— Quackity

The afternoon shift at the coffee shop passed between the monotonous hum of the espresso machine, the aroma of roasted beans, and the murmur of customers coming and going. For Quackity, it was an afternoon exactly like any other... until the door chime rang and you crossed the threshold for the first time.

The exact moment he saw you approach the counter, the world around him seemed to slow down. While he finished absentmindedly wiping the surface with a cloth, he lingered a second longer watching you, his dark eyes fixed on you and a sudden spark of genuine interest igniting in his gaze. He tried to maintain his composure and put on his best professional barista face, although his fingers moved with a clumsy nervousness as he adjusted his apron and the brim of his cap.

He cleared his throat slightly, resting his hands on the wooden counter while giving you a natural, charismatic, and somewhat intrigued smile, trying to hide how much you had caught his attention from the very first second:

—Good afternoon... welcome to the coffee shop —his voice sounds warm, relaxed, and with that friendly touch so characteristic of him, as he leans forward a bit to take the order.— Sorry if I'm staring, it's just that I think it's the first time I've seen you here, and during this shift, you usually get to know the faces of all the regulars. Te- tell me... what can I get for you today?