Treats Galore
Sharena: Look at all these delicious baked treats!
Sarisse: Oh man, they smell sooo good... Makes me wanna take a bite!
Sharena: Well, I suppose it's only right to try them before serving them to others, yes?
Sarisse: Don't have to tell me twice! *chomp*
Sharena: Agreed. *nibble*
Sarisse: Hmm... Well, they're certainly sweet enough—and delicious in general— but they also might be a touch dry.
Sharena: Hmm, yes. And if they're dry fresh out of the oven like this, the issue will only be worse once they've cooled down.
Notte: OUTTA THE WAY, FOOLS! NOTTE WANTS TREATS!
Cleo: Stand down, Notte! I'll not have you going overboard with snacks before dinner.
Sharena: Cleo! Just the woman we wanted to see! Can you try one of these treats and let us know your professional culinary opinion?
Cleo: Well, I suppose one won't hurt. *munch*
Notte: Hey, no fair! What about MY professional culpability opinion, huh?!
Sharena: Ha ha! Very well, Notte. Open wide.
Sarisse: Well? Do you like them?
Cleo: They're quite good, but I believe you need to heat the oven longer before putting them in.
Cleo: If an oven is not sufficiently preheated, your dough will slacken, and it will also take more time to cook, causing them to dry out.
Sharena: See, I knew you'd be able to help, Cleo! Right then. It's on to batch number two. These are going to knock your socks off!
Cleo: Well, I have a number of chores to attend to, so I will check in on you in a while. Oh, and dinner is still on the way, so do try not to make TOO many sweets, yes?
Together: You got it!
Cleo: ...If this is your idea of "not making too many," I shudder to think of your idea of "a lot."
Sharena: Er, sorry. We sort of got...carried away.
Notte: "We have too many treats" is a SUPER weird complaint for something this delish! Seriously, Cleo, your tip about the oven was right on point.
Sarisse: I tell you what—these puppies look so good, I could horf 'em all down right now.
Cleo: Please do not "horf them all down," or I fear you will not be able to eat your dinner for a week.
Cleo: That being said, these aren't the type of thing that will keep well, so we'd best decide what to do with them in the very near future.
Sharena: I take full responsibility, and will consume every last one to ensure none are wasted.
Sarisse: You can't eat all those—you'd explode! There's enough here for like fifty Nottes!
Notte: And speeeeeeaking of Notte, she's more than happy to help with treat disposal.
Sharena: No. This is my fault, and I can't impose on anyone else to fix it.
Cleo: I disagree, Sharena.
Cleo: These treats were a group effort; there is no need for you to take full responsibility.
Sharena: Oh, Cleo...
Cleo: Also, your plan is simply untenable. You cannot eat this many treats in one sitting—I don't even think Ranzal is capable of such a feat.
Notte: In that case, what say we hand 'em out to Halidom folks and the nearby village?
Sarisse: That's a great idea—even a mountain of treats like this is no match for that many hungry mouths.
Cleo: Then let us divide them up and begin the deliveries at once. Treats such as these are better when fresh, after all.
Sharena: Thank you all so much.
Sarisse: Aw, it ain't no big thing. Friends gotta come together to help each other when the chips are down, after all!
Sharena: In that case, I'll do my best to make sure these snacks find their way to all those happy stomachs!
Sharena: ...Well, we've certainly cut down on the number of surplus treats.
Sharena: And while the residents of the Halidom were certainly glad to receive them, I wonder how things will go here.
Cleo: I wouldn't worry. There are a number of children in this village, and I've never known a youngster to refuse a treat.
Village Child: Whoa, something smells goooood! Where'd you guys come from?
Sharena: As if on cue!
Sharena: We have come from the Halidom in the Mistholt to deliver treats to all of you.
Village Child: Whaaaaat?! Treeeeats?!
Sharena: Yes, and they're all homemade. Please take as many as you like!
Village Child: ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW?!
???: Hoy, what's the meaning of this?!
Child's Father: Who said you could talk to my boy?!
Cleo: I assure you, sir, we meant no harm. We were merely—
Child's Father: Causin' trouble is what you were doing! We've no need of you Mistholt types here, so get lost and forget the way back!
Child's Father: Dammit, boy! How many times have I told you not to take things from strangers?!
Village Child: I'm sorry, sir.
Child's Father: Go on home, now. Get!
Cleo: Well, he was a rather wary fellow.
Sharena: Do we truly look so suspicious?
Village Child: Um, sorry about my father, ma'am.
Cleo: It's only natural for a parent to teach a child not to accept things from strangers.
Sharena: In that case, we'll just have to ensure that we are NOT strangers.
Village Child: Huh?
Sharena: Greetings! My name is Sharena! And what is your name, young man?
Village Child: Um, I'm Mathias.
Sharena: Mathias, is it? Well then, it seems we're proper acquaintances now—or perhaps even friends!
Sharena: And what could be wrong with giving treats to a friend, mmm?
Cleo: Goodness, but this is all being laid on a bit thick...
Sharena: What's wrong, Cleo? This is a perfect plan, is it not?
Mathias: Yeah! You're my friend now, which means my father can't be upset with me!
Cleo: While you are observing the letter of the law, you trample the spirit of it in the dust. There is no way this boy's father will ever fall for such a ham-handed runaround.
Sharena: Then if he gets angry at Mathias, I will bear that anger alongside him. For that is what true friends do!
Cleo: *siiigh* Well, as there is CLEARLY no talking you out of this, I suppose I should go along. Three can bear the brunt of anger better than two, after all.
Sharena: Exactly! Now then, Mathias, reach your hands in there and take all the treats you can handle.
Mathias: Thank you, ma'am! *crunch* *munch*
Sharena: Er, do you like them?
Mathias: Oh yeah! They're as good as Mom's!
Sharena: Really?! Oh, but I'm so delighted! Thank you for saying so.
Cleo: *sigh* Goodness me.
Cleo: (This little escapade is all well and good, but I can't help wondering why Mathias's father was so upset with our being here.)
Sharena: Eeek! Careful, now! If you jump at me, the treats will end up on the ground!
Cleo: Honestly, what ARE you doing?
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