Of all of the grand gifts that the people of Shalgras and the Dosku Desert bestowed upon the other kingdoms, there is none so fine as sugar. Fieldvin may be known for its large varieties of honey, and Solene for its fruit, but the sugars of Shalgras make their way into every home and bakery in Aphing - if they can afford it.

Garson had never tried real sugar before, and he found himself paralyzed as he looked over the bakery menu again and again, his eyes straining with his chin resting on his hand. The delicate aromas of fine chocolates and sweets were torturing his senses, and it was growing rather hard to think.

“I don’t know what’s making this harder for me...” Garson mumbled as he flipped the menu over, looking over the back, “The fact that there are so many options, or not being able to read.”

“You-...” Wendel looked to him in surprise, “You’ve been going over that menu for twenty minutes, and you’re just now telling me you can’t read?”

“I’ve gotten this lucky today, haven’t I?” Garson huffed, “You’d be willing to try too if there was sugar at the end of it,” he grumbled, and Wendel placed a hand on the back of his shoulder.

“How about I surprise you then?” he suggested with a slight smile, “Look, there’s even a dark corner for us to brood in.”

“There is?” Garson glanced to the far corner of the bakery, which was strangely much darker than the others, “Well I’ll be. I’ve never brooded in a bakery before.”

“Go on then,” Wendel gave an amused huff, “I’ll catch up.”

“Right,” Garson grinned, but it quickly left him as he practiced his best scowl, and slowly crept over.

Wendel couldn’t help the smile that was clinging to his cheeks as he stepped over to the bakery counter. Jars of sugar and honey rested on a shelf behind it alongside preserves and powdered cocoa, and to the side, a small display case proudly revealed the delicate cakes and pastries that beckoned his taste. A plump woman with rosy cheeks and a warm smile happily rolled out dough for a pie at the table against the back wall, and a man of equal proportions with a jolly face carefully arranged a display of tarts on a plate. Wendel rang a small bell on the counter, earning the man’s attention, and he flashed the young brooder a grin before setting down his work.

“Finally ready, I see,” the man teased as he sauntered over, “Too much to choose from, was it?”

“I was waiting for my friend,” Wendel glanced to Garson, who was nestled comfortably in the corner, brooding at a small dog.

“I... see that,” the man nodded a bit awkwardly, “Is he... gonna be alright?”

“Oh, yes,” Wendel assured him, “He’s just practicing his brooding.”

“Ah, you’re one of those,” the man hummed, “I never did understand why that corner was so dark. Still, as long as you don’t cause any trouble, you’re welcome to ‘brood’ as much as you like. Just don’t scare away any customers.”

“I promise,” Wendel agreed.

“Good. Now, what can I get for you?” the baker asked.

“A slice of the double chocolate dark chocolate cake for me,” Wendel smiled, “and a slice of the chocolate mousse cake for my friend.”

“Ah, yes,” the baker hummed, “That double chocolate cake is my wife’s specialty. It’s real popular with the ladies,” he gave a sly grin, “you should remember that if you bring a nice girl here sometime.”

“I-...” Wendel gave a nervous laugh as he rubbed the back of his head, “I’ll bear that in mind, sir.”

“As you should,” the baker winked, “Alright, two slices of cake, coming right up. That’ll be four copper.”

Wendel paid the baker for his goods, and the man took no time in preparing a nice display on each plate, garnishing the double chocolate dark chocolate cake with a dark chocolate rose, and the chocolate mousse cake with a white chocolate wafer that was drizzled in a milk chocolate sauce. The young man took the plates, and made his way to the table closest to the corner where Garson was brooding, pulling out a chair to beckon his friend over. The brooder looked to the cake with wide eyes for a moment, and Wendel gave a soft smile as Garson glanced around for a bit before slowly stepping over to join him.

“Is that...” Garson gulped, carefully sitting down, “is that mousse cake?”

“I thought you’d like it,” Wendel nodded.

“I’ve always wanted to try it,” Garson slowly reached for his spoon, “Is it good?”

“It’s delicious,” Wendel assured him, taking a small bite of his own slice.

“Alright... first time having real sugar... here we go,” Garson braced himself, and he took the first bite.

Garson’s eyes flew open wide as an explosion of sweetness erupted in his mouth. The reaction was audible, a hum of sweet delight and joy that seemed to brighten his face for a moment. Without a word he followed it up with another bite, then another after that, barely leaving any time to taste, but savoring it nonetheless.

“This is the most amazing thing I’ve ever had!” Garson beamed at Wendel, “To think I’ve been putting off sugar for so long... it really is amazing. Why, I even feel a bit faster. Very fast, actually. I never realized something could be so good! Shame about the moose though.”

“I’m glad you-...” Wendel paused, “Wait, what?”

“Well, it’s moose, right?” Garson pressed, “What parts do you think they use?”

“I- It’s not-...” Wendel took a deep breath, “Let’s just... say that the moose is fine.”

“Oh, that’s a relief,” Garson breathed, “So it's cruelty-free then?”

“Well, there’s eggs...” Wendel rubbed the back of his head.

“Oh, well that’s alright.”

Wendel shook his head, and the two continued to eat in peace for a while before the door opened, and a smile found Garson’s lips. He waved over his head, and Wendel turned to find a young woman bouncing towards them. She was younger than Garson, by maybe about two years, and had short, auburn locks that she kept tucked gently behind her ears. Her white dress was modest, with little frills at its hem that reminded Wendel of the little doilies that he’d seen often in fancy tea shops, and she bore a gentle smile that felt as rehearsed as Wendel’s frown.

“Garson!” she chimed, inviting herself to the table, “is that chocolate mousse cake you’re eating? When did you get money?”

“I didn’t,” Garson shook his head, “My new friend, Black Rose Eleven got it for me.”

“Black Rose- Are you still brooding?” she frowned slightly.

“What’s wrong with brooding?” Wendel pressed.

“It’s just so depressing, is all,” she waved him off, “There’s so much more to life than being all drab and dark. You should try being positive! Embrace the light!”

“I-... We’re not brooding because we’re depressed...” Wendel pouted slightly before looking to Garson, “Are we?”

“No,” Garson shook his head, “I’ve got therapy for that. That’s why I can’t afford anything. Makes me feel loads better though.”

“Then why brood?” the young woman pressed.

“I’m sorry, what was your name?” Wendel asked.

“Ashleigh,” she smiled.

“I-...” Wendel paused, “That sounds... fitting...” he shook his head, “Anyway, we brood to embrace ourselves. At least that’s what I do.”

“Yeah, there’s a lot of respect in brooding,” Garson agreed, “It’s about embracing the dark parts of who you are.”

“But what about the bright bits?” Ashleigh pressed, “Wouldn’t you rather just be happy instead? There’s a lot of good to the light.”

“That’d be nice if I knew what they were,” Wendel waved her off, “But that’s not what I want to explore. I’m trying to find myself, and I’ve always loved the dark.”

“Oh, you’re doing a bit of self-discovery?” Garson pressed, “I didn’t know that.”

“It’s why I took up brooding,” Wendel nodded, “I just... I feel like I’m a little egg, you know?” he folded his hands on the table, “And... I thought maybe brooding would help me to... find the right way to hatch, if that makes sense.”

“Yeah, it does,” Garson nodded, “But you got to be careful with being an egg. Otherwise, you might end up in a mousse.”

“Like the animal?” Ashleigh blinked.

“Like the dessert,” Wendel shook his head.

“So is it working, then?” Garson pressed, earning his attention, “Do you feel hatched?”

“Well...” Wendel thought for a moment, “Not entirely, but I’ve only just started.”

“You should try bakery brooding,” Garson smiled, “It was actually pretty nice.”

“I did see no one was fighting for your corner,” Wendel nodded, “You mind if I have a turn?”

“Sure I-” Garson cut himself off with a gasp, “That’s a great idea!”

“What?” Wendel blinked.

“I’ve got to talk with the baker. No time to explain!” Garson grinned as he jumped to his feet, rushing to the counter.