Hellamorgue

Chapter 4: Beings

The atmosphere outside the plaza seemingly becoming more peaceful and quiet, for the reason of, people are already heading to the festival. Inside of a bakery, an average young lady watches the teenagers run enthusiastically as fast as they could where the loud music came from. Rather than preparing the snacks that will be brought in the buffet, she's been staring through the glass for a while now, unable to continue her job. The eggs been sitting for minutes, waiting to be whisked. A gentle voice called the girl with her name "Powla," although she's lost in touch with reality.

"Powla..Powla!" the man repeated.

A few more call outs finally made her flinch, accidentally shoving the bowl off the table, luckily she managed to catch it before the eggs spill. Powla sighed of relief. The middle-aged man's ears twitched. Drifting his eyes behind, he walked besides the tanned girl. The employee noticed the tall horned guy approaching. Looking at the girl with a worried face. Instead of scolding his employee, he pulled out a little smile and asked "Is there something wrong? You've been spacing out for a while."

"Oh! Nothing at all, Sir!" she replied.

"Hmmm?"

The boss isn't convinced of what she said leaving a frowning face. Waiting for a better answer from his employee.

"Uh...It's..." the girl muttered while rubbing her lips with her index finger. Powla's eyebrows curled, tucking her lips and looked down. The man's face loosen up, and let out a huge sigh.

"Look, I'm not trying to intimidate you, okay? And I don't want to force you to open up, but if you need to say something, I'm all ears." the boss motivated while giving her a thumbs up.

"It's nothing really! I just...got carried away watching people outside." the girl mumbled, avoiding eye contact.

The humanoid baker gave her a blank stare, making her more agitated. He stroked his goatee with his fingers, pulling out a curious face. Powla avoided eye contact from her boss and continued whisking the eggs. Suddenly the boss tapped the table making the girl flinch.

"Could it be..you want to attend the festival?" he curiously asked.

"Eh? No! I don't want to.." Powla shook her head and denied.

"Why not? Are you anxious?" the boss followed.

"N-no..not really.."

The baker chuckled as he taps the table. Powla quailed of what she witnessed, and later felt a little embarrassed. The man gasped and composed himself. He bowed his head to look at his employee and tapped her shoulder.

"Powla, why don't you go outside this time. I won't get mad."

"Huh? But-" Powla wasn't able to continue what's she's about to say when her boss interrupted her by pointing his index finger in front of her face.

"Hush! You've been working in my bakery for like five years now and I've never seen you attend the festival. You always say you're going home. You need to join the townspeople sometimes." the man encouraged.

"Err..about that.. I just don't feel comfortable with it, especially with a lots of creatures around." Powla explained looking down while twiddling her thumbs.

"Is it because you're a human?"

Powla's eyes widened and fidgeted. She opened her mouth but closed it, discontinuing her answer. She remained silent. Her boss just watched her. He already know the answer. Powla was born in Sandertown but even so, upon learning the history of the town made her feel so conscious about herself. As a human, she is anxious about what other creatures' thoughts about her. She made a few non-human friends although she doesn't like being around with those she don't know, attending the festival is one of the best examples. An occasion gathering different entities only made her tremble in fear. A fear of being an outcast and unaccepted by the townspeople.

"I suppose that's a yes. If you're still scared because of the history, I can't blame you for that." he voiced out.

Powla didn't say a thing and just remained looking at the floor. The baker blinked twice. He tried to lighten up the atmosphere with encouraging words.

"But! The world is so different now. I can't guarantee that everyone here already accepted humans, although I know a lot of them already have." the man continued and winked.

The girl slowly lifted her head, looking at her boss's face. The man smiled at her. At this time, he knows that the girl needed an encouragement and support, especially from a non-human being. He bent his fluffy pale wrist and showered her with more beautiful words.

"It's not bad to give it a try, Powla. You may be scared but it's worth a try to step out. After all, building trust and comfort are one of the virtues of this town, right?"

The girl's eyes sparked with hope. A little smile slowly grew on her face. The baker's words soothed her fear and finally made a decision. She closed her eyes and nodded firmly.

"Right! I suppose, I'd give it a try.." she hummed.

"Great! Now let me have this thing and I'll handle the rest of the baking. You still have time before the festival starts. Go on and get dressed, find your friends and have fun!" the baker spoke. He gently reached out for the bowl and whisk. Powla handed him over the stuffs. She removed her gloves and apron. And goes inside the room to get her bag and fixed her things. She hurried out reaching for the doorknob.

"Oh, my daughter will wake up sooner. She's going with me for the first time! She said she'll help me bring the snacks in the plaza. Guess you two are both first timers." the baker followed up.

Powla smiled so wide with excitement. "Really?! Then, I'd see you both later! Thanks again, Mr.Ping!" She opened the door and leaped out vigorously. Mr.Ping watched her vanish, he smiled gently and continued doing the work. Several hours later, Mr.Ping is already done with the snacks. He made plenty stocks of cookies and other baked goods. It will be served as desserts in the buffet as well as giveaways. He packed it and when finally finished, he goes to the sink and washed all the things he used. He felt a slight tugging with his pants. When he looked down, he saw his adorable daughter, yawning and rubbing her eyes.

"Papa?" a mellow soft voice from the child.

"Aww. My little goat is already awake!" He hummed as he lifted his daughter to his arms, giving her a little smooch on her forehead.

"Are you ready for the festival?" the father asked.

The kid's eyes suddenly widened from excitement. Fully awake from her slumber. Cookie raised her hands in the air.

"Yes, Papa! Can we go now please?!" the young girl pleaded.

"Alright, let's prepare and get dressed!" he replied.

"Yay!" cheered by the young girl full of excitement.