I woke feeling unrested. How odd. But it didn't matter now, Indigo was crying right now. Probably pooped. I guessed while groggily lifting myself from the bed and feeling a headache coming on. Au. . . I touched my head briefly until I grabbed Indigo and checked her out.
I have been feeling restless lately. How odd. But it does not matter. I Have duties to attend to.
I woke up, cleaned Indigo up and checked Aurora too. . . Liam needed to go potty so we went together to the bathroom. We all went back to sleep. . . Or so did they, because I suddenly felt like I did not need anymore sleep.
Therefore, I started things a bit (too) early. But it still counted. I just took it easy by doing some extra paperwork and checking what was selling better and what was selling less.
After an hour, I still felt like I could not sleep, so I went to check the mail, and found some people had already send some applications to the apartment complex, the houses and some applications for work, which was good considering that I felt bored and the children were still sleeping.
Therefore, I went to make some inventory in advance and checked the animal traps. Fortunately, some traps caught a fox, a raccoon, and a bunch of mouses and rats, which kept me busy.
Once I saw the sun setting itself up, I went to check on the children, who seemed to get themselves early and easier due to the sun coming up later than earlier.
I then, went one to make breakfast and receive Bailey who has come to nurse the babies. I also gave her new payment too.
'The houses look beautiful, Amelia.' Bailey complimented as she nursed the beabies. 'Although I gotta say, are you okay? You look. . . Tired.'
I. . . Could not get so much sleep last night.' I admitted yawning. 'I decided to make up for things I've been letting off of the hook, and well, here I am.' I smiled tiredly.
Bailey nodded, yet still looking worried. 'Just, make sure you take care of yourself, alright? I know from experience how hard it is to take care of children, let alone keeping them alive.' She pointed to the youngest (Indigo) in her arms with her chin.
I yawned again. 'Thanks again.' I told her. 'By the way, how old must a young one be to be fed purees and other stuff?' I asked her.
Bailey thought about it for a moment. 'Well, from experience, I preferred to keep nursing as much as possible, but gradually adding soft and chewy foods until they replace the milk entirely.' She told me. 'The purees would be a good start at. . .' She thought about it some more and then looked at my daughter who just finished her share. 'Hmm. . . Well, Aurora here has already a full cycle of life, therefore, she can easily eat everything else like the rest of the family, just make sure to keep a regular check on her digestion, and keep letting me nurse her until she's two years old t least.' She then turned to she Indigo. 'Indigo on the other hand, she's still too little, and she's also premature, so she needs more constant care. Since she was born in early summer, I suggest to letting me keep nursing her as her whole food supply until early winter or mind-winter. . . But because food might be scarce, I would suggest until she reaches her first cycle of life as well.' She suggested.
So it is suggested that, by six to eight months, I should start introducing the babies to foods such as purees. I was already making notes and nodded. 'Understood, thank you.' I yawned.
Bailey looked at me almost sympathetically.
. . .
During the day. . .
Taking Bailey's suggestion, I decided to let the restaurant run by itself without me much in it. Only supervising it every now and then, while I went to my office to make return letters to those who have applied to the houses and the apartment complexes.
I also made a poster asking for either cheap but good books, or donations for the library in the apartment complex.
*Toc toc toc!!* Somebody knocks on my door.
'Come in!' I allowed them to enter.
Karga entered with her eyes looking down on the floor. As if she was engaging, she looked like she did not know whether it was a good idea or not to let me know something she did. . .
I raised my eyesight at Karga. 'Is there something wrong, Karga?' I asked her.
'Em. . . You see. . . I . . . Told the family where I was. . . And. . .' Karga was playing with her fingers looking guilty. 'Kinda. . . Told them, all about your "meat section" on the menu?' She smiled with guilt on her eyes.
'And that is a problem because?' I put down my papers confused.
'Well. . . They want to try the menu, buuuuuuut. . .Orcs do not use, human money. . . We pay in. . . Exchanges.' Karga told me.
'Well, I can make it work with that.' I nodded to her and took out a new white paper. 'What does your family exchange with the most?' I asked her.
'Meat. . . Weapons. . . Skins. . . . Mostly meat and skins. . .' Karga let me know. 'Some are common animals, some are magical or dark animals. . . Might leave weapons as tips if food is delicious.' She added.
I nodded understanding. 'Want to make a, especial reservation for the restaurant if too may family members come?' I suggested.
Karga, was now looking surprised and hopeful. 'You would do that?!' She asked amazed.
'Sure! Knowing that orcs tend to em. . . Take too much space in numbers, and my restaurant is only so big, I might as well do an exception.' I shrugged. 'But, since it's still early September, we can make it work in the backyard.' I recommended.
'Yes! Yes! It would be glorious!' Karga nodded enthusiastically.
'How many family members would come?' I asked her a bit more curious though. 'In numbers if you can, please.'
Karga thought about it for a second. 'Well, immediate family it is I, along with parents, four brothers and a sister, which makes eight. . . Two of my brothers are with mates, two offpsrings one brother and three offsprings the other brother, which makes up to fifteen?. . . Yes! Fifteen. . . The third other brother has a pregnant mate, which makes us sixteen. . . While the last brother is still single. . . And my sister has a mate and five offspring, plus one coming on, which makes us. . . Twenty-two?'
I gulped. 'Well. . . Tell them, that, at a reduced cost, I would be willing to cook the food they have hunted.' I proposed.
'Wooohooooooo!' Karga jumped out of joy.
'Karga, be careful!' I complained a I barely kept my papers in check. 'The place is not orc-strength-proof!!'
Karga then stands still. 'I apologize my rudeness.' She apologized.
'It is fine, just, remember that this place is not orc-proof, and, also let the family know about the outside food eating we will be doing.' I told Karga.
Karga nodded enthusiastically an ran out quickly with almost no strength added onto her feet as she left the place.
I exhaled exhausted just thinking about the problem that I had pulled myself into.
. . .
A few days later. . .
'Oh dear. . .' I was not sure what surprised me the most. The huge sizes of the orcs, or the huge amount of meat, pelts and weapons that they carried in their shoulders. 'Ehem, I supposed you are Karga's family, am I right?' I asked the tallest orc around.
The tallest orc nodded with a stone serious face.
'Alright. . . Let's, go to the backyard without running, shall we? Please.' I asked them as I guided them to the backyard.
They all followed me obediently.
Karga ran up to me and started to make small talk with me as we walked all the way to the backyard.
Then, I asked the chefs to take the meat from the orcs to eat. Everybody cooperated and, Karga entretained them with games and stories while us, humans, did the cooking.
Hopefully it will all turn out well. I exhaled a bit tired.
. . .
A few hours later. . .
It was done. They all laughed, ate and devoured everything as they had big appetites. 'Phew! Good job everyone, thanks for the help!!' I thanked them.
'Next time, make sure to let us know in advance!!' One of the chefs exclaimed as he Salma himself on a chair. 'Some of us felt like we would have almost no will power to finish!!'
I nodded in agreement. 'I agree.' I exhaled, feeling sticky with all the sweat I felt al, over my body.
*Clanks! Cla-Clank! Clunk! Click! Pam! Pum!* A bunch of metallic things were clashing out side my restaurant.
'K-Karga!!' I ran outside. 'I told you that you and your family are not allowed to play weapon-fights in my territory!!' I scolded her exhaling and wheezing looking down at my feet.
'Nonono! We are no weapon fighting!' Karga promised rushing and kneeling next to me. 'We-we are actually paying the meals, with the weapons.' She told me.
I slowly looked up at her. 'Excuse me?' I asked.
Karga pointed to the center of the backyard, and as I looked, the whole family was putting from bones knives, to huge spears and double-axes. The majority in orc size.
I blinked. 'I. . . Have no idea what to do with this.' I admitted.
'We wanted to give you some of the heavier pelts as the payment, buuut, winter is coming and, we tend to use those pelts for the young.' Karga pointed to her nieces and nephews.
I nodded understanding. 'Okay, yeah that make sense.'
Karga motioned all her family out. 'Thanks Amy boss, my whole family enjoyed it.'
I saw how the family was literally leaving all their weaponary in my backyard, I felt cheated in reverse so I stoppped them. 'Wait!!' I trotted up to the front line. 'Karga! Look, as much as the payment is very generous, I. . . Do not think I can accept it.' I admitted to them.
They all looked worried. Orcs were known to be very fair in payments and exchanges.
'The main reason is, because, most people here at humans, and, let's be honest, do you actually believe a normal human could carry a double-axe ten times their own size?' I asked them.
They all looked at each other again and shook their heads.
'She's right.' One of them murmured.
'Also! As you said before, it is September. You all need your weapons for hunting! And I, as a fellow mother, do not believe this is a fair payment for you.' I told them with empathy.
Karga the scratched her head. 'How are we going to pay for the meal then?' She asked worried.
'I. . . Have some suggestions, but for now, take your weapons back and go home with your full bellies.' I offered them. 'Karga, you and your father follow me inside the restaurant, and remember to turn yourselves smaller, please.' I told them as I walked to the restaurant once more.
The orc family obeyed up to some extent. They went back for the weapons, but they sat down in the grass, waiting for the verdict as Karga and her father went inside and followed me into my office.
. . .
Five minutes later. . .
'So, here is my suggestions.' I put some posters of the restaurant and its usual menu. 'If you can't give me the pelts, then I am willing to call a favor. Did you guys really liked the food?' I asked them.
Both of them nodded enthusiastically, clearly letting me know where Karga's enthusiastic mode came from.
'The buffet was the best thing I ever had in ages!!' Karga's father laughed loudly. 'Beside's my wife' s cooking of course.' He added.
'As it should.' I agreed. 'In that case, I hope you take these posters with you and your family and spread word to other orcs, and other non-human species about the restaurant and food.' I proposed. 'Along. . .' I picked up more posters. 'Posters offering apartments and new houses for rent.' I added.
Both orcs gasped marvelled.
'And! If you are still doubful that it will take over everything, then, how about letting some of Karga's siblings work here. . . Let's say, about one month?' I suggested bringing up some papers for contract.
As soon as I looked at them once again, they both had stars on their eyes.
They clearly are father and daughter. I stiffed a laugh. 'I suppose, that, is a yes?' I hoped.
Both orcs standed up simultaneaously and screamed, 'YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!!' Making the whole restaurant shake.
'If anything ends up broken you'll be paying for it!!' I warned them covering my ears.
'OF COUUUURRRRSEEEEE!!' Both of them exclaimed, still shaking the restaurant with their voices.
Oh boy. I exhaled.
. . .
Back outside. . .
The family was overly proud to have the "priviledge" of talking about the restaurant who does not discriminate non-humans. As for the labour, Karga's single brother volunteered since, besides her, he did not had a mate yet, therefore, he could do from two to three months.
We sealed the deal and they (besides Karga and her brother) went home. With weapons and all.
As for Karga, she offered her brother, Azruk, the floor of her appartment. I immediately argued into giving Azruk an appartment in the male section, in exchange for a small weapon.
'Just, do not offer me any big or giant weapon because, as you can see, I am smaller than you and I would not be able to even move the axe.' I clarified to him.
The orc did not even blinked before giving me his handle. 'How much would this cover?' He asked.
I took it and examinated. 'Hmm. . . Around. . .' The blade was solid and beautiful, orc carvings in the wood, and, while a bit heavy, it was light enough for me. 'Two months of rent.' I motioned him into my office. 'Come one, I need you to sign some papers before I give you the keys.' I told him.
Karga took her brother's shoulder. 'Better not loose the key. It costs the double of what I pay for rent each month.' She warned him. 'And better not break anything inside, cus it will be added to costs and you only have so many weapons.' She added.
Azruk gulped down and nodded nervously.
. . .
A few hours later. . .
I gave the tour, I presented him to his new neighbours who, while nervous, they did not mind him much (Azruk was actually more relaxed than his sister), and presented him the ladies. The ladies, tried to be cordial (while doing their best as to not look at Azruk's muscles) yet were still a bit more nervous around him.
Karga vouched for him and the ladies relaxed a bit more.
'And remember: loose or break a key and you have to pay more so I can replace it.' I reminded him. 'And the things that are already in the appartment tecnically belong to me, so, you break it, you buy it.' I added.
Azruk nodded slowly, watching the very and precious key that it contained half of his handaxe's worth.
'Oh! I almost forgot, there's a free space that you can use for whatever you like AS LONG as it does not either disturb the neighbours AND be illegal for both humans and non-humans. Am I clear?' I asked one last time.
Azruk touched his heart and made a bowl. 'Understood, lady Baker.'
'Good! You work starts tomorrow at the same time your sister awakes. Do NOT be late.' I told him as I left the complex and returned home.
'Do not worry, brother! She's always this strict at the start but she's also very sweet like honey!' Karga's voice boomed all the way to where I was. 'She also give's this "welcome baskets," so await for yours in a few hours!'
Oh right! I facedpalmed myself. 'The welcome basket.' I laughed as I returned to the restaurant and I payed the crew a bit extra for the trouble.
Once alone, I took a basket of the supply closet, and filled it out randomly. Meat pies, boiled eggs, beef jerky and bacon, a (giant) smoked pig's leg, and a small jar of meat salsa (usually for meatballs or stew).
I quickly wrapped it up and returned to the appartment complex. Followed by Karga. 'Not that I mind, buuut?' I asked.
'I want to see my brother's reaction.' Karga giggled like a little girl.
I giggled back as I set the basket down and knocked on the door. Then I left giving Karga a high five.
As I left the complex. I heard a huge 'WOOOOAAAAHHHHH!!' Behind me. I just had to laugh. 'They are siblings alright.'
I returned to my home once more, and joined Liam along with my two baby girls who were as ready as I was for a nap.
. . .
A few days later. . .
Some of the people who asked and came to check the appartments and houses, either became uncomfortable being with orcs and a gnome around or plain ley demanded that I evicted them from the apartments they were legally renting, so I chased them out of my restaurant and my property so they could try their luck elsewhere.
'Pff! I apologize to the lot of you, but my restaurant and my properties are places where dignity and respect must be mutually offered, if you feel uncomfortable or plainly believe you have the right to make such demands when the no-humane folks have done no wrong, then I believe you should try your luck elsewhere.' I raised my voice at them (while not yet exclaiming nor helping) as I pushed them right ouside of the restaurant, in front of the orc guards, who were just as confused as the human clients. 'At least the no-human folk are wailing to pay more fairly unlike the lot of you.' I sneered at their backs as I turned around to walk back at my restaurant.
For my unlucky ass, I completely forgot that there was a line outside waiting to get inside and buy my bread and food. Along with the orcs who were standing guard.
'H-How dare you!?' One man tried to get close. 'Are you actually saying that the non-humans are actually better than us?!' He demanded to know.
The human clientale waiting outside gasped, some shocked, some angry, and some even more confused like the orcs who just looked at each other in plain confusión.
'Of course not, mister!! The humans that already live in my apartments already know how to pay fairly whether is working under me or elsewhere, and they are even paying sometimes in advance so they can keep living there!!' I made an example of human tenants. 'As for the non-humans, I have them as guards because for one, they are stronger than I am, and therefore, stronger than you! And TWO, one works for me and stays in my appartments while the other is working here to pay for his family's HUGE meal and payed two months of rent in advance!!' I then made an example of my no-human tenants. 'If they are willing to do so WITHOUT any sort of demand, what right do you have to come here and make yours?!' I demanded to know.
'Ooooooooooh!!' The clientale laughed at the man.
The man was crigning his teeth and growling like a rabious bear. 'You little—'
Another man stopped him. 'Hey, stop it! Remember the orcs?' He pointed to the orcs already with their weapons in hand. 'Let's just go. It is not worth it.' He mumbled to his friend.
The man who wanted to hurt me quick left with him, red as a ripe tomatoe.
I took a deep breath and exhaled. 'Well, that went better than anticipated.' I mumbled to myself as I returned inside the house. 'I apologize for the show!! You may carry on!!' I told my clients with a smile as I entered. 'Thanks for the cover you two.' I thanked the orcs as I made my way down to my office and rested on my chair.
The orcs and the clientale looked at me with a look that I already knew: respect and care. Although I do not really understand why though, it is just common sense.
As long as both human and non-human folk respectes my rules and limits, as well as being able to pay fairly for both my food and the rent, there should not be any problem.
A few hours later. . .
After finishing the last bit of paperwork, I realized a small issue: the space.
Humans are bound to complain of having no-humans too close and even laughing at the no-humans, while on the other hand, warrior species like orcs and even those as prideful as elves and fairies would even try to dare a fight. I noted pursing lips. I must take measures in advances so that the problems do not escalate like just a few hours ago. I sighed heavily as I stood up. 'I must consult the non-humans about this.'
At the apartment complex. . .
'A "non-human zone"?' Ivy, Karga, and Azruk questioned at the same time.
'Y-Yes, you see. . . Remember the humans today? The ones that I've got into a fight before?' I reminded them and they all nodded. 'Well, I fear that, since I am human, I might be outcasted from human society if I do not keep a good relationship with my kin, but at the same time, I want to build a good relationship with non-humans as well.' I explained my dilemma. 'So, I thought of building a "non-human zone" where the non-human clients like orcs, gnomes, fairies, elves, and a lot more can come and eat in that space without feeling bothered by human stares, and viceversa but with humans not necesarily feeling like no-human folk are taking too much space.' I proposed.
The orcs looked at each other in surprise, while Ivy the gnome, stroked her beard.
'So. . . What do you guys think?' I asked.
The three of them looked at each other and nodded in agreement. 'It is a much better idea. Yeah, it is for the best. Another idea of "Amy the peace dealer" coming up again!' They all agreed with me.
I smiled a bit more relaxed, Although Ivy's coment of me being "the peace dealer" was a bit too much for me. 'So, since we are on the same page, can you guys help me in creating the space?' I wondered. 'I do not need to make a whole another room, since I know a lot of species will take caution before coming to my restaurant, but, maybe can guys help where can I put the "non-human zone" and how big it could be for now?' I asked of them.
'Of course! Sure, why not? Let's go!' The non-humans agreed.
In a few hours, the four of us were remodelating a space in the restaurant, I asked Ivy to bring some gardening to the windows, and setting some pots with wild flowers of the corner.
Azruk promised to bring some tables created by the orcs as part of the meal payment, in return, I reduced his time working for my restaurant (just for a few days, of course), and Karga, who had connections with fae-folk like fairies and elves, she said she would pack up to go to some of her connections for decorations for the restaurant.
I easily let them do their own thing, but with the promise that they would return soon, because the new clients will return soon enough.
And, thankfully, they did. . . Does that mean that the forest is full of non-human folk are living so close by the town? Why? I wondered but quickly shrugged it off.
. . . .
Some days later. . .
We Have gotten our first non-human, non-orc, non-gnome clients. The goblins. They are green, with pointy fae-like ears, with backpacks that double their sizes, and. . . Well, they are merchandisers, which means they will most probably mix copper coins with whatever it is they have.
The group consisted in just seven goblins, which, if you look closely, you would actually notice that they are a whole family on their own. Parents, older children, younger children, and a-should-be-cousin. . . Cousin of who? I do not know.
To make things easier for my workers (especially servers who were uncomfortable with non-humans), I went on to serve them myself, and brought them to the "non-human zone" the orcs, Ivy and I created.
The "non-human zone" was created in the small corner that almost no man or woman sat in unless they were either alone, or wanted to do something more intimate with family members or coworkers.
The "non-human zone" was decorated with wild flowers that Ivy helped grow, a huge table that made it from the corner up to a huge chunk of the restaurant (had to relocate the other tables), and Karga brought chairs that, while they looked "humane," they could become either smaller or taller.
I then bought two big folding creens (like those japanese people use as doors, only instead of Doors, they were more like wood-curtains or something), made of wood as the support and green linen with pink flower embroidery as the "curtain" that covered whatever it was inside.
Karga also brought fae garlands and with her brother put them around the walls and in front of the windows. The last things she brought were a elf chandelier, that could be used with normal fire but it would distribute the light like it were fireflies.
Once the goblins were seated, I asked what I could give them.
'Hello, you may call me "Amy" or as what you must have heard "Miss Baker." I'll be serving you today. Is there anything specific that you lot prefer to eat?' I asked them with my notes on hand.
Turns out, that what is on their diet, includes animal organs, heart and feet that humans consider "ugly" or "gross," mushrooms, small veggies (most of them rooms like carrots and potatoes), spices like chilli and pepper, honey and diluted mead (honey wine).
'Very well, I'll admit it is my first time serving goblins so I hope you may have patience with me.' I admitted to them. 'I'll bring your drinks rather quicker than the food though, anything specific?' I asked.
'. . .' The father goblin looked at his wife. 'We. . . Like diluted mead, but also bitter heavy infusions. . .' He responded with caution.
'Alright! I'll bring the drinks to you as soon as posible.' I assured them
I then asked some of the chefs to help me and we prepared viseras and tuber stew, spiced sausages with robot vegetable puree, fermented robot salad, and for the dessert, oeatmeal cookies with honey and icing suggar sprinkled all over them.
'Here you go!!' I told them as I put their food still hot on the table so they could share it, with some servers putting bowls, plates, cutlery, cups and napkins. 'Enjoy!' I waved goodbye at them, giving them their space inside the "non- human zone."
. . .
One hour later. . .
The father goblin came into my office to discuss the payment. 'I can only say, that it was the best meal we were ser de by the humans so far.' He told me patting his belly. 'The food was delicious, it brought us all the way back home. And the dessert?' He made a chef's kiss in the air. 'The honey glaze is a luxury reserved for the festivals back in our clan, and the "suggar snow" that you sprinkled all over them, made them even more especial. We even thought we were being served as kings for a second there!' He exclaimed jokingly.
I giggled with him. 'I am glad you and your family enjoyed de meal then.' I told him.
The goblin nodded, smiling, yet a bit worried. 'I understand that you humans prefer to receive copper and silver as the main payment, buuuut, do you think we could make an agreement?' He asked, clearly looking to make a deal.
'Oh! Sure, in fact, Karga told me some things about what would goblins could do in exchange for their meals.' I told him as I gave him some papers. 'Do you know how to read human language?' I asked nervously.
'Pff! Of course, any goblin merchant worth their salt knows how to read and write the human language.' The goblin listen his chin proudly.
'Oh! Of course.' I agreed.
The goblin then read the papers. The papers were of four contract ideas that I had:
1. Renovate the kitchen with better cooking equipment.
2. Promote the restaurant to goblins and other non-humans.
3. Bring over as much of some special or rare herbs and/or ingredientes.
4. Work for the restaurant's "non-human zone" for a period of time.
Each contract had the details and closures of each deal individually and what is expected from both parties.
'You do not have to do ALL of them. Just one or two depending on what do you believe it is more worth the meal.' I added sitting back down.
The goblin looked through the papers very carefully. 'Hmm. . . I will promote the restaurant to my fellow goblins and some of my non-human asociates and fellows, as well as to bring some special herbs or ingredients for the restaurant by mid-Autumn.' He gave back the first and fourth paper while I gave him ink and pen to sign the contracts.
'Very well.' I put the papers that he gave me back away, and brought up a second copy of each contract. 'Do you need ink and pen?' I asked.
'Not really.' The goblin took out some sort of seal with magic. 'I hope you don't mind me using this.' He hoped.
'Not really.' I shook my head signing my copies as he also firmes with his seal the contracts he had in hand. Then we switch and signed in our own ways. 'The reason for having two pairs of contracts is to avoid false forgery or identity theft.' I then reagrouped and accomodate the contracts and gave one copy of each contract to the goblin. 'You keep a pair and I'll keep a pair.' I told him smiling. 'We'll use them to make sure nobody tries to deceive us.' I looked at him. 'Any questions?'
The goblin shook his head. 'Not at all, my lady.' He assured me as he put the contracts carefully away and inside hit big yet a bit worn backpack.
'In that case, I hope you can take some of these posters with you to give them out.' I gave about forty posters to him. 'You do not need to get rid all of them, but I am hoping that, by showing them around, your word that will vouch for my restaurant get heard more easily.' I told him. 'After all, most non-humans will be quite careful into coming to a human town, and, even more a town very close to a capital of a human kingdom.' I chuckled a bit.
The goblin looked at me carefully. 'While it might help, a lot of non-humans who do not live around not close to "human zones," do not speak and much less read the common human language.' He warned me.
'Oh, do not worry, I actually thought ahead and made the posters without words.' I told him with a smile.
The goblin raised an eyebrow sceptical and took one of the posters to check it out. The poster could be considered a "goblin-sized parchtment" considering his small size. But the design was practically what would even call the attention of children who do not know how to read yet.
The poster had pastel colors which resembled a day inside the drawings.
The restaurant on the background, with a big table in the front, two big bowls of food, one on each edge of the table, filled with meat and veggies. In the middle, there was bread already cut with a knife and salt on the table, with a big apple pie behind them, it doubled the size of the bread and salt but it did not opaque neither those two things nor the restaurant.
On the left edge of the table, it was me with a big smile, and for every poster, there was a different creature: goblin, orc, fairy, elf, human, and more. Depending on each poster again. Each criature was smiling like me while we were both wearing olive wreaths. But while we both had an edge of a piece of bread in one hand, I was showing my other hand keeping it open without putting it on the other creature's face, and the other creature was holding with their other hand a silver chalize.
The goblin raised their eyebrows in surprise. 'Wow. . .' It was all he could say.
'Yeah, believe it or not, it took me a LOT of time to make them and be HAPPY with the results. So, please show them. The non-humans do not have to take them with them, but show them around since that is their purpose to do.' I asked the goblin with my big puppy eyes.
'Of course.' The goblin accepted as he put the posters away. 'Thank again, for the food and for the chance to pay you back our way.' He put on his backpack again as he standed from the chair.
'No problem!' I standed up too and showed him to the door.
'Just. . . Could I ask for something? We can add more posters to show as payment.' The goblin asked a bit shy.
'Sure! What is it?' I asked as I went to grab a few more posters (around twenty now).
'Could we. . . Maybe get some of the dessert cookies you have us?' He asked.
I did not even blinked and smile. 'Of course!' I agreed.
A few minutes later. . .
I gave them a whole pack of tiny cookies in a sack and bunch of hunter's sandwhiches to eat through their journey. 'Have a safe trip!' I waved goodbye.
'We appreciate it! Goodbye! Bye!' The goblin family left with big smiles on their faces.
Well, there goes more promotion to the restaurant. Hopefully everything turns out well. For both them and me.