As they moved forward, they see 2 small white things waiting at the front of them. Little Maria gasps before whistling. Loud barks and howls confirmed to them that its is Snowy and Leiah waiting. They charged for their owner and friend as she crouches down quickly with open arms.
"Snowy! Leiah! Thank goodness you're alright." Little Maria said happily.
The dogs yipped in joy as they each received affection from their handler. Augustino was holding the lollipop little Maria dropped during the rescue. He smiles before tapping her shoulder gently. Little Maria gets up and Augustino hands her her lollipop back. She smiles before gesturing if she can half it with him. He smiles before nodding. Something soon cuts the lollipop in half. They turned to see an Oompa-Loompa helping them, smiling at the duo. They just laughed it off before they all continued walking to the next place. Viola starts speeding up to catch up to little Maria and Augustino.
"Are you ok? You look tired." Viola asks.
Little Maria shrugs, taking a small bottle and drink it a bit before closing it back up. The sound of glass clanking shut made them turn to see that little Maria drank something.
"Carnation?" Violet asks.
Little Maria shakes her head.
"Anise?" Mike asks.
Still, little Maria shook her head.
"Liliac?" Veruca asks.
Even at that, she shook her head. They're very curious at its contents.
"What did you just drink?" Viola's father asks.
"Just drank something I once gave to my Older Brother. It's an American Ginseng. Great for the body and protects against all types of stress." Little Maria informs them.
They stared at her, shocked that this child has learned that. Mia smiles.
"That's my girl." Mia said.
Yips from Leiah and Snowy also confirms this.
"She's always up studying these kinds. Herbs, flowers, anything medicinal from nature in general. She always wanted to become an Herbalist once she's old enough." Mia told them.
All of them walked along, letting the children and teens go first. Mia then whispered something to the adults once they're out of ear-shot.
"But she's been helping out so much, she almost gets little sleep. Studying hard, looking after the shop, taking great care of her plants... and add that with the chores mom lets her do is too much. I've always helped out, but only when she asks. Almost as stubborn as our dad... Like father like daughter I guess..." Mia explained.
They all nodded visibly. Little Maria smiles as her dogs behaved well and gives them small hand gestures and small commands, which they followed correctly and obediently. The children gasped an applauded.
"How did you do that?" Justin asks.
"How did you do it?" Augustino asks.
"How did you make them behave so well?" Viola asks.
"I want a pet like yours! How do you do it? Is there a secret to it?" Veronica asks.
Little Maria chuckles, earning questioning looks from the previous contestants.
"You really want to know?" Little Maria asks once she's calmed down.
They all nod, wishing to know her secret. She sat on the floor as the two dogs trotted towards her and lay on her lap.
YOU ARE READING
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: Beyond the Looking Glass
FanficIt's been 2 years since Charlie inherited the factory and 2 years since he and his family lived with Mr. Wonka and his father, Dr. Wonka, in the wonderful Wonka Factory... ... All that, and they needed some more helpers... 9 of them to be exact...
