Casual Heroing

Chapter 74: Grand Opening

As soon as Flaminia and Camilla are back, I start showing them how to cook the croissants. Not having experience with the oven in this ex-inn, Im sure we will waste a batch or two before pinning down the exact process.

Or at least thats what I thought.

[Perfect Timing] is a skill shared among many classes. When you are a [Cook] or a [Baker], it lets you know when a product in the range of your culinary skills is ready to be taken out at the perfect moment, Flaminia explains with a smug face. Shes smug because Camilla does not have the same skill.

Whatever, old lady, show off your skills, the shorter Elf with pink-blonde hair says.

Come on, ladies, for all I wouldnt mind a catfight, Id rather get to work, I wink at both, Lucillus, got the stand ready outside?

The man shoots an annoyed look at me but still ends up nodding while sighing.

All good.

Lucillus, are you sure you want to work late? Flaminia looks at the tall guard with an air of concern. This is going to go deep into the night. And from what I gather, you still have no contract with Joey. Wont that be a problem with the [Captain]?

Its dangerous to hang out around adventurers at night, and I cant leave two women in good conscience when the only other male company is he nods toward me.

Yeah, sure, Lucillus. Sure. Protecting.

I can protect these two fancy ladies, mind your own business, you snotty Elf! I blow raspberries at him.

In return, I get three skeptical gazes.

You still have to explain yourself, Camilla chimes in, if Lucillus is to be believed, you were found with five or six [Thugs] on the ground? Did you make them laugh till they dropped dead or something?

Wow, what a vote of confidence.

Well, you may not believe it, but Im quite a proficient [Mage]!

A [Light Mage], Lucillus teases me.

Well, still a badass.

I know they are teasing me on purpose. From tickling to this, its all for my sake, isnt it?

They know Im droopy about Lucinda, and I do need some friends around.

Whatever

Excuse me? a knock cuts me off.

An old man with silver hair comes inside with a huge dog.

Oh, the Human, he smiles at me from behind the huge Gandalf beard.

HA! STANIMAL! I shout in delight.

I wasnt sure if the man would show up or not. As I mentioned previously, its hard to deal with homeless people. But I sent Lucillus to tell the man I had a place to stay and a little job for him.

This kind guard told me you wanted me to help you with something? he keeps smiling while he pets his giant dog. Im still not sure what damn race that thing is, but its enormous. It looks like someone crossed a wolf with an American Akita and a rhino.

Thats how stocky the dog is.

Damn dogs. I still have to find myself a cat.

Man, I miss my catno, scratch that. I miss the hot neighbor in love with my stupid cat.

Well, I need a good clerk to help me with sales. Plus, people usually dont beat up old people, and they behave more respectfully around them.

Joey Luciani, you dont have to do anything for me. Im old and I dont want to be a burden. I came here because you remind me of that Human girl who helped me out once.

Please! I say as I approach him, keeping a careful eye around the dog. What burden! You see those three? They cant do a thing! Im teaching them everything I need around here. Instead, I would love to learn from someone with real experience. Plus, I have got a bunch of dusty rooms I have no intention to rent out. What do you say you bunker here, huh?

The silver-haired Elf looks a bit overwhelmed.

II dont know, I

Lets go! Stanimal is on board! And whats your name, you cute monster? I switch to the dog that gives an unimpressed stare.

Dogs.

What are you, a cat?

Arent you supposed to be all friendly?

Come on, smile at me!

Are you sure? Stan looks at me with concern in his eyes.

He has the same attitude Ive seen in many homeless people. They dont want to be a burden, and theyd instead prefer living on the fringes of society if that meant they didnt feel like a liability for anyone.

Suresy, sure, I wink at the old guy and ask Lucillus to fetch his stuff so he can settle in one of the rooms.

Stan is tall, probably the tallest among us. Hes even taller than Lucillus, now that Ive seen both standing. But hes very thin, and he looks almost fragile.

Stan, are you good at haggling? I ask the homeless man who still has to find his footing. His dog, instead, settled under a table, barely fitting there, and looked quite satisfied with the place.

I can haggle a bit, he smiles warmly. And Grigio will surely help me with that.

I look at the dog casually licking his snout and showing me a huge set of teeth while doing that.

Wait, Grigio?

Grigio? I look at him with curiosity.

Thats Italian, not English. Its not even Latin.

You like his name? The Human woman helped me name him, you know.

I raise an eyebrow, interested.

Grigio means Gray.

But the dog is a mix of black and brown

Is that woman color-blind or something?

Beautiful name, but we have to get to work. Take your stuff to the room while we bake and get settled. We probably wont open for another hour or so. We still have to fill the croissants and arrange some plates where to put them.

I have some leaves, by the way, Camilla says aloud.

For what? Salad? I look at her with a raised eyebrow.

Packages? she looks at me weirdly.

Packages? We are selling street food! What packages! They are going to eat on the spot, those drunk adventurers!

Huh, Camilla assumes a calculative stance, evaluating my move.

Come on, ladies, lets get cooking. We are almost ready for our grand opening!