A few days later (Croix's Workshop)
"Croix won't be back for some time. Now is the perfect chance to clean up her workshop! She's always leaving the place in such a mess," Chariot complained, though Diana could hear the affection in her master's voice. She rubbed against Chariot's leg, purring softly. "Thank you," Chariot said while scratching Diana behind her ears. "I miss her already, but at least I have you two."
On cue, Akko came dashing in with her head stuck in a jar. "Diana! There were no cookies in this jar, only darkness!" she whined. Chariot chuckled but Diana sighed.
"How many times have I told you not to stick your head in things. Last time it was a pickled plum jar, now this? Honestly," Diana lectured. She strode over to Akko, her twin tails swaying behind her. Chariot smirked, despite being so haughty about it, Diana always helped Akko. Once freed from her prison, Akko tried to give Diana a bunch of wet kisses, but Diana wasn't having it. She placed a paw firmly on Akko's head, restraining the pup with ease. Chariot walked over and scooped Akko up in her arms.
"If you help Mama clean up, you'll get cookies. Deal?" Chariot suggested as she pet Akko's coat. Akko nodded her head and wagged her tail enthusiastically. And so, the trio went to work. Diana picked up empty noodle cups and placed them in the trash. Chariot carefully sorted Croix tools which were laying around all over the place. Everything had a place, but Croix often forgot to put things back and would freak out over not finding them the next day. Akko rolled around on the floor and wiggled between spaces, using her body like a feather duster. Diana cringed at her filthy fur. Then Akko's brown fur blazed as if she were wearing embers and the dust was incinerated, leaving her clean. "That's simultaneously clever and disgusting," Diana said, unsure if she should scold the pup or praise her.
A sudden movement caught her eye and Diana pounced in a single fluid motion. Akko gawked at Diana's predatory form as she captured a mouse. Akko did a backflip out of pure excitement, yapping with praise. Chariot heard the commotion and turned to see Diana holding her freshly caught prey. "Great job, Diana! These little guys nibble on all of Croix's tools," Chariot praised while sealing the mouse in a magic cage. Akko halted her energetic dance and watched as Chariot ran her fingers through Diana's fur.
She wanted scritches too.
Later when Chariot opened the door to leave, a gust of wind blew leaves into the workshop. Before she could react, Akko pounced on one of the leaves. Akko rushed up to her with the leaf in her mouth. She placed it in front of Chariot and looked up at her expectantly. "I caught this!" she barked. Chariot smiled at her and pat her head.
"Good girl, Akko!" Chariot said. Akko's eyes lit up and she spun around in circles, overcome with joy. Even Diana seemed to soften up at Akko's innocent delight. She nuzzled Akko in a way anyone else would call lovingly before heading out. Akko was so stunned, she froze in shock. Chariot whisked away the remaining leaves with a flick of her wand before carrying Akko out, still short-circuiting from Diana's affection.
"Mama," Akko said.
"What is it?" Chariot grinned.
"Diana's really soft," Akko stated.
"Yes, she is," Chariot replied. In more ways than one, she thought.