Bubblegum [The Magic Spoon]

Shellie pulled Banana Bread hot and fresh from the oven and set it on the racks to cool. The smell of freshly baked pastries filled the room with a sweet warm haze as the smell of banana, pumpkin, and cinnamon made the place smell like fall.

The Sweets Witch removed her oven mitts and gave her spoon a little wave to clear off any powder and sticky goop that might have been left on her from being in her kitchen.

Smoothing out her dress, she sat on a stool behind the counter, because it was too high for her, and she refused to stand the whole time. Muffler prowled around, meowing at the customers to ask if they needed anything. What a cute little employee Muffler was.

She leaned on the counter and closed her eyes. Truly, Shellie was living the dream.

Shellie heard Grant before she saw him.

It wasn't even the ding, or the familiar sound of his boots against the floor, or even the sound of the hum that was so nautical it almost felt like it filled her mind with seawater.

No, what tipped her off was the sound of Muffler bristling and letting out a sound akin to a chirp, walking with her tail high to jump onto Shellie's lap, demanding to be pet. She always acted like this when Grant was around. She couldn't fathom why.

"Hello, darling," She said, leaning on the table. She smiled. "What do you have a hunger for today?"

"Oh my~" The small witch said, her fingers massaging her familiars back and spine. Despite Muffler's clear disdain for being ignored, the petting placated her enough that she didn't cause anymore problems. "Don't you think it's a little discourteous to say something so brazen to a lady?"

Shellie giggled softly at the pirate. He was charming in a way that Shellie was just this side of used to--but he was also handsome in a way that made her forget that she'd seen this shtick before.

Silly pirate and his silly handsomeness.

Shellie shooed Muffler off her lap and fluffy cat watched Grant for a long moment before walking softly into the back room of the store, where the ovens were. None of them were on, of course, but it was always a little warmer back there than in the rest of the shop.

At the mention of making and exception for her, Shellie had to smile. "You know, flattery will get you everywhere, darling."

Shellie tilted her head at his statement and smiled, leaning over to her cash register to pick up a pen and a pad of paper that she normally used to take ordered of things she didn't have in stock.

"Sorry, we're fresh out of that right now sweetheart." She said, clicking the pen. "But if you give me a time you'd want that ready by I'll see what I can whip up for you."