RP: Opening Day is Here!

[riverbaked]

Date: Tuesday, February 1
Characters: River Jones, Marie O'Shea, Carrie Harper, Fisher Winter, anyone else!
Location: Jones French Bakery
Status: PUBLIC!
Summary: Grand Opening day has arrived!
Completion: Incomplete

Comments

[adison_quinn]

Adison pulled on her coat over her scrubs and rubbed her eyes. As much as she told herself she didn't mind the crap shifts, and that being the new kid would wear off eventually, she hated working nights. She never could get enough sleep to be rested beforehand, and it messed up her sleep for days afterward.

And it was cold outside. Adison had walked to work--it wasn't that far, and she hadn't wanted to drive in case of ice. So now she had to walk home, over icy sidewalks and in the cold wind.

She almost turned west, to take the most direct route to her apartment, before remembering. It was February 1st, and that little bakery she'd been eying was supposed to open today. Despite her exhaustion, she turned north to take the long way.

She inhaled deeply as she walked in, a broad grin spreading across her face. The place smelled of fresh bread, and cookies, and sweet things. And it was much warmer than outside. She was in love already.

[riverbaked]

River glanced up when he noticed another person walk in and smiled. "Hello," he greeted and closed up the display case back where he had been restocking the croissants. "Welcome to Jones French Bakery." He picked up a cookie with a napkin and held it out for the woman to take. "Feel free to escape the weather in here for as long as you want. I've even got coffee if you're interested." He normally waited to offer but the young lady looked like she was exhausted.

[adison_quinn]

"Thank you, God, yes, I want coffee." Adison smiled in relief, accepting the proffered cookie. "I'm excited to see this place finally open. I've been waiting for it since I got lost trying to find my new apartment and drove past. Almost forgot it was today; as far as I'm concerned it's still Monday."

She grinned broadly. "So I'd like to give you ten dollars and receive a selection of baked chocolatey goodness worth approximately that. Do you mind surprising me? I've found I just can't decide what I want on my own."

[riverbaked]

"Comin' right up," River said as he walked to the counter and grabbed a mug, setting it out for Adison to grab as soon as he was done pouring coffee. "I'm ridiculously glad to hear that," he said laughingly as he poured the coffee. "The days do seem to blend that much more into each otehr with the weather we're having."

At her request he clapped his hands together excitedly. "I'd love to!" he said happily and then gestured at the table with the cream and sugar for coffee. "If you need to doctor your coffee go ahead. I'll pick you out a treat while you do."

[adison_quinn]

Adison smiled at his enthusiasm and wrapped her cold hands around the hot mug. "Thanks, I will. Pick out something good! This is your chance to snare yourself a regular."

She doctored her coffee heavily as he walked away, adding unhealthy amounts of both cream and sugar. She looked around for a chair and, not seeing one, stood where she was as she sipped. The heat seeped through her and the caffeine awakened her, and even her feet seemed to ache less, despite a twelve-hour shift spent mostly standing.

She looked around herself as she waited, nibbling her cookie (delicious, as she'd hoped). The place had a warm, comfortable atmosphere, which seemed to invite people in and encourage them to sit, have a chat and maybe a bit of bread. It must have worked, since the place was full--that, or the free cookies were doing their job.

She bounced a little, grinning. The owner of Jones French bakery had already won himself a regular, she was pretty sure.

[riverbaked]

River smiled and watched as she walked away. He thought over his selection carefully, glanced up at the young lady and then back down at his pastries. After a moment's more consideration, he picked out something he felt would be perfect. He wrapped the pastry in a napkin, placed it on a plate and walked over to Adison, handing it to her.

"There you are," River said with a wide smile. "An apricot oranais." The oranais was a delicious velvety pastry filled with an apricot custard. It was a little tart on the first bite but delicious for every bite after.

[adison_quinn]

Adison near bounced in excitement. "I can't wait," she said, carefully unwrapping the napkin from half the pastry and lifting it to her mouth.

Her eyes widened as the tart flavor burst across her tongue. She swallowed and said, "That's amazing! The pastry is so..." She shook her head. "I'm not a baker, I don't have the vocabulary. It's amazing. What do I owe you?" She took another bite and her eyes fluttered closed at the unexpected sweetness.

[riverbaked]

River beamed at Adison as she took her first bite and seemed to really enjoy it. He chuckled happily and shook his head in amusement. "Your expression is more than enough praise for me," he told her honestly. "The oranais is 2.50 and comes to 3.10 with tax."