Cookie Rehabilitation Program

CH12: Potions and Distrust

The smell of coffee filled the kitchen. Surprisingly enough, Madeleine wasn't in the kitchen. Crepe looked around confused.

Espresso stood next to a coffee machine as he watched his cup brew in the glass container. He took a second to realize Crepe was even there. He smiled warmly when his eyes landed on the pink haired child. "Ah. Good evening, Crepe."

"Morning, Espresso." Crepe spoke as they moved over to one of the table chairs. They pulled it out and sat down with a yawn. "Where's Madeleine?"

"At work. He actually requested the week off but an emergency happened and his abilities as a blessed warrior was needed." Espresso answered calmly and honestly.

Crepe leaned in with interest. "What would be a big enough emergency for someone to need him for that?"

"Simple. An invasion on a village that's under the cookie kingdom's protection." Espresso took a drink of the cup of freshly made coffee.

Crepe looked up, surprised."An invasion? From what? Is he in danger?"

"Who did it is private information. And No. He will be fine. It probably will be dealt with by tonight. He'll be back in the morning if all goes well." Espresso remained calm. "He's really strong."

"I didn't doubt that. He's a knight. Im assuming that title isn't handed out on a whim." Crepe answered as they eyed the coffee machine. They were dying to crack it open and see exactly what made it tic but they didn't want to get in trouble.

"You're correct. I'm pretty sure the number of knights are currently just shy of a dozen." Espresso hummed.

"Oh." Crepe blinked in surprise. Madeleine was that strong?

Espresso didn't say anything else as he finished his drink. He looked at Crepe with a soft smile. "Are you hungry?"

Crepe nodded. Who were they to decline Free food?

Espresso immediately took to grabbing bowls and ingredients and got to work.

He skillfully mixed the various items as Crepe watched silently. He didn't speak up until he had the freshly made batter poured into a pan. "Do you wish to go to work with me? I can't leave you alone so I can call off if you really don't want to go."

Crepe thought about it. They didn't want to leave the house but they definitely didn't want to stay here and be bored.

"I'll go." They ended up agreeing. They were curious on what Espresso did for a living. They assumed he was a magic professor of sorts after their encounter with Cream Puff.

Espresso seemed a bit surprised. Crepe could tell by the way his eyebrows rose and his eyes widened a bit. It wasn't much but was definitely noticeable when he has shown the same 3 expressions during their time here. "Hmm then we will leave in about..." He looked at a clock on the wall. "Half an hour. Is that good?"

Crepe just nodded as they watched him flip the pancakes easily. Espresso was finished after a few more minutes. He sat the plate in front of Crepe with a small warning that it was hot before going to make himself another cup of coffee.

The pancakes seemed to melt in their mouth. Crepe wouldn't admit out loud that it was good though.

Crepe hastily finished up their food and ran up the stairs to their room to get dressed.

—————-

Crepe just watched the back of Espresso's cape flutter in the wind as they walk. After about 20 or so minutes of mindless following they end up stopping in front of a large but old building. Espresso, seeming to be on autopilot at this point, took them to a side door and opened it with a key he pulled from his coat pocket. Crepe looked around as Espresso entered and made sure to shut the door behind them.