Mokko’s first bite earned an appreciative rumble. "Soft, warm... but the toast gives it a crunch. It feels like comfort food."

Lucy devoured hers with happy squeaks, her ribbon flapping as she bounced in place. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Marron tried hers last, chewing thoughtfully. The toast balanced the custard’s smoothness, making it portable—something a traveler could eat without needing a bowl or spoon. Exactly what she needed.

"This could work," she murmured. "If I sell it as custard toast instead of custard bowls, people can take it on the go. Mushroom custard toast."

Mokko’s tail flicked. "Onto the menu, then?"

She nodded, already jotting it down in neat lettering:

Ube Beignets – 10g

Savory Onigiri – 20g

Mushroom Custard Toast – 15g

Fruit Sodas – 5g

For the sodas, Marron had already set aside jars of lemon-lime base, now infused with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. She tasted one, smiling at the fizz and bright sweetness. "These will be good for the afternoon rush. Refreshing and cheap enough to tempt anyone."

Later, the three of them ate in peace, custard toast vanishing quickly and Lucy slurping down the berry syrups with delighted gurgles.

Marron leaned back, warm and full, her notebook close at hand. Tomorrow, she thought, wouldn’t just be about keeping up.

She would be about offering something new.

For the first time, she felt like a chef planning for the future, instead of a tired worker just trying to survive today.

Feels good. Marron thought as she laid her head on her pillow.

Thriving instead of surviving feels good.

+

The morning air in Whetvale was cool and faintly sweet with the smell of bread from the baker’s row. Marron tied back her hair and wheeled her cart into the vendor district, Mokko padding at her side while Lucy bounced happily inside her jar.

The market stalls were lively but not yet crowded, a rhythm of vendors setting out baskets of vegetables, strings of sausages, and glistening fish on packed ice. Marron had written out her list the night before, and for once, shopping didn’t feel so intimidating.

"Oi! Aren’t you the one with the ube pastries yesterday?" called a cheerful dwarven butcher, waving her over. "My niece hasn’t stopped talking about ’em."

Marron blinked, surprised, then nodded. "That’s me. Comfort & Crunch."

"Well then, I’ll give you a proper discount." He leaned in conspiratorially. "Nothing like keeping our favorite new chef happy, eh?"

Mokko chuckled, hefting a basket of eggs. "Look at that, Marron. You’re famous already."

It went like that at nearly every stall—farmers and fishmongers smiling, trimming coins from the price, slipping an extra handful of produce into her baskets. Marron thanked them each time, her chest fluttering. She’d never imagined her food could ripple outward like this.

At a chicken stall, she paused to order bulk thighs and drumsticks for her onigiri and rice bowls. The vendor, a stocky orc woman with sun-dark skin and easy hands, weighed the meat and grinned. "You’ve been shaking things up, missy. Whetvale hasn’t seen this much food excitement since the Silver Spoon started its trends."

"The... Silver Spoon?" Marron asked, curiosity sparking.

The orc woman nodded, tying off a parcel with twine. "Used to be a proper little diner. Nothing fancy—meats, stews, hearty plates. Folk loved it. But a few years ago it was bought out by Chef Zehra. Turned it into a polished restaurant, high-end. Now it’s mostly vegetarian plates, very refined."

"Vegetarian?" Marron tilted her head.

"Aye. Don’t get me wrong, her cooking’s divine. But it’s not comfort food anymore. Prices went up, too, so most folk only go there on birthdays or special events." She slid the parcel across the counter. "Still, trends follow her. But lately..." She gave Marron a sly smile. "You’re the first new one to spark a buzz since Zehra took over."

Marron’s cheeks warmed. "I—I wasn’t trying to—"

"Doesn’t matter. You did." The orc laughed. "Keep at it."

Marron tucked the chicken into her basket, then moved along to pick up flour, eggs, and butter. She would get ube jam and the yams themselves from her system, since they technically didn’t exist in Savoria. And finally, she would get some new fruits for her drink syrups.

By the time they finished shopping, Marron’s baskets gleamed with fresh produce, savory cheeses, filling grains, and a treasure trove of colorful berries. Everything had been bought for friendly prices, setting her back a whopping 2,000 gold.

Lucy clapped her tendrils against her jar, as though echoing Marron’s bubbling excitement.

In just two days, her food cart had made major ripples in Whetvale.

Today, she would ride that momentum and earn even more money for Meadowbrook’s repairs.

I won’t let you down, guys! She thought, remembering Borin and his apprentices. They were probably hard at work with building walls, or maybe a better gate.

There was also Balen, who volunteered his time and effort to look after Meadowbrook alongside Dori, the new cook in the inn.

+

When she returned to her designated food cart parking spot, her mind was buzzing with possibilities. Before opening Comfort & Crunch, she wanted to prepare drinks for her hungry customers, for a memorable day 3. It would be light and refreshing to contrast her hearty rice balls, rich beignets, and savory vegetable custards.

"Lucy, let’s start with the syrups," she said, setting out small bowls of berries. Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries—each one glistened, freshly rinsed and bursting with juice.

When she heard her name, Lucy left her glass jar and burbled in agreement. Marron could see her core glowing faintly as Lucy helped by nudging the smaller bowls closer with her gelatinous body.

Marron mashed the fruits, mixed them with sugar, and simmered them slowly until the smell of sweet and tangy aromas wafted from her food cart. When she finally set the jars aside to cool, she poured a little into some lemon-lime soda and took a sip.

Perfect. Bright, fizzy, and sweet enough to make her smile.

Mokko leaned over with curious eyes. "That’s new?"

"Fruit sodas," Marron said proudly. "I think people will love them, especially on a warm day like this."

The last thing she did was officially transform the cart into a food stall. Everyone went to their battle stations: Lucy stayed in the little kitchen area to make sure their utensils were clean. Mokko was ready to accept money and hand out orders.

And, as always, Marron was at the heart of the kitchen, ready to serve up today’s requests, according to her menu today.

I wonder if Charity will stop by.

When Mokko declared her stall open, the customers began to trickle in.