The Stray

2-7: Of Bread and Barter

Helping a real baker wasn't easy. Sure, it was nice to have real tools (besides Mandy) to work with, but losing access to the better part of his spells balanced that out. Reaching for his shadow magic to cut, mash, or lift was second nature, and hearing his spell fizzle each time was really getting on his nerves.

Still, it was no good whining! A witch can't let a little thing like needing to redo her entire spellbook stop her. And he hadn't been kiddin' earlier; he may not be a pro, but he knew his way around a recipe. So with Mandy scouting for ingredients and keeping an eye on Miss Larue, Timothy could measure out cups and spoons and dashes with a practiced hand. He used wisps of anima to set spoons stirrin' and whisks, er, whiskin'. Even as he worked, he could see the rhino through Mandy's sight, thanks to their link.

"First tray of bread's just coming out, good. I'll check the second run of biscuits.... The rhino swooped by as she pulled on thick oven mitts. "Don't overwork that biscuit dough, Timothy!"

"Ah! Sorry." He withdrew his hands from the lumpy dough. Kneading was hard... Oh, wait! Timothy glanced over at his mixing bowl. The yellow dough inside looked just about done. "Lemon cookie dough's ready to portion out." He snapped his fingers, and the spoon he'd had working it started scooping globs of dough onto a pan.

"Lovely!" She smiled at him over her shoulder. "I must say, you're doing well for a beginner."

"Followin' a recipe this clear's a breeze, ma'am!"

...Of course, working hard to do this right meant he hadn't actually had time to, y'know... ask about the town. It was easy to forget what he was actually after with work this pleasant. Oops. Well, no plan worked without a li'l improv.

Just then, a bell rang in the front of the store. Mrs. Ashborne glanced at the clock and pouted at the time. "We're on, dear. I'm going to leave you alone for a moment while I take care of whoever's out there." The wolf nodded. "Watch the size of those cookies— you want them small enough to roll about your palm."

"Right y'are, then." He smiled confidently. She returned the smile gratefully, then bustled out into the front of the store. Timothy waited just long enough for her to vanish... and then crept to the wall to listen in, keeping the work going with his magic.

"Hi there, Toby dear!" Larue's voice singsonged. Gosh, she really was like that with everyone! "You're here early!"

"Ma'am." The gravelly, gruff voice that returned raised the hackles on Timothy's neck. The witch paused his animated tools. "You know why I'm here."

"Of course, of course. Um, I'm kind of behind schedule today... would some off the shelf do?" Did Larue sound nervous? Or embarrassed? Was he imagining it? Mandy flew over to him, hovering at just the right height for a quick throat strike. The wolf heard what sounded like a heavy stomp. His eyes narrowed.

Well, he had to know, didn't he? Mandy shook with anticipation. If this guy was a danger, he wasn't gonna have much time to regret it. Timothy peeked through the door, slow as can be.

Standing before the counter was the biggest man he'd ever seen— he had to be neck an' neck with V for height, and he was broader. Unless that was all shell... he was a tortoise, after all, and one of the large kinds. His face looked about as warm and friendly as rough cut stone, set in a scowl. He must have had to carefully tilt his way into the bakery, because his rugged shell couldn't have fit head on. He was with the watch, judgin' from the short blue stole he wore. Just like V's, not fancy like the Captain's. Timothy's eyes narrowed. If he was with the watch, then just what was he up to?

But he'd taken too long sizing the watchman up. The tortoise's eyes flicked sharply at him, eyes widening just a tad. Frass, Timothy thought, I'm going to have to relearn how to be sneaky out here.