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Fan-fiction contest! Two people meet in your café on New Year's Eve ...

Posted by Rich in Critter Café

This reward is going live on New Year's Eve, traditionally a time of both reflection and anticipation, of singing auld lang syne and looking to the future, perhaps, ideally, with hope. That's the spirit we'd like you to channel for this, our first fan-fiction reward on Just About Critter Café!

We'd like you to write a piece of flash fiction with the following premise: it's New Year's Eve, and two people meet in the café you've built in Critter Café.

That's it. The rest is for you to fill in; is their meeting arranged, or serendipitous (perhaps you've arranged a NYE party in your café)? Do they know each other, or are they strangers? Do they stay in your café or do they head outside to Gold Leaf Isle or the Otherlands? What are your critters getting up to, and do they affect the plot? All up to you.

Feel free to include images, and note there's a minimum word count of 500, but please don't exceed 1,500 words; if your story is much longer than that, it may be disqualified regardless of quality.

A bit of flash-fiction advice: often, aspiring authors of flash fiction fall down by trying to write an entire story, complete with beginning, middle, and end. Flash fiction doesn't need to do that, and is usually better when it doesn't. You can leave questions unanswered, mysteries unsolved, and readers wanting more. Sometimes, it can even be a single scene!

Important note: this is a time-limited, podium-finish reward that will only close and its submissions be judged on January 31, 2025.

Pot total

$200

Format, rules, and guidance

What happens next?

Reward details

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Created at 1:00pm, 31st December, 2024. Page last updated at 9:06pm, 23rd January, 2025.
Deadline at 12:00am, 31st January, 2025.

Y0EMINENCE 12/31/2024, 2:25:10 PM

On New Year's Eve in my critter cafe game, two strangers, Jamie and Taylor, met by chance. Drawn by the charm of critters and the quiet celebration, they sat together. As midnight approached, their shared giggles at a critter's misadventure sparked a conversation. With each bell toll, they toasted to new hopes, finding an unexpected companionship for the coming year.

The cafe, festooned with twinkling lights and critter-themed decor, buzzed with a gentle excitement. Jamie, who had come to reflect on the past year, found Taylor sketching the critters with remarkable detail. They bonded over their love for these little creatures, discussing plans for their own critter cafes in the game. As the final countdown began, they stood together, watching the critters celebrate in their own quirky ways. The moment the new year arrived, they shared a high-five, sealing a new friendship with promises of more adventures in the digital world, where every critter and every player had a story to tell.

As the new year kicked off, Jamie and Taylor ventured deeper into the game's world. They met a critter in distress, helping it reunite with its lost toy, which sparked a festive gathering among the virtual critters. The game's environment shimmered with new year energy, every nook and cranny offering fresh adventures. They traded digital goodies as symbols of their new alliance, scheduling their next in-game meeting. As morning light crept into the real world, they signed off, but not before founding a community for fellow critter enthusiasts, marking the start of many shared escapades.

The community they founded blossomed, with members exchanging strategies, critter lore, and anecdotes. Jamie and Taylor became the heart of the group, hosting events like critter races and scavenger hunts. They introduced a tradition where everyone could post their New Year's goals for their cafes, turning individual aspirations into a communal experience. Over time, their bond grew beyond the game, connecting through chats and calls, sharing life's ups and downs. Their critter cafe turned into a digital sanctuary where every player found a sense of belonging, all sparked by a chance meeting on New Year's Eve.

Throughout the year, the bond between Jamie and Taylor deepened, leading them to spearhead a project for a virtual garden in their cafe, a space for critters and learning. This garden symbolized their growth, both personal and communal. The garden's opening was a spectacle, with games, critter parades, and a hunt for unique digital flora. The event unified the players and caught the developers' eye, who then collaborated with Jamie and Taylor on new features. Their story, from meeting as strangers to becoming influencers within the game, highlighted the potential of a single, shared moment on New Year's Eve.

Jamie and Taylor's influence led to seasonal garden celebrations, integrating the game with real-world cycles. They started the "Critter Conservation Challenge," promoting environmental care through gameplay. This initiative not only enhanced the game but also inspired players to think about conservation. Their journey was captured in an in-game documentary series, which became popular, attracting more to their community. As the year ended, they organized another New Year's Eve gathering, this time for reflection and setting new goals, all in the company of cherished critters, celebrating the community they'd built from a chance encounter.

Chris Groves 1/3/2025, 1:56:05 PM

Y0EMINENCE

CINEMA

Deleted user 12/31/2024, 4:42:27 PM

At Critter Café, the air was filled with the aroma of steaming hot chocolate and coffee, all enriched by the warmth and hospitality the café offered its customers. Outside, snow and wind reigned supreme in a scene that bid farewell to Christmas and prepared for the New Year. The muffled sound of the snowstorm outside contrasted with the cozy atmosphere within the café, where every corner seemed to be infused with festive charm.

A young woman named Emma rushed inside, clapping her hands to warm them. Her long coat and flushed cheeks betrayed the chill she had escaped, drawn by the café's light and fragrance. With New Year's Eve approaching and no one to celebrate with as usual, she decided to spend the evening enjoying a delicious hot chocolate, hoping to meet someone new and perhaps change the usual solitude of the holiday. The promise of warmth, good company, and the spirit of the season made this impromptu decision feel right.

The café buzzed with laughter and murmurs from patrons who had chosen it as the perfect place to wait for and celebrate the New Year. Some gathered in small groups, chatting excitedly, while others sat quietly, absorbed in the peaceful ambiance. Emma approached the counter and sat down, ordering a warm and tasty hot chocolate. As she waited, she gazed out the window at the swirling snowflakes, the twinkling city lights reflecting off the ice-covered streets. Suddenly, she heard a voice ask, "Is this seat taken?"

Emma looked up and met the gaze of a young man with a kind face and refined features. He wore a top hat and a long coat, as though he had just stepped out of another time. There was a certain air of elegance about him, yet he carried it with a humble grace. “No, it’s free,” she replied, gesturing to the chair across from her.

The man replied politely, "Thank you. It’s hard to find a seat tonight. By the way, my name is Jonas." Emma smiled warmly, feeling an unexpected sense of comfort. “I think coming here was a good idea. It’s so cozy. I usually avoid parties. Nice to meet you.” There was a moment of silence as Emma played with the handle of her cup, while the mysterious man settled into his seat with a thoughtful look on his face.

Jonas remarked, “I noticed that big Christmas tree outside the café, and it caught my eye. They say it’s magical. Do you believe that?” Emma looked up at the tree in question, its twinkling lights reflecting off the windowpane, and replied with a smile, “I’m not sure, but I think this meeting has something to do with it, don’t you?”

After exchanging smiles, Jonas ordered a hot chocolate for himself. As they sipped their drinks, they shared little details about their lives, and the conversation flowed effortlessly. There was a sense of ease between them, as though they had known each other for much longer than just a few minutes. The air in the café grew even more magical, as if the world outside had disappeared entirely. Whether it was the frosty winter, the enchanting tree, the scent of chocolate and freshly baked sweets, or the desire to spend New Year's Eve differently, their encounter felt as if it had been predestined, as if fate had brought them together in that very moment.

To make the moment even more magical, relaxing music played softly in the background, filling the space with gentle melodies that seemed to echo the sense of nostalgia in the air. The music swirled around them, almost as if it were bidding a tender farewell to the old year and the cherished Christmas now past. Critter Café: the place where a starry sky shines in the eyes of those who meet, and where new beginnings take shape in the quietest of moments.

Chris Groves 1/3/2025, 1:56:32 PM

Deleted user

Beautiful!

Deleted user 1/2/2025, 6:27:57 AM

It was a day like any other, it was raining outside and the lives of two people were about to change forever. Both Loca and Lucas had decided to embark on a different New Year's Eve than usual, Loca had thought that New Year's Eve, in the midst of so much confusion, could give her the right inspiration to write her book. Her plans were to go to the Café, sit at a free table... maybe the most isolated one and stay there to observe the people celebrating. She had this nature of a silent observer, she loved to fantasize about people's lives simply by watching them in everyday life. And so she did, she went to that café, took her classic long coffee with cocoa and opened her notebook. It seemed like she had transported her world to that café. The notebook open, a pen, a notebook, and several literature books that she never parted with. A classic woman, with clothing that goes unnoticed. That's how she liked to be... anonymous. He loved to fantasize, to imagine... he could spend hours in that café, right in that place next to the window where he would get lost in his thoughts. Lucas, the classic party animal... had thought of going to that café to make friends and celebrate the new year, between one toast and another and some new friendships. An extroverted, enterprising type with the desire to always put himself to the test, to challenge circumstances and conventions. He never said no to some healthy fun and, even though he was dutiful at work, in his moments of pause he loved to spend his time in company. And that New Year's Eve happened like this, he went to that café to celebrate the new year in an alternative way. Fashionably dressed, he was the life of the party. Their meeting happened just like this, Lucas exuberant, Lola silent and introverted... she observed, he celebrated until he noticed that corner where there was a mysterious woman. On one hand his spirit of adventure always led him to look in that direction, but the other part of him did not want to think but only to have fun. He made friends, sometimes he danced, his free spirit took over but every now and then his eyes met Lola's. He wanted to get to know her, she watched him. In his heart he thought, but he wasn't having fun... who knows what he was doing, because he was looking at me... On the other hand, Lola tried not to be noticed and, even though she realized she had attracted the boy's gaze, she couldn't stop observing his movements, his ways of doing things, his relationships with people. She looked away but then she always ended up meeting his attention. Lucas approached, she accepted the challenge, even though she was intimidated... a hot drink versus an aperitif... He asked to sit down with a nod of his face, but without speaking... she responded in the same way, nodding. He sat down, she looked at him... a few moments of silence and then he smiled at her. The rest is history.

Chris Groves 1/3/2025, 1:56:46 PM

Deleted user

This is so lovely!

failedd 1/8/2025, 7:44:37 PM

Title: "A Chance at Midnight"

The bar was alive with energy, a microcosm of humanity’s hopes and fears, packed into one small space as the clock ticked closer to midnight. Laughter mixed with the clinking of glasses, the hum of music underscored by the occasional burst of cheering. It was New Year’s Eve, and everyone was chasing something—closure, a promise, or just the fleeting warmth of a moment shared.

He arrived first. Dressed in a simple jacket that had seen better days, he slid into a corner seat near the bar, keeping his head low. His name was Michael, though he doubted anyone would bother to ask. A scotch on the rocks materialized in front of him before he even ordered. The bartender, a wiry man with years of experience reading faces, gave a knowing nod. Michael smirked faintly, the kind of smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

Halfway through his drink, she entered. Rebecca, though she preferred Becca among friends. She wore a deep green dress, elegant but understated, her hair pinned back to keep the world from noticing how nervous she was. She scanned the room briefly, her eyes landing on the bar. It seemed a safe haven from the noise, the laughter that felt a little too forced.

Becca slipped onto the stool next to Michael, her perfume faint but warm, a contrast to the cold night outside. He noticed but said nothing, pretending to focus on his glass. She ordered a sparkling wine and glanced his way as if testing the waters of conversation.

“Busy night,” she offered, her voice light.

He nodded, not looking up. “Yeah. People chasing the idea of a perfect moment.”

“Aren’t we all?” she said with a small laugh, though her words carried weight.

For a while, silence filled the space between them. The bartender moved fluidly, delivering drinks and stories to anyone who needed them. Outside, the muffled sounds of the city echoed faintly through the frosted windows.

Finally, Michael broke the silence. “What’s someone like you doing here alone on New Year’s Eve?”

She tilted her head, amused. “Someone like me?”

“You seem… like you belong somewhere better.”

Becca raised an eyebrow, leaning slightly closer. “And you seem like someone who’s had a rough year. Am I wrong?”

His chuckle was dry but not unkind. “Not wrong. What gave it away?”

“The drink, the stare, the way you hold yourself like you’d rather be anywhere but here,” she said, listing each point with a playful tone.

Michael shook his head, half-smiling now. “Sharp. Okay, your turn. Why are you here?”

Becca’s smile faltered, just slightly. “I guess I didn’t want to spend the night alone. Or maybe I wanted to see if something unexpected might happen.”

“Unexpected?” he repeated, intrigued despite himself.

She shrugged. “Meeting someone. Finding a reason to hope. Doesn’t have to be big.”

The countdown began, and the room swelled with anticipation. Michael and Becca sat quietly, as if the noise around them faded into the background. When the crowd shouted “Happy New Year!” and champagne corks popped, neither of them moved to toast. Instead, their eyes met.

“Happy New Year,” she said softly.

He hesitated, then smiled—not a smirk, but something real. “Happy New Year, Becca.”

“Michael,” she added, as if to seal the exchange.

The room buzzed with celebration, but for them, the world felt quieter, more open. The bar had done its job, bringing two strangers together at the edge of something new. Whatever the new year held, it began with a spark, barely visible but undeniably there.

lolpat 1/12/2025, 4:18:26 PM

Title: "Midnight at the Glass Lantern"

The Glass Lantern sat tucked into a quiet corner of the city, the kind of bar that seemed to belong to a different era. Strings of golden lights framed its frosted windows, and the hum of soft jazz mingled with the occasional clink of glasses. Inside, the air smelled of spiced cocktails, citrus, and the faintest hint of pine—a nod to the fading holiday season.

It was New Year’s Eve, and the place was alive but not chaotic. Locals crowded around tables, murmuring over drinks, while a few solitary souls kept to themselves at the bar.

Eli sat near the far end of the counter, staring into the amber depths of his old-fashioned. His phone sat face down beside him, a deliberate choice. No messages, no calls, no interruptions. He told himself he preferred it that way. It had been a long year, one full of closed doors and missed opportunities. He didn’t make resolutions anymore—they were just empty promises waiting to be broken.

At 11:42 PM, the door opened with a burst of icy wind, carrying Mae into the warmth of the Lantern. She paused at the threshold, her cheeks flushed from the cold, her breath still visible in the air. Her friends had bailed at the last minute, leaving her to wander the city alone. She hadn’t planned to celebrate—what was there to celebrate, anyway?—but the golden glow of the Lantern had drawn her in, a fleeting hope that maybe she didn’t have to spend this night entirely by herself.

She approached the bar, shaking snowflakes from her coat, and ordered a glass of red wine. As she scanned the room for a place to sit, her eyes landed on Eli. He wasn’t extraordinary—dark hair, glasses, a quiet demeanor—but something about him caught her attention. Maybe it was the way he looked so utterly alone, yet perfectly comfortable with it. Their eyes met for a fleeting second, and he gave her a polite smile. She surprised herself by smiling back.

“Is this seat taken?” she asked, gesturing to the stool beside him.

He shook his head. “Nope, all yours.”

The silence between them was comfortable at first, both of them nursing their drinks and watching the bar’s quiet revelry. But then Eli spoke, breaking the barrier with a simple question. “Not much of a party person?”

Mae chuckled softly. “Not tonight. My friends ditched me. What’s your excuse?”

“Didn’t need one,” he replied, his lips curling into a small grin. “I’ve spent the past year editing books I don’t even like. Seemed fitting to end it with a drink I don’t entirely enjoy.”

She laughed—a genuine, warm laugh that made Eli glance at her in surprise. “That’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard,” she teased. “And also relatable.”

From there, the conversation flowed like an easy river. They talked about everything and nothing: the worst dates they’d ever been on, the strangest places they’d visited, and the one thing they wished they could do over in 2024. For Mae, it was a client project she’d rushed and regretted. For Eli, it was letting his best friend drift away because he was too busy to pick up the phone.

Time slipped away until the countdown began. The bar filled with shouts as the clock on the wall ticked closer to midnight.

Mae glanced at Eli. “Do you think next year will be better?”

He tilted his head, as if considering the question seriously. “I don’t know. But... it feels like we’re off to a decent start.”

The crowd roared as the clock struck midnight. Glasses clinked, champagne bottles popped, and people embraced around them. Mae and Eli didn’t join in the noise. Instead, they raised their glasses in a quiet toast, their smiles soft and unspoken.

“To a better year,” Mae said.

“To a better year,” Eli echoed.

And in that moment, as the world outside celebrated, two strangers found a connection neither of them had expected. It wasn’t love, not yet, but it was something just as rare: hope. And on the first night of the new year, that was enough.

The rest of the night was unwritten, but one thing was certain—they would never forget the New Year they met at the Glass Lantern. 🌟

tashjoy 1/12/2025, 10:33:29 PM

“Yes! I’m talking about that new Critter Cafe! I went there last week for their NYE party and that’s where I met him!”

It was a few days into the New Year, and I was enjoying a chicken sandwich by the Emerald Bay lighthouse overlooking the ocean after a day at the cafe. There are no tables or anything to actually sit on, but I don’t mind sitting on the ground. It’s my favourite spot.There were two girls who were sitting down on the path below the lighthouse with the same thought process I had, as there’s nowhere to sit down there, either. They were chatting and from what I could overhear, one of them met a cute boy and they had met at MY cafe!

“Oh that one that has all the rescue critters?! I’ve been there! They’re so cute! And their coffee and catwiches are so yum.”

“Yeah! So anyways, I was sitting up the back by the arcade machines and he came through the doors. I glanced up when I heard the door bell chime and I don’t know why but he looked straight at me from across the cafe. He looked around, and then came straight towards me.”

“Ooooh like a total meet-cute! When do you see him again?”

I snuck a glance at the girls and the one on the right, a blonde girl replied, “We are planning on going to the cafe for breakfast tomorrow morning!”

Her friend, a darker skinned girl with a beautiful shade of purple hair said, “Ooooh cute! Well I’d love to go back to the cafe. I wonder if the owner has found a Starbii - I’ve always, ALWAYS wanted to see one up close!” Then she startled and said, “Oh what time is it? I need to get home.” The two girls got up to leave and I smiled. It felt good to hear people talking like that about my cafe.

The next day I opened up the cafe, and customers started to arrive. I decided to bring Starbii to work today on the off-chance that the girl with the purple hair came to sneak a peek at her friend’s new man, so that she could meet the critter she’s always wanted to. Being good at customer service isn’t always about me interacting with the customers - sometimes it’s just having the knowledge needed to make someone’s day.

Sure enough, the blonde one came in and sat at a table along the side wall near the bannister. She sat facing the wall and was looking out the window and only looked over when the door chimed. A smile grew over her face and she waved at the handsome man that had just come in through the door. He crossed the room to sit at her table and the two started talking. Neither of them glanced up when the door chimed again and her friend with the purple hair snuck through the door and went up the stairs to the far corner by the arcade machines so her friend wouldn’t see her.

The couple looked ready to order so I was already on my way to them when they looked towards me and raised their hands. She asked for a latte, and he wanted a coffee from the moka pot. I went and grabbed those for them, and then noticed Purple Hair’s hand go up.

I went up the stairs to take her order but I watched her eyes go from mine to the critters following behind me and she let out an involuntary squeal.

“Eeeeeeoh my GOSH HE’S SO CUTE! Can I hold him????”

I chuckled and looked down at Starbii, and said, “Yeah of course you can! He loves cuddles.” I had a feeling that the whole ISLAND heard her squeal and looked over to her blonde friend who was watching her with an amused expression. Purple Hair made eye contact with Blondie and smiled, embarrassed that she’d been caught but then mouthed, “He’s CUTE!!” And then gave her a thumbs up. I laughed and asked Purple Hair what I could get for her and she also asked for a latte.

When the couple raised their hand again for a piece of cake, Blondie smiled and said, “It’s so great that you brought Starbii here this morning because my friend over there was just telling me yesterday how she’s always wanted to meet one in person.”

I smiled sheepishly and replied, “Yeaaaaaah, I was actually up behind you guys at the lighthouse and overheard your conversation. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop but I figured that on the off chance she came to sneak a peek at the two of you, she could at least have a fun date, too.” I brought them their cake and brought a catwich over to Purple Hair who was sipping her coffee with Starbii sitting on her lap, purring. She looked up at me and I could swear there were hearts in her pupils. She was in heaven.

Eventually the couple joined Purple Hair on the sofas near the arcade machines and they chatted and laughed until the lunch rush started and they all got up to leave. Purple Hair gave Starbii one last hug, and then placed him on the floor next to the sofa and said, “I’ll see you again, I promise.” They smiled at me and I said, “Thank you, see you later!” Blondie’s new man laughed as they reached the door and said, “I think we’ll see you tomorrow.”

They left my cafe and left a glow in my heart. This is what my dream for this place was. Somewhere you can meet new people, and come enjoy time with ones you already love. And maybe meet a new critter or two!

Fras_Shoyo 1/17/2025, 11:53:27 AM

Title: Tonight at the Critter Café

New Year's Eve at the Critter Café seems like a surprising fresh journey. Nestled in a nook of Gold Leaf Isle, often known as "another land," the little café is where time appears to slow down and the bustling noises of life are muted in the calm of the massive, tall trees. The café turned into a gathering place for numerous species from many planets with a sky speckled with glittering stars and the sound of the waves.
That evening, the cafe's indoor lights shone warmly outdoors, emphasizing the snow cover on the street. People, or more accurately animals from many worlds, started to assemble. Inside, the smells of gingerbread cookies, tea, and coffee permeated the heated air. Someone complemented the evening with a musical instrument, therefore fostering a laid-back environment full of optimism.

One of the tables had a young guy standing at the entryway, pausing just before entering. Nathaniel was a young guy from another planet, come to celebrate the New Year in a somewhat unusual manner. He appeared like someone who had travelled far from home with his slightly rumpled leather jacket and exhausted-looking face. Still, that evening everything felt different. Perhaps he had come here looking for something he had lost, or perhaps simply to spend some time away from the hectic city. Looking around, he sought a spot to sit.
One lady was seated by herself in the cafe's corner. Her name was Lira, a time-traveler looking for answers—what they were, he knew not. Her keen eyes looked around the room, and even if she seemed composed, her eyes revealed something unsaid. Like Nathaniel, Lira had arrived with unclear expectations, as if tonight might provide anything more than just a calendar adjustment.
Their eyes crossed by accident, without anything said previously. An unforeseen meeting, but like an unseen signal linking them. Though they had never met before, Nathaniel thought the lady seemed familiar.
Slightly smiling, Lira realized he had seen her. She nodded automatically toward the vacant seat in front of her. Nathaniel came over and sat down quite unsure.
"I think this is a good place to escape for the night," Lira remarked calmly.
Nathaniel grinned, just relieved little. " another year, huh? I had never really noticed it before. Usually, I just move locations.
Lira nodded, staring out the window where the softly falling snow persisted. "Me too," also New Years' is just a symbol. Still, tonight seems different in several ways. Like everything is about to change, even if we have no idea.
Their talk moved slowly at first. Nathaniel shared with her the world he left behind, one with highly ordered life-too organization and sophisticated technology at sometimes. Lira related her adventures in the corridors of time, seeing unspoken history, and coping with the reality that the future is always more foggy than we would like.
"You are not terrified of what is ahead?" Nathaniel queried.
Lira gently laughed. Fearful? occasionally. Still, more frequently I find myself wondering. The future is erratic, which adds to its fascinating aspect. I only know one thing: I cannot halt time; however, I can decide how to handle it.”
Their chat helped the cafe's ambiance to become cosier. While a group of dancers with brilliant wings covered a corner of the room, some of the most unusual animals were laughing at another table. This café was a place free of time or location restrictions. Each person present had a unique narrative full with opportunity and mystery.
The café seemed ideal for reflection as the clock neared midnight. Outside, sparks started to burst, startlingly loud disturbing the night's quiet. Sitting side by side, Nathaniel and Lira relished the perspective absent from their home planet.
"I guess we don't really need resolutions for the New Year," Nathaniel replied softly. "Perhaps just... moving ahead."
Looking up at him, Lira's eyes gleamed in the lamplife. "Sometimes all we can do is that. Forward, without too many inquiries. New Year's is about who we are as we negotiate it, not about what we get.
That evening, they exchanged more than just light banter. They understood one other based on unsaid experiences. Their world was always changing, but they understood one thing for sure: New Year's Eve is the ideal time to begin something fresh, even if it's just a little wish.
Two spirits met at the Critter Café as sparks burst outdoors, not with great ideas or defined objectives but rather with a basic awareness that something larger out there was just waiting to be discovered.
That evening, they both advanced.

Doppelganger 1/19/2025, 2:01:01 PM

Title: "Crumbs of Connection"

The Critter Café was buzzing with its usual charm on that chilly New Year’s Eve. The fairy lights strung along the windows sparkled like distant stars, casting a warm glow on the mismatched furniture. The scent of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the delectable aroma of pastries, and the soft hum of conversation provided a mellow soundtrack for the evening.
Amid the bustling activity, two strangers found themselves seated at the same table, a coincidence orchestrated by the Café’s seating shortage.
Maria was nursing a pumpkin spice latte, engrossed in a book on the history of Metal music. She was a regular at the Critter Café, drawn by its cozy atmosphere and the eclectic mix of patrons. Her passion for Metal was relentless, tracing back to her teenage years when she first heard the raw, visceral power of Iron Maiden.

Just as Maria turned a page, she heard a voice.

“Who's your favourite Metal band?”

Looking up, she saw a man about her age, with shaggy brown hair and a kind smile. He’d been watching her book with visible curiosity.

“Oh, that’s a tough one,” Maria replied, marking her spot with a finger. “If I had to choose, it would probably be Metallica. Their influence on the genre is undeniable.”

“Good choice,” he nodded appreciatively, taking a sip from his mug. “I’m Alex, by the way.”

“Maria.” She smiled, shifting her book slightly towards him. A new year, a new friend perhaps. “And yours?”

“Opeth,” Alex said without hesitation. “There’s something about their blend of extreme and progressive Metal that speaks to me.”

“Interesting,” said Maria, leaning forward. “They're definitely unique. I’m more into the classic sound, but Opeth has some incredible compositions.”

The conversation flowed smoothly from there, like a fine-tuned guitar riff. They debated the merits of various bands and eras, from the pioneers like Black Sabbath and Judas Priest, to the modern titans like Gojira and Mastodon. Each had their own anecdotes and experiences, cementing a shared appreciation for the genre’s rich history and diverse evolution.
As the night wore on, the Café’s crowd thinned out, leaving Maria and Alex in a pocket of calm amidst the New Year's Eve festivities. The anticipation of midnight hung in the air, a promise of new beginnings and undiscovered opportunities.

Maria closed her book gently, setting it aside. “So, what brings you to the Critter Café tonight?”

“I heard they were doing a special performance,” Alex replied. “Acoustic Metal covers. Thought it would be interesting.”

“Acoustic Metal covers, huh?” Maria raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “That’s not something you see every day.”

“I know, right? That’s why I had to come check it out. I love the way Metal can be transformed. Taking something so heavy and aggressive, and turning it into something soft and intimate, it’s like finding beauty in chaos.”

Maria nodded, sensing a kindred spirit in Alex. “Music has a way of doing that, doesn’t it? Uniting people, transforming emotions.”

Before either could continue, the Café’s owner, a jovial man named Sam, took to the small makeshift stage. “Alright, everyone! We’ve got a special treat for you tonight. Please welcome our local talent, The Purring Pandas, with their Acoustic Metal set!”
The lights dimmed, and the musical duo began their set. Familiar Metal anthems took on a new life through their acoustic renditions, filling the air with hauntingly beautiful melodies.
Maria and Alex exchanged glances, their shared love for Metal deepening their connection. They listened intently, their conversation weaving between the music. The Critter Café, with its whimsical charm and inviting atmosphere, had brought them together in an unexpected and delightful way.
As the clock approached midnight, Sam reappeared on stage, a wide grin on his face. “Five minutes to midnight! Let’s make a toast to new friends, great music, and a fantastic New Year!”

Maria raised her coffee mug, and Alex did the same. “To Metal,” she said with a laugh.

“And to new connections,” Alex added, clinking his mug against hers.

The Café erupted in cheers as the countdown began, voices blending into a harmonious chorus. As the clock struck twelve, the room filled with jubilation, hugs, and well-wishes.
In that moment, amid the celebration and the echoes of Metal turned acoustic, Maria and Alex found a new harmony in their serendipitous meeting. The Critter Café had played its part in weaving two lives together, set against the backdrop of a shared passion for Metal music and the promise of a new year.

GoJapan 1/20/2025, 2:20:02 PM

The year began a few weeks ago, however the incessant cold of the icy winter does not cease to diminish, spring is still far away, but in the Go Japan critter café it is already possible to breathe its air, thanks to the themed decorations, with bonzaki and cherry blossoms about to bloom, and a scent of dorayaki filling the air. Two young people enter the café, unaware that their lives will soon be united by the red thread of love. The girl sits at her usual stool and orders a latte, while the man sits a little further away and drinks a black coffee.

For a moment a quick glance brings the two together, in an attempt to establish a relationship, but everything ends in a matter of seconds, so that the man goes back to sipping his coffee and the young woman fantasizes about how she could make the his life in 2025. The man wears a long coat and darkened eyeglasses, with a hair as if he came out of a noire comic, while she is more sunny and springlike, although her clothing is heavy, due to the freezing cold that covers the streets outside the café.

Everything seems to end with that quick glance, when the man notices a detail of the young woman that attracts his attention, approaching her and offering her cordial homage, asking her where she had recovered the necklace she was wearing, so that the young woman with a sweet smile replied to the the man who was given to her by the woman who raised her in an orphanage, shortly before she was adopted.

The man's mysterious and dark gaze took on a docile and gentle appearance, taking the same necklace out of his coat. The two had grown up in the same structure, unaware that one day their paths would reunite. So I began a dialogue about the lives of both of them, about the past, present and future, and the two discovered that they had a lot in common, even though they looked totally different.

In the meantime, the outside of the place was filled with white snow, the smell of sweets and coffee filled the place, with music in the background that made everything magical, transforming their first meeting or perhaps I should say meeting, like the The ideal date of a lifetime, the opportunity for him to discover true love and for her to learn that a dark and melancholic appearance can hide a man with a heart that burns with passion.

After being adopted, she embarked on a career as a writer, while he as a private investigator, the two decided to visit the GoJapan Café, because they both loved Asian culture and at the same time wanted shelter from the cold, unaware that all this would have led to starting 2025 in the name of true love.

From that day they decided to meet often at the club, both to spend some good time together and to get to know each other better, with the hope that that meeting will be the beginning of a love story they have always dreamed of.

Shovel 1/20/2025, 8:11:25 PM

So, this is going to be super random (and I hope this bit of text doesn't count towards my word count) but I have been binging romance novels and I just finished watching Culinary Class Wars on Netflix and I now am a big fan of Chef Edward Lee lol so my submission is more on the romance side. Don't worry though, this is all PG!!!

The Critter Café glittered under the sunset on the shore of Gold Leaf Isle, its storefront images shimmering like warm sighs of spiced apple cider, laughter and a universe of cups of tea and coffee. Inside, Taylor sat alone at the counter, her sketchbook open but untouched. She wasn’t sketching tonight—not yet. The otherworldly world of a cosy café, the cheerful glow of fairy lights, and the smell of cinnamon had put her into a dreamy state of daze.

Edward Lee slipped in quietly and was the sort of fellow who caught people's eye with his cool poise. The clean sheen of his chef's jacket glowed even in the dimness, but tonight he wasn't in the kitchen, cooking. He’d lived for months, repeating the mentoring of chefs in culinary competitions all over the island, but the coffee shop had been his refuge—a domain where the food was familiar and there lingered a sense of possibility in the air.

He caught sight of her as she came through the door, when her loose hair flowed at her back, streaming down her shoulder, dancing around the movement of writing implements against the surface of her lips absently. Taylor was magnetic without trying, a quiet spark amid the lively café. Edward approached, sliding onto the stool beside her with a casual smile that still managed to disarm her.

“Do you always draw this seriously, or is this just your warm-up? he asked, his voice low and velvety.

Taylor glanced at him, her cheeks already warming. “I—uh—was just thinking. About the way this place feels. Cosy, but alive. Like anything could happen here.”

Edward tilted his head, intrigued. “I like that. I think that’s why I keep coming back. Mind if I sit here?”

She shook her head, smiling softly. “Not at all.”

Their presentation passed like a calm run of the espresso machine in the back. He shared with her the course of his career as a chef, in how cooking, and food was his means of communicating without language. She described the extent to which she'd always felt more at ease depicting the other folks' fictional universes than creating her own. There was a forced draw between them, a flash neither could dismiss.

The clock read eleven-thirty, and Biscuit, the café's raccoon cook, shot onto the countertop, spoon at the ready. “Alright, everyone! We’re counting down to midnight, but first, a challenge! Ed, what about a shot of culinary magic to set the mood?

Edward turned to Taylor, his eyes dark and inviting. “What do you say? Let’s make something unforgettable together.”

She stopped, her heart racing, but the look in his eye—steady, sure, even slightly dangerous—pulled her under. “Okay. Let’s do it.”

Off the counter, it was claustrophobic, their bodies bumping in a shared motion as Edward guided her arms through the steps needed to make a deeply rich, decadent chocolate soufflé. His voice toned in her ear, and it brought chills down her back. “Gentle, like this. You don’t need to rush it—just feel it.”

Taylor laughed uneasily nervously, her hands shaking, when he brought his over hers to support her. “You make this look so easy,” she murmured.

"It's not a matter of being perfect," he whispered, and his voice became softer, more intimate. “It’s about enjoying the process.”

And then, as the soufflé was finished and waiting for its finishing touch, Edward turned to her, their faces touching. The noise of the café seemed to fade, leaving only the heat between them.

“Midnight’s close,” he said, his voice a whisper now. “Do you have a New Year’s resolution, Taylor?”

She met his gaze, her breath catching. “Maybe to take more risks.”

The café erupted into applause at the stroke of twelve, but Edward's gaze remained fixed on the clock. Just do it now, he whispered, and before she could reply, he brushed into her, his mouth meeting hers in a kiss as gentle and long as the snow falling on the window.

By the time they tore apart, Taylor was gasping, her cheeks hot, but for reasons quite unrelated to the sunshine of the coffee shop. “Happy New Year, Edward,” she said softly.

"Happy New Year", he said, in a low voice, as he lingered his hand over hers. “Let’s make it unforgettable.”

I am screaming?! the anticipation?!!! I hope you like my little entry :)

projectazone 1/23/2025, 9:06:27 PM

It all began on a day with a leaden sky and even though the air in the café smelled of celebration, outside you could smell the rain. It could have seemed like an end of the year like any other, where people would have celebrated, wished each other well, hoped for a better year, but something was about to happen, two people would have changed their future, something new was about to appear in someone's life. And it is precisely in that cafe that a different life begins for Chris and Mackenzie. Two people apparently different but with a single dream, to meet someone who would cover the other half of that bleeding heart. Both had experiences behind them, a difficult emotional baggage, but nevertheless in the little things they had found their dimension, their comfort. Chris, with a tormented past, was looking for someone who could understand him but had lost all hope of being able to find that right person who could understand him, who could support him, who could be his goal. And that day, with his group of friends he had decided to spend that end of the year in that cafe. A carefree evening, where he could relax, chat, toast and end that end of the year in the best possible way. He would have thought about other thoughts at another time, not that evening. On the other side of that cafe, the lonely Mackenzie, a girl like many others, dressed in neutral colors, simple, minimal but with a little squirrel that kept her company. She never parted with her, along with her books that she loved to immerse herself in, she wanted to spend her New Year's Eve in a perhaps chaotic place, at least that's what she thought, until she arrived at that Cafe. As crowded as it might have seemed, it was created specifically to give a place of its own to people looking for a destination. In fact, wrapped in a raincoat and hit by the rain, she enters the cafe and approaches the window where there was that table that would become her favorite. The time to sit down and she looks around, she likes the environment and exclaimed under her breath "just right for me", she sits down. She takes out the squirrel that she had protected from the rain and puts it right next to her, on the chair next to her. She didn't like to talk much, she really didn't want company, and yet her gaze met for a moment with Chris's who, even though they were in company, wasn't one for many words that evening. He orders a drink, she orders a hot chocolate, he notices her... she notices him. Only looks and no words... he would like to know more about her, she more about him... but neither of them has the courage to take that step that would change their future. But nothing happens by chance, the squirrel, so quiet that evening, runs away towards Chris, perhaps because Chris had some food in his hands... and that chance gives the two of them an excuse to talk. She runs quickly towards Chris for the squirrel, he holds it in his hands and offers it to her with an unusual sweetness. She thanks him, takes the squirrel and remains there frozen in front of him who does the same. A few moments before he decides to exchange a few words with her and they decide to sit at that table near the window and after a few minutes they understand that they had a lot in common to share. That evening passed so peacefully, and while others were celebrating it seemed that time around them had stopped, nothing existed anymore. The rest is history.

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