Welcome to Oakdale // A collection of Monster Love Stories.

Coffee Shop.

Imagine...

Welcome to Oakdale.

It was a busy college town full of sweet smelling coffee shops and cute little apartment buildings and old houses crowded together; a town full of bustling shops and busy streets and all sorts of people. Shapeshifters, humans, centaurs, orcs and even more...

It was a strange place but strangely wonderful.

There never seemed to be a dull moment in Oakdale. Adventures seemed to pop up to unsuspecting heroes and love seemed to come out of nowhere. Though it was a modern place there was an ancient sort of magic that filled the air, the kind of thing that made one feel as though anything could happen at any moment.

Something strange. Something exciting. Something wonderful.

And on this cold, quiet day...something was about to happen to two unsuspecting residents of bright, bustling Oakdale.

A tall orc strolls through the streets, dodging his fellow passerby's and carrying his work leather bag and laptop as he turns another corner. Or rather, they dodging him. People had a habit of getting out of the orc's way quiet quickly, always after giving him a wide eyed once over.

Some where shocked. Some gawked, others whispered or pretended not to.

To be fair, he couldn't quite blame them. When Barmor walked into the room, everyone was stunned by his size. After all, he was tall and muscular, even as far as orcs go. People saw him and they thought he was a warrior. An athlete or a bouncer or something along those lines. Someone with a tough job to match their tough appearance. He was used to it now, he expected it even. His light green, perfectly muscled body and tattoos gave off a certain vibe (which still spoke to a certain Orcish stereotype that he was not fond of).

But while his job wasn't dangerous, it was still a tough one.

Barmor was a TA.

It would be quite a few years before he could finally be a teacher but, despite the job's difficulties, he greatly enjoyed his work. It did require him, however, to consume copious amounts of coffee. Luckily, his favorite little coffee place was only a five minute walk from the university. He made the trip daily; looking forward to taking a seat, ordering a drink, and getting to work.

His current walk was that very trip, heavy footsteps bringing him directly to the familiar green doors.

The bronze bell jingled happily when Barmor walked into "Jack's Bean and Book", ready to order his usual coffee and treat and to grade a few essays. His quick steps stopped however when he saw...her. He had never seen her before but there she was, working behind the counter and chatting with a coworker, leaving the orc in total awe. She was so...wow.

Barmor could only stare at her, his dark green eyes locked on this beautiful (and totally oblivious) stranger. It was only an annoyed cough from the grumpy goblin behind him that snapped Barmor out of his trance and sent him up to the counter to make his order.

For the first time he felt...nervous.

His body buzzed with so many strange feelings, excitement and confusion and curiously all together. He felt quite hot, as though he might be blushing, and he hoped dearly that he wasn't. Jack, the owner, noticed him approach and immediately smiled at him.

"Hey, B!" she chirped loudly, "This is Y/N. She just started so sorry if she sucks."

Barmor laughed a little and fixed his glasses, trying not to look so...flustered. He felt so strange but he was trying to act at least a little normal, hoping beyond hope that he would not embarrass himself in front of her.