You stood beside Red Velvet Cookie, watching as he surveyed them with an unreadable expression. His massive cake arm gleamed under the dim torchlight, his red cape shifting slightly as he exhaled.

“You’ve been pestering me about this for a while,” he finally said, his deep voice cutting through the stillness. “Controlling cake monsters isn’t just about shouting orders. They follow strength. Willpower.”

Red Velvet Cookie motioned toward a cake hound—one of the smaller, less intimidating ones. Its ears perked up as it stared at you expectantly, its tail wagging.

“Give it a command,” he instructed. “Make it follow your will.”

Simple enough, right? You took a deep breath and stood up straight.

“Sit!” you called out.

Instead of obeying, it pounced onto you, knocking you flat on your back. It lapped at your cheek, it's tail wagging even faster.

Red Velvet Cookie let out a low chuckle. “Hmph. That’s not quite how it works.”

He extended his real hand, helping you back onto your feet. “You have to be firm. The cake monsters are drawn to strong wills—they obey those who do not waver.” His crimson gaze locked onto yours. “Try again.”

You narrowed your eyes at the cake hound, setting your jaw in determination. “Sit,” you commanded again, this time pouring more authority into your voice.

The cake hound hesitated, ears twitching. Then, after a tense moment… it actually sat down.

A triumphant grin spread across your face. “Ha! See?"

Red Velvet Cookie crossed his arms, shaking his head in amusement. “Not bad,” he admitted, his voice carrying a rare note of approval. “But it looks like they see you more as a friend than a commander.”

That same hound that had tackled you was now at your feet, nudging your foot with its snout, looking for praise and cuddles.

Red Velvet Cookie sighed. “...Maybe they just like you too much.”

You smirked, playfully nudging him. "They've got good taste, huh?”

Red Velvet Cookie scoffed, but there was no hiding the small smirk tugging at his lips. “Hmph. Don’t get too cocky.”