4:09 PM, SUGARY FIELDS, SUNDAY, THE BEAST YEAST, THE GARDEN OF SLOTH

You ran around, causing chaos in the Garden of Delights, your laughter echoing through the garden. Skipping over caramel tiles and knocking over thick syrup fountains, you left behind a wake of melted gumdrops and half-uprooted lollipop stems. The other cookies gasped and scurried to the sides, horrified at your antics—except for one. Pavlova stood nearby, arms crossed, his eyebrow twitching in disapproval.

“Candy Apple Cookie,” He scolded sharply, “You were allowed here under the condition you’d behave. Shadow Milk Cookie entrusted you to—"

You blew a raspberry mid-sentence, spinning in place and flopping backward into a cotton candy bush. “Boooooring!” You said. “Lighten up, Pavlova Cookie, you Stick-in-the-Mud!”

As Pavlova Cookie opened his mouth to retort, a soft voice cut through the tension.

“Candy Apple Cookie…~”

It was Sugarfly Cookie, walking behind you with a soft simrk, her wings shimmering like sugar. She landed beside you with the grace of a falling petal, the warm scent of honey and lavender clinging to her.

Before you could scramble away and continue your rampage, her arms wrapped around you from behind. She picked you up like you weighed nothing, drawing you in against her chest. Her fingers slid into your puffy, unkempt hair, ruffling it gently.

“What am I going to do with you, my little troublemaker?” She said with a chuckle, voice dripping with teasing affection.

Your entire body froze. The flush that crept up your neck exploded into a red across your cheeks. You squirmed, half-heartedly. Her touch made your thoughts stutter and sputter if that was possible.