The Day the Bread Bit Back

     The air was filled with the smell of bread, sugar, and butter. The Bakery, deep in the Neopian Bazaar, had just restocked, and Tipulin was in her element. The Wocky flitted about the Bakery, her eyes wide with wonder as she darted from counter to counter and listed all the delicacies she wanted. Other patrons eyed her, but nobody could say anything: she was just too cute. Mili, who had been tasked with ensuring Tipulin would stick to a budget, wasn't having as much fun.

     — Calm down. We only have enough for... About five treats. So think-

     — Five?! But I want so many things! Like the Strawberry Shortcake and the Flotsam Fingers and the Peophin Pie and this- MEOOOOOOOUCH!!!

     Mili jumped out of her skin, startled by her sister's yowl.

     — Tipulin! What happened? Are you hurt? Was it too hot?

     — No! It... It bit me! The bread! It was alive and it bit me!

     Tipulin backed away with teary eyes, hiding herself behind Mili, tail tucked between her legs. The Silver Aisha, for her part, bravely approached the basket in which Tipulin had stuck her paw.

     Something moved.

     — Eeeeek! It's haunted! It's haunted! It's a haunted bakery!

     Mili sighed. Now that she had gotten a good look, she understood what had happened.

     — Easy. It's not haunted. It's just... A petpet. See? It's a Gingerbread Dandan. Hmm... I think it's a girl, too.

     The little Dandan was curled up in a ball, clearly trying to hide from the strange and scary Wocky who had inadvertently tried to grab it. Mili carefully and gently lowered a paw near it, letting it come to her in its own time.

     — It's ok, little one. We aren't going to hurt you. This was just a big misunderstanding.

     As Tipulin finally peeked her head out from behind Mili, the small Dandan cautiously approached, sniffing Mili's paw before giving it a tentative lick.

     You could hear the Aisha's heart melting from across the room.

     — Aww, she's so cute! Can we keep her? Please, Mili?

     Mili smiled at her sister's enthusiasm, but gently chided her.

     — What about Gilafa? You already have a Petpet, and so do I.

     But Tipulin has never been one to settle for anything but her heart's desire.

     — Fenrir doesn't have one! Let's go get him! Come on! Let's go, let's go, let's go!

     Mili only had time to gently take the Dandan in her arms before she was dragged out of the Bakery and into the streets of the Neopian Bazaar. They ran past the Gardening Supplies store, breezed by Usuki Land, and finally stopped just outside the Grooming Parlour. Tipulin took only a second to look through its window before she was dragging Mili once again, this time inside the establishment.

     — He's here! There! I see him!

     True to her word, Fenrir was getting his long fur brushed by an employee, a Grey Usul who had clearly seen better days. He raised his ears as he heard them coming, opening his maw in a big smile.

     — Mili! Tipulin! Are you done shopping?

     Tipulin took a big breath, and Mili knew she had to step in and give him the abridged version before she started describing every little thing she had done that day.

     — Not exactly. See, we were at the Bakery when we found this little Dandan. She doesn't have an owner, and you don't have a Petpet. What do you think?

     The Varwolf blinked and sniffed the Dandan, who was now curled up in Mili's arms.

     — She smells...

     In a sudden bout of clarity, Fenrir realized that his sisters would not, in fact, appreciate it if he completed that sentence with "delicious", and quickly backtracked.

     — ... Small.

     Mili and Tipulin looked at each other, wondering what kind of scent "small" was. Desperate to get the conversation back on track and away from his blunder, Fenrir continued.

     — Well, I did want a Petpet, but...

     He was immediately attacked... By kitty Wocky eyes. Tipulin looked at him pleadingly, like her heart would break if he said no. And really, when had he ever been able to deny his sisters anything?

     — ... Fine. But you're helping me take care of it.

     Tipulin squealed with delight, wrapping Fenrir in a big hug that messed up his hair all over again.

     — Yay! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I promise I'll help take care of her too! I'll be the best co-owner ever! I'll feed her and give her water and play with her and-

     Mili gently patted Tipulin's head, smiling softly.

     — You're adorable. But you don't even do that to Gilafa. I'm the one who takes care of her.

     Despite her words, the Aisha couldn't possibly get mad at Tipulin. She was so young, after all. Who could be angry at such a cute face?

     — I will, I really will! So! What should we name her?

     That made all three siblings pause. Naming petpets was extremely difficult, no matter how easy the Petpet Lab Ray made it seem.

     — Bready?

     Nobody said anything. Even Tipulin seemed to realize it was a bad name.

     — Dundun?

     Fenrir and Tipulin facepalmed. Mili, for her part, thought her suggestion had been perfectly acceptable.

     — Panko!

     Tipulin and Mili hummed noncommittally. It was an option, sure, but it didn't feel right.

     — Maybe we could call her... Ruby! Because her eyes are red, like a ruby!

     The siblings looked at each other, and then at the Dandan, who was now looking up at them with big, hopeful eyes. It was the perfect name. It fit her perfectly.

     — Ruby. Do you want to come home with me, Ruby?

     Fenrir held out a paw, and Ruby scampered into it, climbing to his shoulder before nuzzling to him. The Varwolf never had a chance, and like it or not, Ruby had joined the family.

     — Yay! Ruby, Ruby, Ruby! Come on, we have to buy petpet supplies! Come on, come on!

     Fenrir swiftly paid the Grey Usul employee for his grooming session, being very used to the way Tipulin could whisk them from one end of the Bazaar to the other without a second thought.

     At least the Petpet Supplies shop was close to the Grooming Parlour, so they didn't have to go far. The siblings went through a wooden door, greeting the (thankfully not Grey) Yellow Chomby shopkeeper inside.

     — Hello, do you have any supplies for a Dandan? Have you gotten new stock since I was last here for my Gobbler?

     — Ooh! Ooh! For my Gilafa too! I mean, my Wherfy!

     The shopkeeper smiled brightly at them, and the siblings were suddenly struck by how much they had missed this simple gesture, what with everyone in Neopia turning Grey.

     — We did, indeed, restock recently. Little miss, would you like to take a look at our toys while I assist the lady and gentleman with their Dandan?

     Tipulin didn't need to be told twice. The toys might be for her petpet Wherfy, but she enjoyed playing with Gilafa, so this was going to be a very fun shopping trip!

     The Chomby, then, turned to Mili and Fenrir, ushering them further into the shop.

     — Dandans love perching in high places, so you'll want something to that effect. Our highest towers are a Deluxe Blue Petpet Tower, a Deluxe Red Petpet Tower, and a Green Tiered Scratching Post.

     — Red.

     Mili and Fenrir answered at the same time. It was a no-brainer. For Ruby, the only acceptable color was red. The shopkeeper seemed to pick up on that, because he immediately moved to another aisle.

     — Excellent! Now, this Aboogala line of petpet supplies is top quality. There's a food bowl, a bed, a cushion, and a Petpetpet-proof water bottle.

     Mili was already making calculations and fitting everything into the family's budget, but Fenrir shook his head at her.

     — I'll cover it. Ruby is my Petpet, after all.

     The Aisha didn't get to say anything against it before Fenrir was moving on, pointing at a Regal Litter Tray. Despite its name and appearance, it was rather cheap, so it was added to their shopping cart. Mili just sighed before following the Varwolf.

     They met with Tipulin in the toy aisle, her arms full of things for Gilafa...

     — ... And they're for Ruby, too! I helped, right? Right?

     — You did! That's amazing, Tipulin!

     Fenrir's tail wagged as he praised his sister, and Mili smiled at her as well. After they paid, however, Tipulin turned silent, seemingly deep in thought.

     — What's wrong, Tipulin?

     The sun shone gentle rays of light on them once they exited the shop, and the Wocky finally said what had been bugging her.

     — Do... Do I still get five treats at the Bakery? I'm hungry!

     The End