While Sol City may be the home of Blixt™, what product remains in its home forever? Blixt™, like an aspirant traveller, has travelled all across Charon, settling new roots in many a place. Blixt™ Co. has brought cold refreshments to Zeinav, heartwarming drinks to Frost Gale, and capitalism to the fringes. But only now, after what can only be described as a "licensing war", has Blixt™ Co. at last come to the Crescent Isles. And what better way to generate goodwill than to run a charity event?

And who better to aid in the operation of such an event than one of Veliky's dearest ||||||| business associates, who happens to be a native of the Crescent Isles? That is precisely what brings Cirice here, to the first Blixt™ Cafe to ever be opened in the Crescent Isles.

In many ways, it looks uncannily similar to the one in Sol City, albeit with several Crescent Isles-themed items to their decor - and menu. Among the most prevalent additions to the expansive selection of Blixt™ related items is Bubblixt™, a beverage mostly identical to Blixt™ except for the addition of little chewy 'pearls' that can be slurped through the straw. And Cirice has the privilege of being the first to try it.

It's early in the morning, before opening hours. They're sat at a table in the cafe that would be empty if not for the Blixtbots™ shuffling around, still making the finishing touches to the decor. And placed before Cirice is that fateful drink.

Veliky's sat at the table's other side. Only the upper half of her face can actually be seen over the table's rim. Her eyes are that usual coldness, but she makes an expectant gesture. "Go on. Try it, and tell me your thoughts."

---

Bringing Minions
Bishop-12 (Warlord)
Knight-05 (Warlord)
Rook-15 (Warlord)

Bringing Pets
BF-04 (The Goodest Boy) {Sleigh Bell}
Stalker-03 (Prismatic Spider)
Vampire-04 (Vampire Bat)

“Okay!” Cirice says with a joyful chirp, beaming at her dear friend. She lifts the straw to her lips and takes a big swig. The sweet ambrosia of the bots hits her tongue along with the chewy pearls and she hums in delight, munching happily on the tasty treat with eyes closed in ecstasy.

“This is really good!” She mumbles through the mouthful of pearls with a big grin, “Its so sweet and refreshing! And tingly! Why does it tingle? Is there electricity in it?”

She looks at the cup a little and takes another big gulp, visibly shuddering as the caffeine hits her. “Oh man Veliky I almost forgot! I brought you a present!” She reaches into her bag and pulls out a small strange round porcelain doll in the shape of a small facsimile of Veliky herself, but they eyes are blank. Its strange and stylized in the art style of the Isles, but very cute and chibi, “This is a daruma doll, I had it specially made for you as a little cute you! These are a traditional gift for when someone opens a business here, you make a goal when you get it and when you achieve your goal you fill in the pupil of the right eye and make another goal to finish the other eye.”

It can often be difficult to notice the subtle shifts in Veliky's expression that indicate any change in mood; even noticing such things is an art of its own. But Cirice has long-since begun to crack that shell, and has developed the fine-tuned perception needed to see such changes. And it's because of this that Cirice is able to see, that her praise of the Bubblixt™ does bring a bit of pride to the quarterling's miserly soul.

"Good. I should hope so, seeing as we'll start selling them today... And yes, they're electrified. Where do you think the energy comes from?"

And then there's another subtle change in her demeanour, this one provoked by the sight of the little doll that Cirice produces. It's a strange mix of emotions; on the one hand, it is a gift, and while Veliky isn't too offput by the appropriation of her image, well...

It's starting to become a bit of a theme.

'First the plushie, then Cheche's figurines, and now this...? What is it that makes people want to turn my face into some sort of doll?'

Regardless, she accepts the doll, albeit holding it much in the way that one might hold something just uprooted (hesitantly, and with clear intent to wash her hands sometime in the near future).

"...I'll keep that in mind." Veliky's never been good at saying 'thank you.'

As she stares into her own porcelain reflection, one of the Blixtbots™ clanks up to their table.

"Mistress Veliky, Conscript Cirice, report: preparations are complete. Additional report: opening is scheduled in ten minutes."

As if a switch were flipped in her head, Veliky seems instantly focused. "Good." And then she looks to Cirice. "Get ready. Opening day is never easy."

Cirice hops to her feet with even more energy than usual, if that’s even possible. She bounces in place a little, skirts of her maid’s outfit rustling with her movement. She’s excited to bring the joy of the Blixt cafe to her homeland and to share this momentous moment with Veliky. It’s not every day you start a company in another country, at leas not for normal people. But Vel is extraordinary, and today will be a sensation if Cirice has anything to say about it.

“OkAy!” She cracks her knuckles, “Here we go Vel! We’re going to make sure that this grand opening is the grandest of opening that Platinum Corp and the Crescent Isles have ever seen!”

Its clear the Blixt^tm is getting to her as her speech is even faster and more nonsensical than usual. This should be fun.

The doors open to a crowd of excited patrons, ready to try the newest and hottest drink in the Isles. The crowd is greeted by a small army of excited, caffeinated Cirice maids¹.

“Hello! Welcome to the Blixt^tm Café Crescent Isles Branch! Please come in and try our incredible special, BUBBLIXT^tm!” a chorus of Cirice sing-songs to the crowd as they start to file in slowly.

---

1 Replicant

This isn't... precisely what Veliky had in mind. Sure; it makes sense, in theory, to multiply productivity using Replication. Veliky does it herself, and likely wouldn't have been able to make it this far in the business if she hadn't. And it's true that they would've been understaffed if Cirice hadn't done this, but...

Staring at the group of chirping, bouncing Cirice clones that greets the customers as they arrive, there are only two words that Veliky can think of: "A lot." She watches as a couple of the customers get nary two steps into the cafe before being visibly startled by the Ciricwarm, and then simply turning around and leaving with trauma in their eyes.

Veliky, sat at one of the tables so that she might monitor the whole affair, sighs and takes a sip from her glass of Blixt™ Dark Roast. 'This...' she ponders, 'This is going to be a long day.'

But other than that, it's going relatively well. About a half-hour into service, and the Cirice-horde is faring well, even if the customers sometimes find them disturbing. 'Better than the Blixtbots™." Veliky supposes.

But then there's a sound. By now, it's a sound that's been bored into Veliky and Cirice's minds, alike: the sound of the entry bell, ring-a-linging as the door is opened. And yet something about it, this time, seems terribly ominous to Veliky. Somehow, it fills her with a dread that she doesn't often feel. Her business-sense is tingling: a sure sign of financial danger, but she can never know its source until she's staring it down. Fortunately -- or perhaps unfortunately -- it doesn't take her long to find that source this time; for, as she turns to the entryway, what she sees very nearly makes her drop her Blixt™.

The person that walks through the door is a majestic sight: a human with all the refined beauty of Crescent Islandish nobility. But this woman's mystifying presence doesn't stop at nobility; no, her vivid-pink hair points to an origin quite beyond that.

Veliky recognizes her in an instant. It's Meloku Leylani, Princess of Starlight City and, indeed, all of the Crescent Isles. And she's about to be greeted by an Cirice Circus that, despite their nationality, appears completely oblivious to this newcomer's identity. Veliky feels her blood run cold.

“O-HAY-O” Cirice prime chirps at the pretty, pink-haired lady as she enters, giving her a wide, bright smile and gesturing to an open table with a flourish, “Welcome to the Blixt^tm Café! Please try one of our Bubblixt^tm! First one is free! This is our grand opening! I promise once you try, you’ll be begging for more!”

“Ohayo,” the refined lady giggles, following Cirice to her seat with an amused air. The fact the elf is absolutely oblivious to who she’s talking to clearly entertains the princess as she sits down and looks over the small menu. “Well this certainly is unusual. A café selling strange and interesting drinks being staffed by a small army of the same maid? I take it you’re magically inclined?”

“Yes ma’am! I’m from the Mage’s Guild. My name is Cirice, well Tsukinaga Shizuki to my fellow Islanders.”

“Nice to meet you, Tsukinaga-san, I’m Leylani Meloku. What is an esteemed member of the Mage’s Guild doing dressed as a maid working in a café in the Isles?”

There’s something naggingly familiar about that name, but Cirice can’t place it so she just lets it pass. “Well Leylani-san I’m helping my friend open her first franchise here! Since I’m from the Isles its been my pleasure to help Veliky open one in my beloved homeland! It was quite the struggle to get the rights to open one here, she said, so I’m really proud of her. I want to make sure everything goes as well as possible! So, would you care to try our special?”

“Sure,” the princess chuckles, “I’d love to try it!”

“Coming riiiiiight up!” Cirice draws a heart in the air between then and skips off to get a Bubblixt^tm to serve.

That... could've gone worse. Veliky lets out a breath that she'd been holding far longer than she'd realized. The Princess was fortunately unoffended by the misunderstanding, but Cirice somehow remains completely oblivious to their identity -- a problem that should be rectified as quickly as possible. 

Fortunately, Veliky has a solution for this exact situation. Platinum Corp specializes in making useful implements of seemingly mundane items, and so she decided to have a little enchantment added to the headdress of all maid uniforms - one connected to the Red Rogue network. And so, as Veliky presses two fingers to one of her ears, both that Cirice and Veliky hear a slight crackle, and the connection is establish.

"Come in, Cirice?" Though Veliky's lips don't move (and though Veliky is nowhere near Cirice), the words are inexplicably projected into Cirice's mind^[1]. "Can you hear me?"

Cirice jumps a little in surprise, looking around for Veliky as if she's right beside her, "Vel? Are you casting message?" She responds, "I didn't know you knew that spell!"

"I don't, now listen. You know that girl you just spoke to? The one with pink hair?"

"Oh, Leylani Meloku?"

Fucking hell, she doesn't even know the princess' name. Veliky's careful not to let her sigh pick up on the telepathic call. "Yep, that's the one. Just thought you should know that she's actually the Princess of the Crescent Isles. So maybe be a bit more courteous around her, got it?"

---

1. (Red Rogue's Hood) Clandestine Rogue's Earpiece

The glass of Bubblixt™ Sakura falls from her shocked hands and shatters on the floor of the kitchen with a loud crash. Several customers in the cafe are startled and look towards the swinging door as all of the Cirices look as well in confusion and concern.

“P-Princess?” She stutters back to Veliky, gobsmacked. “Th-that’s the princess? Wh-what? Why would she be here? And all by herself! She has no guards or anything!”

...It's not an unfair question, all considered. But, on a hunch, Veliky peers outside the window and...

Yes, there are definitely at least six snipers perched on the adjoining buildings. It'd be near-impossible for anyone else to see, but Veliky has a keen eye for these things; after all, the snipers are exactly where she'd place them if she were in this situation.

"Well, I did advertise in some fairly high-class areas... But that doesn't matter." Veliky's voice turns even more authoritative than before. "She's here, and that means we need to impress her as much as possible. Got it?"

“Got it!” Cirice responds, full of pep. She salutes the empty air of the kitchen, only the bots inside to witness her seriousness. “I will make sure she is really wowed, don’t you worry!”

Veliky glances at the Princess, who is watching the saluting Cirice with a look of confusion through the window into the kitchen-- especially seeing as Cirice is still standing in a puddle of spilled Bubblixt™ -- and worries.

"...Right. Veliky out."

Now what to do about this mess. Cirice wonders to herself, looking at the puddle with distaste. She still doesn’t have a spell for cleaning messes up, much to her chagrin. Then she remembers something she’s been carrying around with her for a while. She reaches into the bag on her hip and pulls out a small metal ball, setting it on the ground. The ball unfurls to reveal a small construct with spindly legs that immediately looks around confused.

“Hey buddy, sorry you’re not home right now, I kinda forgot about you… Can you just clean this up real quick?”

As the bot starts gesticulating angrily at her, clearly upset. She smiles apologetically and grabs a new drink to take to the princess.

“Here you are! One Bubblixt™ Sakura!” Cirice says with a curtsey, “Please enjoy, Leylani-hime.”

With a laugh the princess stirs the drink, watching the pearls dance in the glass. “Aw someone told you?" she pouts, "That’s less fun. Well thank you, I’m sure it will be wonderful.”

Cirice gives another embarrassed bow and backs away slowly, watching the princess’ reaction as she takes a thoughtful sip and chews the pearls slowly.

“Tsukinaga-san?”

“Yes, hime-sama?”

“This is very good. I’d like to look around the café, if I may. See the kitchen and everything.”

“Of course! I’d happily show you around!” She gestures towards the kitchen with an awkward bow as the princess rises and the pair start heading that way.

Seeing the Princess arrive was one thing; Veliky's had prestigious customers before. She's served ashen fathers, generals, spymasters; and this isn't the first time she's served some vestige of royalty. All in all, it isn't that she isn't familiar with such scenarios, just that she's woefully unprepared for this one in particular. So that's all well and good, assuming Cirice is able to handle it with some degree of tact.

But seeing KEYP is... a surprise. Veliky had no clue where it'd gone. But, come to think of it, its disappearance was around the time that Cirice and Cyran broke into her apartment... and baked her muffins...

It's around then that Veliky has a realization: that Cirice is in dire need of a lesson on personal property.

Another sigh, and another sip of Blixt™ Dark Roast. She supposes it works out, since they need another cleaner. Then again, she'd prefer to keep the bots out-of-sight as much as possible for the time-being; if these people -- let alone the princess -- see the Blixtbots™, they might be too frightened to come back. That's why she had all the Blixtbots™ confined to the kitchen, where they can do their work unseen by the general public. That's something Veliky's realized about business: she can do just about anything so long as it's kept out of public sight.

She nods to herself, satisfied with this arrangement for the time being.

And then she see Cirice guiding the princess toward the kitchen. And she feels as if she's going to have an aneurism.

Like a deer in front of a speeding wagon, Veliky's frozen. She knows she needs to do something, but what? She reaches for her earpiece again, but it's still cooling down! No -- she has to intercept.

Hopping down from her seat, she makes a dash to the kitchen door. But her height alone is a severe hindrance; not only is she kicked around by dozens of shuffling feet and practically blinded in the crowd, she's also stopped by multiple people who ask where her parents are before she cusses them out. This is bad -- she knows she's losing time. But she also knows that she's nearly there; just one more push through the crowd, and...

Oh. Oh no.

“Right this way, hime-sama,” Cirice says, opening the door for the princess to go into the kitchen and have a look around.

The swinging door opens into the assembly line of constructs. Blixtbots^TM lines up and meticulously creating and assembling each aspect of every food or drink item with mechanized precision. KEYP putters along on the floor angrily mopping up the sticky residue from Cirice’s folly, his little spindly arms waving at her angrily as she returns to the scene of the mess. Its quite the sight, this kitchen, completely devoid of humanoid touch and yet running perfectly.

“Wow…” Leylani gasps in awe, getting close enough to look at the bots without hindering their motion or function. “This is incredible! What are these things? Some sort of magical construct?”


“I have no idea!” Cirice responds happily, “Veliky and Yoci make them. They’re really cool! I can go get her so you can ask her questions, if you like.”

She turns around to go back out to the dining room to see an irritated Veliky coming through the swinging door. “Oh there you are, the princess was asking about the bots, want to tell her about them?”

Cirice's words come like a stab to the stomach: sudden, unexpected and viscerally precise. Of course Veliky's arrival would render her as the prime scapegoat for what most would probably consider to be a technological atrocity. She's dumbfounded at her own ill-luck, and at Cirice's continued obliviousness.

"Oh." She starts, brain scrambling behind a blank expression. "I'm... I'm not sure how these got here, I've never seen them befo-"

But she stops when she sees the look on the Princess' face. They aren't appalled in the way that Veliky was expecting. In fact, they look rather... bewildered, like a child in a candy shop.

“This is fantastic! Truly a marvel of magic and technology!” She claps her hands together, “They run this place pretty much on their own with just a little oversight, yes? How difficult would it be to set up cafes like this all over the Isles?”