Work Text:
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”Here you go, Sir.”
Rei-nyan, the cat-eared maid, set Honey Magic Maid Cafe’s speciality Sweet Magic Sundae in front of a regular customer, a ginger-haired mouse yokai, who had a major sweet tooth.
”Now, Sir… What Honey Magic would you have Rei-nyan cast for you?” Rei said in a flat voice, yet his smile made him sparkle.
”Ooh.. thank you! It looks so delicious!” The customer beamed at the sundae, the fanfare of different flavors of ice cream topped with thick layers of cream and various fruits.
”But, first. A magic to make it delicious”, Rei cleared his voice.
”Become ☆ Delicious ☆”, he said in a monotone voice.
The customer eagerly dived into his dish, but stopped the spoon right before his lips.
”Y-you… didn’t put anything weird in it, right?” He asked meekly. Since he was a regular at the cafe, he knew the stories about the extra spices the Absolute Dedication ♡ Rei-nyan sometimes added to the meals. Spices that make one feel light-headed, make their lower body tingle or even make one obedient to the maid’s every command.
”Hmm”, the cat-eared maid hummed, his furry ears twitching, ”you’ll have to hope I’m in a good mood.”
The glint in Rei’s eyes made the mouse shiver. The cat tail wagged slowly right and left.
Frilly black and white skirt swirled as Rei turned in a sharp movement and walked back to the counter where Olivine was taking care of the reception desk.
”Mr. Rei-nyan”, Olivine scolded gently, tilting his head. His bunny ears flopped leisurely to the side. ”You should be nicer to timid guests like him.”
”It’s fine”, Rei sighed, ”he’s into being intimidated.”
”Ohh. That’s the guy with the humiliation fetish”, Eiden nodded.
”Ah, that’s alright then I suppose”, Olivine smiled unsurely, ”since it’s important to meet the customer’s demands...”
”I was a bit surprised he asked for me. Usually he goes for him ”, Rei nodded over to the window side tables, where Strong Persuasion ♡ Dan-dan was struggling to
Admittedly, the Sun Lord had become a lot better at serving customers these past couple days. Sometimes he even managed to appear like a proper maid. Until he opened his mouth, that is.
But it was okay, Cocoa had assured. There were many customers who were into being rough-talked, scared or humiliated.
”Helloo~”
”Welcome home, Master- oh, Aster!” Eiden blinked. The vampire waved enthusiastically and skipped his way to Eiden.
”What a surprise to see you here. You didn’t bring Morvay with you?”
”Ugh, like he knew how to behave himself in a place like this.” Aster made a face, but it quickly changed into a smile and he wrapped his fingers around the hem of Eiden’s skirt,
”But Master, that dress is so cute on you~”, Aster praised in a singing voice, ”and this fabric - such a great quality!” Eiden glanced at Cocoa and saw the bear yokai’s chest swelling with pride.
”Oh yeah-! How may I serve you, Master Aster?” Eiden asked with a beaming smile, the vampire still fiddling with the skirt. ”Heh, it’s a bit weird to call you Master instead of the other way around…”
”Oh, I’m so sorry Master, as much as I’d looo-oove to get spoon-fed by you, I was sort of hoping to enjoy a certain another maid’s company today”, Aster apologized while pouting. His plump lower lip trembled in mock-sadness, and even managed to make his pink eyes glint in tears.
”Hahah, no worries, do as you like”, Eiden chuckled, with a hint of nervousness. ’The day he’ll actually need to manipulate me, I’ll be done for…’
The vampire perked up in an instant. His face beamed.
”I’d like to be served by the Sun Lord today”, Aster played with his pink hair, acting bashful.
”These kinds of opportunities don’t come very often, you know...”
’Ah, of course’. It didn’t take long for Eiden to realize. It was a very known fact that Aster and Dante had all sorts of… businesses going on between them. Not only personal ones but even official trading between the kingdoms and territories.
Eiden rarely got involved in Aster’s affairs. He wasn’t an expert on sales himself, even though he had worked part-time as a stockbroker’s assistant once in his previous life…
But still, he had a feeling that humiliating your business associates wouldn’t be very good for the business..
But maybe it was a part of their game, who was Eiden to judge. He glanced at the table where Dante was currently serving Steamy After Eleven Coffee to an elderly bear yokai couple.
”He is still busy with a customer, but I’ll let him know”, Eiden promised, ”wait here, he’ll show you to your table.”
”Not sure if you’ll get Dante to spoon feed you though but good luck trying…”, Eiden muttered, and walked by Dante while on his way. ”Hey, there’s a guest of honor requesting exclusively you”, he grinned and patted the Solarian on the shoulder, ”be sure to treat him extra-special~”
”Huh?” Dante frowned. He glanced at the door.
”Ah.” His mouth said. ’It’s you.’ His eyes said.
A pressuring silence. He felt his co-workers’ eyes fixed on him. It made him way too self-conscious.
Aster stood by the door, his pink lips curved into an impish smile. He looked like a doll with his soft, pink hair and twinkling, reddish eyes. If you didn’t know him, it was easy to think of him as a sweet, innocent customer.
”W ... welcome home, Master.”Dante grunted. A deep-red blush covered his whole face.
”Ah, I didn’t quite catch that!” The vampire smiled. ”Once more?”
"Sir....master Aster….", Dante avoided looking the vampire into the eyes.
"...H-how may I...serve you?"
”Hi~ oh, why aren’t you a pretty maid!” Aster’s voice was eerily innocent like his smile. ”What’s your name?”
”…”, Dante avoided his eyes.
”Oh, are you blushing already? I haven’t even said anything embarrassing yet!”
”You’ll have to say your name. Remember your training!” Cocoa, the head maid hissed from afar, trying to be helpful. ”It’s important to tell them your nickname!”
Aster waited for a response, head slightly tilted and a wide smile on his face.
”Ugh, must I take part in this foolery...”, the sun-lord muttered. Swallowing his pride, full of embarrassment, Dante lifted his chin up and looked Aster into eyes.
”Welcome, Master. Strong Persuasion ♡ Dan-dan is here to serve you.”
Cocoa’s eyes moistened at Dante’s growth: he was making so much progress! Eiden attempted to hold back a laugh, but he had to escape to the kitchen.
”Pleased to make your acquaintance!… Dan–dan.” Aster added in a sing-song voice, so cutesy it made the maids shiver in unison.
”I will show you to your seat”, Dante said coldly, gesturing to Aster to follow him. ”This way, please.”
”Will they be alright?” Olivine wondered.
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”...Please Master, take a seat”, Dante muttered and handed Aster the menu. ”W-would you like a drink before deciding your order?”
“Don’t be embarrassed! You’re doing such a good job; you could pass as one of my maids back at the mansion!” Aster praised, opening the thin, pink menu sheet, decorated with flowers and hearts. ”Now, what would you recommend?”
”For example Kero Kero Matcha White Chocolate cake, or Pyon Pyon Lemon Lavender Cheesecake…”, Dante recited the names like a professional.
”If you’re in a mood for something more filling, then our House Special Omelette Rice is very well-liked…”
”No cutesy name for that dish?” Aster pouted, returning to the menu. ”Oh, it says that I can request the maids to draw cute illustrations on hot drinks! In that case - I’ll have this Lovey Dover Foamy Rosehip Latte – With something pretty on the top, please. And to eat… This Nyan nyan Raspberry Parfait, is it your signature dish, perhaps? The colors sure match your color scheme.”
Dante wrote down the orders and soon returned with a dessert cart. The dishes were on top of a small wooden tray with decorative carvings of cute things, like flowers and hearts.
A pretty cup of steaming Rosehip Latte and an ice-cold Nyan nyan Raspberry Parfait, a tall parfait layered with striking red raspberry puree and swirls of vanilla ice cream.
Dante set down the cup in front of Aster. The latte had a delicate shade of pink, and it smelled of roses.
”And for the art…”
With a nervous expression, Dante reached to the serving cart and picked up a small pot. He started pouring milk from the pot, until the cup of latte was half full of foamy milk. With awkward, uncertain movements he began to shake the pitcher back and forth, causing a flowery shape to form in the drink. His grip shook, and the flower ended up uneven and slightly messy. Drops of milk surrounded the rose.
However, when he finished, he let out a small relieved sigh. It was still recognizable as a rose.
”That looks so cute”, Aster praised, ”and this parfait – looks so tasty~~”
Aster gently spun the dish in front of him, taking in all its details.
The vanilla ice cream was decorated with bold, black liquorice shavings that popped against the fresh plump raspberries on the top. To crown it all, it also had a leoger-shaped cookie, made from chocolate and vanilla to mimic Dante’s animal features.
”Now, repeat after me, this incantation to make the food delicious”, Dante said sternly, gathering his focus.
Aster waited expectantly. Even the other maids held their breath, focusing on the situation.
”Cute, cute...”
Dante raised his slightly shaking hands to his chest.
”Super…”
He formed a heart with his hands.
”...Cute!”
Aster threw his head back, laughing.
”I’m sure it’ll taste delicious after your enchantment!” The vampire said after calming down
”Enjoy your food… Master.”
”I bet you’d rather talk normally, wouldn’t you? Or perhaps you secretly love calling me Master?” Aster teased, swirling the spoon in his rosehip latte. The clumsily drawn rose mixed into the drink, giving the drink a lighter color.
”That’s outrageous. Master”, Dante grumpled, but held back most of the complainments. Feeling all the eyes on him, he didn’t want to cause a scene. He would make the vampire pay for his words sooner or later, after he got this nonsense over with. He would make him swallow them – in more ways than one.
During his long lifetime, Aster had become very good at reading people – he could tell what Dante was thinking about, and only chuckled at him.
”So, is spoon-feeding part of your maid duties? Or do I have to pay extra?”
” *cough* Master *cough* ”, Dante stuttered, but quickly picked up his composure. ” *cough* ...I’m sure you’re very capable of having a meal by yourself. Please call me if you need anything else.” Don’t. Said his eyes. Dante nodded, turning his back to Aster.
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As Aster continued eating, Dante moved smoothly through the café, attending to other tables. He brought tea to one group, refilled sugar jars, and even managed to hold a chit-chat with a shy mouse customer, who could barely look him in the eye. Other maids were scattering around the room and the cafe was buzzing with lively chatter and laughter.
When Dante finally returned to check on Aster, his composure had returned. His mask of calm servitude was firmly back in place, though his eyes held a glint of well-hidden annoyance, when he looked at the vampire.
”Are you done… Master? I hope you enjoyed your meal”, Dante said, smiling professionally while clearing out the table. ”I wish you have a great trip back home-”
"Wait- wait", Aster smiled. "I saw there are autographed photos available. I need one before I go!"
Dante's professional smile faltered just for a second before he sighed and walked over to the display, picking out one of the standard-issue photos.
"One signed photo, as requested." He handed the photo of his maid-self with a faint hint of annoyance on his face.
Scrawled at the bottom in his elegant, but unmistakably sharp handwriting, were the words: ”For my troublesome master – Dante”.
"Hahahaha!" Aster burst into giggles. "I'll let that slide for now."
As he left, Dante sighed, watching him go with a mix of relief and faint amusement. "Goodbye... and stay gone," he muttered, avoiding the others’ gazes when he returned to the desk.