With the Sourdough, Grapes and Walnuts being acquired he only had to wait for a barrel of imported Rum to be delivered. Until then he got straight to work on inventing a better and more consistent way of turning his beautiful Pink Grapes into Pink Raisins. The usual way was to either leave them to bake under the sun or to store them and slowly dry them over several days. Either way the processes were too slow or inconsistent for Cubert to rely on.
The solution was a machine that used tiny Sunstones as well as fans powered by the windmill. By washing the Grapes with hot, flowing air it would speed up the drying process greatly while providing consistency.
As he still had a day to wait until his first date with Ivy he spent his spare time building the drying machine. He placed it at the back of the Bakery and decorated it with sleek wooden panels around the base so that it matched more of the Buun’s usual styles. The main compartment however was a large metal drum. From a distance it looked like an elongated grill of some kind. He checked it top to bottom for any faults in his construction several times before calling it finished.
Once the evening came and work ended he sat down and with mechanical precision separated the Cushion Grapes from the stalk, with each one being dipped in cold water and shaken dry. Once he had plucked and washed three baskets worth of Grapes he spread them out across the two shelves inside of the machine. He closed the lid and locked it tight with a latch before turning the switch and letting the water flow. Like all of the Stone technology that the Buun used, once the water had flowed through the tiny pipes and touched the Sunstones, they reacted to it and began to output heat.
>Estimated 688 minutes required.
>Several checks for quality are advised.
Throughout the night he woke to see how the Raisins were progressing, with each uneventful trip giving him a sense of relief. By the time the sun had risen and his dreamless naps had come to an end, all of the Rose Raisins were ready. He tasted one and found that the drying process had concentrated the sugars and flavours to create a chewy, candy-like, Raisin. Even on their own they were wonderful but he could still do better. Using several glass jars he poured in different mixtures of Brandy, Orange Juice, Grape Juice and Spices. Into each he put two handfuls of Raisins. Once they had marinated the Raisins would swell with the new Juices and become something even more delicious.
He put the last of his Grapes into the machine to create yet more Rose Raisins.
Now that the day for Ivy’s date had arrived he turned his focus to her.
Cubert took extra time in bathing and brushing his fur with lavender oil.
He polished his glasses and put on a fresh outfit with a pressed white shirt that almost glowed.
Lastly he baked a batch of fresh Scones and placed them into a small basket.
Now ready he took off towards Ivy’s home.
It was located in the northwest of the Valley, with large open fields full of fragrant Herbs covering a spread of land. The Farm was framed by a fence that had been painted pink while masses of blooming flowers had been planted all over the surrounding area. At the front gate a large wooden sign proudly designated the Farm as being called Greenbed. Just like with the Forest, Cubert found himself captivated by the bountiful amounts of nature all around. Besides the Herbs and Flowers there were Butterflies, Bees and countless Insects hidden in the flora. As he approached the house he noticed several Beehives off to the side too.
The entrance to the home was marked by a grassy mound with a gazebo on the top. Cubert stepped down the ramp to the door but his keen ears could hear two voices in the gazebo above him. One was Rosemary, a frequent visitor of the Bakery and Ivy’s younger sister. The other he had not met before although based on tone and pitch, it was a young boy. Undoubtedly Ivy’s younger brother.
He knocked on the wood of the door and found Ivy’s mother to be the one to greet him.
She was an older Buun with her colours starting to fade.
Her eyes had lost most of their shine too.
“Oh, so you're the tall one Ivy speaks of. Let me get a look at you.”
She spoke warmly before reaching up and placing her paws on his face.
“You smell delicious but there is something under, are you an Engineer too?”
>Warning.
>Exceptional olfactory senses detected.
>Generating possible excuses.
“I was an Archeologist for most of my life. Digging through Red Dirt seems to stick to a Buun even after they start Baking instead.” Cubert replied. Ivy’s mother nodded in understanding.
“My you are a welcome basket of nice things… Oh if only I was twenty years younger.”
She mused.
“Mom! I thought I heard the door.”
Ivy spoke with a tinge of embarrassment over her mother’s actions.
“Hey.” She then said to Cubert.
“Good morning. I have brought Scones.” He replied.
He closed the door behind him and followed Ivy and her mother as they went down the entrance steps and into the main living room of the home. It was a large and warm space with wood made smooth by generations of passing paws. The air smelled just as fragrant and sweet as the gardens outside. Taking up most of the floor was a singular but massive rug. Cubert noticed another young girl, closer to Ivy’s age, laying on the sofa.
They headed around and into the kitchen where Cubert placed the basket of Scones onto the counter. He pulled the cloth covering them away and Ivy snatched one quickly. Within moments Ivy’s dad appeared, a more youthful man than his wife although he too was thinning around the ears.
“What is that I smell?” He said playfully as he approached.
“Good biscuits above those look amazing.” He barked as he took a Score.
“Forests and Followers, that's a good Scone.” He continued after biting through half of it.
“Thank you.” Cubert replied.
“Oh, you must be that handsome Baker from the Market. A pleasure.”
He said with an exaggerated tone to his voice as he came in close. But instead of the usual head touch he butted heads with Cubert and grinded their skulls together in a more masculine fashion. Despite the rough touch he was all smiles.
>An older form of the greeting?
>Possibly a more masculine version.
>Respect and affection is detected.
“I seem to have a reputation around here.” Cubert spoke.
His words caused Ivy to blush as she realized how vocal she had been about him.
“Nothing too much. You, ehm, came over for the, ehm, to help me write, right?”
“Yes. As part of our date.” Cubert replied.
Ivy could feel the eyes of her whole family looking at her. Before they could embarrass her with stories of her childhood or questions she nudged Cubert out of the kitchen and down the halls to the bedrooms. Her room was at the far end and up some steps although after leading him inside and closing the door she paused as she realized the mess she had just revealed.
Her room was round, like most of the other rooms in the home, with a circular window that went all the way around the top of the room. This window poked just above the surface to let in some natural sunlight, and allow a nice view if one climbed up a ladder to a central loft. Below was her bed that stood at the opposite end to the door, its frame and shape also round and designed to fit the cornerless room. A good third of the room had been claimed by an ever growing mountain of writing and research. From a large desk that was buried under papers and photos and books, to bean bag chairs that had clothing tossed over them. But there were also tiny wooden figures, some unpainted, some half finished, as well as colourful stones and pieces of metal. Everywhere he looked he found a different thing she had been working on and yet nothing had been completed.
On the bed were a few more open books and her current research journal. Cubert did not comment on the mess and instead hopped onto the bed to look over what she had been writing.
“Have you been making good progress?” He asked.
Ivy’s worries evaporated and her embarrassment vanished just as quickly as it had appeared.
She hopped over and sat on the bed with him as she began to talk about her recent work.
The weeks Cubert and Ivy had spent together had helped her get over the bottlenecks of technology and worldbuilding, which in turn had left her finally ready to focus on the main story at hand. She decided to call this first book Rising Blue. To do with a low class worker, a diver and repairman alike, in the bottom of the floating city of Azuran falling in love with a princess that lives at the very top within the royal spires. Although she had not yet gotten everything figured out.
As they talked Ivy found herself laying down to get comfortable.
With Cubert matching her change in posture.
“May I suggest some details?” He asked.
And she accepted.
“The man could be a Soldier from a distant land that came to the City in search of a peaceful and better life away from conflict and War. The culture and mannerisms of such a place is completely alien to the Man at first but he welcomes the challenge of integration. He fell in love with the Princess just as many who saw her beauty had before but unlike them who would stick to their lowly station, he reaches up and betters himself to be able to be with her?”
“That’s brilliant, hang on.”
Ivy replied before grabbing a pencil and noting down the ideas.
They continued to talk about the plot of romances and the tangled weave of relationships that royal houses tend to create. A city on the ocean, more advanced than anything any Buun could hope to see in their lifetime and yet still it is marred by the same mortal struggles. No matter how much a species advances, no matter how much the technology changes, there is always the same beating heart under it.
As they talked Cubert found himself with her velvet ears near his face. Without thinking he put his lips around the edge of one as she was explaining the concept of capturing lightning. She paused and shuddered instantly at the feeling. And Cubert released her ear.
“Apologies.” He spoke quickly, worried about her reaction.
“N-no. They are just sensitive. You know?” She replied to him.
“Do you find it strange?” Cubert then asked.
“Nah, anything that feels good can’t be too bad.” Ivy told him.
>Approval given.
>Physical touch is accepted.
>Biometrics suggest light arousal.
More time passed with the pair quickly becoming comfortable with each other. It was only when Ivy’s dad nudged the ajar door open and asked if he was staying for dinner, only to then pause and quickly back out before closing the door tightly, that Ivy realized her position. The pair lay together, Cubert’s paw on her hip, her ear in his teeth and his head on her shoulder. Hours spent dreaming of a whole different world and yet she had not taken a second to see where she was.
She blushed but didn’t know what to say.
“We should take a break from this and head to the beach.” Cubert spoke up suddenly.
“Yeah!” She squeaked in reply.
“Fresh air is good for the body and I have prepared food.” He then told her.
“Right.” Ivy nodded as her body cooled.
Cubert helped her to tidy up at least a part of her room before setting out.
Ivy also made sure to tell her mom that she might not be back tonight.
They headed over to the Bakery where Cubert quickly put together a picnic basket. With it in mouth they took a slow walk from the Market to the Beach that was to the west. Just like Cubert had predicted, the weather had become warm after so many light showers. The sand had also become clean and soft due to the rise and fall of recent temperatures.
He laid out a blanket and began to unpack but Ivy’s mind was elsewhere.
“Cubert, can we talk?” She asked.
“Of course, I enjoy our discussions.”
“Not about my work or your work. About us?”
>Insecurity detected.
>Sincerity needed.
Cubert placed his paw on hers.
“Reassurance. I’ve always enjoyed our discussions.” He repeated.
She cracked a smile for a moment.
“This is not the first date I’ve been on…” She admitted.
“Is it not satisfactory?” He asked.
Ivy looked to the waning sun hanging over the deep blue waters of the Ocean. The sand of the Beach spread all around her, almost glowing like gold. And there between them both was Cubert.
“It’s pretty satisfactory.” She nodded.
“But that’s not what I meant… How do I… I was sick during the first month of higher school. Never a good start and by the time I finally arrived half of the new-years had already formed circles and friends and were hooking up with each other. I felt out of the loop so I decided to study more which got me into books and writing and spending my time alone in the library.”
“Mhm?” Cubert replied to show he was listening.
“A lot of boys, and some girls, took interest in me but by then I was just so into all these worlds and stories and characters… I went on so many dates and hung out with so many boys. At one point I was alone with two of the senior years, it should have been my moment but we did nothing. And that’s when I got the reputation of being a Tease.”
“Pause for a moment. Can you explain that concept?” He asked.
“Hm? Being a Tease? It’s you know. When you go on dates and take interest in someone but you never have sex with them. I never meant to be a Tease but I just… It just…” Ivy explained.
“One more question. Someone who has sex actively, even with those who they just met. How is such a person viewed?” Cubert then asked.
Ivy looked at him confused for a moment.
“Well, they would be Bawds. You know, popular, beautiful, confident, the kind of Buun that could go anywhere and do anything… Oh yeah, the Capital has ‘Socialites’ right? The more professional and high class sort of Bawd.” Ivy explained.
>Error. Buun social norms are different to what was predicted.
>Buun are not just promiscuous, the nature of their culture is different.
>Social graces have been miscommunicated.
>Updating knowledge and parameters.
>Further research must be conducted.
>Generating excuses and explanations.
“Apologies, the irony of knowing so many proper words is that sometimes you forget a few of the more common words and phrases.” Cubert replied with an embarrassed smile.
“Oh tell me about it.” Ivy nodded in understanding.
She then sighed.
“Look. You were the Royal Archaeologist, and you're tall and really hot, and wealthy, and you make the best food I’ve ever tasted. It’s just everything with you. A-and I was the first girl you took interest in when you opened up here. I should have had you mounting me right there behind the stall but instead I just got distracted again with the stories and writing. It just keeps happening. Even back at the house, we should have at least screwed a few times before sitting down to talk for hours.”
Cubert interrupted her thoughts by pressing his nose to hers.
She leaned forward but no kiss came.
“I never went to higher school.” He suddenly admitted.
“What?” She replied, now more confused.
“By the time I was of the right age I was already too intelligent. Instead of having any of the experiences you describe, good or bad, friends or enemies, I skipped over it all completely and threw myself into work. I did get interest from many, and even more as I quickly became successful, then famous, and then wealthy. But I did worse than Tease, I outright rejected the idea of such advances. In those days my work was more important. Even now I find myself putting too much into the Bakery…” Cubert explained to her.
He then kissed her and lingered for just a moment.
“For all my so-called intelligence, I have no knowledge on what I should be doing on dates or in the company of others. You were passionate about your work and so I met that passion with my own. You wished to talk and so I talked. I’ve always, in any form or place, always enjoyed our discussions. But I understand that this is not the norm and I have been rude to you.” Cubert continued.
“I had no idea. I never thought someone like you could be just like me.” Ivy said in relief.
“We’ve both been quite silly in handling ourselves.” Cubert replied.
“Frolics, that is something to think about.” Ivy said as she cracked up with tiny laughs.
Cubert joined in as well so she would not feel self conscious.
>Updating social cues.
>Redefining romance.
>Possible opportunity detected.
“I wish to say something but I don’t know the right words. I do not wish to offend.”
Cubert spoke up as he thought about his lack of information.
“Luckily I am a writer. And nothing you say can offend me.” Ivy promised.
Cubert leaned his head closer to hers.
“Honesty. I am excited to fuck you later.”
“Hough. Well, flattering, even Bawdy but maybe too blunt. You could say you are excited to speak more later or that you enjoy our time together?” Ivy suggested as her face turned a shade darker.
>Ivy’s heart rate has escalated.
>Light arousal detected.
>Positive reactions noted.
“But I don’t plan on speaking later, or having you coherent enough to try.”
Cubert whispered to her.
“Oh my, Cubert. I didn’t know you could be so… Wow…”
Ivy said excitedly as she fanned her face.
“We don’t have to rush however.” Cubert spoke up as he took a bottle of White Wine from the basket and began to pour some into two glasses. “We still have dinner to enjoy and perhaps a walk to enjoy the sunset before we turn in for the night at my Bakery?” he suggested.
Ivy exhaled some of the growing heat in her cheeks and nodded.
“That sounds most pleasant.” Ivy replied as she took one glass.
They dinged the two glasses together and turned their attention to the food.
He had made a spread of toasted bread, fruit, cheese and smoked meats. A bit typical for a picnic set at the end of the Breeze months but one that Ivy enjoyed. She had not been invited to many after all.
Once they were done eating they packed up and began to head along the Valley path that curved over to the Mountains. What they didn’t know was that there was someone from a nearby Geological centre doing studies due to the many light showers that had been falling recently. He had climbed to the upper reaches of the Mountain already and was careful as he poked and prodded at the ground and rocks. It was purely by chance that his paw knocked a small stone out of place. That small stone rolled down the cliffside and knocked free a larger stone. The dirt, made weak by frequent rains and rising temperatures, gave way as larger and larger stones were unearthed and sent tumbling.
Far below Cubert and Ivy had just reached the Mountain Overlook near the base.
They looked out over the wooden railing at the sun setting behind the town without knowing what was coming. Cubert’s ear twitched as he heard the commotion approaching and managed to shove Ivy out of the way as a large stone crashed through the fence. He moved quickly and led Ivy in one direction to another like a dance. Finally one last boulder crashed into the ground nearby, its surface splitting like a ripe fruit from the impact.
As the dust settled so did a calm. Ivy was still processing what had happened.
Cubert however noticed that from the split boulder that there was a soft glow.
>Analyzing.
>Materials similar to Glowstones.
>Uncommon ore. Raw Sunstone.
>Valuable however it is…
Cubert realized the true danger.
He turned his body with such speed that one of his front legs snapped. He pushed Ivy away with enough force to knock the wind from her lungs. As her bones rattled and she skidded along the ground Cubert observed as the puddles of rain soaked into the Sunstone…
A bloom of great heat and light then spread out as the Sunstone detonated angrily.
