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The Wilting Rose inn was the best restaurant in Abyss largely because it was also the only restaurant in Abyss.
While the food at the inn was sometimes almost decent, the real attraction was the alcohol, which was honestly low quality, but that had never deterred anyone from getting drunk. Despite having a rather poetic name, The Wilting Rose wasn’t at all a romantic place, but Abyss lacked any proper date spots. It was all the same to Hapi, she could have gone on a date at the Scrap Heap or some abandoned tunnel, but Constance disagreed with her on that matter. Hapi realized idly that Constance might have agreed to a date in the Shadow Library.
Hapi sat at the corner table that was, thanks to Yuri, permanently reserved for the members of the Ashen Wolves, and watched Constance argue with the barkeep.
Hapi could not hear what they were talking about over the rowdy crowd that gathered in places like this, which was somewhat surprising since Constance knew how to be extremely loud, but it did not matter. Knowing Constance, Hapi would soon hear about it in greater detail than she even wanted to.
Constance's perfectly coiled curls swayed from side to side as she shook her head at whatever her debate partner had just said. Something changed hands between them, and soon the bartender disappeared behind the counter.
Hapi moved her attention from Constance’s back to the mouth-watering sight of the pastries piled on a wide platter in front of her and hoped Constance would come back soon so she could have a bite or five.
Each treat had a different flavor, some sweeter than the others, and many were topped with powdered sugar. Save for one sad-looking bun, they weren't made in the Abyss, but only kept in the Inn’s pantry. People at the surface often owed her favors, and she liked to cash them in delicious food.
No one, save for maybe Balthus, was brave or stupid enough to touch Hapi’s snacks without permission, so she didn't have to worry about them getting eaten in her absence. Hapi eyed the unlit candle next to her sadly empty plate, and considered moving it to someone else’s table to make room on the table for drinks.
Drunk people made some racket next to Hapi's table, but she paid it no mind as she had grown used to tuning out annoyances. At least it was not Balthus making noise tonight, he was harder to ignore. Absentmindedly, Hapi tapped her foot to the sticky floor in the tune she could not quite place, but that was stuck in her head.
Finally, after what felt like several boring hours but was probably in reality just five minutes, Constance returned to their table with a bounce in her steps and sat down on the chair opposite Hapi's. She crossed her ankles under the table and smoothed her short skirt. Now that she was close, Hapi could smell the artificial scent of her perfume, which she could not describe since it was probably part of some bizarre magical experiment, but the aroma was pleasant enough.
Constance surveyed the table and found it unsatisfactory. She flicked her fingers over the candle in an exaggerated gesture and a magical flame that flickered in multiple colors soon ignited it. The candle kept glowing softly in unnatural colors, and the magical lighting complimented Constance’s two-colored hair, which probably was according to the plan.
“Apologies for my tardiness, my dearest Hapi,” she said.
“No worries,” Hapi said.
“I had to make some arrangements with the second-rate fool on the counter over there. You see, I have acquired a gift for you,“ Constance explained, “A most perfect one, if I can say so myself.”
“You got me a gift and gave it to the barkeep? That’s so cold, Coco,” Hapi teased.
“What?” Constance shrieked, “Why would you think that? Why in the world would I ever do that? This is a misunderstanding most foul.”
“Relax, I was just messing with you.”
“How dare you?” Constance asked, and Hapi giggled a little.
Constance was always so cute all worked up like that, with disbelief and shock written all over her pretty face.
She did not need any gifts, but Hapi was curious to see what her girlfriend got her this time. Sometimes Constance’s gifts got rather eccentric, like when she tried to get Hapi a so-called legendary lance, which turned out to be a total scam, or the licorice made of old boots. Hapi still didn't know how she had managed that one. They tasted great, though.
Waiting for the mysterious gift apparently now in possession of the bartender to manifest, Hapi picked up a small pastry from the top of the pile, broke it into two approximately as big pieces, and offered one half to Constance. Small crumbs fell on the table, and Hapi swatted them aside. Constance placed her half primly on her plate first and picked up the small dessert fork, but Hapi just shoved her half in her mouth immediately. It was as delicious as it looked and she let her eyes close briefly in pleasure, savoring the deliciousness of it.
Hapi let Constance choose the next one. Her eyes roamed over the plate of goods, searching for the perfect one, and eventually, her gaze settled on a blueberry muffin. Constance halved the muffin and gave Hapi her side still in the wrapper. The muffin was soft and moist, with just the right amount of sweetness. Almost jealously, Hapi noticed how Constance dabbed a napkin to her lips between bites, leaving kiss marks on the paper.
There were still many treats left on their tray. Hapi was about to choose the next one, when the bartender came over to their table with a steaming hot pot and two mugs. He set the mismatching mugs down and was about to pour them drinks, but Constance stopped him.
“No, no. Not you,” she said, “I shall do that myself.”
“Whatever,” the barkeep agreed and plopped a brown pot on the table unceremoniously in front of Constance. Good customer service was not much of a thing in Abyss.
He stomped away to serve more inebriated customers, ones that paid better. Hapi forgot he even existed before he was halfway to the counter. Instead, she sniffed the steam coming out of the chipped teapot and wrinkled her nose at the scent. The smell was rare but familiar.
“Hey, is that-” Hapi began to ask, but Constance cut her off.
“Coffee! Of course, it is,” she beamed, extremely proud of herself, “your very favorite blend even. I hope the bartender brewed it right, I was most thorough with the instructions, but you never know.”
“Huh, I didn't even know I even had a favorite blend,” Hapi said.
“No? Of all the types I have offered you, this is the one you complimented the most. Surely you must remember,” Constance's face fell, like Hapi not remembering was an insult geared towards her personally.
Hapi tried to remember her opinion on various coffees, but she mostly just recalled enjoying all their little coffee dates before, even the one they had up in the sunny monastery garden where Constance had repeatedly apologized for the coffee's quality.
“Nope,” Hapi shook her head, “but no worries, Coco, I trust you on this.”
Constance seemed very pleased with herself again. She laughed a little, her signature high laughter that made Hapi smile too, and then proceeded to pour the coffee. She took Hapi’s cup first, showcasing her manners. Looking at the dingy little cups, Hapi knew Constance wished they had proper porcelain coffee set with coasters and tiny silver spoons.
Hapi breathed in the delicious aroma. Despite Constance’s ongoing efforts, coffee was always a rare treat since the monastery had an abundance of tea lying around. Hapi had nothing against tea, but she had started to prefer coffee as Constance offered her some every now and then.
Constance chattered on and on about the finer qualities of this brew. Hapi didn't get much of it, but she loved the way her girlfriend's eyes lit up when she talked about something she was passionate about. Which, while she remained in the shadows, was many things.
Hapi sniffed the cup again since it was too hot to drink yet. The scent was so exquisitely rich, that even Hapi could tell it was something special. The coffee was black and thick, it almost looked like tar. She kept her hand on the cup, taking in the pleasant warmth.
“This must’ve cost a fortune,” she said.
“Nothing house Nuvelle couldn't offer you.” Constance boasted, though Hapi knew the claim was as empty as Constance’s pockets
“Oh, come on, I know you’re as broke as the rest of us.” She pointed out.
A pretty blush colored Constance’s face. Hapi felt almost bad for teasing her. Almost.
“Anyways, thanks, I know this stuff isn't easy to obtain,” she said and took a sip. It was still almost too hot to be drunk yet, but she could no longer resist.
The taste was amazing. It was full-bodied, with subtle notes of dark chocolate. Constance most likely was right about this being Hapi’s favorite blend of coffee.
Her girlfriend kept looking at her drink, trying to gauge her reaction. Constance going through all trouble for her was a little embarrassing, but Hapi liked it. Constance could never half-ass anything but instead, put all her energy into it.
“So what do you think?” Constance asked eagerly. “Do you like it?”
"It's great, though you knew that already didn't you."
"That I did."
It was time to pay attention to the sweets again. Full of excitement, Hapi halved another small cake for them to try. This one was a little dry, so Hapi dunked it into her coffee without much thought. Constance scoffed at her, the expression on her pretty face was one of distaste, which Hapi always found funny. She could see it pretty often since Constance always had some complaining to do about Hapi’s table manners.
"That is disgusting," Constance said.
“It is delicious, just give it a try, Coco,” Hapi said, licking sticky crumbs off her lips.
After some more coaxing, Constance dipped the corner of her pastry into the drink and took a dainty bite of the suspicious treat. She had made a whole show about exactly how reluctantly she did that, but soon her expression brightened, and she dunked it properly into the mug and took another, larger bite. Hapi grinned.
“Good, yeah?” She asked.
“I must admit it is surprisingly satisfying,” Constance admitted reluctantly, “I swear you have the most eccentric taste.”
“I know right,” Hapi smiled meaningfully at her eccentric girlfriend, who did not seem to get what she was getting at. Hapi let it slide.
Together they ate the rest of their treats, some dipped into the coffee, some not, each one more delicious than the one before. Hapi was never completely relaxed, she could not afford it, but this was as good as it came. The rowdy sounds of the inn around them faded away as they stayed in their small world of coffee and baked goods.
When most of the treats were gone, Constance reached her hand over the table, and Hapi met her halfway. They held hands on the sticky surface of their bar table, like they often did. Constance’s hands were softer than Hapi’s. The magic light of the candle glinted off Constance’s bright pink nails. Hapi looked down at her own nails, which Constance had also painted yesterday. They looked nice together. Hapi gave Constance’s hand a soft squeeze, and she squeezed her hand back.
Too soon, the coffee pot and their plates were empty save from a scatter of crumbs. Hapi and Constance decided to leave the dishes on the table for the barkeep to clean them up. After taking the last bite of her last bun, Hapi placed her free hand on the table and reached over it to kiss Constance. She tasted like sugar.