[ Another reason why Hollyberry had chosen this secluded place - others would have seen this scene and tried to save her when she didn't need saving at all. But she has to admit, out of all their scuffles in the past, this has been one of the closer calls. It doesn't take long for her to understand why.

The majority of their brawls has always been, from Pitaya's view, for the glory of it. For thrill, for entertainment, for pride. But now they are filled with genuine rage and (Hollyberry knows Pitaya will never admit it) genuine fear. It's a hot blend she's all too familiar with, but this is the first time she's ever felt it come from the dragon. They have opened their heart at a deadly cost.

The power and heat radiating off of Pitaya is enough to make some of Hollyberry's hair come undone, splaying it across the sands as sweat builds up in her dress. Pitaya might even be cutting through her dough - can she smell some of her jam leaking? But not once does she let panic overtake her. What good would that do?

Instead, she reaches for the hand on her face... and moves it to her neck. Look we know Cookies don't really have necks sometimes just work with it for drama's sake. ]

If any of my words... any of my actions... ever lead to Snapdragon Cookie's suffering... I would accept any punishment you deem to give. I would welcome it. That young one means the world to you... and so they've come to mean so very much to me too.

If I can't even protect one innocent child... then my life taking up the shield will have been for naught.

[ Much as she'd love to defend the trio Pitaya just insulted, she knows that's not going to work with them. They only trust her - so that's how she has to work. To remind them of why they trust her in the first place.

... Though if he holds onto her for longer than necessary, Pitaya is absolutely going to get smacked in the face with her shield. ]