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shivalriesArea 1-1: Crisis in the Cake Shop
✵✵✵✵✵
The impoverished child grew without love
He yearned to be useful,
To leave the mark of his existence
His life, he could not choose
Desires died in his throat
Within the prison of reality
But deep in the binding darkness,
he heard a sound:
The song of the knights.
✵✵✵✵✵
Huma Realm: The Suburbs of Wisebury
Pâtisserie La Croûte
Hansel: Now, where do I begin...
[Door rattling]
???: Oh...? I'd thought the shop was open by now...
Hansel, it is I. Are you in there?
Hansel: Foliesilk-san? Sorry, let me open the door.
[Door opens]
Foliesilk: Good morning, Hansel. Are you closed today?
Hansel: Unfortunately, we are... Actually, we've been closed for two days already.
Foliesilk: Is that so? I cannot tell if my timing is better or worse.
You see, I've gotten my hands on some rare tea leaves, so I thought to taste them first before offering them to Alice.
Might I borrow some of your time?
Hansel: I... You... could, maybe?
Foliesilk: Hm... A vague response.
By the way, might I ask where Gretel is? It's rather quiet in here.
Hansel: Yes, about that...
—-
Yesterday, at the Gingerbread House Cake Shop in the forest
]
Gretel: NOOOOO WAAAAY! I don't want your gross medicine, Granny!!
Witch: Pipe down and take it already! You'll feel better afterward.
Gretel: I don't wannaaaaa... I don't even HAVE a fever!
Witch: Oh, please! You can't even stand up by yourself! Now here!
Gretel: Urgh... Blegh...
Witch: Don't spit it out. If you're a good girl and take your medicine, I'll make you some tasty jelly.
???: Mistress...? Um, perhaps you might consider mixing it with something sweet...?
Witch: Don't come in unless you want to get sick too. I can't look after you both.
???: Then let me look after Gretel.
Witch: Leave the girl to me, and get back to the shop. You can't stay closed forever.
Hansel: Without Gretel?
Witch: What, are you going to be on leave until she gets better? You're also a disciple of mine, aren't you? You know how to make some basic desserts.
Unlike my cake shop, you two are renting out your place. If you stay closed, you'll drive yourselves into the red.
This is a good chance for you. It doesn't have to be perfect. Just try running the shop by yourself for a while.
Gretel: ONII-CHAAAAAN! DON'T LEAVE MEEEE!
Hansel: ......
—-
Hansel: And that's what happened...
Foliesilk: So she is ill... Hm, worrisome indeed.
Hansel: Thankfully, my master comes from a long line of apothecaries, so I believe things will be alright.
Foliesilk: I see, so she has some knowledge of medicine? I'm glad Gretel is in good hands.
However, that leaves the question of this shop.
Hansel: Yes... We don't know when Gretel will get better, so I need to somehow run this place by myself.
But, you see... I can't make desserts.
Foliesilk: Oh, truly?
Hansel: Well, I did train with the Mistress, so I can make some simple things.
For the most part, though, I handle the prep work and hospitality.
The "fashionably modern" cakes Gretel makes are far beyond me...
Foliesilk: So you are at an impasse.
Hansel: Yes... I don't want to ruin our reputation by selling things that don't fit our core concept...
Foliesilk: And yet, if you do nothing, that puts the shop at financial risk...
Hansel: Running a pastry shop has always been Gretel's dream. I have to protect this place somehow...
[Knocking on the door]
Foliesilk: Oh? It appears you have a customer.
✵✵✵✵✵
Hansel: I'm sorry, we're closed toda—
Iona: CAN I HAVESOME SWEETSPLEASE...
Hansel: ......
Iona: Every single pastry shop in Wisebury is closed! I can't buy anything...
Hansel: ......
Foliesilk: What is the matter, Hansel? You look as if you've spotted a cockroach.
Hansel: ...Oh no, everything's fine. Yes, it's quite fine...
I'm so sorry, miss. Our pastry chef isn't here today, so I'm afraid we have nothing to sell.
Iona: No...
Hansel: We will be reopening in the near future. We must ask you to wait until then...
Iona: But you said your chef isn't around, right?
Hansel: Yes, well...
Iona: (whispering) If this place is gonna reopen and not close forever like everywhere else, this is my only choice...
Hansel: Um... Miss...?
Iona: Okay, if you don't have a chef, we can just do a summoning!
Hansel: (What's she talking about? I'm kind of scared...)
Foliesilk: A summoning, you say? That sounds like a fine idea, if possible.
Hansel: You know what this summoning business is about?
Foliesilk: Indeed, I have experienced it once.
I know not the details, but I do believe it involves the magic to summon others from distant lands, yes?
Iona: Strictly speaking, it's totally different, but yeah, that's kinda what it's like!
So whaddaya say? Wanna do a summoning?
Hansel: Um... Do you think this is a good idea...?
Foliesilk: Whyever not? Alice once mentioned she met a pastry chef from the Hell Realm herself.
If that chef came here, for instance, perhaps they could make cakes for you.
Iona: Oh, you must mean Fraw-san! That's a great choice! Your Iona-chan's an expert at summoning Fraw-san!
After all, I've succeeded in summoning her once already!
So? How about it? Let's give it a whirl!
Hansel: ...Okay, sure. Um, what should I do, then?
Iona: All you have to do is go, "Wah! Yaaah! Hiyah!" and it'll be done, I think!
Hansel: (Really, what on earth is she going on about...)
Iona: Okay, let's get rollin'! Once Fraw-san is here, make sure you reward your Iona-chan with cake!
Wah! Yaaah! Hiyah!
[Magic noises]
We did it! I'm feeling a rare one coming up!
—-
Elsewhere...
—-
Hansel: ......
Foliesilk: No one here but ourselves.
Iona: ......
Hansel: Woah!
[Hansel is pushed inside the shop]
Iona: I haven't had anything sweet to eat in three whole DAYS!
Please... Somebody... Sugar...
Hansel: Um, okay, understood! Just, please don't come any closer!
Iona: Ough...?
Hansel: All we have are some baked goods that I was going to throw out, as they expire today...
Iona: Can I have 'em?!
Hansel: Certainly... Sorry, Foliesilk-san, could you hand these to her?
Foliesilk: Hansel... Might I remind you that you should not hand out your products for free?
Hansel: They're going bad, anyway. I'd rather see someone enjoy them than throw them out...
And besides, confections are meant to put a smile on people's faces. Those who are sad deserve them all the more.
Foliesilk: I do appreciate your kindness, but this is no little cake shop tucked away in a forest.
There are those who would seek to do evil by taking advantage of that kindness. I do hope you'll be more careful.
Iona: Want... cake...
Foliesilk: Do you have any money?
Iona: Not a lick of it!
Foliesilk: ...Then sweep the storefront, if you will. You shall have your sweets as a reward.
Iona: Whaaaat? Iona-chan doesn't do labor!
Foliesilk: Rotten to the core, I see...
---
Masterlist | Next >
The impoverished child grew without love
He yearned to be useful,
To leave the mark of his existence
His life, he could not choose
Desires died in his throat
Within the prison of reality
But deep in the binding darkness,
he heard a sound:
The song of the knights.
✵✵✵✵✵
Huma Realm: The Suburbs of Wisebury
Pâtisserie La Croûte
Hansel: Now, where do I begin...
[Door rattling]
???: Oh...? I'd thought the shop was open by now...
Hansel, it is I. Are you in there?
Hansel: Foliesilk-san? Sorry, let me open the door.
[Door opens]
Foliesilk: Good morning, Hansel. Are you closed today?
Hansel: Unfortunately, we are... Actually, we've been closed for two days already.
Foliesilk: Is that so? I cannot tell if my timing is better or worse.
You see, I've gotten my hands on some rare tea leaves, so I thought to taste them first before offering them to Alice.
Might I borrow some of your time?
Hansel: I... You... could, maybe?
Foliesilk: Hm... A vague response.
By the way, might I ask where Gretel is? It's rather quiet in here.
Hansel: Yes, about that...
—-
Yesterday, at the Gingerbread House Cake Shop in the forest
]Gretel: NOOOOO WAAAAY! I don't want your gross medicine, Granny!!
Witch: Pipe down and take it already! You'll feel better afterward.
Gretel: I don't wannaaaaa... I don't even HAVE a fever!
Witch: Oh, please! You can't even stand up by yourself! Now here!
Gretel: Urgh... Blegh...
Witch: Don't spit it out. If you're a good girl and take your medicine, I'll make you some tasty jelly.
???: Mistress...? Um, perhaps you might consider mixing it with something sweet...?
Witch: Don't come in unless you want to get sick too. I can't look after you both.
???: Then let me look after Gretel.
Witch: Leave the girl to me, and get back to the shop. You can't stay closed forever.
Hansel: Without Gretel?
Witch: What, are you going to be on leave until she gets better? You're also a disciple of mine, aren't you? You know how to make some basic desserts.
Unlike my cake shop, you two are renting out your place. If you stay closed, you'll drive yourselves into the red.
This is a good chance for you. It doesn't have to be perfect. Just try running the shop by yourself for a while.
Gretel: ONII-CHAAAAAN! DON'T LEAVE MEEEE!
Hansel: ......
—-
Hansel: And that's what happened...
Foliesilk: So she is ill... Hm, worrisome indeed.
Hansel: Thankfully, my master comes from a long line of apothecaries, so I believe things will be alright.
Foliesilk: I see, so she has some knowledge of medicine? I'm glad Gretel is in good hands.
However, that leaves the question of this shop.
Hansel: Yes... We don't know when Gretel will get better, so I need to somehow run this place by myself.
But, you see... I can't make desserts.
Foliesilk: Oh, truly?
Hansel: Well, I did train with the Mistress, so I can make some simple things.
For the most part, though, I handle the prep work and hospitality.
The "fashionably modern" cakes Gretel makes are far beyond me...
Foliesilk: So you are at an impasse.
Hansel: Yes... I don't want to ruin our reputation by selling things that don't fit our core concept...
Foliesilk: And yet, if you do nothing, that puts the shop at financial risk...
Hansel: Running a pastry shop has always been Gretel's dream. I have to protect this place somehow...
[Knocking on the door]
Foliesilk: Oh? It appears you have a customer.
Hansel: I'm sorry, we're closed toda—
Iona: CAN I HAVESOME SWEETSPLEASE...
Hansel: ......
Iona: Every single pastry shop in Wisebury is closed! I can't buy anything...
Hansel: ......
Foliesilk: What is the matter, Hansel? You look as if you've spotted a cockroach.
Hansel: ...Oh no, everything's fine. Yes, it's quite fine...
I'm so sorry, miss. Our pastry chef isn't here today, so I'm afraid we have nothing to sell.
Iona: No...
Hansel: We will be reopening in the near future. We must ask you to wait until then...
Iona: But you said your chef isn't around, right?
Hansel: Yes, well...
Iona: (whispering) If this place is gonna reopen and not close forever like everywhere else, this is my only choice...
Hansel: Um... Miss...?
Iona: Okay, if you don't have a chef, we can just do a summoning!
Hansel: (What's she talking about? I'm kind of scared...)
Foliesilk: A summoning, you say? That sounds like a fine idea, if possible.
Hansel: You know what this summoning business is about?
Foliesilk: Indeed, I have experienced it once.
I know not the details, but I do believe it involves the magic to summon others from distant lands, yes?
Iona: Strictly speaking, it's totally different, but yeah, that's kinda what it's like!
So whaddaya say? Wanna do a summoning?
Hansel: Um... Do you think this is a good idea...?
Foliesilk: Whyever not? Alice once mentioned she met a pastry chef from the Hell Realm herself.
If that chef came here, for instance, perhaps they could make cakes for you.
Iona: Oh, you must mean Fraw-san! That's a great choice! Your Iona-chan's an expert at summoning Fraw-san!
After all, I've succeeded in summoning her once already!
So? How about it? Let's give it a whirl!
Hansel: ...Okay, sure. Um, what should I do, then?
Iona: All you have to do is go, "Wah! Yaaah! Hiyah!" and it'll be done, I think!
Hansel: (Really, what on earth is she going on about...)
Iona: Okay, let's get rollin'! Once Fraw-san is here, make sure you reward your Iona-chan with cake!
Wah! Yaaah! Hiyah!
[Magic noises]
We did it! I'm feeling a rare one coming up!
—-
Elsewhere...
—-
Hansel: ......
Foliesilk: No one here but ourselves.
Iona: ......
Hansel: Woah!
[Hansel is pushed inside the shop]
Iona: I haven't had anything sweet to eat in three whole DAYS!
Please... Somebody... Sugar...
Hansel: Um, okay, understood! Just, please don't come any closer!
Iona: Ough...?
Hansel: All we have are some baked goods that I was going to throw out, as they expire today...
Iona: Can I have 'em?!
Hansel: Certainly... Sorry, Foliesilk-san, could you hand these to her?
Foliesilk: Hansel... Might I remind you that you should not hand out your products for free?
Hansel: They're going bad, anyway. I'd rather see someone enjoy them than throw them out...
And besides, confections are meant to put a smile on people's faces. Those who are sad deserve them all the more.
Foliesilk: I do appreciate your kindness, but this is no little cake shop tucked away in a forest.
There are those who would seek to do evil by taking advantage of that kindness. I do hope you'll be more careful.
Iona: Want... cake...
Foliesilk: Do you have any money?
Iona: Not a lick of it!
Foliesilk: ...Then sweep the storefront, if you will. You shall have your sweets as a reward.
Iona: Whaaaat? Iona-chan doesn't do labor!
Foliesilk: Rotten to the core, I see...
---
Masterlist | Next >
