Captain Juniper Cookie's Vow

Hell

"Now that we are all here, some..obviously happier than others... we may get started."

Captain Juniper stood behind Custard Axolotl Cookie's chair, overlooking the table along with everyone else's guards.

It wasn't much, mainly Elders exchanging greetings, all be it, passive aggressive ones.
Boasting about how well their houses are doing.
..Talking about issues that shouldn't be issues.

Custard Axolotl Cookie

"What is happening over at your residence." Elder Custard Cookie's tone was harsh, wasn't it always though..?

"Oh-! I- I am not sure about yours;" I glanced over at Captain Caviar; "But my ports are having issues. The budget going towards them is too low for our workers to effectively get enough of our materials out in time. Our machines have also been broken and damaged many cookies.. All due to our low budget. All of our money is currently going towards keeping everything running and our workers paid. It is..simply not enough."

I stood, "So I propose everyone here can help chip in a few to help us?"

I could feel the air get cold, something you never want to feel when you're in a council meeting.

The only one who seemed to have spoken up had a softer voice than most in this room.
"I would not mind helping you out if it means the Lower Republic could get better."
It was not much of a surprise that Elder Baumkuchen was going along with it.

Captain Juniper Cookie put a hand on my shoulder, I'm not sure as to why.

"Thank you, sir." I had sat down, and Captain stood beside me, tightly grasping at my hand under the table.