Chapter Text
Madeleine Cookie found himself wandering the streets of Parfaedia alone in the early morning. His aunties had stayed behind, eager to enjoy the warmth of their beds.
As he approached the city's plaza, he noticed a sizeable crowd gathered around. Naturally, he felt the need to inspect.
He slipped into the crowd and attempted to push his way to the front. However, due to his height, he realized there was no need to venture deeper.
From where he stood, he could see a makeshift stage in the center, yet nobody was on it.
He spotted a Cookie retreating from the front. "Hello!” Madeleine Cookie called out cheerfully. “Do you know what’s going on here?”
He watched as the Cookie-a kid-instantly froze in place, and then slowly turned their head up towards him.
"Uh-" they stammered.
The child had bright pink hair and large blue eyes. Paired with clothing that was clearly unsuited for the cold, they stood out like a sore thumb.
Were they from Parfaedia? Perhaps a visitor just like him?
"I think..." they started, fidgeting with the fluff of their poncho. "Um. There's some sort of magic show that's about to begin."
A magic show, huh? That seemed proper for such a magical city.
"Hm..." Madeleine Cookie hummed, not noticing how the other slowly started shifting away from him.
"Hey!" He called out, causing the poor kid to flinch once again. "You’re not from around here, are you? I'm from the Crème Republic! What about you?"
The kid froze, like a deer caught in headlights. Madeleine Cookie couldn't help but wonder why they seem so nervous.
"I move around a lot. So, not from anywhere in particular."
He grinned, "I travel around aswell as a result of my duties as Knight Commander. It's truly wonderful seeing the world!" He leaned in, "where have you traveled...ah-what is your name? I'm Madeleine Cookie."
The kid pursed their lips, "I'm Strawberry Crepe Cookie. Uh, I've never left the continent. Nowhere exotic."
Madeleine Cookie went silent, "May I ask... Where are you parents?"
The kid blinked.
"Okey! I'm going now. Bye!" They declared, quickly making their way through the crowd. As they broke free, they began to power walk out of the plaza.
Pleasedontfollowpleasedontfollowpleasedont-
"What? Hey! Now, wait a moment!" Madeleine Cookie cried out.
No! He was following!
Aurg! People don't question Strawberry Crepe Cookie when they are in their feline form! So annoying.
A strong hand abruptly took ahold of their arm. Strawberry Crepe Cookie jerked their head back angrily.
"Are you alone? Your barley wearing anything fit for this weather! I simply cannot leave you outside like this!" He urged.
"Let me go!" Strawberry Crepe Cookie cried out, immediately prompting Madeleine Cookie to take his hand off their arm.
He noticed how the child's cheeks had puffed up and grew red. "I'm OK. Leave me alone!" They snapped, before running off.
Madeleine Cookie awkwardly stood there, feeling guilty for upsetting the kid. Perhaps he was being a bit too upfront. All he wanted was to ensure that the kid was safe... If he saw the kid again, he'd be sure to apologize.
Strawberry Crepe Cookie, now in their feline form, decided to sunbath. Despite being cold, the sun was out and as bright as ever.
The sudden blockage of the light and the sound a sweet hum woke them from their nap. A familiar Cookie hung overhead, Latte Cookie.
Aha.
They wondered if she would be mad about... their little tiny escape the other day.
Strawberry Crepe Cookie rolled over into a normal lying position, making sure to keep their distance. They watched as she sat down next to them and fumbled with a wrapped sandwich in her hands.
She then offered the kitty a chunk of bread. They hesitated. "Don't worry...I'm not going to try anything," she assured. They graciously took the bread from her hand.
"Glad to see Espresso Cookie took you to get your injury healed." She said lightly as she broke off another piece of bread for the kitty.
She sighed thoughtfull, placing the sandwich in her lap, "Espresso Cookie mentioned to me about the other day...with Madeleine Cookie and the vet..."
"Your a shifter, aren't you?" She smiled.
Oh.
Strawberry Crepe Cookie paused.
How-what? How had she possibly deduced that?!
Okay... maybe they had been acting a little bit suspicious.
Strawberry Crepe Cookie sighed. They’d been caught, so what's the point in staying in this form?
Latte Cookie’s eyes widened as the cat’s shape shifted, taking in the sudden appearance of the kid before her.
"How did you find out?" They asked.
She hummed softly, "I’ve worked with a few shape-shifters in the past.” She paused, thoughful. "And, it's rather hard not to notice when a cat is suspiciously good at understanding its surroundings."
They nodded. “That’s… fair.”
"I'm not sure if Espresso Cookie has worked it out yet, though." Latte Cookie mused.
Strawberry Crepe Cookie exhaled, “Eh. If you figured it out that quickly, he probably has too. I wasn’t exactly trying to hide it.”
The conversation faded, leaving the two sitting together in peaceful silence.
"...Why are you on the streets?" Latte Cookie asked at last, her voice gentle as always. She slightly feared if she may have crossed a boundary there.
They flinched lightly. “Ugh. Madeleine Cookie was asking the same thing earlier.” They ignored her curious look. "I don't really want to talk about it..." they muttered, pulling their legs up to their chest.
Her lips parted, forming a small oh. "That's alright." She smiled. "What is your name?"
They felt their cheeks suddenly grow warm, "Strawberry Crepe Cookie."
Latte Cookie held out her hand, smiling. “It’s nice to finally meet you.” She laughed softly. “And thank you for not running away from me this time.”
Strawberry Crepe Cookie found themselves outside Espresso Cookie's apartment once again, sitting in the cold snow. They hesitated. Would he open the door again? What if turned them away?.
Aurg...OK.
It's... worth a try, they suppose.
Just like a couple nights prior, they pounced on top the windowsill and peaked inside. However, as they looked around, they didn't see any sign of the Espresso Cookie.
Huh?
As they thought about it... they wouldn't be surprised if sleep had finally caught up to him. He probably was collapsed on the floor somewhere.
Strawberry Crepe Cookie jumped at the sound of rustling from behind, letting out a high pitched squeak.
Their eyes enlarged as they realized...Espresso Cookie had been standing right behind them! What the? Why is he outside!
Espresso Cookie unlocked the front door, he held the door slightly ajar and gave Strawberry Crepe Cookie a questioning glance. "You may," he clarified as he slipped inside.
In a heartbeat, Strawberry Crepe Cookie immediately jumped off the windowsill and ran inside.
That went better than expected!
They peered up at Espresso Cookie. He was holding a cup of coffee-to expected. Guess he wasn't planning on falling asleep just yet.
They wondered why Espresso Cookie had left the house to get a cup of coffee when there was already coffee here. Perhaps these aren't meant to be consumed?
He could just make a normal batch...
Espresso Cookie sat down at a desk and opened his notebook. Not bothering to say anything else to the cat.
Oh? That's how this is going to be?
Strawberry Crepe Cookie strutted over and leaped atop the desk. "Meowww," they cried loudly.
Espresso Cookie gave them a tired glare. Yeah, they definitely were going to be thrown out for being a distraction any second now. He sighed, closing the notebook. "Yes, I'm aware."
Strawberry Crepe Cookie flicked their tail.
Oh, okey. Great.
They slid down and slumped against the side of the desk, materializing into their Cookie form. "Latte Cookie knows." They spoke softly.
He hummed, barley glancing down the kid, "you ran into Madeleine Cookie earlier, yes?"
Strawberry Crepe Cookie blinked.
. . .
They whipped their head around, voice raising exponentially. "HE KNEW?"
"No. He mentioned about how he had upset a kid this morning and..." he waved his hand in their direction, "... you fit the description."
"Hmph." They crossed their arms. "He was being pushy... so annoying. I'm surprised you two are friends."
Espresso Cookie physically cringed. Ouhhh, okey. Tough topic, eh?
"Friends..?" Espresso Cookie asked shaky, bringing out the s sound. "No!" He coughed, "we were past co-workers once. That's all."
Strawberry Crepe Cookie bit the inside of their lip. "Oh-key," they replied slowly, holding out both syllables.
They totally understood though. Madeleine Cookie seemes extremely loud and chatty. Looks like Espresso Cookie also prefers the more quiet and relaxed.
...
"Umm," they started nervously. "Thanks for not... letting her send me to a aninal shelter. That wouldn't have been too fun."
“Mhm. Good thing a cat told me not to,” Espresso Cookie replied, a tired smile tugged at his lips. “If you’d like, you can wash up.”
"Really?"
Wow. That's some excellent hospitality right there. Free access to a bath?!? They definitely won't complain.
Espresso Cookie led Strawberry Crepe Cookie to the bathroom, and briefly explained what turned on what.
"I have a shirt you can borrow." He added, his eyes drifting to the dark, red stain on their right sleeve.
Right. They totally forgot about that. The stain was long past saving now.
A few minutes later, Strawberry Crepe Cookie stepped out of the bathroom wearing comically oversized shirt. Water droplets dripped from their hair and ran down their back.
Strawberry Crepe Cookie returned to the main room, not bothering to alert the other of their presence. They dragged the lone chair from the corner up to the desk and sat down, propping their head up with one hand.
“I’m just watching,” Strawberry Crepe Cookie said when Espresso Cookie curiously glanced over.
He nodded and returned to his work.
...
As the minutes ticked by, their eyes began to droop and their mind felt sluggish. How... does this guy manage to stay awake for so long?
Strawberry Crepe Cookie slumped forward onto the desk, resting their head in their arms.
It was nice drifting asleep feeling warm and protected.