Chowder was caught with his hand in the cookie jar, or more specifically the pocket of Panini's dress as he quickly withdrew it.
"Um Nothing" he replied, feigning ignorance with Panini wasn't buying. Chowder was the time of person to pickpocket as she put her hands on his shoulders asking again as he caved. apologizing her going into her pocket.
Chowder explained what happened. it was after their encounter what Chowed continued his shopping for the day. Chowder did not know it but things would take a turn when his nose picked up a certain scent.
He sniffed the air, catching a second whiff before confirming the scent. It was Blurpleberries, the most delicious fruit on the planet. The smell alone was enough to make chowder levitate of the ground, floating through the ground, blindly following the smell. his drool leaving a trail along the floor.
Chowder was surprised as they should not have been any more in the market, as Miss Endive bought all of Gazpacho's stock. it was then that he found the source of the smell. the Pink Cabbit, arguing the vendor of the herbs and spice stand.
Panini was basically standing on his torso and pulling his shirt color, going on about Cinimini. Chowder was tempted to get as much distance from the girl as possible, but the aroma formed into a blue hand, curling it's finger at Chowder as he walked towards her. Panini was too into the conversation she did not even notice him walking up.
"Am I really going to do this?" Chowder asked sliding his hand into the Pocket of Panini's dress. all he needed was one berry, she would never notice as he felt around it wasn't until the pink Cabbit grabbed Chowder's arm when he froze up.
"Well, this is awkward" Chowder responded as he looked at Panini explaining that was when the last chapter cut off.
"So, you were going through my pockets, hoping to get a Blurpleberry?" Panini asked, crossing her arms as he nodded. Chowder went on that she and Endive had them all and it would be easy to give him one.
Panini looked at Chowder feeling a bit sorry that he missed out, if she had to go without them, it would really suck. Panini looked at Chowder, explaining that she was busy at the moment trying to get Cinimini, apologizing as Chowder dug into his bag, holding out a container to Panini.
She held the container, seeing it was in fact the spice she was seeking, Giving Chowder a big hug, consider he saved her butt. Chowder explained that they always got their Cinimini from the market, ever since the Cinimini monster incident.
"That sounds interesting, but I should be heading back" Panini replied walking away before turning back to Chowder.
"You know Num Nums, I don't have any Blurpleberries on me, but I suppose i could sneak you a couple, if you would walk me back" Panini replied, batting her eyes as Chowder backed up, weighing his options.
"Alright, but no kissing or holding hands" Chowders replied as the two walked along the road. it was quite until the two started a conversation. Panini eventually mentioned that it was her dream to own a bakery as Chowder admitted she was actually a good chef.
he admitted that he actually liked receiving baked goods from her, often in attempt to win his affection. as Panini smiled at him, apparently her mother was a pastry chef and that was where she got the desire to be cook as Chowder nodded.
"My Dad is a chef too, he would bake these amazing dishes, I grew up around exotic food, guess that explains why I love food so much, he was the one who got me my apprentice with Mung, apparently they're good friends" Chowder went on as the two actually held a conversation.
Chower wasn't even trying to sneak away as they eventually made it to Endive's business as Panini looked at the purple Cabbit. asking him to come back tomorrow, she would have the Blurpleberry for him. Chowder agreed, heading off before anyone saw him.
The purple Cabbit made his way back to Mungs' seeming elated, tomorrow he would taste the juicy goodness that was the Blurpleberry as he handed the groceries to Mung who looked through everything.
"Where is the Cinimini?" he asked, going through the bag again as Chowder gulped, he could not tell his master that he gave it to Endive's apprentice as he rubbed his shoulder.
"They were out, I could not get any" Chowder replied which was technically true as he got the last one before handed it off as he looked disappointed before shrugging it off.
"Oh well, sometimes life gives you a Schlemons" he said instantly getting over it as he resumed work on the order. Chowder asked if he could help with the dish. Mung told him to wash his hands as the kid did so.
after an hour of cooking the three admired the dish. Mung wiping the sweet from his brow, drawing everyone's attention to the Razzleberry turnovers. Much said that these extremly bitter and should be eaten slowly.
"If eaten too fast the bitter could overwhelm the tastebuds and cause one to lose their sense of taste as Chowder popped the whole thing in his mouth as Mung eeped as Chowder smacked his lip, replying how tasty it was.
Mung looked at Chowder, asking he was okay to which the boy nodded. reminding Mung of the time he ate a whole Puckerberry. sour and bitter foods did not really bother him anymore, reaching for another and Mung gently lead his hand away, reminding him they were for the customer.
Afterwards the group had dinner as Chowder was up in his room getting ready for bed, in his nightgown, brushing his teeth, spitting the paste into the sink as he walked to the bed, gently getting on, the metal chain suspending his bed rattling.
Drifting to the subject of Blurpleberries, the dream that night reflected the events that partook earlier. Chowder was chasing one of the big blue fruits through marzipan city which was always out of reach he ran across the city, chasing after the blue fruit that rolled around.
He chased it all around, reaching out as it was just out of reach. eventually it rolled through the doors of Endive's establishment as Chowder froze up.
"Oh no, the forbidden zone" he replied thinking about turning back before he saw the fruit bouncing in the window before being snatched up. Chowder reached into his shirt pulling a huge spoon attached to a sword handle, suddenly donning armor made from pans. Miss Endive's business suddenly turned into a dark castle as everything around the building sunk into a moat of hot sauce. Chowder sniffed it,
"Phew spicy" he replied, walking forward with his spoon sword drawn making his way through the castle. eventually he found the Fruit, it was in the hands of Panini who was wearing a princess dress, chained to a marble post in the backyard.
"Chowder, you've come to rescue me" Panini replied in glee, seeing him. she told him to hide as the dragon was Coming. Chowder looked around as Huge orange drown was circling the towers as it divebombed into the pool, filled with more of that hot sauce lava.
The dragon emerged from the pool, embedded with gems and brandishing the voice of Miss Endive as she shot more of the orange substance,
"Run Num Nums" Panini called out, trying to pull herself free from the chains. The dragon kept chasing the Purple Cabbit around Pool, insulting him and demanding he get off her property.
"Come back here you dirty commoner, your presence was sullied my beloved castle" The Dragon called, out nearly roasting Chowder. as he covered his butt. his buns were burning as he ran around the pool, his butt still on fire and he jumped into a conveniently placed thrice cream sundae. the cream melted as Chowder sucked up the melted goodness.
A level up sound was heard as he jumped, digging his spoon sword into the cream, lifting the sundae and chucking it at the Dragon as it went down their throat. the dragon exploded in a mess a hot sauce and Thrice Cream as Chowder approached Panini.
"I Know you loved me Chowder" Panini replied, wiping the tear from her eye as Chowder took the fruit from the Princess hand, walking off as he petted it. Panini tried calling him back.
"Nums Nums, come back here and untie me" Panini called out, wiggling in the chains as Chowder had no intentions of coming back. He held the fruit in his hand in triumph, having rescued the elusive Blurpleberry from the scary Dargon. The only kicker was he woke up before getting to eat it.
Chowder laid in his bed, clinging to his drool covered pillow, reflecting on the strange dream. looking at Kimchi as he pondered the dream. He questioned what it meant, usually in his dream his was either running from Panini or she wasn't in them, but this felt weird, and Chowder could not put his finger on it
At Endive's Panini was having that exact same dream but obviously the ending was different.
Chowder had just slain the vile dragon. approaching the chained Panini, swinging she spoon sword which sliced through the chains.
"My lady" he gestured bowing formally as she blushed, admitting how hunky Chowder looked in the armor as he swept her up in his arms.
"Let's leave this horrible place" Chowder said walking through the remains of the castle which started fading away into a beautiful flower filled field. under the moonlight the two walked as she clung to him.
"How about a kiss, my hero" Panini replied as Chowder placed one right on her lips. Panini just let her body go limp, feeling his lips as it sent her into a state of bliss. she was free to leave the castle where she was chained up and start a new life with the knight who dared to rescue her, it was enough to wake her up. Her dream was sweet, and she was a bit upset it ended when it did, envisioning the Knight and Princess from her dream, picturing their happily ever after.
Panini knew real life wasn't a fairy, but she laid in her bed reflecting on what the future would bring those two.
(Originally the Dream was just Chowder's but i decided to add Panini's version of the dream and yes both versions of the dream are symbolic in some sort of way)