The Tale of the Rolling Peach

Chapter II

The castle, like any other castle, was grand, extravagant, with an air of splendor. Anyone who passes by it would look at it in awe. That's exactly what the fruit did when it saw it. On the way back, the woman introduced herself as Princess Audelia, Mage of a fellowship that the peach had already forgotten the name to. She explained about the fellowship, the towns, and a few kingdoms. She also talked about other people within the fellowship. During all of this, the peach only picked up half of the info, too hungry to focus. It was a bit tired too. Therefore, to cover it up, it nodded at a few statements.

Fortunately for the peach, the kitchen wasn't that far into the castle. It was set down on the counter and the princess went through the cabinets and fridge in search of food.

"Hmm... what would a peach eat?" She looked at the choices, to the peach, and back to her options. The peach just stood there waiting for the being. Eventually, the woman picked something she thought the peach might like and place it in front of it. It was something the fruit has never seen before (it was a fruit after all). It sniffed it, eyed it suspiciously and licked it.

Audelia giggled, "You've never seen crackers before?" The peach shook its head. "Momo's never seen anything like this before. A cracker...." It whispered as if the crumbly snack would come to life if it spoke too loudly.

"You can talk!?" Momo looked at the being, a bit irritated. "Yes. Momo can speak. How do you think I understand you, being?" The princess stared dumbfounded at the fruit who calls herself Momo. At least, she thinks it's a girl, judging by the sound of the fruit's voice.

"Well, I guess you have a point." she smiled, "Nice to meet you Momo." Momo looked away bashfully. "No being has ever been nice to Momo before." Audelia's eyes widened in realization. "Is that why you growled at him?" Momo nodded, nibbling on a cracker.

"Aww. You don't have to worry about being mistreated ever again. Everyone in this castle is very nice... more or less." Momo perked up at that. "Really! They won't cut Momo up into fruit salad. Momo knows what that is. Had nightmares about it." Momo shivered. Audelia displayed a worried expression but said nothing.

Then, a man came into the kitchen. When he saw Audelia, he swooned. "My princess. You're home! Where have you- OH MY GOODNESS!!!" The man pointed at the live fruit. "Where... where!!"

"My knight! It's rude to point at people." The princess lectured the knight. "This is Momo, she'll be staying here from now on... if you don't mind, of course." The Knight slapped his cheek and pinched himself to double check. Nope, still there. "Knight!"

"A-ah yes, it's fine. Sorry, was not expecting a live peach in the kitchen." he giggled, which confused Momo for a moment. Men can giggle? Since when?

Momo shrugged the man off and continued devouring her crackers. The princess explained to the knight of what happened earlier in the village. "A peach that can growl and talk? I knew I should've laid off the nectar." Audelia raised a brow. Before she can say anything, however, Momo tugged on her sleeve. "Can Momo have more crackers?"

Audelia smiled, "Of course you can! By the way, this is Tarnished Knight. TK for short." TK waved at the fruit. Momo just sat there, narrowing her eyes at the man. He wore rusty armor, hence the name, but didn't wear a helmet. His long dark and curly hair covered his dark and slightly intimidating eyes. Definitely the opposite from the princess with her brown hair and cute blueberry-like eyes that looked like it was cut in half. Like the yin-yang thingy, Momo once saw in a city.

After her inspection, Momo pulled out her white flag again and waved it towards TK. "Is that a truce or something?" Momo said nothing. Momo did not trust him that much, especially those eyes. She growled at him but kept her white flag up.

TK looked up at Audelia "I don't think she likes me that much. hehe..." He scratched the back of his neck. "I'm sure she'll come around soon Knight. In the meantime," she picked up Momo from the table "let's show Momo around the castle."

***************

The castle, like any other castle, was a humongous maze. So many corridors, doorways, and quarters. It confused and overwhelmed the fruit. The trio only went into some of the main rooms like the ballroom and drawing room. Momo liked the garden the best. It was well kept with flowers everywhere. Momo will never have to worry about being hungry ever again. The group then walked to the stables where there was a woman present.

"Knight, Aud." she looked at the fruit in the princess' arms. "Fruit?" Momo looked away from the intense gaze, shivering. TK giggled. "Pam, this is Momo. Momo, Pam. Pam, Momo. She's a newbie." Pam nodded towards the fruit, but Momo stayed stoned as if she was never alive. She got an odd feeling from her, maybe it was the intimidation or perhaps her dark outfit, either way, it frightened the peach. Momo hesitates when she pulls out her white flag. Instead of one, she pulls out two and began waving it rapidly.

Pam raised a brow at the odd behavior and disappeared with a puff of smoke. "Poof." TK imitated the sound like a child. Momo sighed when the woman's presence vanished, she continued to shiver in Aud's arms, she even drooped a little making her appearance look like someone stepped on her. Audelia shifted awkwardly, not sure how to break the heavy silence.

"D-don't worry," she hesitated "Pam's not bad she just has a... uh...."

"Special."

"Yes! A special way of... presenting herself?" TK laughed at the princess' struggle. He patted Momo. "You'll like her, but be careful," he looked around as if he was about to reveal a deadly secret. "She likes peach cobbler." Momo's eyes widened like dinner plates and sunk further into Audelia's arms, whimpering. Momo didn't know what peach cobbler was, but it did not sound good.

"Tarnished Knight!!! Don't say that to her!" The princess gave him a dirty look. TK put up both hands defensively. "Just kidding. I'm just kidding. Sorry, Momo." The creature growled at him viciously, not amused whatsoever. Aud shook her head disappointingly and went ahead of the knight in rusty armor, walking further into the forest. TK scratched the back of his neck, "It's true though." he muttered and jogged to catch up with the girls.

***************

Momo ignored the Knight for the rest of the trip. Sometimes she would glare at him and when TK saw, he only smiled and tried to hide his giggles. He personally found it amusing teasing the fruit and wasn't at all bothered by her threatening growls.

Audelia was sorta stressed about TK and his teasings, knowing the peach was taking them by heart (if she even had a heart....). Though... what the knight said was unfortunately true. She was going to have to assure the fruit that TK was quite a jokester and doesn't mean any harm. She also has to warn the other members to try not to eat or cook any peaches while Momo was around them.

Speaking of the peach, Momo noticed that the princess' arms were becoming tired and shaky, so the cute beast was now on the ground, hopping away beside the being Momo though was her guardian angel. Momo didn't know a lot of things including the term guardian angel-she picks up most of her words off the streets which can never be good- but from the way she heard others use the term, it was a good way of complimenting people. Why did she think of Audelia as her angel? Momo wasn't sure. Maybe cause she brought her in and fed her? Saved her? No, there was something more about her and the Knight that Momo couldn't put her uh... flag on it. Momo had quite the trust issues for very obvious reasons and something more, but she felt like she could trust them, even the childish knight covered in rust flakes.

After finishing the little tour, the trio walked back to the castle to show Momo's room.

~Meanwhile~

She peered at the group in the darkest corner. Her thoughts occupied her mind. She scrunched her nose. She did not like peach cobbler... or did she? She doesn't even savor peaches like that. Apples were her preferred choice, not peaches. Seeing a live one with its own thoughts, eyes, mouth and what else she had stored in that small body didn't help her appetite for peaches either.

She shook her head, clearing all thoughts. She snorted and disappeared once again.