It was a pretty slow night at Gelatin's Steakhouse.
Well, *every* night at the Steakhouse was slow; there were only about a dozen or so people hanging around in this part of the world, and they didn't really have many reasons to waste a few hours and munch on something they didn't really need. Especially when they've got all sorts of opportunities open to them, and a whole life out there to enjoy. Most people that placed an order that day just had it delivered, and the few that actually showed up usually just stayed for a quick snack before moving on to wherever else they needed. For most of the day, it was just Gelatin, the low humming of the ceiling lights, the cool air brought by the air conditioning, and the clock constantly reminding him of each and every single second he's wasted running his business. It was times like these where he heavily reconsidered his choice of venture, wishing that he could be doing literally anything else, anything fun; keeping the Steakhouse running, even when literally nothing was happening, was boring, delirious, and thankless work. But *somebody* has to do it; someone has to make sure nobody breaks in for a bite to eat, to make sure none of the food spoils, to make sure messes and spills get cleaned, to make sure a fire doesn't start up and quickly spread throughout the kitchen, and so on and so forth.
Besides, he isn't alone in that shared misery.
-
Gelatin poured Flower a glass of water; plants needed some to stay alive, you know?
Flower's store had also seen better days, something he knew in *great* detail since he now shared precious floor space with her. And so, when he invited her over for some free dinner, there wasn't much reason for her to refuse. It *is* free, after all.
Gelly pushed the glass over to her, which she'd accept without much hesitation. "Why'd you wanna hang out tonight, anyway?" She'd ask. "It's not like there's *anything* worth celebrating, anyway. There's still nobody recognizing our business talent, and-" "Well, that's exactly the problem, no?" Gelatin answered. "*Nothing's* going on. I've been sitting around here all day, waiting for even a single customer to show up, and then I deal with them for like five minutes tops before they leave and I start the whole thing all over again." He'd pour some water for himself, though he wouldn't take even a single sip; that'd make him all soggy. "As much as I hate to admit it, this stuff is getting *boring*. Gotta spice it up somehow, yeah?"
Flower grumbled, fiddling with her petals. "I dunno, it still feels wrong to me." Gelatin looked at her and frowned. "Flower, c'mon." He'd nudge her slightly. "Not everything has to be some grand celebration for some great achievement; I know you've had... issues, with that, but..." The green one rolled his eyes, unsure of how to continue that. "C'mon, this is just a friendly dinner between pals. Business partners. Good friends. Nothing wrong with that, is there?" Flower looked at her meal; that steak was growing colder by the second. "Well, a *little*." She'd remark. "N-Not that there's anything wrong with being with you, of course; I mean, all I really need is some sunlight, and some water every once in a while. Everything else is a bit... much." She'd take a fork and start poking the steak with it, figuring out *anything* to do in this otherwise-dull evening.
"Hm." Gelatin saw that as his cue to take a bite of his own. "Speaking of." He'd talk with his mouth full like the creature that he is. "It *is* kinda weird, yeah? Us eating and such." He'd reluctantly take a sip of water to help wash it down. "We can go for *ages* without taking a single bite, perhaps forever, and yet we still stop every once in a while to have a snack or two." He'd take a deep breath and shrug. "I dunno; it keeps me in business, at least."
And speaking *of* business..
The front door would swing open, accompanied by a little chime intended to alert Gelatin in case he had his back turned; his eyes widened the moment they locked onto who this mystery guest was. "Lollipoooop!" He'd quickly get up from his seat and give her a big hug. "Feels like it's been *forever* since we last saw you!" "Oh, *believe* me." The purple one replied. "I've been trying to find an excuse to get back here, Gelly Boy; but there's an untapped market out there for my products, and *somebody's* gotta take the money out of their hands." "Speaking of, that salesman stuff been doing good?" Gelatin asked. "Things haven't been so... good, over here." "Well, my green friend, I *can* confidently say the grass is greener on my side of the field." Lollipoop remarked. "They've been taking the fork repellent out of my hands faster than I can get new stock; I dunno what that says more about: their desperation for some new excitement in their life, or my irresistible charm."
