RB&DF is a collection of stories in AU-fantasy world setting. Basically I'll dump all the weirder, more "out-there" stories here 8D.
And so, Rabbit Boy and Doll Face would like to present When the Day Met the Night. The RB&DF main story installment.
Warnings: This chapter hasn't been properly edited *gasp*
* = information that will be revealed at the bottom of the page
Disclaimer: No own DGM
When the Day Met the Night
Rabbit Boy and Doll Face Arc
Part 1
"When the moon fell in love with the sun. All was golden in the sky. All was golden when the day met the night~" *
A bright boy sung happily as he walked down the cobbled-stoned streets of a local market. It was still the early hours of dawn, the sun barely peeking out of the horizon and there were very few people out an about. Those who were could not help but take a second-glance at the strange boy singing. He wore an oversized yellow poncho with long green gloves along with white fitting pants that were stuffed into tall dark brown boots. He had a long orange scarf wrapped warmly around his neck and a black bandana with green designs wrapped securely around his head keeping the untamed red hair from falling all over his face. To top it off he had pierced silver hoop earrings and a black eye patch hiding his right eye.
Now who was this strange boy?
Why it was Lavi, the Rabbit Boy! How could anyone forget?
Lavi was a peculiar fellow, if not for his style of dress, then definitely for the rabbit ears on his head and the fluff-plush-ball tail on his backside. He wasn't born with those features though. Nope, actually he gained the ears and tail about two years ago, when he was sixteen but that's another story for later.
Because there was always Lavi's quirky behavior to acknowledge. Did he really have to sing so enthusiastically this early? Even with that nice voice his...
"You are acting especially queer today."
Rasped a short old man, almost bald save for the long tuft of hair that had a mind of it's own and stood up in full attention.
Enter Bookman, Lavi's master. He too suffered a similar fate that Lavi did, having animal features of his own but one of a panda. Doomed with permanent dark circles around his eyes and more paw-like hands. At least he was still able to write and do his work. Plus the sharp claws did come in handy when he needed to put his apprentice in check.
"Ehhh, c'mon Panda-jiji."
Like now for instance. And Lavi was left behind by the ol'Panda while he clutched the back of his head in pain. Nobody but the Rabbit Boy dared to call out on Bookman's panda features and it always ended badly for him.
Bookman turned back to see his sad excuse for an apprentice sitting pathetically on the ground, his whole demeanor taking a full one-eighty from what it was a few minutes ago. The old man scoffed at the sight, "Get up fool," he paused until he was sure Lavi was paying attention and when the boy pouted but looked up he continued, "I got an important assignment for you. We must not waste time."
Lavi hopped up upon those words, suddenly excited. "Really? Oh goodie!" he exclaimed. Lavi always enjoyed taking up one of the Panda's strange assignments because it always meant that he would have to partake on some journey and he loved going on adventures.
He quickly caught up to his master and asked, "So what kind of assignment is it?"
Bookman did not respond and kept his gaze straight ahead as he ignored the curious rabbit. His steps light but purposeful he left the boy on edge for a few moments longer before glancing up at the tall boy, saying, "Lavi, you are good with your geography, are you not?"
Lavi titled his head in confusion but answered, "Of course. We've traveled all over the Celestial Sphere* while recording our logs. I've seen many places and memorized every single detail of them. As it is required as a Bookman apprentice to do so."
Bookman nodded in approval, "Then tell me where are we now exactly?"
What was the ol'Panda going on about, Lavi could only wonder. Seriously what a ridiculous question to ask!
"We're currently in the nation-state of Hibernal* in the town of January* just outside the Mountains of December."* Was Bookman really doubting his abilities?
"Very good. Now tell me this my apprentice, when was the last time you've been to Aestival?*"
Aestival? What was he getting at with all these questions? Ugh, why couldn't he just get to the point. "Well that was many years ago as we've only gone there a couple of times. But once when I was eight and then again when I was eleven."
"Where?"
Lavi sighed impatiently, "Both at the capital, Summer* and town of August, it's where I was dubbed as a Leo for my birthmark"*
"Excellent, you passed." Bookman finally came to a halt stopping in front of what appeared to be an antique shop.
Now Lavi was definitely lost. "Passed? What does this have to do with my assignment?"
The old man raised his hand and said, "Hush and wait out here." He then disappeared into the shop.
Lavi glared at the door as he crossed his arms. That ol'Panda better not have gotten him all hyped up for nothing, this assignment better be special.
Ten minutes passed and despite the sun finally having risen Lavi shivered. He should have been used to it by now though. After spending months doing work in Hibernal which was known to be chilly and cold no matter what time of year. The highest temperature ever recorded was 75 degrees.
Bookman finally came out carrying a wooden box made of mahogany, it had many ornate designs carved on the top and the middle was wrapped with special rice paper that had other designs of flowers, varying colors of yellows, purples, and reds over a lavender pink background. But what caught Lavi's eyes was a light blue lotus blossom being the most prominent design on the box.
Bookman walked over to Lavi while carefully situating the box into a satchel, he caught Lavi's gaze with his own being very serious and spoke sternly, "Now listen here boy, you are to deliver-"
"Deliver?" Lavi couldn't help but question... and deadpan.
The ol'Panda raised his paw ready to smack the idiot but stopped himself, opting to ignore his apprentice's interruption, "Yes deliver. To Aestival, you'll be going to the Garden of June just a little ways from Summer. Do you think you are capable of taking this task?"
Lavi scoffed. Deliver? Of course he could, what was up with jiji today?
But deliveries weren't fun at all. Boo. Boring! But then again Aestival was all the way on the western end of the Celestial Sphere, with Hibernal being on the eastern end. At least he got to look forward to all the sights he was sure to see on the way there. Plus the fact he hasn't been to Aestival in years and that thought kind of excited him, knowing that he will see all the changes it must've gone through since his last time there.
Rabbit Boy shrugged, "Yes, I believe I am." And he put out his hand to accept the satchel.
"Good." Bookman replied yet still relented from giving up the delivery, Lavi gave him a questioning look and the old man explained, "This is a special delivery, make sure no harm done comes to this box, you understand?" the boy nodded his head vigorously, "You'll be delivering it to someone who is known as Doll Face-"
"Doll Face? What a peculiar name." Lavi chuckled.
Bookman glared and smacked the redhead for being interrupted a second time and before he could continue was interrupted again by his apprentice obnoxious whine, "Panda-jiji! What was that for?"
"Such your trap if you don't want another one!"
Lavi shut his trap.
Bookman took a deep breath and said, "There is one thing that you must not ever do so listen very well. You must not ever open the box during the course of this journey."
Lavi rolled his only eye, "is that all?"
"I'm serious. Your curiosity tends to get the better of you sometimes but you must not ever open that box, do you hear me? Never."
"Yeah I got it, I got it. Don't open the box ever. Understood."
Bookman gave him one last hard look before relinquishing the satchel to the boy, "alright I shall leave you to prepare for the journey. Make sure to keep a log of it as well. Good luck Lavi."
With that, the old man turned and made his way back down the street leaving the the redhead rabbit boy to himself and his thoughts.
Lavi brought the satchel closer to his face to inspect it, twisting and turning by the straps.
"A mysterious delivery of a mysterious box to the mysterious Doll Face, hm?" He eyed it one last time before throwing it around his shoulder.
"Sounds like this just might be fun~" He giggled and ran off to go prepare for his new adventure.
Thank you for reading! Reviews are appreciated and they make Rabbit Boy feel happy and loved! Haha, I like silly fun whimsical fantasy stories like this so I'll probably continue. (Wonder how long I can drag this particular story.)
Explanation time!
"When the moon fell in love with the sun. All was golden in the sky. All was golden when the day met the night~" : Panic! At the Disco song When The Day Met The Night, it obviously inspired me XD
Celestial Sphere is the name of the world that they live in. There are four nation-states that are named for the seasons in latin (some of them at least): Hibernal (winter), Vernal (spring), Aestival (summer), and Autumnal (autumn). Each nation-state has towns named after the months, one of them being a sacred land of sorts (ones that correspond to the solstices and equinoxes). Then they have a capital named after current-day seasons.
Hibernal: January, February, Mountains of December (winter solstice), (C)Winter
Vernal: Meadows of March (spring equinox), April, May, (C)Spring
Aestival: Garden of June (summer solstice), July, August, (C)Summer
Autumnal: Forests of September (fall equinox), October, November, (C)Fall
The Leo and birthmark thing is how they do birthdays. It doesn't go by months but by Zodiac so depending on what day during a specific zodiac period someone is born on, is then their official birthday. This one is lil bit confusing.
Why did I just explained all of that to you? Because I wanted to!
Bear with me. And take care~