It started with a full moon.

We usually have a lot of people as staff in the coffee shop. Not today. It seems everybody got an agreement to get sick and leave alone on a weekend.

The sound of customers in and out of the store doesn't stop for a minute, and I try to keep up with the orders. 

It is a battlefield here. I tire of whipping cream, extracting espresso shots, and dancing around the kitchen. 

I made it—I can't believe I did it. The last customer of rush hour is finally out of the shop, and I can finally take a break.

I am going to let the manager know how hard today was. Maybe I'll even ask for a raise.

Anyway, we are supposed to have a full moon and clear skies today, and I want to see it.

The day went through with no hiccups, and soon, it will be closing time.

I can even see the moonlight out of the window. The streets are empty, and the lights haven't turned on.

I could go out and take a peek. I think I will, the shop is empty, so it will not hurt anybody.

I will take off my apron and head out.

Wait a moment; something doesn't feel right.

A sudden goosebumps went through my body.

Why is the light so bright?

I can't see anything.

I'm scared...

The light is starting to dim.

Wait... What is going on? 

I can't see the streets through the window anymore; it is just prairie; all I can see 

Prairie and sunlight? 

Where am I? 

Where is my full moon?

I stopped for a moment. The wind was blowing lightly through the tall grass.

In the distance, I saw a few figures approaching me—five, maybe six, tall, muscular men covered in ragged clothing. Maybe help had arrived.

As they got closer, I was able to take a better look at them.

I could spot green skin on the gaps of their thick letter robes. Big fang-like tusks protrude from the lower side of their mouths. A chill passed all the way through my body.

I have to hide.

I went inside the coffee shop and sat behind the bar.

Silence. It could have been five minutes or three hours. I don't know how long did I hide.

I decided to take a peek. The door opened when I finished raising my head to look for the green people. I was standing in front of these hulking fanged persons.

The scars on their faces made them look like gangsters.

"What is this place?" I heard. Did they speak English? Are they cosplayers or something?

I was so confused.

"H...Hello, this is the Caramel Regalia coffee shop," I said, trying to stay as calm as possible.

One of them smiled. He sat in front of me at the bar. "Cold drink." He mutered.

When I saw him closer, I realized they weren't cosplayers.  They were living high fantasy beings like orcs or goblins. If my time playing tabletop RPGs taught me something, it is that you are not supposed to make this type of creature angry.

My survival instinct kicked in, and I started moving by myself. I rushed to the ice machine, which, surprisingly, was still running. I scooped some Ice into a glass and filled it with sparkling water. Then, I added a dash of the house blend of hibiscus and violet syrup and topped it with rosemary.

I served him the Violet Queen sparkling drink, one of the house signatures.

He stared at it for a few moments, then reached for it, carefully approaching the glass to his lips.

Time stopped again. I could feel my heart sinking into my chest. The sweet smell of violets from the syrup bottle occupied my mind. It was like the first time I smelled it. I feel tears forming in my eyes. Is this how I end? I served a fancy drink to an orc, and if he didn't like it, he ended me.

It can't be 

Suddenly, the noise of glass shattering pulls me out of my mind. The orc threw the glass on the floor. He hated it. I'll die here.

"Another one!" the green, muscular, fanged man yelled, and his friends joined him in the bard and asked for the same.

He liked it.

I started working again. 

I stopped.

"Mister... could I ask you a favor? Could you not break the glasses?" I asked the orc, who seemed to be the leader.

He gave a cold stare. My eyes were watering from the panic. He pulled out a golden goblet and gave it to me.

"I hope this covers the glass I broke," He said to me softly and turned to his piers. "You heard the lady, boys; if you break anything in the tavern, you will pay with your heads."

I snapped back to work as my life depended on it.

A few hours went by. They thank me and left.

They were nice orc warriors.

I got to know them for a little. 

Chief Sarka told me they had just finished raiding an opposing village and were preparing to take the lands. They were super impressed that the coffee shop had appeared here. They thought it was some wizard shop or something. They were also impressed with how well I speak Orc. Well, I was impressed with how well they speak English.

Maybe it has something to do with the light I saw before appearing here.

It is a nice change of pace from daily life. But I'm still worried.

This went well. Chief Sarka told me I could stay in his land as long as needed. I don't even know how I got here. Also, it is a bit scary being in a place where war between tribes happens often.

I guess I'll just be happy everything went well today.

It's getting dark, and I'll be closing the shop for the day and improvising something for sleep.

The steel curtain from the entrance is still functional, which should keep me safe tonight.

I checked for Wi-Fi or mobile data but had no luck.

I walked to the door to pull the curtain down and noticed the moon was not full.