Very early the next morning, Lyria dressed in a professional yet comfortable outfit, her Clawcom tucked securely into her bag. After bidding everyone goodbye, she set out for the Commerce Bureau. After a one-hour journey, she arrived shortly after the doors opened. To her surprise, the building wasn't the den of slow-moving queues she had expected. Instead, large banners hung from the ceiling: "Empowering the Next Generation: Fast-Track Licensing for Youth Entrepreneurs."
Entering the building, she walked up to the reception desk, where a young, leopard eared fecund greeted her with a bright smile.
"Good morning! What can I do for you?" he asked.
"I would like to register my business, please," Lyria replied politely.
"You are in luck! The government recently launched a program in support of youth entrepreneurship," he informed her. "You can decide to follow normal business registration protocols, or use the new system. There is no difference between them, really; one is just much faster than the other, though some of the older beastfolks don't trust it yet." He smiled warmly. "But don't let me bore you. Would you like to go for the Youth Establishment Program?"
"Yes, I would like that," Lyria replied. "I'm registering a new café: Moonpetal Coffee & Confections."
"Wonderful! Under the new directive, the government is prioritizing youth-led businesses to boost the local economy. If your paperwork is in order, we can have your preliminary license issued by this afternoon."
Lyria handed over her digital files. The clerk swiped through them on his terminal with practiced speed. "Blueprints, supply contracts, employee records... everything looks perfect. Normally, the physical inspection takes three to five business days, but since we have an inspector available now, we can do it immediately. Is the location ready?"
"Yes, it's all set!" Lyria said, amazed at the efficiency. She wondered why anyone would ever choose the longer process.
Within the hour, Lyria was back at the shop with a stern-looking but polite official named Inspector Jane. She was a bear beastwoman who carried a digital tablet for logging safety codes. As they entered the café, Eron and Tessa were already there prepping the kitchen. Jane's eyes swept over the polished concrete floors and the organized counter. She walked straight to the kitchen.
"Kitchen layout?" Jane grunted.
"Everything is stainless steel, with separate zones for baking and beverage prep," Lyria explained, showing her the workflow they had designed. "Waste disposal is handled through the rear exit, and the espresso machine is fitted with a safety pressure-release valve."
Jane inspected the fire suppressors and the ventilation system. She then checked Eron's medical clearance and the newly signed employment contract.
"Impressive," Jane noted, tapping her stylus against her chin. "Most young owners forget the boring details like ventilation and labor laws. You've covered everything."
She turned back to Lyria and tapped a final command on her tablet. A soft chime echoed from Lyria's bag. She pulled out her Clawcom to see a new notification:
Business License #MP-7721: Status - APPROVED
"The government wants more places like this," Jane said, offering a rare, small smile. "It creates jobs and brings life to the country. You're officially cleared to open for business."
"Thank you, Inspector!" Lyria beamed.
As soon as Jane left, Tessa let out a squeal of excitement. "That was so fast! I thought we'd be waiting for weeks!"
"Me too. I was so surprised when I got to the bureau," Lyria said, admiring the digital certificate.
After some time spent experimenting with new recipes, the girls bid Eron goodbye and headed home. When they arrived, the whole family was waiting to hear the news. They were relieved that the day had gone so well, and quite surprised to hear how seriously the government was taking its youth entrepreneurship initiatives.
The next day was set to be the busiest one yet. After waking up, cleaning, and sharing a quick breakfast, the family headed to the café, where Eron was already waiting at the door. They spent the day cleaning and decorating for the grand opening. They even printed fliers and not even little Milo was spared from the work.
"Milo, make sure those napkins are folded into the crescent shape I showed you," Lyria directed, her eyes scanning a checklist.
"On it, Lyria!" the young boy chirped, taking his job very seriously. Even Orion was busy, helpfully carrying crates of fresh Moonfruits and Starberries from the storage room to the prep station.
Serena and Thorne arrived in the evening with armfuls of fresh flowers from their stall. They decorated the tables with Oceana Lilies—pale blue flowers that glowed softly in low light, perfectly matching the café's aesthetic. By nightfall, they were finally finished writing out the menu:
— MENU —
Signature Beverages
Moonbrew Coffee — ₤5
Kharava Spiced Mocha — ₤8
Duskbean Cappuccino — ₤7
Moonlight Matcha Latte — ₤10
Cloud-Cream Latte — ₤12
Signature Pastries
Starberry Cupcake — ₤6
Chocolate Cupcake — ₤7
Vanilla Cupcake — ₤8
Choc-Nilla Cupcake — ₤8
Chocolate-Infused Croissant — ₤10
Velvet Moonfruit Tart — ₤9.... And many more.
"That menu nearly burnt half my brain cells," Finn said dramatically, pressing his temples. This brought a smile to everyone's tired faces. Once they returned home, Cyris ordered takeout for dinner, and the exhausted family finally went to sleep.
The next morning was a workday, meaning Lyria's siblings would be heading to school and her mother to work. Her father woke Lyria and Tessa at dawn. After taking cold baths to stay awake, they rushed to the shop, where Eron was already waiting. They began baking immediately.
By the time the first sun rays reflected off the glass windows, the display case was filled with the fruits of their labor. Looking at the setup, Tessa took several pictures to post on Pawgram.
"It's beautiful," Tessa whispered, leaning against the counter. "We're actually doing this."
"We are," Lyria replied, her hands shaking slightly from a mix of exhaustion and pure excitement. "Now, everyone—we are open for the day!"
Lyria flipped the sign to 'Open.'
"Yeee!" Tessa squealed.
As the morning grew brighter, Cyris and Thorne arrived with breakfast. By the time they finished eating, a small crowd had already gathered outside, drawn by the curious new sign and the irresistible scent of baking butter.
At exactly 8:00 AM, Lyria stood behind the gleaming espresso machine...
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