truitt-story

[truitt-story]

"Prep like normal. We're probably going to look at adjusting our orders, so if we end up needing less, I'll let you know," Tiana said. She was impressed by the way Su thought ahead— it was a sign that she'd do well in a position with more decision-making and leadership requirements. Something to think about...

"Good instincts," she added. "Anything else?"

@princess-su

Value Meal | Suana

[truitt-story]

"Sure feels like it," Tiana agreed, getting up to go turn the kettle on. French press was just easier to make in her office, and she liked the way it tasted more, anyway. Even if there was a whole coffee maker over in the kitchen with fresh coffee ready to go. Lately, going in there stressed her out, anyway. "How are things at the market? Now that we've been talking about me for a solid thirty minutes."

@moon-yeongjun

Down to Business || Jiana

[truitt-story]

"You do. And you have vision, and common sense, and you're fair, and you're well-liked by people. You'd have my vote, and not just because you're my friend," Tiana pressed.

Personally, she found Hades shady as hell. There were so many weird things about him. And he'd done a decent job as mayor, but Tiana believed Al could do so much better.

@alzcomicbarn

No Regrets (Except Maybe One) | Alti

[truitt-story]

"Oh, no, I'm good," Tiana said quickly. She appreciated what Jun was trying to do, but she didn't want to take his money. Even if it was just a loan. Tiana wouldn't be able to stand the embarrassment if she couldn't pay him back. And she'd gotten herself into this situation, after all.

"Really. I appreciate it, Jun, but I'll be fine. You're already doing plenty, just helping me make sense of this stuff," Tiana said. She took the folder back. "Hey, while you're here, why don't I get you a cup of coffee or something? Hang out a little longer."

@moon-yeongjun

Down to Business || Jiana

[truitt-story]

"I mean- we're surviving," Tiana said grimly. She didn't want to make it sound like they were on the verge of going under, even if it felt that way. Part of Tiana knew she was just being paranoid.

But she also wanted to take accountability here. This was her fault, not anybody else's. Peter had a financial stake in this business, nothing more. It was Tiana's job to keep making money, for him and for everyone.

"I don't want you to feel bad for me or anything, though. I got myself into this situation, and I'm gonna get myself out of it. I appreciate Jun's help with the numbers, but I'll be okay. Really."

@vixey-chakraborty

Keeping The Lights On | Viana

[truitt-story]

"Well, that's what I wanted to ask you," Tiana continued, feeling a little more emboldened to say it now that Aurora seemed to be sort of in agreement. The last thing Tiana wanted to do was blindside Aurora...

...Although she'd basically had to do that to Mary. Ugh, she really hated these conversations.

"I'm not, like, firing you," Tiana added. "I was just wondering, uh, how long I should plan that you were gonna want to keep going here. I mean, I'm sure you're getting busy with stuff for the shop..."

@aurora--briar

Halfway Out The Door | Tiara

[truitt-story]

There was so much more. Tiana was going to have to figure out a cancellation policy, something that seemed fair. For a while, cancellations had seemed like no big deal, but now Tiana stressed about the amount of money they could be losing.

But it was nothing that Stella needed to know about just yet. Not until Tiana had a plan.

"No, that's all," Tiana said. "Thanks, Stella. You're killing it out there. Just keep doing your thing."

@stellabfly

A Few Reservations | Stellana

[truitt-story]

Tiana opened her beer, but she didn't drink it just yet. She felt like she was still on the clock, even if Roux wasn't.

"So I've been thinking about changing up the menu a little bit," Tiana began. "I'm making some changes to our suppliers. The new one has a good deal on shrimp, but they don't carry crawfish, which makes sense, that's harder to get around here. So I'm thinking of just making the crawfish etouffée with shrimp instead. I was wondering what you thought."

Shrimp etoufée wasn't unheard of. People made it back home all the time. But Tiana knew she was gonna miss having crawfish around here. And if Roux was against the change, it was gonna be a lot harder...

@roux-clochard

Commander in Chef | Gumbo Roux

[truitt-story]

"Yeah. That's true," Tiana said, though she didn't really look relieved. Ever since that talk with Peter, Tiana felt like she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. Or maybe it was her guilt over getting away with using that spell so cleanly; maybe part of her felt she hadn't sufficiently paid for that. Whatever it was, she felt paranoid in a new and awful way.

She sighed. "Thanks for your help, Jun. I do appreciate it. I know you've got your own business to worry about, and everything."

@moon-yeongjun

Down to Business || Jiana

[truitt-story]

DISNEY PARKS : ↳ ❝ What is your favorite thing to make? ❞

[truitt-story]

"No, but... maybe there should be," Tiana mused, which she hadn't actually meant to say out loud. "I mean, I'll think about that. Don't worry about it until I actually announce anything. For now, just keep a list so we know."

@stellabfly

A Few Reservations | Stellana

[truitt-story]

"You know, that's a really good idea," Tiana said. It hadn't even occurred to her— Tiana tended to measure based on feeling and instinct rather than trying to be exact, and she assumed her staff could do the same.

But if they were trying to save money and be more exact, this was probably for the best.

"I'll find one that can be used for the po'boys and I'll make an announcement. Thanks for the suggestion, Su."

@princess-su

Value Meal | Suana

[truitt-story]

"They are. I think. I, uh, had to let some people go," Tiana explained awkwardly, regret written all over her face. "That was pretty hard, but I guess that's how it goes sometimes. We made some changes to our suppliers, too, and we're just trying to make other cuts where we can. But we'll have to see how the numbers shake out at the end of the month. I don't know. I'm trying to stay positive."

@vixey-chakraborty

Keeping The Lights On | Viana

[truitt-story]

"I'm fine," Tiana said quickly, though her terse tone betrayed the truth. "I'm not stressed. I'm just trying to keep on top of what's going on. We need to start keeping a cancellation list so that you don't need to be the one to answer the phone to know that. Can you start doing that? I'll make an announcement."

@stellabfly

A Few Reservations | Stellana

[truitt-story]

Were Vixey and Jun still at odds? To be fair, it had been a little while since the four of them had all hung out together...

"Uh, yeah. He's been helping me with finance stuff. For the restaurant," Tiana said. "So... we haven't really been talking about y'all much. Sorry. I'd give you the lowdown if I had it. I'm sure he'll come around, though. He just... I think he feels like he needs to look out for people. He means well."

@vixey-chakraborty

Keeping The Lights On | Viana

[truitt-story]

Tiana hesitated, anxiety rippling through her. She didn't want Stella to think she didn't have this under control. Stella was new. And even if she wasn't, Tiana didn't want her to be worried about the future of her job.

"Hm? Of course, yeah, everything's fine," she said quickly, although her face betrayed otherwise when she saw the list. "We didn't get any cancellations, did we?"

@stellabfly

A Few Reservations | Stellana

[truitt-story]

"Good. That's the plan," Tiana said, smiling. Maybe the rest of her life was a mess, but at least she had this. And wasn't that funny? The thing that had once seemed so chaotic, Al and Vixey together, had become a beacon of normalcy in her life. "I'm really happy for y'all. Whatever the plan is. I just like seeing my friends so happy."

@vixey-chakraborty

Keeping The Lights On | Viana