Legends & Lattes

Viv approaches the chess-playing gnome and asks if she can take a seat. He introduces himself as Durias, and proves amiable. Durias says he appreciates being able to get real gnomish coffee at the shop, and loves the Thimblets as well. Viv thanks him and mentions Tandri wanting to know if he’s moving the other chess pieces himself. Durias says he moves them, but did so long ago. Viv doesn’t understand, but he goes on to compliment the shop once more. Amity approaches, and he seems familiar with her. The dire-cat rests under Durias’s chair, and he rests his feet on her. Viv tells Tandri that she got an answer, but not an explanation.

Thimble returns from an errand with a dark, waxy substance. He encourages Viv and Tandri to try pieces of the chocolate. He has an idea for a new pastry, and Viv fetches the items he needs. When she returns, Kellin is in the shop, looking stiff. She almost goes after him, but Tandri gestures for her to stand down. Kellin leaves with a polite yet timid demeanor, carrying a bag of cinnamon rolls for the Madrigal. When Viv and Tandri lock up that evening, Tandri retrieves a picnic basket from the back. She nervously asks Viv if she wants to celebrate her successful meeting with the Madrigal with a picnic in the park. Viv rants about Fennus still being out there, but quickly realizes what this picnic means to Tandri and softens her tone.

Viv and Tandri sit among cherry trees and hedges, sipping a bottle of brandy and eating cheese and sausage. Viv asks why Tandri left university. Tandri explains that she chose to come to Thune to flee her succubus nature. She wanted to challenge her and others’ perception of her, but was still treated differently because of her race. Viv realizes Kellin’s obsession likely had a part in her leaving, but doesn’t pry. She walks Tandri home after the picnic. Tandri invites Viv inside and shows her the small room where she lives. Viv feels a warmth about Tandri, but thinks it could just be the brandy. Tandri almost says something, but stops herself. They say goodnight and part.

The next day, Thimble finishes his first batch of chocolate-filled crescents. Viv and Tandri both love them, and Viv feels warmth from her again. She realizes Thimble deserves a larger kitchen, and Tandri adds the crescents to the menu. Hemington returns to inform Viv that her ward is almost finished. It will surround the shop and only work once. Hemington bestows her hand with the final piece of the ward, so she’ll feel a tug in her arm should Fennus cross the threshold. Pendry also returns, this time with his strange lute, a thaumic lute. This time, his music is alluring and modern.

Viv spends the week worrying about whether or not she’ll feel a tug in her arm, but eventually calms her nerves. Amity continues to visit. Tandri tries to get her to use the corner bed, but Amity merely eats some treats and leaves the bed be. Viv and Tandri have no more picnics, and Viv doesn’t walk Tandri home for a while. This leaves Viv wanting more. Eventually, Tandri presents a business idea to her: personal mugs. The shop will store the customers’ mugs if needed, but they ultimately own their mugs and can take them as they wish. Viv loves the idea and says Tandri is making the shop her own. Tandri is uncertain what to make of this, but Viv says it’s a good thing. She wants to say more, but can’t find the words.

Viv and Thimble look through a gnomish catalogue for a new, larger stove. Viv is concerned about the price, as she’s already spent much of her savings to get Legends & Lattes up and running. Still, she’s optimistic that they’ll recoup the cost because of the popularity of Thimble’s baking. Lack arrives to retrieve the Madrigal’s payment in cinnamon rolls. Viv throws in a chocolate croissant, so she can try it.

A young girl stops by and asks if there will be music. Viv is uncertain, since Pendry comes and goes as he pleases. The girl is the third person that week asking about Pendry’s music. When Pendry arrives, Viv offers to pay him if he comes on regular days and times; he accepts. Tandri makes a sign advertising Pendry’s days and times.

A tearing sensation in Viv’s arm wakes her up in the middle of the night, as the ward is going off. She knows Fennus is present, and wonders if he knows she knows. She sneaks down the ladder. Viv catches a whiff of Fennus’s perfume and spots him, cloaked in a hood, moving slowly through the dark. When he gets close to the Scalvert’s Stone, she lands in front of him aggressively. He’s surprised Viv detected him. Fennus implies she feels guilty about keeping the Stone from the party. She asserts that the hoard of treasure in the Scalvert Queen’s hive was more than enough for their share, but he disagrees. He assumes Viv conned the party, thinking they wouldn’t realize the significance of the Stone. She asserts that taking the Stone was a fool’s bet that she wasn’t certain would work out. After a tense standoff, Amity leaps at Fennus and scares him off. She then returns to the corner bed. Viv has no idea how long she’s been using the bed, but is thankful for her presence.

Viv struggles to return to sleep. She thinks about all the wonderful people she’s met as a result of the shop and considers the power of the Scalvert’s Stone. She recalls what Tandri said about not making the shop her everything.

Viv tells Tandri about Fennus’s visit, leaving Tandri to also wonder what would happen if she lost the Scalvert’s Stone. Tandri tells her about a concept called Arcane Reciprocity: When magic sways far in one direction, there’s a reciprocal effect when it’s removed. She’s scared the loss of the Stone would cause backlash that destroys more than Viv knows.

Viv hates waiting around for Fennus’s next move. Pendry’s performances draw larger audiences as the days pass. In three weeks’ time, Viv has allowed herself to relax again. Cal and Tandri, however, sometimes have private meetings, and Cal comments on the quality of locks at the shop. One day, the Madrigal pays Viv a visit. She speaks in elegant code, warning her that Fennus is planning his next move. After closing, Tandri insists that Viv not stay at the shop alone. Tandri thinks her succubus sense might be helpful, especially with Hemington’s ward gone. She is upset to find Viv still has no bed, and rearranges the blankets and bedding so they can both fit. As they lie down, backs to one another, Viv tells Tandri that she’s glad she stayed.

Tandri is already up brewing coffee when Viv wakes. Viv comes down the ladder and sits with Tandri at the table. They sip their coffee in comfortable silence. Viv asks if Tandri slept well and vows to get a bed. After they open, Cal drops by to assess whether or not Viv can fit a bigger stove. He recommends she stick with what they have, as there’s limited space. Viv instead proposes a small stage for Pendry, which Cal believes he can do.

Tandri insists on staying with Viv again that night. They go out for dinner, where they talk and laugh. Viv jokes that Pendry hasn’t noticed his biggest fan sitting front and center every show. Tandri replies that people don’t notice what’s right in front of them. Viv wants to say something but is uncertain. The pair is happy to see Amity hanging around the shop when they return.

Amity wakes Viv and Tandri in the middle of the night: The shop is on fire with a mystical, green flame called corpse-fire. It burns hotter than normal fire, and is spreading rapidly. Viv scoops up Tandri and leaps down the ladder. Amity yowls in fear of the encroaching flames. Viv attempts to put out the fire with water, but it evaporates before it can touch the flames. She smashes through the back doors with a large bench and carries Tandri out. They’re both wounded from the flames. Viv rushes back in to grab her lockbox. She notices the loose flagstone is disturbed, but throws the lockbox outside and grabs the coffee machine, escaping with charred flesh and hair.

Viv and Tandri, along with curious townsfolk emerging from their homes, watch as Legends & Lattes burns to the ground. The pair holds hands. Viv says she’s happy they didn’t lose everything, and they touch foreheads.