“By the gods.” K?spar blinks upon entering ‘Sugar Sea.’ He did not need to come to this store, as he has more than enough information on M?l Teygwyr to head home and let ?nnywella work her plan—but he did anyway, and now he regrets it.

  He looks around the store, taking in the horrifically bright pastel color palette and rubbing his eyes. All the wood in the store—counters, cabinets, chairs, and tables—is painted a bright pink; the countertops and flooring are a pristine white marble; and the ceiling has been painted an equally bright blue, with white clouds speckled about.

  “What? not to your liking? mer’black-turtle-neck-and-black-overcoat—scared of a little color?” Wann Sor?c says jokingly from behind the counter as he watches K?spar rub his eyes. He’s not used to seeing men, especially ones who seek to present themselves in a very professional and educated manner, wandering into his store—but when they do, they all have the same reaction.

  “I like the boat.” K?spar says, motioning to the mural on the left wall, which depicts a two-masted schooner sailing a pastel baby-blue sea into a pastel pink and orange sunset.

  “It’s sailing the Sugar Sea.” Wann looks K?spar dead in the eyes, struggling to keep a straight face as he uses his go-to response to comments on the mural.

  “Into a very sweet sunset?” K?spar attempts to match the man's humor, only to get no visible reaction.

  “No, just a regular one. Are you just here to admire my daughter’s artwork, or are you here to buy something?” Wann leans on the pink wooden counter.

  “I’m actually here wondering if you do catering.”

  “Yes, I do, and don’t worry—it will only look like this if requested.” He points towards the display cabinet filled with brightly colored cupcakes, filled cookies, slices of cake, among others; all covered in icing and sprinkles.

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  “Do you travel?” K?spar asks.

  “Depends on where and when; I’ve got another child due any day now.” Aelis would make him shave his beard again if he was out of town when she went into labor.

  “How far could you go? I’m looking for a friend who is having a wedding in Brachb?sc.” Keeping his story consistent between the different bakers, but just varied enough so it doesn’t sound like they have all been told the same thing in case they discuss him.

  “That’s way too far; Sc?dstan at the furthest. I don’t want to leave my wife alone for more than a day or two. Have you talked to any of the others? they can probably travel further.” Responds Wann. As much as he hates to give up on something as lucrative as catering a wedding, being gone for what will probably be a three-week trip is just not doable.

  “I’ve talked to Tyes Tenitz and M?l Teygwyr.” K?spar watches the man's face, struggling to make out slight movements of his jaw from behind a large, thick beard.

  Wann gives an exaggerated grimace at the mention of M?l, raising his eyebrows as high as he can and breathing in sharply through his teeth.

  “Not a friend of his?” K?spar asks, hoping to get some useful information from Wann.

  “Oh gods, no.” He laughs, reminiscing about the time M?l stepped into the store and turned on his heel at the sight of the decoration. “He hates me to the point where he doesn’t even spy on me.”

  “He spies on people?” K?spar feigns surprise; while he did not explicitly know, he had a strong feeling about it after how quickly Tyes had ushered him from the store.

  “Uh-huh, just not me; I’m lucky, because everything I make is too ‘bright’ and too ‘sparkly’ for him. But he listens; pays people to go into other stores, take ideas and menu items.” Wann pushes himself off of the counter.

  “Interesting, I had no idea you bakers were that competitive.” K?spar says, beginning to look into the display at the brightly colored pastries.

  “We’re not; it’s just him. We are all pretty secretive about our recipes, but we would never go to the lengths he does just to try to prove he’s the best.” Wann changes the subject. “I’m a bit annoyed now; I wish I could cater your friends' wedding. M?l would be pulling his hair out knowing he didn’t get it.”

  K?spar chuckles. “I’m sure. Can I get one of the vanilla-filled cookies?” He has no reason to stay any longer.

  “Of course, just a half-silver.” Wann removes the cookie with a piece of parchment and hands it to K?spar, who gives him the money in return.

  K?spar thanks Wann and leaves the store to head back to the inn and get packed up.