Chapter Text
Calling of the dads.
There was chatter happening amongst the girls this morning. Qifrey had promised to take them out on a small field trip to the pond. It was a hot summer day and he figured a nice dip would be lovely for them. He watched earnestly as Coco worked over a mixing bowl. She was making lemon meringue cookies! He smiled as she folded the ingredients in and scooped the cookies onto a tray. The girls stood around the table as they admired the recipe that Coco made and Qifrey had to move them away (mostly Agott) in order for Coco to finish. Qifrey helps Coco place the cookies near the fire. Allowing them to cook. While waiting, he decided to give them a small lesson on light magic.
It was mid morning when the cookies were done. They were still hot, when Qifrey decided that they all wait to eat them. Placing the tray on the table, and enduring the various groans from the girls.
“Now, now. Why don't we all get ready for our trip? It will be a nice treat for the way back.”
The girls all scattered and before long they all met at the entrance, ready to enjoy the pond. Coco places her hand in Qifries and he smiles down at her as she says “I hope everyone likes them!”
“Oh I don’t doubt it, dear! Based on the looks I was getting from Agott. I’d say you’ll be satisfied by the result”
Little did they know that a thief was also waiting for their chance to try them as well…
Later on…
Qifrey and the girls were putting away their items from the pond when a distraught cry came from the kitchen.
“Someone stole the cookies!” cried Coco. Qifrey ran into the kitchen only to see that in fact. The cookies were missing! Poor Coco was heart broken as she picked up the crumbs from the tray and stared at the invisible cookies she poured her heart into.
Qifrey had to admit, even he was a bit upset. He watched as Coco burst into tears as the treats she worked so hard on were gone. Not one of the five had even one bite!
Qifrey pulled the heart broken girl into his arms as tried to sooth her, but she was inconsolable. He picked her up and rocked her. Hoping that she could sooth her tears.
“Coco, It's okay, dear! We can make more!” He said, as he shushed her tears. The other girls gathered around and also gave words of encouragement. Qifrey quickly glanced around to see if there were any signs of the culprit only to see a trail of crumbs leading to his partner's study…
“Agott, would you be a dear and get Olruggio for me?” He says as he walks over to the couch with his sad bundle. It was going to take a while before Coco recovered. “Tell him it's important and his work is to be put on hold for three days.”
Agott nodded her head in determination, she was also very disappointed in the loss of a treat.
The other girls sit around him and try to comfort their sister. Her cries were heart breaking. Who could blame her?
“Coco, I promise we will get to the bottom of this. We will make you a new batch and we can all enjoy them together.” He murmured to her, kissing the top of her head.
“Oi” came the voice of Olruggio. Everyone stared at him with daggers in their eyes to save Coco. Who else would have eaten the cookies?
“Olly, a curious thing seems to have happened…” Qifrey started
“What's wrong with you, master Olly?!” Yelled Tetia, if looks could kill.
“Wha?!”
“Dont play dumb! You get 100 angricheh points!”
“Huh?!” Olly froze from the onslaught of course words directed at him.
“What possessed you to eat them all?!” came the voice of Agott
*whimpering* was all that came from Coco, who tried to bury herself deeper into Qifrei's arms.
“What do you mean?!” Olruggio asked. He was truly stumped from the amount of assault directed at him.
“Oh, for heavens sakes, Olly.” Qifrey added in exasperation. “The cookies that were on the counter that Coco poured her heart into.
“O.O” was all that came from Olruggio as he realized his mistake.
“Ooh?”
“Now hang on a moment…!” Olruggio said in a panic. “Let me explain!”
Earlier, while the girls were away…
Brush buddy was a curious creature. It seemed very intelligent for something so small, and often it eerily picked up on the goings on in the Atelier. Oddly, while Olruggio was nodding off in his study. “Puffpuff” kept bringing him cookies. They were divine and were the perfect combination of sweet and tangy! They were so soft they practically fell apart in his mouth! He could eat them all day! Without paying attention. The delightful treats just kept coming. He figured the only reason why they stopped was because brush buddy gave up!
Olruggio sweat dropped, he really did just eat a whole tray of cookies. What's worse is that now there was a slew of children that were upset with him. One, was beside herself in tears. They were all mad and rightfully so
“Oh goodness me, Olly!” Qifrey expressed after hearing this. “You really couldn’t help yourself, huh?... and you!” Qifrey stares pointedly at the fluffy creature attempting to comfort Coco. Puffpuff sensed that he was in trouble and scurried away.
“I’m sorry Coco!” Olly said. He really did feel bad about it!
Coco mumbled something only Qifrey could hear. “She says it's okay, however. I don't think it is, you are going to help us make it up to her.” He holds her closer before standing. He wanders over to his friend and glares fiercely at him. “Tetia, hand Olruggio the bowl overthere.”
Tetia does as she's told with a proud look in her eyes. She lived for drama like this!
“You are going to make Coco's favorite foods for the rest of the week. Using the best ingredients you can find. If I hear even a word of complaint out of you, there will be no desserts for the foreseeable future!”
Olruggio had no choice if he were going to make it up to Coco. He couldn't allow such betrayal to weigh on his mind!
“Tetia, Agott… starting today you are in charge of making sure Oruggio fulfills his duties. Richeh, I’m assigning you ‘watchful eye’ of the kitchen. Until he fulfills his punishment, you are to report to me anything that might point to him slacking off!”
“Oi! Isn’t that over-kill?!”
The look that Qifrey gave his partner could have frozen a volcano!
“I’m sorry, did you say something?” Qifrey says, still holding their daughter in his arms. Seeing his partner pinned in a corner. Qifrey turns and heads towards his room with Coco.
Meanwhile, the other three girls turn to him with a glint in their eyes. Olly was in for a long week…