RP: In the Pour House

[shh_draco]

Date: September 14, 2005
Character(s): Draco Malfoy, anyone who wants coffee
Location: The Pour House (Draco's new coffee shop)
Status: Public
Summary: Grand Opening
Completion: InComplete

Comments

[shh_dennis]

Dennis wasn't used to late mornings during the week. Up early and non-stop had been the routine for so long, it was a bit disconcerting not to have to be anywhere, in fact told to stay away, that even he needed a break.

And Sam had things under control at the juice stand, and seemed to relish the long hours but that, Dennis figured, was equal the money (and tips), chatting up the occasional girl after or before a dance class, and that he could see Fleur through the glass.

So, with nothing to busy himself with for the moment, Dennis headed towards the direction of the chocolate shop, getting sidetracked when he saw "The Pour House". Not a bad play on words.

Curious Dennis stepped in scanning the menu, pleased to see there were other things than coffee, which he generally considered to be the equivalent of poison that tasted like battery acid. Trying to decide between Hot chocolate and cream and a milkshake, Dennis turned to smile at the propriator, the grin growing wider when he realized who it was.

"Good morning."

[shh_draco]

Draco looked up when his first customer walked in; he didn't recognise the younger-looking man, but he certainly must have recognised Draco, judging from the grin.

Or, maybe he just really wanted some coffee.

He inclined his head in greeting. "Morning," he said, and, deciding to try out the phrase, he added, "and welcome to the Pour House."

It might be a bad omen, if Draco believed in such tripe, for a business designed to make money -- but he rather thought it had a nice ring.

"What would you like to drink?"

[shh_dennis]

"Is that for good luck, like people in the theatre saying Merde before they go on?"

The question was out before he could even think about it?

"Sorry, forget it, I have a weird mind. Hot Chocolate and cream, please. A Grande."

As Draco went to work on his order, Dennis asked. "Has this, you, been here long? Stupid question probably, but I haven't explored the town all that much."

[shh_draco]

Draco lifted a brow, not needing to be told twice to forget it. "Not a problem," he said, glancing down as he reached for a mug, then started to prepare the drink.

"Not at all. You've caught me on opening day, actually," he answered, getting out fresh cocoa. He was glad he'd decided to invest in the real thing, since it looked like there would be a demand for hot chocolate. "Not in the mood for coffee?" he asked idly as he worked.

[shh_rabastan]

Rabastan discovered months ago that a half-pound of Just Desserts walnut fudge was worth about 10 times what he paid for it when used for trade in the souks of Marrakesh. As he had a trip to make to North Africa on Saturday, he thought he may as well support the Stoatshead business by purchasing some bargaining chips for the things he could not get locally.

As he approached the building, he saw the coffee shop was now open. Rabastan had seen a notice just the other day, but had forgotten today was the opening. Detouring from Just Desserts temporarily, he opened the door and entered the coffee shop. Draco was very much like his mother in his quest for perfection and clever word plays for their shop names. He nodded when Draco looked his way, but took a moment to walk about while Draco helped another customer.

When the counter was clear of its customer, he stepped over, "Excellent location and nicely decorated premises, Draco. Congratulations on your opening. You should do quite well here," Rabastan smiled.

[shh_draco]

After Dennis left, Draco glanced over and nodded to Rabastan in greeting.

"Good morning, and thank you," he said honestly. Rabastan had helped him quite a lot over the months, and Draco appreciated the gesture of stopping by. "I was quite lucky to get such a good location, actually, considering how many other businesses made it to town before this one." He nodded. "Yes, well, that's my hope. Coffee seems to be quite a popular item, so I wanted to get a corner on the market in Stoatshead."

[shh_rabastan]

"It is a very complementary business to Just Desserts, as well. What would you recommend I try this morning that will go with the dark chocolate covered cherry I am about to purchase next door?"

[shh_draco]

"Well, nothing too sweet or rich, definitely. I'd recommend a double macchiato," he said after a moment's thought, then his lips curved. "Or, a macchiato latte, if you don't want to live too dangerously. You'd have a bit of espresso in your milk, rather than the other way round."

[shh_tonks]

By late morning, Tonks found herself at the Coffee Shop. She had to admit, the Pour House was the perfect name for a shop selling coffee. And if there was something Tonks didn't need any more of, it was caffeine. However, caffeine was the nectar of the gods (or something like that) and Tonks was happy to drink at the well.

She pushed open the door and was hit by the wonderful aroma of coffee. She breathed in the heavenly scent and made her way up to the counter, attempting to decide what she wanted to drink.

"Mornin'," Tonks said brightly, glancing at her watch and finding that it was still morning. "Good, still morning at least for another hour or so."

[shh_draco]

By mid-morning, he'd had a moderate flow of customers, which he supposed was no more than could be expected. And the actual talking-to-customers wasn't nearly as bad as he'd thought. When he reached a lull, he took a moment to wipe the counters, stowing the cloth away and glancing up to see a woman with brightly-colored hair walk in. She definitely seemed ... cheerful.

"Definitely still morning, yes," he said, nodding a greeting as she approached the counter. "Welcome to the Pour House."

[shh_tonks]

Tonks ran a hand through her hair, tapping the other against her leg as if she were listening to some silent music no one could hear but her. She continued to look over the menu, deciding that something with chocolate was on the order of the day.

"It's the perfect name for it," Tonks said with a grin, leaning against the counter. It was then that she recognised who was running the place. She had no idea what their actual relationship was, only that they were related. Cousins, mayhap? That sounded about right. "How's the first day been going? And I'll have a mocha," she added as an afterthought. "With mint, extra espresso."

[shh_draco]

"I thought it suited." He glanced up, thinking he saw a flicker of recognition on the woman's face. Well, at least the people who recognised him so far weren't judgmental pains in the arse. "It's going quite well, thank you."

He took her coffee order. She seemed to know what she wanted. "Not feeling totally awake yet?" he asked when she ordered an extra shot of espresso in her mocha. He reached for a cup and began to prepare it.

[shh_viktor]

Viktor dropped off Maire with Jayne a bit early and headed out for a run before his usual Friday afternoon at Roger's shop. He hadn't been running as much as he'd prefer, and was thinking that probably he should see about visiting the new place with the exercise equipment--he wondered whether they had someone to watch Maire if he went there, or he'd just need to employ Jayne a bit more--but for now, it was running

[shh_draco]

By midday, Draco considered taking a break for lunch. Actually being able to leave wasn't a luxury he could afford, having no employees at present, but he'd brought something from home. Before he could decide whether now was a good time, another customer walked in. Draco blinked; it had been quite a few years, but he still recognised Krum, and had had no idea that he was in town.

With a casual nod of welcome -- he'd still not worked himself up to friendly smiles and grins -- he waited until Krum reached the counter. "Welcome to the Pour House."

[shh_viktor]

Viktor examined the listed menu as he returned the nod. "Is good, to see another new business for town."

He thought the man looked vaguely familiar, probably from the year at Hogwarts, but he didn't recall a name. "You are have, strong coffee?" He looked at the options. "Is seem, to have very complicating names."