Ring, ring, ring, ring!

It's the twelfth hour.

It's the twelfth hour.

Work time, work time!

All afternoon shift LopVampas, report to your stations immediately.

Turning off the boob tube, the bun adjusted his skirt. Where did the time go? Did the godbun of time eat the hours up while he wasn't looking? No, no, of course not, don't be silly! Hopping towards the mirror, the vampa almost wanted to rip the Unhappy Bunny shirt clean off. Soon, he'll finally be rid of this hideous thing! Pulling his hair up into a low ponytail, he slapped his cheeks. He looked like a million chips, right? He sure hoped so.

"You ready to go to the Golden Lettuce Bowl?" Zhulong asked. "We should probably hurry, tables fill up very quickly there."

[I'm ready to go.] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Alright, in that case, I'll lead the way," Niquel said, standing in front.

Hopping along, the bun's knees shook. Is it just him, or had Frosaro been even quieter now than it had been a few hours ago? What's going on here? Did everyone leave? No, no, that's silly. Maybe the residents are staying inside today. Forget them, it's time for the ritziest lunch known to all of bunkind!

Large, golden building soon waiting for him, the bun gulped. This place looked like it was worth seven billion chips. Should he even be here? He's so going to look out of place here. Should he turn around? He's going to have people looking at him from every table. Slapping his cheeks, he pushed himself through the door. Here goes everything.

But, upon entering the restaurant, another empty world soon awaited him. One employee out in front, the bun could not help but feel an intense wave of unease. Where is everyone? Something about this doesn't feel right at all. Walking towards the counter, he crossed his fingers. Sorry if he doesn't look fancy enough. He'll pay the peasant fee!

"Greetings. Table for three?" the employee bun asked.

"Governing Bunny reserved a table for us already," Niquel said, pointing.

"Ah, yes, then, right this way." They hopped forward as they said such.

Guided towards a table with a golden tablecloth, the bun almost wanted to turn around. There's no way he belonged in a place like this. What if they charge mama more for looking like a peasant? No, no, happy thoughts, Siorc, happy thoughts. Surely, he didn't look like that. Seating himself on the opposite end of the booth, the vampa gulped. Even the silverware is wrapped in gold. He's not worthy!

Mama looking straight at him, the bun wondered. Should he ask mama if she thinks the Mystic Carrot Bowl is rigged? No, what good would it do to ask her? What would buns that work at the capitol know about that? Forget this, it's time to stop thinking about it. He needs to keep his fingers shut about this for the time being.

"Good afternoon, Swanbu," mama greeted. "How are you doing?"

"I am doing alright," Zhulong said eyes closed.

"How goes your job? Heard your call center is getting a lot of good customers lately!" She winked as she said such.

"Could we wait until the bread comes to the table, ma'am?" Zhulong asked, eyes closed.

"Of course, no problem," mama responded, she then turned towards Niquel. "How are you doing today, Niquel? It's been awhile since I've seen you! You've grown into a fine adult!"

"We saw you two months ago during Siorc's divine naming ceremony," Niquel responded.

"Oops, sorry, it must have slipped my mind!" mama exclaimed. "So, how are you doing lately?"

"I'm alright, thanks for asking." But, there was a barely audible sigh when Niquel said that.

Bread dropped onto the table, the young adult's eyes almost swam out of his head. Is it just him, or is it shining? Woah, look at this, is this duck bread? Just how ritzy was this place?! When was the last time he saw this beautiful creature? Oh, right, back when he went on a field trip to Emraldia. How many years ago was that? Forget it, that was so long ago. Reaching for the sweet, sweet heaven, he tried to not squeal. Woah, there's silver butter, too?! Has he gone to heaven?

Fluffy goodness down the hatch, the farmer held back the urge to sing a tune. Where had this stuff been all his life?! He needs to start growing wheat in the farm when he comes back! Hmm, nah, there's no way he could get this perfection anywhere else. Mother soon looking at him, he prepared himself. Please, don't ask him about his job, he's begging!

"How are you doing today, Siorc?" mama asked. "I hope the Mystic Carrot Bowl is going well for you!"

Enthusiasm ready to drown him, the bun wondered. Should he ask mama if she thinks the Mystic Carrot Bowl is rigged anyway? Maybe she might know something? But, the bun rolled such thought up into a ball. No, what good would it do to inquire about that right now? Why ruin lunchtime with such a question?

[I'm doing okay. How have you been? Has work at the capitol been difficult?] A crackling voice asked through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Same old paperwork, don't worry about me, honey," mama responded with a tired smile. "How did your job ceremony go? Sorry I couldn't be there for it, you know how it goes."

Job floating over his head the farmer munched on some more bread. Man, this stuff was so soft! Godbuns, turn him into a piece of duck bread right now! Pushing the plate away, the vampa let out a barely audible sigh. Did she seriously have to bring this up? Ugh, can't they talk about anything else? The farm, maybe? Please, bring up the farm instead, thanks!

[Do I have to talk about that?] A crackling voice asked through the Talkmaster B's speakers. But, as the voice soon played out, a familiar bun hopped towards the table.

"Hello, there, can I take your order? And, just so you know, I, the evilest bun known to all of LopVampa kind will be spitting in all of your food!" Evil Bunny shouted.

"You know you don't have the guts to do that," Zhulong said, shaking his head.

"You'll see! I'll spit in your salad, and you'll be crying in bed for days!" Evil Bunny shouted. They then cleared their throat. "You'd better hurry up and order, or I'll make you pay three hundred times the amount! Aren't I the most evil bun you've ever seen?!"

"I'll have the Broiled Cabbage Stir Fry," Zhulong said, sighing. "And bring carrot juice."

"And, I'll have the Golden Lettuce Bowl Chef Special," Niquel said. "What's in that?"

"Oh, you know, Ambee stingers and rhubarb! Better prepare yourself!" Evil Bunny laughed in a dramatic tone.

"Very funny, Naofa," Niquel groaned. "What's really in it?"

"It's Evil Bunny! Evbu!" Evil Bunny shouted. They then groaned. "Grilled horsetails on top of braised pastrami! You happy now?!" They then spun the pen around in their hand. "What do you want to drink? Better hurry, or I'll charge you five hundred times extra!"

"Enough already. I'll just have water." Another groan.

Gazing at the menu, the farmer's heart almost leaped out of his chest. Woah, why are there so many zeroes at the end of the meals here? He would be swimming in his eyeballs in bills forever if he were paying! Gazing at the sandwich menu, the vampa tried to keep his hands steady. He is not worthy. Consider him the biggest peasant of Frosaro. Maybe he should use his wish to get five billion chips. No, no, Siorc, that'd be such a waste, come on now!

[I'll have the Ham and carrot melt, please.] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Tch, peasant, that's what poor buns order!" Evil Bunny shouted. "Let me guess, you want water, too, you beggar? I'll be spitting in it, by the way!"

[I guess I'll take strawberry flavored sparkling water.] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"And what can I get for you, ma'am?" Evil Bunny started to ask, they then fell straight until their rump. "What's one of the Capitol buns doing here?! I ought to charge you three billion chips for walking into this joint!"

"You're so funny! Am I that terrifying to you?" mama asked.

"I'll take over the Capitol one day, just you wait!" Evil bunny shouted.

"I'm sure you will, Evil Bunny!" mama exclaimed, giggling. "I would like your finest carrot sautéed steak and a glass of sparkling wine!"

"As you wish!" Evil Bunny said in a low tone. "You'll all see, I'll conquer the entire world someday and I'll turn Lagozora into Evilville!" They then let out the most cocky sounding evil laugh known to bunkind.

Evil Bunny hopping away, the bun sighed. Why did the godbuns name this bun Evil Bunny anyway? Had they played too many pranks as a chilbun? He doesn't know, but he couldn't help but feel that something lead to this outcome. Maybe he should look into this at a future date. Mama soon looking towards him once more, he crossed his fingers. Don't ask about his job again, please!

"So, honey, what kind of job did you receive during your job ceremony?" mama asked.

Salt ready to pour down upon him, the bun held in the urge to scream. Please, please don't ask about that! He needs to find a way to change the subject, fast! But, what good would that do? She'd probably find out either way. Taking a deep breath, a winged rabbit had been scribbled onto the screen. That should be enough, right? He sure hoped so.

[I was assigned the job of God's Little Plaything. Mama, can we please talk about something else?] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Alright, that's fine, honey," mama responded, hands folded on the table. "If you win the Mystic Carrot Bowl, what do you intend to wish for?"

Another inquiry coming his way, the bun's eyes wandered. Did she have to go and ask that now? Why can't she just wait and see what happens?! He swears, mama just wants to pry every answer out of his cold hands. Ah, well, he might as well at least tell her that much. It's not like they'll see each other again after this for a long time.

[I'm going to have my divine naming ceremony redone! I will be Farmer Bunny this time!] A crackling voice shouted through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"I see, well, good luck in your next match!" mama cried. "I hear the competition is pretty rough this year! I'll root for you, okay?" She then turned towards Zhulong. "So, tell me, Swanbu, how goes that call center job of yours? Congratulations on hitting it big!"

"Could you not say it like it's some kind of achievement?" Zhulong asked, groaning. "I already feel bad enough having to read that script constantly."

"It'll get easier for you as the years go by!" mama cried. She then turned towards Niquel. "And, how's your job going, Jokebu?"

"Could you just call me Niquel?" Niquel asked groaning. "Can we talk about something else, please?"

"Is no one laughing at your jokes?" She tilted her head.

"Please, just drop it." Niquel's eyes were sharp.

Chatter going on for quite awhile, the bun gazed out the window. Is it just him, or was the entirety of Frosaro still as empty as ever? Where is everyone? Maybe they all went elsewhere? No, no, Siorc, they're all just busy working, that's all! Come on, there's nothing wrong here. He should focus on the food about to come onto his plate.

Cart of food soon brought to the table, the vampa tried to keep his mouth from watering. Was this stuff wrapped in gold?! He's not worthy, he's nothing more than a peasant beneath the godbun's feet! Plate placed in front of him, his eyes soon sparkled. These carrots descended straight from heaven, he can feel it!

"Here you go, strawberry spit sparkling water, enjoy!" Evil Bunny exclaimed. "Just so you know, every refill will be served with tons of poison!" They then laughed. "Aren't the biggest, baddest, most evil villain you've ever seen in all of Lagozora?!"

"Could you give it a rest already?!" Niquel and Zhulong said in unison.

Melt staring at him, the bun's eyes soon watered. Hello, richest sandwich in the world. Oh, gosh, he doesn't look like he's worth a piece of paper right about now, did he? He's not worthy! Giving the sandwich a good long nibble, the squeal threw itself out into the open. The carrots, the ham, absolute perfection! Where can he get these carrot seeds? He needs to plant an entire field of them as soon as he gets home!

Mystic Carrot Bowl floating through his mind once again, the bun wondered. Who would he be facing today? He doesn't know, but he should probably prepare himself for anything. What if his competition was one of the godbuns themselves? But, he shook his head at such. No way, why would that happen? Come on, Siorc, be a little realistic here! As if that would ever happen in a million years!

Sparkling water goodness going down the hatch, young adult's eyes glistened. Who would have thought heaven in a glass existed? He should leave a one hundred star review whenever he gets the chance! Can he have a thousand refills of this? Finishing his meal, he gazed out the window again. Still not a soul out there. Maybe he really should take a moment to investigate before round two starts. But, would he have time for that? Probably not.

"Is something wrong?" Zhulong asked.

[It's nothing, I just can't help but notice Frosaro is kind of quiet today, that's all.] A crackling voice said through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Oh, you noticed that, too?" Zhulong asked. "I've heard it's always like this during the Mystic Carrot Bowl."

"Really? That's not what I heard," Niquel said. "Maybe there's something else going on."

"Maybe, but we shouldn't stick our nose in where it's not wanted," Zhulong said, standing up from his seat. "We should probably go now. Thanks for the food, ma'am." As he said such, he placed some fifty chips onto the table. "Let's get going."

Bill coming out to the table, the vampa eyes swam as mama took out a two thousand chip. Mama is so going to be swimming in bills after this! Training in the park with Zhulong and Niquel for hours on end, the bun stared off into space as the evening was close to rolling around at any given moment.

Who is he going to be up against in the Mystic Carrot Bowl today?