Chapter 1
#1 of Typical Petshop Romance
Nial was normal... boring, really, he was a tiny, feminine bat... he couldn't see for crap. Yet he lived to work with animals, like snakes and reptiles. When the time came that he walked into a small, warm, cozy little pet cafe, he knew he was home. Nial walks into the backroom, his enormous ears swiveling. He'd been told multiple times today he looked adorable. HE wasn't exactly sure what he was wearing, but his sister described it to him as a baggy, long-sleeved turtleneck with gray torso and black and white sleeves, wearing light blue short overalls and pastel rainbow thigh high socks. He didn't know what any of it meant, but apparently he looked good, so he didn't mind too much. Nial makes soft chirps and follows the echoes resounding from the objects around him to navigate. It was the only way to get around.
"Hurry, Nial, the reptiles need fed before opening, the guests hate seeing the snakes fed, I don't blame them." A small voice squeaks from the back as a rabbit pokes her head around the corner, one ear flopping over as her bright vibrant mint green eyes bore into Nial.
"Working on it, Charlie." He sighs and goes to the humid reptile room, he grabs the frozen rats and assorted foods for the different reptiles and amphibians, and goes around, putting the food in. The door dings as it opens and Nial walks back to the main common room, he washes his hands and looks up, chirping softly. He couldn't get much... just a massive figure. Nial clears his throat.
"U-um... how may I help you?" He asks, his voice soft and sweet with a clear ring. And there is dead silence for a moment.
"Coffee, please." A deep voice replies. Nial nods and goes through procedure, asking the order and the name. He goes around making the drink.
"Mr. Dax... your order is ready." Nial calls softly. He holds the drink out and shivers slightly as massive, warm paws brush against his own small, clawed fingers and the cup escapes his grip. Nial relaxes a little as a chair scrapes and the person obviously sits down. The fur of the paws had been slick, and the pads felt dog-like. But what kind of dog has such sleek fur like that? Doberman?
"Nial.... that guy over there is staring at you, you might want to back away from the counter..." Charlie says under her breath, causing Nial to subtly move out of reach.