Wednesday. . .
I talked with Sipfra in the office where we talked about the pie eating conest and the bet stand.
'This is a very good idea actually.' Sipfra agreed. 'But I do have to ask, what would the "discount cards" contain?' She asked.
'Well, that's the thing, I was only able to get the "free food for thirty days" card for the winner of the eating contest, but I am not sure about the second and third place, much less for the bet stand.' I let her know. 'Since you have been living here for FAR longer than I have and, practically know a lot more people than I do, I thought you would know what the town's people could attracted to.' I explained my reasoning.
Sipfra thought about it for a few moments. 'Well. . . Remember how you would give a small percentage discount every now and then for the leftovers? Like those for 5 coppers any bread purchase, or buy two sandwhiches and get the third one free? Maybe add things like that.' She suggested.
I nodded writer it down. 'What about the second, third place and the winners of the betting stand?' I asked her.
'Hmmm. . . For the third place. . . How about a discount of ten percent a whole meal, and another card that gives a free dessert after a whole meal?' Sipfra suggested.
I agreed with that, putting it on the details of the coupons for the third place. 'What about the second place? This one has five coupons, you know.' I let her know.
Sipfra quickly thought about it. 'Well, I suggest going from simple deal to a big deal as the coupons value grows.' She suggested. 'For the first two, I suggest giving the "buy two bakery goods and get the third one free," and the second one is a "20 coppers off a whole purchase from the bakery."' She determined.
I nodded adding those two. 'What about the third and fourth being about the restaurant? Like. . . "Get a free sandwich" and "get a 50% discount on a whole meal: appetizer, main course + non-alcoholic drink, and dessert?"' I proposed.
'Oh that would be lovely.' Sipfra nodded agreeing to it. 'As for the last one. . . Maybe a family discount perhap?' She suggested.
'Family discount—yes!' I raised my hands. 'Why did I not thought about this before?! Get the "family meal" involving: appetizers, soup, main course + drinks, and dessert for just. . .' I trailed off.
Sipfra quickly finished the sentence for me. 'Oh! Usually, families have to pay for between fifty coppers to twelve hundred and fifty coppers, so. . . A family deal 50% discount?' She suggested.
'Yes, that's it!' I agreed writing it down. 'Now, what about the winners and losers for the bet stand?' I asked.
'Well, if I was going to bet and end up losing, I would like at the very least a card that let me small percentage off a meal, get half the price off a drink, get a free sweet after buying two, and five coppers off in any snack.' Sipfra answered.
I nodded writing those down and adding some others like "Get a any cake for ten coppers off" and "Get a kid's meal for ten coppers off."
'On the other hand, if I was going to bet and win, I would expect a bigger discount. Not as much as the grand prize like the winner of the eating contest, but I would expect something like the coupons from the third or second place. . . Maybe with a bit more power but in the same context.' Sipfra decided.
I thought about it for a moment and then smiled. 'How about, cars that go from ten to twenty percent off a meal, one small free meal that would only contain a soup and a meal, and a couple's meal deal which is like the fifty percent off the family deal but for couples instead?' I proposed.
Sipfra gasped and clapped as she smiled.
Once we finished, I let Sipfra go and went on to go to Ivy to see if she knew anyone who could do the work for the coupons.
Once I was inside Ivy's home, I explained the situation to her, and that, letting her know that while I saw a good inversion to go to the printer and print the "discount cards," I would like to find a cheaper and faster option since. . . I need to adjust the budget.
'Oh! I know a guy that decided to stay closer to the restaurant yet still living inside the forest!' Ivy let me know as she stood up. 'In fact, I was about to go to him and trade some of the mini pumpkins since thanks to you they have become famous, hehe.' Ivy giggled as she extended her hand. 'Give me the discount cards and I'll bring them to him. He'll usually ask for about from three to six coppers per paper and its content.' She explained the deal as I gave her the coupons designs and deals. 'Since the papers will probably contain six discounts each paper, I personally believe it will be cheaper.'
I nodded in agreement. 'Let him know that, for the consolation discount cards, I expect a minimum of a hundred cards and a maximum of two hundred and fifty cards; as for the winners a minimum of one and a maximum of six or eight "winner discount cards"; and as for the discount cards for the first three places in the eating contest, I would like them to be bigger than the cards for the bet stand.' I explained pointing out the details in the papers. 'And that I would like them ready by next week's Friday since that day shall be the festival.' I told her.
'Yes mam!' Ivy made the "militar sign" that I have taught my children to do and went to get her things and cart done.
I think the sign has come both a long way and too far. I sighed in resignation and went on to help Ivy.
Once outside, Ivy was riding on a donkey (probably trade it for some pumpkins or just plain found it somewhere and somehow) to the forest with a cart full of mini pumpkins. 'I'll be back by tomorrow at the lastest Baker!' She let me know waving her hand goodbye. 'See ya!'
'Bye Ivy!' I bid my goodbye and went on to check on the pregnant ladies.
. . . Mr. Ironhide jumped out of his houses breaking in sweat and gasping in fear, while behind him, I could hear the ground and gasps from a woman in labour. . . Turns out I came just in time for Mrs. Ironhide's delivery.
'. . . Shall I go for the doctor and miswife?' I offered.
'Yes please!' Hughard nodded while looking panicked himself.
. . . .
Five hours later. . .
Unlike Prim's pregnancy (may she rest in peace), Isabella's delivery was just plain easier.
The baby had the skin of her mother, bald but with a few black hairs, a mix of Isabella's and Hughard's faces, and the child was already born with fangs (which probably came from Hughard's orc genes).
'Well, a beautiful baby girl has been delivered.' The midwife gave the baby girl to the couple.
'Mi vida. . .' Isabella exhaled relieved.
'Lo sé, mi amor, lo sé.' Hughard talked softly while tearing up a bit.
I smiled as I guided the doctor and the midwife out of the home. Once outside I personally thanked them for the trouble. 'This time it was much easier.'
'Naturally. Unlike the other pregnant lady, may she rest in peace, Mrs. Ironhide's elivery was far easier.' The doctor lighted up a cigarrette. 'Most probably because the faes were not into Mrs. Ironhide unlike the other.' He deduced.
I nodded in agreement.
'How's the little one doing?' The midwife asked. 'Little Indigo, was it?'
'Eh? Oh, her. Yes, she's doing alright. I am about to change nurses with Isabella being the main replacement because, well, she's closer and it will be easier.' I explained things to them.
The doctor and midwife nodded in agreement with my plan. Although, the doctor exhaled the smoked and took a deep breath. 'Hold on until the Ironhide's baby is a few months old though. It is too early to say if she'll survive the first months, or even the first few days of life. Winter is coming quickly after all.'
'Right.' I exhaled. 'Ehem, anyway, do you guys need a ride home or are you going to ride the bikes back?' I pointed to the bikes that were just down the hill of the farm homes.
'We'll ride back, so do not worry.' The doctor assured me. 'Although, the midwife and I will go to check on Mrs. Rosewood and her baby first before leaving. You can go back to the restaurant and keep preparing for the festival Miss Baker.' The doctor determined as he waved at me goodbye and walked to the farm of the Rosewoods with the midwife walking alongside him.
I bid them farewell and made my way back to the restaurant.
. . .
Thursday. . .
I received a letter from the mayor. To summarized it, the mayor was thrilled to have a competition and bet stand that the town's people can actually enjoy, and he's letting me know that he will bring supply the restaurant with all the ingredients for the apple pies as soon as I send him the list, and by default, he will announce this tomorrow at noon.
The mayor's has agreed that the competitors have to over eighteen years old, and that he prefers that the amount of competitors do not exceed from twenty, and that I appear at the announcement at noon to explain the competition, the bets and the "discount card" thingy as well as what the pie eating contest is about.
I sent a letter back agreeing to do so, and then went to the kitchen to help, since there's been more customers than usually.
Once the day was over, I gave Liam and Aurora their food portions while Bailey fed Indigo.
'Just so you know Bailey, Mrs. Ironhide has given birth today.' I let her know. 'But, since her child is still pretty little and it is not winter just yet, I want you to keep coming by until you cannot do so anymore due to the snow.' I told her what I wanted her to do. 'Sounds good?' I offered.
Bailey smiled and nodded agreeing to the plan immediately. 'Sounds perfect to me.' She exhaled in clear relief.
Once we were upstairs, I read them a bedtime sorry and we all went to sleep.
. . .
Friday at noon. . .
The mayor made the announcement about which people and which local businesses will be making food stands, games stands and whatever else. At the end, the mayor called out the Spice Delights' pie eating contest, the three main prize s for the first three places as well as the betting stand.
I went on to explain my plan and who would be allowed to do enter and bet. I also made a brief explanation about the new "discount cards" that will be offered after the pie eating contest.
Once I was once, the mayor thanked everyone's attention and let us know that the next Friday shall be the fall festival.
Everybody dispersed, but, a bunch of people also got closer to me to know more details about the contest, discount cards and the bets. I was able only able to tell them that the flyers and posters with more details will be put on Monday throughout the town and the restaurant.
The mayor soon took me aside from the group and we started to chat. The mayor this time was nice, and despite our rough start, we have come to a mutual understanding when it comes to the community, money and profits.
I gave him the list of the ingredients for the pies, and the mayor smiled at that, letting me know that he will start sending things in about two days from the festival so we could start early if we wished or just to store it.
I nodded in agreement as we walked through the town. The mayor then have me the schedule as for when he wanted the pie eating contest to happen and where it should happen as well as to where and when shall the bet stand be.
'Thank you, Mr. Mayor.' I thanked him. 'Hope you have a nice day.' I waved at him goodbye.
'See you later Miss Baker!' The mayor walked away to another place too.
I walked then to the printer's workshop and then have him the flyers for the pie eating contest and the bet stand. After discussing the price for everything, I payed half of it now and promised him to pay the rest on Monday (which is the day I wanted things done).
The man agreed and we shook hands.
I then left and walked back to the restaurant where everything was even more busy since it was Friday.
I helped to do more baking, and keep an eye on things around since I've noticed that non-human customers are starting to come by more openly.
After a while, I left to go to the apartments to remind Lee (the satyr) that his show was today this evening. Lee let me know that he was ready and showed me the tricks he was going to do for his first show.
I approved the plan for his show and reminded him that I wanted him to be at the restaurant ten minutes before six o'clock at the latest. Lee promised me that he would get there on time and then I left biding him goodbye in the process.
Once back to the restaurant, I was going back to the kitchen when one of the servers called for me.
'Lady Baker!' The server approached a bit agitated. 'Two groups of goblins are searching for you.'
'Oh! Send them to my office, I'll see them right away.' I told her as I turned around and went to my office.
I entered, called for the three mouses to keep me company, and waited.
It did not took long for the first group of goblins to enter. It was the first goblin clients that came through the restaurants' doors, the goblin family.
They came forward with the rare ingredients that they agreed to bring and they made sure that they were edible by both human and non-human.
'Thank you very much you all!' I thanked them as we honores the end of our deal. 'You all have worked so hard for all these weeks, so please, help yourselves a meal from the restaurant, and for today it shall be on the house.' I told them as I wrote in a piece of paper a specific instruction for the server. 'Here.' I gave the piece of paper to them. 'Give this to the leader server, she shall know what to do.'
They all look at each other with friend and whispered to each other in confusion.
The goblin father nodded taking the paper and looked at it curiously. 'Em, with all due respect, open arms, what does "on the house" means?' He asked with curiosity.
'It means that for today, your meal and your family's shall be free.' I responded.
They stayed silent for a record of two seconds, before they all exclaimed with enthusiam and happiness.
'You mean we can eat all that we like for today's food? Yippeeeee!!' A goblin exclaimed jumping.
'Can I eat TWO or MORE cakes?! Wooo!! Woooooaahhhhhh! Yes! Wooohoooo!' They all celebrated and danced together.
'Thank you for the treat!' A goblin child climbed onto my dress like a little money.
I giggled at their enthusiam, and then cleared my throat. 'I do not mean to interrupt your happy dance, but I have to attend another goblin group today like I have attended your group.' I let them know. 'Therefore, I'm going to request that you leave the office for now if you please.' I requested of them.
The goblins froze and quickly packed things up, apologizing for taking too much of my time and that they'll definetely will give the "server leader" the paper that I gave to them.
The little goblin child climbed out of my dress and waved goodbye as they fan back to her parents as they all left.
I sighed feeling satisfied, and then sat in my chair once again.
Not even two minutes later, the second goblin group, was a group that promised to check out any sort of gossip or whispers about me and the restaurant itself.
'Hello there, please take a seat and tell all that you have found out so far.' I asked them.
The goblins nodded.
The leader of the goblin group stepped forward and gave me a few papers for reference. 'Ehem, most of the whispers are about the restaurant and how delicious the food was. The most positive comments about openarms are about how good you cooks, how good she treats children and how most yet an excelents worker you are.'
'That's great!' I smiled. 'Any other type of comment out there?' I asked a bit worried.
'Well, there have been some confusing comments and words that, for us goblins, don't make sense.' The leader goblin answered as he pointed it out to some papers. 'Some seem worried about how much would you sleep, about how you work with non-humans yet you seem to be non-threatening, and how despite being "not-so-religious" you are not disrespectful.'
I nodded a seeing the notes. 'Anything else?' I inquired.
'Well. . .' The goblin took out some notes. 'Some "important critics," are mainly from human local nobles, and older people who do not seem to. . . Understand open arms position in any way.' He gave me the papers of the critics. 'Most of those humans seem to share and follow clear and specific rules that do not involve a single woman and mother being independent and unmarried, working with non-humans, and a lot of them tend to criticize you for either not being with the church nor with the royal family. . . Yeah, we do not understand that last one either.' The goblin scratched his head.
'Oh do not worry, it's just some tension between the royal family and the church. But because I am a bumpkin woman, I doubt they'll try anything or pressure me that much.' I reassure them. Perks of being a commoner in my opinion. I smiled.
The goblins nodded to my answer.
'And for the final question: Have you heard of anyone planning to hurt me or the restaurant?' I asked them.
They got extremely serious and then, one of the goblins took out a black school which was given to the leader goblin. The goblin father then unscrolled the school and read a bit through before answering. 'As far as everybody was able to find, Nobody has wanted to physically hurt open arms or attack the restaurant during the night. . . However, some people have been discussing in how to do some sabotage among society so it affects open arms and the restaurant all together social y and probably economically.' He explained.
I nodded. 'Go on.' I let him continue.
'Ehem. . . The seniors and fiercily church followers have already been talking behind open arms' back to make her look like a bad influence for not following the "norms" and acting more independent unlike the usual woman.' The goblin went on. 'There's a few people however, say that open arms defies the "correct" femenine image of society and some business men seem uncomfortable and rather jealous about how a woman is being more successful than them.' The goblin father closed the scrolled. 'Outside of that nothing.'
'In other words, there will be no physical altercation, but there will be ore social sabotage in the near future.' I muttered for myself and exhaled a bit worried, but then I put on a smile as to not worry the goblins. 'Anyway. Thank you so much for the information.' I thanked them while writing in a piece of paper their free food pass for the day. 'If you could leave your notes and the black scroll here, I would really appreciate it and, here you go.' I gave them the free pass. 'You guys can have a meal today on the house.'
The goblins looked confused. 'Onthe house?' They asked confused.
I chuckled a bit. 'It means that your meal is free today.' I translated for them.
A brief silence and then a bunch of cheers filled the room. I laughed with them as I out the black scroll and the rest of the notes away to keep them safe and ready in case of any sabotage.
At the end of the day. . .
I prepared the children's meal with Bailey feeding the girls.
We all took a bath and then we all went to sleep. It took me more time since the criticism at my business were coming from everywhere, but at the same time I felt relieved that I had physical proof (the notes and the black scroll) that some people were unhappy due to me "defying" the norms of a commoner.
With the goblins. . .
'What?! Humans are trying to hurt open arms?!' The father goblin exclaimed in shock.
The leader goblin of the other group nodded. 'While our deal was just giving the information to her, both verbal y and physically, I feel uncomfortable with letting open arms dealing with everything on her own.' He admitted. 'She is a good human. A rare good human at that. And other humans are clearly intimidated by her success as a business woman with humans and non-humans.'
'What a pain.' The father goblin exhaled. 'What can we do though? We are goblins! We may be more powerful than the average human, but they can easily call for the "non-human hunters" or even a pope for their church!' He pointed out to that goblins were weak in the human territories.
'Yes, but we can send word about this to stronger non-humans, like orcs, and nypmhs.' The leader goblin pointed out. 'We do not need to do much, just let them know that open arms might need help with her reputation in the near future.' He proposed.
Most of the goblins nodded in agreement to that. It was a good way to keep a relationship with open arms instead and make sure for her to have non-humans on her side.
The goblins then, made their way back to goblin territory but also letting every non-human know that trouble might come for open arms and her restaurant.
On Monday. . .
Ivy made her way to the restaurant, with an old gnome behind her and a bunch of papers with the "discount cards" (the coupons) in a cart but tied up very good with rope.
There was an amount of sixty papers, with six coupons in each paper. And another five papers with the especial the discount cards for the first three places of the pie eating contest.
'The sixty papers with six discount cards are six coppers each paper.' The old gnome let me know as I grabbed the money from the pouch. 'And since you explicit asked for the "especial discount cards" to be bigger, each paper of those are 10 coppers each.' He explained.
'Okay. . .' I made some brief calculations and then took the right amount of money. 'In that case, this equals to one silver and forty five coppers.' I gave him the money for the sixty papers. 'And fifty coppers for the "especial discount cards."' I gave him the other money.
'I appreciate the deal, mam.' The old gnome thanked me in his own way taking the money. 'Phew! I admit it was a rather good deal, but please let me know in advance next time, I almost got no sleep this weekend.' He asked.
'Hehe my apologies.' I said scratching my head. 'Believe it or not, I am extremely thankful to you and Ivy. I suppose you haven't eaten breakfast, have you?' I asked him and he and Ivy shook their heads. 'Hehe, well how about you stay and eat breakfast for free today?' I offered.
The old gnome raised his eyebrows in surprise, and turned to look at Ivy who was smiling brightly as if to say "I told you so." The old gnome thought about it for a brief second stroking his beard. 'Hmm. . . I admit that I did not expect this offer, young lady. Are you sure though I would not be accepting more than what was agreed upon?' He asked with skepticism.
'Do not worry, this is "bonus" for your hard work, and knowing that you at least ate something decent today will make me feel less worried for your return home.' I assured him that there was no joke or second proposal behind my offer.
The old gnome looked at me for a moment, before con thing to stroke his beard and nodded slowly. 'Well, if it is like that. . . I am not gonna lie, I am starving. And I have heard about "Spice Delights" from non-humans who talk wonders about non-human-friendly-options throughout the forest, so I will accept your offer.' He patted his stomach.
I smiled and then looked at Ivy. 'Go with him and let him know the rules and the best gnome options, would you?' I asked her.
'Yes mam!' Ivy made the military signed standing straight and walked into the restaurant guiding the old gnome throughout the restaurant until they went up the chairs and sat on a table.
As I watched them, I let the server know that their breakfast is free for today and then went to my office with the pile of coupons and started to cut them accordingly in advance.
After all, I only have until Friday.
About two hours later. . .
I took a break from cutting and then went to the human printer for the flyers for both the pie eating contest and the betting stand.
Fortunately, since I only wanted enough flyers to disperse through the walls of the mayor's board, the adventurer's guild, the restaurant's board, and some inns, the printer was able to finish everything quickly.
The poster was white and in black letters, with letters on the left and a pie apple pie with fall leaves around it and a crown on top of it the right. But with some paint and colors, I was more than satisfied. And yes, it took me quite the amount of time but it was worth it.
The pie eating contest flyer:
"Spice Delights presents:
THE 1ST PIE EATING CONTEST
Pie eating competition.
Basket prizes for top 3 contestants.
Only for people above 18 years of age.
Apple pie theme.
DO NOT RUN JUST YET!! First look at the rules!
Rules:
1. Only people above 18 years of age can sign to the contest.
2. There can be both human and non-human contestants.
3. You can sign up for the contest at the bet stand that will have the symbol of the restaurant which will be close to the stage the day BEFORE the festival. The time to enter the contest shall be open from the day before the festival up to the morning prior the festival.
4. Each competitor will be asigned a symbol (for both human and non-human comodity) and at the day of the festival, you'll be required to go to the back stage at noon so then you are seated on stage accordingly.
5. There will be a limited time of 15 minutes to eat as many pies as you can.
6. No magic or helpers allowed. Cheating = disqualification.
7. If you faint or vomit during the contest = disquialification.
8. The contest ends when either there's just one competitor left, or when there's no more pies to eat, or when the time is up. Whichever happens first.
9. The first three places will receive a ribbon of different color each, a basket with goods and "discount cards" that out weight each other depending on the third, second and first place.
10. We strongly advice that, to avoid losing the contest too quickly, you skip food from the day before the festival and
WE'LL BE WAITING FOR YOU AT THE BET STAND!!
For more information take a look at the betting stand flyer of Spice Delights."
I then took a look to the bet stand. The flyer has the same type of design and coloring as the first flyer, but with the difference of not having anymore drawings than a few small coins on the right.
"Spice Delights presents:
THE BET STAND.
BET ON WHO WILL WIN THE PIE EATING CONEST!!
BET ON WHO WILL LOSE FIRST!!!
BETS ON WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE AS FIT!!!
Bets are accepted for those 14 years of age and above!
1. Each person must be from 14 and up to bet, any younger is not allowed.
2. You cannot bet any more than 50 coppers if you are between 14 and 17 years of age; you cannot bet any more than 100 coppers if you are 18+ years of age.
3. The betting stand shall open the day prior of the festival at three o'clock in the morning and will close at 2:50 p.m the day of the festival. Each person can only bet ONE TIME and no more than that.
4. Only immediate cash is acceptable; with some exceptions for families and people with low incomes, and non-humans like:
— Vegetables and roots
— Dried fruits
— Herbs and Spices
— Edible mushrooms
— Animals
— Small non-magical crafts
— Low enchanted tools (should not need to use magic)
— Small weaponry (for kitchen, wood work, or self-defense)
— Home utilities
— Agricultural seeds
— cereals and grains
— Forest foundings
— Gems; jewerly; pretty rocks
5. Everything will be valued and compared with human money to make fair adjustments when it comes to the exceptions.
6. The first bell will start taking bets; the second bell will let everybody now that the bets are closing; the third bell will indícate that the bets are closed. (Note: the bell should/will sound about 20 or 15 minutes BEFORE the pie eating contest)
7. The winner/winners will have the ir share of the money + a "discount card" for the restaurant &/or bakery; those who did not win ill receive a simple "discount card" of lesser value for the bakery."
I smiled for myself as I finished reading the flyers and then went to give a batch each to the Rosewood twins who then went on to distribute them to the places where I asked them to.
I exhaled feeling a bit lighter and went on to help Sipfra's husband with the betting stand.