* / fairy gardens .

         “I’m sure we could figure somethin’ ou’. If people can turn apple slices inta baked apple chips, I’m sure we could figure ou’ how ta pu’ them in cookies fer tha fall season. I’ shouldn’ be too hard.” {/Her optimism was contagious. Nicole was starting to believe they could do it too. Or at least, should be able to get very close in their attempts. But at the mention of things they’ve done while apart, she simply shrugs.} “–School. Work. Been stayin’ in Shibuya fer a while. I work unda this barista who kinda took me in as his homestay studen’. So I’ve been doin’ tha’.”

             ❝ oh, is that so? ❞ what a coincidence. she could fulfill this girl’s dream with a mere snap of her fingers. ❝ I’d love to see that sight. ❞ chapped lips curled up in amusement, a mild hum vibrated within her throat. arm resting upon the counter’s surface, grey orbs merely observing the other female in thought for another moment. ❝ I guess there is something you can get for me. ❞ she waits until her order was ready and packed up, before gesturing towards the fair-haired one. ❝ — your number and time when you close this shop up, so I can take you out for a drink. ❞

“Oh, man. That smells amazing~” He was hit full in the face with the aroma of spice, autumn filling his chest as he took in a hefty breath. If he didn’t know better, he would have asked to try one right that second. Doing so would only burn at his tongue, and he didn’t want that. “I’m glad to see you too! Sorry I haven’t visited in a while.”

He smiled sheepishly and approached the counter. “Been busy.  .  .”

       “ Everyone gets busy from time to time --- you know me, always puttering away here at the bakery! ” Though she’s happy to see one of her favorite regulars pop into her shop, even if only briefly. “ Anything new going on? ” Of course she had to know! As a nosy momther figure, Lyric loved hearing everything that went on in her regular’s lives. 

             nice. she got the cutest laugh out of her. the trip here has already been worth it, in all honesty. ❝ your knight in shining armor I can be~! I’ve got a horse with me even, waiting outside for us to ride into the sunset as well, oh glorious princess of light~! ❞ well, she’s got a motorbike with her, that could count as a horse at least — with a bit of imagination. she gives a couple nods though in acknowledgment — despite not quite believing in those werewolves. a thoughtful hum vibrated within the raven’s throat. well, what could she possibly choose out of those? she’s not much into sweets and baked goods either. ❝ uh… I think I’m gonna pick the cinnamon log and… gimme a couple cookies along with it, too! the scariest looking ones! ❞

         “I’m sorry, Lyric. I promise I’ll stop by more often so ya’ll don’ have ta miss me. Anyway, yeah. I eat fine. I’m fine. Jus’ kinda goin’ through life, ya know?” {/As she pulls out her recipe book, Nicole takes a moment to peer over her shoulder and look through it.} “–Have ya tried apple cinnamon cookies? Like, we have apple pies, bu’ wha’ abou’ apple cinnamon cookies? Do ya think tha’s doable? I think i’ would be so strange, people would try i’.”

“Oh, good,” he replied, looking down at the offerings again. How tempting to have more than one now that they were in front of him. Oh well. He took one of the cookies and took a bite, eyebrows knitting together in thought.

“They’re good. How much are they?”

       “ Button cookies are generally free for their samples, though I do have a special offer of ten for a dollar in their respective flavors --- but I bet you’d like strawberry, huh? ” She’s glad he likes what she makes, reveling in the compliment. 

            ❝ a… werewolf? ❞ what a pleasant way to be greeted at upon entering a mere bakery. her trail of inquiries however, came to a halt upon actually making proper eye contact with the seemingly owner of this shop. ❝ oh, right. werewolves! do not worry, fair maiden~! I made sure to chase them all away from your precious, little shop so that no harm will come upon you ~ ! ❞ she salutes, followed by having those chapped lips curl up into a crooked grin. amusement flickered upon her mien. ( might as well play along. ) ❝ I’m, uh… actually not here because of myself. ❞ a brief shrug followed her statement. ❝ — just getting something for my boss as an apology. I guess anything cinnamon flavored will do? any recommendations? ❞

It was unusual for the Reaper to stop by places like this, but he was feeling a particular craving for something sweet. Megumi walked over and surveyed the sample tray, before raising his eyes to look at her.

“Is there anything you’d recommend? I’m looking for something strawberry flavored.” Whether it actually contained strawberries or not was irrelevant. 

       Strawberry... oh! Lyric gestures for the man to follow her closer to the counter, where the glass cases await. she sets the sample tray down on a shelf to wave over the cases. “ There’s strawberry pies and cakes, and tarts --- I even have cookies too! ” 

         “I know, Lyric. I’m sorry fer no’ stoppin’ by as often as I should. Bu’ I’m here now, an’ tha’s wha’ counts. Righ’? So like–” {/Nicole’s words are stopped short as Lyric places a cookie in Nicole’s mouth. As good as always, she thinks while swallowing it. It was pretty good. Swallowing it, she looks over to her friend and gives her arm a gentle squeeze.} “–Yeah, I’d be down fer tha’. Le’s make some really good treats then, yeah?”

       Oh! Lyric’s used to her regulars, but whenever someone new comes into her bakery, sometimes she loses her train of thought. “ W-welcome! ” she chides from the counter, immediately heading over to her tray of samples. Eyes trail from each of her usual customers, offering them a shy smile. Wow ... he’s tall. Hands lifted the platter closer, smile growing a little wider. “ Care to try something, or have you mind on something in particular? ” 

     “ If you see a werewolf out there, can you tell him to go away? It’s bad for business. ” Blonde head peeks out the front door, scanning left, then right, before pulling back in again. She does a once over of the person who came in and eyes widen in surprise! “ Oh! I’m Lyric, by the way, and this is my bakery! Please stay and have something, I promise it’s all good! ”

         “ You know, Nicole, you really should stop by the bakery more often. ” Like every day. That would be nice, wouldn’t it? Lyric trails away from her spot at the counter to loop her arm around her friend’s, just like old times, other hand raising with a signature button cookie to pop it into Nicole’s mouth. “ I’m working on recipes again --- you should help me come up with more stuff for the holidays! ”

       “ Welcome back, Mr. Sanji, it’s good to see you again! ” Lyric turns from her spot in front of an oven to show off a grand gesture of pumpkin spice cakes, easily sliding them into a cooling rack. She pulls the oven mitts off her hands to head to the counter. “ Come in, come in!! I’m so glad to see you! ”