Ep. 2 The Muffin Treaty

August 31st, 2023

'It's been a few days since I came home from learning how to defend myself, and today I can return to my normal work. I got a good feeling about today! Lets make it a good one!' Nature wrote in her journal, outside on the doorstep of her home. She put her journal and pen in her hair. Then, she put her apron and baking hat on.

Today, Nature goes to work at the Bakery in Hillville. It will feel great to be back in a kitchen doing her favorite job of all in Equality! Maybe she will see Freedom today....

Wait a minute.... Why is she thinking about Freedom? They may be friends and all, but he is constantly in her head! ANYWAY-.

As she walked along the dirt path, she breathed in the mixed scent of pine, oak, and birch trees. Even though it was the last day of August, the air was still warm.

The Bakery is by Hillville's school, so working right after school is always easy. The Bakery looks like a cupcake. The base is light brown, and the roof is pink. It is cute to be honest. On the outside by the door and sides of the windows are rosebushes. The windows have dark blue shutters.

   Nature opened the light yellow screen door to the Bakery. The walls are dark oak, and the floor is oak wood. Wooden tables and wired cushion chairs sat around with the cash register in the top right corner.

   "Nature! Welcome back! How was your "lessons"?" Her boss, Mrs. Sprinkles, teased her. She had come from the kitchen with flour all over her. Her hair is pink, and she has green eyes.

   "Well, it surprisingly went great. I also made a few friends," Nature smiled.

   "Ooo, who?"

   "Princess Guardians-," she began.

   "What now?" She asked, surprised.

   "We made an alliance."

   "Huh, interesting."

   "And Freedom," she continued. She grinned at Nature. "What?"

   "Oh, nothing," she waved it off.

   "Um...okay?"

   "Come! We should prepare for breakfast!"

   Nature nodded and got to work. She helped her clean up a bunch of flour that was all over the kitchen. Then, she sweep, cleaned the counters, double checked the ingredients for the day, and preheated the oven.

   By then it was opening hour, so customers started to make their way in. She took a few orders for doughnuts, eggs, french toast, toast, and sausage. As she brought one order out to a table, she realized it was Brisk, a student from Hillville's school's jocks. He ordered eggs sunny side up.

   "Hello, Nature~," he said lustfully. He has jet blue hair and purple eyes. He also has dark blue wings.

   "Good morning, Brisk," Nature sighed.

   "Has anyone ever told you how cute you are?"

   "Enjoy your breakfast, Brisk," she walked away, ignoring his question.

   "How do you do that?" Mrs. Sprinkles asked when she passed the cash register.

   "Do what?"

   "Ignore attention like that."

   "I'm not looking for a relationship," she shrugged.

   "Oh, look! Your usual is here!" She pointed to the door that was just opened, and Nature heard the little bell ring. "I'll be in back."

   Her usual is Freedom, but today he has his older sister, Alaina, with him. Nature wondered what the occasion is. They walked up to the front counter, which is also where the cash register is.

   "Hi, Nature!" Alaina exclaimed. She has pink curly hair with purple highlights and baby blue eyes. She is the third oldest sibling, but she is the only member of Freedom's family to have no wings.

   "Hi, Alaina. Hi, Freedom," she greeted back.

   "Hello, Lady Nature," he chuckled.

   "Oh! How rude of me! My apologies, Sir Freedom," Nature bowed.

   "Apology accepted," he scratched the back of his head.

   "Oh, so you're in the friend zone, bro?" Alaina nudged him on the shoulder.

   "Alaina...!" Freedom hissed. "You're just as bad as the guards...."

   "That's fine! Don't worry Nature! Freedom only doesn't shut up about you-!" Alaina began but Freedom clasped a hand over her mouth.

   "What was that?" Nature asked.

   "N-Nothing!" Freedom stuttered and blushed. Alaina removed his hands from her mouth.

   "What can I get you two?"

   "Two blue berry muffins. You know, the usual."

   "Yup! Mrs. Sprinkles, two blue berry muffins!" She called into the kitchen. She turned back to the siblings. "I already made them this morning before we opened. What is the occasion today?"

   "I will be traveling out of Equality to trade for Queen Sun," Alaina explained. "I will be gone for a few months, so we are celebrating."

   "That's great, Alaina! Good for you!" Nature cheered her on. Mrs. Sprinkles gave her the muffins and she handed them to Freedom.

   "Thanks," he nodded.

   "Your welcome."

   "Come on, sis."

   "Hold on. Imma get a coffee and pay."

   "Oh, okay." Freedom walked away to go sit down.

   "What kind of coffee?" I asked.

   "French vanilla, please."

   "Okay. I need a French vanilla coffee, Mrs. Sprinkles!"

   "So, are you into my brother?"

   "Pft, what? Alaina, I don't even think I could handle a relationship, yet alone a crush."

   "Ah, come on! You must feel something!"

   "Yes, a friendship at least for the time being."

   "Ooohhwa," she complained. Nature gave her her coffee, and she paid. Then, she left to go join Freedom.

   Fifth teen minutes passed, and Mrs. Sprinkles told her it was her break time. She went outside for some fresh air behind the Bakery. Turns out, she was not alone. Brisk pinned her against the wall.

   "Hey, short stuff," he said, still having a lustful tone in his voice.

   "H-Hi," she blushed.

   "Sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to scare you off, cutie pie."

   "Um... It's fine...."

   "Can I, uh, take you out sometime?"

   'Oh no,' Nature thought.

   "Um, I... I don't know... I don't really know how to do relationships and-uh, what are you doing?" She panicked as he traced her lips, inches from her face.

   "Yes or no?"

   "I really don't know. Trust me, it's not you! It's me! I don't understand my feelings, and-!"

   "I could show you-," he began but a pebble was thrown at him. "What the heck?" They looked to their left and saw Freedom and Alaina. Alaina had a stack of pebbles in her hands.

   "She obviously said no!" She glared at Brisk.

   "This isn't your situation to get involved with!" Brisk rolled his eyes.

   "She...did technically say no...," Freedom softly supported his sister.

   "What did you say, introvert?" Brisk snapped.

   "She said no," Freedom said quietly.

   "What?"

   "She said no," he continued in the same volume.

   "Speak up!"

   "She said no!"

   "Why do you care, introvert?" Brisk insulted, walking right up to Freedom's face. "Afraid you have competition?"

   "What? No!"

   "Liar!"

   "Just leave her alone!"

   "Why don't you make me?"

   "No! We don't need to get violent!"

   "Fine. How about a muffin contest? If you win, I will leave Nature alone."

   Freedom glanced back at Nature. "Fine, you're on."

   Nature's mind was exploding with questions! First of all, why a muffin contest? Second of all, is this really over her? Third of all, she has to get back to work. She does not have time for their silly nonsense. ...Although, it should not put it like that. Freedom is trying to make Brisk go away.

   "Mrs. Sprinkles?" She started when she opened the door that is located in the back of the Bakery. Her boss was in the process of making blueberry bagels.

   "Yes?" She responded.

   "So Brisk challenged Freedom to a muffin contest.... We're going to need a lot of muffins."

   "Who's paying?" She joked.

   "Um...."

   She became more serious. "Okay, what even happened?"

   "Brisk won't leave me alone, so Alaina tried to make him. Then, Freedom tried to help, but Brisk challenged him."

   "Okay, but this could get messy."

   They started to make as many muffins as they could for them. They only had so many trays, so they successfully made forty muffins each. Trying to have fun with the situation, they made a bet. Mrs. Sprinkles thinks there is no way they will finish all of these muffins, but Nature said she has faith in Freedom to win. He has to! They brought them out to two separate tables. She was glad to see Brisk looking concerned. Freedom on the other hand looked like he had just struck gold.

   "So, what's the reward for this?" Mrs. Sprinkles asked.

   Freedom opened his mouth to speak, but Brisk beat him to it. "Loser has to pay, and winner gets a date!"

   "I didn't agree to that!" Nature exclaimed. The customers they had still in here watched curiously.

   "Neither did I, I swear!" Freedom threw his hands up in defense.

   "Okay, my turn!" Alaina budded in. "Loser pays and leaves Nature alone, and the winner can go about their business."

   "I'm game," Freedom agreed.

   "Fine," Brisk groaned.

   "Thank goodness!" Nature nodded, relieved. Mrs. Sprinkles and she stayed behind the front counter, watching as the two males stared each other down. They were waiting for their approval to start.

   "Start!" Mrs. Sprinkles yelled.

   Nature prefers cupcakes over muffins, so these two seemed like mad men to her. They never left each other's eye contact while they gobbled down the tower of infinite muffins. Mrs. Sprinkles turned to her.

   "This needs a little more action," she said suspiciously. Before Nature could question, Mrs. Sprinkles dashed into the kitchen and returned with a bottle of hot sauce.

   "Is this necessary?" Nature frowned.

   "Yes," she nodded, walking to in between the tables the males were at. "Stop for a moment you two." They exchanged confused looks as Mrs. Sprinkles dabbed the muffins with the sauce. "Okay, you can continue." She walked back to me with mischief dancing in her eyes.

   "You scare me sometimes," she uneasily said.

   "This is going to be good."

   Although Nature wanted to disagree until her face was blue, she could not help but enjoy Brisk's hesitance. He picked one up and stared at it. Something told her he is not big on spicy food which made the situation even better. Maybe he would chicken out, and Freedom would win.

   Unfortunately, it seemed Freedom was not enjoying the hot sauce either. Her hopes faltered at the thought of how bad of a friend she was. Still, he made more effort than Brisk. He managed to get one down quicker than his opponent which nerved up the action. Instantly, they were back to their competition even though their faces were sweating crazily.

   "I feel like this is cruelty," Nature facepalmed.

   "It made it harder though, right?" Mrs. Sprinkles replied.

   "Can I at least get them some water?"

   "Oh, I suppose," she sighed.

   Nature headed into the kitchen, got two glass cups down, and filled them with water. Then, she walked to the sweating boys. Freedom gratefully received his, but Brisk tried desperately to tell her he didn't need it. Therefore, she poured it onto him and strictly said to learn some manners. By eleven, they both finished their each forty muffins as a tie.

   "How in the world are you two not throwing up yet?" Mrs. Sprinkles put her hands on her hips.

   "Face it, you lost the bet," Nature giggled. "We'll just need to make more-."

   "We can't."

   "...Why not?"

   "Nature, we used all the batter and berries."

   "Oh...."

   "Looks like we have to call it a tie!" Alaina announced. However, a tie was not good enough for the males.

   "Then, we will get more!" Brisk shouted.

   "I don't know.... Maybe we should just leave it at this...," Freedom put his two sense in while taking a drink.

   "Chicken!" Brisk insulted.

   Freedom darkened immediately. "Excuse me? Who's the guard here? I know sixty different ways to break your neck," he replied, not playing anymore.

   "Yeah? And your father is dead." 

   Freedom slammed his cup down onto the table, and Alaina slowly backed away from her brother. Everyone knows in Hillville there are a few borderlines you do not cross with Freedom's family. One is family, but the other is their father.

   According to what Nature knows, Freedom's three older siblings and mother are calmed down about it, but even the mention to Freedom pulls him either into sadness or anger. However, she has to admit Brisk took it too far.

   "There are a few people you don't mess with. The Guardians, people with tons of money, people with tons of support and authority, and the quiet ones," Mrs. Sprinkles whispered to her.

   Clear anger enraged Freedom, yet he said nothing in return. How can he do that? Nature was sure he was going to explode, but maybe she was wrong.

   "Your family is not as strong as everyone thinks it is. Jack is a wannabe,  Karlos is a fool, Alaina is a pushover, Mrs. Wishes needs to get a life, and you- you're just a screwup. You're suppose to be "grand and glorious" like General Justice. His loss just shows how weak your family is."

Freedom's grip intensified on the glass cup, making some parts crack. "What would you know about my father?" He growled.

"Well, since King Khaos and him came together to Equality, it's still a wonder what happened to the king. General Justice was gone after King Khaos disappeared! A lot of people think he murdered the king, and his children are destined to fall into his tracks!" Brisk laughed.

"Hey, ...you know what? Why don't we get some fresh air?" Alaina suggested uneasily.

After a few more moments of glaring at Brisk, Freedom seemed to relax and nod. He followed his sister out.

There are a lot theories about Freedom's family. Some good, some not so much. No one really knows the truth of the mystery of General Justice and King Khaos, but, sadly, Brisk spoke the truth. For that reason, not many trust any of them. It's a real shame.

Brisk got up and walked over to Nature. "Shall we-?" He started.

"Take a hike!" She snapped. He huffed but sat back down. Nature sighed and turned to Mrs. Sprinkles. "I'm going to get more supplies. I'll be back before lunch hour."

"Okay," she agreed.

She left the Bakery and walked down the dirt path. Then, she noticed Freedom sitting on a bench by himself. Feeling pity, she approached him.

"...I don't think you're a screwup or a murderer," Nature gently said.

"You're not like other people," he mumbled, refusing to make eye contact. She sat down beside him on his left.

"Neither are you," she looked to the grass. A tear rolled steadily down his cheek. "Are you... crying?"

"No," he shook.

"...Do you want to talk about it?"

It took a minute or two to get an answer. Though, it was not truly an answer. It was more of a difficult task.

November 21st, 2013

The military ships floated on the ocean, and the air smelled thickly of salt. Seagulls flew over top of the docks gracefully. Freedom's family stood on the docks like many other families around.

   Justice nelt down to Freedom, so they were face to face. He padded his hair, making it into a mess. Freedom smiled sadly. His brothers and sister were watching from behind, waiting their turn to say goodbye. Mrs. Wishes was crying but tried to stay strong. Justice got up.

"Do you really have to go?" Karlos asked.

"Yes, I do. You'll understand someday, my child," he smiled pitifully. Justice smelled of green tea still, his favorite drink.

"Why can't I come?" Jack saddened. "I want to go too."

"You're still too young. Another few years and you can, okay?" He reassured him. Jack nodded. "Until I return, you're the man of the house now. Take care of your mother and siblings. Especially this one." He padded Freedom's hair again.

He walked to his wife. "Justice, why? Why again?" She whispered.

"For the land, Wishes, and the Queen is counting on me. Don't worry. I'll be back before you know it, and I'll write to you. How does that sound?" He held her hands in his own and kissed her on the forehead.

They said their goodbyes with hugs and painful words Freedom couldn't understand and started to leave. But his father stopped him for a moment, holding onto his shoulder.

He came back down to Freedom's level on his knees. "Freedom, I may be gone for many months. War is a long thing. I need you to stay strong, my little soldier. Do you remember the swing in the woods by the house?"

"Yes, father."

"There's a chance I won't be returning. That's the sad part about war. You take a risk. So I'll tell you now, though you may not understand. There are great things in store for your future, little one. Someday when you find the one that's meant for you, bring them to the swing for me and your mother."

"Father... I love you."

"I love you too, my little soldier. Take care," he hugged him. Freedom watched him turn and leave him, not realizing his family was not far behind him on the glistening yellow sand.

Justice walked up into the ship, carrying his helmet by his side. He looked back before entering and waved. Freedom memorized every part of him. His golden hair, ocean blue eyes, and welcoming smile. He started to cry as his father disappeared into the ship.

   "Father! Don't leave!" He yelled, only to be grabbed from behind.

   "Come on, Freedom. We need to go," Jack calmly said.

   "No! Father!"

August 31st, 2023

   "...That was the last time I saw him. I wouldn't speak for the longest time, and because he didn't hear what Father told me, Jack had blamed me for his death," Freedom explained.

Nature stayed silent for a moment. "I don't remember much about my life before Equality, but at least your family still wants you," she sighed.

"Do they?" He asked. It was such an odd question. How would she know the true answer? Although it felt obvious.

"Yes, of course. You have a wonderful connection with Alaina. She's just one example."

He looked away, blushing at that. "Who were you before the Hunters anyway?"

"I...," she couldn't create the words. He had thrown her completely off guard. "Uh.... I don't know...how to answer that.... I know so little...."

He turned back to her. "Lets rephrase that. What was it like before the Hunters?"

"...Not the best place in the world." Nature looked down at the palms of her hands. "They were... something else. Tsk, to think I could have had five sisters and one brother is... outrageous."

"Do you remember their names?"

"...Sadly, I do. Inky, Blinky, Minky, Mumble, Alex, and Plum."

"That's a strange combination to end with 'Nature'."

"Not really. I also had a grandmother, Naturaleza."

"Isn't that Spanish for nature?"

She nodded. "...Can...you keep a secret?"

   "Yes."

   Nature moved closer and lowered her voice. "She had told me stories of her family and decedents. They had a myth that a really long time ago, there was this woman. Her name was Nature, but many called her Psithurism. She was a Guardian, a member of a group called "The Compass". But something happened to her, and her family was waiting for someone like her to exist again."

"Do you think you may be?"

"I don't know. I don't know much about my family, but I do think the Guardians have something to do with it. They talk a little too much to me."

"Hmm," he said. "Where have I heard that word before.... Psithursim.... I swear I've heard my dad say it before." He thought for a moment. Nature waited patiently. "Oh! It means 'the sound of wind in the trees and rustling of leaves'."

"Huh, strange. What could it mean?"

   "Well, it's also another word for nature."

   "Hm," she huffed. "Maybe someday I should try to reconnect with them so I can learn who I am."

   "...Sorry, for, uh, loosing my cool back there..."

   "It's fine," she waved it off. "You should of been mad. Brisk has no excuse to talk to you like that. Say, where's Alaina?"

   "She got a call from Queen Sun, so she left me here."

   "Oh. You know, I read a dictionary when I was five and memorized every part of it. I only heard the word 'Psithurism' from my grandmother. To be honest, I started to believe maybe she was lying about everything she told me, but, when I meant the Guardians for the first time, I knew she was being honest. Here I am, eleven years later, and I still have never seen that word appear again. But you, Freedom, you knew it. It's like...it's like its been hidden from me...."

   Freedom seemed intrigued. "Maybe it is. Maybe it's on purpose."

   "What do you mean?"

   "Don't you see it? Nature, no offense, but you're not fully Human nor Hunter. You're, uh, something else. So little is known about the Guardians."

   "...Freedom, there is no way I could be a Guardian."

   "Why not?"

   "I...well...I don't like them all that much to be honest."

   "Wait, hold the phone! You don't like the Guardians?" He reacted. "Why? How? When?"

"They're just so-so mysterious! I mean like, what do they even do?"

"How nice of you to ask," a voice said behind us. It was gentle, yet mysterious and playful. Nature recognized it anywhere. However, Freedom nearly jumped out of his skin and onto the dirt path. She sighed.

   "Hello, Guardian Phoebe," she rolled her eyes, turning to meet the Guardian's wandering gaze. Those eyes-those eyes could stare into your soul. It sent shivers down Nature's spine.

   There are two Guardians. Guardian Phoebe is the older of the two, but do not let her fool you. She's quietly dangerous in mosts' opinion, never knowing what's going to flow out of her mouth. Her blond, straight hair contained brown highlights, and the ends of strands for her bangs slightly curled together to opposite sides. Nature has never seen it up.

   Her eyes, her eyes again. Nature can't help but observe them. They are hazel. Probably the more green kind, but does it matter when they change color? Eyes tell a lot about a person, like their story. Guardian Phoebe's always seems tired, in thought, and kind. However, there are times Nature questions those mysterious eyes. The way her bangs shade them make her form seem intimidating.

   She happens to wear a midnight blue ball gown with drape straps. Why is that important? Well, Guardian Phoebe is known for being seen at night. She is a huge night owl like Nature. In result, her dress was a gift from Queen Sun. She honestly looks like a princess in it along with her peach skin.

   Then, in a moment's time, Guardian Hannah appeared beside her partner. Guardian Phoebe's eyes hide many secrets, but Guardian Hannah's eyes are an icy light blue. They were so light, they acted as a void, yet you could easily still notice the blue. They were inviting, happy, and dancing.

   Her hair is also blond but no highlights. Her's is light blond. Everything about Hannah is light with her physical appearance. Guardian Hannah's hair is slightly wavy, and she wears half of it up into a pony tail. The hair tie is light pink. The strands of hair on the sides of her face are not bangs. They are fully grown out to match the rest of her hair.

   Guardian Hannah's rose pink dress looks similar to a Medieval ball gown. Not only is pink her favorite color, but it's also suppose to reflect her personality. The short sleeves on the dress are made out of sheer fabric. The dress was also a gift from Queen Sun. Compared to Guardian Phoebe, Guardian Hannah's skin is like porcelain.

   The two have an outrageous difference in personality. Guardian Phoebe is calm, silent, reserved, and always has her nose stuck in a notebook. Guardian Hannah, on the other hand, is noisy, loud, talkative, and rude to her partner.

   Despite their arguing, they treat one another like sisters. Nature likes to compare them to the Yin and Yang. They look the part too, but they insist they are just bffs or something.

Where did they come from? Why are they here? Why is Equality significant to them? Is it the magic? The talents? The art and minds? But most importantly, what do they want now?

"Heya, Nature!" Guardian Hannah exclaimed. "You wanna know what we do? We do all sorts of things! Right, Phoebe?"

"Mmhm," she replied, moving a pencil against a notebook of some kind.

Guardian Hannah gave her an annoyed face which Guardian Phoebe did not seem to notice. She waited for her partner to do something, but Guardian Phoebe's mind was elsewhere. Probably lost in her thoughts. At last, Guardian Hannah stripped the notebook away from her.

"Do I have your attention now?" She clucked her tongue. There was no answer given though. "Hellooo, Earth to Phoebe?"

"I can hear you," she said in a low voice, putting her hands behind her back.

   Panicking, Nature grabbed Freedom's wrist and started to pull us both away. He looked at her in surprise.

   "What are we doing?" He asked. 

   "I don't feel dealing with them. Besides, I have to get more ingredients for muffins anyway."

   "Oh, okay. Can you let go? I'll go with you."

   She let go of him but kept walking towards the shop.

   "Gee, you have a strong grip," Freedom said, rubbing his wrist.

   "Sorry, I didn't mean to put that much force. I just wanted to escape," Nature sighed, slowing her paste down for him to catch up.

   "It's fine. Not a big deal. You really don't like them, don't you?"

   "Look, it's not that I don't like them. They're just bothersome."

   "Hmm, from your point of view, I can understand why. What all do we need to get?" He nodded as they walked into the store.

   The shop's walls are wooden, but, besides that, it looks like a normal shop. A little yellow bell ringed when they had entered. It was above the door.

   "We need flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, eggs, milk, and vegetable oil," she answered.

   "What about blueberries?"

   "I get them from a particular place. We'll go to the farm after here. I get the blueberries fresh for better taste."

   "That's your secret?"

   "No, there are a mixture of different things like temperature for instance."

   "Oh okay."

   They got the eggs and milk, so they started to go towards the sugar. The silence between them was strange yet somehow peaceful.

   "So what's your family really like?" Nature started, reaching for a few bags of sugar.

   "Shouldn't you already know that?"

   "Not really, no."

   "Well, they're...something. That's for sure."

"How are things going with Jack?"

"Could be better. He expects me to do so much.... He hasn't been home at all yet either."

"Do you wish you were close?"

"We use to be, but ever since...never mind."

She put two bottles of vegetable oil in their basket. "Hey, Freedom?"

"Yes?"

"Sorry you're caught up in a muffin contest."

"Are you kidding? They're your muffins! I feel like a king!"

"But the hot sauce-."

"Anything to make Brisk leave my friend alone," he smiled. She blushed and continued to the baking powder. "What are the Hunters like? I feel like we don't see them enough."

"They're nice. I honestly prefer them over Humans. No offense."

"Non taken. I'll take your word for it. Has anyone ever told you how well mannered you are?"

She turned to him and had to look up. There's a great difference between Freedom and Brisk. Freedom is kindhearted and considerate, but all Brisk can call her is 'cute' and throw insults EVERYWHERE!

"What?" He chuckled nervously.

"Um...I just...uh.... Has...anyone ever told you how kind you are?" Nature said in a slight panic for making the situation awkward.

   He laughed for a few moments. She wasn't trying to be funny, so why was he laughing? He settled himself.

   "I'm sorry! It's just-wow-I wasn't expecting that! What was that about?"

"You're just so...the opposite of Brisk. I admire it."

   He blushed and turned away, looking towards the rest of the ingredients. Sometimes Nature forgets how introverted he is.

   "Hey, Freedom? Why are you so shy? I never asked before."

   "Um...I...don't know."

   "Oh, come on. There has to be some sort of answer!" She said impatiently.

   "...Well, I guess I just...since my father...I kinda...forgot how to talk to people."

   "But that day we ran into each other, you ran away."

   "Nature, must I remind you where you're from? Everyone knew it. I was...intimidated you could say."

   "Intimated? I'm not intimidating!" She laughed.

   "Really? Ask that to the new comers. See what they say," he gently challenged her.

   "No, no, I trust you. I have no reason to doubt your judgement," Nature shook her head, thinking about Salona. "I suppose I am a bit strange, eh?" She elbowed him. They started to the cashier.

"Strange is negative," Freedom started.

"So?"

"You're not something to shame. The word you should use is...unique."

"Oi', you're hooked on the idea I'm a Guardian, aren't you?"

"No, strange is negative. Unique is positive!" He exaggerated so she would get it through her head.

"I don't know, Freedom. I can be neutral."

"Stop," he said, lifting her off of her feet and over his shoulder like how he took her to the dojo.

"F-Freedom! Put me down!" She panicked, trying not to drop the basket of ingredients.

"Then stop doubting yourself."

"What do you mean?"

"Lady Nature, a queen's scribe, you are not so ordinary, but that doesn't have to be a bad thing. You are special and unique wether you like it or not, so stop refusing to accept yourself!"

"Says the shy Sir Freedom. He too is different in a positive way, yet he chooses not to use his voice."

He gently put her down. "If I try to open up more, will you try to give yourself a chance?"

She thought about it. Maybe she is too hard on herself from time to time. It sounds like they both need to learn to relax.

"Okay," she nodded. They finished to the male cashier who eyed them wonderingly.

"Did the Bakery run out of dough, Nature?" The cashier loosened up.

"Something like that, Hallow. It's a long story," Nature sighed. Hallow has orange hair and black eyes. He reminds her of a pumpkin. Freedom and him are about the same height.

"Why is one of the general's boys hanging around you?"

"We're friends!" She quickly answered, noticing Freedom's expression change into discomfort.

"I see...," he trailed off.

They finished checking out, and Freedom helped her carry the ingredients. But as they left the walls of the store, Freedom seemed upset. His pace quickened.

"Hey, hey, hey! Calm down! What is it?" Nature stopped him. He looked down into her eyes.

"Is it a crime for me to hang out with people?" He said coldly. She softened.

"No, Freedom, of course not. People just don't understand you. They don't know Freedom."

He huffed and walked past her. She was left in a shock at this change of character, but he stopped to half turn to her.

"I'm sorry. I don't mean to take it out on you, but who else can I tell? My brothers? My mother? They wouldn't understand. No one has. No one wants to either."

She caught up, inches from him now. "I want to understand. I want to know how you feel no matter how dangerous it may be. Listen to me: I was once like you. Just find the people who will listen. You can start with me, and others will follow. I don't know how to make you like your father because you're not him. You're Freedom. Show me who that is. I want to know who Freedom is."

There was a glimmer of sadness in his ocean eyes. They longed for a friend; a potential; a meaning. Who is this boy? One moment he's jolly, the next he's the opposite! Nature cannot wrap her head around it.

Her mind was interrupted by tiny trickles of water droplets falling on them and all around. After a few seconds, it started pouring. Nature grinned at Freedom.

"What?" He asked.

"Race you to the Bakery!" She exclaimed and took off with a leap.

"Hey! That's cheating!" He laughed.

A few minutes later, they battled to the Bakery door, trying to squeeze in before the other. They both fell in though, soaking wet but still had the muffin ingredients in hand. They got up quickly.

"Beat you!" Nature chanted.

"No, I beat you!"

"Fine, tie then, but I want a rematch later."

"Fair enough," he agreed, shoving his hands into his pockets.

"Well, took ya long enough," Mrs. Sprinkles giggled.

"Mrs. Sprinkles! I'm so sorry! We got distracted!" Nature apologized, looking at the time. It was twelve thirty o' clock. Thirty minutes before lunch hour.

"It's okay, Nature. I'm not mad," she shrugged. "But I think we should only make fifteen muffins at a time, so we have enough for customers."

Freedom tapped her on the shoulder. "We forgot the blueberries."

"Ah, snap! You're right! Now what will we do?"

"Well, we could make chocolate muffins instead," Mrs. Sprinkles offered.

"I don't think we have another choice."

"I'm surprised you haven't given up yet, Freedom," Brisk rolled his eyes.

"Right back at you."

"Let's start!" She exclaimed, dragging Mrs. Sprinkles to the kitchen.

Forty long minutes later, it was the busiest time of the day. Lunch hour. Imagine the struggle of taking orders, baking, and serving while trying to see who wins the muffin contest. From Nature's observations and knowledge, chocolate is going to take up a lot more room than blueberries. The males were struggling and attracting watchers. It wouldn't be so bad if Freedom was not panicking from so many pairs of eyes on them.

Eventually, they had to take a break. Freedom found a corner, stuffed himself in it, got bored, and went outside in the rain. Brisk, on the other hand, just had to throw more insults because that is what he does. Nature got tired of it and dragged Brisk away from Freedom as ruffly as she could by the ear.

At last, it was half way through lunch hour, and they were getting close to running out of ingredients again. The boys by this point had ate seventy muffins each. How? Nature had no idea.

She presented the last trays of muffins to them. They only had enough to make ten each. This is it. No more afterwards.

They both picked one up, looking sickly at them. Nature pulled up an open chair to in between the two tables. She waited but neither wanted to move. She turned to Freedom, not being able to take this any longer.

"Just quit," she sighed.

"I can't. The deal. Just one more, and I can...."

She shifted to Brisk. "What about you?"

"What about me? I'm going to crush him!" He said confidently.

Nature turned back to Freedom, hinting him to hurry if he is going to continue. He took one last look at the muffin and to the customers watching. He ate it though. Brisk intensely stared at Freedom, moving for another one.

"You two are not going to want muffins for weeks!" She threw her hands up.

"This is hell, but I'd take them any day," Freedom tried to smile. "...I don't think I can go on."

"Freedom, you have to! Just one more!" She mumbled.

"Do you want me to or not women?" He sighed. "Besides, look at Brisk." He pointed.

Brisk was ready to puke. He dashed outside out of view. Mrs. Sprinkles approached them.

"He didn't finish that last one. Basically, Freedom, you won!"

"Oh thank goodness!" He melted down into the chair. Brisk came back a few seconds later.

"Did I win?" He demanded.

"No!" Nature excitedly announced. "Bye, bye, Brisk! I'll mail you the bill!" She started to push him out of the Bakery.

"Hey! Wait! No! I didn't-!"

And just like that, she shoved him out. She hummed her way back to Freedom.

"Thank you," she smiled.

"Anything for a friend, but what about the rest of the leftover muffins?" He sat back up.

"Hm, come see me at the end of my shift at six pm."

"Um...okay."

Just as Nature had said, Freedom came back to the Bakery at six pm. She put the muffins in a basket and made a quick call. Then, she led Freedom out and down the path.

"Mind telling me where we're going?" He asked.

"You'll see."

After ten minutes, they stopped in front of a worn out building made out of wood. It looked old fashioned and not in the right time period. None the less, she rung the doorbell. A bunch of kids with ragged clothes burst out and surrounded Freedom and her excitedly.

"You brought us to the Orphanage?" He realized.

"Yup."

"Wow, mister, you're so tall!" A little boy commented.

"Uh, thanks?"

"Ms. Nature, what did you bring?" A blond girl asked. She opened the basket and gave them each a muffin, splitting if necessary.

There were adorable 'wows', 'thanks', and 'bless you' from the children. Nature loved each and every one of them dearly. They reminded her tremendously of herself. She hoped some day they'll find a family for themselves.

After 'goodbyes' and more 'thank yous', they left the Orphanage. It occurred to her he was baffled.

"I had no idea...," he trailed off.

"Aren't they wonderful? It's a shame no one wants them yet. People don't know what they're missing."

"You're a mystery, Lady Nature."

"There's a lot more to learn, Sir Freedom. Good night."

"Good night, Lady Nature."

The stars twinkled in the sky since the clouds from the rain had moved elsewhere. They parted ways, each going home. Who knew muffins was going to be the answer to make Brisk leave Nature alone?

'...I have a hunch my life is about to get even crazier than today. However, that's just a thought. It's time for some well deserved hours of sleep.

-Nature'