The Write Cafe: A Discord Community Novella

Vignette II: A Place Of Comfort

Forest

Hm... If I add some land here that would make some more room for unique places. But if I do that, the continent loses its shape... "What are you up to, Forest?" I look up from the bar to see a familiar smiling face. It was one of The Write Cafe's tenders, Chaitra. I guess she is on duty today.

"Oh uh, world building as usual." I smile awkwardly, looking down at my little overused notepad. She shakes her head, crossing her thin arms lazily. "If you do that all the time you're never going to get a story done. You know that, right?"

     I shrug the statement off, having heard it a thousand times, and I grab my mechanical pencil once again. Suddenly, her small hand plasters my map. "Hey, hey. Don't ignore me. You look tired anyway, take a break." I frown up to her, and she lets out a defeated sigh.

     "Fine Forest, do what you want. But don't complain to anyone when you got another new idea and you've wasted your time." I take off my glasses and clean them with the collar of my white polo shirt, trying to think deeper into what she said. "I won't complain, Chaitra. You have a point."

    She lets out a weak smile, gliding down the bar to browse the various types of tea. And with that, I'm back to being left to my own devices. I gently place my glasses back over my eyes, and lean on the bar a bit.

     As I contemplate further into my work, my eyes grow heavier. It doesn't help that the cafe is quieter than usual. Maybe it's the lack of customers or the rain, but the place is not very energetic. "Hey Forest, would you like some water or something?" I was startled to find Chaitra in front of me once again.

     "I think I'm good. Can't be spending my money willy nilly." She laughs, but her eyes seem to tell something else. I've never been good at finding out what people are thinking though, sadly... "Well, if you say so. Remember, water is only a penny and it goes to charity."

     I nod, smiling to that fact. This place is small, not even popular, and yet the people of Write Cafe try to give back. It's admirable, to say the least.

     I decide to turn around on my stool, looking out the glass windows that line the walls of this pleasant cafe. Cars pass by in a blur outside, causing puddles to splash outside in the calm blues and greys of the gentle rain and mellow buildings. This place really is so underrated. It almost feels like my own secret base. Maybe I should make one of my characters home bases a cafe like this one.

     Then, like a strike of lightning before a storm hits, a familiar suit enters my vision. I could tell that clear umbrella from anywhere, it was Dragon. And he wasn't alone. I've never seen him before, but some brunette guy in a hoodie with a backpack also loomed under that familiar umbrella.

     And surprisingly, both of them came inside. Dragon waved him off and headed toward the back rooms of the cafe where his office resides while glancing around the main room. He wears a subtle smile as he looks, admiring the little piece of the world he created.

     As for the new guy, his looks around the cafe were more nervous and strange. I can tell just by looking at him that he is a bit reserved like me. After a moment, he eventually decides to sit at one of the tables hugging the inner wall of the cafe. And then he takes a silver laptop out of his backpack.

     As he begins typing I can see his nerves go away a bit, but I don't think the guys first visit should be so uncomfortable. This is a place of comfort, and this atmosphere shouldn't be his first impression!

"You thinking about talking to that new guy?" I jump as I discover that Chaitra was still there, leaning over the counter eyeing him too. "I know you're short but how do you not make noise?!" She gives me a sharp glare for that one, her fists involuntarily clenching. She is scary for someone as short as she is.

"My bad, uh..." She sits up, straightening her apron. "Just go talk to him, you dork." I just look away for that insult, and my eyes meet the new guy again. Now he's not typing at all, just looking at a glowing screen.

"Well, no time like the present." I get up out of the stool, taking my notepad and carefully sticking it into my dress pants pocket. Then I let out a small sigh, walking over and taking a seat across from him.

I can't help but be a little shocked, he didn't even notice me. Looks like I might have to be a bit more forward. I carefully place my fingers on the top of his monitor, pulling it down my way. And his eyes immediately widen in response.

    "Hello. Sorry to intrude, but I noticed you were new. Figured I'd introduce myself. My names Forest, nice to meet you." I try to say as confident as possible, reaching a hand out. With some hesitance, he actually takes it. "Uh, hi. Nice to meet you. I'm Valen."

     I let go and take my hand back, and he lightly slides his laptop to the side to provide a more clear view between us. "Sorry that I came over here out of nowhere, I just saw a new face and figured I'd introduce things." He simply nods, looking slightly uncomfortable.

     "It's okay, no worries. I'm just a tad awkward. It's nice of you to tell me about things." He responds, scratching the back of his head. "It's fine. Anyway, see the girl with the apron at the bar?" I ask, and in response he looks over.

     "That is what we call an Agent, which basically means a person working under Dragon to run the cafe." He seemed confused by the concept, but he kept along. Then, I point over to a large set of bookshelves on the other side of the cafe, brimming with books.

     "This is quite simply a ton of books you can read while you're here. You can even check out one or two at the bar if you have a library card." He smiled to that. He seemed to find it interesting.

     "I'll make sure to take a look at the choices sometime." I smile back to him, and continue to explain how the place works. How people who come in usually get critique and help each other with their writing, the hours The Write Cafe is open, and eventually the conversation became more casual as Valen's shoulders eased.

     We ended up talking for about an hour and a half, never ordering a single thing.