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The Hollyberry Kingdom was always at least a little warm- today was nearly scorching. So of course, with nearly everyone went off to keep watching the princess contest to determine the Kingdom's new heiress, you took it upon yourself to skim through the markets- the ones that remained open of course! You'd never think to steal.
And Witches, once the chaos of the tests moved closer to the palace the kingdom was… nice, it was quiet- and you didn't have to squirm through throngs of cookies or deal with the heat of their doughs on top of the sun.
You were already making your way home, taking your time down the mostly deserted roads- humming under your breath.
It was nice.
Was.
"I can't believe they disqualified us!" A rather whiny and annoying voice cut through the air.
A group of two- a frail gray cookie in rags, and a creature formed from icing perched on top of the cookie's scythe. "Mmnyyaa…" It's voice was even more grating than the cookie's. "We were so close Meowster-"
You don't say anything, instead deciding to mind your business as you continue to pass by the remaining open shops- before one caught your eye.
Juice!
You'd buy a bottle tonight for dinner, you decided. And as soon as the pair caught your attention, they were forced out of it as you approached the stall. Whatever chatter continued between the two of them you tuned out.
A greeting to the shopkeeper, and then you began to browse with their quiet commentary.
"Take your time," They smiled as lounged back against the stall, their own cold glass of juice in hand to fight back against the heat."If you need any recommendations don't be afraid to ask- though… I may be a bit biased," They snickered.
"I'll keep that in mind," You mumbled softly as your eyes skimmed over the bottles. Blueberry, cranberry, raspberry… even some combinations- so many options. You were sure all of them were amazing; you don't remember the last time you've had a bad juice.
The merchants really did know their way around fermentation.
But only one bottle could be brought home today. You didn't have the space at home to store down half a dozen bottles- and that's on the lower end of what was really catching your eye… not to mention, you were sure you didn't have the excess funds to splurge. You were already pushing it with today's shopping.
"Schwarzwälder-! Where are you going?" There was that annoying voice again, but again you tuned it out as you held a bottle in each hand: apple juice and grape juice. Both could be good on their own… and both could do well cooked into a meal. Your lips pursed as you clinked the glass sides together to compare the sizes- the same. Height, girth, even filled the same: to the brim.
"This dress is too stuffy! I'm getting a drink!" Deep. Gravelly.
"Well make it quick or… or we're leaving without you!"
Grumbling- and then a large shadow cast over you, cutting off the glint of the bottles where the sunlight caught on the glass. You nearly rolled your head backwards to look at who- or what- was behind you, but thought against it; right as the shadow shifted to your side and filled the stall.
She wasn't a cookie- but a cake.
And you recognized her from the contest.
Large chocolate curls pinned back off of her head with a fat purple bow. Sugar skulls adorned the front of her frilly dress, purple just like the bow. A matching hammer big enough to flatten you into a pancake clutched in one elbow, not too different from how one would casually prop an umbrella against their shoulder… and in the other arm, the sleeping form of a much smaller cookie who vaguely smelled like mildew. Funky, and funnily enough they were also purple.
And if she were here instead of at the contest…
"What're you looking at puny cookie?" She snarled, voice far rougher than you had overheard hours prior. And yet it wasn't the massive shiny white teeth in her mouth that bared themselves down at you- she could probably snap you in half if she wanted to, you were so much smaller than her.
But it wasn't the ivory snarl that you were staring at- no. Rather her eyes as they squinted down at your slightly startled form. Cherries always looked amazing with grapes.
"Your dress really brings out your eyes," You didn't even think twice about it, the words just fell out of your mouth as the bottles clutched against your chest. "You are… the judge said your name was Choco Werehound Princess, right?"
The princess-who-could-have-been's grimace faltered- before dropping entirely into something softer her teeth still peeking through her parted lips. The cookie in her arms stirred slightly, and like second nature her thick arm readjusted them to reset the support for the back of their head. "I…" Higher, before tapering off into a looser tone. Deeper, but natural. "…yes…"
Her teeth gnashed.
"Yeah! That's me!" The giant head of her hammer slammed into the ground, handle left standing straight up into the air as her now free hand came to a rest on her hip as she turned her body to face you- granting you a better look at her dress.
"I've got to ask, before the thought slips my mind- but where did you get that dress? It looks amazing," Your hands raised in front of your neck. "The frills… they look like fine spun sugar… looks a lot like Elderberry Cookie's work,"
The werehound perked up, thick curled mane bouncing with each nod of her head. "Yes that's her!" Then she coughed, gloved hand covering her mouth as she calmed herself. "She was… wonderful… but uh…" Choco Werehound Princess jerked her head to the rag wearing cookie, who was currently muttering something to the bat-cat creature still perched on his scythe. "…had to make some changes…"
You nod, quiet for a moment. "You could have fooled me, your friend over there could probably make a killing opening his own shop somewhere, I wouldn't mind rocking something like what you've got,"
And you turned your attention back to the bottles in your hand, still debating between the apple juice and grape juice. Your fingers wrapped around the necks of the bottles and absentmindedly swished the fluid inside.
On one hand you could get more use out of the grape juice for cooking, but you didn't make any fancy sauces all that often… but truth be told, if they were both just used for drinking… they're equal on the playing field.
On one hand apple juice sometimes got a funkier taste not long after it's been open, and you haven't had the same issue yet with grape juice… but on the other hand…
"Cranberry mixed with orange juice is my favorite," Choco Werehound Princess spoke up after a minute or two of silence as her gloved hands wrapped fully around the body of the bottle. The shopkeeper perked up from their lean, juice sloshing slightly over the edge of their glass- bright red staining the ground below. "I highly recommend that one, it's not too tart or sour," They fished in one of their many crates before pulling out a second bottle, swishing it in front of you- a grin stretched across their face. "It's great on a hot day like this,"
That must have been the merchant's mentioned biased, they reeked of orange juice and if the red of their icing told you anything…
The two juice bottles in your hands are put down, and you take up the one offered to you. "How do you like it..?" You asked, looking up at Choco Werehound Princess as she swished two bottles- easily hooked between her clawed fingers as the cookie still remained asleep in her arm, even against her slightly booming voice- at least she made an effort to keep it down.
"Over ice," Her teeth clicked together. "…With a scone,"
You hummed. "I'll have to try that, then! I've just picked up some scones today," You shift the basket of purchased goodies- your shoulder was starting to grow numb under the weight… but you'd endure for the sake of getting some extra treats. "I'll buy it," You turned to the shopkeeper, before awkwardly fishing out your coins to pay them- Choco Werehound Princess herself copied your motions.
Slow. Clunky. Careful- the cookie in her arms probably weighed nothing to her, but she didn't want to put them down on the ground below.
"Is that your child?" You blurted out. "Or are you babysitting?" You added as the werehound looked between you and the child- purple bow bobbing on top of her head.
"…Something like that…" Quiet. Subdued. Almost shy as she awkwardly picked her hammer up- which was not at all an easy feat with full hands.
"Well I think that's sweet, that you're carrying them- they look exhausted," You offered to hold her bottles for a moment- which she gratefully accepted.
"They-"
"Schwarzwälder! We need to start heading back! Now!" The ragged cookie shouted from where he was standing, wide stanced with a reddened face as his foot tapped somewhere underneath his robes. "So stop standing around and get back over here!"
Choco Werehound Princess scoffed, but still- she turned towards the cookie. "In a minute!"
"Is he always bossy like that?" You stuffed your purchased bottle into your basket and wrapped your fingers around the woven handle. "Or is he just having a bad day?"
"Both."
"Ah…" You looked between her and the cookie, and the bat cat creature that had begun to flap around in the air impatiently. "Well I hope things get better for you guys soon, today was a bit hectic- and I've just been shopping all day," Your feet started to angle themselves back to your route home. "I've gotta go anyway… I hope I'll see you around,"
"Yeah-" Choco Werehound Princess started up again, only to be cut off by another shrill demand from the cookie. A grimace- then a deep breath. "Maybe we can have some tea together,"
And she started to make her way to the cookie- but before they started to walk off…
"I can show you a good place for tea next time!"