Gingersnap

Happy Birthday Ed 2020

For Edward's birthday, Yuki hosted a birthday dinner at a local buffet, and they were joined by Phoenix, Denali, and Victor. Ginger, feeling a bit intimidated by the busy buffet, crouched behind Edward's jacket collar and accepted a bite of broccoli or chicken here and there.

The friends talked over plates of appetizers and main courses until Yuki suggested they all hit up the dessert table.

Edward sat back down at their table with a plate of different desserts, along with a bit of vanilla ice cream and fruit for Ginger. But when he offered up a piece of strawberry, there were no little paws reaching out of his jacket collar to take it.

"Gingersnap?" He felt along his neck, then quickly checked his pockets. "Ginger?!"

"Everything alright, dearie?" Phoenix asked.

"I can't find Ginger..." Edward got up and searched the table for his friend. "She was with me when I grabbed our dessert-" He left the table and ran over to the dessert buffet. Other guests were huddled around, grabbing brownies and cake, filling bowls or cones with ice cream, or dipping strawberries and marshmallows in the burbling chocolate fountain...

When a large slice of pineapple parted the chocolate on the bottom tier, he caught a glimpse of a spotted tail between the chocolatey curtains.

Edward shouldered his way to the chocolate fountain and bent down near the bottom. "Gingersnap?"

Two paws parted the liquid chocolate and a chocolate-covered head appeared. "Hi, Ed!"

"Ginger! How did you-? Why did you-? You could have gotten lost or-!"

"Sorry, Ed...the chocolate is so warm it's like a hot tub! I just wanted to try it..."

Edward watched the liquid chocolate run down Ginger's fur in rivlets. "You just wanted to try it?" His voice took on a teasing tone.

"And I wanted to give you a birthday treat! I hope you're not mad..."

"Well I can't stay mad at my little snack~"

"Chocolate covered snack!"

"That's right," Edward held a strawberry out to Ginger, letting her climb onto it before he quickly lifted her to his mouth. He placed the ocelot and her strawberry onto his tongue and put the fruit in his cheek while he licked some of the warm chocolate off of her. He salivated, then tilted his head up slightly and swallowed her.

When Ginger slipped into his tummy, she nuzzled into the walls as she felt him return to the table. "Happy Birthday, Ed~"