PPP Fic Contest

PPP: Charms and Chocolates

Kit walked through the familiar cobbled streets, every now and then glancing disapprovingly at the little stalls, proclaiming wondrous trinkets and potions that could bring luck, love, fame, or fortune. Tourist traps, he thought disdainfully, Nothing but a load of -

He had come out of the Tented Market, and turned onto the main street, when he saw the large carriage stationed outside The Cocoa Nut, his favourite shop in the world. A girl with long dark hair and glasses was peering at the large pile of crates and bottles and bags inside, and yelling instructions and encouragements to the two thouroughly fed-up looking helpers who were lugging the goods into the shop.

"Come on, boys, that's it! Put your backs into it! Oh, do be careful, Benjamin, those are dragon stones you're chucking around there!"

She straightened up, and on seeing Kit, beamed and hurried over to him.

"Kit!" she cried, crushing him into a hug. "It's so good to see you!"

"Hey, Suri," he said, grinning. He had missed her.

"Oh for goodness' sake, will you stop growing? I'm the older one, you know," she laughed, ruffling his hair. "So how's my favourite prince doing, hmm? Mallory treating you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Mallory's great - she gives me free pie everyday, what's not to like?"

She rolled her eyes. "Well, I'm glad you're having a good time. Anyway, come inside, lets talk. There's a chocolate milkshake in there with your name on it."

As they climbed the stairs, Kit glanced into the carriage. "Good haul?" he asked.

"Excellent," replied Suri, her eyes sparkling. "I have so many new ideas and flavours I want to try this year - it's exciting!"

Suri Pitch was the founder and owner of The Cocoa Nut, the best chocolate shop in all of Finale. She was not yet eighteen, but her name was known far and wide, and for good reason. Her chocolates were exquisite, each one handcrafted with a unique flavour and design, and they tasted simply divine. Suri actually descended from a long line of fairy godmothers, and had interned at C.A.F.E. when she was fourteen, but dropped out when she realized her true passion lay in making chocolate. She often travelled to far off lands to search for new ingredients and recipes, and she was always experimenting with new chocolate ideas. She had been one of the first people Kit had met when he started disguising himself in the summers, and it was she who had helped him find his various jobs. She was like a protective older sister, and looked out for him. She had recognized him for his true identity almost immediately, as she had often been to the castle to deliver her chocolates for the queen's numerous parties, and she had always had a smile and a kind word for the lonely prince.

Suri pushed open the door, and Kit was hit by the rich, warm smell of chocolate. Since Suri had just returned that morning, the shop hadn't officially opened yet, so they were alone.

He went to one of the little wooden stools in front of the counter and sat down, as Suri whipped up two milkshakes for them.

"So," she said, setting a tall glass down in front of him, "tell me about your summer."

He told her all about the ball and how he was supposed to pick a bride for himself. He told her about working at the pumpkin stall, and reddened slightly when he thought of Noelle. He wasn't sure if he was ready to tell Suri about that.

Quickly trying to change the subject, he asked, "Erm, how's Lance?"

"Oh, he's fine," said Suri, her own cheeks growing slightly pink. "Still complaining that I'm hardly ever around, and that when I am, I'm always putting him to work here, " she laughed, just as Lance himself walked in through the storeroom, arms full of bottles and jars.