Work Text:
Breathe in. Breathe out.
Another day of work had to be made. He is “responsible and obedient”, as quoted by his co-worker… Chester.
Skipping the morning prep essay that is essentially just brushing, showering and reaching the park to walk a mile to reach the candy shop.
He picked up his own keys to enter— today’s the morning shift, so he had plenty of solitude and tranquility while setting up everything.
Then came the issue.
Chester AND Mandy called on-sick. Both of them. First he thought it was a bother. A disadvantage to an already bothersome routine. Then it hit him.. that would mean no broken items. No items thrown at him. Constant cleaning and slipping.. But really, still, managing an entire candy shop by himself was not going to be easy. Lucky for him, a system was implemented in the park recently— a Volunteer’s Work program.
Before turning on the lights and swapping the “Closed” sign to “Open”, he stepped onto the backstage, and walked onto the shop’s roughly-treated computer that Mandy and Chester mostly use to slack off and play games. Instead of ordering and receiving shipments. They didn’t really have to anyway, considering the incredible amount of cargo Mandy accidentally ordered. Two thousand boxes of lime flavoured dips…. brushing off that event, Berry logged onto the park’s website, finding the program and typing the assistance needed..
“Mandy’s Candy Requires Volunteers”
“Stocker and clerk needed. Excellent performance will be rewarded.” Along with the directions to the shop and the logo of it. Done with the process, Berry set on opening and maintaining everything tidy and in order— not forgetting the costume. It was a positively weird experience to not have a jester and his “queen” run and trip a few things around. Not many clients in the morning was a pretty nice bonus too, allowing him to do other things without the pressure of other duties present.
After a while, around the early afternoon, came in a dog and a particularly cyan… blob? Man? Creature? Whatever he is. Berry recognized them two as the colonel, Ruffs, and his inexplicable ally named Squeak.
``Welcome to Mandy’s Candy, what can we offer you?``, said Berry.
With a controlled and raspy voice, the colonel spoke;
``Greetings. I saw the volunteers page posted this morning, and my boy here wanted to do something. Some community service, I would call it.``
Berry eyed Squeak a little. He was a bit… wider in the (flesh) slime compared to the images online.
`` Well, thank you— I assume the form was done digitally? if so, Squeak can start his volunteering shift right now. `` Berry said.
``Yes, yes. I did the form for him. A stocker. He isn’t the most… handy with screens. But he is a good boy with tasks and organization alike.``
Squeak looked down at the floor shyly. He wasn’t really the best in other spaces than the Starr Force headquarters, in fear of sticking things and blowing them up.
``I leave it to your capable hands, son. Don’t be nervous, you’ll do well. Just do how you do your tasks.``
Ruffs eyed Berry after motivating the blob, a look of trust. The colonel walked away, and with Squeak just standing there, Berry had to introduce him.
``...Oookay, don't worry little guy. This job's easy. The Colonel put you as a stocker, simple enough. Follow me backstage, I’ll give you your uniform, and give you some guidance so you don’t get lost.``
Berry stepped off with Squeak to hand him his clothes. The very brief stroll made him slightly unnerved, really. The lack of chaos is something he’s fond of, but missing the presence of his two coworkers felt strange, as they both were always there.
After Berry gave Squeak his uniform, he instructed him on the intricacies of the Candy Shop and general direction-giving. The shop itself was pretty big, so he deemed this necessary, even offering to make Squeak a map— with the blob refusing out of not wanting to be a bother. Berry also noticed Squeak being less shy.. gaining confidence, maybe?
The day continued hour by hour, a few more customers coming in and out with the occasional written-on-wet-slobby-paper “Where’s the box with (specific type of candy)?” questions and a few sweeps and mops because of children dropping their ice cream. Every hour grew strangely gloomy to him. Yes, he did have the company of a co-worker, but it’s mere acquaintance and nothing more. Mandy and Chester are both people he cares about, nonetheless the messes and havoc they cause. Berry didn’t let this discourage him anyway, he did respect the peace.
….Mm, the afternoon’s near.. he thought. Most of the things needed to be put in place were finally ordered, with the lack of disruption. Placements, orders, confections, deliveries…
Nothing to be done. He already pre-made every sweet drop, candy cone, wafer, crepe and lollipop. He could use this time to sit down for a while.
Berry called Squeak over and told him to have a break, offering a snow cone as a snack. They took the cone happily, licking it away. He wanted to ask the blob a few questions, but he was unsure of what to even say. So to avoid awkwardness, he just moved over to somewhere else nearby, picked up his phone, and called.
A few rings…
Another more….
And Mandy didn’t pick up.
….Another ring.
Oh, he picked up.
``Helloooo…. Berry?``
``Chester.. Afternoon.``
``You oughta’ be asking why I didn’t come, aren’t ya? Weeell… how do I say this…``
``...Oh just say it.``
``Be patient, man! I gotta sugarcoat it! Mm, well… I..``
``I was cleaning home, needed a emergency cleaning… been slacking! Don’t tell Mandy that. Hard spots out in there, so I brewed up some cleaning agents…``
``You MIXED. Cleaning agents?``
``...Yeah! Not the wisest! If you couldn’t tell… BUT! I’m fiiiine! I’ll be fine. I’ll be discharged iiiiin… two days. Blah. They ain’t letting me out until that.
Well…
I know you miss me, horse.``
``...
I do. You matter. But whatever. Take care.``
Berry closed the call. He sighed, but at least with a breath of relief.
Glancing around, he noticed Squeak finished his snow cone, looking at the people pass by the windows, fiddling with his thumbs. The day was slow. Not many people bustling in, huh…
The ringing of a doorbell, and 2 figures. A lobster, and a ink-painting kid. Figures he’s familiarized with already.
``Yeeeehey! Unicorn! Horse! Berry. I see ya at work, champ.``
Said Clancy with a highly noticeable tint of sarcasm, commenting at his idleness and not his usual business. Otis noticed Squeak, approaching him and sitting along— friends, he assumed.
``Slow day. Both of them called in sick. Not many customers either. What. Can I get you, Clancy?``
Berry wasn’t usually fond of Clancy being in the Candy Shop himself. Out of 3 times, 2 he has absolutely exploited the “free drink refills” policy to the extreme.
``Don’t be tough wit’ me, champ. I just came here to bring Otis a treat! Wouldn’t want him bored.
An’ I wanted to see ya!``
He said, cheerily.
``Anyway, the boy wants the usual.``
``I’ll get to it.``
Berry stepped backstage to the dispensers. He grabbed a mid-size cup, dispensed vanilla ice cream, and added caramel with a cherry on top. Otis didn’t like cherries, but Clancy did, knowing he would give it to him.
``So this is how ye—
Berry flinched. He did not expect Clancy to follow him, nonetheless have him be stealthy at it.
``What? Ye didn’t expect me?``
``I didn’t.. hear you come.``
``Well. 'Lobster ain’t known to be loud.
And ohh! Cherry!``
Clancy abruptly took the cherry from the cup, munching on it.
``Ya gotta have more, don’tya?``
``...They’re stock. For the shop. But I’ll give you two. ONLY two.``
Berry took two cherries from a container he previously opened, passing them to Clancy by hand— his partner immediately shoving them into their own mouth.
``Ye don’t treat yourself a little sweet here sometimes?``
``I do.. you asked me this already.``
``Eh, I forget. Can ya blame me? I got a busy life!``
``Sure. Sure.``
They looked at eachother for a little. Awkwardly. No more to say?
``Gimme a peck.``
``What?``
``I want a kiss, buddy!``
``Mm, sudden, but..``
Berry leaned forward, holding Clancy by the cheek gently— the lobster rushing in and holding him by the nape. Both of their eyes shut for a brief moment, before Clancy took the kiss apart.
``The makeouts can be after yer shift… hah.. you gotta give the kid his icecream.``
They both just stood there, looking at eachother— with love, strangely. To their dismay, they still had people out there to tend to.
While returning to the front, Clancy took a lollipop, regardless of what Berry would think. Squeak and Otis were strolling around the shop out of boredom, with Clancy now sitting where they once were. The doorbell rang once again, with a sole customer.
Griff?
The owner of the Gift Shop, decorated with a cash register helmet over his head for “personality”, was a frequent customer. Berry was familiar with his orders, most of the time a deal of ice cream tubs.
Clancy looked to the door, recognizing him and quickly standing.
``Ey! Griff! It’s been a while!``
Berry blinked, not expecting them to know each other. Sure, Clancy was one hell of a social man, and his job entails meeting a lot of different personalities, but still..
``Ah! Clancy! Nice to see you again! Came here to buy some things for my home, how’re you doing?``
“Been doing well! Job’s been surprisingly smooth, eh. What’re ya buyin’?``
``Some ice cream for the family, my son really enjoyed some macadamia nut one, so I’m buying the usual and a treat for him. He’s been surprisingly diligent in the shop recently! Oh, oh, almost forgot Byron's sweet tooth.``
``Well, go off! Buy yer’ stuff for yer' lovebird too.``
Done with their short convo, Griff went on to his purchase, which went just like usual. Berry held on to the question of asking who his son was, not wanting to pry into personal life. Griff walked away, sending a goodbye wave to Clancy and Berry.
The rest of the day continued, Berry gave Otis his icecream, Clancy calling Otis to leave, Squeak continuing his work, helping Berry close, and getting walked back to the Force HQ. It was.. above average. He enjoyed the day. He reported the workday as a “smooth” one, getting a call from his partner as he reached home, following his routine.
Mandy called back the next day, explaining her absence. She went to visit a bit of family, before one of her cousins killed the phone’s battery and she had to stay because of intense rain in the countryside. Chester got discharged in two days like he said, and came back to the workflow. The days continued “smoothly” like they’ve always been, with life continuing…
Sadly, Clancy never got his after the job makeout. Whatever, he can get it later.