tell me a fable

Adelaide had decided to venture out and speak to those she hadn’t met but when she saw the familiar face she couldn’t resist going up to her. Maybe she would just start slowly. Speak to someone she had encountered before first. That was alright wasn’t it? She had liked this girl. They met in the woods and anyone who spent time in the woods had to be good.

A quick smile came to her lips in response to the compliments. She was a baker so her complimenting Adelaide’s attempts made her feel happy. Holding the basket up she offered one to her. “Thank you. Baking has always been a fun hobby for me but I’m sure they aren’t as good as anything you bake. I have a hard time not coming into your shop more often to buy things. I have a horrible sweet tooth.”

“You say that like having a sweet tooth is a bad thing.” Zehra couldn’t deny that she herself had an almost insatiable sweet tooth as well. It was part of what had gotten her into baking at such a young age. Her mother had baked but she enjoyed learning how to do it herself so that she could do it for herself. And it all went from there. It had been a sort of domino effect- love sweets, learn to bake and keep doing it over and over again. It was often a struggle for her to keep from overindulging in the sweets she made if she was being honest.

Taking one of the offered baked goods the Seelie took a testing bite from one end and after a moment of contemplative chewing the brunet smiled at her. “They’re really good.” Even if they hadn’t been she would have been polite about it. Being honest and being rude, she knew, weren’t the same thing whatsoever. You could absolutely be polite while telling someone it wasn’t their best work. “Let me let you in on a little secret- sometimes the best bakers have a sweet tooth. It helps because we actually enjoy taste testing our own work. So if you ever want to try other recipes, let me know. I have a bunch I could she with you.”

Clara had surprised many a people with her hot chocolate preferences. Often people would be shocked and ask why no marshmallows, only to seem sort of offended by the fact the werewolf simply didn’t like them. She didn’t like them at the best of times let alone melting into her cocoa and ruining it with their gooey taste. Honestly, if she could, she’d have more cream than hot chocolate anyways. There had been many times when she’d had a few squirts of the canned cream in her mouth when making a hot chocolate at home.

She looked up with a smile as the woman brought her order over. “Thank you. That’s a very… Loaded question. In theory, I’m here until my leg heals fully at a ‘human’ rate for my boss. I don’t think he’d take too kindly to me revealing the wolf healing bonus.” She teased with a chuckle before shrugging. “In reality, I don’t know. I’m actually kinda enjoying being back here. Never thought I would. I was always so restless when I was here before, just waiting for the next stunt job to come through.”

She dipped her finger into the cream, cleaning it off her fingertip with her tongue and smiling. “Maybe I’m getting older and need to settle down. We are pack animals, after all. Maybe I’m just yearning for my pack. I think… If I can make my job a full time thing, I might just stay here now.”

“There’s nothing wrong with wanting some stability and a place to go to feel comfortable. You don’t even have to be a werewolf for that.” In truth there were times when Zehra had considered travelling or leaving town for a while. Don’t most people want to see more of the world? But in the end she always found herself staying. East Stroudsburg was home. It was the place she felt comfortable, like she belonged. Even with her family no longer there it was where her heard lay. “I think a lot of people end up finding their way back here eventually,” the Seelie mused, leaning back against the counter as she gazed at the blonde. It seemed to be happening quite frequently lately, people who were born there coming back after leaving. “And new people seem to be coming in as well. I guess its just the town. Something here draws people to it, especially of the non-human variety. Maybe its because we’re all able to be exactly who we are, you know?” “It might be a good thing,” she decided after a moment. “Sticking around for a while. Making connections. Having a somewhat pack. I’ve noticed that here packs aren’t just werewolves. All species tend to form bonds with each other, friendships and family type relationships. Its definitely good to have a support system and you’ll find one here pretty easily. So if you think it’ll work for you? Then I say give it a try. If you end up feeling suffocated here again you can always head off again, right?”

damien frowned for a second, not meaning to make zehra sad, “they’re both safe, i swear, recipes followed to the ‘t,’ you know i wouldn’t actually do that to you.” he did to a lot of people, but not other bakers.

“It’s okay. But sometimes I think you want to give me a heart attack, Damien, I swear.” Deep down she knew he didn’t mean any harm. He wasn’t a bad person- he wasn’t even particularly unpleasant. He was just playful in an impish sort of way. It made it almost impossible to be actually upset with him. “Has anyone actually gotten upset with you for your joke?” It was a distinct possibility.

Spinning on her heel, Lil let out a relieved sigh when she saw it was Zehra and not one of her more reserved customers, or even… him. “Geez, girl. You scared me!” Which was surprising in and of itself, as the panther usually caught people’s scent well before they were able to sneak up on her.

Her remark brought Lilith’s smile down just a bit as she remembered the reason for the shop being closed, torn between embarrassment, worry, and a strange thrill of excitement at the memory. “Oh, uh… yeah. I’m okay, just mostly had some stuff to figure out. A few things that I needed to have repaired in the kitchen. You know, maintenance and such.” It wasn’t a complete lie, but she wasn’t sure she was fully ready to examine her encounter with her soulmate any further yet. “Mostly I just kind of got back on an even keel and pushed everything to the side,” she admitted with a soft laugh and a shrug of her shoulders. “How have you been? I feel like I haven’t seen you in awhile.”

“Just been busy. Had a few places place orders for special bread. Learned all kinds of new recipes though including a really interesting bread recipe with sundried tomatoes- which is actually pretty good.” It was less intuition and more having known Lil for a while that made Zehra sure that she was holding something back- but it wasn’t in the Seelie’s nature to push. In her experience people talked about things when they wanted to and no a second sooner. If Lil wanted her to know the rest? She would tell her in time. The concern for her friend was still there, of course- who wouldn’t be concerned for a friend?- but at least the werepanther seemed to be healthy and no worse for the wear.

“Glad to see you’re back though,” she admitted with an easy smile. “When your bakery is closed it feels strange. Especially since some of your regulars came to my place when they found you closed and asked if things were alright. Their concern was sweet.” It was one of the lovely things about small towns. When someone wasn’t around people noticed and grew concerned. “Glad that when I assured them you’d be alright it was true.”

lucien often thought that sweets only existed to serve as a substitute for wolfsbane. they were evil creations disguised under colorful designs, ready to consume healthy organisms inside the body and replace it with diabetes. lucien knew it was a ridiculous notion, but he believed in it – if only to have an excuse to hate on sweets.

not today, it seemed. it first reached him the other day. when the day was relatively gloomy, and the winds were carrying all sorts of scents with it from different places of the town, a sweet, lingering scent latched itself on lucien’s every sense and made it his mission to find out just where it came from. it was an easy task to do, of course, with his heightened senses and general wolf capabilities – but it was the basic knowledge that it came from a bloody bakery that kept him still in his little shop and decided that he’s better off finding out for another day.

and another day, it had been. like a pup on his first day of school, lucien made his way to the bakery just a few blocks away from his store and entered it as gently as he could, as human as possible, so as to keep any suspicious eyes away.

not like his scent would keep him from knowing creatures.

“good morning,” he mumbled, and then repeated it another time in a louder voice, realizing that not everyone was capable of hearing his low volume. “what’s your special for today?”@zehraburuk

“Good morning!”

Zehra turned her attention briefly in the direction of the door though from the back room she couldn’t really see much of anything. It wasn’t so uncommon for her to be in the back gathering things for the day when someone came in during the morning while she was getting things ready to put out for the day.

She never minded, of course. Not from a business standpoint of course but more from a personal one. One of the things she enjoyed the most about the bakery was the people coming in and out most of the day, all different type of people- all different species. It fed into her need to be around people, to talk to others, to get to know them. It was something that had always driven her, even as a child.

Oven mitt still on her hand the Seelie picked up the tray of cinnamon rolls from the counter and made her way towards the front of the store, attention entirely focused on the task at hand. Admittedly she had dropped a tray or two before. It was a mess she didn’t want to handle.

Attention still on her display racks Zehra slid the entire tray into place, the smell of cinnamon filling the shop momentarily. “What can I get for you today?”

“I think everyone would love it, honestly. I reckon you might get new people in also! I’m not overly creative but if you want any help, I’d be more than happy to!”

Clara glanced behind her, pleased to see that there was a free table. She loved sitting near the window and people watching for a while. Wow, this whole settling into town thing was making her into a different person. She could never do that before. In too much of a hurry to get out she only ever ordered to go. It was nice to sit and let the world go by for a bit.

“Ooh I think I’ll have a hot chocolate please! Cream, no marshmallows?” It was one of her most frequent drink orders so she was sure Zehra knew by now. “Thank you!” She grinned before heading over to the table and setting her bag down beside her.

“Coming right up.” The first time Clara had ordered her hot chocolate that way it had amused her. Not because it was a strange order really- but because no one else who came to her little shop ordered their drink that way. And she had gotten her fair share of different kinds of hot chocolate orders.

Some people liked it extra chocolatey- some people even ordered it thicker than she thought the drink should be. There was even one pixie customer of hers who seemed to want a little bit of hot chocolate with their marshmallows rather than the other way around- deep down the Seelie just assumed that customer had a wicked sweet tooth. But Clara was definitely the only one who ever ordered it with cream but no marshmallows. Nothing wrong with it, just another distinct order- and that amused her simply because it showed easily how different people in town really were from one another. Even among the supernatural community they could have so very much in common and be completely different.

Stepping over to the far counter to prepare the drink Zehra glanced at the blonde, watching her settle down at the table by the window. “Have you decided yet how long you’re going to be staying in town?” She didn’t know much about Clara’s life outside of East Stroudsburg, only that she was a local who had returned temporarily.

For the first time in about a week, Lilith was starting to feel like herself. After a disastrous day filled with burnt baked goods, a bully from her past, and about a dozen or so burns along her thin arms, she had closed down the bakery for the remainder of the week. It was a hard decision, but the state of her kitchen had basically been reflective of her mental state and both had been in desperate need of a reset.

After a week away, her mind was in a better place and her baked goods were coming out just as good as they always had. It felt like a moment of victory and the panther couldn’t help but let go for a moment, breaking out a ridiculous dance move behind the counter in time to the music on the stereo. It felt good to let loose, to feel so comfortable in her own skin again, that she missed the chiming of the bell signaling someone had entered the shop behind her.

“Someone is feeling better,” Zehra called out as she made her way into the bakery. In their small little town most people would assume that because both women ran bakeries that Lilith and Zehra would be in competition with each other, that they would have a problem with each other in some way. But the truth was that Zehra had gotten to know Lilith and actually liked her. Of course, she liked most people- it wasn’t like her to hate anyone without a very good reason, after all. But the two had something in common, both shared a love of baking and the Seelie wasn’t ashamed to admit that it had been part of the reason she had ended up liking the older woman.

“When your shop was closed for the week I thought something must have happened,” she admitted, pausing at the other side of the counter, smiling slightly though refusing to comment on the dancing she had walked in on. Why embarrass her unnecessarily? “But whatever it was? You must have figured it out because you seem to be in a pretty good mood.”

He can’t help the little laugh that breaks free nor does he do overly much to cover it up as he watches her wipe the flour away. “Well, as far as occupational hazards go that’s a pretty nice one,” he turns his attention towards the selection on display with a little hum “I imagine it’s still easier to deal with than drywall dust anyway.”

Still, dust was dust and it stung something fierce when it got into one’s eyes all the same. Hands clasped behind his back as he leans forward, looking over the display Angel doesn’t respond right away because honestly? He doesn’t know. And doubts asking for the chef’s recommendation wouldn’t go over smoothly as this wasn’t a restaurant. “Do you have anything with tomatoes baked in or something?” he asks after a moment, raising his attention back to the woman “I’m a sucker for a sundried tomato anything and I’ve had some  killer sundried tomato breads in my life and I’ve yet to really find a place in town that’s sold it. Ate a pretty good bagel from the cafe awhile back but,” he scratches absently at his nose “Really was my nose doing all the work leading me there…afraid it’s a bit…blind,” he gestures around the shop “In here. A lot of very nice smells that it’s sort of making me noseblind.”

He chuckles a little at this but it’s near wholly mirthless as he lifts his shoulders “How long have you been here?” he asks “Your shop I mean, not you because that’s a bit…personal for me to be asking.”

“I don’t even want to imagine what it’s like trying to get rid of drywall dust,” she murmured in response. She had been around building under construction before and had seen the mess that any type of construction left behind. Having to try to get all of that off of you? Well, she would stick with flour.

“Had the bakery here for about…four years now? Four years this month, actually. Been baking pretty much for as long as I can remember though.” Before the bakery she used to work for a grocery store a few towns over in the baked goods department where they would decorate standard ordered cakes and put out fresh rolls in plastic cases for people to grab what they wanted. There had been no real creativity to it, standard recipes that they had to follow to the letter sent by the corporate office. It hadn’t been a bad job really, just bring and stifling and didn’t bring her the joy that baking normally did. Instead it made her feel restricted.

And so when the opportunity came for her to open her own place and use her own recipes, her own creativity? How could she not jump at it? She got to enjoy what she was baking again instead of just doing it to keep herself employed.

“Not many people ask for anything with sundried tomatoes. But a few loyal customers are big fans so…” Holding up one finger to indicate he should wait a moment the Seelie disappeared into the back where she kept most of the orders people sent called in. She had a tendency to fill them and then some- and one of the local cafes always put in orders for fancier breads than the standards. And sundried tomatoes was one thing they often asked for. So, taking one of the spare rolls out of the basket Zehra made her way back out front and held it out towards him. “Maybe this will hit the spot.”

Clara practically bounced on her toes in excitement. Things like this, a routine, would’ve seemed mundane to her when she first got her job in stunts. She couldn’t sit still. She wouldn’t be seen buying pastries or anything with sugar. Clara had stuck to a strict diet the whole time she was employed. Sure, she probably should still stick to it. She was only back in town while her leg injury healed. Or so she told herself.

She was beginning to miss home so maybe it was a sign. A sign to remain for a while. Clara smiled fondly and gently took hold of the package. “You mind if I sit in for a while? I have time to kill before classes.” Clara mused before riffling in her bag for her purse.

Eyes widened in agreement, nodding almost too eagerly. “Y’know I’d fill that card in like a week. No matter what the number of items, I’d meet it.” She chuckled and handed over the payment. “That sounds like a great idea though! I think you should do it.!

“Well, with that ringing endorsement to the idea, I’m going to have to look into it.”

It couldn’t hurt, she reasoned, to do just that- set up punch cards or something similar. If nothing else it would be a good promotion for the bakery- and it would be a nice perk for the people in town who came in quite a bit like Clara did, a way to repay their loyalty as a customer. A lot of places did something similar, especially the smaller family run businesses in the area. (When she thought about it though? Most of them we family run anyway so that made total sense.

“Of course not. Feel free to sit.” There were only a couple of tables inside of the bakery- most people had a tendency to buy and go- but some preferred to stick around and enjoy whatever they bought there. But she rather liked the fact that the whole place wasn’t lined with tables. It gave it more of a homey feeling that way. “Do you want any coffee or tea or anything? Or are you good as is?”

“i mean, you can try your luck, and see which one has extra salt and which doesn’t.” he began motioning to the two trays in the pastry case. “or i can tell you, because i’m not that horrible of a person.” in all reality, neither were made with extra salt, but he liked to tease people.

“That’s a terrible thing to joke about.” Zehra wished she could be surprised but in truth she couldn’t. She had come to expect tricks and pranks from Damien over the years though most of them, she reasoned, were pretty harmless- if not sad for her to think about. “Even joking about messing with the recipes like that? My heart.”

Just his luck. He felt pressed to sigh, but the sound never made it out. Parker just ran a hand through the front of his hair instead. “That’d be great, actually.” While he knew that this was his dog, he was only one person and could only canvas so much of the area before the day was gone. “We should probably split up to cover more ground, and- oh, she’s pretty much harmless if that’s a concern. She just slobbers a lot, but anyways- meet back here?”

“Probably the best idea.” Zehra didn’t have to be anywhere any time soon- the bakery could absolutely wait for her- so she didn’t exactly have to rush off. The least she could do was help the man find his missing dog, right? And while she was sure that the dog would be just fine? She couldn’t bring herself to leave it out there on its own if she could help it get back home. “And I’m not worried. Dogs and I usually get along just fine.” Pausing the Seelie motioned vaguely to her right. “I’ll go that way, you go the other way and we’ll meet back up.” Casting him what she hoped was an encouraging smile Zehra began walking in that direction. “I’m sure we’ll find your dog just fine.”

Zehra was a beautiful woman. That was definitely an upside to starting her mornings here. A friendly face with a beaming smile and the best bakery items a person could want? Hell, Clara would live here if she could. Taste each delicious item the second it had cooled down enough for her to scoff it down. Just the scent alone had her practically drooling in anticipation. She chuckled softly as the other wiped the flour off her cheek. “Seems like it’ll be a part of the uniform by now.”

Her eyes widened as she weighed out the options given to her. A sharp, dragged out intake of breath as she tapped her chin. “Wow you give me some serious deliberations, babes. I can’t go for just one, I think I’m gonna have to combine.” A wide grin taking over her features.

Clara bit her lip before gasping. “I know! Can I start with one of those perfect apple danishes and a cinnamon swirl please?”

“Coming right up.”

Zehra didn’t even bother to argue that the flour wouldn’t be any part of a uniform because by that point? It definitely was. It would be on her face, sometimes in hair and often times it would be all over her clothes. That’s why more often than not when she was at the bakery she tried to wear light clothes. And when she couldn’t find anything light to wear? She would throw an apron on to try to keep her clothes as clean as possible.

Turning towards the display case where she kept the baked goods the Seelie picked up a piece of wax paper and collected one of the apple danishes, carefully looking them over to pick one of the better looking ones- there was no shame in picking out one of the better ones for a loyal customer. Placing the Danish in the box she repeated the process for the cinnamon swirls and moved back to the counter, placed the little package on the counter.

“You know, I might have to start a punch card or something for loyal customers like you,” she mused, smiling at the blonde girl. “Buy a certain amount of items and get one for free. Might help some of you regulars save some money.”

“Hey, ‘scuse me- sorry, but have you seen a dog? Pitbull, a blue one, probably smackin’ her gums all funny ‘cause she just ate all of the peanut butter, spat out her heartworm medicine and zipped out onto the streets?” There were frequent pauses in between his words just from how winded he was from chasing after his dog. Parker might have explained a little too much, but it’s been one hell of a goddamn morning so far.

“A pitbull?” Zehra blinked for a moment as though not comprehending the question before shaking her head just a little bit. “No, I haven’t see a dog.” Not that she had been actually looking for one. Tucking her hands into her pockets the Seelie glanced around, looking out for the missing pet in question. “But a lot of dogs head over to this area. They like to chase the squirrels and the rabbits so I’m sure she can’t be far,” she tried to reassure him, smiling a little as she glanced back at him. “I can help you look, if you want.”