All right, this wasn't anything more than a passing idea, so I was real surprised when I sat and wrote this out. There be a story in here somewhere!
And special thanks to the following linklies: Phoenix Flower (yeah, there were problems with the stupid chapters, haha), DarkMistress950 (it relates back to the game in this chapter), doomofevil, Quick-demon, and anonymous (I think my originality is manufactured when the rest of my brain becomes disgusted with Things Already Been Done and forces itself to function- not that all Things Already Done be bad). Specially since you guys also review my other stuff... thanks! I really appreciate it!
Who likes Daxter? watches the hands go up Kay good. He's here!

Hey, watch it!

The woman looked around. She didn't see anything.

Yo, thin skirt blowin' in the breezes! Down here!

She looked down into a furry orange face and screamed.

Daxter watched the woman run, arms flailing through the air. Don't twist your holey panties in a knot! he called after her. He brushed off his arms. Two feet tall ain't a good size for anyone who doesn't wanna get stepped on. And I'm that much closer to the dust. Humph. He shook his head at the paper in his hands. I let sweetcheeks order one lousy import and what's this? He squinted at it. Fine Sicklian Squid Ale?! Yealch! That's not going to sell. He tapped his chin. Unless... I'll pawn it off on Sig. He loves Sicklian imports.

He muttered some more and strode off toward his tavern. As he got closer to the port, the forest of legs and knees thickened. Daxter pushed his way through, preferring to weave around the skinny women. Ooo, helloooo, he cooed. A woman looked glanced down and kicked him aside.

Nasty rodent problem, she spat.

Who you callin' a rodent?! Daxter rubbed his side and glared. I happen to be one of a kind! Unique! A precious commodity!

The woman scoffed and turned. Daxter sighed. No one appreciates the possibilities a furry can offer. Oh no- There, between the shorts and skirts and baggy pants, was the unmistakable shape he had learned early on to avoid. A figure smaller than the rest. A figure that would grab his tail and pull his ears and rip its grubby little fingers through his fur and hug him so hard he couldn't breathe and make a million assorted, disturbing noises while dripping snot from every facial orifice, -a child!

Daxter turned and prepared to run, but as he had feared, a tiny hand grabbed his tail and pulled him back. He covered his ears, anticipating the happy squeals and burbling delights. He was pleasantly surprised when, a few seconds later, the child cuddled him close and ran from the crowds. This pleasant sensation quickly vanished.

Let me go! All he could see was the red of the child's dress. He pushed against her, trying to claw his way out of her arms.

No squirming, said the child. She held him up and looked at him.

Daxter let her stare for a second, hoping her attention span was shorter than his own. Her big, brown eyes wandered over his face and her mouth opened in awe. Then she smiled and hugged him, hard.

All riiiii-oof! he gasped. His tongue flopped out over her shoulder.

You're the thingy the monster had! She screamed.

He winced, as his right ear was smashed into her face. Lemme go!

You promise to help me and keep the monster away and I'll let you go!

Fine! Sure! Whatever! Daxter wheezed. The girl dropped him. He hit the ground and rubbed his butt. She covered her mouth with her hands and laughed. Yeah, you think I can't hear you, Daxter frowned.

What're you? She squatted a little and pet his head.

He grabbed her wrist. No touching. I'm an ottsel. He let go of her and struck a pose. The only one this miserable city's ever had.

Hi, ottsel. She waved.

Call me Daxter.

Hi, Daxter. She waved again.

There was a noticeable silence. Her staring did nothing to alleviate the awkwardness.

Daxter looked around. Nice meeting you, but I really gotta go and do this thing, ya know. See this paper? He held it up. This says that Daxter needs to go to his bar and fix stupid things that his assistant did. See ya.

You can't go! The little girl held her hands out. I saved you from all the kicking ladies and you promised you would help me and so you can't go!

Watch me. Daxter turned and strolled off.

the little girl bit her lip. But I need help.

I'm sure you do. Daxter waved a hand. I know I do. Everyone in Haven needs it. Go get some help from over there, he pointed to the water. Jump right in. The fishies would love to help you.

But the Oracle is gone!

Daxter stopped in mid step, eyes slowly widening. The Oracle? Gone? He blinked. This isn't my department. Just turn around and tell the annoying girl child she needs to go home. Or find Onin. Where's her mom, anyway? He started turning. But if I go over there, she might grab me again. I can't fight little girls; Jak wouldn't let me live that down. Better stay over here. He swung his leg to the front again. The Oracle is gone? How do you misplace a whole freakin' Oracle? It's not like someone could just pick that sucker up and walk off with it. Krew could've eaten it- He grinned, -but he exploded. And there would've been real problems with getting it back again. I don't think I'm going to think about that anymore. Aahhh hmmm. He turned halfway again. Who put me in charge of this? I'll tell her to see Onin from a distance, that way I'll have plenty of time to start running if I need to. He turned his face and opened his mouth-

-and saw the little girl crying into the wall. Against his better judgment, he walked up to her and touched her back. Uhh... hey, Miss Sobby Pants. You okay?

The girl sniffed. Then she giggled. Then she turned and faced him, wiping her nose on her sleeve. I'm okay, she curtsied. But I'm not wearing pants.

Daxter rolled his eyes. That makes two of us.

Hee hee, the girl smiled and took his paw.

Hey! What did I say about touching? He looked at her hand. Ew! Girl, you got a fungus or something in that nail, he whipped his paw away.

No! That's from the Oracle. She pointed to her calves. Daxter winced at the sweeping scars. It helped me when this fish came, she made her hands into a jaw and snapped at the air, cuz I fell in the water and the fish came and I punched it in the nose! But it cut me but then the Oracle fixed me and that's why I'm green there.

Daxter squinted. Okayyy... look. I got this thing I have to do, but I know someone who can help you. The girl started to huff. Eh eh! Hear me out. Her name is Onin. She has a nice pet monkeybird who would just love to meet you. Onin is very important and smart, and she'll help you find the Oracle.



Now Daxter has to go, kay? So you just stay right here, he pushed her hands against the wall, and don't go anywhere, and I'll come back in a few days and help you out.



No crying. See you later, little lady. Daxter turned, smiling. I'm such a genius when it comes to kids, he said. You just gotta know how to talk to them. They have to hear no' or they get spoiled. He grinned all the way back to the Naughty Ottsel.

Hey Daxter! Tess called. She finished drying the mug she held and set it down on the counter.

Heya sweetness. He hopped up on a stool. Whatcha cooking me for dinner?

Tess looked behind him. Uh... dunno yet. Who's your friend?

Daxter turned around. The little girl stood there, hiding her hands in the pockets of her red dress. Didn't I tell you to stay by the wall?!

I followed you!

Who is she, Dax? Tess smiled widely. She's so cute!

She's a pain in the a- Daxter shut his mouth as Tess glared. Ah, um. She's a bugger.

What's your name, sweetie? Tess leaned over the counter and grinned down.

The girl grinned back.

Tess' smile faltered. She glanced at Daxter. Dagmar? Like the street drug?

The little girl twirled around. Mommy said something like that. That was a while ago. She tilted her head. Umm... I think that I don't want to talk about that.

Tess said gently. She tousled the girl's black hair. You want something to drink?

Daxter jumped off the stool and grabbed the girl. She needs to go see Onin. No sense in building up a tab the little lady can't pay. He pulled her to the door. Out you go now-

But Daxter! she said, pulling away from him.

Tess' voice was sharp. He cringed. One eye twitched. Don't you toss her out there.

He stalked back to the stool. Here's something you can deal with, then. He slapped the order form onto the counter and stomped into the back.

The little girl followed him with teary eyes. Aww, c'mere, Tess patted the counter and picked up the form. Sit right here. I have some nice juice for you. It's cheap, I'll pay for it.

the girl hopped up onto the stool. She squealed with delight at the tiny umbrella in her cup. Whatcher name?



Oo, hi Tess. I'm Dagmar.

Tess cringed. I think we should give you a nicer name, don't you?

The little girl shrugged.

Lady Bug! Daxter screamed from the back.

Tess glanced behind her. That's not too bad. What do you think?

I like it! Lady Bug stuck the whole straw in her mouth and tried to chew it.

No, hon, you don't eat that, Tess hastily grabbed it.

See? I told you she was annoying.

Shush, Daxter.

Lady Bug grinned. Thanks, Tessy.