ph_logs | New Promotion + Sep/Oct catch all

New Promotion + Sep/Oct catch all

Who: Max Maximum & You
What: New bakery promotion! + catch-all starters for September-Oct
When: September - October
Where: The bakery in town + other locations listed in starter
Warnings: There will always be flirting and food puns with Max, NSFW in the Velvet, Ambrosia & Silk prompts.

Under New Management
Early in the month of September, a notice goes up on the bulletin board that reads:

Bakers' Hollow is proud to announce a grand re-opening!

Bakers' Hollow is proud to announce a grand re-opening! As some may know, Harold and Agnes Bakers recently took on an apprentice by the name of Max Maximum. His enthusiasm for baking and respect for the craft cannot be overstated. In recognition of Mr. Maximum's tireless efforts, he has been promoted from apprentice to full-time manager. To honor the change in leadership, Bakers' Hollow will be having an open house to coincide with the beginning of Pumpkinfest. All pumpkin flavored baked goods will be half price. Please join us in congratulating Mr. Maximum on his well-earned promotion.

The time for the promised grand re-opening has come at last. Max has been up since before the sunrise. So much to do and prepare for. As if he hasn't been baking pumpkin pasties, pumpkin breads, pumpkin rolls, pumpkin pies and every other pumpkin themed dessert under the sun for the last few weeks in preparation already? Of course, when it comes to presentation, Max wants to make sure everything looks absolutely perfect in the display cases for the day. He's moved the muffins about five times, now.

"Max, dear," Agnes pleads, "I have managed this bakery since before I was your age. There is no need to fuss so; it will be fine."

"I know. I just want to make a good impression," he answers sheepishly.

"You already have," the kindly elder woman insists. Then, her voice becomes sharper, brooking no refusal, "Now, come eat something or you won't last through the day."

"But I--" Max starts, before he's cut off.

"I mean more than just bread, mister!"

He is, ultimately, taken to the kitchen and fed an egg quiche on pain of disapproving looks. He's always been weak to those. But, Agnes is right, as usual. He returns to the front of house just in time to turn the bakery sign from shut to open, feeling refreshed and ready to take on the crowds he sincerely hopes will be coming.

"Make sure to be a good girl and greet everyone, okay Crumpet?" he says to his trusty Fidough, who looks up from her place atop a pillow-turned-dog-bed in the corner to the right of the door, her curly tail wagging happily.

Everything is ready. Max has his freshly washed apron on over his best white work shirt. He stands behind the display case full of baked goods he's made completely by himself, and prepares to welcome in his customers as the manager and operator of his very own dream business.

"Welcome to Bakers' Hollow! What can I get for you?"

Puttin' on the Ritz
On this fine morning, Max makes a sending stone call to John Rambo:

Hi! It's Max. Sorry if this is a little too early for you, but I was planning to go get fitted for my suit today for the ball and I wondered if you'd like to join me?

Velvet, Ambrosia & Silk [NSFW]
Even after moving to full-time at the bakery, Max still has some availability for his special services at Magne's brothel by request. He doesn't allow explicit sexual contact, despite the venue, but he does have a range of tame to salacious options on offer:

- Group catering
- Bespoke dining, dessert, & entertainment
- Sexy (nude) cooking lessons
- Affectionate touch, cuddles, compliments, conversation, massage, ego stroking, strip teases, dancing & singing, etc.
Any combination of the above. He is more than happy to put together a program especially for you.

[ooc: comment with a starter to dive right in or message me to spitball ideas!]

Wildcard!
I am so sure I made other plans with people and have forgotten them so if I did hit me up right here!! Or, if you want plans, hit me up right here!!

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Rancher: I rise with the sun, you're good. Sounds great, I even got a surprise for you--what time?

With the right info, John meets up with Max, even showing up a couple minutes early with a small jar of viscous looking golden liquid. When he sees Max, he offers it with a smile.

"Dandelion syrup--one of those things I been messing with, like I mentioned in my letter." he explains. "Thought you could have some fun with it."

Max figured John would be up for that reason, and he's happy to be proven right. (But the midwest manners in him demands an apology anyway.)

As soon as they meet up, Max's eyes are drawn to that liquid. He accepts it with an astonished laugh. "Wow, really? John, this is so cool! I can't wait to experiment with it." He has to resist that urge to try some right now. They have shopping to do, he can play with his food later.

"Thank you so much. You spoil me."

John just smiles—and yep, he’s blushing. He can’t help it, he’s not used to such effusive praise without feeling…not awkward, but just…like there’s a little sun glowing in the middle of his chest and pressing out with a force that’s soft and comforting in opposition to the physical contact that’s so overwhelming.

“It’s, uh—it’s my pleasure.” He replies, ducking his head for a second before scrubbing a hand over his red face with a grin that feels too big.

“So, uh—suits. What’re you thinking? It’s sort of an Army nod and sorta not, but I think I’m gonna look for a green tie or waistcoat or something.”

That smile is infectious. Max knows exactly how good it makes him feel when people appreciate the things he makes for them, and he's delighted that he seems to have given John those same warm fuzzies. Today is already off to a wonderful start.

"Honestly, I think a dark olive color suit would look really nice on you. It would compliment your skin tone well and you could pair it with army green tie and vest. If that's too much green for you, muted grays for the suit could soften the look." Max really does know his fashion. Blame Erik for that.

"For me, I'm going to get a black suit with some embroidery on it so i can match with Valdis's dress."

John's...a little overwhelmed by the sudden influx of information, but in a good way. He can see what Max is talking about as they fall into step with each other, but the mention of his own idea piques John's interest.

"I'm...not totally sure what my date's wearing." he admits, cheeks burning a little brighter red at the mention of said date. "So, I like that idea--maybe with the color added in. Mostly black, with a print or embroidery in green. Army green or forest green, for Serranai. Serving her, I kinda feel like it'd be nice to represent, y'know?"

Max's eyes sparkle with glee. After all that talk before, Max couldn't be happier to hear that he's found someone to give it a try with after all. "You have a date? Who's the lucky somebody?" Forget fashion talk for the moment, Max wants all the deets on this.

The keen interest surprises John just a little bit, but his cheeks still burn with...pleasure under the prodding, and that surprises him. Not being happy about this date, but--happy to indulge in that. The warm little glow that he's been carrying around in his chest, not just using it to ease the pain in his bones but feeding it, fanning those embers from a glow into a flame.

"Laios." he admits. "Laios Touden. He, uh--he's a cook at the Oak & Iron, among other things. We've been friends for a bit, kinda, but just--there's been a little more there, so I took a chance. And he...said yes."

Glancing at Max, his smile turns from shy to openly fond.

"It's one of the reasons I asked you all those questions about having multiple partners. He's like that, and I wanted to understand it. Decide if it would be okay for me to live with, and so far so good. So thanks for that, it means a lot. And it's helped a lot, too."

"Laios!" Max bursts out ecstatically. "That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you both. He's such a great guy. I know he was really nervous about dating too so...awwww!" Max makes a noise that's close to something only a dog can hear.

"I'm so excited for you I can barely contain it. I'm so happy I was able to help you like that. Oh, John, can I hug you? I want to give you such a big hug right now."

John's expression brightens when Max makes it clear he knows Laios--and takes a second to remember what Jon told him about how he'd been trying to learn dating with his partner, Martin.

He manages not to even wince at the shrill little noise he makes. It's hard on his ears, but he's so happy...

"Yeah. I'd--really like that."

Understatement of the century: John's entire being throbs with pain at the promise of a hug, reminding him how badly he needs it. More than he could ever want it.

He's opening his arms without even thinking about it--and when Max fills them, he has to manage his breathing so his eyes don't well up at the solid warmth enveloping him.

Max wraps himself around John with such glee. But he's so wiggly, like he can't contain his excitement the way a dog couldn't stop his tail from wagging.

"I'm so happy for you both. I love it when my friends love each other. We're gonna dress you up so handsome Laios won't know what to do with himself when he sees you."

The little bell on the door jingles when she enters and when she sees max behind the counter, her heart swells. Finally, all his dreams are coming true.

"Hmm," she says, bending over to examine the different items. "I'm not sure, what would you recommend, Sir Baker?"

Max puffs up with pride when she calls him 'Sir Baker.' In a lot of ways, it's more than just a title. The strange coincidence of the last name of the bakers here actually being 'Bakers' is part of it, accentuated by the fact that Max practically feels like he's already been adopted by the aging couple. All of this really is a dream come true, right down to inheriting a family business.

"For you, I have something extra special." He reaches into the case and pulls out a large croissant that smells sweet and spiced. "It's filled with pumpkin pie puree baked inside."

Valdis leans on the counter as he pulls out the croissant.

"Oh my, it does smell amazing. Very clever too considering the season."

With all the heaviness they experience every day, she loves that they can still find little moments like this. Moments they can pretend they are just a boy and girl flirting in a normal little town.

"I'm even more excited about the re-opening now."

"Even though it means I have to get out of bed extra early?" Max teases, leaning on the counter too so their heads are intimately close together.

He waves the croissant through the air, spreading a delicious smell of spices between them feeling just like the main character in a Hallmark movie and loving it.

"The kitten always cries at me for disturbing her sleep." Kitten, he says, like she isn't a fully grown cat by now. "Crumpet only doesn't because she gets to come with me and sleep in the corner."

"Anani just wants you to feed him before I get up so he can get fed twice."

She smiles at him, their faces so close it wouldn't take much effort to cross the distance and kiss him.

"Nothing makes me happier than you being excited to hop out of bed and go do the job you've been dreaming of since before I met you."

Max looks slightly guilty. "Okay... that might be a little bit my fault. Sometimes I give him a taste of my breakfast." If she's ever wondered why her cat has bacon breath some mornings, there's the answer.

He wiggles in place, too overwhelmed with excitement to contain it. "This really is a dream come true. The only thing missing is a coffee bar."

Valdis smiles and glances away for a moment, that cat has everyone wrapped around his paw.

"I think you could add a coffee bar without much issue," she replies, meeting his eyes again. "Just add a little counter over there and maybe hire an employee or two to help manage it while you do the baking."

"I bet I could, but what I'd really love is more places to sit, and maybe a patio area." He sighs dreamily as he pictures it. If he had his way, it would be a blue building with gold accents and wrought iron everywhere, including a fence around that patio.

"I'd offer the job to you but I'm afraid I'd never get anything done." He'd be too distracted by how much he loves her all day.

She takes the croissant from him when he's distracted with his daydream.

"Oh? Well I would never want to distract you from your work."

She takes a bite. It's just as good as it smells.

"This is amazing."

"Something tells me you might enjoy it sometimes," he answers with a saucy smile. Distracting him, he means.

"I'm glad you like them! The Bakers were a little skeptical about the idea at first but I promised them it would be a hit."

"Sometimes."

She winks at him and continues to nibble at the croissant, savoring the mild sweetness and pure autumn feeling. She frowns in a way that says she's only pretending to pout.

"I would think they would trust your instincts by now."

She's so cute when she pretends to pout. Does she know that? She has to know.

"They do," he soothes, "They're just a little slow to embrace the newer technology I'm bringing around because it's not what they're used to. Erik was the same way about computers and smartphones."

Valdis laughs. The fact that Erik struggles with computers and smart phone is hilarious, he's younger than her but apparently more resistant to change.

"Erik didn't have a good excuse, he'd lived long enough to see the tech develop. The Bakers just didn't have time to adjust to your modern ideas, but they trust you to do it anyway."

"Yeah. I think after Josiah joined him he kind of gave up keeping track. Josiah always did the heavy lifting when it came to technology." Come to think of it, Erik probably doesn't even know how to reset a wireless router.

"I know. I'm so grateful for them. They're like the grandparents I never got to know."

"Oh, I'm not going to stop picking on Erik so easily," she teases. "An immortal who makes his servants do it all for him. He'd have been lost without you and Josiah. Kind of pathetic to be honest."

Max doesn't often talk about Josiah to her, so it's nice to hear about the more mundane, everyday things he experienced.

"I'm glad you met them, and that you get to live out your dream here."

"Ha, he deserves it," Max laughs. "You would not believe how long it took me to dust everything the first time I ever did it. Vampires think just because they don't get seasonal allergies they can live in an inch of dust all the time, I swear. Wonder how he likes doing his own laundry now..." (Spoiler: Erik hates it and he routinely bribes the locals to do it for him.)

Max reaches for her hand again, "The dream wouldn't be complete without you here. Sometimes, I really do feel like pinching myself just to make sure it's all real."

"What a slob. Even I refuse to live in dust. I mean, there was a time when I had too many books during the second World War, but there was still no dust."

She squeezes his hand and leans in closer, so close their noses are almost touching again.

"It's real."

She kisses him.

It's funny, because it's not like Darcy hasn't been smelling fresh baked bread around, right? He's made it himself sometimes, and Max has made it, and all of that.

But there's something about stepping into a proper bakery with proper bread just makes him pause for a minute.

"Nice job," he offers after a moment, "this is... ehn, it's nice. Can I get one of the baguettes and... one of the pumpkin chocolate-chip muffins?" it's for Helena.

"And I have a weird request for you, if you have a minute."

Edited 2024-09-21 10:33 (UTC)

"Thanks," he answers proudly. "Coming right up." For once, he doesn't even feel the midwestern need to self deprecate. He really is so proud of himself for this. He makes a show of picking the biggest muffin in the display and wrapping it carefully in butcher paper with a sheet to separate it from the croissant.

"Sure. What can I do?"

Darcy huffs in appreciation, taking the precious goods carefully.

"I'll make sure to tell Lena you got her the biggest one, it'll make her feel special. Speaking of- I met her dad at the visitor's centre, long story short but I need to learn how to make cornbread. 'Not like how those damn yankees do'," he adds in air quotes, affecting her father's drawl.

"But I don't know the difference, so. You're my only hope."

"You met him. Wow. How did that go?" Max doesn't fear asking this because, even if it is awkward to meet your girlfriend's dad, he can't really think of a nicer guy it could be than Helena's father. He was lovely to talk to.

"Oh, ho. I know the difference, all right. Northern cornbread recipes tend to be really sweet more like a cake than bread. Southern cornbread keeps it savory, uses buttermilk, and you have to bake it in a cast iron pan to get the texture right."

"Eeehn. Better after I brought him dinner, I think."

Darcy posts up just a bit off to the side, so if they're interrupted by another customer he can skedaddle.

"I kind of showed off. Spent most of my food budget for this month on making a casoulet. Took me all fucking day, too, but. I think he appreciated the effort. Kind of gave his blessing on like. Us. But the cornbread isn't for him, it's for her. He said it was her favourite, so."

He listens with clear interest about the difference, and scrunches up his brow a bit.

"Huh. Weird that it changes so much, ehn? And thank God I know how to keep a cast iron pan."

"Food always helps." Max nods sagely, as if he's ever had to meet the father before? (He hasn't, but he'd probably do the exact same.) "Especially your cassoulet. Bet you knocked it out of the park. Congrats on that right of passage."

Please observe Max trying so fucking hard not to explode from shipper's glee hearing that Darcy got his blessing. Max is doing his best not to be embarrassing about it but he's definitely grinning so hard his cheeks are going to hurt later.

"I can write out a recipe for you. It's one of the ones I have memorized. If you find your budget is running a bit lean, I don't mind spotting you, or letting you pick up some hours here with me for it. I knew running this place would be a lot of work and boy is it."

"You have more faith in my abilities than I do. I'm sure it was mostly because he didn't want to argue with Helena."

Y'know, about anything. That girl is so stubborn that with a good enough argument she could divert the tides.

The offer makes both of his eyebrows shoot up, and Darcy answers with-

"Dude- of course. If you need help with it, I'm here. You want me to come by tomorrow morning? Or help with the dough tonight? Anything- I'll work around my other shifts."

"He knew he'd probably lose anyway." They all know Helena well enough to know that.

Max has to restrain himself to keep his own eager reaction from showing. He's trying to play it cool but he'd be so excited to work side by side with Darcy. On one condition.

"Sure, I could use some help with the prep tonight, if your schedule permits, but you have to promise me you won't overwork yourself if you do."

There's a fond tone as Darcy says "yeah, he would, and it wouldn't be close."

Probably says something that Helena's capacity to argue is one of the things he loves most about her.

Darcy pffts as if he wouldn't willingly work himself to dust if he didn't need to eat and sleep and didn't have several people willing to drag him home by the scruff.

"Who's overworking? I won't. Beside- I'm like a-a greyhound, or like a husky. I have have something to do. It'll be good for me."

Max looks more than a little skeptical, but he can't get on Darcy's case about it too much because he's one to talk--up before the sun every day, and when he finishes here he goes to work at the brothel part-time, too. At least he has Valdis to drag him home, assuming she isn't working to the bone herself.

"All right. I guess a little more enrichment can't hurt. And I can get your input on some future plans I'm putting together, too."

There's a tiny brightening in Darcy's expression.

"Yeah? I mean- obviously whatever you need. It ehn- it might just be good practice. Or- I mean, like, a learning experience, or whatever. I can budget okay but... I haven't really had a chance to think about big future stuff, ehn?"

"It might be a learning experience for us both," Max answers, being careful not to visibly react to how excited Darcy seems about the idea. Have to play it cool for the teens.

"I pretty much expected to be a vampire's servant for the rest of my life until all this. Now, I'm taking steps to set up my own business. Not just a bakery. I want to expand this into a full service cafe. Think you could help me with that?"

"Badass," Darcy says approvingly.

"I'm glad you get to do your own thing now, ehn? It's good, I think it'll be good."

Darcy glances down at the baked goods, then offers-

"I'll run these home and then come back to help. Deal?"

He's so proud that Darcy approves. It shows in the way his shoulders straighten up. If he thinks Max can do this then Max knows it must be true.

"Deal. Say hi to Helena for me, and you don't have to rush back. Sit and eat with her first, okay? Pastries taste better when we eat them with the people we love."

A very mild eyeroll. Clearly affectionate, but still an eyeroll.

"Fine, I'll sit and watch her eat this like a creep. See you when I get back," he bids as he leaves, giving a small wave. The future, huh. What a concept.

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New Promotion + Sep/Oct catch all

Puttin' On The Ritz

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Under New Management

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New management

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good place to handwave from here?

Sounds good!