arts student soon began brewing the espresso, making sure she did not forget to add milk and ice on it. Afterwards, grabbed a slice of a cake as a bonus even though the men did not order it, a small gnash of nuts on top for some finishing touches. 

Hopping towards the table, Dew beamed a smile before placing his orders down, "thank you for your patience, espresso with milk and ice and a slice of Smetannik!"

It had only been a few minutes of wait and it was not really that much for Inspector Leejay. He panned his gaze around the cafe, seeing the interiors, its machines, and of course a shelf of books at the corner. Before eating, he bowed on her as his sign of thank you. 

One bite.. two bites.. the cake was surely a delight! It's made as if it was supposed to melt in the consumers mouth and he gave props to her for it. He already ate half of the cake a few minutes after being served. After that, he took a sip from the Espresso, and as always, it was a taste he'd never get used to have. "The food here is very nice, Miss. Thank you. It feels like home." he complimented with a smile.

"Then you'd better stay here, and stop yapping about Mentis case 71 Silverstone. That was a case closed." remarked Senior Inspector Braun Bane, as he chomps the slice of cake on the plate, eyes twinkling after getting a taste, "Holy- this is good!"

Dew smiled at Leejay, "No, thank you sire for continuously protecting this great city." She then gave him a small bow before proceeding to cater the other customers.

"Hoh! Yet again, the dashing snake of Mentis strikes another girl with his charms! Wait until Rosemary hears about this. She will fume!" teased the Senior Inspector, but shuts his mouth after seeing Leejay's displeased reaction. 

An hour after, the cafe owner went in the middle of the crowd clapping once to get everyone's attention. "May I please have everyone's attention?"

And when they turn their heads around, a shower of edible snowflakes rained down from the ceiling. "Since this is the first day of Stardust Cafe, free sweets and biscuits for everyone!" "Please enjoy! We at Stardust Cafe would love to turn your frowns into smiles!" Dew announced before bowing and returning to the counter to brew the order of coffees.

Coincidentally, the Jukebox wired, and changed into the Theme of the Quezon Police Department, making almost everyone look at the inspectors in awe, some even cheering glasses for them as it sounded like the announcement was a commendation at the same time.

Leejay was surprised by the current event held on the café and he couldn't help but be impressed. Out of the previous cafés he's been in, this one was the most customer engaging one. And so he took a few biscuits from above with ease, eating some of them right away.

Dew could only giggle at the festive sight in front of her, because of Stardust Cafe that somehow turned into a fun banquet because of the ongoing music..

"Cheers for QPD!"

"Thanks for protecting the city from evil!"

"To the protectors of Asahi!"So they say.

'Oh come on, seriously?' Leejay asked himself and facepalmed before letting out a chuckle after the sudden turn of events. He only came for a cake and a coffee and got more than what he wanted. And when he saw the people celebrating, of course he wouldn't change the mood, would he?  He then stood up and took his empty cup to raise it at the moment they shouted their cheers to blend and join with them for a while. 

'Well, this isn't bad after all' he thought to himself, letting out a short chortle.

Dew Eleanor upon seeing the customers enjoying the presence of the inspectors had thought of something that would benefit both the cafe and herself - in terms of relaxing everyone inside the establishment. "Can everyone say Spring Time?!" She asked with gleeful tone.

Leejay saw how the people enjoyed it. Of course his job does not only revolves in peace and protection. It also includes the happiness of the people residing within the Districts. And so he raised his cup and said "Spring Time~!" in a joyous tone, followed shortly by the people inside the café.

"Enjoy everyone!" Manager Eleanore proceeded to the kitchen, taking care of the cakes and what more to bake, what more that will come in mind. And from that room, her smile finally died out, glancing secretly to the table of Leejay Silverstone.