T42 - Thursday 6am-6pm

[hernando_fuentes]

Hernando was pleased and more than a little touched to see that the shop had swapped Halloween decorations for Día de Muertos. Fancy skeletons and highly decorated skulls with jeweled eyes had replaced cobwebs and bats.

Even the baked goods had been elaborately decorated with piped icing, crystal sugars and occasionally even a tiny sugar skull.

The sign rattled. It was decorated in bright pink, purple and blue.

SPECIALS
Champurrado - Mexican chocolate "tea" with cacao and cinnamon
Jamaica - Hibiscus tea
English Breakfast
Buy any hot tea, receive a complimentary sugar skull

[Description of shop is here.]

[Open!]

Comments

[what_the_shock]

Miguel had only meant to pass by, but when he saw the specials board and the decorations...

"Hey." He stopped in and waved at Hernando. "I see your shop's in the spirit of the day."

He paused. "Pun actually not intended, but whatever."

[hernando_fuentes]

"Hello," Hernando greeted. He was very pleased with his store right now and sounded it, "It did! I was not aware it knew of the day. When my guests left last night it was still decorated for Halloween. How are you today?"

[what_the_shock]

Miguel shrugged. "It's a day. I'm used to going to Mexico City with my brother, but since that's not really possible right now, I haven't really done anything for it. You?"

[hernando_fuentes]

Hernando smiled a little, "I, too, am usually in Mexico City on this day but that is where I lived after all. Today, I would be teaching and tonight perhaps some drinks with friends. Tomorrow, the graveyard and a visit to my parents with flowers. Instead I will be here and working but thinking of them all the same."

[what_the_shock]

"Huh. Sounds a bit more sedate than I'm used to," Miguel said. "The whole week gets pretty crazy back home."

[hernando_fuentes]

"The rest of the city has its festivals and parades," Hernando nodded, "I am usually at the university and it is a little quieter there. Not much but some. I do not make so big a fuss about the holiday though I do enjoy it in my own way."

Belatedly, he asked, "Would you like something to drink?"

[what_the_shock]

"Oh, sure." Miguel glanced back at the specials board. "Champurrado? I haven't had that in ages."

[hernando_fuentes]

"Right away," Hernando said and busied himself with the beverage. Thick and viscous chocolate mix was blended with hot spiced water and whisked together until it was the proper consistency.

He passed it across the counter to Miguel when he was done. "It used to be my favorite drink during the holidays. I used to try to use a cinnamon stick as a straw." A small fond smile. "It does not work so well, that trick."

[what_the_shock]

Miguel laughed. "Can't imagine it would. My little brother used to try it, too." Knowing Gabi, he probably still did. Miguel sipped it the normal way and smiled as he paid. "That's good, though. Do I have you or your store to thank for it?"

[hernando_fuentes]

Hernando smiled, "The store. It was a happy surprise to know it even had the drink in inventory."

He patted the counter. "It is a very good store."

[what_the_shock]

Miguel smirked a little, but didn't say anything about him patting it. Hey, it clearly was a good store. "Well, thank you to it, then." He toasted the quokkas and took another drink.