Opal Tidecrest's Arc

Chapter 1 of 4

Opal Tidecrest polished a crystal glass behind the Arctic Bough's bar, their tentacles moving in practiced rhythm. The restaurant's winter gala was three months away, and Opal wanted to be the bartender everyone requested. They had the skills, but tonight they needed to prove it. The manager had installed a new luxury bar back stand last week. Its carved surfaces gleamed under the soft lights, and its polished wood smelled of expensive treatment. This was where the elite winter events happened. This was where top bartenders made their names. Opal set down the glass and stepped back to look at the setup. The stand held bottles arranged by type and color. Each shelf sat at the perfect height for quick work. They grabbed a shaker and practiced a flip. The metal spun twice before landing in another tentacle. Smooth. Fast. Ready. Three months to become the bartender everyone asked for. Three months to show the Arctic Bough what they could do. Opal smiled and reached for the next glass. The work started now.