Sweet and Bitter | Kelri

Oh Honey

I’m gonna make your life so sweet ❤

Kelri loved where her little shop was. She was there early in the morning to prep for the busy day ahead of her. After offering her daily prayer to Tatara she made sure that all of the cinnamon buns were prepped and ready for her regulars. Most of them ate them with their morning tea, though she would have paired it with a glass of milk. Kelri had always been one to make sure everything about her shop was kept in order, neat and tidy so she spent the next hour or so cleaning the shop, getting ready for the onslaught of customers. She didn’t really have anyone working with her, so she needed to make sure that it was all ready to go. As she fluffed the stuffed animals in the kid;s corner, she smiled looking out the window to see some little ones already waiting. It seemed they had stopped before school, and who was she to deny them a treat?

Kel was just finished handing out a sugar cookie to each of the kids when she heard the ding of the alarm which meant her cinnamon scones and buns were done. She had also made a cinnamon apple muffin batch. Today was a cinnamon sort of day, and she did so love the smell. For those that weren’t huge cinnamon fans she had also made an assortment of blueberry items for tasting and eating. For fun, Kel pulled out the eclairs that she had made the night before so they would be cooled and fresh for the morning. To her, they smelled absolutely divine.

After pushing in the chairs and making sure all of the small tables were wiped down she turned the lights on and made sure everything was working. She wanted today to go smoothly, no problems, just a simple business day where she could sell her wares to the good people of Felici. She didn’t have that shelf of trophies and plaques for nothing. There was a sense of pride instilled in this bakery, and she was sure that it would all work out today, one way or another.

After opening and serving a small slew of customers Kelri headed to the back to check on her macaroons. She had added a cinnamon flare to them, sprinkling cinnamon sugar over the top. They were sure to be a hit as most of her muffins had already sold out. She was in the middle of frosting the insides when she realized she had totally forgotten about the strawberry shortcake that she had left in the freezer overnight.

She had gone into the freezer to check on it and was delighted to see it hadn’t completely frozen overnight and was still of an edible quality. All right then, it was time to make it look amazing. Whipping up a small tube of fresh cream Kel made sure it was decorated with little leaflets and very small rosettes. She wanted this to be the crowning jewel of the day. As she was doing the piping for the cake she heard the bell ring. She felt it was strange as her normal regulars didn’t normally come in for another half hour. Maybe it was a new customer?

Kel admittedly was a bit startled when she heard the bell and had gotten the fresh cream on her cheek because the bag had sputtered backward. Taking a few moments to clean up a little she brought the finished cake outside, and placed it atop the display case.

“Hello, and welcome to Sweet Nothings! Come on in, and we can see about getting you something delicious to start you up for the morning.” Kel looked over at the counter and smiled seeing a very tall man. He seemed to be wearing mostly all black and was carrying his weapons at his side. This along with the completely uncomfortable look in his eyes gave her an inkling that he was a hunter, though she wondered why most hunters chose to wear black. Not that he didn’t look objectively good in it but from the scowl on her face she figured she better get him what he wanted before he decided he didn’t want to be here anymore.

“Hello, what can I get for you today, we have an assortment of items, most cinnamon, some blueberry, a strawberry shortcake, some macaroons, and finally some fresh eclairs.” All are available at the moment, and most, I assure you are absolutely delicious.” She gave the tall man a wink trying to lighten the mood. He looked somewhat familiar, but she couldn’t place him at the moment.

“I’m Kelri Anderson. This is my shop and bakery.”

Oh Honey

I’m gonna make your life so sweet ❤

Kelri had been carrying the cakes for Boss ever since she started working here in high-school. Her sweet tooth was enormous, so she was offering to help in exchange for the sweets even then. The Boss had reluctantly let her, after she proved she could lift twice as much as they could. She knew it must seem odd to people, given how tiny she was, that she could carry the cakes, but she loved her job, and the dancing helped. It strengthened her core muscles, and kept her fit. She loved dancing, almost as much as she loved her shop. Almost. Plus, it was an interesting hobby to have.

Who didn’t love people watching at dance clubs? She felt like it was almost mandatory that all people should people watch in this circumstance. Eyeing her guest up and down, she wondered if he was a good dancer. No Kelri. Bad Kelri. Don’t mix business with pleasure. He seemed a bit...stiff, but get some alcohol in him? Who knows how flexible he could become, given the right incentive.

Kel stifled a giggle as the tall man looked over her baked goods, she knew they were good, and was watching as the man let his eyes drift over all of the options. She knew there was enough to choose from and smiled up at him “I know there are a lot of options, but take your time deciding and looking over each individual sweet.” She gave a wide grin before motioning to the array of sweets set out in her shop in the display case. “Each have the ability to make your morning better than it was when you walked into my shop.” She leaned on the counter, propping her head on her folded arm. “I can guarantee quality, I made them fresh this morning.”

Kel was proud of her work, and from the blank look on the man’s face she could only smile. He must be getting lost in the smells. One of the things she missed was the overwhelming smells that came from the goods she made all day. It had gotten to the point where she knew what they smelled like, but the smell was dulled. She raised an eyebrow as the man cleared his throat but didn’t say anything. He seemed to be staring at her, so she tilted her head with a small smile. “Yes?”

Aww. He was trying. Kel grinned as the man cleared his throat again and nodded at his request. With a small turn, and her skirt swishing a bit, she headed over to the scones in the case. “Two Cinnamon Scones, for the mysterious hunter, coming right up!” She smiled as she pulled them out and put them into the little green bag she had prepped. It was simple, and a bit Plain, but it served it’s purpose. Plus the dark blue logo on the front made it at least a little bit fancy.

Walking back over to the counter with the register, yes the very old fashioned register, one that couldn’t be hacked for example, Kel smiled and motioned the man a bit closer to the counter. She had modified her register to be able to take cards, but she felt a lot safer with the older version. Plus, it looked cuter. “That will be two dollars and fifty cents for each scone, so five dollars total.” She smiled as she pushed the small bag over. “Is there anything else I can do for you today hunter?”

Oh Honey

I’m gonna make your life so sweet ❤

To most people, Kel was a sweetheart. Underneath that, though still very true, was a girl who was confident in her skill set. She wasn’t a very easily intimidated young woman, and she wasn’t going to back down just because someone came into her shop with two giant swords on his back. Sure, he might be tall, but the man obviously came into her shop for sweets. That was exactly what she was gonna give him, along with her very own sweet disposition.

Kel smiled as she led the man over to her register. Most people were surprised by the antiquity of it, but she loved it. The register kept together the aesthetic of the shop, at least in her mind. Kel was someone who liked things to look good, and she liked how her shop looked. Sweet and familiar, that is what she was going for. As she said her price she noticed that the man looked up at her again. Maybe he was thinking it would be too much? She frowned a bit. She thought she was fairly priced. After all, she didn’t hike up her prices, and they covered the base cost of the ingredients, while still giving her a margin of profit. It was one of the first things she had done with the shop after acquiring partnership.

She wanted to make sure that people could actually come , eat, and afford the things she was making. Plus, it led to repeat customers.

Kel smiled as she watched the man counting out the bills for her. As soon as she was handed the money she double counted then did the combination to get into her register. Putting the money inside, Kel smiled as she wrote out a receipt for the man. “Here is your receipt. Also, if I can interest you, we have a rewards system here I am just introducing. For every ten times you come, you get a free pastry of your choice.” Kel offered the receipt and the little business puncher card to the hunter. Just another way to get those repeat customers. She smiled as the man broke off a piece of the scone. Seeing the semi-smile on the man’s face she gave a wide grin, awaiting his response.

Nodding at the man’s admission of his name Kel gave a quirky grin. “I was only calling you hunter because two of my brothers are, and it’s pretty easy to recognize one. Nice to meet you Orion.” She shrugged a bit. “I meant no offense, of course.” Flashing a sweet smile over at him Kel tilted her head, looking very much up at the man, whose name was apparently Orion. “Well I’m glad you took the time to stop by. Are the scones to your satisfaction?” She certainly hoped they were. If they weren’t, well Orion wouldn’t be leaving unless he had something that he liked.

Kel smiled as the man had paused in his sentence. She figured he was trying to think of an answer, but he seemed to look puzzled at the very least. She knew that what she was selling was good, but she wanted to make sure that the man was satisfied, and would be a repeat customer.

Kel nodded at Orion’s admission. “Oh that I understand.” Kel adjusted her bow on her head and smoothed her apron. “My family tells me I smell like vanilla permanently now.” She smiled, and winked at the man. “I’ve also been told that the smell lures multiple customers in, and I intend to keep it that way.” She grinned before continuing. “I make everything the night before and the morning of, It ensure the freshness.”

Kel tilted her head in thought,that was a hard question. “My specialty...” Orion would be able to tell Kel had on her thinking face, and that it was also very serious. “I strive to make all of my creations worthy and special to each customer.” She turned and pulled out a cinnamon apple rose from the display case. “Many of my customers enjoy the cinnamon apple roses, and I’ve been getting a lot of orders for them lately, though...” Kel turned around and fetched another tray from the back counter. “Kids really like my animal doughnuts.” She grinned as she held up a panda doughnut. “If you are looking for something a bit less auspicious though, I’m sure that our triple chocolate muffins would suffice.”

Kel has everything readily available basically. Hopefully, something will do.

Oh Honey

I’m gonna make your life so sweet ❤

Kel smiled as the man named Orion blinked at her. He seemed to be a quiet sort, and a little bit awkward. That was fine with Kel, as long as he enjoyed Sweet Nothing’s goods. They were the important thing. She didn’t discriminate based on awkwardness, or any other factors. Though she wondered what he would look like if he smiled. The man almost always seemed to be confused. She grinned as he looked to be thinking. “My brothers in the guild are Fletcher and Jasper. Fletcher is almost always on Assignment, I don’t hear from him all that often, but I bring Jasper goodies every few days.” Of course she wasn’t allowed in the building, but she always made sure to leave enough for it get past the guards. Besides, she did it so often that she was surprised Jasper hadn’t told her to stay away.

Kel’s face burst into a wide and genuine grin when Orion called her sweets, well delicious. “Thank you very much. I’m glad you like them.” She glanced up at the man, He was awfully tall, and tilted her head as she wanted him lean back and look down. “I love making them. I get to see people smile.” That was an important part of the job, and she was grateful she had the knowledge to do it.

Kelri’s baking ability was her pride and joy. She was more than ecstatic that this stranger liked her goods. She was proud of them, and was glad that she could bring some sweetness into Orion's life. He really was quiet, but that was to be expected. “I’m guessing the sweets shocked you into silence.” She giggled a little before looking up at tall man and continuing on with her explanation.

It was only natural that Kel would show off the things she was good at. She watched the man’s reactions as she pulled out the rose. Nope, the smile wasn’t big enough yet. This definitely wasn’t the one. Though, she could have sworn the man was blushing. She had no idea what for, and shook her head with a small smile. “The roses are popular with a lot of the high school girls,” Kel tilted her head a bit thinking. “They seem to think it’s romantic.” She grinned as she remembered that just this morning, a young teen man had come in and had planned on using one of the roses to confess. She giggled, remembering, honored that her goods would be used for youthful love, and crushes. “I could tell you stories of some of the teenage girls that come in here.” She gave Orion a wink, before she continued onto the doughnut.

From the wrinkle of Orion’s nose Kel could tell the doughnuts were not for him. That much she had assumed and to be honest it made her giggle a little to imagine the tall hunter with the panda doughnut she was holding. In fact she hid her giggle behind her hand. She didn’t want to upset the semi-serious hunter. “I see the doughnuts aren’t for you either.” She grinned and put them away before turning back to the man. “Can you keep a secret?” Kel smiled as she continued whether he answered or not. “I have a couple of kids who walk by the shop in the morning on their way to school. I’ve been known to give some out if they look down.” She tilted her head up at Orion, and grinned as his eyes lit up at the third item she brought out.

Kelri smirked as she pulled out the last cupcake. There it was, the look of wanting and the smile that spanned Orion’s face. “Ah, so I have.” She smirked as she pulled out two of the triple chocolate muffins. She looked over at him as she bagged them, and rang him up. “That will be seven dollars total, three dollars and fifty cents for each muffin.” She smiled over at him as he paid for the cupcakes and handed the bag over. “Chocolate is a strength, not a weakness.” Kel gave a grin as she tilted her head. “You don’t have to be out of my hair, I have been enjoying the conversation.”

Smirking up at the very tall man she grinned before continuing. “Feel free to stop by anytime, my shop is always open to people who like chocolate.” Kel gave a laugh before smoothing out her apron again, looking up at the tall man. “Ya know, I bet you are really busy.” she grinned , pausing for effect. “If you are a hunter you probably have a lot of assignments, and you probably have a lot of training...” She grinned before looking at his muscles that were very evident through his shirt. Oh yes he did training. “How would you like to try a creative way of training?” She gave Orion a wink before finishing her thought. “I bet you most hunters don’t train my way.”

Kel took a small breath before shyly smiling up at the hunter. “Want to go dancing with me Orion?” Cue the batting of the eyelashes and the dimples.

Oh Honey

I’m gonna make your life so sweet ❤

Kelri smiled as she watched the man try and figure out who her brothers were. She knew Orion might not know them, and that the hunters guild was a pretty large guild, so it was possible that Orion didn’t know who her brothers were. It was also possible he didn’t entirely care. They weren’t that important anyway. Kel was just trying to make conversation, and she mostly felt like she was succeeding. Except for the fact that he seemed to be awfully quiet, it was apparent he was paying attention to what she had said.

Kel blinked a couple of times when he smiled at her. Oh gods, he actually had a really nice smile. She felt her face warm a little and giggled brushing a strand of her hair out of her face and shrugging off the small blush. She actually really liked when Orion smiled. Maybe she could get him to do it more? Yup. That was the plan. Make the very tall hunter smile.

Kel smiled up at Orion when he apologized. “There is nothing to be sorry for.” She grinned and giggled a little before continuing. “I don’t think you are anti-social, I just think that you are thinking. You seem to be thinking a lot, which is good because it means you are listening.” Kel winked at Orion again. “At least you don’t think my chattering on is annoying.” She gave a fake pout up at the man. “Because that wouldn’t be very nice.” She put her hands on her hips and leaned back looking up at Orion. “Are you being not nice?” Kelri was very obviously joking. Very obvious.

Kelri smiled at Orion again, though she realized that she sort of hadn’t stopped smiling at him the entire time. Oh well. She was a pretty smiley person in general. In no way did she think that he was an idiot. Like at all. In fact, it was nice that he wasn’t condescending. Many hunters who came into her shop had a tendency to talk down at her, or demand to see the owner. It was always fun to watch their faces when she told them that she was the owner. They scurried out of here pretty fast most of the time.

Kel smiled as the money was exchanged and the goods were handed over. It was a small exchange but Kel counted the bills and put them into the register, making sure everything was in order. She shyly looked up at him wondering what he was thinking about. Orion always seemed to be in thought about what she was talking about but that was part of the reason she was hinting at the thing she was hinting at. She wondered what he would be like if he loosened up at little.

Kel gave a nod as he echoed her, grinning at the stunned look on his face. “Yes. Training. One could even call it flexibility training.” Kel wiggled her eyebrows over at the tall man, over exaggerating on purpose. Maybe she could get him to smile again.

Kel started to blush only when Orion started to blush, together they looked like some of that strawberry shortcake sitting on the corner of the display. Also yes, this was a kinda sorta maybe date more like a getting to know the person better event and evening. Most hunters were pretty dexterous, finding a creative outlet for that would specific skill set could been fun... right? Kel tilted her head up at Orion awaiting his response.

If Orion glanced down at Kel he would see a very happy young woman in front of him. He would also see her do a tiny little wiggle of a dance in excitement that this had actually worked and she had convinced him. Freezing in place she realized that she had actually done the dance and looked up at him awaiting judgment. “I mean... if you want to?” She didn’t want to force the poor guy, and in fact she just wanted him to be happy. The smile was killer. She was hoping she could convince him to actually dance, but that would have to wait.

Kel couldn’t stop grinning. “Ah well, if we are going dancing you can call me Kel.” She grinned and winked. “Most people do. How does Friday night work for you? We could get dinner before we go dancing, need to keep our energy levels up and all.” She smiled and started writing down the number to her holo pad. “Ah, here is my number too.” She paused before stumbling across her words. “Just in case we lose each other or something...”

Kel shyly looked up at Orion as he stood in front of her looking a little lost. “I know a good club on the boardwalk right by the beach.” If he didn’t want to go dancing they could go to the beach? The formation of the backup plan was now a success.