The Friendship Festival

It's late at night, and the gang and I are all standing in front of a building, bright city lights illuminating the otherwise dark streets of Mellowdusk.

Our hot-headed leader, Ace, stares at us sternly. Her short stature and pink hair betrays a violent and angry personality, and the very sort of fire one would expect in a determined and natural-born leader. At her side is her second-in-command, King. A youthful looking man with messy light brown hair that goes down to his knees, he apparently grew up as a street urchin. That would explain his street smarts and his no-nonsense attitude, but I agree with Queen and Joker that he needs to lighten up a bit.

"Alright. Here's the plan. Queen, you sneak in through the vents and disable the security system. After that, Ace will go in through the front. You two go in through the back, take care of anybody you run into, and meet up with Ace. And be quick about it, no joking around".

"No joking around?", Joker replied. "Why you think they call me Joker?". "Because you're a fool". "Why I ought-". "He's got a point, Joker.", I say with a smirk on my face. He gives me a look and says "Ah, screw you". "Jack, Joker! Both of you, shut up! We've got work to do!". I hang my head and say "Sorry, boss", while Joker replies with a casual "Yeah, yeah". Ace's eyes widen, her teeth clench, and she goes right up to Joker, takes out her knife, and puts it right up to him. "I've been planning this heist for weeks now, and I'll be damned if any of you are going to screw this up. You wanna joke around? Here's one for ya. What's black and white and red all over? It's gonna be you two if you don't stop messing around. Get your heads outta your asses and get with the program. Got it? GOT IT!?"

"Y-Y-Got it...", Joker replied. "Good". "Bitch", Joker mumbled under his breath. "What was that!?". "...". "That's what I thought".

I wake up and realize I'm lying in bed. It was only a bad dream. My eyes open, and I see the curtains of my canopy bed. No matter how many times I wake up here, I always have a feeling of anxiousness whenever I remember where I am. Several months ago, I got in that fight with Casino Grayleaf, and I lost. When I came to, I found myself in this room, in this bed. I've been a prisoner in the Divine Sanctuary ever since. The realization that it's been so long since I stood in the outside world, and that it will be decades before I can walk around the city, camp in the forest, go on adventures, if I ever get to be free again at all, it hits me like a ton of bricks, and tears just start pouring down my face.

I sit at the edge of my bed and I cry for some time. I try to get my mind off of the outside world and think of positive things. I miss my freedom so very much, but it hasn't all been bad, not at all. I've made new friends. Real friends, not like in the old days, who have been a positive influence in my life. Vulture, Dog, Turtle. If they wanted to, they could make life miserable for me and the other inmates, and nobody would really care. But they're the kindest, most caring people I've met in my 173 years of life.

I'm sure most folks would have been more than happy to toss somebody like me into a cramped cell, throw away the key, and feed me moldy scraps while I rot away in my own filth, but instead, I'm sitting in the most luxurious bed I've ever slept in, I have a beautiful and spacious home complete with a bathroom and kitchen, and outside is a sanctuary with beautiful gardens, friendly people, and things like a library and cafe that I'm free to enjoy.

If I were here of my own free will, it would be positively idyllic. Oh, what I wouldn't do for just a few minutes in the outside world. I don't want to escape. I'm comfortable here, I love the new friends I've made, and I know it's important to stay here, to atone for my misdeeds, and to continue to work towards becoming a better person. I can't really complain. But to be out there, in the free world, for just a little while, it would mean the world to me.

I don't expect Dog would ever allow me that privilege. I can't really blame her. I eluded capture for decades, and I have a reputation as a notorious trickster. If she could read my mind or see into my heart, she'd see that I have no intention of betraying her trust, and I know she'd grant my wish. But she can't, and for all she knows, I'm just trying to trick her into letting me escape.

Even though Dog is tasked with keeping me imprisoned here, I consider her a true friend, and I love her dearly. The same goes for her best friend, Turtle, and my own best friend, Vulture. Even Dragon has a place in my heart. He's the reason this sanctuary was built, as well as the reason why it's as well-funded as it is. He might not be fond of me, but I can tell that he cares.

Sometimes I wonder if they know I love them. I've certainly tried to show it. But do they know I'm sincere, or do they think I'm just trying to earn their trust? I think it's better not to think such cynical things. They show me more kindness than I deserve, and I share as much kindness with others as I can. That's all that really matters.

The Friendship Festival is coming up soon, and I'd like to do something really nice for the three of them to show my appreciation. If I could go to the city, I'd totally get Dog... oh, but I can't. It's bad enough not being free for my own sake, but it even hurts my ability to do things for my friends, and it makes the pain that much worse. What can I do for them?

I get up off of the bed and start to pace around for a while. After some time, I'm able to come up with a wonderful idea. "To the library!", I think to myself. "But first I should probably wake myself up a bit". I clean myself up in the bathroom, make myself a pot of coffee, pour myself some cereal, enjoy my breakfast, get dressed, and finally head out the door. After a quick trip to the library, I return to my room, recipe book in hand, and start jotting down the ingredients I need.

This is the same book I always used to make these. It's been a good while. Now let's see...

*1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour*

*1/2 cup baking cocoa*

*1/2 teaspoon baking soda*

*1/2 cup sugar*

*1/2 cup packed brown sugar*

*1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened*

*1/4 cup creamy peanut butter*

*1 teaspoon vanilla*

*1 large egg*

*In a bowl combine flour, cocoa, and baking soda. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl beat sugar, brown sugar, butter and 1/4 cup peanut butter until light and fluffy. Add vanilla and egg. Beat well. Stir in flour mixture until blended. Set aside.*

*FILLING INGREDIENTS:*

*3/4 cup creamy peanut butter*

*3/4 cup powdered sugar*

*In a separate bowl, combine filling ingredients. Roll into 1-inch balls.*

*For each cookie shape about 1 tablespoon of chocolate dough around 1 peanut butter ball, covering the peanut butter middle completely. Place 2 inches apart on cookie sheets sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Slightly flatten each cookie with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar.*

*Bake at 375 degrees for 7 to 9 minutes or until set and slightly cracked. Cool on wire racks.*

I have most of the ingredients, but I'm going to need cocoa, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and an egg. Oh, I have crunchy peanut butter, I'm going to want creamy. This baking soda is no good anymore. And this brown sugar has turned hard as a rock. Seven ingredients, nothing too crazy, I should be able to get all of this at the store.

At the store, I grab a basket, and find powdered sugar, creamy peanut butter, baking soda, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and an egg. "Excuse me, do you know if there's any more baking cocoa in the back?", I ask one of the people working at the store. "Oh, I'm sorry. We're all cleaned out of baking cocoa. We should have more in stock next week", she replies. Seeing the dejected look on my face, she smiles and says "You know, you could probably get some from the cafe". "Oh, thanks!", I reply, and make my way to checkout.

"Did you take that out of a carton? Those come in packs, I can't sell you a single egg". "I don't do that much baking, and I only need one egg for my recipe. I really can't just get one?", I ask. The man at the register says "If you want eggs, you're going to have to get a carton. If you don't like that, you can talk to security about it". "I-I... That's okay. Please don't call security. Sorry".

"And this vanilla extract, I can't sell this to you". "Huh? But why?", I respond, confused. "It's a luxury item, and you've reached your limit for the week". "Oh, but the Friendship Festival is tomorrow. Is there any chance-". "I'm here to sell to paying customers, not bargain with inmates. Any more out of you and I'm call-". Just then, the guy behind me chimes in. "Hey, I'll get that for you". I turn around and look at him. He's a bit taller than me, an older mortal with glasses and tussled brown hair. I don't recall ever seeing him around before. "Really?", I ask. "Sure, it's just vanilla. You need it for the festival tomorrow, right?". "Yeah, I was going to make cookies for my friends". "That's wonderful! I'm more than happy to help you out". "Oh, thank you very much!".

After getting through the checkout, he comes up to me and hands me the vanilla extract he purchased for me. "Can I ask you something?", he says to me. "Um, sure...", I respond, nervous that he's going to demand something of me. "He said you're an inmate, but you're not really an inmate... are you?". I hang my head and reply "I am". "Seriously? You're pulling my leg, aren't you?", he says with a laugh, a look of doubt on his face. "Being dishonest about one's status as an inmate here is taken extremely seriously. Yes, I am an inmate".

"Y-You're... you're not kidding, are you?". My head hanging even lower with shame, I utter a solitary "Sorry". "What's your name?". "...Skunk". "S-S-S-S-S...". I open my eyes, tilt my head upwards, and look him in the eyes. "Please don't be afraid. I'm a prisoner here. I don't mean you any harm". The color has drained from his face and his eyes are wide with fear. I hold the vanilla extract bottle up to him and ask "Do you want this back? You can return it. I'm really sorry". He continues to stare at me, and I gently place the bottle in his shopping cart and walk away.

Shaken with emotion, I sit down outside of the store, set my groceries down, and rest my face in my hands. A little while later, somebody sits down next to me. A familiar voice asks "Are you alright?". I look over and see the man from the store. "I kind of... overreacted, I guess". He holds the vanilla extract bottle up to me, says "Here, this is yours", and places it in my bag. I try to thank him, but the words just don't come out. He gets up and leaves, and eventually I regain composure and do the same.

Returning to my room, I set my groceries down and consult my list. To make these cookies, I'm still going to need half a cup of cocoa and an egg. Next stop is SanCafe, the oh-so-cleverly named sanctuary cafe that's sort of a cafe, diner, and restaurant in one. With any luck, they'll be willing to help me out.

I make my way there and go inside. "Hello, Skunk!", says the woman at the counter. It's Wheat Meadowcry, one of the folks who works here. She's an excellent cook as well as a server and all around friendly person, and today it looks like she's on counter duty. "Hey there, Wheat!", I reply with a smile. "I'm really sorry, but the system says you're out of luxury allowance for the week". "I know. That's okay. I actually came here for something else". "Oh?", remarked Wheat inquisitively. "I'm trying to make a cookie recipe, but I still need half a cup of baking cocoa and an egg".

"Sure, that's no trouble. If you wouldn't mind, I could use your help as well". "What's up?". "Would you mind delivering an order for us?". "Sure thing!". "Wonderful! I'll get your... what was it?". I hand her the list with everything crossed off but the two ingredients I still need. "I'll get this stuff for you while you take care of the delivery". I reply with a "Thanks!" before heading out the door, order in hand.

Arriving at the destination, I knock on the door. "Delivery!", I yell. A disheveled looking guy answers the door, and inside is a group of people just chilling out and watching tv. "Alright! Pizza's here! Thanks a bunch!". "Of course! You guys have fun!". "Aw yeah, party time!".

Back at the cafe, Wheat thanks me for my help and hands me a bag with a full container of baking cocoa and an egg. "Oh, I only needed half a cup". "No worries, we've got plenty. It's the least I can do for your help". "Aw, thanks! I appreciate it!".

I'm finally back home with everything I need to make magic middles. It's been quite a day. Well, time to get to work.

The next day, I wake up and smile. It's the Friendship Festival, I have a whole bunch of cookies in the fridge just waiting to be shared with my friends, and it's going to be a good day. I woke up feeling sad yesterday, but today I feel warm and fuzzy inside. I grab the cookies out of the fridge and head out the door, and right outside my door is a basket. It's full of goodies, and there are cards from Vulture, Dog, and Turtle. Every part of me is just brimming with joy and warmth, and I feel absolutely loved. I set the basket on my couch, go up to the electronic panel in my room next to the door, and I press buttons to send low-priority alerts to the three of them. Then I sit back down on the couch and enjoy a few of the sweets.

A few minutes later, all of them show up at the door, and I let them in. "Thanks so much you guys! I've got something for all of you as well". Grabbing the cookies from the kitchen, I come back and say "Happy Friendship Festival! Thank you all, so very much, for being my friends. You've changed my life, and I love all of you". Tears start rolling down my face, and the three of them come up to me and embrace me in a group hug.

Later that day, Dog tells me "We have one more gift for you". After a bit of walking, we find ourselves at the entrance to the sanctuary. "Are we having a special guest?", I ask, scratching my head. "Don't get too excited", she replies. "It's only for a few minutes. Can I trust you to be good?". "Of course, I'll be good. Who is it?". "I didn't invite anybody, silly". "Then what are we doing here?". "I know how much you miss the outside world. The three of us thought you've proven yourself trustworthy enough to spend a few minutes outside with us. You won't try to run away, ri-".

I've fallen to my knees, tears streaming down my face. My heart is racing and it's hard to breathe. I'm in complete disbelief, I feel like I'm in a dream. Dog kneels down next to me, and with a smile, looks me in the eyes and asks "Right? You won't try to run away? You'll be good?". She hands me a tissue, and I clean myself up. I catch my breath and reply "...I'll be good, I promise. You have my word". Her smile widens, she stands up, and she extends a hand to help me up.

Moments later, I'm standing outside of the sanctuary with her, Turtle, and Vulture. In a few minutes, I'll be back in the sanctuary. But that's okay. For just a little while, my world feels so much bigger and brighter. But once I go back inside with them, my world will still feel so much bigger and brighter than it used to be. In those dark and regretful days, I was such an awful, foolish person. I can't undo the mistakes that I've made. But I've been given another chance, a chance to turn my life around, and I'm surrounded by such amazing friends who are happy to help me, and who have inspired me to let go of spite and carry kindness in my heart.

Vulture. Dog. Turtle.

Thank you for showing me the power of kindness and friendship.

To be able to celebrate the Friendship Festival with you all like this... I'm so very grateful. ♥