Title: How do you drink your hot chocolate?
Author: Ree
Theme: Chibi-Usa (peppermint)
Genre: General
Version: Manga/Anime Crystal Tokyo
Rating: G

This lovely child and her friends were the creations of Takeuchi Naoko. I am just playing with some really nice dolls. ( And hiding them from my daughter and niece.-)

How do you drink your hot chocolate?

AN: ChloeJuno, KamariaVesta, ArleneCeres, AethelPallas, UsagiChibiUsa

Usagi wrapped a hand around the cup of hot chocolate that Arlene slid in front of her. The smell of the rich, dark chocolate wafted up and blended with the smell of peppermint from the peppermint stick that she was holding. 'Um-m-m, chocolate and peppermint, they go together so well. It reminds me of something.' Taking a sip of her hot chocolate, she tried to remember what.

'Ikuko-mama! That is what it reminds me of. Making chocolate covered mints with her.' Usagi's mind flew back to the time when she was still called ChibiUsa, and was sitting at the table watching and helping Ikuko-mama make candies. She helped to make the creamy center, and Ikuko-mama had put in the peppermint flavoring. But what she remembered most was when they dipped the cooled, peppermint flavored fondant patties into melted chocolate. Ikuko-mama smiled and laughed as she accidentally dribbled chocolate in a trail across the table. That laughter made her feel safe and loved.

Arlene's voice cut through her musings. "Usagi! Chloe! Aethel!"

Dark pink, pale green, and pale blue eyes met pink eyes, and the three girls queried. "What?"

Arlene gestured to their cups of chocolate. "Why are you ruining your hot chocolate? Kamaria is the only one who hasn't!"

Kamaria's eyes met Aethel's for a brief moment. 'I guess I'll forgo the cream I was about to ask for.'

A quick glance showed Usagi that she had dipped her peppermint stick into her cup. Glancing at the other culprits, she saw that Chloe had out a cinnamon stick poking out of her cup, and Aethel's looked suspiciously pale.

Chloe stirred hers with the cinnamon stick. "I like cinnamon in my hot chocolate. I also like whipped cream, but there wasn't any here."

Aethel pushed a small cold pitcher towards her. "Heavy cream works pretty well." Then she grinned back at Arlene. "And you should know that we English can't drink things without loading them down with cream. You are always picking on me about my tea."

Arlene snorted and transfered her offended look to Usagi. "And what is your excuse?"

Usagi hoped her smile looked like Ikuko-mama's. "It reminds me of my Grandmama."

Arlene's offended expression melted. "That is a good reason. What was your Grandmama like?" The others looked at her expectantly.

Usagi sipped at her chocolate as she told them what she could about Ikuko-mama.