Stars and Cinnamon Buns

Purple, maroon, and icy blue

Once upon a time - four years ago, to be precise - Espio was not a café worker. Basically the complete opposite. He was teaching children and teenagers at a school owned by his family, founded by his great-grandfather. They taught and practiced judo, and everyone there valued strict discipline and clear rules.

Espio was among the greatest students, and so ended up becoming a great teacher. Still, somehow, he didn't feel like he belonged there. He held his family in high regard, but it didn't feel like a family, more like a huge teachers' office.

And so, when he felt old and mature enough, he left. Not far, only the nearest city, but left nevertheless. He found a small but comfortable apartment, and ended up running into a crocodile that would soon help him find his place in the world.

Vector was pinning a job offer onto a notice board when Espio approached him.

"Hello, you seem to be looking for staff. What kind of qualifications-"

"Aaaand you're hired! Nice to meet you, soon-to-be assistant manager!"

Espio could only look at the guy, absolutely flabbergasted.

"Are you trying to pull some sort of scam? It can't be that easy, can it?"

"I mean, there's still a lot to do, but my wife and I have done so much planning and ground work, it's going to be smooth sailing from now on!"

"And what kind of job is this exactly?"

"Ah, right, I'm gonna open a café!"

"A café?"

"Yep, and you're going to be my assistant manager, help around the place, you know? Now let's go, we still need at least one server and a cashier. My missus and daughter can help with the food for now."

This man had to be out of his mind. Yet, somehow, his confidence made Espio curious enough to see what crazy plan he was cooking up.

Not much later, Vector had scored not just two, but three other random people who were willing to see where this train was heading.

And to everyone's surprise, it wasn't straight into the abyss of empty pockets and broken dreams. Even more surprising was that the café became fairly popular! The madman did it!

~

Even though everyone Vector had found were of age and the bossman himself was several years older than him, Espio felt ancient among them. So full of energy, so much to say, so positive all the time. He had always had trouble with the loud and strong personality types. Just what did he get himself into?

Although...maybe this was exactly the type of thing he needed? He had had enough of the discipline and rules back home. It was just going to take some time to get used to all... this.

Ray and Charmy had clicked immediately, being energetic little lads, and under his tough shell, Mighty was just as excitable as the younger two. Vector seemed like he had no idea what he was doing, but he clearly did. Or he was just extremely lucky.

Despite Espio being poker-faced and no-nonsense, the staff took a liking to him - maybe because he's reliable and keeps the place from burning down. Still, he learned to appreciate them as well. Turns out, Ray did parkour and could teach him a lot about agility, and Mighty spent some of his time helping people at the gym, so the three immediately had some common ground to build upon. Maybe, just maybe, Espio had found his place - struck gold - on first try.

~

It didn't take long for the staff to start to recognize some of the returning customers and remember their usual orders. Among the growing group of regulars was a particular chipmunk girl.