Interlude 5:
Arle and Chocolate
FLUFFY CAFÉ WAS a unique little café on the outskirts of Rellim. The owner of the place was a Tamer who kept a number of fluffy tamed monsters for his customers to interact with.
On one of her days off from adventuring, Arle secretly snuck her way into Fluffy Café.
“Welcome! Nice to see you again, Arle.”
“I thought I might enjoy some relaxing teatime,” Arle answered back. She most definitely hadn’t come here on her own because she was too embarrassed to offer the Berry Bunnies affection in front of Grise and Nina, not at all. She had no ulterior motive for stopping by.
Taichi smiled knowingly at her.
“I would like black tea and chocolate,” she told him primly.
“Of course. I will prepare it for you now. Feel free to relax here in the meantime.”
She shifted uncomfortably, unable to shake the feeling that he saw right through her. Looks like there aren’t any other customers today. I suppose that’s a good thing for me, since it means I can fully relax. Arle let out a small sigh and perched herself on her usual sofa. She slipped a hand inside her bag and pulled out a book, which she began to read. She hadn’t come here to play with the bunnies. That’s why she was reading. And she was perfectly fine with that. Really, she was.
Arle let out a heavy breath. The bunnies were hopping around the café, distracting her.
Taichi reappeared at the perfect time with her tea and chocolate. “Here you are.”
“Thank you.” She reached first for the chocolate, removing the wrapper and popping it into her mouth. It had a sweet but slightly bitter flavor which she’d come to love. Her hand paused as she reached for the black tea. “You know, something has been bothering me for a while now. Where exactly did you get your tea leaves for this? They smell divine.”
“Huh?” Taichi froze, eyes darting.
I wonder if he can’t disclose it for some reason, Arle thought. If that were the case, she shouldn’t push the issue.
“Ah, apologies,” he said after hesitating. “An acquaintance purchases them for me to use here. I can’t give you any details.”
“It’s only natural you would want to be discreet with how delicious it is,” Arle answered. “I apologize for troubling you with my question.”
“No, no. I’m really glad you like it.” He gave her a contrite smile.
A dark brown Berry Bunny hopped over, pressing its fluffy body against Taichi’s leg as if to console him. “Aw, what a sweet one you are.” He reached down and lifted the bunny up, placing it in Arle’s lap.
“Wha?!” she squeaked. “I-I only came here to read. I didn’t—” Come here to play with the bunnies. Her voice died in her throat before she could finish that sentence.
“It’s fine,” Taichi assured her with a smile. “This little one’s name is Chocolate.”
“Oh, same as my beloved treat.” Had he chosen the name to match the dark brown color of the bunny’s fur?
“Its fur is the same color, isn’t it?”
“Why, you’re right.” She couldn’t help laughing when her intuition was right on point.
Taichi personally thought she looked much cuter when she smiled than when she acted aloof. “Go on,” he said. “Relax and enjoy yourself.”
“Kree?”
“Oh.” Chocolate nuzzled Arle’s hand. The softness of its fur surprised her. It felt so nice on her skin that she wished she could pet it forever. She hesitated to follow through on that urge, but before she knew it, Taichi had disappeared off somewhere. She scanned the room and located him behind the counter, preoccupied with something else.
Did he realize I wanted privacy? She swallowed hard and slid her hand over Chocolate’s head. It was like her hand was magnetically drawn to the bunny, sliding down the soft fur of its back.
“So this is what fluff feels like...”
“Kree,” the bunny cried gleefully at her, indicating how much it enjoyed her petting it. It poked its little tongue out, licking her fingertip.
“Eep! You surprised me. That tickles, Chocolate,” Arle said in a gentle but admonishing voice. Her dismay did little to discourage the bunny, however. She cocked her head, not understanding why it seemed so intent on licking her. Then it hit her that her hand had the lingering aroma of chocolate, as she had just popped it into her mouth only moments before.
I nearly forgot that these bunnies are voracious eaters. Her lips twitched into a smile. Perhaps next time, she would try buying a bag of treats.