Chapter Text
“Tango, can you get the croissants?” Impulse voice rings across the bakery while at the same moment the big oven starts beeping. Tango made his way to the big door and put the freshly baked goods into their designated spots before taking a sip from his coffee. The smell of croissants and baguettes delight the air as the sun slowly rises.
It was 5 in the morning when the first customers drop by. It was a Wednesday, which means that it was just Tango and impulse for the day. He enjoys working with Impulse. The day is never quiet with Impulse on your side.
The blaze-born wiped his hands on his apron before serving some coffee for a few regulars. Pearl, who is working as an independent reporter and Skizz, an IT supporter for numerous local businesses at the Hermit district of the CraftLands. The latter was in a business call when Tango served him the latte.
“Howdy Pearl.” The baker said as he handed Pearl her tea. “How is it going?” He sees Pearl wipe some hair out of her face as she is staring at her laptop.
“Hey Tango.” Pearl looked up and sighed. “I am doing fine, it’s just… I don’t know what I am doing wrong.” The baker sat down across the reporter. Looking at her with a look full with understanding. “Tell me what is going on.”
“I write about relevant things. I have a consistent and engaging style, I use visuals and I am actual. Then how come my blog hasn’t reached more than ten thousand hits? And I know “clicks don’t matter” but they do when your income kind of depends on it.”
The blaze-born tries to find a way to relate to her. “It reminds me a bit of college.” He started. “I was trying to code for an exam, but nothing seemed to work my way. The code was the same as the notes I was allowed to bring in, but it gave an error every time. I felt miserable after that exam. I knew I didn’t get it wrong and it was true, apparently there was something wrong with the testing software and I got compensated”
Pearl scoffed “So you still passed.”
“Only by luck.” Tango rolled his eyes. “I am not sure how much I like it. Luck. It doesn’t matter how hard you try, it is all gonna depend on luck. It’ s the same with your clicks. If the algorithm picks up your blog, that is when you get clicks. You could write about anything and if you get lucky, you blow up.”
“Write about anything, huh? Maybe that’s it!” Pearl sits straighter onto her seat.
Tango looks confused. “What do you mean?”
“Frequency. I am missing frequency. I nitpick things to write about. If I post more stuff, more diverse stuff, I might be able to get picked up by those algorithms you mentioned!”
“Let’s hope so.” Tango then heard another customer enter and he gets up, leaving Pearl at her table.
The Blazeborn greeted the guest. “Good morning, welcome at the Gluten Guys. How may I help you?” He puts up his practiced smile when he looks at the customer in front of him. A curly redhead with glasses, holding a stack of books in her arms.
She raised an eyebrow. “ The Gluten Guys? Are you a Bread Boys knock-off or something?” It is not an uncommon misconception. The Bread Boys is the big corporate chain of bakeries all across the city, having a few establishments in the district as well.
Tango simply snickered. “Nah. We’re better. So, what can I do for you?”
“Do you have any sausage rolls?”
“Yeah, they’re in the oven, which is ready in…” Tango whipped his head towards the oven for a second “...two minutes.”
“That’s great!” The guest smiled. “Can I get a coffee with that? To drink here?”
“Sure, what name can I write on the cup?”
“Gem.”
“Alright Gem, I’ll bring your coffee and sausage roll in a few minutes.” Tango saw Gem take place at the table next to Pearl, who curiously looked up from her laptop.
Tango turned back to his work as he heard the girls chatter.
‧₊˚ ⋅ 𓐐𓎩 ‧₊˚ ⋅
“So you are not telling me who?” Tango said to Impulse, baffeled. The demonic hybrid shrugs.
“I know you will tease me.”
“Duh. I am your best friend.”
Tango and Impulse kept bantering around as the last hours of their shifts tick by. Tango was able to sense that Impulse was nervous, which lead to finding out his bestie got a crush on someone.
“Come on…” Tango whined “Let me live through you!”
“Is this a way of calling yourself lonely?”
“I’m not-”
“You are so lonely and desperate.” Impulse laughed. “Have you ever tried going anywhere but the bakery?”
Tango scoffs “Of course. I go to the store… the gym… take-out restaurants…” As Tango listed the places he goes to, he realises how pathetic he sounds. “My social life is fine, don’t worry about it! What you should worry about, is that crush of yours. Which you have yet to name.”
Impulse laughs as Tango crosses his arms and leaned back, expecting an answer. His tail flicked across the floor, picking up a few breadcrumbs. He needs to sweep the floor.
He then hears the door open. He turns his hear around and bolted to the door. Impulse did the same.
“Ren!” The boys said simultanously. The person in the doorway smiled. Ren is the owner of the gluten guys and together with Impulse and Tango the one that started the Bakery. He stood there with a confident stance and a big smile.
“Boys, the bakery will be closed tomorrow.” Ren said, causing Impulse and Tango to look puzzled. Why would the bakery be closed tomorrow? Are they in trouble?
“We are going to revolutionise the bakery.”