Once more, I walk into the cafe without knowing how I left. This is getting rather tiresome, but I suppose that's what I deserve for ghosting this thread so much. Wincing, I realize that this is the fourth or fifth time I've come here, and I haven't ever actually paid my bill. I walk to the counter and pour 24 Zeets and 12 Zonks onto the counter. "Hi, Miss Plum. Sorry I haven't ever paid my bill yet, I think this covers everything. Mostly cookies and muffins, but a couple mugs of Positivitea as well. Do you have anything new on the menu recently? And could I help you out a little, too? You seem pretty busy again, and I honestly don't know what to do with myself now that the hectic month of November is over and done with." I look over my shoulder, and see Silver Crystal. Pepper is with her now, so she'll probably be fine if I help out a bit. I wave at the two of them, and turn back towards Miss Plum.

Now that the K.A.D.E. vs. Freak fight is over, the cafe is once again filled with the cheerful, bustling chatter I love. Miss Plum announces that they now have Songbird Pastries and Sweet Dream Milk. I order one of each. Then, I realize I haven't paid for anything I've bought in a while. Thinking back, I realize I owe a total of... 6 zonks and 6 zoots. Luckily, it's CB Currency, which is infinite, or at least undefined. No one really understands how it works. 

Handing over the money, I slip an extra few zeets into the tip jar, take my order with a smile, and look for a (realtively empty) table. Glancing around, I notice an nice table near a window, a beautiful morning glory plant suspended above the table. And shockingly, its empty. 

The morning glory vine reminds me of my NaNo story, which I may or may not have been neglecting. Luckily for me, I have my laptop with me, so I head over the table and open it up. Taking a bite of my Songbird Pastry, I wait for it to load.

Holy cow... The Songbird Pastry tastes incredible! It tastes like morning dew and violin music and wind and freedom and flying. Somehow. 

Inspired by the Magic Of Miss Plum™, I settle into my chair and start to type. 

I stroll into Daydreams Cafe, ready for some baked goods to help me relax. Inside, I see kuromi setting tables and Morning putting baskets of rolls on them, peppermint and Silver Crystal sharing bread, some CBers getting ready to eat, and another group in the middle of the cafe that seem to be cleaning up from a fight. I raise my eyebrows, then walk across the cafe to the counter where Miss Plum is standing. 

"Hello," I say cheerfully. "Can I get a songbird pastry and some positivitea? Also, are you going to provide holiday goods? I have some ideas for those, if you want." I smile and wait for her answer. 

"ah! Miss Plum, could I get a Songbird pastry?" Doll sets the money on their table.

"I'll take one as well please! I've also finished setting the tables"!" Moth adds. 

I'm back at Daydreams Cafe. I sit in the corner and start to write, watching Morning and Moth help set the tables. Eventually, I get up and go to the counter, ordering Sweet Dreams milk and Songbird pastries. Then, I go back to writing (and editing), because I have a lot to do, even after NaNo.

After a while, I slam my folder closed, startling Silver Crystal. "Finished!" I announce. I peer out of a window and notice that it has began to rain. I probably should go before the drizzle turns into a downpour, but the cafe is warm and cozy, so I decide to stay. A moment later, I realize that I haven't paid yet, so I walk over the counter, carefully count out the correct fee, and drop some change into the tip jar. Then, I walk over to Miss Plum and shyly ask her if she needs any help.

I follow behind Moth as they set the tables, placing baskets of warm, steaming bread onto each one, admiring the cafe anew as I go. Everything is so lovely and pastel, rather dreamy and whimsical. I've been coming here so much that I've overlooked how nice of a place it is. And, somehow, even in December, the flowers by the benches are growing as if it was summer. The whole place seems magic.

I bite into my Songbird Pastery. It, too, is magical. A rush of calm floods through my body, and I savor the flavor. It tastes like roses, instrumentals to my favorite songs, and, of course, birdsong. I know, somehow, that, like Miss Plum, it will be different for everyone, but that it will give each person the same peace. I decide not to have any more of them after this. Yet. Anything so perfect should be saved for special occasions. My CBversary is coming up in about a month, and perhaps I can ask Miss Plum to cater.

"Miss Plum?" I finish up placing the bread, and walk up to her. "My first CBversary is coming up. I was wondering if you do any catering outside of the Cafe. Would you be able to serve some of those Songbird Pasteries and Positivitea for me?"

Oh dear, this needs to be topped!

~~~

I take my pastry and tea from Miss Plum and say, "Christmas Coffee is great. It's like, peppermint coffee. And of course, some classic hot chocolate."

Miss Plum nods as I show her the Christmas Coffee Recipe. 

"Also, I found this recipe for Menorah Muffins." I hand her a small recipe that I cut out of a magazine. "They're muffins, but they're shaped like menorahs. I don't know how they stay in that shape, but I'm sure you can work your magic" My mouth starts to water as I talk about delicious muffins, so I take a large bite of my songbird pastry, and wonder what Miss Plum thinks of my recipes.

Hurrying down Thread Lane, I scan the shops for that ever-familiar black-and-white striped awning. And at last, I see it. Crossing the street, I notice that my favorite cafe seems a lttle darker than usual. Frowning slightly, I push open the door, which produces the usual jingle of little bronze bells. I am met with an unusual, and slightly unsettling, sight.

The cafe is empty. It's almost always filled with at least a few CBers, their chatter and clinking spoons filling the air. But not today. Today, it's utterly empty. And judging from how happy Ms. Plum is to see a customer, it has been for a while. 

"It's nice to see you, dear," She says with her familiar motherly smile. "What can I get you today?"

"A cup of Positivitea and..." I scan the pastry case. "Are those muffins shaped like menorahs? I think I'll have one of those, too."

Ms. Plum beams. "Yes, Majestic Mary gave me the recipe. I'll get your order to you in a jiffy."

She bustles off, and, after counting out the right amount of zonks and zoots, I'm left to find an empty table. For once, I don't have to look hard. I choose a window booth and slide in. Looking at the street outside, I sigh slightly. I hope other people will join me here, and keep Ms. Plum in buisness. 

~~~

Side note: TOP!!!!!!!