“This is just what I needed, thank you.” Marrow held the tiny teacup between his giant paws.

The heat warmed his paws as he took another sip of tea.

“You can have the rest of the tea bags. I didn’t like this flavor as much.” Goliath offered.

Better to pawn it off on someone who would enjoy it than to have it collect dust in the cupboard. Marrow perked up, his barbed tail twitching. Goliath watched it suspiciously.

“You mean it? I would love that! Orange spice is my favorite.”

The manticore’s grin was full of teeth, and would have been terrifying in any other circumstance. Goliath was more worried about that tail swinging wildly around.

“Do you have any sweet treats to go with it?”

“What did you have in mind?” Goliath asked.

“This is a stretch, but, I’m craving some red velvet cake. My mother used to make it when I was just a kitten. I haven’t had it in so long.” Marrow said wistfully, staring into the teacup.

“She used to dye it red with the blood of our enemies.”

Goliath choked on his tea.

“She dyed it with WHAT?!”

~

Goliath could make a red velvet cake. He wasn’t planning on obtaining blood, though.

“From enemies. It’s not just any old blood.” Marrow insisted, as if that made it better.

“We’re sticking with food dye. Your mother can keep her recipe.”

Besides, Goliath didn’t have any enemies. Not that he knew of. He hoped.

“I do need buttermilk though. Why don’t you come with me?”

Marrow crawled off the barstool and stretched, yawning widely and showing off very sharp teeth.

“All right. A walk will do me good.”

He shook his head, tossing his glossy red mane.

“The store shouldn’t be busy this early.” Goliath said.

“Yeah.” Marrow grinned. “Wouldn’t want to scare off any customers.”

~

The trip was uneventful, except for almost getting trampled by a stampede of unicorns.

“I forgot how busy this road can get.” Goliath said sheepishly, brushing dust off himself. “I usually fly here.”

Marrow shook his entire body, scattering dirt. His fur puffed up.

“Then you just have to worry about pegasi.” The manticore said.

They wandered further down the dirt road, watching for more unicorns. Sunlight streamed through the trees and made dappled patterns on the ground. They reached a dilapidated cabin. The roof was covered in moss and part of the back porch was caving in. One window was cracked. A wooden sign above the doorway was in danger of falling off. It said “GRIFFIN” in faded blocky white letters.

“It used to say “Griffin’s Den” I think.” Goliath explained when he saw Marrow’s stunned expression.

“Has this place passed the test for health code violations?”

~

The inside of the store was much prettier than the outside. The wooden floor was worn down by countless footsteps. The shelves were crammed full of canned goods that had probably been there longer than Goliath had been alive. That was what this store specialized in.

Nonperishables.

But there was a small section in back for staples like milk and eggs. The bell jingled when they opened the door. Goliath went straight to the back, leaving Marrow to gawk at the shelves. He returned shortly, but there was no one behind the counter.

At least, it didn’t appear so, until Goliath peered over the table.

Curled up on the floor, snoring softly, was the owner.

“They work on the honor system here, don’t they?” Marrow commented wryly.

“Who would steal from a griffin? They’re excellent hunters.” Goliath said.

Even this one, who was practically blind and older than dirt.

“Dusk. Dusk.” He whispered.

He would have felt bad about waking the griffin, except Dusk slept all the time. Goliath had seen him nod off in seconds.

He wished he could fall asleep so easily.

“Hrmm?” Dusk lifted his head, cocking it to the side like a bird.

He slowly stood up, bones creaking. His feathers were dull and his fur was graying and patchy. He squinted at them.

“Ah. Hello Goliath. Will this be all today?”

Before Goliath could answer, Dusk suddenly slammed his talons on the counter, making him and Marrow jump.

“Excuse me. I heard a fly.” Dusk clicked his beak, agitated.

Yeah. Anyone who underestimated his reaction time would be in for a nasty surprise.

Goliath cleared his throat.

“Yes. Marrow insisted I make red velvet cake. I’ll make those shortbread cookies you like, too.”

“Oh, that would be lovely.”

Goliath paid him and bid him goodbye.

“See you soon.” he promised.

The bell jingled on their way out.

“What an interesting old guy. I’ll have to do some of my shopping here from now on.” Marrow said.

~

While Goliath was making the cake he felt Marrows’ eyes burning into him. He whisked the cocoa powder into the hot water and set it aside to cool slightly.

“You’re much neater than my mother. She was a whirlwind in the kitchen. Always made a mess, but the treats she made for me were delicious.” The manticore said.

“Sometimes it’s a mess.” Goliath admitted. “But this recipe comes together quickly.”
“What kind of frosting are you making? My mother always made a buttercream because she couldn’t stand cream cheese. I always thought she was crazy for that, but both are yummy.”

“How about buttercream, for old times’ sake?”

Marrow grinned.

“You’re the chef.”

~

Marrow ended up falling asleep, which worked out well since the cake needed to chill anyway. Goliath took out the cake and cut it into slices. He scooped a piece out and set it on a plate to admire.

A lovely red color.

It might not be exactly what Marrow was looking for, but it had to be close.

Marrow awoke immediately upon hearing the plates clinking. He rubbed his paws together gleefully.

He took one piece and devoured it in one bite, ignoring the fork on the table. He tapped his chin with a claw, contemplating. Goliath was still shocked how fast that piece disappeared.

“It doesn’t taste quite like Mother’s. But that doesn’t make it any less delicious. I may need a second slice to be sure.”

Goliath snorted.

“Are you sure you even tasted it?”

“Like I said. I can’t be certain yet.”
Marrow eagerly snatched another piece and inhaled it the same way.

“Hm. You know, maybe it matters what you use to color the dough-”

“I am not using the blood of your enemies!”