Why We Have a Happy Dragon

Richmond Dragon, mascot to Caffeinated Dragon Games, dragon in residence, coffee loving mythological reptile, game playing fantastical creature, always smiles.

Why is that?

It would be easy to say it’s because Richmond endlessly plays games, has access to a limitless supply of coffee, it’s what we do, so why wouldn’t the store mascot be all into that?

Too simple, and life is more than that.

We could have come up with a magically perpetually happy dragon just because it’s a good look for anywhere, a bright, grinning creature welcoming you in.

It’s not like that, we’re not going to lure you in with false promises, and Richmond is no different. Even in a place with endless games and coffee a fun loving, caffeine addicted dragon isn’t always going to be happy.

All things end.

Games finish, the coffee cup empties, people leave, go home, the day closes. All these things that bring joy go away, and something else takes it’s place.

Not always sadness, sometimes loneliness, other feelings at other times.

It’s natural, anything that begins ends, nothing is eternal, joy forever will inevitably become boring.

We need these different emotions and moments to flesh out our lives, Richmond is no different.

There are sad times, hard times, challenging times.

Times that happen during games, between cups of coffee, at any point where feelings can be felt something is. And it’s not all positive. The struggle to not flip the table during a game can be real, and managed, with effort.

All things end.

Sadness fades, the hard things are faced, challenges conquered.

People return, new people are met. The coffee flows anew and enjoyed, alone or with others.

Richmond is happy, not always, in the general sense because for all the times the store closes there comes a time when the store opens, when everyone entering or walking by can see the dragon, there’s a smile.

Because from that perch you can always see people come in, eyes wide at what they find, discovering games they love, meeting people who enjoy what they enjoy, learning the things they have in common with the wider world, or interesting differences. New ideas, new things to do, see life in all it’s different shapes and curious sizes, the excitement of discovery and the confusion of the strangely new. Coming together, enjoying games, coffee, each other.

So if you were a dragon in a game store, wouldn’t you be happy with that?