covered in stardust.

          “ why wouldn’t they? they get their asses wiped for them in this era anyway. ”

     “They really do. I’m glad someone else knows the      appreciation for it!”

“ You ain’t getting off this easy, you dumb little bastard! ” comes a voice from inside the nearby GANG☆STAR store. A commotion of sorts seemed to be playing out, yet just before anyone could have a chance to peek inside and see what was going on, out comes the company’s head honcho himself carrying some poor fool out into the street.

“ You think you could play slick in MY store and get away with it? Either you’ve got a massive pair on ya or you’re a giant fuckin’ idiot. ” There is no hope for the man currently in tow as his cries for help are simply ignored by the general public. Wasn’t like this was the first nor the last time this kind of scene would play out.

And just before he could make another plea towards anyone passing by, the Boss immediately tosses this man several feet away before wiping his hands clean of the problem. Little does he know that a certain woman he was very familiar with just happened to come by his place of business. And once her presence was made aware of, the Boss’s personality seems to immediately flip like a light switch. Had to save face and all, y’know?

“ Oh hiiii, Sypha. Didn’t see ya there. How’s it going? ”

@cyfre​

Maybe dropping by was not the best idea she had. The organisation of the shop was going slow as per usual, given she never really offered her services through an already stablished place. Nor she was used to the concept, given she was often consumed by the longing of adventure, unable to stay still.

So, she had to sate her own wishes by taking advise from the only rich man she is willing to tolerate in the whole city. Much to her surprise, her tolerance was just a pleasantry of the contract she had signed.

‘Lovely! He’s a savage!’

“Ahm, yes. Very nice to see you again. Glad you’re doing fine.” Her deadpan expression said it all. It wasn’t like she was a stranger to these displays of violence and complete lack of decency, her life had intertwined itself with one of the biggest brutes in the world so this wasn’t an extraordinary sight. 

However, this one wasn’t her brute and didn’t deserve much slack from her part. 

As if there was any way to salvage any respect she had for him -- her debt sufficed to keep things civilised enough between them and maintain the sharpness of her tongue under control, just not enough to remain quiet.

          “ well, that’s something i didn’t need to think about. ”

    “ I have a bad feeling about something…” she just doesn’t know what.

🌹 ❝ My… Uhm… ❞  Yeah, no way around it. What the heck was this? You had to be a pretty optimistic person to even see this attempt at baking as a human-shaped thing. I mean, it probably was edible… probably, the dough didn’t look that… burned. But why would you? You wouldn’t, that’s the answer. 

❝ Hm? Excuse me, I don’t want to sound rude, but, did you say grandson? ❞   The moment the shook of the failed microwave oven treat left her head for good, that particular sentence became something haunting her. Grandson? This woman didn’t look that much older from her. 

❝ And, of course I can. I think you used too much potency, Sypha-san ❞

Sypha had no words to express her failure as a cookie maker. Grandmothers should be more capable of cooking but as far as she knew, potions and spells suited her better. 

“Yes, grandson.” She had gotten so used to call Richter like that, she didn’t consider one instance how off it could seem to others. Laughing it off, she scratches her cheek in an attempt to show how casual she felt about the situation. It was a bit hard to explain it in a few words, but she would try. 

“He’s from a different time than me but he is still my relative. Given I’m from waaay back, he’s stuck as a grandson. A very good boy, I am pleased to see there’s something of ‘me’ in the family and I wasn’t forgotten.”

“ —— may i ? ”

she questions, earnestly holding the ceramic bowl in her hands. it was fascinating how the soup machine appeared to be endless and somehow had an assortment of flavors. each bowl was akin to a surprise to one’s palate and it kept her returning day after day. 

“ this soup flavor is so good, eating like this would be considered a sin. but, i can’t help it. ”   she turns towards the pretty stranger, although knowing better than to trust any. “ oh, was i being rude ? thank you for joining me, miss. ”

Filling her bowl without wasting a second, she carefully hands it over once done. It was better to share such things with others while possible. The Speaker seemed fairly happy till the other made a mention of ‘sin’, which really concerned her.

This giant soup that was constantly re-filled with new kinds had become her new investigation source. So far, nothing had been gained besides a free and warm meal every night. In this cold, who wouldn’t like to have such a comforting dinner? She typically kept to herself while writing down some notes and then going back to her apartment but after catching sight of a younger girl -- well, she couldn’t just ignore her.

It was a mistake. Her place at the choir had been nothing but that. People were gathering around, wishing to at least get a chance to practice with the Winter Belles. It was a mere whim many had and she ended in this mess. All because she wanted to watch the practice close and quietly cheer, maybe hum in her own off-tune voice. Now there she was, standing in the practice for the upcoming event. Everyone was softly following the song, something about a snowman... 

However, she remained tight-lipped, anxiously fidgeting in hopes nobody could notice. Sypha felt almost humiliated, she didn’t really attempt getting out of this but it was too late to even do anything.

Between gritted teeth, she looks at the girl next to her to ask for mercy in the only way she knows--

“This was supposed to look like my grandson but...” 

The gingerbread man laying atop the table looked nothing like Richter, it couldn’t be remotely called a gingerbread person in any sense of the word. Calling it horrid was a compliment to the abomination she brought upon this world. It was meant to be a surprise for her beloved grandson and yet, it looked terrible. Even eating it would be an insult to all respectable christmas treats. People were throwing a couple of glances at the monstrosity, then acting as if their lives hadn’t been ruined by such an awful sight. 

Sypha had gotten a bit too excited with the technology to create these cookies and somehow, ended with some horrendous manifestation of all wrongs into this world.