Henry woke before the sun, his eyes snapping open as if some internal alarm had triggered the moment the first pale light crept through the windows. He lay still for a moment, staring at the ceiling, his heart pounding with a mixture of nerves and anticipation that made sleep feel like a distant memory.
Today's the day.
He swung his legs out of bed and crossed to the window, pulling back the curtain to reveal the sleeping city of Mondstadt below—the streets empty, the buildings bathed in the soft blue of early morning. It was beautiful. It was peaceful.
[You're awake early,]
Orianna's voice echoed in his mind, carrying a hint of amusement.
[Nervous?]
Terrified. But excited.
Henry moved to get ready, freshening up before dressing in his best clothes—the white shirt tucked into black pants, paired with the belt that made him look professional. He studied himself briefly in the mirror, adjusting his collar and running a hand through his hair before heading downstairs.
The café was transformed—the tables were set with polished silverware and crisp napkins, the chairs arranged in neat rows. The plants Alina had arranged hung from the ceiling and sat on the windowsills, adding life and color to the space. It looked exactly as he'd imagined it would. Better, even.
Alina was already there, standing near the counter with her back to him. She was wearing the white shirt with knee-length black skirt he'd given her as part of the uniform, her hair tied back in an elegant knot, which made her look like a hot office manager to him.
Henry paused, his eyes lingering on her for a moment. "You look incredible."
She turned, her eyes meeting his. "You don't look so bad yourself."
Henry walked forward, taking it all in—the warm lighting, the polished floors, the inviting tables, the AC unit keeping everything cool and comfortable. It was everything he'd dreamed of and more.
"We have staff briefing in ten minutes," Alina said. "I've already checked everything—the tables, the kitchen, the supplies. Norma's got the kitchen ready. Diane's organized the drinks station. Fischl and Mona are already here, getting changed into their uniforms."
"How about Adrian?"
"Arrived early. He's been helping Norma with the prep work." Alina's expression softened. "He's a quiet one, but he works hard."
"That's good." Henry nodded in approval. "We need helpful workers."
The staff briefing was short and efficient.
They stood in a line near the counter, each of them in their brand new uniforms waiting for Henry to speak.
Norma looked steady and reliable, her posture calm and composed. Diane held herself with quiet precision, her focus already on the drinks station behind her. Siegfria was practically vibrating with energy, her grin so wide it looked like it might split her face. Beatrice stood slightly apart, trying to hide her nervousness behind a determined expression.
Fischl and Mona looked strange but cute in the uniform skirts Henry had designed for them, a refreshing change from their usual outfits.
Henry stepped forward, his voice carrying across the quiet room with a grin. "Alright, everyone! You've trained for this, you've practiced for this, and honestly? You're more than ready. Today's the day we show Mondstadt what we can do. Work together, stay calm, and trust your training. I believe in every single one of you."
He clapped his hands together. "Now go—take your stations! Let's make this opening one to remember!"
The staff dispersed to their positions with renewed energy, and the café came alive with purpose.
The first guests began arriving as the morning sun climbed higher while the streets of Mondstadt woke to the news of the new café. Jean was among the first to step through the door as her blonde hair caught the light when she entered. She was dressed in her usual Knights' attire, but there was something different about her because a softness lingered in her expression and a warmth glowed in her eyes that he did not often see.
Behind Jean, Lisa swept into the café with her characteristic grace as her purple dress flowed behind her. Her eyes found Henry immediately, and a slow, knowing smile spread across her face.
"Welcome to Crossroads Café," Henry said as Jean and Lisa entered the café.
"Henry," she greeted, her voice carrying that same warmth. "This place is beautiful. You've done wonderful work."
"Thank you, Jean." He stepped forward, offering her a genuine smile. "I'm glad you could make it."
She tilted her head, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "I wouldn't miss it. Though I have to admit, Varka sends his regrets. He's... busy."
Henry's grin widened. "Busy? Or busy with the tasks you gave him?"
Jean frowned as she was reminded of the lazy Grandmaster of Mondstadt who had been putting off work lately, so she had not allowed him to leave unless he had finished. "He needed to handle some paperwork. Important paperwork. He'll come later."
Ha ha ha ha. I'm sure Varka is absolutely thrilled about that.
[Wow, Henry. Laughing at other's misery.]
"I'm sure he'll be here eventually," Henry said, his voice neutral as he tried to hide his grin at the thought of Varka sulking through a mountain of paperwork. "Speaking of which, you look well. Different, somehow."
Jean's blush spread to her ears. "I'm just... happy for you. And thankful for your suggestion of getting assistants."
"Why are you thanking me again, Jean? There's no need for thanks between friends."
Jean's face, which had been lit up slightly, fell when Henry mentioned they were friends, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Henry, darling," she purred, moving forward to greet him. "What a wonderful establishment you've created. I must say, I'm impressed."
"Lisa." Henry's grin widened. "You're early."
"I couldn't miss the opportunity to see your grand opening." She stepped closer, close enough that he could smell her perfume—something floral and familiar. "And I was curious to see what kind of drinks you'd be serving. I do so love a good tea."
She's definitely flirting with me.
[You think? I think out of all the girls in Teyvat, you seem closest to Lisa.]
"Then you're in luck," Henry said smoothly. "I've got something special from Sumeru. I think you'll appreciate it."
Lisa's eyes widened, genuine interest flickering in her gaze. "Sumeru? You've sourced ingredients from Sumeru?"
"I've sourced ingredients from all over Teyvat," Henry said. "Liyue, Inazuma, Fontaine, Natlan, Snezhnaya—I wanted to bring a taste of the world to Mondstadt."
Lisa's smile deepened, a hint of something new in her eyes. "I see. Well then, I'm eager to see what you've created."
Henry personally escorted both women to a table closer to the glass panels. Jean watched the long panels in wonder as she sat, able to see everything outside with unobstructed clarity.
Lisa, meanwhile, had felt the cool air from the moment she entered the café and was scanning the room, her gaze finally landing on the large rectangular boxes mounted high against the walls. "These produce the cool air in the café, right Henry?"
"Right you are, Lisa."
"Wow!" Jean looked up in wonder at the rectangular device that seemed to release cold air. "You made this, Henry?"
"Yes," Henry said, lying straight through his teeth. Lisa looked straight into his eyes and winked, as if she immediately knew the truth but chose not to call him out on it.
Lisa grabbed the menu offered by Henry while Jean took another politely.
Jean looked at her menu, her brow furrowing. "Rose Honey Tea? That sounds... interesting." She glanced up at Henry, who had stopped by her table. "What exactly is it?"
Henry grinned, gesturing to the tea in her hands. "It's a Mondstadt infusion. Rose petals, honey, a touch of something floral. Light and fragrant. Perfect for someone who needs a moment of peace."
Jean's eyes softened. "That's ... thoughtful of you."
Lisa, seated across the room, held up her menu, her smile deepening as she read the menu. "And what of this? Lemongrass and Honey? That's from Sumeru, isn't it?"
Henry turned toward her, his grin widening. "You recognize it?"
"It reminds me of my days as a student at the Akademiya," Lisa said as her voice carried a hint of nostalgia while she lifted the cup to her lips. "Sumeru has a rich tradition of coffee and teas because lemongrass, mint, and jasmine are all common there."
"Well, now you can enjoy it here too," Henry said warmly before he excused himself from them so that he could greet new customers.
Nearby, Fischl stood at attention while she clearly dreaded having to approach the table. Lisa's smile widened as she noticed the young woman's discomfort, and she clearly relished how her presence made Fischl uneasy. Still, Fischl carefully noted the order before she went to the kitchen to place it.
To Henry's surprise, the next customers to arrive were Eula and Amber, who arrived together and drew the attention of the room with their entrance. Amber was her usual energetic self as she bounced forward to greet Henry with a warm smile. Eula, however, hung back slightly while her expression remained guarded and her eyes scanned the room before they finally settled on him.
"Henry!" Amber's voice was bright, cheerful. "There you are! Eula told me you had build this Cafe!"
"Welcome to Crossroads Café," Henry smiled, his tension easing. "I did build this Café and I'm glad you came." He glanced at Eula, a knowing grin spreading across his face. "Eula. I'm glad to see you made it too."
Eula's eyes met his, and for a moment, something flickered in her gaze—something unreadable. Then she looked away, a faint flush coloring her cheeks.
"I came to see what all the fuss was about," she said as her voice remained carefully neutral while she tried to hide her shyness. "Nothing more."
[She kissed you in the alley and ran away. She's probably still processing that.]
Amber looked between them as her expression shifted from confusion to curiosity. "Eula? Are you ... blushing?"
"I am not blushing," Eula said as her voice suddenly turned loud while she sharply deflected the question, though the denial only made her cheeks grow redder. "The room is warm. That is all."
Amber's eyes widened as she noticed the flush creeping up Eula's neck. "Oh my Barbatos. You are blushing!"
Eula turned away as her shoulders remained stiff. "I'm going to find a seat." She walked past Henry without another word.
Amber turned to Henry as her expression turned incredulous. "Did you do something to her?"
Henry's grin widened. "I did not because it was actually she who did it."
Amber gaped, looking between him and Eula's retreating back. "She—what— did you—"
Henry held up his hands. "I cannot tell you that because Eula will slice me up. It is up to her if she wants to tell you."
To give Eula space, Amber dropped the subject as she followed Eula, who made her way to the corner-most table. Amber settled into the seat across from her while Henry gave both of them a copy of the menu.
Eula scanned it, her expression carefully neutral as she tried not to look at Henry, who was standing nearby.
"Find something you like?" he asked.
Her eyes flickered up to meet his, guarded but not hostile. "Winter Black Tea. It's... Snezhnayan."
"It is."
She paused, her gaze dropping back to the menu. "Why did you include something from Snezhnaya?"
"Because it's a good tea," Henry said simply. "And because I wanted people in Mondstadt to have the chance to try something from a place they might never visit."
Eula paused, then nodded. "I'll try it," she said, her voice carefully neutral. "For research purposes."
Amber, meanwhile, was practically bouncing in her seat. "There are so many options! Ohhhh, I want to try everything!"
"Ha!" Amber laughed as she pointed at her menu. "Amber Roast? You made a coffee after me?"
Henry shrugged with a grin. "Well, I was thinking of a name for the coffee and 'Amber' came to mind. Just a coincidence." He winked at her. "Anyways, enjoy, both of you." He stepped back, as Fischl came forward to take their order.
More guests arrived in a steady stream. Noelle entered, her eyes wide with wonder as she took in the café. Klee bounded in beside her, immediately launching into a string of excited questions about the menu.
"Hello Big Brother Henry!" Klee's voice rang out across the room. "Is it true you built this café?"
"I did, Klee." Henry came forward, patting her head affectionately before leading her and Noelle to a table closest to the kitchens.
Noelle held up her menu, her expression curious. "Pretzel bites? I've never heard of those."
"Soft flavourful bread pieces with dipping sauces," Henry explained. "Salt, butter, and a few twists of flavor. Simple, but satisfying."
Klee, seated beside Noelle, read her menu excitedly. "Big Brother Henry, what's a Dorayaki?"
"Sweet pancake sandwiches with red bean paste," Henry said.
Klee's eyes went wide. "Klee wanDashboardts that and hot chocolate!"
Henry signalled to Adrian, who had been standing nearby and noted their order before heading toward the kitchen.
___
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