The needle-sharp yap of an Electrike hammered through the air like an awl through book bindings, precise and punctuated. Heads turned, some people, some Pokemon, to see who was causing such a scene in the middle of the city bakery.

Michiko’s face burned red as she tried frantically to shush her dog, but whatever had worked Thor up was stronger than his feeble owner. He continued to bark, front claws scoring tally marks in the flooring. ”Shhhh!” she whispered, tugging at his lead, ”Shhhh! Ah, you are too noisy!”

Refusing to submit to the shame of shouting at Thor in public, Michi put on her bravest, most serene face and silently dragged the misbehaving mutt outside. She’d forgotten his Pokeball in her car again, and was forced time and time again to pay the price. Usually, someone else was more bothered to remember those little details—that someone being her husband, or one of her daughters.

But her nest was empty now, and with the girls away at university and her husband having just left on sabbatical, it fell to Michi to walk the dog, pay the bills, and find new ways to fill her spare time. At the moment, that thing was sweets.

Thor’s barking stopped as suddenly as it had began— he’d smelled something good, and tugged her persistently towards it. Helpless, the older woman followed down the sidewalk, drawn towards a little stand of baked goods tended by a friendly brown-haired teen.

...The Bliss Family Bakery? Maybe she didn’t have to go home empty handed after all!

”Hello!” Michi panted, struggling to keep Thor on a tight leash. “It is my first time to come here! What are you selling?” Bliss was a good name—already, the breads and cookies seemed delicious!

Michi beamed at Cardamom, or tried to while simultaneously winding Thor’s leash around her wrist to reel him back into a sitting position. The Electrike was actually quite timid, but unfortunately, he was the type to lash out when scared. Hence the barking fit in the bakery.

Perhaps this was actually a Lucky Chance, however, because she could try foods from a delicious new bakery that maybe people didn’t even know yet! Of course, maybe people knew, and it was simply not so special. She would be the judge of that.

Thinking of herself in such a serious role made Michi giggle. Next to her, Thor panted, sitting on the ground by her feet. His nose quivered, smelling the Pokémon treats through their wrapping.

The offer of sugar cookies was so cute Michi just had to accept. It was like having restaurant staff offer to personalize the ketchup on her omelet. “Ooh, but I enjoy Pokémon shape cookies! Can you draw...” Many round, cookie-shaped Pokémon raced through her mind before she settled on one she’d always thought looked delicious. “Luvdisc?”

The little woman was too fascinated by the cookie-decoration process to process Cardamom offering Thor a free sample. The Electrike whined faintly at her feet, conscious he was being neglected. He did want a treat, and did his best to communicate that much to the brown-haired teen.

Michi hadn’t been expecting patisserie-level decorating skills, so she still received the clumsy Luvdisc cookie with great enthusiasm. “Ahh, it is amazing!” she exclaimed (perhaps too-kindly), holding it gingerly in both hands as if it was something very precious. “No-no, of course I will pay! This is your first try? It is very skillful!”

Her face seemed to fall as she examined it closely, but not because of the decoration job. “Oh,” she said unhappily, “But it is too sad by itself! Luvdisc must be a couple.” She looked up, smiling with her eyes. “May I have one more, please?”

She wasn’t being patronizing. Michi really believed in the power of positive encouragement, and in developing skills through trial and effort. She was sure the next Luvdisc would be beautiful. And maybe, getting a second Luvdisc cookie would remind Michi that she still had a loving husband out there too, even one as far away as his research had taken him.

Michi's eyes drifted up over the top of the little stand to the home bakery just beyond. Bliss Family Bakery. Maybe I can recommend this bakery to some of my friends... A sudden movement of Thor against the leash caught her attention and Michi snapped back just as the Electrike caught the tossed dog treat neatly out of the air.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, surprised, but didn't yank the dog back as he crouched over the berry bone, crunching it in satisfaction. I didn't know he could do that. "Is it okay? He is hungry, I think." Perhaps that had been why he was barking at the city bakery. The Electrike seemed to enjoy the berries wholeheartedly, his stubby tail wagging. At least he is busy now...

She watched with approval as Cardamom tried again on the second Luvdisc cookie, noting the cleaner lines. "I am not skilled at art, or at baking," Michi said admiringly as the teen put the finishing touches on the cookie. Again, it was no patisserie chef-level decoration, but Michi was sure if she was in Cardamom's face she would have been much more embarrassed, and much less accurate.

"Ah! Yes! They must kiss!" A laugh escaped the older woman and her hands flew up to cover it. What a clever addition! Michi hadn't even thought of that. The thought of sending a picture of kisisng Luvdisc cookies to her husband brightened Michi up and she pulled out her phone. "May I take a picture? Oh, but I must pay, first!"

Quickly, Michiko found her wallet in her bag and counted out the required amount, including a couple Pokedollars for a tip. It is much less than I would have spent at the city bakery, she thought, so I don't mind! For such a cute service it seemed worth it to support the new bakery in town. Speaking of which...

"Are your parents home?"