Riley's First Time Outside
"Wake up Riley, wake up."
Riley rubbed the sleep from his eyes as he woke up to the sound of his beloved friend Andrea. From infanthood he had grown up to a spunky, playful and lovable child who adored everything about his human family. He often wished he could go with them but they never allowed him to leave the house before and it made him feel very much alone.
He'd used his imagination to keep him company during those long, lonely days but it simply wasn't enough for him, he wanted real company, maybe a friend who was his size. The only things he had to play with during Andrea's absence were her toys. Miniature human like dolls and stuffed animals never did anything but that didn't stop Riley from having fun.
This time, however, things were different. Andrea decided it was time he got out to see the world and join them at the park for a picnic. Riley had never been outside before nor had ever been inside a park but he knew he was going to love it.
Andrea gently tucked him into her pocket and said "Get cozy Riley, it's going to be cold out today."
Riley did so, snuggling into the warmth of the coat pocket before he closed his eyes for a little snooze. Andrea and her parents left their apartment and walked towards the park where Riley peeked his head out to see the beauty of the lush, green park. Riley was amazed by the beauty of the park, so amazed he leapt out of Andrea's pocket to get a better view of the park.
Riley smiled and giggled as some leaves fell from the trees and landed on top of him. Riley rolled around in the ground as he tumbled down a hill and squealed with delight at the fun he was having.
He was having so much he bumped into someone as he cried out "Hey! Watch it you brat!"
Riley looked up to see a purple squirrel looking down at him as he dusted himself off. Riley was amazed, he had never seen another squirrel before, especially not a full grown one but Riley didn't notice how angry he was or how confused as the little kit reached out and hugged the purple squirrel tight.
"Hi! My name's Riley! And I love you!"
"WH-WHAT?!" The grown squirrel asked in shock "Get off me! You don't even know me!"
"What's your name then?" Riley asked
"Surly, and I live up to my name now get off!" The squirrel said again, shoving the little squirrel off him
Riley just clung on to Surly's feet, admiring them before Surly yanked them off. Surly sighed and was about to leave when he felt something had caught his tail and he turned to see Riley hugging his tail like a stuffed animal.
"Your fur is so purple and so soft." Riley said.
"Okay, this is getting ridiculous." Surly said "Let go right now!"
"But your so fluffy!" Riley cried in delight.
"I'm not fluffy, it's furry and don't you have parents to get back to?" Surly asked
"I... Well... I don't have parents." Riley said
"What? Then who... wait... you don't look like any other kid in the park community. Your fur seems more... silky." Surly said before he realized what was going on "Wait... your a pet!"
"I am not a pet." Riley said as he pointed to his human family, who were having too much fun to realize he was missing "Andrea over there is my big sister."
"Oh brother, this is worse then I thought." Surly said "Okay kid, why don't you go back to your group and stay there, me and Buddy are-Buddy?"
Surly looked around for his friend who had been behind him until he turned back to see Buddy snuggling with Riley, who was giggling in delight "He's so snuggly."
"Buddy!" Surly exclaimed "Don't go all soft on him, he's a pet!"
"I am not a pet, and I can prove it." Riley said "Let me help you do whatever it is your doing."
"Not kid I am not gonna..." Surly then got an idea and he grinned saying "Well, actually it might not be such a bad idea."
Buddy looked at his partner in crime, feeling like Surly may have something nasty planned for the kit but Riley just wriggled out of the rat's arm and said "What do we do first?"
"We already have the supplies, now all we need are extra hands." Surly said "If your up to it."
"I'll do anything for you!" Riley said happily
"Just go up that tree and wait for us." Surly said
"Okay." Riley said
Once the kit was up on the top Buddy looked at Surly with a frown saying "What? Don't worry we're not going to hurt him, just scare him a bit so he runs back home. Besides, how hard can it be to handle a kid like him?"
Surly and Buddy ran up the tree and saw Riley hanging upside down from the branches as he said "Wheee! This is fun! I love climbing! And look down there, a doggie! I love doggies! And those people, they look smart! Do you wanna dress up in human clothes, I think Andrea's doll clothes can fit you right Mr. Surly?"
Surly almost fell over at the energy the kid was giving off as he rubbed his forehead and said "Okay, this IS going to be harder then I thought." He picked up Riley and placed him back down in front of him saying "Okay kid, focus on the plan. Then we can play."
"Yay!" Riley said
"Oh brother." Surly said as he rubbed his head as if a terrible headache was starting to form inside "This is going to be a very long day."
