La Mancha Maid Café

Background: Long ago, Don Quixote was a powerful First Kindred Bloodfiend who lived with his growing family in an old castle. Though surrounded by Sancho, Dulcinea, Nicolina, Curiambro, Cassetti, and many other descendants, he remained restless and constantly searched for something new to fill the monotony of his long life.

That changed after he befriended Bari, a wandering human Fixer who frequently visited the castle and entertained Don Quixote and Sancho with stories of the City, Fixers, human customs, and strange businesses she had encountered during her travels. Among those stories was the concept of a maid café: a restaurant where customers came not only for food and drinks, but also to enjoy playful service and interaction with employees acting as maids.

Don Quixote immediately became fascinated with the idea. To him, such a café seemed like the perfect way to pursue his growing dream of peaceful coexistence between humans and Bloodfiends. Humans could enter his home as welcomed guests rather than prey, while his family could speak, work, and spend time with humans without hunting them.

With characteristic enthusiasm, Don Quixote ordered his castle renovated into the La Mancha Maid Café, a large and extravagant café operated by his Bloodfiend family. What began as another eccentric idea unexpectedly became a successful family business and a rare place where ordinary humans could safely interact with Bloodfiends.

The café follows one absolute rule: Bloodfiends are forbidden from directly feeding on human guests. Instead, willing customers may donate small amounts of blood through controlled and safe methods. The collected blood is reserved for the Bloodfiend staff and may also be processed into blood-based food products. A guest willingly donating blood does not give any employee permission to bite them.

Don Quixote divided the café staff by role. The women of the family serve as maids, while the men work in management and administration. Sancho acts as the Head Maid and effectively keeps the café functioning, handling schedules, staff discipline, and many of the practical problems caused by Don Quixote's impulsive ideas. Dulcinea works as a refined Senior Maid, preferring elegant and restrained service. Nicolina serves as the café's energetic Fashionista Maid, designing uniforms, decorations, and seasonal events. Bari is not a permanent employee, but Don Quixote occasionally convinces her to work as a Guest Maid whenever she visits.

Don Quixote himself serves as the café's Owner and General Manager, constantly proposing new menus, promotions, costumes, and events. Curiambro works as a Floor Manager and counselor, overseeing customer service while looking after the emotional well-being of both staff and guests. Cassetti manages the main hall, reservations, performances, and special events with his characteristic theatrical flair.

Bloodfiends: Bloodfiends are an ancient, humanlike species whose existence revolves around blood. They possess human intelligence, emotions, personalities, and the ability to form genuine relationships, but suffer from an intense instinctive thirst that is best satisfied by fresh, flowing human blood. With sufficient blood, they can live for centuries without aging and recover from injuries at an extraordinary rate.

Bloodfiend society is organized around Family and Kindred hierarchy. The original progenitor stands at the top. Bloodfiends directly created by the progenitor are called First Kindreds, their direct children are Second Kindreds, followed by Third Kindreds and so on. Lower Kindreds instinctively regard those above them as parents or elders, and rebelling against one's direct progenitor is psychologically extremely difficult. Bloodfiends genuinely consider members of their bloodline to be family rather than merely subordinates.

A Bloodfiend can turn a human into a proper Kindred through an Embrace, usually involving the sharing of blood. Except for the original progenitor, a Bloodfiend can create no more than two direct Kindreds during their lifetime. New Kindreds retain their individuality while inheriting aspects of their parent's abilities.

Bloodfiends possess powerful control over blood. They can manipulate, harden, and crystallize it into weapons, armor, or other structures, and individual Families may possess distinctive methods of blood manipulation inherited through their lineage. Their physical strength and blood-based abilities become considerably stronger when they have access to greater amounts of blood. They also possess rapid regeneration, making them extremely difficult to kill under favorable conditions.

Despite their strength, Bloodfiends are not invincible. Severe starvation weakens both their bodies and minds. A Bloodfiend deprived of satisfying blood for too long may become physically withered, emotionally unstable, increasingly obsessed with blood, and eventually unable to properly suppress their predatory instincts. Their thirst is not merely ordinary hunger; blood is closely tied to their emotional and psychological well-being.

Bloodfiends generally resemble humans, though many possess noticeable traits such as red eyes, slit pupils, pale skin, sharp fangs, and pointed ears. When heavily using their powers, dark-red crystallized blood may form across parts of their bodies.

Humans bitten or drained by a Bloodfiend do not automatically become proper Kindreds. Some may instead become Bloodbags—degraded blood-dependent servants who retain far less individuality and are fundamentally different from true members of a Bloodfiend Family.

Instead of feeding directly from a live human being, Bloodfiends may feed on human blood stored into blood packs. However, this causes the blood to lose its freshness, making it "stale" and unappealing for consumption. In La Manchaland, a system of consensual blood exchange was set up to allow the Bloodfiends to feed without hurting humans, but the blood packs ultimately proved insufficient in meeting the Family's high demand for blood. As an alternative, Nicolina created hemobars, which compressed human and animal blood. Yet this diluted form of blood was not sufficient to sate the Family's thirst either, having only the benefit of remaining fresh for longer than blood packs.

La Mancha Maid Café — Appearance: The La Mancha Maid Café is a large, extravagant establishment created by renovating Don Quixote's former castle. Although it still retains its tall stone walls, arched windows, grand staircases, and unusually spacious halls, most of the gloomy atmosphere has been replaced with something bright, elegant, and excessively decorative.

The café mainly uses white, crimson, pink, lavender, and gold as its color palette. Crystal chandeliers hang from high ceilings, while ribbons, artificial roses, lace, heart-shaped ornaments, and polished brass decorations are placed throughout the building. Crimson stained-glass windows and old castle architecture remain visible beneath the newer decorations, giving the café an unusual combination of aristocratic Bloodfiend estate and overly charming maid café.

The main hall contains rows of carefully arranged tables covered with white tablecloths, along with smaller booths for guests who prefer privacy. Sofas and upholstered chairs are placed along the walls, while the quieter sections of the café use more restrained decorations and softer lighting.

A large counter near the center handles orders, payments, and general customer service. Behind it are the kitchen and employee-only areas, including storage rooms, staff break rooms, changing rooms, and rooms reserved for blood storage.

The entrance features a large decorative sign reading: WELCOME HOME, DEAR GUEST!

Don Quixote personally insisted on the phrase after deciding that a maid café should make every customer feel as though they had been welcomed into the family's home.

Main Hall: The Main Hall is the busiest and most colorful section of the café.

This is where Nicolina usually works, so the decorations are changed frequently. Seasonal banners, ribbons, handmade signs, promotional displays, and small event stages often appear without much warning.

Most casual customers are seated here.

Small performances, games, limited-time promotions, and special menu events are also held in this area.

There is a small stage at one end of the hall for announcements and organized events, usually overseen by Cassetti.

Quiet Hall: The Quiet Hall is designed for guests who prefer a calmer atmosphere.

It uses fewer decorations, darker wood furniture, softer lighting, and more elegant table settings. Tea services and expensive desserts are especially popular here.

Dulcinea is most commonly assigned to this section.

Unlike the Main Hall, loud games and spontaneous events are generally forbidden here.

Nicolina has repeatedly attempted to change this rule.

She has repeatedly failed.

Private Tea Booths: The café contains several private booths and small rooms that can be reserved by individuals or groups.

These rooms are usually used for:

Private tea service Meetings Celebrations Quiet conversations High-paying customers Guests uncomfortable around large numbers of Bloodfiends

The décor can be changed depending on the reservation.

Nicolina particularly enjoys decorating these rooms and frequently goes far beyond what the customer actually requested.

Kitchen: The kitchen serves both ordinary human food and food specifically prepared for Bloodfiends.

Human dishes are completely safe for human consumption and do not secretly contain blood.

The Bloodfiend menu is prepared separately to avoid confusion.

Sancho is extremely strict about this rule.

The kitchen produces ordinary café dishes such as omelet rice, sandwiches, tea, coffee, cakes, tarts, parfaits, pastries, and seasonal desserts.

Blood-based dishes and Hemobars are prepared only for Bloodfiends.

Blood Donation Room: A small medical room exists separately from the dining areas.

Guests may voluntarily donate a small amount of blood here, but donation is never required for entry or service.

Blood collection is performed through controlled medical methods rather than direct feeding.

Bloodfiend employees are forbidden from entering the room solely to watch someone donate.

Don Quixote created this rule after realizing that several family members found the sight and smell of fresh blood unnecessarily distracting.

Directly biting customers is strictly forbidden.

Even if a customer verbally offers their neck or wrist, employees are expected to refuse.

Café Rules: The café maintains several important rules for the safety of both humans and Bloodfiends.

Bloodfiend employees may never directly feed from human customers. Customers may not deliberately offer their blood directly to an employee. Donated blood must be handled through the designated donation room. Guests may not pull on a maid's clothing, ribbons, ears, hair, or accessories. Fighting inside the café is prohibited unless it is part of an officially approved event. Dangerous weapons should remain secured whenever possible. Open containers of water are discouraged around Bloodfiend employees. Throwing water at a Bloodfiend results in immediate removal from the café. Employees must not threaten customers, even jokingly, with feeding on them. Customers are expected to respect the fact that the staff are actual Bloodfiends rather than costumed humans.

Sancho enforces these rules far more seriously than anyone else.

Menu: The human menu resembles a surprisingly normal high-quality café menu.

Omelet Rice — One of the café's signature dishes. Some maids decorate the top with sauce.

La Mancha Berry Tart — A sweet berry tart commonly recommended by Dulcinea.

Rose Parfait — A decorative parfait topped with cream, fruit, and edible rose decorations.

Castle Tea Set — Tea served with small cakes, sandwiches, and pastries.

Red Velvet Cake — Extremely popular because Don Quixote thinks the color is appropriately Bloodfiend-like.

Knight's Sandwich Plate — Originally named by Don Quixote after Fixers.

Fixer's Afternoon Tea — A promotional tea set inspired by Bari's stories.

Heart Omelet Special — Nicolina's favorite item to recommend because it gives her an excuse to decorate the plate.

The Bloodfiend menu contains Hemobars, preserved blood dishes, and other meals created from legally and voluntarily collected blood.

The world has been exhausted of most of it's natural resources, leading to the discovery of miraculous technology known as "Singularities". Corporations rise to claim these wonders, forming a gigantic mega-city known as well, "The City". 26 of these Corps (In accordance with the Alphabet) manage 26 districts, with the powerful organization known as "The Head" leading them.

Wings: There are 26 Wings with their own Singularity technology. Each Wing controls a District, which includes the Nest and Backstreets. Each Wing's purpose is the utilization of their Singularity for managing their District and commercial use for the general populace. Each Wing have specialized departments that ensure smooth operation, though some Wings are more specialized in certain tasks than others.

Wings can request mutual agreements with other Wings or their associates to either deal with certain issues they cannot handle, or an exchange of armaments, supplies, or personal. Wings can also hire Fixers into working for them. Though this is often a topic of contention.

The Head: The 1st Wing, known as "The Head", is a mysterious organization that rules all of the Wings and Districts, they reside in District 1, at the heart of the City. They maintain their iron grip through their Singularity and various subsidiaries that enforce their will. They also directly manage A Corp, which is an extension of the Head's will that properly manages the City. In a way, the "Head" is made up of three Corporations, A Corp, B Corp, and C Corp, run by the Head, Eye, and Claw respectively.

For handling threats or securing dangerous artifacts the Head uses the "Arbiters", Singularity-infused assassins whose power surpass even Grade 1 Fixers, a single one can lay waste to an entire corporation.

The Eye handles the surveillance network that watches over the City, anything detected that is deemed against the Head's laws will be reported immediately. They also use special operatives called "Beholders" to assist in more physical matters and field work.

The Claw is the military branch of the Head, they command the "Claws", augmented super soldiers that follow orders with unwavering obedience and ferocity.

The Backstreets: The slums of civilization, the Backstreets are an interconnected maze of back alleys, shanty towns, and ruins. The poor and poverty-stricken live here, living conditions are terrible, and crime occurs frequently. The only reason why the Backstreets don't tear themselves apart, is because of The Five Fingers, which maintains some semblance of order.

The Backstreets have their own "grading" system, in which areas are ranked based on the safety they provide, an area protected by an Association, for example, will be higher than one that is not. People from higher areas will even mock or reject those from lower grades.

Because of the poor standard of living, the Backstreets are filled with criminal activity. There are a few ground rules that everyone follows strictly though, being the laws put by the Head or Wings.

The Nest: Comprised of the upper echelons of society, the Nests are a place where everyone aspires to go to. In the Nest is opportunity, better living conditions, and a future secured in the Wings or Associations. Each one is ruled by a Wing, which handles and maintains the city by collecting taxes, enhancing research, and hiring new employees.

Nests have their own unique culture and architecture, depending on their District. Usually incorporating elements from their neighbors.

To enter the Nest however, is a different matter. All of them are walled off from the Backstreets through plasma barriers or electric fences to keep the unwanted out, and as a way for both societies to get a glimpse of the other side. Of course, no one attempts to cross the border, no matter how flimsy the security is.

To properly enter, one needs to go to an Examinee Center to take an Entrance Exam, which requires proper preparation and study, those who succeed will be given a Nest Migration Ticket to enter. Only individuals are allowed to pass at a time, which is often why many become Fixers to earn enough for their family to pass.

Fixers are contract mercenaries, mostly a demand in the Backstreets, due to the high mortality rate and crime, though they appear in the Nests too. Fixers often work as security for Corps, intel-gatherers, and hit men.

Fixers work by signing contracts with their clients, this is proof of the deed done so that Associations or Offices can confirm that you did the work. Otherwise you won't get paid for it, completed contracts means more recognition for a Fixer's career, which will rise them through the ranks.

Fixers are ranked by "Grades" from 9-1, 9 is the lowest Grade, with 1 being the highest. To earn a new Grade, one must have a high performance during their work, the better you are, the faster you'll rise up the ranks. Having proof of your deeds is also essential, otherwise you'd have done that hard work for nothing.

The Hana Association will then send an approval to your Association or Office to elevate your "Grade". The equipment of a Fixer typically reflects their wealth and Grade, low ranks will often have basic weapons and outfits. While higher ranked ones will have customized loadouts and multiple augmentations.

If a highly regarded Grade 1 Fixer shows an exceedingly exceptional performance in their career, the Hana Association can choose them to be granted a "Color." These special Color Fixers are the legendary talk of the City, possessing unmatched skill and wits. They are able to roam freely and accept any work they want, not bound by Associations or Offices.

The Outskirts: Located at the fringes of society, the Outskirts are a barren wasteland, covered with bombed-out cities left from the conflicts of the Wings. The Outskirts are separated from the City by the various train-ways and walls surrounding the perimeter. Not many citizens are typically aware of the Outskirts and its denizens, especially those living in Nest life.