video, un:charon

[notimeforfailure]

Good evening, all. I think this is what is termed a 'bandwagon.' However, as I imagine we will all be busy dead, dying, or in the process of resurrecting soon, I thought I had better commit before October.

I'm opening a bakery and sweets shop.

[Lysithea pans the camera to a table that is covered with pans filled with dozens of buns, cakes, and confections of different colors. It really looks extremely well done. One would imagine that Lysithea applies herself with the same intensity to any task she undertakes.]

Everything will be sourced from traditional Fódlan desserts, passed down through family histories and collected by hand in this book. I've realized that if I'm not the one who makes these treats, I'm... never going to taste them again. So I thought I should share.

[The view changes to an enormous tome currently open to a page titled Saghert and Cream in script prominently displaying a luscious picture of some kind of fruit and cream concoction. It really looks like this was drawn by hand.]

I'm baking from my room for now. If you want anything here, you can drop by or I'll bring it over. If you want delivery, you've got to get at least a dozen, because frankly, I'm not running all over town to give you one sweet bun. I'll open a proper location when it's not Death Month.

...Thanks.

[She signs off after a moment's awkward hesitation, as if she's not sure what to do next.]

[video pt 2, ten minutes later]

It's -- me again. Upon further reflection, I have no idea how to run a business, at all, apart from the portion where you confidently declare it in public.

I would... appreciate advice.

And help. If you are willing to be paid in cake.

Comments

[notimeforfailure]

Yes...

We had the opportunity to discuss his situation a few times. But I hope he's found a more stable peace back in his world.

I'll see you tomorrow, then. Let's resume our conversation at a later point.

[Lysithea politely signs off. But at the appointed hour the next day, she is waiting, having arrived a few minutes early.]

[thunderingcourage]

Alright, I'll see you tomorrow. I'll bring a few things I've been working on too.

[Makoto wasn't exactly early, but she wasn't late either. Instead, she sort of came running up to the designated meeting place right on time, a small messenger bag tossed over her shoulder.]

[notimeforfailure]

[And here is Lysithea, a rather diminutive girl with a pale complexion and long silver hair. Her hair is veiled and her fashion style appears somewhat medieval.]

Hello.

Makoto, right?

Thank you for meeting me.

[thunderingcourage]

[Makoto had on a green sundress that had been brought over with the house. And put up and in a small wave and smiled.]

Yes, I hope that I haven't kept you waiting long.

And it's no problem, I'm glad to help someone else that likes cooking.

[notimeforfailure]

Not in the slightest. I do enjoy this shop - they have the most delectable honeyed cakes.

[Lysithea will usher Makoto inside and, once seated, order a fruit tea with a healthy selection of sweets.]

So -- I've received a few orders since we spoke. And a few offers for help. Things are manageable right now from the home, but I can see an opportunity for expanding to a proper business.

I was thinking about the Willful Machine district, naturally.

[thunderingcourage]

[Oh wow, she already had more orders. So far Makoto was just making things for her friends mainly. Though one or two people had asked for birthday cakes lately.

Following Lysithea, Makoto took a seat across from her. Getting some green tea but nothing to go with it at the moment.]

I've looked there, but you have to be pretty careful. There's a lot of people around there that will take anything you don't have nailed down if you're not watching, and it can be pretty rough at night. I've checked out a few places around the Cellar Door.

[notimeforfailure]

I've heard that. It's certainly not a selling point.

[She gives a small nod.]

But as all the businesses seem to sprout up there, there seems to be an unspoken rule among merchants that they watch out for each other. It might be nice to be in the company of other businesses.

Where in the Cellar Door have you looked?

[thunderingcourage]

There are a few vacant spaces near the Earworm, and one that is about halfway between it and The Red. So people going to or from both places would probably stop in for something special or a gift to take someone, it also seems like a pretty popular date spot which is why I was thinking about flowers too.

[Plus there was a lot less work to be done to the building since they were all pretty well maintained there. Though it probably also meant a higher rent or price.]

[notimeforfailure]

That's sensible - with the type of business idea you're proposing. You'll probably have lots of customers who want to pick something up before they, er.

[a delicate pause]

Embark on the evening's activities.

[...]

I haven't been by that district much myself.

[thunderingcourage]

I haven't spent a lot of time there, but I have a friend that stays not far from there and has a place that is on the edge of it.

The buildings there are really nice and are pretty well kept up. They're about the closest to back home.

[Makoto had really only known it was a place that a lot of couples seemed to go to, or people looking for things to do for fun spent a lot of time.]