Amelia watched with amusement as Whisper pushed the crumpled-up foil wrapper around the floor. She wasn’t sure if the wisp was just having fun, or was addicted to the aroma of the chocolate that had been in the wrapper.

Not that she wasn’t a little addicted herself, mind you.

However, living on sweets and crisps wasn’t exactly a healthy lifestyle, as much fun as it was. Amelia eyed the tins of food stacked up in the cupboard. She’d stocked up in the little village store but had completely forgotten to get any cooking implements. Or a can opener.

“Right! Time for another trip into town!” she said.

Whisper punted the wrapper into the rubbish bin, then zipped to Amelia’s shoulder, flashing wildly.

“Yes, we WILL get more sweets, don’t worry!”

The little wisp seemed to calm down at that assurance.

Amelia pulled on her hoodie and grabbed the empty backpack again, before heading out. It was particularly pleasant to step out into the yard that she’d cleared and tidied and happily trotted along the quaint paving stones to the path into the forest.

Once out the iron gate and onto the road, it was only a few minutes walk to get to the little community of Eldertown. The road was narrow, hardly wide enough for one vehicle at a time, but there was seldom any traffic along here.

It was odd to come out of a dense woodland and emerge into the rolling fields that surrounded her home, but it was very pretty. The green was partially obscured by the morning mists, but, assuming it didn’t start raining like it usually did, the fog would burn off by mid-morning and she’d have a glorious view.

The town was slightly downhill of the cottage. The canal that ran alongside the road here even had a few locks. Amelia hoped she’d see a canal boat passing through one sooner or later, but like the road, the canal was rarely used.

Like her previous visit, there was nobody about as Amelia approached. The townsfolk were mainly farmers and were out doing their chores. The rest either worked in cities farther away or tended the few businesses here in town. It was a very small village.

She had hoped to find a café or pub to get something to eat, but it seemed the nearest one was in the next village over. Too bad — some chips would make a nice morning even nicer!

The door chime jingled as she entered the little market.

“Hello, poppet! Back so soon?” asked Sandy, the rosy-cheeked proprietor. She popped out from behind one of the shelves where she had been restocking and waved at Amelia.

“Hi, Sandy! I forgot to get a pot. And a can opener. And utensils …” said Amelia, a bit embarrassed.

“That old hovel must have been mostly empty, then! Can’t say as I’m surprised, it was left untended for long enough, and someone probably helped themselves. Anyways, I have some things made by our Masie and Monty, local crafters—that shelf over there at the back has what you need.” she pointed in the general direction of a back corner shelving unit.

Amelia carefully made her way over. It was a tidy shop but overstuffed with all manner of food and supplies. Things even hung from the ceiling — sausages, net bags of onions and garlic, various herbs. She had to duck and weave her way over to the corner.

“How are you finding it out there? Any problems, any adventures?”

“It needs a lot of work, but it's lovely! The cottage already feels like home, and I’ve made good progress cleaning up the area. I’ve even made some friends!” Amelia said as she eyed the hardware, flatware, jars, and containers.

"You see any ghosts or ghouls up there? Had tea with any hags?"

"Uh, no, no, all perfectly normal stuff. Just a mess! I've been working hard to clean it all up."

“A little elbow grease goes a long way, and home is where the heart is, they say” replied the shopkeeper, over the clank of cans as she continued stocking the shelves. Then she paused for a moment as a thought struck her.

“Oh! I forgot — I baked yesterday, and set aside a loaf and a pie for you! As a welcome to town!” she bustled out from where she had been working and disappeared through the doorway behind the counter for a moment, reemerging with two bundles wrapped in cloth — one flat and round, the other more rectangular.

“Oooh!” said Amelia as the smell of the baked goods wafted her direction. “You shouldn’t have, but thank you thank you thank you!”.

She took a long whiff of the bread through its wrapping, then placed the things she had picked out onto the counter. In addition to the very important can opener, she’d found an assortment of tinware - a few plates, some forks and spoons, a pot and pan, and a kettle. She’d also selected a couple of ceramic mugs — drinking hot tea out of metal cups wasn’t the best experience.

“Those’ll be Monty’s — he does good work!” said Sandy as she noted down the purchases, indicating the tinware. “He has a little tinker’s shop down the lane. Mostly makes art to sell at church fairs and the like, but can make a mean kettle when he puts his mind to it! Does repairs, too, if you need them. Both to tinware and as a general handyman — good person to know.”

She then pointed at the mugs. “Maisie — Monty’s wife — she’s the potter ‘round here. She has a little studio right next to Monty’s workshop. She made all the crockery I use myself!”

Amelia made a mental note to introduce herself to the crafty pair. They sounded like good contacts to have!

As she added several packets of candy to the pile of goods on the counter, Sandy glanced at the sweets and winked at her.

“You young ‘uns and your sweets! I love them myself, but …” she sighed wistfully as she passed a hand over her plump curves, “I have to cut back one of these days.”

She reached under the counter and pulled out a rumpled brown paper bag, and filled it with a handful of toffees from the bulk bin on the counter.

“Why don’t you have some of these as well — they’re my favorites, but I’m not supposed to be eating them anymore. I’d like to see them go to someone who appreciates them!”

Amelia thanked her and unwrapped one of the sticky, gooey treats. She bit off a large chunk and started to chew, then offered the rest to Whisper, who’d been hiding in her hair since she entered the shop.

The little glowing wisp hesitated for just a moment before she was lured out by the sticky treat.

“What a pretty! I thought that was a newfangled hair bauble! Is it your pet?” asked Sandy as she peered at Whisper as the wisp enveloped the candy.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“Mmpfh mphfw …” said Amelia as she tried to reply. The toffee was tasty but extremely sticky. It took a few moments of chewing and working her tongue and jaw to be able to speak clearly again.

“This is my friend Whisper. We met up at the cottage. She helps me eat candy, mostly.” Amelia said wryly. “And this toffee is amazing — is that green apple flavor in the center?”

Whisper flashed darker and lighter green, which Amelia interpreted as happiness. The flashing intensified as she consumed the toffee.

“Glad you like it, dear! I love apple flavor, but so many people don’t. Which is a shame, really. Well, maybe not — more for us with ‘refined palates’” she grinned.

“Thanks again for the candy and baked things!” said Amelia as the door chime jingled. Her backpack was loaded down with all the hardware and candy, but she had elected to carry the loaf and the pie. It wouldn’t do for those to be squished on the trip back.

“Bye, love! See you again soon! Take care now!” called Sandy as the door closed gently behind Amelia.

“Well, that was lovely! And a successful mission!” Amelia said to Whisper, who seemed to be struggling to finish off the piece of toffee.

The pair headed back up the road back to the cottage.

—-

Since it was such a nice day out, when they got back to the cottage, Amelia opened the shutters and propped the front door open. There was still a bit of chill in the air, but the little fireplace pumped out plenty of heat, and it was nice to air out the place.

She put the loaf and pie, still in their cloth wrappings, on the table, then unloaded her backpack. There was a little shelf in the cupboard that was just perfectly sized for everything if she nested the pot in the pan, the mugs in the pot, and everything on top of the plates. A little inconvenient, but compact. It wasn’t a very large cottage, after all.

Amelia looked around. She still didn’t know exactly how this place worked, other than it was some sort of wood spirit. That is what Alder had told her, anyway, although that didn’t help much. So far it had somehow understood some of her needs, and provided the cupboard and its contents, the plush armchair and hassock, duvet, fireplace, and even hot water! Such luxury!

“Cottage — I just wanted to thank you again! It is so lovely and cozy to be here! I wish I knew how to talk to you — I mean, for you to talk to me. I want to ask so many questions!”

Motes of dust danced in the sunbeams coming in through the windows and front door, and the flames danced a little jig in the fireplace.

“This is just so perfect! It would be nice to have a little more room, and a bed and things, but really this is just right!”. She looked fondly at the armchair where she had slept the last few nights. The flowered upholstery was dated and a bit faded, but you couldn’t deny how comfortable it was. She resisted plopping down in it since she’d probably fall right to sleep. It was still too early in the day for that, and she had things to do.

And a fresh loaf and pie!

“I really should try out the new can opener and things, but I think it is time for a toasted pie sandwich! Don’t you agree, Whisper?”

The little wisp faded to a dim glow, questioningly.

“My own invention! We’ll make some toast from the bread, then put a wodge of pie on it! Doesn’t that sound amazing?”

Whisper looked a little unconvinced, but like she was willing to try it. It would be hard to compete with the toffee, in her considered opinion.

Amelia sliced off some bread from the soft loaf, then used a couple of the new forks to toast the bread over the fire. The aroma wafted throughout the small room, and within moments both Blue and Beige hopped in through one of the broken windows, looking around expectantly.

“Visitors! Yay, we should make it a party!” Amelia crowed.

She finished her toasting, then placed the slices on one of the tin plates. She carefully cut a wedge of the pie—it was apple, with thick gooey caramel-flavored sauce—and placed it on the slice. Amelia put the other piece of toast on top and squished the concoction together slightly. The toast slices were each a good inch thick, and with the pie, the sandwich was much too large to put in one's mouth.

She pulled off a large chunk and crumbled it into pieces, all of them glistening with the pie filling, and piled them on the other tin plate.

Both of the birds and Whisper got the message right away as she placed the plate on the table, the trio diving in to try out the little feast.

“NOM!” said Amelia as she took a huge bite of her creation, the sauce oozing out the side and her chin dripping with the combination of the sweet sauce and the delicious apple juices. She closed her eyes and chewed in bliss. It was the first home-cooked food she had had in ages, and it tasted divine!

She was finished far too soon, and she eyed the rest of the pie and loaf but didn’t want a tummy ache. Moderation! But it was so hard!

Meanwhile, the two birds whistled and danced, flapping their wings in delight as they pecked up the few remaining crumbs. Whisper had sort of melted onto the table, more a pale green glowing flat blob than her usual bright ball-shaped self. She seemed in a food coma.

“I knew you would like it!” Amelia laughed.

At the sound, the birds took off and flew around the room, then circled her head several times as they twittered a happy tune. Whisper started to lift off the table to join them, but slumped back. Maybe later. After a nap.

Amelia laughed again. It was good to have friends to share good food with.

“If we had a kitchen and an oven I could make more things like that!” she thought, remembering the times Gran had spent cooking with her. She had particularly liked baking and making preserves. Well, she most enjoyed eating them, and the time spent with Gran, but the cooking was fun, too.

She had hardly had the thought when Beige let out a startled trill, and Amelia turned to see what had caught the bird’s attention.

In the middle of the wall—the one on the left as you came in through the door—had changed! A doorway had appeared there, opening onto a room that wasn’t there moments ago. Amelia went over and looked in.

It wasn’t really a small space — it might even be the same size as the original room of the cottage— but it was dominated by a HUGE brick oven. The oven was of a very old-fashioned style, though looked to be in excellent condition. There were countertops, shelves, cupboards, and a sink. The floor was tiled for easy cleaning, and there were several windows to let light in.

It looked just like Gran’s kitchen from so many years ago!

Amelia stood stunned for a moment, then remembered her manners.

“Thank you cottage! How perfect! This will do very nicely!”. She said as she looked around. It was really hard to thank someone when you couldn’t look at them properly.

She opened one of the side cupboards and realized it was an ice chest, and the cold air wafted out before she closed the door quickly. That would be useful!

She clapped her hands in delight, and started whistling a happy tune as she went through every door and drawer in the kitchen. Unlike the cupboard, these all seemed empty, but that was alright. Now she had the perfect excuse to visit Monty and Maisie and outfit the kitchen!

Whisper sort of oozed into the kitchen— her flight was much more sedate and torpid, compared to her usual energetic bobbing and flitting. The little glow ball slowly made her way to the oven, then landed on its large flat warming surface, her glow brightening and her color changing to a warm, toasty brick red. Amelia was pretty sure the sprite was already sound asleep. And very happy!

She finished her inspection and went back to check on Beige and Blue. The birds had completely cleaned up all the bits from the plates and were waiting on the window sill. When Amelia came into the room, they both chirruped at her and waved their wings in thanks and goodbye, before exiting through the broken pane they had come in by.

“Not exactly a pet door, but I suppose it will work for now!” Amelia said to herself, glad that she had thought to open the shutters.

“Of course, the actual door was open the whole time, and they could have used that!”

She laughed again.

The cottage was so different from how she had discovered it. It felt warm and inviting. Comfortable. She had a place to cook now, and a parlor to entertain guests. A soft chair to sit and doze in.

She could feel the contentment of the cottage. It was a wordless feeling, but she knew it was happy to be lived in and appreciated. It must have been so lonely and felt so rejected before. Amelia was glad to be here and put it to good use.

She placed the pie in the ice box in the kitchen, and wrapped the loaf back up in its cloth, leaving it on the counter. It felt like a good start for this kitchen! Soon they would have many good things made in here!

Perhaps she could bake things to share with Sandy? That seemed fitting! There were certain to be berry bushes in the wood. Maybe she could ask Alder if he knew where they were? Maybe berry preserves would be a fine gift for the lovely shopkeeper. And maybe even an icebreaker for meeting with the tinker and potter?

Settled on a course of action, Amelia fetched one of the tin plates and washed it in the sink. She cut a thick slice of pie and placed it on the plate, and covered it with a cloth. Whisper was plucked from her warming tray resting sprawl and placed on Amelia’s head, and the pair headed out.

Surely Alder would enjoy a slice of the amazing pie, too!

The pair headed out the door and towards the old oak, and Amelia whistled as she walked. It was a beautiful day out, and the birds in the trees accompanied her as she went.

Alder did, indeed, really enjoy the pie. And knew where all the best berry bushes were in the wood. Apparently the birds kept him abreast of such things.

Operation Berry JamFest was go!