Scenario:Sandalphon - The Potential of Coffee

The Potential of Coffee

One Valentine's Day, Sandalphon brews a cup of coffee for Cassius, who is visiting the cafe for the first time. The taste of coffee confuses Cassius. When Beatrix appears at the cafe, Cassius explains that he had been helping Beatrix taste-test her homemade chocolate. Seeing how Cassius was confused by the taste of coffee due to its jarring difference to sweets, Sandalphon decides to challenge himself to find the perfect brew to pair with chocolate.

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The rich fragrance of coffee wafts from the cafe on the Grandcypher.

Within the cafe, Sandalphon quietly enjoys a peaceful afternoon as he savors the cup of coffee he has brewed for himself.

Sandalphon: An excellent roast—the grind of the beans is perfect.

Sandalphon: The taste is exceptional. I'm glad I brewed this in a way that brought out the bitter flavor.

Sandalphon: Slight changes to my brewing method shift the balance of the acidity and bitterness, giving it a new form.

Sandalphon: The art of coffee is truly profound.

Cassius: So this is the smell of coffee... I like it.

Cassius: Sorry to disturb you while you're resting. Could I ask for a cup of coffee, please?

Sandalphon: No problem. Take a seat—I'll pour you a cup.

Sandalphon pulls out a mug from the shelf and begins to brew a fresh pot of coffee for Cassius.

Sandalphon: You're... Cassius, right? I hear you're of a special kind called moondwellers.

Cassius: You know of me? I do not recall becoming acquainted with you.

Sandalphon: Rumors about you have reached my ears for quite some time. I don't know if you're aware, but you're pretty famous.

Cassius: Hm, I shall remember that. But this is unexpected—I, too, have heard rumors of you for some time.

Sandalphon: Like what?

Cassius: They speak of a supreme primarch who protects the peace of the skies—and at other times, of a cafe manager who curates a place of relaxation.

Cassius: And I hear the coffee brewed by this multitalented individual is superb.

Cassius: That's when I thought to come and taste it for myself.

Sandalphon: I don't remember ever becoming the manager of this place...

Sandalphon: But I will take proper measures to fulfill your expectations. It'll be just a while longer until the extraction finishes.

Sandalphon: Your coffee is ready.

Sandalphon: A special city-roast blend. Please enjoy.

Cassius: City... what?

Sandalphon: City roast is a type of roasting method for coffee beans...

Sandalphon: Actually, let's skip the explanation. It would be for nothing if your coffee grows cold before you taste it. Don't mind the details and give it a try.

Cassius: I see. Very well, then I will have a taste.

Cassius reaches out and grasps the handle of the mug, bringing the coffee to his mouth.

Cassius: ...

Cassius: Hmm, so this is the taste of coffee. The flavor, however...

Sandalphon: (Hm? Did I bring out too much of the bitterness in this brew?)

Beatrix: Oh, Cassius! There you are! I've been looking for you!

Beatrix: Come on, we were still in the middle of the taste-testing. You can't just disappear on me like that!

Sandalphon: Taste-testing?

Cassius: For chocolate. It's Valentine's Day today.

Sandalphon: Ah, now that you mention it...

Cassius: The chocolate Beatrix makes is exquisite. However, the sugar content is high, making the sweetness overwhelming.

Cassius: I do like the taste, but after eating so much of it, I found myself beginning to want a different sensation in my mouth.

Cassius: So I took a walk around the ship when I noticed the smell of coffee in the air and came here.

Beatrix: Did Cassius cause any trouble for you? If he's getting in your way, I can take him back.

Sandalphon: No. Anyone who comes in pursuit of a cup of coffee is a valued customer. He's no trouble at all.

Sandalphon: I just hope he's satisfied with how the coffee tastes.

Cassius: Yes, I'm satisfied. The taste is rich, and both the bitterness and the acidity leave a refreshing aftertaste.

Cassius: It is just as the rumors say—this is an extremely delicious cup of coffee.

Sandalphon: Really? I almost thought otherwise, seeing your confused expression just now.

Cassius: Ah. That is a misunderstanding. I froze for a short while due to an overflow in the data processing of the taste I was experiencing at the time.

Beatrix: What's that mean? Can you say it in a way that's easier for the rest of us to understand?

Cassius: The sweet taste experienced earlier was overpowering—as if I were stepping into the untamed wilds of a mountain range. In comparison, the taste of coffee was as delicate as that of a precious jewel.

Cassius: A magnificent display of nature versus a single jewel—it is impossible to admire both a sweeping vista and what is close at hand at the same time. One needs time to adjust his vision.

Sandalphon: I see. In other words, the scale of the taste of chocolate compared to that of my coffee was different.

Cassius: Yes, and that is why I needed some time to interpret the taste of coffee. If my reaction appeared as dissatisfaction, I would like to apologize for causing the misunderstanding.

Sandalphon: No need for that.
A magnificent display of nature... and a single jewel. Interesting.

Sandalphon: ...

Sandalphon: Will you be continuing with the chocolate tasting after this?

Cassius: That is the plan.

Beatrix: You betcha! I still haven't managed to make the perfect batch yet!

Sandalphon: Then I suppose you'll want something to drink after that as well. If you don't mind, I'd like to join.

Cassius: Hm?

Sandalphon: I'd like to try making something to rival such immense sweetness.

Beatrix: I don't mind! And if you're there, Cassius won't run away for another cup of coffee!

Sandalphon: Excellent. Let me take some time to think of something capable of complementing an entire mountain range.

Cassius: Hm... Like a blanket of snow that covers the top of the mountains.

Sandalphon: Right—or a waterfall that runs down among them... Something like that.

Cassius: Heh... Fascinating.

Sandalphon: Coffee is indeed fascinating. There must be a brew that suits the chocolate you speak of perfectly.

Beatrix: Okay, then I can make different kinds of chocolate for you to compare your coffee to!

Sandalphon: I'd appreciate that. I should begin preparing then—first I'll need to bring over a variety of beans.

Sandalphon: I'm going to go out to town to buy more beans. I don't want to hold you up, so you two get started without me.

Sandalphon makes a trip to town and purchases several different kinds of coffee beans before returning to the ship's cafe.

Sandalphon: Sorry for the wait. Let's get started.

Inspired by Cassius and Beatrix, Sandalphon begins to tackle the challenge of brewing the coffee that will complement chocolate in every way possible.