prompt - tricks for treats

PROMPT- TRICKS FOR TREATS

Succubun - MYO-6233: Grisha

 "Ilya, no."

The little natural Impup on the parquet floor whines softly, longingly gazing at the silver tray of ever alluring blueberry muffins her owner has just placed on the counter. They're fresh out of the oven, ready for the early morning rush to drool over once the bakery opens to the public, and they would no doubt look beautiful on a glass serving plate... but the imp honestly thinks they'd be better off on the floor, where she can gobble them up herself.

She performs some extra pretty, extra delicate tippy-taps, clearly hoping that will convince her owner to nudge them off the counter for her.

The owner in question sighs deeply, balancing two other trays filled with chocolate chip cookies and a perfectly golden-brown brioche, which he will decorate with some edible flowers soon. He already knows that no matter how many times he says no, Ilya will never give up on getting her small paws on one of these delicacies.

"You're unbelievable." Grisha chuckles when Ilya tries it the "cute 'n cuddly" way instead, circling around on her hind legs before flopping down on her back with bravado, exposing her belly. "No. They are not for you, they're for the customers! Shoo."

He feels just a little bad about it when his precious pup's ears sink even lower in utter defeat, and another melancholic whine rings through the cozy bakery. Oh, how he wishes he could finally successfully teach her which foods are hers and which belong to the buns... but alas, Ilya never quite seems to understand that that is what he's trying to teach her, and never seems to grasp that there is a difference between "no, you cannot have this treat as we will surely go bankrupt otherwise" and "no, I hate you, leave forever". Her deeply wounded puppy eyes are something else entirely.

Grisha swings his fluffy ears over his shoulders and reaches for the jar of Imporium imp treats he keeps on the counter; despite what her dramatic cries might suggest, Ilya does not actually live a bad life! Customers adore her as much as Grisha does, so they frequently beg him to let them give the wee baby a treat from this jar. On good days, she gets more treats than he can bake goodies!

And yet, she still insists on having the muffins.

"Alright Ilya," Grisha says, taking a treat out of the jar, "can I interest you in this delicious imp treat instead, hm? Aren't they your favorites?"

The Impump pretends she doesn't see him, wagging her tail with her eyes locked onto the muffins.

"Erm... These muffins will make you blue, you know. Do you want to be blue, then?"

Nope, nothing but earnest baked-goodie-yearning.

Grisha rolls his eyes and, with a smile, he caves in. He takes one of the muffins, still warm and emanating a rich, sweet, blueberry-tinged smell. Ilya immediately knows what's up, excitedly running around in circles as he kneels down on the floor beside her. "I will give you one bite," he says strictly. "One bite only, and then they're going to cool down for the customers. Okay?"

He likes to think the practically vibrating imp understands exactly what he's saying.

The brunette takes a pinch of muffin between his fingers, intentionally getting a piece without blueberry in it just to make absolutely sure that Ilya doesn't actually turn blue. Cooing fondly, he places it on the floor, and, happily wagging her tail, the pup chows down.

She's soundly about it, as if she's never had something so scrumptious in her entire life—which doesn't mean much, coming from her, considering that Grisha found her snout-first in the trash can yesterday and she looked blissful then, too. But who cares, she's enjoying her treatiest of treats, and Grisha decides to share in the muffin as well. He takes a bite full of blueberries... and you know what, maybe Ilya can have another nibble or two, if they're sharing this one anyway.

What is it that people say again? Something something "don't reward your Impup for begging", something something... Well, he can surely fix it later! For now, they will enjoy this muffin together, and Ilya seems ever pleased with it.