Flames of Jealousy

Chapter Two: Three's A Crowd

The next day, Clover witnessed the arrival of some of the royal children's friends, flown in on carriages pulled by winged horses; Prince Zandar, Princess Hildegard, Princess Clio, and Princess Vivian.

"Oh, Vivian's here." Clover noted nonchalantly as he saw her pass by. Suddenly, he realized something. "Wait, that usually means..."

"CLOVER!"

Clover barely had time to squeak "Oh, no" before a scaly teal blur knocked him off his feet and started squeezing him tightly.

"Ohh, it's so good to see you!" Crackle the dragon gushed, holding Clover in a vice-like grip. "I've missed you soooo much!"

"Yeah, sure." Clover groaned. "It's only been, what? Two, three days since we last saw each other?"

"It felt more like two, three years!" Crackle squealed, hugging Clover ever more tightly.

"Speaking of feeling..." Clover wheezed. "I can't feel anything below my shoulders!"

"Oh, sorry!" Crackle let Clover go, and he dropped to the floor.

"Crackle!" Vivian called.

"Ooh, Vivian wants me." Crackle stood to attention. "Don't go anywhere, I'll be right back!"

"No worries there." Clover groaned, as the dragon ran to her owner.

"Well, would you look at that." Came a familiar voice from above.

Clover looked up to see Robin and Mia perched on a nearby tree's branch, clearly having seen and heard everything.

"The ladies just can't keep their hands off you, can they, Clover?" Robin teased.

"Hah-hah-heh-heh." Clover laughed sarcastically.

"Crackle really likes you, doesn't she?" Mia smiled. "I think that's so sweet!"

Before Clover could respond, Crackle came bounding back,wearing a pink bow around her neck. Robin and Mia appeared to make themselves scarse, but actually flew to a higher vantage point, not wanting to miss the show.

"What do you think?" Crackle asked as she struck a model-like pose. "Sofia gave it to Vivian, to give to me! How does it look?"

"Yeah, it looks..." Clover searched for the safest word. "...Nice."

"Oh, thank you!" Crackle squealed, giving Clover another hug. "Hey, are you hungry? I could cook up some carrots for you!"

"That does sound good." Clover smiled. "But I was planning to go see a friend today."

"A... friend?" Crackle face fell. "What kind of friend?"

"Another bunny." Clover revealed. "Hey, maybe you can cook up some carrots for both of us!"

"Yeah, I guess so..." Crackle said, trying to hide her disappointment. She had wanted Clover all to herself.

"Okay, then." Clover grinned. "Let's go!"

As Clover hopped off, Crackle followed.

"I think that's enough spectating for today, Mia." Robin declared. "Let's go get some berries."

"That does sound good." Mia smiled.

As the two birds took off, Clover and Crackle made their way to the castle zoo, where Crackle saw a small model castle, with a familiar white rabbit atop the balcony.

"Oh." Crackle growled. "It's her."

"Hello, Clover." Ginger smiled, before noticing Crackle. "Hmm, I see you've brought a guest."

"Yeah, you remember each other from the pet contest?" Clover chuckled. "Crackle, Ginger. Ginger, Crackle."

"Of course." Ginger said testily. "A pleasure to see you again. Truly..."

"Yeah, sure." Crackle sneered.

Ginger had an extra-large platter of carrot slices (Due to Clover asking Sofia to ask the zookeepers to provide them the night before).

"Hey, Crackle, how about some crispy carrots?" Clover asked, before turning to Ginger. "You're gonna love these, Ginger!"

Reluctantly, Crackle singed the carrot slices Clover had sat down next to. Then, with a furtive glance, she completely incinerated Ginger's share, reducing them to ash.

"Whoops!" Crackle declared innocently. "Guess I overdid it!"

"Oh, my!" Ginger gasped with dismay at the former carrot slices.

"No problem." Clover smiled. "You can share my half."

"Why, thank you, Clover." Ginger smiled. Tentatively, she took a bite out of a slice. "Mmm, this is quite delicious!"

"Told you." Clover smiled.

"My compliments to the chef." Ginger waved a paw at Crackle.

"Gee, thanks." Crackle said with fake cheer, barely able to hide her annoyance.

The bunnies quickly whittled the slices down to one, which each insisted the other have.

"You can have the last one." Ginger nudged it with her nose.

"No, you." Clover nudged it back.

"I insist." Ginger persisted.

"So do I." Clover returned.

The bunnies chuckled merrily. Crackle silently seethed, smoke jetting out of her nostrils, as they smiled at each other, almost nose to nose.

'Who does she think she is?' She thought angrily. 'Clover's MY friend, not hers!'

"Crackle!" Once again, Vivian's voice called out through the air. "Time to go!"

"Guess you gotta leave, now, huh?" Clover noted. "'Til next time, Crackle."

"Yeah, bye." Crackle mumbled, turning to leave.

"Ta-ta, Crackle." Ginger added.

Crackle almost stopped. She was struck by the urge to turn around and put Ginger in her place, but after a brief mental struggle, she decided against it.

'Enjoy Clover while you can, Ginger.' Crackle thought maliciously. 'Cause no-one tries to move in on my friends and gets away with it!'

To Be Continued...

(Sofia The First and all associated characters are the property of Disney.)