(Afterlife depiction) (self-blame) (Dahlia)
Ringdadinging
“Welcome to Dahlias Bakery! I’ll be with you in just ooooooonnnnnneeeee second-“
Dahlia cuts the last cookie into the shape of a cats face before putting the whole tray into the oven, dusting off her apron and emerging into the store front. Where an- oddly familiar face was waiting for chocos. But no- It couldn’t be- that isn’t-
“Hey mom!” The thing that wasn’t Rivers leaned on the counter, wagging his tail- xe didn’t have a tail before did he? “ How’s…things!”
“…Rivers?”
“Givers, actually!” Givers. Givers givers Givers Givers. There was a G there. But that meant- No. Nononono-
“It’s my comeback tour bay-bee!! Back and ready for act-te-on!! I’m going round to everyone and announcing the GLORIOUS RETURN of their FAVORITE PERSON. Also there’s flowers like all over my house?? I can’t seem to get rid of them it’s weird. ANYWAY. Hi!”
Xe didn’t- that couldn’t happen- no- “…You died?”
He shrugs in return. Stupid question Stupid- “How?” Puff wasn’t there Muffin wasn’t there to protect xem It’s all sugars fault its purrs fault Rivers is dead and it’s its fault-
Another shrug. Xe looks so happy, he was almost never like that before. It would be a shame to ruin it.
'Drop the questions. For now.'But on the other hand, she can’t let xem get hurt again. Choco will be there to protect him next time. Puff draws muffins composure and in the calmest voice sugar can manage, kit says
“Hey Givers, Do you want a job?”
Ringdadinging
“Welcome to Dahlias Bakery! Anything you want? Okay. okayokayokay. I like your vibe. Real talk for a second? Come closer dude.” Givers looks around conspiratorially, as if he’s about to tell a well kept secret, “You want my recommendation? Get the cat cookies. They taste SO GOOD man. it’s INSANE.”
Dahlia smiles from the doorway in between the kitchen and the store. She still can’t look at xem without feeling those pangs of guilt but- This is better than the alternative. Kit emerges from cats observation spot, and as muffin does puff can see him suddenly straighten up and give one last wink to the person, purr has to suppress a laugh.
“Givers?”
“Yeah mom?”
“Can you come help me bake some things in back?”
“No problem-o”