The one with Shadow Weaver

"GLIMMER!"

The heads of virtually every customer within the bakery snapped towards the entrance as Adora ran in, face red, breathing heavily, and just yelled Glimmer's name. Bow was right behind her, not being too helpful as he looked around like a scared puppy searching for his friend, asking some customers they passed if they had seen the woman in question.

It took every ounce of self-control that Shadow Weaver possessed to stay where she was and look to the customers that this was fine and that everything was under control, though she would have very much liked to reach over and wrap her fingers around their throats and discipline them on why, regardless of if they worked that day or not, they should not barge into an establishment shouting like barbarians.

Unfortunately, Angella wasn't quite as…lenient… towards her way of maintaining order as Hordak had been. She would much rather try and tame these uncouth, wild teenagers and adults with empty words and little action when Shadow Weaver knew that if you wanted someone to do as you said, force was required.

It was frustrating some days. Understandably, she couldn't do anything to the customers, their repeated business was required, but back at the Coffee Horde, she had been allowed to pull employees who were acting out aside and remind them that they were to behave. But, Angella had made it very clear that Shadow Weaver was not to touch any of the employees when she allowed her to work at the bakery, and Shadow Weaver loathed to admit it, but she would never have gotten the job after Hordak had the audacity of firing her if her former apprentice, Micah of all people, hadn't vouched for her.

Oh, Hordak was still a sore spot. Had it not been for that wretched girl, Catra, Shadow Weaver would have still been enjoying the luxury and power she had at the Coffee Horde. She had worked there faithfully for twelve years. Twelve. Years. And then he fires her! The nerve!

The two of them would get what's coming to them, Shadow Weaver would make sure of that. If she had to work in such a disgustingly colorful and sugary bakery to do so, she would, but she would make sure that Hordak understood his mistake when he got rid of her, and would make sure that Catra regretted ever standing against her. Their days were coming, it was just a matter of time, just a—

"Shadow Weaver!" Adora yelled, yanking Shadow Weaver out of her mental monologue when she slammed her hands onto the counter so hard that the little jars shook and threatened to fall.

Restraint, Shadow Weaver reminded herself, be calm, breathe. "Ah, Adora. What may I do for you today?" she asked sweetly. Even still, Adora was still her favorite, practically a daughter to Shadow Weaver, and she tried to show this motherly affection she had for the blonde by reaching out to her.

Adora jerked away from Shadow Weaver's hand, frowning hard and her brows furrowed.

"Shadow Weaver," that was Bow cutting in, taking a careful step between the two women, as if the counter itself wasn't enough of a wall for them. "Have you seen Glimmer? Or Angella?" he asked, his fingers fidgeting against each other nervously, the boy just radiated anxiety, it was almost as bad as the pure panic that Adora was exuding.

Of course they would be looking for those two. Shadow Weaver did her best not to sigh in annoyance. "No, I can't say that I have. Haven't you tried giving either of them a call?"

"Do you really think that we didn't try that already?" Adora asked, crossing her arms over her chest.

Was it Catra who made her so… rebellious to Shadow Weaver, or had it been her friendship with Bow and Glimmer that made her so? Ah, Shadow Weaver missed the early days when Adora had first joined Coffee Horde, back when she was so obedient and ready to do anything to please Shadow Weaver and Hordak.

Still, Shadow Weaver just tilted her head to the side, watching them carefully. "Of course. But, if I may ask. What has happened that has the both of you so… frazzled?"

At her question, the two just looked at each other like they were surprised at the question, and it infuriated Shadow Weaver. It meant that there had been something and that she was out of the loop. She did not like being out of the loop.

"Shadow Weaver," Bow spoke up again, this time carefully and cautiously as he took a step closer. "You really don't know? Micah's missing."

"I would have thought you of all people would have known! He's like your former student or something! Your boss?!" Adora threw her hands up into the air. "We're trying to find Glimmer because we want to make sure she's okay!"

Oh. It was just that. And here Shadow Weaver had thought it would have been something important. But no, it was just some trivial issue. "I see. Well, I do wish you the best of luck finding her."

Bow quirked an eyebrow at her nonchalant response, watching as Shadow Weaver moved to start wiping down some muffin crumbs from the counter. "You… don't care, do you?" the way he had phrased it, it wasn't much of a question and was rather a statement, an accusation.

"I'm sure he'll be found before too long," Shadow Weaver responded as she continued to work on cleaning. "You're simply overreacting." She had no doubt in her mind that Micah was going to turn up sooner or later, the fool was just too stubborn to die that easily.

Adora looked as if Shadow Weaver had slapped her across the face, fury in her eyes and looking ready to jump over the counter just to get at the woman. She probably would have too, had Bow not thrown himself between them to keep her back.

"You're terrible," Adora growled out, her fingers curling and uncurling. "You're heartless."

"I don't think that's quite your place to decide," Shadow Weaver chuckled. Words were just words, there was nothing Adora could ever say that would bother her in the way the blonde wanted it to. Her skin was hardly as thin and fragile as theirs.

Adora only looked angrier and angrier, but Bow began pushing her back towards the entrance, trying to get them out before they made a scene. Or, rather, a bigger scene. The customers were still watching them like this was some stage born drama unfolding before their eyes. Really, had they nothing better to do than watch and stare?

"Come on, Adora," Bow whispered, having gotten her towards the threshold. "Let's try someplace else. She might be with someone else, and if she's not here, we can try her place."

Still glaring at Shadow Weaver, Adora huffed and gave in. "Fine, alright," she muttered, letting him guide her away.

Children. How pitiful. Shadow Weaver shook her head and resumed her duties. Irresponsible, reckless, it was such a shame to see them act like this. Shadow Weaver held the towel between her long, boney fingers and glanced back towards the kitchen, staring down at the employees who had stopped working, have ceased working since Adora and Bow had arrived.

She gave a dark chuckle. "And who said that you could stop and dawdle?" she asked darkly. Before her eyes, three hurried to get back to baking and cleaning. Ah, even without the same authority Hordak had given her, she could still hold some power over her new acquaintances.