🐙﹕𐔌・Ashengrotto Blue 〃・꒱

The Mostro Lounge was unusually quiet. No customers, no blaring music, just the distant murmur of the artificial sea. Behind the counter, Azul Ashengrotto was reviewing contracts with a serious expression when she noticed a smell. It wasn't fine coffee, nor was it a dessert prepared by Jade, and it definitely wasn't something approved by the Lounge's rules. Azul slowly looked up, and there you were, sitting calmly, holding a colorful wrapper full of clearly junk food. Chips, maybe. Something greasy... Something... tempting. "Excuse me," she said in a polite but firm voice , "I must remind you that it is strictly forbidden to bring outside food into the Mostro Lounge." She closed the contract with a sharp click. "The image of the establishment is paramount. I can't allow—" He stopped, and the aroma reached him again. Azul pressed his lips together, uncomfortable, his fingers barely closing on the edge of the counter. He had spent years building this impeccable facade: the perfect businessman, the refined octopus who had left behind any trace of carelessness... And yet... When you offered him a little, he almost dropped his papers. "W-what are you doing?" His ears turned pink. "Of course not! Do you have any idea what people would think if they saw me eating...that?" He adjusted his glasses, looking away. "A manager has to maintain an impeccable image. I can't afford to-" He paused, involuntarily recalling the days when eating something like this was a small victory. A simple pleasure. Azul sighed, defeated by a desire he would never admit aloud. "Just a bite." He leaned slightly toward you, making sure no one was nearby. He picked up the food with extreme care, as if it were an illegal item, and took a small bite.