darkSpyro

red attempts to become a confectioner



red the dragon is pacing around in his laboratory. it's a bit of a mess, with papers and gems lying everywhere.
: gee, i do sure love science. what experiment should i do today?
* looks around the lab. his eyes scan around the whole area before settling on a pile of gems. *
: wow i have a lot of gems laying around.
: i wonder...
* he puts a claw on his chin while he thinks about what to do next. he picks up a gem and examines it as the greenish light of the lab warps its color *
: i bet i could so something interesting with these... what if i tried to turn these into rock candy?


* there is a knock on the door. turns around, setting the gem down. *
: who is it?
* ??? cracks the door open. ???'s snout pokes out from behind the doorway. *
??? : oh, it's just me! dinner's almost ready. it's your favorite!
(clearly excited): brazillian pizza?!
??? : yes. uncle spent a long time on it.
: all right. i'll be there, soon. i just have to finish --
??? : we want you at the table right now.
: but i was about to --
??? : you don't want to make upset, do you?
* sags a little. *
; o-kay.


* there is a small dinner table set up at the center of the lab where the laser puzzle is located. sitting at it are , , the elder dragons, and ??? who is in the shadows. is wearing a sports uniform and appears to be talking to . sits down next to . *
* looks at , wrinkling his nose slightly. *
(thinking to himself): looks especially ugly in that uniform. it's at least five sizes too large.
: how are you liking sportsball, ?
??? : he seems to be taking to it quite well.
: yeah! it's really fun. and i'm pretty good at it, too.
??? : i'm so happy i could find you an activity that you really enjoy.
* the elder dragons give plastic smiles to , who is too focused on to notice. *


* nods his head at his fellow elders. *
: i wasn't expecting to see you all here tonight!
??? : oh, yeah, i invited them over to tell us how you're doing with your magic studies.
* blushes, but his red scales hide it *
: well, i would have practiced a little more if i knew they were coming. i was actually in the middle of planning some science stuff before dinner. i think there's a way we can combine science and ma--
tomas: oh? what were you trying to do?
: turn gems into rock candy.
???: that's it?
: i know you can do it with magic, but i wanted to see if i could do it scientifically.
tomas (leans closer): that's actually pretty--
???: pointless. i can already do it for you with magic.
* shrugs*
pizza's ready!


*they all eat the pizza, engaging in more small talk. after the meal, everyone puts the dishes away. ???, , and converse about sportsball. the guests prepare to leave, but tomas approaches red.*
tomas: do you have any leads on how to turn gems into candy with science?
: well, actually, i had an idea that i was planning on testing out now that dinner is over.
tomas: can i watch?
:red: : i don't see the harm in it.
* they enter the deepest part of the lab *
:red: all right. here's the gems i was going to test on.
* tomas inspects the gems. they look pretty normal to me. *
:red: (absentmindedly): yup
* :red: is busy setting up his science equipment. tomas fiddles with the gems while he waits*


:red: okay, we're ready. stand back!
*tomas flinches and jumps away. the gems are engulfed in a green light. the light gets brighter and brighter until the gems are no longer visible. after the light holds it's strongest brightness, it fades revealing a cluster of gems that appear to be melted together. their colors are all mixed, creating dark and light pockets in what is now a large lump. tomas and :red: stand stiffly as they wait for the mass to stop smoking. :red: turns on a loud fan to suck the smoke away before it sets off the fire alarms.*
:red: looks good so far.
*:red: taps the lump*
:red: i think it's cool enough to test now, too.
*:red: sniffs it and gives it a lick. his eyes light up*
:red: tomas! try it!
*tomas cracks a piece off of the lump and tentatively chews it*
tomas: delicious!

red attempts to become a confectioner 2


(nodding at tomas): it's perfect!
*tomas grabs for more rock candy.*
tomas: you know, you could probably sell this stuff.
: huh, really?
tomas: yeah, i know a lot of other dragons who'd really love your rock candy.
: well, i wasn't really thinking of selling it... i just wanted to see if it was possible to make it with science.
tomas: that can be your gimmick! dragons'll pay you more for it because it's special.
: hmmmmm


*??? opens the door, seeing and tomas conversing*
???: hey, tomas. the rest of the elders are leaving.
tomas: you have to try this stuff!
*tomas breaks off a piece of the candy and shoves it at ???. ??? holds it, shadows hiding his baffled expression. ??? gives the rock candy a little sniff*
???: smells like candy.
tomas: yeah! made it!
* ??? smiles stiffly and gives the candy a little bite. *
???: yes, yes, it's really good. the other elders are waiting for you.
tomas: all right! see you tomorrow, !
*tomas leaves. ??? stays and leans against the lab door, looking at .*


???: so, you did it.
(nods tentatively): i'm glad you thought it was good.
* they stare at each other in silence. ??? checks the clock in the lab.*
???: and are off to sportsball, so the rest of the night should be free.
: i'm glad uncle has been willing to work with us so far.
??? (sniffs): yes, he's certainly taught you a lot about science.


*silence again.*
???: well, i'm going to go study magic for a bit. you should go to bed soon.
(relaxing as ??? leaves): goodnight.

oopsies


walks into her local pet store. she is the only customer among an assortment of animals. is working at the register.
looks intently at some fish.
: can i help you find anything today?
...
: ma'am?
: hmmm? oh, hello there, young man. i'm in the market for a pet. something... obedient.
: how about a dog?
: ... too stupid.
: they're all trained.
: i need something that can take care of itself.
: normally, i'd suggest a cat, but they're not really that obedient.
nods, holding her chin in her hand.
: that's the problem... what if --
races past the fish toward a caged rabbit. tries to follow her, but is stopped at the last second by his manager.

turns to manager .
: WHAT-?
: turns out we can't sell animals anymore.
: why---?
looks at himself and then at
: why did it take me so long to realize that this was illegal?

runs out of the pet store with a rabbit