Chapter Text
Two weeks before the Incident
Though Manju Cookie had never been one for roots – the sea, after all, was his only true home – he always found his way back to Flower City with a certain fondness. This was especially true in the waning days of spring, when the city would be studded with lush greenery and vivid, blooming colour.
Noon found Manju wandering the riverside promenade that carved the city centre in two.
The streets glowed, bleached bright by the midday sun, while a gentle breeze off the river carried the heady perfume of peonies and peach blossoms. After all, it was for this very reason that Flower City had earned its reputation as “the fragrant city”. An open-air laboratory for those like Manju, who spent their lives chasing new scents and new combinations for their essences.
It was well worth the two-week journey from Crispia, Manju told himself, provided one knew how to truly capture the city’s essence, even if this particular visit had been a last-minute decision.
He turned away from the riverside street and followed a cobbled path that wound westward towards the town’s edge. He left the huddle of timber-framed houses and their dark, pitched roofs behind, striking out towards a secluded villa enclosed by sprawling white walls and an equally vast garden.
Manju felt his palms grow damp. He doubted, however, that the sun was fierce enough to cause a sweat, or that his kimono was particularly heavy for the season. The truth he struggled to admit, even to himself, was that the thought of the meeting was setting his nerves on edge.
As the silhouette of the Teahouse sharpened in the distance, the merchant could not help but ruminate on every possible reason for such a sudden encounter with Camellia Cookie.
Back when the Manju Guild had first secured a reciprocal trade agreement with Camellia Cookie, establishing him as both client and supplier, the guildmaster felt he had clinched one of his greatest negotiating triumphs; a deal every other guild could only regret letting slip through their fingers.
Now, however, a few years down the line, a seed of doubt had taken root in Manju. He began to suspect that the arrangement was far more beneficial to the Teahouse Master than to his own guild, and he made a mental note to review the terms later.
Upon reaching the garden gates, he spotted a blue-skinned Cookie dressed in black, perched on the entrance steps of the Teahouse, busy scattering breadcrumbs and seeds to a small cluster of white pigeons. The figure wore a guilty expression as he noticed Manju Cookie, snapping to attention amidst the disappointed cooing of the birds he had been feeding. His cerulean hair seemed to catch the light as he gave the merchant a slight, respectful nod.
Manju had long since learned that Cobalt Cookie was a Cookie of few words, so he wasn’t surprised when the other turned on his heel and headed inside the villa, expecting Manju to follow – which he did.
Camellia was not in the back garden, where he usually painted and served tea to his guests; instead, Manju was shown into the master’s private study.
The room was bathed in a nearly stifling atmosphere, heated by the sun that poured in through the open windows. The walls, floor, and ceiling were all crafted from dark wood, and a large emerald carpet lay at the centre of the room. Atop it sat a desk of matching timber, where Camellia was currently seated.
Behind him, an expansive floor-to-ceiling bookcase housed the collection of volumes for which the Flower City merchant was so well known.
Incense smouldered in a bowl beside the letter Camellia was writing, casting a fragrance of peach, sea salt and orchid into the air. The whole scene, Manju thought, gave the impression of a priest stationed behind the altar of his own personal temple.
Upon noticing his presence, Camellia broke into a wide smile. «Ah, Manju Cookie, do come in and make yourself comfortable. Was your journey a pleasant one? I am well aware of the resources you expend to reach us, and for that you have my gratitude.»
«It is an investment my guild is always happy to make whenever business brings us to Flower City. It is our foremost priority, after all, to ensure that all our customers’ needs are satisfied» Manju returned the smile and took his seat, while Camellia sealed his letter.
The Teahouse Master gave a satisfied nod, yet Manju sensed something flickering behind his gaze just before he spoke.
«That is a relief to hear. I did wonder if I had summoned you too soon. Word reached me of a certain… unpleasant incident in Town Square. I do hope you have made a full recovery.»
Manju’s smile didn’t waver for a second, but it took every ounce of his self-control to keep his Buttershell Fox tail and ears from twitching in unease.
He had often wondered how much that episode might tarnish his guild’s reputation. Over time, Manju had found that few of his clients had even heard of it, and fewer still had voiced concerns regarding the safety of their wares. Yet, he was under no illusions that what happened in Town Square wouldn’t reach Camellia’s ears – or those of his messenger pigeons – and so, Manju had come prepared.
«Ah, ah! My, my, what a droll story that was. Quite unexpected, indeed. But it takes far more than that to rattle me or the Manju Guild. Heavens only know what it would take to stop us from-»
«Oh, I don’t doubt it, my friend! The tale of your guild’s encounter with that Cookievorous plant still reaches me from time to time!» even though Camellia maintained his usual unflappable air, Manju got the impression that he was in a hurry to conclude their business.
He took the hint and pulled two packages from his drawstring bag. «Well then, shall we proceed with our trade? Here are the pigments you ordered from the Hollyberry Kingdom, and here…» he placed a finely crafted wooden box on the table; inside, various vials of essential oils and scent ingredients shimmered in the sunlight filtering through the windows «a gift from the Guild, for one of our esteemed clients.»
From the very first time he had seen them together, Manju’s keen eyes had not failed to notice that the young, golden-haired perfumer from the Osmanthus Academy held a certain sway, so to speak, over the inscrutable Master.
“We all have treasured connections. I’m no exception” Camellia had once told him. Manju had prepared this gift for Golden Osmanthus Cookie just in case the news of the incident had left the Master unsettled, a small gesture to smooth things over.
Camellia gave a slow, deliberate nod, his composure unshaken. Not for a moment did his serene smile falter, yet Manju was certain the gesture had hit its mark.
«Much obliged, my good friend. It is always a pleasure to do business with such thoughtful merchants» Camellia rose to arrange the pigments and oils onto the shelves behind him, the exquisite gold embroidery of his coat catching the same light that danced through the vials. Sooner or later, Manju intended to discover the origin of such fine craftsmanship.
«My, my, where is my head?» Camellia spoke again as he resumed his seat, drawing Manju back from his thoughts. The Teahouse Master clasped his hands and rested his chin upon them, looking thoughtful. «There was another Guildmaster with you in Town Square, was there not? Who was it again… Jagae Cookie, perhaps? How is she faring?»
Manju bit the inside of his cheek, unable to stop his tail from twitching up and down.
«I heard» Camellia continued inexorably «that she, too, found herself in a difficult position. After all, you were together, without your ships or your crews. But that was a stroke of luck, was it not? It was thanks to her skills, and her quick thinking, that you were able to put back to sea the very next day, wasn’t it?»
Manju was hit and sunk by his own weapons. Much as Camellia had graciously accepted the gift for Golden Osmanthus, he must have felt it necessary to clarify that he wasn’t the only one in the room with an exposed weakness. At least, that is what Manju would have thought were their positions reversed, which made him feel all the more foolish for not anticipating it. The image of Jagae Cookie forced its way into his mind, and Manju could do nothing to stop it.
Ever since he had encountered her by chance on the shores of the Tropical Soda Islands, fate seemed to have placed her in his path on purpose.
First, he had discovered she was also traveling to the Crème Republic; then, upon leaving the Candystick Archipelago, he had run into her at the Parfaedia Institute. Later, on the way back to Crispia, she had crossed paths with him again in the Vanilla Kingdom, and so it went, right up until the fateful day of the incident. In that moment, it felt as though she had managed to follow him all the way to Flower City.
«Ha ha, as always» Manju began cautiously «your sources are quite accurate… impeccably accurate, I might say. Jagae Cookie is doing well enough, from what I know.»
«Actually, I didn’t ask you here with such urgency merely for the pigments, or to stir up unpleasant memories» Camellia smiled, visibly satisfied, and decided the subject could be changed. «There is another matter. No doubt you’ve heard of the international exhibition to be held in the Crème Republic. What are your thoughts on it?»
Manju tapped his chin with his forefinger, relieved. «I dare say it’s nearly impossible not to have heard of it, especially among merchants. Cookies from every corner of Earthbread meeting, sharing cultures and trades… all to the Crème Republic’s advantage, of course. It will provide a massive boost to their economy like nothing before it. And yet, after the Dark Enchantress War, perhaps it is exactly what is needed to lift everyone’s spirits.»
«Indeed, it will be a major gamble for the Crème Republic. I’m told they’ve even raised an entire new district to host the event» Camellia turned his head to the side, gazing out the window for a moment. «Now, to the point. I’m sure you can imagine Golden Osmanthus’s enthusiasm at the announcement of the exhibition. She will be there, representing House Osmanthus…»
Silence fell over the room as Camellia Cookie let the sentence trail off, and the incense on the desk flickered out.
«From the way you speak, it seems you do not share Miss Golden Osmanthus’s enthusiasm.»
Camellia gave a melancholy smile and turned his gaze back to Manju. «Certain whispers have reached me from the Republic. Some merchants are uneasy; it seems they are expecting something terrible. Perhaps it is merely the paranoia left behind by the war, or perhaps some of them know more than they let on. Great events always bring great risks, after all. As you well know» another pause. «That is why I would be immensely grateful if you would travel there with her and watch over her for the duration of her stay. I know it was not in your plans to attend the exhibition just now, so I shall compensate you handsomely for the trouble this detour will cause you.»
Manju raised his eyebrows, making no effort to hide his surprise, then furrowed them in perplexity. «So… am I to assume that Ace Pilot Cookie is unable to take her to the Crème Republic himself?»
«A couple of weeks ago, I was just having tea with Golden Osmanthus, Red Osmanthus and Ace Pilot Cookie, when he expressed his frustration over the recent changes in flight paths. You know, due to the turmoil caused by Dark Enchantress Cookie. He was just complaining about not having received instructions to travel towards the Candystick Archipelago. You understand that if I tried to open a new air route again, Golden Osmanthus would notice… and besides, Ace Pilot Cookie would not be able to remain by her side. I do not wish to upset Golden Osmanthus, but I am concerned. That is why I thought to turn to you» Camellia concluded, having barely drawn breath during his explanation.
«Do you truly believe Miss Golden Osmanthus is in any danger? I mean, the greatest threat to Earthbread has only just been defeated.»
«The greatest, but not the only one.»
Despite the stifling heat of the room, Manju felt a cold shiver run down his spine. The vision of a colossal figure looming in the storm flickered across his mind.
«Camellia… what kind of threat are we talking about?»
«Believe me, Manju, if I knew for certain, I would tell you. For Golden Osmanthus’s sake.»
◇◆◇
Several more minutes passed as the two merchants bartered over the price for the unusual services the Manju Guild was to provide.
Once they reached an agreement that satisfied both, Camellia offered a fresh pot of tea, while Manju finally took the moment to light his pipe.
Late in the afternoon, Manju took his leave. The Master escorted him to the edge of the avenue leading back to the city. «At least…» he added as a final parting thought, «should anything happen, you can always rely on Jagae Cookie’s help!»
With those words ringing in his ears, Manju turned his steps towards the harbour.
◇◆◇
An unusual stillness hung over the Red Knot. Given the short notice, the guild hadn’t managed to drum up much business in Flower City, and Manju’s crew had already cleared their workload by morning. Manju reached the deck and retreated into his cabin, making a mental note to update the guild on his deal with Camellia later that evening.
The First International Exhibition of Trades & Toppings in the Crème Republic promised to be a far grander affair than he’d let on to Camellia. Likely the most massive gathering of merchants Earthbread had ever seen.
Initially, Manju had been in no hurry. With the exhibition slated for a full month, and whispers of a six-month extension if it gained traction, there was time to spare. But now, he had to map out the best possible route to shave some time off the fifteen-day journey from Flower City.
A small voice crept into his thoughts, making him wonder if Jagae would be able to cover that distance even faster, but he shook his head, brushing the idea aside before it could take root.
His gaze drifted to a small crate in the corner. He felt a twinge of regret that he wouldn’t be able to stop by the Cookie Kingdom to bring the little king a few more gifts for his friends.
He pulled out his chart with all the sea routes and began clearing a space on his desk to unfold it. He noticed a couple of open letters from the Jagae Guild still lying there. He picked them up and tucked them away in a drawer without a second glance.
Manju was truly trying to honour his word to the little king. He might have been an unscrupulous merchant, but he wasn’t immune to the sight of someone who cared so fiercely for their own. He had promised to get along with Jagae – to become her friend, even – but she seemed determined to make sure that promise would never be kept.
“Should anything happen, you can always rely on Jagae Cookie’s help” Camellia had told him. Manju knew it was just a bit of bait from the Teahouse Master, yet the words stuck in his mind, leaving him with a nagging sense of unease.
Perhaps, he told himself, it was just the ghost of their last encounter, the day after the incident in Town Square.
Truth be told, Manju had grown to appreciate quite a few things about his rival guildmaster. He’d known that beneath her rough manners lay a selfless and kind nature, in her own way, and their arguments had shown him a woman who was, if nothing else, fiercely true to herself and her principles.
Yet those very principles also fed a stubbornness that rivalled her own resolve, coupled with a host of prejudices she simply wouldn’t budge on. And then there was her honesty. She was blunt to a fault, with absolutely no filter for a compliment or, as he knew only too well, a cutting insult.
Manju rubbed his eyes, determined to push those thoughts to the back of his mind. “Route first”, he told himself, “then the guild, then Golden Osmanthus Cookie…”
At that thought, he looked up from his charts and took in the state of the cabin. Invoices and ledgers cluttered every available surface, the bed was a tangle of sheets, and a mess of clothes spilled from open drawers.
He let out a long sigh. If he was to host Golden Osmanthus Cookie on this ship, he’d better start by making the place presentable.