Chzo Mythos: Coffee Shop Au
Since it’s taking too long to get around to drawing anything for it, I’ll just word-vomit some headcanons here:
Welcome to The King’s Cafe
The special would be the Blessed Agony, said to have so much caffeine in it that it once sent a man (AJ) to the hospital. It comes with three options: The Body (which relies more on the strength of the espresso), The Mind (a very sweet and creamy version of it), and The Soul which is a combination of the other two.
Siobhan and Claire work the counter
The Prince is the manager (I suppose humanized? Idk.)
John bakes the pastries (anxious mute boy that he is, keeps to the back)
Matthew decorates them (excited extrovert ready to share their creations. Also helps with the latte art.)
(Twins are 16 or 17. Old enough to work.)
Dacabe is a janitor
Chzo’s insignia is embroidered into every apron the staff has to wear
Abed is that regular who usually sits with a chessboard, hoping that someone would play a round with him while he rambles on and forgets who’s turn it is
Somerset is also a regular who normally sits in his own corner, trying to find a job on his laptop while also playing therapist for anyone who sits with him. (Usually Dacabe, hoping to climb the ladder.)
Chris is that regular that always changes his name on the order and asks for the Blessed Agony almost every day, even though the staff has had to refuse after he nearly had a breakdown the last time they gave him one.
Trilby is the regular who simply shows up, oblivious to the world around him, almost always orders the same thing, forgets to give his name, responds to Trilby, and sits at a table, with his laptop and notebooks, to work on his next murder mystery novel.
Siobhan and Chris playfully compete for Trilby’s attention and affection.
While Chris only gets his attention because he would almost literally throw himself in Trilby’s way, Trilby often deflects, finding no interest whatsoever in engaging or would simply brush off his remarks.
While Siobhan tries a more subtle approach which earns the occasional smile and returned joke, yet Trilby is still unaware to her drawing hearts on his cup, the heart latte art she’s learned how to make for him, and other such hints.
Occasionally, if Trilby is stuck on his writing, he’ll sit down to play a game of chess with Abed.
The one day Trilby is actually disappointed to show up and find Claire taking his order instead of Siobhan because she’s has the day off or is sick.
Trilby looking around, disturbed at the silence in the cafe because Chris isn’t there to strike up conversations with everyone.
The one day Somerset and Trilby occupy the same space and everyone’s making theories on why they look so much alike and how they’re related.
“Somerset?”
Trilby looks up but sees the doctor going to get it and returns to his work.
“Holy crap, he responded! Who is he?!!”
John communicating in sign language with Matt.
Siobhan spending her breaks sitting across from Trilby, giving him the peace of silent company.
Chris talking Somerset’s ear off and exhausting him
Matt always impressing and teaching others how to do latte art
Claire learning sign language to communicate with John too
Trilby hits a crunch time with his writing and orders a Blessed Agony, to which the manager complies
Trilby ends up having an anxiety attack and heart palpitation from the caffeine and sugar and it hurts
he survives...barely
part of the art and decorations in the coffee shop hint back to things in the series. (The Sea Angel in a bottle, the landscape of Defoe Manor, a painting the Mephistopheles, the idol, etc.)
A rocking chair in one corner
Other cute nicknames for other coffees like Caretaker, Guide, and Bridgekeeper
When the Prince is working behind the counter, there is a special Chzo coffee, but it’s borderline lethal
Chris whining about Trilby not paying attention to him, to Somerset who’s only half listening as he scrolls through the internet
Trilby having his own, incredibly subtle way of flirting back with Siobhan and Chris, like tolerating Chris’ ramblings but no one else’s, or scheduling to show up only on days Siobhan should be working, leaving a tip for her, pausing his work to actually give Chris his attention.. Y’know, the little things.