A young fast food worker receives a morale boost following a horrible experience at her workplace. She repays the customer in return with a gift of her own.

A Brightened Day

Ayko meekly shuffles around the counter and back to her workspot, having just escaped another rowdy customer. Her workday, so far, was going good up until this point. And that's when things started to turn sour for Ayko.

It all started when the female canine was approached by an unhappy customer about their order being done wrong. While that matter was being straightened out, Ayko noticed some patrons staring at her. But when she was occupied by a different matter, there was a sudden slap to her backside, causing her to jump in fear. Turning around, she locks eyes with one of the patrons who is whistling innocently, a clear giveaway that something is up.

Sighting the patron and already picking up on the culprit, Ayko immediately points to the door and demands, "Get out! You are no longer welcome here!"

The cheeky patron, a gray fox, sneers at Ayko. Giving her a cheeky smirk, he gently buffs his claws and directs his attention back to the female hybrid. He claims, "So Sweet Cheeks, you got any other plans after booting me out or am I gonna have to get technical? Y'know, a beautiful lady like you shouldn't be out and about alone like this. If you want, I can take you on a date myself and hook you up– *CRASH!*

"Blaumghf!!!" The rambling gray fox is intercepted by a porcelain missile appearing out of nowhere suddenly, exploding on impact upon hitting the male fox. With the fox customer slightly dazed, an angry shout is heard from across the restaurant, "If she's saying get out, then GET OUT!! OUT MEANS OUT YOU PERVERT!!"

Across from the scene is a female wolf hybrid, her pure white fur contrasting those honey colored eyes of hers upon joining the situation. Not only is she butting in on the conversation, she is also not too happy with the fox patron hitting on the waitress.

The fox patron shakes off the debris and rises up from his seat now stewing in anger. A confrontation is brewing. The ambience in the restaurant becomes tense with the standoff between the fox and the wolf hybrid. But before the fists fly, the female hybrid takes care of the trash herself.

The fox patron snarls directly in the female hybrid’s face, baring his teeth. “Who do you think you are telling me what to do, Missy?”

“The name is Stella, and when I say get out, I MEAN GET OUT!!!” In a flash, Stella grabs the fox patron by the collar of his shirt and, in one fluid motion, carousels him out of the restaurant where he literally plows through the glass entrance, leaving behind a destroyed door and multiple pairs of eyes cutting between the white hybrid and the dazed fox.

The atmosphere is still tense, but Stella pays no mind to the numerous eyes gazing at her. Instead she wanders up to Ayko to check on her. “Hey, you alright?”

A rattled Ayko whispers, “Shaken, but fine. You have absolutely no idea how many times I've gone through that. Thank you, miss.”

“Call me ‘Stella’, instead of ‘miss’, okay? Makes the conversation better.” The female hybrid insists on being addressed directly by her name, to which she inquires of Ayko, “What is your name, if you don't mind?”

“Oh, my name is Ayko! I haven't been working here that long but you can imagine the many stares I do be getting from males eyeing me.” Ayko shudders at the mental image of what just happened, “makes me really uncomfortable.”

Stella rolls her eyes and implies, “Ugh, I can imagine that. People have nothing better to do than to flirt. And believe me, there are better things to do than hook up.”

Ayko, still shaken by the recent situation, admonishes, “Uh, can we talk about this later? I want to get the rest of this day done without any further problems.”

“Go on ahead, nothing else to see here.” Stella struts back to her table and leaves a tip before leaving, seeing herself out of the diner.

~~~~~

Having finished her shift, the rest of Ayko's day went by without incident. The incident from earlier still flashing through her mind, Ayko trails her mind back to Stella. The female hybrid really did her a big favor in throwing that fox patron out, which not only saved her career but also her life. Reflecting on this, Ayko makes her way into her personal room and begins getting to work making something, “Maybe I can make this gift and give it to her, show her my appreciation.”

Though it is small, it is a token of Ayko's appreciation. A small red origami design of a model headshot of Stella. Though it doesn't appear close to the real thing with some wrinkles throughout, the design almost matches.

~~~~~

The following day is Ayko’s off-day from her shift. The female wolfdog agreed to meet up with Stella at a private space inside of a park district. Here, Ayko is sitting on a park bench, waiting for Stella to arrive. The wait only takes a few minutes - once that familiar rumble from that Flat-Six engine is heard, Ayko perks up and begins to search for her.

After pulling up into an available space close by, Stella kills the engine and lights, climbing out of her Porsche 911 RWB (993). The two exchange pleasantries once the white female struts to meet Ayko, casually resting her hands in her pockets.

Wasting no time, Stella gets to the heart of the matter - she inquires, “You mentioned something about a gift you wanted to send me?”

“It's a little wrinkled, but here! I thought you would like it.” Ayko reaches over her side of the park bench to retrieve something and presents Stella with the red origami headshot, leaving Stella silent and mildly red. She takes it, unable to comprehend such a gift.

“This– this is for me??” While Stella inspects her new gift, Ayko happily fills her in, “When you saved me from that pervert, I wanted to make you something to express how grateful I am to you, so consider it a token of my gratitude! It's yours, Stella!”

“This is nice - maybe I can try and make something out of this!” And just like that, a light bulb instantly goes off in Stella's head. She implies, “Hmm, maybe I can paint this and give you something in return!”

“No thanks, Stella. You keep your gift. It's the best I can do in return for returning the favor.” Ayko declines the offer initially, when Stella insists, “Ayko, think of this - you made this red headshot of me, and it looks absolutely stunning. I can paint a picture of us together in return! What do you think?”

“Fine, but only because you suggested it!” Ayko jokingly retorts with a giggle. “Also, I think it will look nicer and better than my origami gift.”

“Ayko, your design is amazing! I wouldn't doubt myself in that regard. Plus, just because your stuff may not look as good as anyone else's doesn't mean it's inferior - your designs are good just how they are!” Stella's assurance gives Ayko’s mood a morale boost, and she later embraces the white female.

“Say, Stella? Can I visit your place sometime?” Ayko's tail starts to wag softly where she is rather comfortable with her new friend. Stella dubiously remarks, “Uh, I can't guarantee that but I can drop you off at your place. The offer to visit me is still open, though.”

Standing up, Stella turns to face Ayko where she mentions, “Okay, let's go. Mind giving me directions to your place so I can drop you off?”

“I don't mind! As long as you're comfortable, I’m comfortable and happy.” Ayko happily obliges, joining Stella while they both climb into her Porsche 911 RWB (993). And once that 3.6L Turbocharged Flat-Six engine turns over, the white 911 leaves the lot in reverse before accelerating out onto the open road.

~~~~~

Ayko belongs to Zoey_Hyena on ToyHouse; Stella Mirais belongs to me!