Russet Quickhoof's Arc

Chapter 2 of 3

Russet studied the dining room layout from the kitchen doorway. Tables stretched across the elegant space in careful rows. She needed to memorize which stations belonged to which servers. The head server had explained it yesterday—each section had four tables, and servers never crossed into another's territory. Russet pulled out a small notepad and sketched the floor plan. She marked each table with a number, just like the system Arctic Boughs used. Then she walked the room, counting her steps between tables. Seventeen steps from the kitchen to table one. Twelve more to table four. She practiced the route three times, her paws moving faster with each lap. This was the foundation. Know the space, know the timing, know the path. Everything else would build from here. The head server called her outside to review the guest arrival process. A host stand waited near the entrance, wrapped in garland and twinkling lights. Red ribbons wound around the posts. Russet stood behind it and opened the reservation book. Names filled each time slot in neat rows. She practiced greeting invisible guests, checking their names, guiding them toward the door. The cold air bit at her cheeks, but she stayed focused. First impressions mattered. Guests formed their opinions before they even sat down. She repeated the welcome three times, adjusting her tone until it sounded warm and professional. Before heading back inside, Russet noticed the wood pile stacked near the lodge wall. Split logs sat in careful rows, their cut ends showing rings and textures. The lodge needed constant heat during winter service. She walked over and lifted one piece, testing its weight. Heavy, but manageable. The head server had mentioned that everyone helped maintain the fire between courses. It kept the dining room comfortable and added to the atmosphere. Russet carried three logs inside and stacked them near the fireplace. Small tasks built the bigger picture. She was learning the rhythm of the restaurant, one step at a time.