Happy September, Ya'll! I don't know about you guys, but I am SO excited for this challenge! I'm partway through knitting my first hat and it just feels so good to get back into a routine. So without further ado, here's my answer to the prompt:
Prompt: Our heroes are debating: Which is better? Hot Chocolate, or Apple Cider?
Kate Stooler was certainly enjoying her first week as the junior Guildmistress of the Cookery. It was early autumn, her favorite time of year, and the smells currently enveloping her as she weaved her way through dozens of children in colorful aprons could only be described as heavenly. She hummed to herself as she hefted the large bowl of pumpkin cookie dough over her head to accommodate the wispy girl carrying a humongous tray of blueberry gooeyballs towards her, and grinned.
"Those look wonderful, Celia! Did you make them all yourself?"
The little eight-year-old squirmed with happiness, nodding shyly. "I even did the boiling!"
"That's fantastic, kiddo! I can't wait to taste them." Kate smiled encouragingly, and delivered the monstrous bowl to its destination at the counter next to the row of six ovens. "Hugo," She called across the kitchen to a tall boy passing a dish from a high shelf over to a younger guildling, and he waved over to her. "Wouldja mind helping me out with scooping these cookies?"
"Sure thing, Guildmistress!" He called teasingly, and Kate felt her cheeks heat up. She hadn't asked to be the junior Guildmistress. She hadn't even known she was being considered for the position until she'd been called to Head Guildmistress Olumphia's office to be informed she was. But the attention was nice, and the warm, happy feeling in her stomach increased as she shot Hugo a fake glare.
"That's Junior Guildmistress to you, young upstart!" She waggled a finger at him as though she were a crotchety old woman, even though she was only eleven, and even more inaccurate still was the fact that Hugo was seventeen.
"Of course." He gave her a mock bow, offering her the cookie-scoop he held in one hand. "My apologies, junior Guildmistress."
"Apology accepted." She giggled, and accepted the cookie-scoop, dipping it into the bowl, shaping a round ball dotted with chocolate-chips, and plopping it onto the pan. "How's the farm?"
Hugo smiled. "Really busy, what with gettin' ready for the harvest and all. But the O'Sally boys were over yesterday helping out, and we're putting out the invitation for a u-pick apple week. We're hoping the Cookery will want some, 'cause we've got way too many."
"Of course we'll want some," Kate grinned. "It's Cider season."
Hugo made a face. "No it's not. It can't be."
"Why?" Kate questioned, confused.
"Because it's hot chocolate season."
"No it's not!" Kate cried, scandalized. "Hot chocolate's not allowed till November."
Hugo scowled. "What are you talking about? It's now."
She shook her head. "I don't believe you."
"About what?" Came an inquisitive voice from behind them.
Kate turned, and found the three Wingfeather children standing amidst the hustle and bustle of the kitchen, trying to stay out of the way but quite noticeably failing. "This lunatic," She jabbed a finger backwards towards Hugo, who stood, still diligently scooping cookie-balls. "Thinks it's hot chocolate season."
"So?" Kalmar, the middle of the three, raised a furry eyebrow. "It is, isn't it?"
"No it isn't," Janner, the eldest, replied. "It's Cider season. Duh."
"What?" Kal had the same look on his face Kate must have been wearing just minutes ago, and she couldn't help laughing.
"We just had this conversation," She chuckled. "And it didn't get us anywhere."
"Why don't we take a survey?" Suggested Leeli, the youngest of the three. "We can come back in a few days and see who thinks what."
"It's a done deal," Kate nodded. "May the best bibe win."
I refuse to add results to this survey! I am biased, and therefore my opinion cannot be counted on. Which do YOU think is better? Chocolate, or Cider?