Meeting the Sundews
Sasha couldn't take it anymore.
Every day the old Frog made her work on his farm, waking up before sunrise in the chilly cool morning, working for hours under the hot blistering sun, doing the same identical things every day, with the same old frog ready to reprimand her every time she made a mistake – at least Anne had some previous experience with working!
"Sash," asked Jacob behind her, carrying a large basket of organic compost, "How's going here? Hop Pop said the swagging must be done by today."
"I know!" the girl replied, venting all her repressed anger and frustration, "He reminded me five times already, every time he came and said that I wasn't doing it in the right way! Who cares if I'm not swaging in the correct way?"
"I know how you feel" the boy replied, putting the basket down, "You know that apparently there is just one way to correctly distribute this dung? Because apparently, Hop Pop does! And its smell makes me want to throw out!"
"What about the others?"
"James is finishing patching up the damages left by Domino II" the boy grimaced, remembering the large killer moth that Anne adopted as it was still a cuddly-looking caterpillar, "and Amelia is helping him."
"Wasn't your cousin still on probation due to the whole toothbrushgate?"
"I thought so too, but either Hop Pop didn't care too much about that, or Amelia is better at sweet-talking than you give her credit for."
"She surely got it easy, considering she wasn't forced to learn all those animals in case we meet them. I still got brain freeze, and not in a good way!"
"Hop Pop just wanted to be sure we can't bring another dangerous pet home, even if his methods can go overboard."
"Overboard? That guy is hyper-protective!" Sasha yelled. "And wasn't Anne the one that brought that critter to the farm? Why we had to get punished in her sled?"
Jacob irked back as Sasha vented one of her infamous tantrums. Back to Earth, he knew Sasha in such a mood could be such a spoiled brat queen: the good thing was that Anne and Marcy were always with her to mitigate her temper.
Unlike today.
"Anne and Marcy, where are they?" Sasha roared, as to expect them to come and gather to her whims, "Am I not her best friend? Where are they? Where?"
"You're getting better and better every day, Marcy" Farine Flour, Wartwood's resident baker, and Maddie's father said as the Taiwanese-American girl finished sweeping the floor, "You're also less prone to stumble on your own."
"I guess it's the fact I'm growing accustomed to helping in your store, Mr. Flour" the girl smiled, happy for the compliment, "Plus, you taught me well on the first days."
"I never thought I would have an apprentice, but now that you are here, I could hire you and make it official."
Marcy stopped, and looked at him, "You want to hire me?"
"You're still somewhat a bungler," he chuckled, amused by the girl's emotions, "But you're well-meaning. You strive to learn and improve, and you're quite enthusiastic in everything you do. Moreover, my daughters like you, and it was due to your influence that now Maddie and her sister get better along. Of course, I will pay you for your services."
"You would pay me? How much?"
"Three coppers a day. Of course, this isn't the regular wage I would pay normally, but you're a good worker, and I know Old Hopediah would really use additional income with six kids to take care of. Plus, I can afford to pay for it now."
"I assume the pizzas are still selling well?"
"That's right!" the adult frog's smile grew once more. "Wartwood's citizens may have grown accustomed to them by now, and yet there are still many frogs who still come to my shop to buy them. Even the Mayor had become a regular."
"Mayor Toadstool comes here to buy the pizzas?" Marcy's expression was now disbelieving.
"Not him personally. He usually sends his crony, Toadie, in the late evening. Looks like Toadstool cannot afford to show he likes them in public. Maybe, because it is related to you?"
"Possible," the girl shrugged, "Since we arrived, he was quite suspicious of us."
"That's our town motto, kid: Slow to accept, and even slower to respect. It takes time before we accept something new among us."
Marcy smirked, her heart still feeling a little warm. It was difficult to live as an outcast in a town where almost everyone saw you as a horrible creature, and yet, the fact that Maddie and her family were so accepting of her now made her hope that someday, in the close future, all Wartwood would accept them.
"Just to ask" Farine spoke up again, "I would be interested to know if there are other dishes you would be interested to share with me."
"Other dishes?" Marcy asked, looking at him.
"Well, the pizza was quite popular, and even now, there are still many people interested in buying them. I was thinking that if you or your friends have some more recipes and want to share them with me; I could give you a quite generous share of the earnings-"
Farine kept talking, but Marcy was no more listening, as her brain focused on his words. She knew that Anne had considerable cooking experience, and she could give to him so many good recipes that Wartwood's citizens would have surely appreciated, and she did remember that even Sasha, who was more prone to being served than cooking, knew a couple of recipes for small sweets. Yet, would they be willing to share them?
Maybe if she was the one to go first-?
A light bulb glimmered in Marcy's mind. When she was younger, she had seen her mom cooking some traditional dishes and remembered quite well their taste and smell, as well as how to prepare them. Sure, many ingredients were not available in Amphibia, but maybe Mr. Flour would help her? The frog had good cooking abilities, after all.
"Mr. Flour," the girl said, an enthusiast-filled smile spreading over more than half of her face. "Would you be interested into listen to some recipes called Scallion Pancakes and Xiao Long Bao?"
"Marcy's busy with her volunteering at Maddie's home, while Anne is helping Sprig with-"
Sprig, Sprig, always Sprig! Sasha thought with fury, no more hearing what Jacob was saying to her, Why that pesky little frog must always be there with her? Don't you have someone better to be lame with?
Anne and the small frog had always been close to each other since the humans ended up in this world, and Sasha was tired of feeling irritated by this blatant attempt to steal her best friend. In a different situation, she would have faced him and warned him to stay far from Anne, or confronted Anne and asked her to terminate her relationship with the frog. It wouldn't be the first time Anne did something because Sasha told her.
Yet, Sasha realized that this approach wouldn't have worked as well as in the past. Sprig was a fool, she knew it, but he was still the nephew of Hop Pop and Sasha didn't want to test her chances. Sure, he may have joked when he menaced to throw them out the day Anne broke his cane, but to Sasha, he was obnoxious already every time he reprimanded her for doing poor farm work. Plus, she was not sure the effect would be as she hoped for: what if she ended up driving them closer, than apart?
No, my revenge can't be half-baked and obvious. Revenge is a dish that has to be served up cold, and I need to plan it carefully. I need for Sprig not seeing it until I got him where I-
"Sasha?"
The blonde girl raised her eyes, as she noticed a small figure leaning up to her. A young female yellow frog, dressed in light green and with a turquoise hat with ragged patches, a friendly smile on her face. Someone Sasha knew, and that was by now one of the closest locals to her.
"Ivy!" Sasha smiled genuinely, "You here?"
"Yep, Sash! Hello to you too, sir-"
"I'm Jacob," the boy smiled in turn, noticing the frog attire "Rebel troublemaker, hater of all forms of parental oppression, and veteran lover of hard-rock music. Happy to know you, little one."
"I'm Ivy Sundew, a friend of Sprig."
Oh no, you don't, Sasha thought as she hurried to stop the boy to intervene.
"Jacob? Shouldn't you go to distribute that compost around? If Old Pop noticed you lazing around, he might reprimand you again!"
"But Hop Pop-"
Sasha nudged him hard, making the hidden message clear to him: get out now. Grumbling, Jacob took once again the large smelly basket in his hands and walked away, looking for the others.
"Is everything ok?"
"Oh yeah, Ivy. It was just…a human thing to express comradeship."
"Oh, I see."
"Anyway, what brought you here? Do you have something to tell me? Or were you just hoping for another sparring session later?"
"Actually, I brought good news for you, Sash. You remember when you told me to ask my mom if you could come and help at the teashop?"
Sasha jerked up, her heart beating in emotion. She remembered that day when she grew up so sick and tired of Sprig's monopolizing all of Anne's free time that she went out to vent her anger and met Ivy, and she got the idea of asking her mom if she could come and help at her teashop.
Surely, working in a teashop was better and less tiring than working on a farm. But not only that.
"I asked the same day when I returned, and she said she needed some time to think about it. Today, she gave me the response: she said that if you're still willing, and you have good skills, she can take you in."
Sasha had to control herself for not showing openly her happiness. Working in a teashop, amid teacups and sweets, was a better job than putting up with Hop Pop's menial farm work every day. It was cleaner, less tiring, and while Ivy's mom could have been even more demanding than Old Pop, no work Sasha would possibly have to do would be as much tiring and bothersome.
Plus, it gave Sasha a lot of time to spend alongside Ivy, and thus, the perfect chance to carry on her revenge.
I'll spend any second I have available with Ivy, I'll pretend to be her best friend and show it off with Anne and Sprig. When Sprig will come to me to complain, I'll rebut his accusations and throw them to his face, telling him that me spending time with his best friend is no different from spending time with my best friend. And then, Anne will get jealous, and come back and apologize, and I'll play the bigger one while using it as an example of why I am necessary to her. And then-
"Sasha? Are you okay?"
"Yes, sorry Ivy." Sasha summoned her most powerful poker face, "I'm just happy that your mom decided to accept me. Did she tell you when I can start or-?"
"She told me you can come whenever you're ready. Of course, if you're still busy with some farm work-"
"I'm ok!" Sasha jerked up, "Just give me a minute to fix my hair and I can come. I wasn't doing anything important, anyway-"
"Sasha!" a gruff, grouchy voice called for her, "You're taking too long on that field; are you skipping your work again? Have you ever worked before - Ivy?"
"Good morning, mister Plantar."
"W-what are you-"
"My friend Ivy" Sasha replied immediately, "has come to tell me that her mom accepted to let me work at her teashop from now on. After all, as a host in your house, it is my duty to do my best to help you. Besides, since Ivy is my friend, I want to spend more time with her, as much as possible."
"You want to spend as much time possible with me?" Ivy gleamed up, genuinely impressed by the blonde girl's words.
"That's what friends do, isn't it?" Sasha smiled at her. They were all lies, as Sasha was simply using her as a pawn in her scheme against Sprig, but Ivy had no way to know it back then.
Hop Pop glanced between them, "So, you're going to Felicia's teashop, I assume? What about the work here?"
"I did most of it; plus I'm sure Anne wouldn't have too much trouble finishing it."
Hop Pop closed his eyes. He has seen Sasha's work so far, and he was not impressed by the girl's attitude,
her sloppy and hurried work, her uncaring stance against any kind of authority (mostly his), and her bossy personality. From what he remembered about Felicia, she wasn't the kind of frog to tolerate such behavior from her daughter, let alone an employee. Should he have warned her that it wasn't a good idea?
"Fine, you can go." The old frog replied, taking his decision, "However, if the thing doesn't work out I expect you to finish today's job when you return. And to do it properly."
"Don't worry about it!" Sasha smirked, walking inside to change, "I'll return with my first paycheck and show it in your face!"
"So," Ivy asked, while Sasha was away, "Is Sprig home?"
"Currently he is." Hop Pop replied, still looking at the door where Sasha had left, "But he's busy now, with Anne."
"Here I am," Sasha said, walking back outside, "I'll be back once my work at the teashop is over, HP."
"Don't call me HP!" The old frog replied, having grown to hate that nickname since Anne invented it.
"Sure thing, HP" Sasha smirked, as Hop Pop grumbled again, while she followed Ivy away.
"So…this is your mom's shop?" Sasha asked, looking at the giant teapot made of rock with a sign saying "Felicia's Tea Shoppe" shaped like a pink teacup on the side.
"Yep. Actually, it's also our home, both our rooms are above alongside a spare room that mom rents to travelers."
"So, it's like a bed-and-breakfast, huh?"
"Kind of. I guess we should get inside?"
Once passed the door, Sasha noticed the interior looked very similar to a painting of an old teashop from the 40s or maybe 50s. The walls were covered in pink wallpaper, with flowers or hearts drawn on them; the tables were round, each with two or three heart-shaped chairs around them, while the china was neatly arranged on several shelves and a wide cabinet, next to a finely decorated door. Finally, on each table were several vases filled with fresh flowers, which perfumed the air delightfully.
"Wow, it's quite nice," Sasha said, only half-lying this time. While the shop's style looked old and stuffy (two things that Sasha didn't like much), the blonde-haired girl had to admit the shop's interior decorations and furniture weren't too bad. Maybe there was something not slimy and dirt in this swamped place?
"I guess you must be Ivy's new friend from another world," an older female voice called from the left, and Sasha saw it belonged to a long-haired redhead frog dressed in a dark green dress, coming toward them. At first sight, Sasha realized this was Ivy's mom.
"My name is Sasha Waybright," the human replied. "I suppose you know about me already?"
Felicia didn't reply, immediately, and instead looked at Sasha with questioning eyes, "Ivy told me you are interested in working at my shop alongside her. Is that right?"
"Huh, yes! I know that it's an unusual request, but-"
"Before you say anything else, let me explain how I run my teashop. There is just one way to do things here, the "correct way". From my daughter, and from you, I expect efficiency and perfection. I don't tolerate work done sloppy or rushed. Do you understand me?"
Sasha realized that Ivy's mom was as harsh and strict as Ivy described her. And yet, it still felt like an improvement from working on Hop Pop's farm. Maybe because surely Mrs. Sundew would have not had her work on dirt barehanded?
"I understand that."
"Good. Now, we have less than an hour before our first morning customers arrive, so we'll have to fix you immediately."
"Fix me?" Sasha asked, suddenly worried.
"Your standing is basic, your back needs to be more straightened and your presentation is very poor," Felicia immediately continued, pointing at all the human girls' flaws. "When was the last time you properly cleaned yourself?"
"Hey!" Sasha replied, before stopping herself. No matter how stingy this frog was, she couldn't let her own emotions ruin her plans, "I…try to keep myself clean as much as possible. Unfortunately, Hop Pop's farm lacks many commodities from our world, so I had to do the best with what I had."
"Yet, your best is not enough. Ivy, bring your friend to take a shower, get a appropriate appearance, and give her something proper to wear. Then, I'll explain to her what you need to do today."
"Ok, mom!" the little frog replied.
"Wait, you have a shower?" Sasha asked as Ivy led her upstairs.
"Yes, mom tries to keep me having one every day. I don't like it, but she is so insistent that you can't work in her shop if you're dirty, and so-"
Ivy continued to speak, but Sasha was no more listening to her, as her brain focused on what she learned so far. Felicia had a shower in her shop, a proper one; and she didn't want her workers to work dirty. Thus-
I need to get this job, Sasha thought with enthusiasm, no matter how strict Ivy's mom gets or how much suffering it becomes, it will be worth just for a proper shower.
(Meanwhile, back at the Plantar's farm)
"Hey Anne, the room is now clean! Now that we have finished our work for today, you think we can go-"
"I'm sorry, but I don't feel good today, Sprig."
"What happens? Are you sick? Hop Pop! Call a medic-"
"Not like that," the girl replied, stopping him before he could run out, "But, I was thinking about Domino II, and Sasha."
"Anne, you still feel guilty about that? It was long ago."
"It was the day before yesterday."
"Well, yes. But it wasn't that bad."
"I brought a predator into your house, and it almost ate you!"
"Ok, you may have a point. Yet, I don't understand. I thought you were over it."
"I thought that, too. However, the more I think about it, the more shame I feel. And not only about Domino II..."
She turned around, looking at her bed, the one she shared alongside Sasha's and Marcy's, and more specifically at a particular photo hanging above it. In it, all three of them were smiling, herself making a victory sign with her fingers.
"Before we ended up here, we all had roles in our friendship. Marcy was the smart one and Sasha was our leader. She told us what we should do and what we shouldn't, and we trusted her making decisions for all of us. Before we ended up here, I would have never dared to disobey her, no matter what."
"But you already did. Sasha was against taking Domino II home, but she relented after you pressed on her."
"And look what happened! No matter that we all survived, my actions put everyone in jeopardy! If I wasn't so obstinate and accepted Sasha's decision when I asked the first time, nothing like this would have ever happened!"
Anne's hands moved on her photo, almost as if she was "cuddling" Sasha's face. "What if…I'm the one in the wrong? What if Sasha was right all along?"
"Anne," Sprig walked to her, grabbing her hand, "what are you saying?"
She looked down, thinking back at how many times Sasha pressured her to do things she didn't like. While she accepted them in the name of their friendship, she always hated how much Sasha forced her actions and pressured her to share her own belonging, skip school or get in dangerous events. Last, but not least, stealing the box from that shop and ending up stuck in this place.
Yet, what if there was a reason for Sasha to act this way?
What if, all this time, Sasha was protecting her from making even worse mistakes? From taking decisions she would come to regret later?
"Sprig, I was thinking, what if the next time we go outside, we invite Sasha to join us?"
"That won't work," a grumpy old voice replied, walking into the room.
"Hop Pop! The room is all clear, so we finished all work-"
"What do you mean, it won't work? Sasha's my friend, and-"
"Sasha left earlier," Hop Pop simply said. "She went to work at Felicia's teashop and Ivy accompanied her."
Suddenly, both Anne and Sprig's eyes widened in surprise.
"Sasha went to Felicia's teashop?"
"With Ivy?"
"Yes," Hop Pop murmured, "However, I wouldn't bet for her to stick to it. Felicia is a very strict employer, and I do remind Sasha not to be the girl to easily obey rules. Anyway, if she returns before noon, she'll have to complete her farm works for today. Don't touch it until I say so!"
Hop Pop left again, while Anne and Sprig looked at each other.
"Anne, your best friend is making friends with my best friend? I feel like something terrible is going to befall all of us!"
"Don't be ridiculous. Sprig. The fact that Sasha is getting closer to someone you already know is just a coincidence. Plus, don't Ivy and Sasha know each other already? They often spar together with Amelia."
"Sparring together, I can understand. But now, Sasha's going to work alongside her in her mom's shop? Next time we see, it's going to be so awkward!"
"Actually, I think it's a good thing. Sasha has always been so critical of Amphibia so far. If she's moving toward strengthening her own first stable friendship in this world, then it means she's finally finding her own way to cope after all."
Showers were the gift of superior beings to mere mortals. The ability that made the water rain all over your body at the perfect temperature and prevented minor irritations such as dirt all over your skin or greasy, sticky hairs, while at the same time not having to look around for any large carnivorous creature that might live in Amphibia's bodies of water.
Nothing quite like hot, showering water to make Sasha Waybright feel relaxed and forget all the things she hated about Amphibia. Even the fact that the shower, due to the absence of electricity, was pedal-operated, wasn't an issue big enough for Sasha being unable to appreciate the long-longed feeling of hot water all over her skin.
Sasha would have probably spent hours just relaxing, doing absolutely nothing, being away from any issue of Amphibia, if it wasn't for Ivy knocking on the outside.
"Sash? Everything okay in here?"
"Huh, yeah Ivy." the girl replied, detaching herself from the hot water's pleasure, "I am trying to get properly washed. Your mom is already asking for us?"
"Not yet. I just came to bring the clothes mom gave you to wear. They are the shop's uniform, after all."
Sasha grimaced, at the idea of having to leave the shower so soon. Yet, she knew she couldn't spend too much time cleaning herself if she wanted to have another chance to experience it.
"Fine. Just leave them outside, and wait for me behind the door."
"Oh, right. Sprig told me you hummus don't like to show off your skin."
"It's humans! And this is not a human thing, it's a girl's thing!"
"Really?"
"Just get out."
Ivy left, and Sasha, once she was sure that she was alone, exit the shower, looking at the clothes Ivy piled up for her. Except for the most basic undergarments that she could keep on (her now-filthy school uniform carefully folded on the side), the clothes Felicia gave Sasha to wear were a long-sleeved white shirt, with a striped jacket/vest (at least vertical, that is, slimming) and a long dark red skirt. An outfit, in many ways and views, quite similar to an old out-of-fashion Victorian dress.
"I have I wear this?" said Sasha in a low voice, looking at the dress with disgust. Part of her wanted to rebel and protest: this dress was ridiculous! Not in a million years would she ever consider wearing it.
Still, she knew she had no choice, if she wanted to carry out her plan. And the still wet shower behind her, a luxury she had found again after so much suffering and toil, she did not intend to give it up now that she had found it.
At least it's not one of those ridiculous fast-food uniforms, Sasha thought as she picked up the dress and began to put it on. Besides, it goes well with my shoes.
Once Sasha was fully dressed, she moved a while, to check how the uniform looked on her. Not too bad, she had to admit: the clothes, who until a few seconds ago looked stuffy and old, brightened as she saw them all over her. Did that mean her beauty was able to make even such clothes stand out?
Before she wore them, Sasha thought that such clothes were so hideous, her own social life back home would have been destroyed if someone from Earth saw her like this. Now, she felt her own self-esteem rise once more.
Even such clothes cannot ruin my appearance.
"Sasha, are you ready?" Ivy asked her out of the door, "Are you presentable?."
The blonde-haired girl simply knew that Ivy was probably asking this question with a large, smug smile on her face. Yet, there was nothing she could do about it. At least, for now. "Come in, Ivy."
"Ok Sash, before we- wow, you really wore it?"
"It's the uniform your mom gave me to wear," Sasha simply replied. "Wasn't I supposed to?"
"Actually, you were, but- I never thought it would look so good on you. Mom tried to make me wear one for a couple of years, but I always refuted it. That thing's itchy!"
Sasha chuckled, as she felt an empathic link with the small frog. Ivy was very similar to her: determined, with a strong personality, unwilling to stand under boring rules, a harsh parent watching over her, and stingy all the time.
I guess this is a perfect chance to show her how cool I am.
"Girls!" Felicia's voice came from downstairs, "If you're all well and dressed, you should come down immediately. We don't have much time before the customers arrive!"
"Time to face the music" Ivy sighed, walking down.
"Is your daily workload too heavy?"
"Mom always expects perfect work from me, Sash. If there is even just one small thing wrong, according to her, I must redo it all, until I get it as she says! And she always forbids me to go outside until I do it right!"
"Then, let's do it perfectly the first time and show it off in her face!"
When they reached the end of the stairs, Felicia was already waiting for them, a stern glaze on her eyes, her left foot tapping the floor.
"You girls sure took your time."
"I was getting properly cleaned and groom myself," Sasha replied, focusing her facial skills to look apologetic, "I know I did wrong, but if my clothes and hair gave a messy look, it could have damaged the shop's reputation. This is a classic shop, isn't it?"
Felicia looked at her for a few seconds, not saying anything, "Right. Your posture is surely better, as so is your appearance. Actually, I'm quite pleased you took the proper time for doing things the right way: Ivy always rushes with her doing, and her results are always poor in consequence."
"Mom!" her daughter protested.
"This is your work chores from yesterday, young lady." Felicia continued, "Just look at these napkin swans. Their necks are looking pretty sad!"
"They look fine to me."
"They most certainly are not! I let it pass for this time, but I expect the best from you and your friend," she focused on Sasha. "Now, here's a list of the chores you have to do today…"
(Meanwhile, back to James, Jacob and Amelia:)
"Our 'prentice Tom may now refuse, To wipe his scoundrel Master's Shoes. For now, he's free to sing and play, Over the Hills and far away!" The kids sang along, walking through the forest path.
After finishing off their daily chores at Hop Pop's farm, and realizing Marcy, Anne and Sasha too already had plans for the rest of the day, Jacob decided to venture into the forest and look for some adventure. Of course, Amelia found out and decided to tag along (no matter what Jacob's feelings on the matter were), follow soon after by James.
Now the three humans were now walking on a small path through the forest, moving further and further from the farm, looking for adventure and fun. Amelia was on the vanguard, her wooden katana on the side, ready to be unleashed if she saw any possible danger, her cone-shaped hat protecting her from any falling leave from the above trees. Jacob was a couple of feet behind her, the large quarterstaff Loggle made for him resting on his right shoulder, making him look even more like a badass Viking warrior. Finally, James was on the rear, Loggle's wood-made sextant among the other provisions of his backpack and a couple of spells (borrowed from Marcy's made ones) attached to his belt.
"I have to admit, this is quite a catchy song," Amelia said, moving some ferns that were obstructing her sight, "Where did you learn it, James?"
"It's a popular folk song back in England," the silver-haired boy replied. "It was a military march song once, spread all over the world by the Redcoats in the name of the King. They sang it when they faced the rebels at Lexington."
"Why are you looking at us when you talk about rebels?" Jacob snickered, "You're breaking my heart, Jimmy bro! A rebel? Me? Even if I was born in Canada, a rightful nation subject of your Majesty?"
"Drop the act, you stinky rebel!"
"You fought with King Louis to get us, didn't you? Amène-toi l'Anglais!"
"Even worse than a rebel, a French?! You're done for!" James replied, before using his build to take Jacob in a headlock with a laugh. Jacob managed to get free and struck back, the two boys having a friendly mock fight while laughing.
"Boys...testosterone is really linked with low intelligence."
"It's a good ol' brotherhood moment, Amelia!" Jacob smiled with a goofy grin. "Something someone like you can never understand!"
"So, since when did you speak French, Jacob?"
"Just a little bit, James. My grandma lives in Quebec."
"And what about you, Amelia? I assume you're also a rebel in disguise?"
"My heart belongs to the Empire of the Rising Sun, you yabanito," she glared at him. "As a faithful kitsune-"
"Kitsune is the Japanese word for fox! If you still want to pretend to be some kind of Lone Samurai, at least learn the proper terms!"
James sighed and looked above, as the two cousins started to quarrel once more. It was too soon for using Loggle's sextant to try to orientate themselves with Amphibia's stars, and yet he looked at the still-clear sky, hoping for an idea to distract his two litigious companions.
"What about you? Do you have some song you like to sing when you go walking?"
"Actually, not much," Jacob admitted. "Mom tried to make me join the Boy Scouts once, but I never fit among them. I am more of a lone wolf."
"Mostly because he was caught playing pranks on his fellow tent-mates."
"It was just some pepper, Amelia! And they deserved it for calling the Norsemmen' music lame."
"Ok, remember me to never insult your music," James chuckled.
"Anyway," continued Amelia, "I do know a song that's useful for marches if you're interested."
"You do?"
As a response, Amelia simply started whistling. Her tune was martial, even military, but still quite catchy and nice to the ears. Then, she started singing, and Jacob laughed.
"Really? Colonel's Hathi Elephant Patrol song?" he asked before laughing once again at his cousin's expense.
"W-what do you mean, you baka?" she tried to say this with a straight face, but the blushing easily gave away her thoughts. Seeing her redder than a tomato made Jacob laugh even more.
"Thought so! Under that wise warrior facade, you're still the same kid who likes movies and cartoons for children!"
"They're not for children! They're quality family content!"
"Admit it, Amelia! You may be a weeb, but deep down you're still a big fan of Di-"
The boy never got the chance to end his sentence, as Amelia jumped on his foot, making the boy gasp and resuming their interrupted quarrel, leaving James a silent witness of his failed attempt to smooth things between them.
Thank you for making me an only child, Mom & Mad, he thought with a bittersweet taste, because I do not think I would have ever survived such a conflict if I had a younger brother or sister…
Sasha had now understood the reason for Ivy's constant complaints. Felicia was an all-seeing perfectionist employer, and she had very clear ideas on how things had to be done in her shop. By now, Sasha had lost count of how many times she was forced to redo the same table over and over.
"Now you're getting better at it," Felicia said, examining Sasha's table setting with eyes focused, "The tablecloth is now disposed of in a passable. And the swan napkins now look less deflated. Of course, this is still a poor presentation, but you still have a long path before you."
Sasha, for her part, silently nodded and repressed all her vented-up anger. Felicia was ruthless in pointing out all the mistakes she did and telling her how she was supposed to do it better.
"Of course, I do not expect you to learn all of this in a short time. This is not something everyone can do."
Sasha glared at her: was that a stealth attack on her learning skills? Was Felicia suggesting that she was dumb, for not being able to do it perfectly right now?
Ok, that's how you want to play, old frog? I'll redo this table one more time, and this time, I'll make no mistake and get your approval, just in order to rub it in your face!
"I will redo it again."
"Are you sure?" Felicia looked at her, "It would be difficult to make it better than this, and we don't have much time now-"
"I'll redo it!" Sasha pressed; rage and determination connected behind her peaceful face, "I promise I'll do it better."
Felicia looked at her silently before replying, "Fine, I'll give you another chance. But if you mess it up and the table ends up looking like your first attempt, I'll have you redo it again!"
Just wait and see, you stingy tea lady!
Quickly, Sasha's hands moved to the table and with a quick, silent movement, all of her previous work was undone once more. She gritted her teeth, focusing on what Felicia told her beforehand on the table's setting: the tablecloth aligned perfectly perpendicular to the table so that it does not appear too overhanging on one side and too pulled on the opposite side; The smallest dessert plate placed exactly three fingers from the edge of the table; the small dessert fork always to the right and the swan-shaped napkins always to the left; above the fork, top right, the teacup on the saucer with the handle compulsorily facing right, and the symbol imprinted on the cup clearly visible to the seated customer; the teaspoon above the plate and with the handle always to the right!
"Ivy!" Felicia's voice rang again, this time aimed at her own daughter, "I told you already: if you're going to do things halfway, we'll just have to start over."
"But Mom" she protested, "I'm doing good!"
"No, it just looks good to you" Felicia moved to her table and made some small changes. "You're still missing that extra something-something. It's the details that count, Ivy. Now, come and see what Sasha is doing."
Sasha jerked up, turning to see Felicia returning with her daughter in tow. Immediately, the blonde girl straightened herself up and put a retail worker-smile
"Sash, are you ok?"
"Everything's fine, Ivy" she lied through her teeth "Mrs. Sundew, I redid my table, as I promised. I do hope this time I managed to raise my standard to a new high."
Felicia said nothing, ignoring her and walking past while checking the table, while Ivy moved alongside the human girl.
"She did force you to remake it again and again, huh?"
"Eight times. Eight times I was forced to start over and over."
"I feel you. There are days when I have to redo a single table endless times just for her to say-"
"Acceptable."
"What?/What."
"I can see you actually put some effort into this and the results are clearly showing. Of course, you still have a long path ahead. It is still clear this is the work of a beginner. Anyway, you girls no more need to redo tables. The customers will arrive soon, so go in the kitchen and get ready with the kettles and the sweets."
Sasha grumbled, marching toward the kitchen. She put everything, everything into making it perfect, and yet, that stingy old frog still had the guts to call it "work of a beginner"? What she had to do to impress her?
That is until she felt a hand grabbing on her, and saw two big eyes looking at her in emotion.
"Sash, how did you manage to do it?"
"Do what?"
"You heard her; she said your work was acceptable!"
"Yes?"
"She never says that to me! Every time I do the tables, one way or another, she finds something I did wrong! I never got an "acceptable" from her!"
Sasha looked back, a little stunned by Ivy's confession. Did that mean she managed to outclass her on her first day?
Somehow, inside of her, something was signaling that she had done something wrong. Like, "stealing your best friend's boyfriend" wrong.
It was then, that a knocking sound on the store door caught their attention.
"It's them! Sasha, go to the door and greet them inside: Ivy, with me!"
Sasha nodded, slowly walking to the door, and after taking a deep breath, she opened it.
"Welcome to Felicia's Tea Shoppe" she started to say, almost automatically "How can I-"
"It's one of those monsters!" one of the frogs said, pointing at her, making Sasha wish she could punch him in the face.
"My name is Sasha, and I'm working here from now on," she continued, channeling her fake bon-ton and manners to not yell at them, "Please come in. Above all, let me know if you need something."
The frogs in front of her didn't say anything, taking a couple of steps back, fear in their eyes. Mentally, Sasha wondered if that was how everyone still saw them outside their local acquaintances.
Thankfully for Sasha, her boss was already en route to support.
"Everyone, welcome back!" Felicia said, walking outside and greeting the customers, "I know some of you might be weirded out, but I can assure you, Miss Waybright is extremely docile and will not do anything under my watch."
Under your watch? You're talking like I'm some kind of pet!
"You mean, we can enter without the risk of that thing attacking us?"
I wouldn't guarantee that if you keep calling me a thing.
"She's under my watch and my responsibility!" Felicia added, "Plus, if she ever attacks one of you, I'm giving you a 15% discount."
"What."
"Deal! Move aside, you creature!" one of the frogs said, marching inside, quickly followed by the others.
Sasha struggled to keep her smile, but inside, she was roaring. It's been weeks since she and her friends got stuck in this place and yet, the majority of the locals still treated them like monstrous beasts. When Wartwood would start to see her differently?
"Jacob, James, check it out!"
"What is it, Amelia?"
In response, the cone-hatted girl pointed to their left, toward a nearby bump of dirt and rock, forming a small hill. There, devoid of any vegetation, a large hole, too big to be considered natural, stood silently.
"It's a burrow." James said, looking at the details around the hole, "Whatever it dug it, it must be massive."
"One more reason for walking in the opposite direction, then."
"Jacob, you call yourself a Viking warrior?" his cousin teased him, implicitly calling him a coward "They spent all their days hunting whales and raiding coastal cities, and you tremble at a large hole in the ground?"
"It's not simply a hole!" he replied, clearly offended, "You heard James; this is a burrow, the den of some large animal. And I remind you we currently are stuck in a world where mantises are big as dinosaurs, where dragonflies are big as real dragons, and where even the smallest creatures of our world are big enough to eat you in one bite! And you, you are a very dumb brown-haired girl, with a katana made of wood, who thinks to be some kind of genius martial artist and warrior when you're clearly not!"
"Jacob, I told you several times already: my hair's color is chocolate!"
"And like chocolate you will be chewed, if you get inside-" however, once more Jacob's speech was left uncompleted as Amelia, tired of waiting, jumped forward and rushed into the burrow, yelling her fake-Japanese battle cry.
"Zattenayo!"
"Amelia!" Jacob yelled as he realized that she Leeroy Jenkins-ed again, "She…she just ran in?"
"Yep."
"Without checking from outside if the den is empty or not?"
"Yep."
"And without looking for any hints? No preparation at all?"
"Most likely."
A loud roar, quickly followed by a teenage girl-shriek full of fear, confirmed this.
"…bring it on." he finally groaned, grabbing the quarterstaff and going behind her, with James at his side, "Boyaah!"
"Here's your beetle bites, ladies," Sasha said, placing the platter on the table currently occupied by several old frog ladies, some married, some still hopelessly single. "Hope you like it."
"Thank you, you…strange creature." one of them said, replying to Sasha's smile with one of hers, "Even if your exterior is the ugliest thing I ever saw, your body is sure nice as a frog."
"And you are as beautiful as your faces let us all see, you honorable customer. Thank you again for your patronage!" the blonde girl replied with a stiff smile.
Considering that all the frogs on that table were quite old, it was less than a compliment and more a "stealth insult" but none of the women noticed and chuckled, smiling as Sasha moved to the next table.
Another upside of working under Felicia. Her strong personality and charisma actually managed to make the customers comfortable enough around Sasha. After realizing the human girl was not going to attack them or bite them (as the rumors still said), the initial fear slowly degraded and turned into curiosity, with some frogs or toads specifically requesting for her, just for the chance to peek at her.
Sasha felt she had graduated from "dangerous monster" to "circus freak-show", and yet, it was quite a nice improvement. Especially if there was now a concrete chance to receive some tip for good service.
Still, as the saying went, even the happiest of events has its negative side.
"Hey, monster!" a green lizard-like creature called for her, "Over here!"
The downside of it was that the guys who still didn't like her now harassed her non-stop instead of simply fearing her.
"How can I be at your service?" Sasha replied, once again focusing on not breaking her Stepford façade.
"I want to report your gross incompetence!" the lizard replied, "This tea has too much sugar added, and it is not diluted enough. There are only seven pieces of fly each in these cookies, when there should be many more! Also, your skull hairs, look like a rotten bush!"
Think of the hot shower, of the chance of tips, don't care about what he says. You can't punch him, not here, not now.
"I'm sorry for your displeasure" she lied, "but I'm not in charge of the tea. That is something the shop owner herself does. Anyway, should I report your grievances to her?"
"Of course, you should!" he replied, his voice even more spoiled than before, "Are you taking me for a fool?"
"Me?" Sasha pushed her fake smile to a new level while using another insult-hidden-as-compliment, "I would never accuse someone of something they're not."
"You guess it right. Now shoo!"
Sasha did not need to be told twice and rushed to the kitchen, where Ivy was currently busy washing some dishes.
"Augh!" Sasha roared, once she was sure no one in the tearoom could hear her, "That-that - If I could just - have five minutes with him-" she hissed, her hands mimicking like she was strangling someone.
"Sash, everything ok?"
"No! There is a lizard back there, and he looks like he's taking advantage of the situation to pick on me! At least those old ladies are not mean on purpose!"
"At least they're not pinching your cheeks all the time. It's annoying!"
"Sasha?" Felicia said, re-entering the kitchen, "Something's wrong?"
"Just a very…exigent customer. The lizard one, says the tea has too much sugar and is not diluted enough, the cookies do not have enough flies, and apparently also doesn't like my hair."
"Lizard? But…wait, perhaps you mean someone dressed in a light violet dress, a black hat and criticizing the food all the time?"
"Huh, yeah? You know him?"
Felicia and Ivy exchanged a glance, "Albus Duckweed. And he's not a lizard, he's a newt!"
"Oh? Sorry, I didn't know the difference." Where's Marcy when you need her?
"You stay here and help Ivy with the dishes. I'll take care of Duckweed's request personally."
"What's going on?"
"Sash" Ivy turned to her, "Albus Duckweed's not a customer like the others. He is a restaurant critic here in Wartwood, and many people follow his critiques and suggestion. Thus, his words have a lot of weight. He is also quite hard to please, and he loves to exploit his reputation for personal gain…or to ruin frogs out of spite!"
"I personally knew a lot of people who had to close their shops down, just because of one bad review from him" Felicia growled, resentment flourishing in her voice. "And some others even lost their sparks in everyday work."
"For real?"
"Yup," Ivy said, "Have you heard of Stumpy's?"
"Huh, no?"
"It was one of the most popular restaurants in all of Wartwood, packed every day at lunch at dinner until Duckweed gave him a bad review out of antipathy" Felicia explained, sadness and rage in the words "Now it's a run-down place where only the lowliest of us still gather, and their resident customer is Wally!"
"Well, I guess that explains a lot."
"Duckweed comes here once in a while. He never gave us reviews too bad, and yet, he was the only one who still dares to criticize my tea. I think he does that just out of spite because I'm not kissing his feet."
She looked once more at Ivy and Sasha, a serious glare on her face, "Do as I ask and wash the dishes. I'll deal with him."
Ivy nodded, focusing again on her work, while Felicia walked out. Sasha went to help Ivy when she saw something just out of her blind spot. Her head turned around for a second, and she noticed something she was not expected to see.
As Felicia was walking out, she realized that she was holding the kettles in a less-than-optimal equilibrium position, and she launched them into the air for a few seconds, silently, before grabbing all of them in a fluid, continuous movement.
It was a move many wouldn't have recognized, but Sasha did.
Because that move, was a highly skilled martial art movement.
(…)
For the rest of the workday, Sasha kept a close eye on Felicia, hoping to witness again moves that were clearly martial in nature. However, the long red-haired frog seemed dedicated only to her own work, serving tea and taking care of her customers, leaving Sasha disappointed and impatient.
For this reason, the blond girl decided to change tactics, and make Felicia come to her.
"Sasha!" Felicia's voice came from the tearoom, "Bring some more sweets and a backup kettle! These ladies need another refill."
"Sure, Mrs. Sundew!" Sasha replies, grabbing three small platters of sweets and another kettle full of hot aromatic tea. Now, let's put on a show, and see how she will react.
In the tearoom, some customers had left (especially Albus Duckweed, Sasha thought with a gleam) but many more had taken their place and the shop was now packed, thus limiting the space for moving and serving the tea. Yet, Felicia was moving around the table with natural easiness, her movement not impeded by the flocking in the room or the ever-increasing risk of damaging her china. Was it due to some hidden skills, or just the fruit of doing it every day?
Sasha decided it was the moment to test it.
"Here are the sweets and the additional kettle."
"Thank, you Sash. Let's start by distributing the sweets among the tables. I know it may look difficult, however-"
Tai Chi training, do not fail me now!
Before Felicia could even end up speaking, Sasha was already moving, using the Tai Chi she knew to distribute the sweet in one single, continuous movement, graceful and flexible like the body of a snake. It was a difficult maneuver, and yet, Sasha felt it natural as she progressed, her memory muscles so attuned after so much training on Earth that she could do it without hesitation.
In a few seconds, the sweets were now properly distributed, among the tables, and Sasha stopped to check the reaction of Felicia and her customers. To her delight, the toad sitting on the tables were all looking at her with widening eyes, unbelieving their own sight. No one said a word, too amazed even to speak, and yet, their eyes were speaking more than any mouth could.
"Sasha" Felicia finally spoke, her eyes filling with wonder, "Can you…serve the tea as well?"
"Absolutely, madam," Sasha smiled, smirking on the inside. Let's go over the top, and show her it wasn't a coincidence.
Sasha grabbed the kettle. It was heavy, but not enough to impede her movement. Her Tai-Chi training took over once again, making her move with fluid, continuous movements among the tables and the customers, refilling their teacups in a harmonious sequence. On two occasions, she came close to losing the grip on the kettle or dropping hot tea on the customers, and yet Sasha couldn't help but feel prideful of herself, as all the eyes in the room were now focused on her.
"What a harmonious movement," one of the old frogs said, "Where did you learn it?"
"Is that something all the creatures like you can do, or it's something you have to be trained with?"
"That was…impressive!"
Sasha smiled, gloating about all the attention and interest she was receiving. Would this help her to get another promotion, this time moving from "weird freak creature" to "interesting and living being"? Maybe get some tips to show off her skills?
"Sasha?"
"Yes, Mrs. Sundew?" she looked at Felicia, anticipating her reaction.
"Go back and help Ivy. I'll continue from now on."
Sasha felt a little disappointed that Felicia didn't say anything about her martial arts, not even asking her the nature of her movements. Did she fail to impress her?
Oh well, I guess then I'll have to raise the standard a little more…
As customers kept coming and leaving, Sasha kept on pushing her Tai Chi skills in front of them and Felicia in order to get a reaction out of her. Every time the customers looked at her in wonder, every time she got comments on her skills and abilities, and at a certain point, a couple of them even offered her some coppers tip just for a chance to see her do it again.
And yet, Felicia seemed not to acknowledge her abilities or commented on them. In fact, she kept acting like she could not recognize the style.
But then, what was the move that Sasha witnessed? Did she misinterpret it? Felicia was just a boring tea lady like she thought so at first?
The working day was by now ending, and the last customers were leaving. Sasha, alongside Ivy and her mom, was now taking care of the closing cleaning duties, carrying out the garbage while Ivy was cleaning the tables inside.
The former middle school queen and head cheerleader had just finished unloading the last trash bag outside when she saw her employer sweeping on the ground, her back turned, apparently unaware of Sasha's presence.
What is she doing? Was she waiting for me? Does she plan to finally acknowledge all my moves from earlier?
Felicia didn't speak but silently continued to sweep, eyes closed, without turning her back.
Maybe she hasn't even realized I'm here. should I call for her? Or maybe, this is my chance?
Sasha's muscles tensed, getting into a defensive position. Then, with a sudden jump, she launched herself toward Felicia in a blatant aggressive move of Tai Chi.
Felicia didn't react until Sasha was almost going to hit her. Then, with a quick movement, she dropped the broom, grabbed the human girl, and blocked her on the ground, her hands blocking her adversary's arms.
"I knew it!" Sasha smirked; all her actions now vindicated. "That wasn't a coincidence, huh? That was a martial art move!"
"Indeed. I realized what you were trying to do before, but I wasn't trying to ignore you. I was just waiting for the right time, and the right place to speak."
"You didn't want to reveal it before your customers, huh?"
"Them…and Ivy."
Sasha recoiled back, an interrogative look forming on her face. "You are also keeping this a secret from her? But, why?"
Felicia smirked, "Fold the swan napkin."
"What."
"I said, fold the swan napkin."
Sasha moved, her hands replying to the movements she had painstakingly learned today. As she did so, she managed to break free of Felicia's block on her arms.
"Hey, I just got free. How-"
"Now sift the tea," Felicia moved to attack her. Sasha, still unable to process, replied the movement to sift the tea, and realized she was actually fighting back. These weren't tea procedures, they were martial art moves!
"And now" Felicia spoke again, grabbing both the girls' hands, "Change the tablecloth."
"With pleasure." Sasha grinned, moving as she knew so. In a few instants, she was able to push Felicia all over her head, and then, she subdued her.
"You learned well, for your first day," Felicia said, putting herself back on her feet. "I guess whatever experience you had already made it easier for you."
"Oh. My. Frogs." Sasha smirked, as her brain connected all the dots, "All those stuffy procedures, all those boring protocols…they're in fact a hidden training in martial arts!"
"You've got a sharp mind, don't you, Sasha? Sure, it took a long time to craft it, but the results are way beyond anything I could hope."
"But how-how-"
"How?" Felicia said, looking at her, "I wasn't always the owner of a teashop. Actually, when I was younger, I was more similar to you: aggressive, short-tempered, didn't have much patience-"
"I get it, I get it! But how this relates to Ivy?"
"Sasha, I was an adventurer once."
Sasha's mind spun, hearing Felicia saying such words. She knew what an adventurer was (Marcy often spoke to her about them, especially about her own characters and dungeon parties), and yet, she couldn't figure out Felicia in such a role.
Was she wrong all along? Maybe not all adults were boring and killjoys?
"You, an adventurer?"
"Where do you think I gathered my exotic selection of teas? Or my high-class furniture? Or frog china?"
At that moment, Sasha took a step back, and she felt her admiration for Felicia in her heart skyrocket.
"Ivy doesn't know this, but I understand her desire to see the world. And become an adventurer, like I was in the past. However, just because I know what kind of dangers she would have to face, I know that the daughter of Felis the Red wouldn't have an easy time if she wasn't prepared."
"Felis the Red? That was adventurer's name?"
"I think there are still many frogs and toads, outside the valley, that still remembers that name. I really want Ivy to be able to follow in my footstep, even taking her with me on my next tea-gathering adventure. However, I can't bring her out there…unless I'm sure she is ready."
"All those chores you're giving Ivy to do…you're actually secretly training her, like Mr. Miyagi!"
"Who is this Mr. Miyagi you're talking about?"
"Well," Sasha replied, a little ashamed of having seen a movie that Amelia would have liked too "He is a teacher from a story from our world. He is a strict teacher that gives a young kid many chores to do, one of them being "Wax on, Wax off", but the kid later finds out those "chores" was a secret training he received to learn martial arts and win in a contest he will participate."
"I guess some stories always have a shade of the truth" Felicia smirked "Nevertheless, I can't reveal this to Ivy, not yet, and your little stunts today could have blown my cover if she realized what she was doing!"
Sasha looked down, for the first time sincerely ashamed of herself. Would Felicia fire her? Would she never see that shower ever again?
"I'm not firing you" she replied, guessing her concern "Your behavior was quite…unprofessional, and yet, I can understand why you did that. Thus, I'm offering you a deal: I'll overlook that if you promise to don't tell Ivy anything without my permission. I trust you, so I know you'll keep your promise if you say so."
Sasha gasped. She was - she was trusting her? An adult, was willing to trust her, and wanted to be trusted by her in return?
In a few seconds, under the attack of Felicia's words, Sasha's pre-conceptual mindset crumbled, as she felt a new light shine inside of her. Was this how it felt, having someone that trust you?
"I'll do it." Sasha said, a genuine smile of happiness on her face, "But I want something more in return."
"What do you want?"
"I want you to teach martial arts too. As you can see, I have some experience, but I would accept to be your disciple."
Felicia shrugged, "Hear, hear, a little ambitious, aren't we?"
"I prefer to say I'm focused on my objectives."
"Fine." Felicia sighed, as she imagined dealing with the human girl from now on, "We will still have to work on your attitude toward others. And, I expect the same level of diligence from you that I saw today, every day!"
"Yes sir, ma'am!" Sasha replied, hearing an unfamiliar feeling of happiness growing inside of her.
"I must admit, I was quite surprised by how much hard-working and determined you were. Now, let's go wash your uniform and give yourself another shower. You are an official worker of Felicia's Tea Shoppe now, it's mandatory to be cleaned!"
"With pleasure, Mrs. Sundew!" Sasha smirked, never been so happy to obey an order. "With great pleasure!"
"Wow, these sweets are amazing!"
"I want more!"
"Sprig, Polly, don't eat too fast. If you keep going like this, you'll end them in no time!"
"Don't worry, Anna-Banana: we have more!"
"Mar-Mar, I am actually surprised that you managed to find Scallion pancakes here on Amphibia-"
"Actually," the Taiwanese-American said with a blush, with an embarrassed smirk, "It was one of the recipes of my mom. She taught me the recipe, but I had not enough cooking experience to make them. However, Mr. Flour was very interested in them."
"You're planning to redo the success we had with the pizza, don't you?"
"Well, Mr. Flour said he wanted to take me as an apprentice. He said he would pay me, and I would have more time to spend with Maddie and-"
"What?" Hop Pop said, arriving at that moment, "Farine is hiring you? How much he is going to pay?"
"Three coppers a day, plus a percentage on the sales of any new dish me or any of us is willing to suggest to him." Marcy smiled. "The Scallion pancakes are just the beginning. What do you think?"
Anne thought about it, as Sprig and Polly assumed wondered expressions, while Hop Pop reacted with delight. She knew of many potential recipes that could be replicated with Amphibian ingredients. If Farine was interested-
The farm's door opened and Sasha walked in, a strange gleaming, satisfied, happy expression on her face.
"Sash! You're back!"
"Hello, Mar-Mar; hello Anne; Hello guys!"
"Sasha," Anne said, walking toward her "About what happened before, I just want to say-"
"There is no need for that, Boonchuy."
Anne's eyes widened, not expecting such answer. Usually, when Sasha was pissed about something, she wasn't the kind of person to forgive and forget in a short time. And the fact that she had been ignoring her (even if not on purpose) was not a small issue.
"Whaaa?"
"Ivy and I had a very good time together. And Felicia was genuinely impressed with my work. She said she wants to hire me on a regular basis to work on her teashop."
"Felicia is hiring you?" Hop Pop replied in shock, "She's a very difficult person to please!"
"Difficult doesn't mean impossible, HP," Sasha looked at him with piety, "I have an official uniform, a good work schedule, and I'm paid two coppers a day."
"Sash!" Marcy exclaimed in joy, "You made it! I knew it, I knew it! Yes, yes, yes, yes!"
"Wow, I'm…genuinely happy for you, Sash." Anne replied, unsure about her current feelings.
"Plus, even if Felicia told me I would get my wage at the end of the workweek, she gave me something to celebrate my first workday," the blonde girl smirked, taking a small bag out of her pockets.
"It's that… a teabag?"
"Not just any teabag, Boonchuy. This is a local tea, whose fragrance and taste are identical to the Jasmine tea I love. Mrs. Sundew told me she would give me more in the future, but for now, I would like to share it with my two best friends."
"Tea and pancakes? Yeah!" Marcy said, her enthusiasm roaring once more, "Sweets and Friends Time!"
"I'll go fetch a kettle," Sasha replied, walking to the kitchen, "Then, we can share details about our days."
I know I shouldn't be so friendly with them now, Sasha tough as she passed over Anne and Marcy, but I'm too happy right now to reestablish my position, and my revenge plan involving Ivy is a long-term one. Plus, I think simply hiding them I can have two hot showers for each workday will be an act of sufficient revenge…for now.
Sasha had just walked into the kitchen when someone knocked on the door again, leading Anne to open it… and close it back immediately after.
"Guys?" Anne said, once her nose was safe once more.
"Anne," Jacob said, Amelia and James on his sides, "It's us. Please, let us in!"
"Frogs, you all smell terrible! What happened?"
"We had a close run-down with a large skunk-like monster." James intervened, while Jacob silently glared at Amelia, "We wish to clean ourselves and-"
"No way!" Hop Pop moved to Anne's side, pushing her afar from the door, "Sorry kids, but I can't allow you inside as long as you stink like that."
"But we already tried to bathe us in the lake-"
"Three times!"
"-and the smell isn't going away!"
"Don't worry guys," Marcy said, grabbing her journal and checking the info she copied from Hop Pop's books, "According to this, the smell will naturally go away in seven hours from now."
"Seven hours? But we cannot wait outside that long!"
"Don't worry, there is always Bessie's stable. Considering its common smell, I do not think she will notice a difference."
"We have to sleep-"
"-on the stable?"
"This is your entire fault!" Jacob roared toward Amelia, "If you hadn't rushed in such a dumb way-"
"Me? I was trying to lead you to adventure, you brute-"
James silently sat down, as Jacob and Amelia started to argue once more, and looked above at the evening sky, where familiar lights were saluting him once more.
At least, this looks like it will be a very good night to watch the stars…