TFS Q&A Session (Patreon)

Question: "Mal seems to be an expert in customer service, how do they handle the most pushy/rudest ones who are less placated by a pleasant smile?"

Answer:

"Killing them…" Mal pointedly trails off, smirking to themself as the implication hangs in the air, seemingly causing the atmosphere of the Fernweh Diner to become grim. "With kindness, of course." Their focus remains exclusively trained on you to detect any change in your expression from the twitch of your lips dipping into an uneasy frown to how you might shift away. You haven't moved a muscle, perfectly still under their encompassing attention. "I feel like that's the answer you may seek, but then again, why ask such a question if you already have an opinion?"

You only breathe again when Mal glances away after setting down your preferred drink.

It's clear that Mal knows how to deal with customers; they can simply unnerve them into being more polite.

_ _ _

I support Mal masterfully frightening customers who are rude to them; you do you, baby! 😘

But, really, this offers some great character insight into them and how they can choose to engage with those around them. Mal is aware enough to know exactly how to alarm people, unlike how I feel rude or pushy customers might not be as calculating when demanding things. Those dreadful types of consumers just push and push until they get their way; it's so inelegant, not at all targeted. Then we have Mal; a character whom some of you adore while others are wary of them, but both sides can agree that there's something more there. It's easy to imagine them twisting the (metaphorical?) knife once a customer crosses a certain line of respect with them to deserve it.

(As an aside: no, they probably don't appreciate the use of "baby", but oh well. That might be why I used it in the first place. >:D)