

Cinnamon Skunk Swirl
a tasty tale
by Alex Reynard


~*-*-*~


'That shop wasn't there this morning!' Jessie thought.

The petite skunkette paused on her dash home from school to stop and look at the new building.

Downtown was as busy as ever. People and cars rushed by, creating a fog of noise. Yet no one else seemed to notice the little bakery that had seemingly sprung up out of nowhere while Jessie had been at school. The skunkgirl looked left and right, and not a single other furson so much as glanced at the place.

Jessie looked up at the name: Belinda's Bountiful Baked Goods.

The shop was not only strange in its sudden, unannounced existence (and the fact that Jessie couldn't remember what had been here before. Had it simply *grown* between two buildings?) but it clashed with the style of downtown too. All the other stores were hip and modern. Trendy eateries, jewelers, and boutiques. Jessie pushed her face to the window but couldn't see inside. The display windows were full of yummy-looking homemade foodstuff though.

Loaves of fresh bread. Skillfully-frosted cakes. Baskets of muffins. Croissants. Eclairs. Doughnuts.

She was expected home soon, but... Surely it couldn't hurt to just go inside for a quick visit, right?

A bell above the door jingled merrily when Jessie cautiously entered. "Hello?"

"Be with you in just a jiffy!!" came a shout from somewhere deep in the building, followed by a crash of pots and pans.

Jessie nibbled her fingernails as she looked around. Weird... The stuff in the display cases had seemed freshly baked, yet the inside of the store looked like no one had been in here in years. There were even cobwebs in the corners. How was that possible when the place had literally just opened?

There was a yellow-and-white tile floor. Two wrought-iron tables with four wrought-iron chairs. A display case with doughnuts. A cash register. And a chalkboard listing various items. Jessie set her backpack full of books and art supplies down on the floor as she waited for the proprietor to arrive.

With a puff of dust, a side door suddenly burst open and an outlandish mousewoman twirled into the room. "Sorry to keep you waiting!"

Jessie gawked. Was this lady dressed up for a costume party? Her skirt was bottle green, her vest sunset orange, her jacket plum purple, her fur cocoa brown and her hair as red and abundant as a lava eruption. Every bit of her outfit dazzled with sequins.

The mouse noticed the youngster's slack-jawed expression and giggled. "Here to buy some sweets, sweetie?"

Jessie blinked. "Oh! Um, yeah. Maybe. I dunno. I was just on my way home from school, and I probably shouldn't even be here since I might end up being late. But the display window stuff looked really good, so I popped inside and, um..."

The mouse giggled as she took her place beside the cash register. This little skunkie talked like an auctioneer.

She put out her paw. "Belinda Willow; shop owner and sole employee."

Jessie stepped forward to shake vigorously. "Hi! I'm Jessie Domino. Pleased to meetcha. Didja just move in?"

"Oh, I've been around for quite some time, my dear. Just not here before," the mouse said cryptically.

Belinda enjoyed the girl's confusion. She adored confusing cute children. And Jessie was definitely cute. Thin and delicate, but with a tail as big as a sail. Her fur was perfect for a skunk. Her face was mostly a deep, rich black, with two moonlight stripes converging on the bridge of her pink nose. She was dressed quite colorfully also, with pink and yellow streaks in her hair.

Belinda swept her hand over her display case. "See anything that tantalizes you?"

Jessie hunkered down to look. Everything looked good. Nice plump jelly doughnuts. Curly soft pretzels. Enormous muffins.

Suddenly, Jessie was overwhelmed by the heavenly scent of cinnamon. It filled her nostrils and tickled her appetite. Now she knew exactly what she wanted.

"Do you got any cinnamon rolls?" she eagerly asked.

Belinda looked over her wares. "No, my dear, I'm sorry. We're out of cinnamon rolls."

"Oh." Jessie pouted. "But I'm sure I smelled some a second ago! They're my favorite. They get my paws all sticky but I don't mind. I love to bite the end and then unpeel the whole thing and nibble towards the center."

"Me too!" Belinda said. "I do make them though. Excellent ones. I just don't have a batch ready at the moment."

Jessie worried whether she might be being rude, then figured there was no harm in asking. "Well, um, could you make me one?"

Belinda's eyes twinkled. She leaned forward a bit. "What did you say?"

"I asked if maybe you could make me a cinnamon roll, ma'am? Please?"

"I'd be absolutely delighted to!"

And with that, she swung her arms forward and clapped her hands over Jessie's head. The sound was an echoing boom. Starlight sparks flew from her fingers, and Jessie found herself paralyzed from the shockwave.

The next thing she knew, the counter was shooting up above her head!

Completely befuddled now, the poor skunkgirl looked around as best she could. She was frozen in place, and even worse, the size of a doll! She was standing in the center of her shirt collar with her clothes all pooled around her. There definitely hadn't been a chance to get a spray off.

Jessie was naturally a bit frightened, but she couldn't deny that the actual shrinking had felt kinda nice. Kinda... naughty actually. She admonished herself that she was too young to be having those kinds of feelings. 'Oh, but you know that's totally not true,' her wicked side whispered.

Belinda whisked out from behind the counter. "You have no idea how happy you've made me, little one! Or should I say, 'littler one'." Her whiskers bounced as she giggled. She reached down and picked the shrunken girl up with her nimble fingers. "You look absolutely adorable so small. I'm halfway tempted to make it permanent and put you on display on my shelf."

Jessie squeaked in alarm.

Belinda smiled comfortingly. "Oh, I'm only kidding. Don't take me so seriously. Besides, you said you wanted me to make you a cinnamon roll, and the customer is always right!" With that she turned and took Jessie with her behind the counter, into the darkness of the back of the shop.


~*-*-*~


Except it wasn't really a shop at all, it seemed. Once Jessie's eyes adjusted, she realized she was in the back of someone's house. And boy, was it cluttered! Books everywhere! Gems and ornaments and sculptures and things Jessie couldn't even describe.

"Sorry about the mess!" Belinda said. "Well, no. Actually I'm not sorry at all. I like having a house that feels like an overloaded secondhand occult shop. Sorry if it bothers you though. Yes, *that's* more accurate."

Jessie was taken to a kitchen as cluttered as the rest of the house. It was the most well-lit area she'd been in so far. She was set down on a counter that was clean, but piled high with dishes and pots and other cooking implements.

Belinda skittered around the room, locating certain items and putting away others.

Jessie tried her best to speak. She definitely couldn't move her arms or legs, but her eyes were free to look around. Maybe her mouth too? "W... W..."

"Oh, are you trying to say something?" the mousewoman came over and 'boop'ed the tiny skunk on the nose. "There you go!"

"What's happening here!?" Jessie burst out.

Belinda crouched down to eye level with her little captive. "Have you ever heard of a pitcher plant, sweetheart?"

"Maybe. I think so."

"Then you know how they work. They lure in prey with sweet smells, then trap them inside to be digested." She grinned. "As you may have guessed, I am a witch. And like most storybook witches, I adore catching and eating young furs like you. My bakery shop is just one of my tricks. It's half-illusion, half-transporter. I pop it up all over the place, hoping to lure in tasty kidbits to turn into scrumptious desserts."

Jessie trembled in fear. "But I don't want to be food!"

"How do you know you don't if you've never tried it?" Belinda asked sensibly.

The skunkette was momentarily dumbstruck. "Um. But... Well... My mom and dad!" she suddenly remembered. "They'll get mad if I'm not home on time! They'll call the police!"

Belinda looked dismayed. "Well we certainly can't have that, now can we? Tell me; what's their telephone number?"

And without meaning to, the number suddenly tumbled out of her mouth. Jessie blinked. How had the witch made her say that!?

Belinda padded across the room to a shiny red rotary phone and dialed in the number while humming a tune. She listened as it rang.

"Yes? Is this Mrs. Domino? ... Oh, hello! Good afternoon! ... Belinda Willow. I'm new in town. ... Yes, in fact. I've got her right here. ... No, I'm afraid; I've shrunken her to about a foot high. She wouldn't be able to hold the receiver. ... Actually I'm planning to turn her into a cinnamon roll and eat her. ... Yes, that's right. Glazed and everything. ... Mm-hmm, mm-hmm. ... Oh, I should think so. ... Splendid! Well, allright then. It was a pleasure talking with you. Have a wonderful afternoon!"

She hung up the phone and walked back to Jessie. "Everything's settled!" she said happily.

Jessie's eyes were bugging out. "How did you DO that!? I didn't even hear her yelling! You tell her you're gonna eat her daughter, and she's okay with that!?"

The naughty mousewitch giggled. "It's not what you say, it's how you say it. One of my favorite tricks. Works wonders on inquisitive parents." She picked up Jessie again. "Now, let's get started!"

The little skunk was definitely scared, but it was hard to be _terrified_ in this situation. Belinda was acting so friendly. And she was holding Jessie very gently. It felt... nice. Jessie had seen cartoons with giants and tiny people, and had wondered what it'd feel like to be small. To be picked up and held. Now she was toy-sized. Just the right height for it. Her cheeks flushed.

Belinda took Jessie over to a wooden table and laid her on her back. Then, still humming, she sprinkled the table with flour. "Time to prepare the dough!" She positioned the girl in the middle of the table, using thumb and forefinger to extend her arms, legs and tail. Then she picked up a rolling pin.

Jessie yelped in alarm!

"Please don't be frightened. It feels much nicer than you'd expect." Belinda brought the heavy wooden roller down towards the tip of Jessie's tail.

She braced for pain.

...But it didn't come. Instead, when the rolling pin started squashing her tail flat, it felt kinda fun! It didn't hurt at all. She just felt her tail squooshing and mooshing and spreading out flat. She giggled.

"See? That's not so bad," Belinda said with an affectionate smile.

The mousewoman grinned to see Jessie's reaction as she was flattened. The little skunk gasped and cooed and laughed as the rolling pin rolled all over her. Her legs looked like flat stockings. Her arms looked like long gloves. Her tail looked like a big striped pancake.

Jessie was blushing furiously. Who knew getting made two-dimensional could feel so good? In the back of her mind, she knew this was a prelude to her being baked and eaten, but she was starting to not care. Wherever the rolling pin went, her muscles loosened up completely. Perfect relaxation. And when her butt and girlplace got flattened too... She hoped Belinda wouldn't notice the spot of moisture suddenly on her roller.

Belinda did, and it was exactly what she was hoping for.

Jessie exhaled slowly as the rolling pin pushed all the air out of her lungs. She was so relaxed and happy, she didn't care if she ever breathed again. Then she wiggled in anticipation as the roller came closer and closer to her face. She wanted it now. Total full-body flattenation!

The little skunk murred in bliss as her head was smooshed too. All the tension left her muscles, though it couldn't erase the broad smile on her face.

Belinda was overjoyed to see such a big smile. Jessie was turning out to be a very easy catch indeed. "Having fun?"

"Mm-hmm," the girl whispered.

"That's good. I do love to gobble up unsuspecting littlefurs, but I never, ever want to hurt anyone. I don't recall at the moment whether I've ever transmogrified any of my other mealtime friends into a cinnamon roll, but I certainly love baking. I've had many cub cakes. And cub cupcakes! And all sorts of other nummy things."

Jessie giggled at that. She found herself wanting to be yummy. Somewhere in her mind, her instincts were telling her that she really ought to be more afraid right now. But she just couldn't help it. This witch was so nice, and the rolling pin felt so good. Maybe everything else would feel just as good too.

"For the next step, I'll need to knead this dough." Belinda put her fingers to work, pressing and prodding the little skunkgirl into a circle shape. Jessie's fur smoothed out into a creamy texture. She made all sorts of cute noises as she was shaped and further flattened. Belinda loved working with communicative ingredients.

When Jessie was as round as a pizza, Belinda left her on the table for a moment to go whip up some cinnamon filling. "I won't be but a moment, little one."

Jessie whimpered a reply. In truth, she was so relaxed she could hardly think. She wasn't sleepy though, and was glad for that. She wanted to stay awake and just float in this state of pleasant pliability for as long as she could.

Belinda listened carefully as she mixed cinnamon, sugar and butter in a bowl (along with some other, more arcane ingredients). She loved hearing the flattened skunkie's little moans of happiness.

She licked the spoon when she was done, then went back to her culinary captive.

Jessie perked up at the scent of cinnamon. Soon, big handfuls of sticky, scrumptious-smelling filling were being spread all over her! It was wonderful! Better than tasting it; she could *feel* how it tasted! Sweetness and spice all over her! Delicious bliss!

When the filling was evenly spread, Belinda took up the edge of the circle-skunk and began to roll her up tightly. The girl squeaked quite loudly at this. "Did that hurt?" Belinda checked.

"No! Keep going!!" Jessie managed to shout.

Belinda nodded. "I thought so. Just making sure." From left to right, Belinda wrapped the girl up in a nice tight coil. Head at one end, tail at the other. She slathered on even more filling, making Jessie murr more.

Then, starting at the ears, she began to roll Jessie up into a disc of dough.

The skunkgirl was disoriented for a moment to feel herself bending in ways she'd never bent before. Her head was pushed gently into her chest. Her chest wrapped around until her tummy was on top of her head. Her cunny was rubbing against the small of her back. Her legs and tail looped around and around. Nice and tight. It felt strange, but not at all uncomfortable.

"Oooh, I wish you could see yourself, Jessie! You're SO cute!" Belinda squeaked. "All curled up, like a tasty frisbee." She gave her newest mealfriend a pat.

Jessie felt strangely proud to be such a good little cinnamon roll for Belinda. With all the filling surrounding her, she couldn't help but think cinnamon thoughts.

"Now it's time for the oven," Belinda said. She scooted Jessie onto a greased baking tray and took her over to where she'd be cooked.

Belinda had an electric range, a microwave and an old-fashioned brick oven all clustered together in one part of the kitchen. Jessie couldn't see, but she could feel the heat coming from one of the ovens. Belinda opened the door of the brick one and magical green flames danced inside. She reached in to pet them. "Good little fire. You'll do a good job of cooking my dear guest until she's a tasty, warm, delicious treat, won't you? Yes you will! Yes you will!"

Just before popping Jessie inside, she gave the rolled-up girl a soft kiss. "Don't worry, little one. The fire won't hurt. You'll probably doze off, and that's fine. Just let yourself drift away and be cooked. It'll feel wonderful. I can't count how many times I've ended up in here myself! My pet fire is very obedient and always does a perfect job."

Jessie didn't feel scared at all. She sighed as her tray was slid towards the flame. The heat was intense, but she thought she'd get used to it quickly. Like a deep-tissue massage. "How long will I be in?" she quietly asked.

"Just long enough," Belinda said. "No worries. No more rushing about. You deserve to just relax and feel good for a while, sweetheart."

"Okay," Jessie whispered.

The mousewitch slid her all the way in and shut the door.


~*-*-*~

Jessie felt like she'd spent forever in the flames.

It was an indescribable, timeless eternity of pleasure. She felt the heat consume her wholly, changing every last bit of her. She couldn't think at all. She was too relaxed to do anything more than revel in the feeling of being cooked, and occasionally murr peacefully.

She couldn't see it, but her white-and-black coloration changed over time into a beautiful golden brown. By the time she was finished, she looked like any normal cinnamon roll should. Though maybe a bit bigger.

She was a bit startled when Belinda finally opened the oven door.

The mouselady flinched back at the wave of heat. "Woo! Quite hot." She perked up when she saw how Jessie had turned out. "Oh, my! You're *beautiful* as a cinnamon roll, just as I knew you'd be." She slid the tray out without needing mitts or potholders. One of the perks of being a witch.

It took Jessie a few moments to come back to herself. She wanted to go back inside the wonderful oven again. But then she thought that she didn't want to overcook. She could sort of 'feel' that she was baked to perfection. Her body was now fully a cinnamon roll. No more skunk. She felt quite happily inanimate.

Plus she could smell the wonderful aroma of freshly-baked dough, cinnamon and sugar, and it was wonderful to know it was coming from her!

"I know you can't talk anymore," Belinda said, "but I can feel your emotions well enough. I'm glad to see you so serene."

Jessie thought grateful thoughts towards the nice mousewitch for cooking her. 'Gonna eat me soon? As soon as I cool off, I mean?'

Belinda caught the gist of the little dessert's thoughts. "Oh, heavens no!"

She was shocked. 'Why not!?'

"Because I have to put the glaze on first!"

Oh, well obviously! Jessie giggled.

Belinda brought out a bagpipe-shaped icing anointment utensil and began to drizzle creamy sweet glaze all over Jessie's spiral-shaped self.

The former skunk laughed in joy at how nice it felt! So sticky! And it was nice and cool in comparison to how warm she still was from the oven. Feeling the glaze melt and drip down her sides was tickly. Plus it was so sweet she could feel its sugary taste.

Quick as a wink, Belinda spatula'd Jessie onto a blue china dish. Then she went to the refrigerator to pour herself a glass of milk, naturally. Though most people don't eat their snacks with a tall glass of dragon milk.

Since it was such a nice day, Belinda decided to take her treat outside. She briskly strode through her house, out the door into the bright sunshine.

At the edge of Belinda's garden was a towering mass of verdant vines. They looked like a cluster of garden hoses with asparagus-shaped 'heads'. When they sensed their mistress' presence, they obediently shaped themselves into a seat, and even lifted the mousewoman up into it.

"Thank you, my green dearies!"

A few tendrils curled around her cheeks, ankles and tail. Belinda nuzzled the ones she could reach. A few of the bolder vines dipped beneath her skirt to go exploring.

"Oo-oo-oh!! Now I don't mind that, but just be sure you don't make me spill my milk!"

Jessie currently couldn't see, so she had no idea who Belinda was talking to.

"Ahhhh..." Belinda laid back and relaxed against the back of the gently undulating vine-chair. She took a sip of milk. Brr! Nice and cold! She poked her cinnamon roll with a fingertip (getting a giggle in response) and it seemed cooled down enough to take a bite. "Ready, sweetheart? I'm going to start eating you now."

Jessie nearly trembled. The thought of Belinda's cute buckteeth biting into her filled her with excitement, not fear. Somehow she knew everything would turn out fine. After all, she was a cinnamon roll through and through. She was meant to be gobbled up. 'I hope you enjoy me!'

"I'm certain I will!" Locating the tip of Jessie's tail, Belinda lifted the skunkroll to her lips and took her first bite.

JOY! Jessie squealed in fulfillment as the mousewitch bit into her! Those ruby lips held her so tenderly! Her pearly teeth passed through her so effortlessly! The skunkroll was soft and moist and chewy. Just what a cinnamon roll should be! Her footpaws were bitten into next. Jessie murred. Belinda was eating her just like she should: nibble in a circle till you get to the middle.

"Your flavor is incomparable, little one!" Belinda praised. "A cub's happiness always makes them taste better, and I'm overjoyed that so much of yours is contributing to your flavor."

'Thank you!' Jessie thought proudly. 'Eat some more of me! It feels amazing! I can feel your teeth mashing me up and bits of me sliding down your throat. It's so warm in there! I can't wait to be all inside!"

Belinda giggled. She knew her storefront illusion only appeared to children who'd enjoy becoming a baked good (even if they didn't realize it at first), and it had certainly picked a perfect target this time. "Sorry to torment you then, but I am going to take this nice and sloooow. I'm going to savor every bite!"

Jessie moaned as her calves and shins disappeared into the mouselady's hungry maw.

Belinda carefully unwrapped sections of the little skunkette, popping them into her mouth as they broke off. The girl was soft and fluffy inside. Her filling smelled delectable. Her glaze shimmered. 'The perfect dessert!' Belinda thought.

Once her thighs had been chewed and swallowed, Jessie realized her girlplace was next. She was kind of embarrassed. It had been tingling this whole time. She hoped Belinda wouldn't think she was a bad girl.

The mousewoman grinned at overhearing the skunkroll's thoughts. Even slower than before, she skillfully peeled the girl's cunny away from the rest of her. She felt the girl squeak as she tore it free. Belinda rolled it between her fingers for a moment. Jessie made tiny little moans of embarrassed pleasure.

Then Belinda popped the special treat into her mouth. She let her tongue roll it around. Jessie was becoming quite loud for a dessert.

When Belinda's teeth sank into Jessie's naughty bits, the girl let out a shriek! An overwhelmingly powerful orgasm made her actually shudder on the plate. The best one she'd ever had! Even better than tickling her clitty with her favorite paintbrush!

'I certainly felt that one!' Belinda thought. She was quite pleased to be giving her treat such enjoyment as payment for eating her.

As Jessie panted in the aftermath of her dough-shaking climax, Belinda peeled off her tummy and paws and ate them too. The skunkroll didn't know if she could take much more pleasure!

"Not much left now..." Belinda whispered as she pulled away the girl's lower torso. She dunked it in the milk, making the girl yelp at the sudden shock of coldness.

'Please, please! Eat me all up!' Jessie begged.

"I fully intend to. But one mustn't gobble one's desserts too quickly, or one may get a tummy-ache. You wouldn't want my tummy to get all rumbly-rolly, would you?"

'Of course not!' Jessie replied rightaway.

Belinda giggled. "It was a rhetorical question, my dear. But I'm happy to see you showing such concern for your eater."

Jessie blushed. Soon she was moaning again at the exquisite feeling of Belinda devouring her heart.

After swallowing the girl's shoulders too, there was nothing left on the plate but crumbs, bits of glaze, and the center of the cinnamon roll, AKA Jessie's head. Belinda picked it up and gave it a kiss. "Thank you very much for being such a good snacktime guest," she said lovingly.

Jessie cooed. She was fully ready for this. 'You're welcome.'

"Time to join the rest of you in my tummy."

'Okey-dokey.' A sad thought invaded her blissful daze. 'But... Um, is this the end for me? After I get digested, is that it?'

Belinda chuckled. "Why don't you just wait and see, darling? An adventure's more fun if you don't know the ending."

'Oh... Okay then.' She tried to be brave. She'd been afraid of being cooked and eaten at first, and that had turned out better than she'd ever hoped. So maybe digesting would be just as enjoyable too.

"Au revoir, Jessie Domino," Belinda whispered. "Have fun inside me. You were a very, very good cinnamon roll. Just like I knew you would be."

'Thanks!' Jessie braced herself, then shouted, 'Wheeee!' as her head was tossed into the air and caught expertly between Belinda's jaws.

Red darkness surrounded her. Belinda's big tongue cradled her in a comfy embrace, tasting her all over. Then those lovely teeth started moving around, chewing her up. Turning her into mush. It felt sooooo nice. If the fire was like a deep-tissue massage, being chewed up was like having someone tenderly caressing her all over.

Soon she was slipping down Belinda's throat. The esophageal muscles pushed her deeper and deeper. Then she splashed down in a puddle of stomach acids and herself. It was nice to all be in one place again, though bits of her were scattered and scrambled all around. It was a bit confusing.

Then Jessie laughed out loud as a torrent of cool milk splashed all over her. It was like being at a water park!

Belinda finished her drink and let out a happy burp.

She patted her tummy. "Such a good girl. Such a good dessert."

She whistled to let her plants know she wanted to get up. They obligingly helped her to her feet. Belinda looked down at her tummy and could 'see' the aura of happiness within. "Comfy in there?"

By now, all of Jessie's doubts about digesting had dissolved. 'Yes! Very much! It's all rubbery and soft in here.'

"Good! My belly has gotten quite a few five-star reviews from children who've visited it. I'm proud to provide such enjoyable accommodations. I think now I'll go inside and curl up with a good book while my digestive system works on you. Feel free to stay awake for the ride, or take a nap, whatever you please."

'Okay!'

Belinda nodded. She walked over to the side of the house to give her loyal plants a drink of water from the hose. They nibbled and molested her in gratitude. She squeaked as their naughty little leaves tickled her everywhere.

Once that was done, she went back inside, rinsed her dishes and went to the livingroom. She settled down in her comfiest burgundy-colored armchair. She picked up the historical nonfiction she'd been reading; though most people would have classified it as fantasy, what with all the gnomes and clockwork soldiers and unicorns and such. She was at a part where the hero had just slain a vicious manticore. She giggled. The author had no idea that the manticore wasn't slain at all. He'd merely played dead. He'd told her the story once when they'd met at a party. The poor silly thing had gotten himself lost in a rural village and the next thing he knew, some young elf was jabbing at him with diamond daggers.

Belinda's tummy rumbled. She rubbed it, feeling full and satisfied.


~*-*-*~


The next morning, Belinda woke up feeling like she had to get to the bathroom very quickly. Instead, she ran to the kitchen.

As she fought to not fill her pajamas, she quickly greased up a baking tray and laid it down in the floor. She whipped her satin pants off and squatted. Once she was in position, she let her anus relax.

She groaned in pleasure as she shat approximately ninety pounds of baking dough.

"Whooooo! That was a nice one!"

It had come out smooth and thick; just how she liked. She looked down at what she'd deposited. It was shaped like a curled-up little sleeping skunkgirl. Exactly as expected.

Belinda leaned down to blow in the bread-girl's ear. Jessie's soul passed like a snowy breeze from the mousewitch's lips.

When it was safely home, Belinda saw the skunkgirl slightly twitch. Jessie murred softly in her sleep.

"Have sweet dreams," the witch wished.

Then it was just a matter of lugging the heavy tray over to the oven to be baked.


~*-*-*~


Several hours later, a delicious-smelling loaf of bread emerged. And as soon as Belinda sat it on her counter, a yawning skunkgirl popped out of it. She looked around, blinking, as crumbs fell out of her hair. "Where...? How...?"

Belinda gave her a hug. "You're safe in my kitchen, little sweetie. Now how about some breakfast?"

The mousewitch helped her slightly-bewildered guest down from the counter, and kept the remains of her outer crust for later. (Asiago cheese went wonderfully with slightly skunk-flavored bread.) Belinda had Jessie's clothes and backpack all ready for her. The skunkgirl got dressed and asked lots of questions. Belinda happily answered them. Together they poured cereal and juice and had a very nice breakfast. Although Jessie declined Belinda's offer of a hard-boiled platypus egg.

Belinda explained that she'd already called the school and told them that Jessie might be late, or might not show up at all. She was busy passing through a witch's large intestine, after all. Jessie couldn't believe she'd really gone all the way through. She blushed pink when Belinda told her how she'd exited!

For the rest of the morning, Jessie had a wonderful time with her new witchy friend. There were many kisses, hugs and tickles. When Belinda led her outside, the little skunk was amazed to find herself smack dab in the woods! Trees all around, and mountains in the distance! Where was downtown? Belinda explained that her humble home had many paths leading to it, and not all of them involved travel. It was all a matter of placing an entrance wherever a guest was expected to be.

Jessie also got to help out in the garden. She saw more strange plants than her mind could handle, but none was stranger than the friendly (perhaps TOO friendly) animate vines. They loved meeting new visitors. Belinda had to caution them not to make Jessie too uncomfortable. Though Jessie didn't mind their tendrils swarming all around her, slithering over and under her clothes (even if she did blush a bit). She wished she could have a plant like this for her backyard! Belinda offered her some seeds, but Jessie worried what her parents would think.

They spent the afternoon just having fun. Belinda showed Jessie all sorts of treasures from her vast collection. They played a board game that transformed them into all sorts of silly things depending on what spaces they moved to. Belinda even introduced the skunkette to her jar of petrifica powder. Jessie was quite surprised to suddenly find herself turned into a statue! Though she also rather liked how it felt, so Belinda kept her immobile for a while and read to her from her book.


~*-*-*~


When she was ready to go home, Jessie stood in the empty bakery shop and asked. "Can I ever come back? Or will the bakery be gone the next time I walk by?"

"It comes and goes," Belinda admitted. "But now that it knows you're here, it'll be sure to return eventually. And if you ever really *need* to see me again, just stand where you remember it being and wish as hard as you can. You might look a little strange to people passing by, but it should work."

"Okay, I will." She gave Belinda a great big hug. "Thanks again. I know I've told you over and over how good everything felt, but that's just because it felt SO good!!"

Belinda kissed the little skunk between her cute velvety ears. "The most important duty of a shopkeeper is to keep the customer satisfied. And that reminds me...!" Jessie was a bit startled by how quickly Belinda broke the hug and dashed away.

But the mousewoman returned just as quickly, holding a pink cardboard box. Jessie could tell what was inside just from the heavenly smell.

"More cinnamon rolls!"

Belinda handed the box to her young friend and smiled. "Indeed. I whipped up a batch while you were relaxing inside me. I figured you might want to get to taste some after being one." She patted Jessie's hair. "I did my best, but I'm sure they won't be half as tasty as you were."

There were eight of them. Big and soft, drenched with glaze and still warm from the oven. They smelled so incredible Jessie thought she'd melt. "Thanks so much! I'd hug you again but I don't wanna crush the box!"

Belinda giggled. "Quite thoughtful! I hope you enjoy them. And please, feel free to drop by again sometime. I'd love to eat you again."

Jessie blushed. "And I'd like to be eaten again too." Not really wanting to go, but knowing she really ought to, she shouldered her backpack and walked towards the door.

She opened it, and the sounds of downtown came crashing through.

Jessie looked down at the box of baked goods again. "Wait a minute..."

Belinda's ears perked. "Mm?"

The skunkgirl looked a bit wary. "These aren't anybody I know, are they?"

The mousewitch enjoyed a hearty laugh. "Definitely not! They're completely normal ones. And even if they *were* transformed children, how in the world would I get them back afterwards?"

Jessie decided she'd rather not think about that too much. "Allrighty. G'bye Belinda!"

"Have many wonderful days!" the mouse called out.

The bell on the door tinkled as Jessie shut it and dashed off down the street.

Belinda watched her go. She always felt a little sad when one of her visitors left. But the feeling passed quickly, as someone else would always be dropping by soon enough.

She went back to the kitchen to check her calendar.

"Let's see who's scheduled to join me for dinner this evening..."



The End
for now...





