//------------------------------//
// FROG Jam 
// Story: Chrysalis & Mirage 
// by Zobeid 
//------------------------------//

Later in the evening Mirage came to Chrysalis bearing a wooden platter with a mug, some toast and a small jar.  “I have something for you to drink,” she said as she offered the mug.

Chrysalis’s horn sparkled green, and she picked up the mug with her magic, moved it near her muzzle and sniffed.  “This seems familiar.”

Mirage explained, “It’s a tea made from the desert scrub bushes that grow near here.  Its flavor is bitter and aggressively vile.  However, I suggest you drink it and attempt to keep it down.”

Chrysalis glared at Mirage.  “And why would I do that?”

“Based on what I know of your prior living conditions, it seems very likely that you have internal parasites in addition to the ones I removed from your skin.  This should kill them.”

Chrysalis scowled into the mug.  After a few moments she asked, “Are you sure this is safe?”

Mirage shrugged lightly.  “I have no experience with your species.  This cure is used by the zebras, though.  You’ll have to make your own decision.”

Chrysalis muttered, “I hope I don’t regret this.”  Then she took a deep breath, scrunched up her muzzle, and she drank.  A trickle of liquid ran down the side of her mouth, but she drained the mug.  Her magic immediately flickered out, and she dropped the mug.  Her eyes squeezed shut and she groaned with utter revulsion, and she heaved.

“Try not to be sick!” Mirage coached.  “Take a nibble of this, it may help.”  She proffered the toast smeared with some sort of spread taken from the jar.

Chrysalis grabbed the toast with her magic and took a bite from it.  As she chewed she began to relax and breathe more freely, and didn’t try to puke again.  After a couple more bites she commented, “That is not bad.”

“It’s FROG jam.”

Chrysalis stopped chewing while her eyes went wide.

Mirage elaborated, “F-R-O-G.  Figs, raspberries, oranges and ginger.  The ginger root is particularly helpful in settling the stomach.”

Chrysalis relaxed, swallowed, and went on to finish the rest of her toast.  She commented, “Your tea was truly disgusting, though.  If you ever visit the hive, I must introduce you to our famous OWL wine.”

“Oh?  What’s it made from?”

“Pressed and fermented owls.”  Mirage raised a hand to her muzzle, and Chrysalis smiled with amusement as she added, needlessly, “It is not particularly nice.”