DISCLAIMER: This licence isn't mine. The opinions express by the characters are not mine. I do not support nor encourage the illegal acts or words present here. I can make a distinction between fiction and reality and I trust in my readership's ability to do the same.

Chapter nine: A strange friend

(This chapter takes place after the seventh chapter. The flashback in the eighth chapter is over).

As planned, we are back in Strawberryland. The Berrykin Princess has taken the "mishap" about her daughters well, and gave them names suited for them: Princess Emerald and Princess Tourmaline (the tourmaline is a gemstone that can be turquoise, sometimes). Of course, she thought "Princess Green" and "Princess Turquoise" were simply too uninspired for the little heirs. Finally, everyone is Strawberryland has started to think their green hues weren't so much a handicap, as they were almost undetectable in the grass: it would be extremely easy for them to camouflage themselves if they were hunted by an enemy, when they'll grow up. But, for the moment, they had to wear colorful petticoats, well-noticeable by far for their babysitter: As the Berrykin Princess was still extremely busy with her royal duties, she has asked Berryin Bloom to look after the little princesses. It was a good way to show she wasn't mad at him about the "incident". Emerald and Tourmaline were like every Berrykin babies (boisterous, curious, and a bit capricious) except that everybody in Strawberryland used to call them "the little majesties"; and they weren't aware yet of the heavy responsibilities that rested on their tiny shoulders. Don't forget they were the heirs of Strawberryland.

After this little recap, let's start the story.

This morning, Orange Blossom was walking to her Store when she saw Apple Dumplin', who was dragging her feet.

-Hi Apple! Are you going to school?

-Of course I am. What else could I do?

Orange Blossom shrugged. She didn't want to have a fight with Apple Dumplin', as she already had other plans for the day: To open a school for the baby Berrykins… the commoners as well as the princesses.

At school, Apple Dumplin' saw that Mulberry Murmur was already waiting for her. It was a cold comfort.

-Hi Mulberry. You are in advance.

-Hi Apple. I wanted to show you something, but why are you looking so sad?

Apple Dumplin' sighed.

-I only remembered this morning that this stupid Mrs. Milk Roll has asked me to do a presentation today about the birth of an heir in a Berrykin community.

-So, you don't have your presentation?

-No! I'm going to have a zero, and my sister will tear a strip off me tonight.

-Alright, I see…

But Mulberry didn't look so worried.

-Apple, I've got a plant to save you.

-Really? Tell me what it is!

-Well, you just have to tell Mrs. Milk Roll that the Berryin Princess thought it was a very cozy moment and forbidden you to make a presentation about it.

-You mean I should lie to our homeroom teacher?

-Hey Apple. What do you prefer? Being call an idler in front of everyone, having a terrible mark and certainly a punishment… or tell a little whopper?

-Miss Dumplin', have you got your presentation?

Apple Dumplin' swallowed. Next to her, Mulberry Murmur seemed perfectly calmed. She winked at her.

-No, I haven't, Apple said shyly.

-Oh. Why?

-Well… the Berrykin Princess wanted to protect her privacy. She didn't want any media coverage, and asked me to don't make this presentation, Apple explained clumsily.

It was the first time she tried to lie, and she hoped Mrs. Milk Roll would trust her. She didn't think she had been convincing. But, apparently, Mrs. Milk Roll mistook her discomfort for shyness.

-Alright, too bad. The birth of a royal Berrykin is certainly extremely instructive… But I understand you respect the princess' decision.

Mulberry Murmur was the only one who heard Apple's sight of relief.

-Finally, it wasn't so hard, was it? She asked her during the break. "Next time you are in a tricky situation, remember this method."

-It's easy for you, Apple answered. "You are so self-confident… unlike me…"

-I can easily lie because I use to do it, Mulberry replied. "Now, you have a guilty conscience, but you quickly realize how useful is it to know how to lie. First, you could pretend you follow the stupid rules set by your sister. As example, if she let you go to a party –this is really unlikely- but make you promise you'll be back home at 11 pm, you say yes, but you come back at 2 am and you pretend you respected the curfew. She won't notice anything, and you would have passed a wonderful night. Trust me! Big sisters always prevent you from doing amusing things."

Then, Mulberry showed her what she has brought: a MP3 player on which she had put the music she wanted Apple to hear. But Apple couldn't stop thinking about what Mulberry told her: lying seemed so practical… she had never considered before she could get her chores out of the way, only thanks to a little story. She decided she would ask Mulberry to teach her how to lie properly as soon as possible.

Apple Dumplin was in a much better mood when she came back to school (After all, she was always happier when she came back home than when she went to school), on the contrary of Orange Blossom. She had spent her afternoon trying to teach the baby Berrykins how to read. She won't say they have a low attention span but… it was extremely difficult for them to keep focused on something for more than five consecutive minutes. There was always something that distracted them, like a butterfly, or a passerby...

-Another girl would throw the sponge, Orange blossom thought. "But I won't. I promised Strawberry Shortcake I will help the Berrykins to get used to our world, and I'll keep my promise. Orange Blossom will have the last word!"

To be continued…