The Observer Effect
Wow, it took a really long time just for me to write another chapter, huh? Even when I said last time that this chapter would be shorter, it didn't really turn out like that lol. I changed the story summary. I was really rushing it last time, and it didn't really make sense. Anyway~ on to the story.
Ch. 2 Through the Looking Glass
"People have long believed in an omniscient being. One who knows and controls all. Many names were given for such a being, and many searches were made without fruition."
The clubhouse was enveloped with a mellow atmosphere. After such an exertion at Acorn Mountain yesterday, the Ham-Hams were enjoying a relaxing day-in (though not after some minor debate. "Let's go outside, guys!" the energetic orange and white hamster had yelled. "Hamtaro!!" came from all directions). Small talks were tossed around to pass the time for those who were feeling chattier. Others who were not conversing were snoozing or spacing out. Cappy was playing on the side by himself, being without a playmate today. Stan was in his usual spot, improvising rhythms with his maracas. He was always a bit reluctant to wholly join in with the Ham-Ham group. The only hamster he was close to was his own sister. No matter though, the Ham-Hams were not doing much together today. Pashmina and Penelope did not show up, presumably because of their sickness. The effect of this on Dexter and Howdy was them being disengaged and lax.
This left Bijou, Hamtaro, Boss, Sandy, Oxnard, and Panda listening to Maxwell's lecture.
"As we all know, our world is a three dimensional one," Maxwell scooped up a toy block on the floor. "Take this wood block for example, it has a length, width, and depth, as does every object in our world."
"Um, Maxwell, may I have that back?" Cappy asked meekly.
"Oh…sorry," Maxwell handed back the block to Cappy who continued to build his castle model.
"But of course, it is arrogant to think that our world is the only one there is. The third dimension is not even the highest dimension. In fact, in theory, there are ten in all."
"Really now, Maxwell. Ten?" Boss remarked sarcastically and held out his paws. "That's more than the fingers I got. How's that work?"
"You should all be familiar with dimension one to four, fourth being duration. From the fifth dimension on is where things get interesting. In order to form the fifth dimension, there must be splits from the fourth dimensional time line. The splits," Maxwell said confidently, his pride of knowing such knowledge apparent on his face, "are our choices, choices that we make in our everyday life." Expecting everyone to understand, he went on, "The sixth dimension then is yet another split, or you can say, fold, from the fifth. Different paths of choices lead up from different conditions and…"
Sandy, in the mean time, was drifting off on the side. She had heard this already when she visited Max last night. He had gone on to talk about the starts and finishes of different universes, and even universes with different physics laws. She did not get it at all, and she doubt she will, even after the second time.
"Then there's the 10th dimension," Maxwell had said. "I refer to it as the Grand Entity."
Sandy tiled her head, "As in, like, everything?"
"No, not just everything. In the 10th dimension is all there could've been, all there is, and all there ever could be, under all possible initial and final conditions."
"Heke??" Sandy was now super confused.
"If there truly is an omniscient being, that's where I believe it would be. Though…it is quite a sad existence isn't it? To know that there is absolutely nothing beyond your mere being…"
Her eyelids growing heavier and heavier, Sandy's breathing became more and more shallow, and the silky tendrils of the dream realm pulled her into a deep, deep enticing slumber.
It was bright sunny day, quite unlike the damp Clubhouse Sandy was just in. The Ham-Hams were outside in the meadow, enjoying the sun. Some hamsters were sitting around Maxwell, listening to his lectures, some are playing games, running around on the hills where so many memories were made, and some are, including herself, Sandy realized, sunbathing on the soft grass. Beside her were her best girlfriends, Pashmina, Penelope, and Bijou.
"We definitely don't get zis kind of weather in France," Bijou sighed. "C'est très beau."
"You know, comparing this to the trip we took yesterday, I think I might even prefer this," Pashmina said. "It's cold up in the mountains."
"Ookwee, ookwee!" Penelope pointed at the red flower she had stuck onto her blanket.
"Oh, that's right, Penelope," Pashmina smiled. "If we hadn't gone, we never would've gotten that cute brooch for you, right?" She snuggled against her life-long best friend.
"Oui, and I zink 'amtaro and I had really gotten closer that day," Bijou blushed slightly and turned to look at the spirited hamster being tackled by Stan, apparently playing some game they had just invented.
"Oooh," the girls squealed. "Are you going to ask him…you know?" Sandy pressed on.
"Well…I don't zink I can be so direct like zat," Bijou said uncertainly.
"You can't just give up like that, Bijou!" Sandy gasped. "Love doesn't just come to you. You have to seize it!"
"But…"
"Oh, give her a break, Sandy," Pashmina said. "It is kind of the first sign of Hamtaro even understanding what love is. Bijou doesn't have to rush it that quickly."
Penelope looked bored on the side, and tugged at Pashmina, "Ookyoo."
"Oh okay, go ahead and go play, Penelope," Pashmina watched Penelope run off. "She's even more clueless than Hamtaro, isn't she?"
"Yeah, she is," Sandy turned back to Bijou. "I still think you should go for it."
"Well, euh…" Bijou stammered. "Maybe I should give it a few more times before…" She trailed off quietly.
"No need to rush this, Bijou," Pashmina reassured Bijou. "You don't know how Hamtaro will react right away."
"But Pashmina…" Sandy started again. The two continued to argue in regard to their matchmaking expertise while an uncomfortable Bijou lied in the middle. Both girls were convinced that she was of better insight. However, the bickering quickly ended, not by one side submitting, nor by Bijou's intervention, but by a scream.
"Ookyooo!!"
"That sounded like Penelope!" Pashmina gasped and jumped up, startled. "Guys!! Help!! Something happened to Penelope!!" She immediately dashed toward the source of scream with a burst of speed fuelled by maddening distress.
"Stan, Boss, Hamtaro! Come on, hurry up!" Sandy yelled and followed Pashmina into the bushes.
"Penelope?" Sandy shouted. She hiffed and searched in the shrubs, scanning the dirt for any hint of Penelope's track. A complete grid-by-grid search was performed, yet all Sandy found were Pashmina's widespread tracks. Fearing that she had missed something, she followed Pashmina's track into a small clearing, hoping that she had better luck.
"Pashmina…?" She saw her then, kneeled on the grass, with her back facing Sandy.
Sandy sneaked closer, "Pashmina? Did you find Penelope?" Then she realized Pashmina was talking.
"No, no, no, no…this isn't happening…there's no way…"
"Pashmina, what are you—" Sandy gasped. In front of Pashmina was Penelope's yellow blanket, now tattered, ripped, and coated in dirt. Pashmina sobbed loudly. "She's gone, Sandy!"
"Hold on just a min—"
"Caw! Caw!"
Sandy snapped her head up to find herself in the menacing face of a raven towering over her and Pashmina. It clicked its dark-red-stricken beak ominously and stared down the two hamsters with its charcoal black eyes. Pashmina lifted her head slightly. "Her brooch…"
It was then that Sandy realized the red flower Penelope had with her was on the talon of the raven. The red on its beak must be… She shuddered. It took another heavy step toward them.
"Sandy? Pashmina?" The Ham-Hams had reached them and poked their heads out of the shrubs just as Sandy turned her head around. She signalled to them madly, waving her paws, motioning them to go back.
However, the yelling had already startled the raven. It opened its beak to caw once again, the bloodthirsty tone clearly audible.
"Run!!" Sandy shouted and bolted back where they came from. The Ham-Hams instantly disappeared behind the bush. I just need to get under some cover, then it'll be okay, Sandy thought with distraught. Knowing not to look back, she perked up her ears to listen for the approach of the raven.
There was none.
Puzzled, Sandy risked a glance back. What she saw stopped her right in her tracks.
Pashmina was still in her place, never moving once. The raven leaned its head in cautiously, suspicious of a trap. Convinced that there was none, it moved in for the kill.
"Pashminaaaa!" Sandy cried. "Don't you—!" She was interrupted by a loud crunch, as the raven closed its beak on Pashmina's head.
"Ahhhh!" Sandy sat up abruptly, arms flailing and drenched in sweat. "Pashmina! That raven! She—what?" She looked into the eyes of each of the bewildered hamsters, confused.
"Are you okay, Sandy?" Stan asked, a legit look of concern on his face.
"I, uh," Sandy realized she was in the clubhouse, with everyone's stupefied attention focused on her. "Oh man. It must've been a dream," Sandy sighed. "Gosh…it was so real."
"Aw, Sandy, come here," Maxwell took Sandy into a hug. "Nothing happened. You're alright."
Sandy shivered while Maxwell held him. As scared as she was, she felt so secure in Maxwell's firm yet gentle embrace. His body is so warm… Sandy thought. He softly caressed her back, and whispered, "I'm here for you." Sandy felt as if a giant soothing blanket had been placed over her, and began to calm down. The chronic trembling subsided. And the two gently broke away.
Sandy took a few moments to compose herself, then slightly smirked at Maxwell, "You smell like old books."
Maxwell broke into a huge grin, and said, "Don't be sounding high and mighty now. When's the last time you cleaned yourself?"
"We're hamsters, not fancy house cats," Sandy retorted. "You need to sweat more to be healthy, Maxwell."
Maxwell laughed at that, "Well, I'm glad you're back to your normal self. Come on, I'll walk you home." With that, the two hamsters stepped out, paw in paw.
Howdy yawned, "Eh, everyone's leavin', hm? Guess there's not much here for us to do." The other hamsters murmured their agreement. One by one the Ham-Hams filed out of the clubhouse.
"Hey, Pashmina. When'd Penelope get that flower brooch?"
It was the day after. The Ham-Hams were just outside their clubhouse, getting some fresh air while eating their lunch.
"Oh, we picked it off the side of the road during the trip we had to Acorn Mountain," Pashmina was trying to feed Penelope lunch, but had little success.
"You sure, Penelope? Isn't this your favourite?"
Penelope shook her head. "Okwee…"
That brooch sure seems familiar… Sandy thought curiously.
"Sure? Alright then," Pashmina put the roasted corn and lettuce sandwich back into the picnic basket. She turned to Sandy and Bijou, "It's weird. She's not eating much these few days."
"Maybe she's still a little sick?" Bijou suggested. "You guys did only stay 'ome for one day."
"I hope not," Pashmina said worryingly.
"I know how to cheer that gal up!"
"Heke?" The girls turned around toward the source of the voice.
"She's a bit down eh? Well, that's no problem!" Howdy hollered. "All she need is a little lightening up. That's why she's not eating. Get it? She's lightening up! Ah hahahaha!" He rolled on the grass laughing.
"Er…"
"Who's feeling chilly after hearing that?" Pashmina grimaced. "I got some warm food here."
"Oh oui, please."
"Yeah, I'd like some too."
Dexter came in and smacked Howdy on the head. "God, you're horrible." He sat down by Penelope and sneered at Howdy. "Watch how it is done."
He started by getting her attention, "Hey, Penelope." She turned to face him. Dexter then quickly covered his face with his paws.
"Peek-a-boo!" He removed the paws hiding his face. "I see you!"
"Ookwee!" Penelope turned her back to Dexter, not talking and brooding.
"Penelope is not one month old, Dexter!" Sandy snapped.
"Er, well I…sorry," Dexter hanged his head.
"Way to go, genius!" Howdy inserted his input.
"What did you say?!"
"Come on, Penelope." Pashmina stood up, exasperated. "We'll go somewhere without the boys."
Sandy could not help but feel a little uneasy as she watched Pashmina and Penelope walk off by themselves. Wait… why do I feel this way? Sandy wondered.
"Hey, Bijou, Sandy," Hamtaro called from a distance. "Wanna come join us? We're going to paint pictures!"
"Oh, euh, it's euh, 'amtaro," Bijou stuttered. "We'll be right— just one sec— euh…"
"We'll be right there, 'kay?" Sandy yelled. Hamtaro did a little wave then disappeared behind the hill.
"Like, what's going on, Bijou? I've never seen you that nervous in front of Hamtaro," Sandy questioned.
"Well, euh… during the Acorn Mountain trip, we were sitting alone in zis tree, and, I don't know… I felt like, for ze first time, 'amtaro might understand my feelings for 'im and…" Bijou blushed.
Sandy gasped, "No way! Aw, our little buddy's finally all grown up."
Bijou laughed weakly, "Zat's one way to put it."
"Well! You know what you have to do, don't you?" Sandy declared. "It's time you finally tell him about your feelings."
"You… you zink so?"
"Yeah! You two are practically already best friends. It'll totally work out!" Sandy encouraged her. "In fact, you go ahead and paint with them. I'll go find Pashmina. You two might not be exactly alone, but like, at least it's better with one less hamster, right?"
"Okay…. You're right, Sandy!" Gaining more confidence now, Bijou said. "I just need to start talking, zat's all."
"That's the spirit! Good luck!" The two hamsters parted ways.
Huh… totally a déjà vu moment right there, Sandy thought. Weird. She found Pashmina and Penelope not long after she started to search for them. After a few cracks about Howdy and Dexter's earlier behaviour, they started chatting non-stop about boys.
As the sky turn orange, yet another day began to end for the merry Ham-Hams who coast through every single day with content. All was perfect in their lives. What they did not know was that, for the entire day, someone had been watching them.
He lightly strummed his guitar in a nearby tree.
I hope you guys enjoy the happy moods I've been writing, because they're not going to last long…
Review if you would like. I could use some help with writing the fluffy and mushy part of the story (like MxS). I'm not very good at that.