/Angel's POV/
I yawned as my eye's slowly fluttered open, I sat up and stretched as I undid my hair wrap. Once it was off I threw my tan, long hair wrap over to the cooler and it landed perfectly on the lid. I then straightened my glasses and got out of my bed and began to make it.
"Hey Xavier, since your such a good cook maybe we can have some eggs. I'm not sure why but I have a serious craving for eggs this morning. How about that?" I said as my stomach growled in hungry anticipation, but oddly enough I didn't hear a reply. At first I thought that maybe Xavier was still sleeping. Cause, now that I think about it, I didn't (and still) don't know if Xavier is a quiet sleeper. But I was soon answered when I finished making my bed and turned around to see that Xavier was gone. In place of where he was sleeping there we're the sheets I had lent him, which looked to be freshly washed.
I then looked around and closely looked at my surroundings. I saw that the containers and forks Xavier and I had used yesterday we're completely clean on top of the cooler and that his shopping bag was gone. I immediately felt my heart skip a beat at the realization that Xavier was gone. I quickly grabbed my purse and without thinking I got up and walked out my tent. I looked around and saw that the sun was high enough in the sky to be at least eight o'clock.
A few animals including Apple, I immediately ran over to the hamster as she looked to be in a good mood per usual.
"Hey Apple, have you seen Xavier around?" I asked, and Apple scratched her head in thought.
"Hmm….oh! I know! He was scurrying off from your tent to his new house! He must've been excited to see it cause I've never seen a human run so fast!" Apple said,
"Thanks Apple." I said and I walked off excited to see Xavier's house myself. It didn't take me long to get to Xavier's place (other then the fact that he doesn't live that far from me) his house sticks out thanks to the roof. The roof was painted silver as it was shinning so bright (thanks to the sun) that I'm sure you'd go blind if you looked directly at. The house was medium-sized as it was painted a gentle light blue. The door was the same silver as the roof, and the rims of the windows.
I would've looked through the window to get Xavier's attention, but the curtains we're drawn so that option was out. I turned the nob and luckily the door wasn't locked, I then walked inside and shut the door. When I got inside I saw that the floor and walls we're completely barren looking to be made of oak. On the right wall there was a door that I could guess led to the restroom. But then something, or should I say someone, caught my attention.
In the left-hand corner Xavier was lying on his bed, sounding as if he was whimpering as a fresh set of new clothes sat on a side table next to him.
I felt….odd…when I saw Xavier it was like an icky feeling came over me. I didn't like the feeling, but I found myself walking over to him anyway.
"Xavier?" I said, and Xavier yelped is response. "Xavier?"
"G-Go away!" Xavier finally replied. I crossed my arms,
"No way, what's wrong?" I said. I heard Xavier's voice hick slightly,
"No-Nothing! Go away, please." He said. I sat on Xavier's bed as I began to run my hand up and down his back, I'm not sure why I did that but it just felt natural. Xavier tensed up,
"I'm not gonna go away, not until you tell me what's wrong." I said. And Xavier slowly got up from his current position to sitting up right, I then saw that tears we're cascading down his face as his eye's we're red as puffy. I blinked in surprise as I saw his face and eye's. We both locked eye's and Xavier looked away his cheeks flushing.
"Are you gonna tell me what's wrong?" I asked, Xavier hung his head as he used his hands to cover his eyes.
"No, your gonna laugh at me." Xavier said,
"Xavier I'd never laugh at you." I said. Xavier sniffed and opened his mouth only to close it once again, as more tears began to fall from his eye's.
"Pro-Promise?" Xavier whimpered,
"I promise, now come on Xav-y look me in the eye's. You can do it." I said. And Xavier hesitantly looked me in the eye's, he then mumbled something that I couldn't even make out.
"Come again?" I said, and Xavier blushed even redder as more tears escaped his tear ducts. He looked away from me, "Come on just speak up a little bit." Xavier looked back up his cheeks somehow managing to go brighter.
"I-I-I….I….ha-have….slight…..ur-urinary…..incontinence." He said, and I blinked in surprise as I felt my cheeks turn pink. Xavier gulped and I saw the boy whither as of expecting me to hurt him.
"Well, go on." I said, Xavier looked surprised but I'm guessing my neutral reaction gave him a bit more confidence.
"I-I-I…..I woke up this morning….a-and….I-I….I had accidentally wet your sheets. Be-Because at night my bladder le-lets go of any fluids when….when I'm asleep. A-And….in th-the day….when-whenever I'm scared or doing something strenuous I-I leak a little. I'm sorry, I-I should've said something but I was so afraid and embarrassed….and I-I—" Xavier said before he broke down crying, and I immediately brought him into a hug. I pat his back as Xavier sobbed into my shirt,
"Is that why you washed the spare sheets?" I asked.
"U-Uh-huh." Xavier replied through his sobs,
"You didn't have to do that." I replied.
"I-I know, I-I'm sorry." Xavier said as he sobbed even harder,
"Shhh, you don't have to apologize for anything." I said and I kept patting him on the back as Xavier slowly yet surely calmed down. Once he was calm Xavier pulled back wrapping an arm around my back. He looked at me with his red and puffy eyes, as a small grateful smile came to his lips. I felt myself smile as well,
"You all good?" I asked.
"Yeah, tha-thanks to you Angel Cakes." Xavier replied as his voice smoothed out, I felt my cheeks redden as a giggle escaped my lips. Finally Xavier and I looked each other in the eye's,
"Ya know your eye's are very pretty." Xavier bashfully said.
"Please, my eye's are nothing, yours are magical. I've never seen anyone with purple eyes." I replied, Xavier blushed even redder.
"Really now, you must've not look in the mirror this morning. Cause I see an enchantress who's got one lucky boy under her spell." He said, his voice slick and smooth like butter. I felt my face completely turn red as Xavier leaned in and I felt myself following his movements for some reason that I still don't know. Suddenly though both Xavier and I jumped as the front door opened. I heard Xavier yelp and I looked in the corner of my eye to see my friend's hands covering his groin. But I was soon distracted from that as I saw a familiar figure walk through the door frame: Dr. Shrunk.
He came in with his usual suit and had a leather doctors bag with him. I felt my fear spike when I saw him, I honestly didn't like the axolotl all that much. I mean he tells us to follow him and the next thing I know I wake up with a mysterious book. That tends to make a girl a bit jumpy, Dr. Shrunk seemed to take in his environment studying it thoroughly. Eventually his eyes landed on us and I flinched, I looked at Xavier in the corner of my eye and I saw that he was eyeing Dr. Shrunk suspiciously.
And I knew that he didn't like Dr. Shrunk either, the axolotl then walked over to us and placed his bag on the ground. He then took notice of Xavier's puffy eye's and went through his bag.
"Hmm….interesting….must've had a seriously powerful emotional surge in order for this happen. Hmm…this hasn't happened in a long time, but it isn't dangerous." Dr. Shrunk muttered, Xavier and I raised an eyebrow. He then pulled out what looked to be two bicycle helmets. But as I got a closer look I saw that the helmets we're made of metal with an antenna on the top of each of them.
"Put these on." Dr. Shrunk said, and at first I felt like saying 'no' but as I looked into his eye's I felt like listening to him. Xavier and I then put the helmets on without hesitation and I don't remember anything after that. It's as if I fell asleep or I zoned out, the next thing I remember is a bright flash and after a few moments I felt the helmet being taken off. My vision slowly came back as after what felt like a few minutes I saw Dr. Shrunk putting both helmets up. I looked in my lap and I saw my Emotions Encyclopedia flipping itself to a new page. I read the page:
Compassion:
Compassion motivates animals to go out of their way to help the physical, mental or emotional pains of another and themselves. Compassion is often regarded as having sensitivity, an emotional aspect to suffering, though when based on cerebral notions such as fairness, justice, and interdependence, it may be considered rational in nature and its application understood as an activity also based on sound judgment. There is also an aspect of equal dimension, such that individual's compassion is often given a property of "depth", "vigor", or "passion". The etymology of "compassion" is Latin, meaning "co-suffering." Compassion involves "feeling for another" and is a precursor to empathy, the "feeling as another" capacity for better person centered acts of active compassion; in common parlance active compassion is the desire to alleviate another's suffering.
Compassion involves allowing ourselves to be moved by suffering, and experiencing the motivation to help alleviate and prevent it. An act of compassion is defined by its helpfulness. Qualities of compassion are patience and wisdom; kindness and perseverance; warmth and resolve. It is often, though not inevitably, the key component in what manifests in the social context as altruism. Expression of compassion is prone to be hierarchical, paternalistic and controlling in responses. Difference between sympathy and compassion is that the former responds to suffering with sorrow and concern while the latter responds with warmth and care.
I tilted my head as I finished reading my page, I then leaned over to see Xavier's page, who saw my curiosity and allowed me to read the page.
Sadness:
Sadness is an emotional pain associated with, or characterized by, feelings of disadvantage, loss, despair, grief, helplessness, disappointment and sorrow. An individual experiencing sadness may become quiet or lethargic, and withdraw themselves from others. An example of severe sadness is depression. Crying can be an indication of sadness.
I blinked as I sat up right and went through the other pages in my book. I had unlocked happiness, fear, shame, and compassion but I hadn't unlocked anger yet. Xavier and I then watched as we saw Dr. Shrunk shooting curious glances over to Xavier's shopping bag.
"Funny, we're supposed to be getting our newspaper when Pete comes in Monday." Dr. Shrunk said, Xavier and I could both feel our hearts skip a beat. This guy (unlike Isabella or Tortimer) is very, very, very inquisitive and observant. I noticed Xavier squirm slightly in his seat as he clutched his groin tighter.
"Heh, I didn't know that." Xavier replied,
"I wouldn't expect you to Mr. Hal, now Miss. Chrysanthemum follow me." Dr. Shrunk said. I looked over to Xavier before looking back at the axolotl.
"Why?" I said,
"You, Miss. Gills, and I are going on a trip. Now come on the train will be here in ten minutes." Dr. Shrunk said his voice going stern. I gulped and got up, following the axolotl out of the house.
"Wa-Wait!" Xavier said, both Dr. Shrunk and I turned around. I opened my mouth to speak but Dr. Shrunk beat me to it.
"What is it boy? We can't miss this train." He said, Xavier flinched as his cheeks went red.
"Well I-I….I just wanted to say….that….I-I-ya know what…never mind. It's not important." He stammered, I raised an eyebrow and opened my mouth to question Xavier. But I quickly felt Dr. Shrunk take my hand and pull me out the door. The last thing I saw was Xavier sadly waving goodbye, obviously having something on his mind.
/Garnet's POV/
I had just left Re-Tail with my coin purse filled with 3,780 bells. I had been selling some seashells, fruit, and flowers to get some money. Not only did I want to but my own house, but since I had made that deal with Xavier I knew I had to get myself some dough. I considered selling a few more things but as I saw going to grab another flower I remembered Agatha. I then began to run to Agatha's tent and as soon as I got there I didn't hesitate to walk in.
When I got inside I saw Agatha was straightening out a floral print dress that she looked to have just put on. I was about to ask when she had gotten that dress but who am I kidding? She sweet-talked her way to getting clothes again. When she saw me the girl smiled,
"Hi Garnet." Agatha said.
"Hey Ag, I see you suckered those hedgehogs again." I said, and Agatha chuckled as her cheeks went a darker shade of pink.
"Actually I didn't, this hedgehog named Sable has been making cloths for us and she got caught up with me by mistake. But, she did finish this shirt for you it's really pretty." Agatha said, she then walked over to her bed and showed me a ruby red wrap shirt. I took the shirt and looked at it,
"Your sure this isn't too girly?" I said.
"No way." Agatha said, she then pulled out a leaf from her pocket and flicked her wrist. The leaf floated down and as soon as it made contact with the ground it turned into a large, full-scale, body mirror. I was impressed as I saw this but I decided to save my question till later.
"Well?" Agatha said as she sat on her bed,
"Well what?" I replied.
"Aren't you gonna put the shirt on?" Agatha said, and just like that I felt my heart pick up pace.
"Uh….ri-right now?" Garnet said,
"Yes, that's why I got the mirror." Agatha replied. I nearly broke out into a cold sweat as I realized I didn't even know Agatha's age.
"Um….how old are you?" I asked,
"Nine, but what does that matter? We're both girls here." Agatha said. And I chewed on my lip, now I bet your wondering why I'm so nervous to take my current shirt off. Well….the thing is if this was a normal situation I wouldn't care even if this was with Xavier. But, this isn't a normal situation. And to be honest I was half-tempted to run or make an excuse. But, I was reminded on how I preached to Xavier that he needs to face his fears.
So I knew in order to not look hypocritical I had to face my fear, not that I was scared or anything! I took a deep breathe and turned around as I put the shirt to the side and undid my vest. I put my vest on the floor and hesitated to take my shirt off,
"Uh…listen Ag, I don't want you to make a big fuss when you see my back. It's nothing I swear." I said. And I could practically picture raising her eyebrow,
"…..Okay…." I heard Agatha reply. Finally I took my shirt off, and just like that I heard Agatha gasp and I was about to put the other shirt on. That is until I felt something press against one of the scars on my back. I yelped as pain shot through my body,
"A-Ag! Hands off!" I said. I felt the pressure come off my back and the pain fade.
"So-Sorry! It's just—your back! It looks like it really hurts." Agatha said,
"Well it does, but it hurts more when someone touches it. So, please don't do that." I replied as I reached for the other shirt again. But once again I felt a pressure on my back but this time Agatha was now rubbing her fingers up and down the scar. I yelped again as I felt pain shoot through my back, but this time as Agatha kept running it and applying more pressure it kinda felt good.
"A-Ag." I said, and I immediately felt the rubbing stop.
"Sorry! But it really looks like it hurts, maybe I could get you a heat or ice pack." Agatha said,
"N-No, it's fine just….just keep going." I said.
"Really?" Agatha said,
"Yeah, it feels kinda good." I said. And Agatha wordlessly went back to work, I hissed in pain as her fingers made contact but all in all as she added more pressure the more it felt good.
"I thought you didn't like having your bubble popped." Agatha commented,
"Mmm? Oh well this is different, I don't like animals popping my bubble." I said as I stole a quick glance in the mirror. My back was covered in sewn-up scars as the stitches we're still visible. A few burns we're on my back as well but they weren't nearly as plentiful as the scars. Suddenly though the flap to the tent opened and to my own shock Angel and Dr. Shrunk walked in. As soon as Angel saw me she yelped and looked away even going as far to take off her glasses.
Dr. Shrunk on the other hand froze like a statue his eyes going wide and his cheeks turning beet red.
"Get out." I said surprised at myself on his calm my voice was, especially considering that they could see my scared-up back thanks to the mirror. Angel scurried outside while Dr. Shrunk was still frozen, unable to move.
"Did I stutter!? I said out, OUT, OUT!!!" I screamed, and finally Dr. Shrunk was out of Agatha's tent faster then I could say gabby gussy gills three times. Once he was out I snarled and put the wrap shirt on, I then turned to face Agatha. Who's face was even more pale then normal,
"I'm sorry! I should really buy myself a house to avoid something like this." Agatha said.
"It's fine, not your fault that Dr. Shrunk is a perv." I said,
"I wouldn't go as far to say he's a perv, but on the bright side the shirt looks really pretty on you." Agatha said. And I rolled my eye's in response,
"I guess so, but do you think we can do this again sometime?" I said.
"You mean massaging your back?" Agatha said,
"Yes." I said.
"Well of course." Agatha replied,
"Thanks." I said not really knowing how else to respond. Suddenly though I heard the tent flap open and I turned to see Angel.
"Oh, your decent." She said,
"Yeah I'm good, now what does Dr. Pervert want?" I said not even hiding my bitter tone. Angel blushed feverishly and opened her mouth to say something, but Dr. Shrunk walked in his cheeks still flared.
"I'm not a pervert, however, I need you and Miss. Cathrine to sit on the bed." He said, and I crossed my arms and glared at the axolotl.
"And why should we?" I demanded,
"Yeah!" Agatha pitched in.
"Because I said so and as children you are supposed to listen to your elders." Dr. Shrunk said as he took out two metal, bicycle-helmet-shaped helmets from his doctor bag. And as I looked into Dr. Shrunk's eye's I felt like obeying his every word. I sat on the bed and Agatha followed suit as soon as the helmet came on everything was a blur. It's as if I spaced out or something, suddenly though a bright light flagged after few minutes and I felt the helmet being taken off. My vision swirled as it slowly cleared up after what felt like a few minutes I then saw Dr. Shrunk putting both helmets back in his bag.
I looked in my lap and saw my Emotions Encyclopedia, it began to flip to a page but as soon as I saw the headline I shut my book. I looked over to Agatha who seemed to have a small smile on her face. Of course she was happy, why did she have to get a good emotion?
"Alright, now that's done we have to get going." Dr. Shrunk said, I was half-tempted to defy him as the descriptions of the humans killed in Aika flashed through my head. But, as I looked into Dr. Shrunk's…..oddly hypnotic eyes along with Angel's reassuring ones I sighed and got up. But I was surprised when I felt something grab my wrist. I turned to see Agatha was griping my wrist and even though she couldn't feel or show it I could tell her eye's would've had fear in them.
"Let go, I'll be fine." I said, and I saw Agatha look over to Dr. Shrunk and Angel. She then bit her lip and hesitantly let go,
"You better come back." Agatha whispered. And I saw her look suspiciously over to Dr. Shrunk, I knew she was worried that the axolotl would murder Angel and I. I then took a deep breathe and walked over to Dr. Shrunk and Angel as they left the tent.
*
Angel, Dr. Shrunk, and I had just gotten into the train station just as the train itself slowed to a halt. The axolotl handed both Angel and I train tickets that was addressed to a town called: Floral Smiles. I gagged at how girly the name sounded, but I knew the name didn't matter what mattered was if this place had pull-up's and diapers. After all, I make sure to remember a deal or a promise, the doors to the train opened and the conductor stepped off the train. The conductor looked a lot different from the one that had led me to the train before, I'm guessing they worked in shifts.
The conductor was a large monkey that had very bushy orange fur, a large honker of a nose, and heterochromic eye's. One eye was emerald green while the other eye was ruby red, he looked friendly….that is until he saw Angel and I. As soon as he saw us his demeanor changed as he cracked his knuckles looking ready to fight. I felt fear trying to clutch at my heart but I soon allowed anger to step in as I glared at the monkey. I heard Angel whimper while Dr. Shrunk took a few steps forward.
He handed the conductor his ticket and Dr. Shrunk motioned Angel and I to do the same before he walked inside the train. I stepped forward no problem and handed the conductor my ticket. The gorilla glared at me back, and I walked inside the train. I looked through the window and saw Angel was hesitantly walking over to the gorilla. She then handed the gorilla the ticket but the gorilla closed his hand too soon and ended up nearly crushing Angel's fingers.
Angel screamed and many passengers on the train looked through their windows to see what was going on. And I honestly don't know if what the gorilla did was a mistake or not as he quickly let go his eye's wide with fear. He then hurried Angel inside most likely not wanting to deal with more of a scene then necessary. Angel hurried over to me and Dr. Shrunk and sat right next to me. It was then that the conductor walked in the train, the train doors shut, and the gorilla walked back to the front of the train not even sparing Angel and I another glance.
After a few minutes the train started up and it was then I noticed that there was something very off with the seating arrangements on the train. On the left side of the train there we're only full-blood animals. On the side that I was sitting there we're full-blood humans, hybrids, but no other animals other then Dr. Shrunk. In fact no other animal was on the right side of the train! I looked on the floor and didn't see any indication of a color-code or line divider.
I looked on the wall and I didn't see any sign or anything that told anyone where to sit. I looked over to Angel who simply shrugged, I looked over to Dr. Shrunk who gave me a stern look telling me to be quiet. I huffed feeling my temper and curiosity surge. I looked over to the side and saw a hybrid right next to me. The human-wolf-hybrid looked to be a bit older then me as had mixed skin his big, large, midnight blue wolf ears poked out from the top of his head.
His hair was midnight blue as well as it also was thick and bushy nearly covering his eye's. The hybrid had neon yellow eye's as he appeared to be very nervous. And where his human nose would've been there was a large, wet wolf nose. Finally the boy wore a simple pair of black jeans with a baggy yellow shirt.
"Hey." I whispered, and the hybrid's ears twitched as he looked over to me.
"Um…..hi." He whispered back, and I could tell he was really trying not to draw attention to himself.
"So what's with the seating arrangements around here?" I whispered, the hybrid gulped as if he was almost afraid to talk.
"It's kinda an unspoken rule kinda thing. The animals sit on one side, while the half-blood animals and humans sit on the other side. No one dares break it." The hybrid said,
"So it's not discrimination or segregation?" I said. The hybrid shook his head,
"No, of course not. Though, some animals would probably love it. I've heard of the sick things animals do to humans." He replied and I could hear the bitterness in his voice.
"Same here, have you heard about Aika?" I whispered extra quietly, I didn't want anyone to hear me say that name. The hybrid paled visibly,
"I can't believe you know about that place. But yeah, I've heard of Aika, people say that place is haunted. By the way, names Bumpkin." Bumpkin said.
"Names Garnet, and where are you from anyway?" I said,
"I was born in Krill Flake City, but I ended up moving to Floral Smiles." Bumpkin replied.
"Really? Well I'm heading there, can ya help me around the place, I have a friend back home that I owe. He needs me to buy a few….personal things for him." I said, as I decided not to tell Bumpkin what the personal items for Xavier was. Not yet anyway. I then saw Bumpkin raise an eyebrow at me his arms crossed.
"Really? A male asked you to get him his personal items?" Bumpkin said, I was honestly confused at first but in a split second I interpreted the meaning.
"Not like that!" I whispered, and Bumpkin just continued to look at me skeptically. "I'm serious!" Bumpkin's look dissipated to one of joy, he then let out a few chuckles.
"I know, I just wanted to toy around with you." Bumpkin said, and before I could respond I felt (and heard) the train stop. And from an overhead speaker all of us heard what I could only guess was the conductor's voice.
"Alright everyone, we've reached the town of Floral Smiles. All who had a ticket for Floral Smiles, please get off the train." A deep make voice said, Bumpkin and I got up and I followed Dr. Shrunk and Angel off the train. We stopped once we got out of the train station, Angel and I saw the town was more like a rural city. The roads we're paved and a bit dusty as buildings could be seen sitting in the solid ground and hills. The place had so many flowers sprouting out of the ground that I sneezed and my eye's began to water, I looked over to Angel and saw she was having the same problem. But, unfortulently, my eyes landed on a furious looking Dr. Shrunk.
He marched over to me and looked me directly in the eye's.
"Garnet, I told you to be quiet on the train." Dr. Shrunk said,
"Talking to one person isn't that big of a deal." I said. And Dr. Shrunk simply shook his head,
"You don't know who could be listening, and your not going with this person. You don't even know him!" He shot back, pointing an accusing finger to Bumpkin.
"Listen Doc, I can take care of myself I don't need you acting as my second shadow." I said, as I dared to look Dr. Perv in the eye's. But much to Dr. Shrunk, Angel's, and my shock Bumpkin stepped in front of me.
"Listen sir I promise you I won't harm a hair on Garnet's head. We're just gonna go shopping, and head my place, I live on the city outskirts in a cottage with a garden nearby. When you and Angel are done scoping the city you can head to my place. You can't miss it." Bumpkin said, but I could tell he was deliberately avoiding Dr. Shrunk's eyes. The axolotl crossed his arms and thought.
"Fine, but if you get her hurt or she gets lost or winds up missing….bad things will happen to you." Dr. Shrunk said as he took a step towards Bumpkin, the hybrid paled considerably as he frantically nodded. He then took my hand and fast-walked us as inconspicuously as possible away from Dr. Shrunk.
Once we we're a good ways away I saw the color to Bumpkin's face return. I raised an eyebrow at this,
"What was that about?" Garnet said.
"You mean you don't know?" Bumpkin said, and I raised my other eyebrow at this. What in the world did he mean by 'you don't know'?
"Uh…don't know what?" I said, and Bumpkin shook his head looking very worried.
"Axolotls are notoriously known to be magical. Haven't you noticed that whenever you look into those axolotl's eyes after he makes an order or suggestion that you feel compelled to obeying him?" Bumpkin said, I thought about it for a moment before I nodded.
"….Yeah….I have noticed that." I said,
"Every axolotl has that power. They can make even the most strong-willed animals bend over backwards for them. They use they're powers to get what they want. And because of that most axolotls are either in jail, turn into grumpy old cooks, or are snub-nosed jerks that like to torture people with there power. They can do anything they want a person to do and they'll do it." Bumpkin replied his voice dark and foreboding, my eyes we're wide as I felt fear pump through my veins.
"We left Angel with him, we have to go back." I said,
"No, she'll be fine. In this town there is a crystal at the town square the neutralizes the axolotls….persuasion advantage." Bumpkin said.
"I'm guessing this town has a bad experience with axolotls." I replied as I felt my blood pressure fall,
"Ha! They nearly banned axolotls from this place entirely, now what do you need to get anyway? I have to get a few things but ladies first and all that jazz." Bumpkin said, and I looked away from the hybrid rubbing the back of my neck.
"Uhh…..yeah….do you know where to get diapers and pull-ups?" I awkwardly said, and Bumpkin blushed vibrantly.
"Ooooh, it's that kind of personal item." He said, and I chuckled slightly trying to relieve the awkward tension.
*
Bumpkin and I both got to a shop that had a baby blue roof and pastel pink walls. There was a display window that advertised three mannequins. One was wearing a large, poofy, pink diaper that had a pacifier around it's neck. The next mannequin was in a velvet purple pull-up with yellow hearts on it, a purple velvet shirt, and purple booties. And finally the third wore a lime green onesie with most likely the biggest diaper on ever underneath. And finally there was a sign above the display window that read; Diapers and Crinkles: Happiness is Only a Bell Away.
To say for the most part I was dumbfounded beyond all belief.
"I thought you we're kidding!" I said,
"Nope." Bumpkin replied his face extremely red,
"How does a place like this exist!?" I exclaimed.
"Well the animal who runs this place is incontinent so he wanted a place the shop could be that had a homey, safe, and somewhat un-judgmental climate. So he placed the shop here and him and his wife set up shop. But eventually some mothers came to the place needing more then just diapers so now they have onesies, pacifiers, bibs, baby bottles, formula, you name it. And after that it became the hotspot place for ABDL, so this place gets a lot of business." Bumpkin explained, and I looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh really, now how is it you know so much about this place?" I said, it was then I noticed Bumpkin's foofy tail which ducked between his legs as his face went redder then a tomato's.
"I-I'm just friends with the owner." Bumpkin stammered,
"Mmmhumm." I said.
"I swear!" Bumpkin said and I looked over to him as I felt a warm, bubbling feeling fill my chest. I then felt a cheshire-cat smile form on my lips, I didn't know why I was feeling like this but I really liked it!
"Gotcha." I said as I felt myself snicker, Bumpkin blinked for a moment before he chuckled as well.
"I'm guessing that's payback for my little stunt." He said,
"Yep, now come on." I said and Bumpkin quickly followed after me.
/Angel's POV/
"Listen sir I promise you I won't harm a hair on Garnet's head. We're just gonna go shopping, and head my place, I live on the city outskirts in a cottage with a garden nearby. When you and Angel are done scoping the city you can head to my place. You can't miss it." The hybrid said, as I saw he was deliberately avoiding making eye contact with Dr. Shrunk. The axolotl crossed his arms and thought,
"Fine, but if you get her hurt or she gets lost or winds up missing….bad things will happen to you." Dr. Shrunk said. He then took a step towards the hybrid, and the boy turned as white as Agatha as he frantically nodded. He then took Garnet's hand and fast-walked away leaving me with Dr. Shrunk. And as soon as they we're gone glorious awkward tension was left in the air. I honestly didn't know what to say, I've never had a straight forward conversation with an animal excluding Isabella and Apple.
And if my memory serves true they had either started the conversation or did most of the talking. So….I knew that if something didn't happen soon this would crash and burn.
"So….what do you like?" Dr. Shrunk asked, and I looked at the ground.
"Books, food, drawing." I responded, and Dr. Shrunk gave me a bemused look.
"Really? Your not into fashion?" Dr. Shrunk said and I actually gagged at this,
"No way, Agatha do me into this, she's the one who loves fashion. I don't like fashion all too much. Stuffing your feet into uncomfortable shoes, wearing stuff two sizes too small, wearing so much make-up you look like a clown. Yeah, I'm not sure why anyone would care about fashion." I said.
"So….do you want to get some books?" Dr. Shrunk said after another moment of silence,
"Sure." I replied. Dr. Shrunk and I then started walking around the town looking for the bookstore, of course with me walking behind the doctor. But as Shrunk and I walked around I realized that we we're turning a few heads. A few male animals were looking at me with half-lidded eye's and I felt my face catch fire, this was not something I was used to. I looked over to Dr. Shrunk, hoping he wasn't looking at me the other males we're and thankfully he wasn't.
"Dr. Shrunk?" I said feeling very uncomfortable,
"Yes?" Dr. Shrunk replied as he pulled out what looked to be a journal. I blushed even more as I felt someone slap my behind a loud smack occupying it. I looked around frantically seeing that female animals looked a bit jealous. I felt like I was going to die, never had I gotten this much positive and negative attention and it made it hard for me to breathe. I literally had to remind myself to breathe and not have a panic attack.
"U-Um…th-the male's….a-are looking a-at me….I-I don't like it!" I said as I felt my composure begin to fall apart, Dr. Shrunk then took a look around and saw that male's we're looking at me along with obviously jealous female's.
"I should've known this would've happened with you dressed like that." Dr. Shrunk muttered, he then motioned me to follow him and I didn't hesitate as I felt another smack come across my behind.
Dr. Shrunk hurried me into the clothing shop and he rushed me over to the service counter. We both met the back of cat who was wearing a black vertically stripped shirt and black dress pants. The cat's tail swayed from side to side as he was looking at a calendar. Dr. Shrunk rolled his eye's and tapped the bell on the counter. The cat's tail went straight as he let out a yelp of surprise.
The cat turned around in and I saw he was brown with a few tan and white spots spread across his body.
"Sorry, I didn't hear anyone come in." The cat said as he had a foreign accent I couldn't identify, "Now what is it that you—" He said but as soon as he saw me his tail puffed out and his cheeks went red. I blushed vibrantly,
"Ahem!" I said after a moment of awkward silence. The cat shook his head his cheeks flushing redder,
"Oh, I'm so sorry! That was…..unprofessional of me. I'm guessing you want to get yourself into some more….modest clothing. The clothes are to the left and the right, do you need any help?" He said. I looked at the organized clothes on both sides of me, it seemed simple enough.
"Naw, I think I'm good, but thanks for the offer." I said, I then headed off to check out what the store had to offer. It didn't take me long to find some stuff I wanted, I found a short-sleeved light purple shirt with a white and rainbow-maned unicorn on it, a white hoodie, a pair of blue jeans, and a simple black belt. I ended up going into the changing room and switching into the clothes. I looked a lot younger and cuter in the outfit I wore so I ended up heading to the service counter as I held my other clothes in a shopping bag. But I stopped when I heard the cat's voice.
"Your kind doesn't belong here." The cat hissed a low cat-growl coming from his throat, I looked and saw that his tail was twitching awkwardly in anger. Dr. Shrunk glared at the cat,
"I'd never use my ability on anyone." He said.
"Lair, I know for a fact you've used your black magic on innocent ones. Your kind is all the same, why do you think our town is the one that has the most humans? We welcome them with open arms when the rest of the world has cast them aside. You and Tortimer may have been the one to start it, but you have a heart as black as coal. They're kind will never love you, they know that you axolotls are a danger even before they're told why." The cat said, Dr. Shrunk huffed indignantly.
"If you have the most humans then where are they?" Dr. Shrunk demanded gaining a cocky grin, the cat smirked his smile challenging the axolotl's.
"They're hiding? The mayor has cameras all over town, including in the train station. When she saw that an axolotl stepped off the train the first time since….the incident. She warned every human and hybrid to head home, drape the curtains, and lock the doors." The cat said, and Dr. Shrunk's smile fell. His cheeks turned red in what I could guess was anger as he crossed his arms. I was very curious to know what "the incident" was. But I didn't want the cat or Dr. Shrunk to get suspicious (or worried) of my absence. I walked over to the counter, purposely making my footsteps louder then they needed to be.
The cat and Dr. Shrunk corrected themselves and got into a more natural position. The cat pretended to just notice me as a soft smile formed on his lips.
"You look very nice, a lot more tame then your last outfit." The cat said, Dr. Shrunk simply shrugged pulling out a grey coin purse. "No, it's fine, free of charge." I looked at the cat in surprise,
"Really?" I said in disbelief.
"Why, of course, a lady such as yourself mustn't run her wallet dry." The cat said and I smiled as I walked out the store, with Dr. Shrunk following behind.
Dr. Shrunk and I walked through town, but I decided not to dwell too much on the hostility between Dr. Shrunk and other animals. At least not right now, I was totally gonna tell Xavier, Agatha, and Garnet about this. But as I walked I now saw animals we're focusing more on Dr. Shrunk then me, of course I got a few concerned looks but nothing more. Cats hissed, elephants trumpeted angrily, dogs and wolves howled or barked as Dr. Shrunk passed by. In fact a goat walked over to me, she had white fur, wide blue eyes and freckles, which make her appear very young.
She had a lock of brown hair falling in the center of her forehead. Her horns we're orange with yellow stripes, around her hooves we're horizontal stripes that are tan, brown, and powder blue.
"Are you okay miss?" The goat asked, and I blushed slightly not used to animals caring about me (other then Isabella and Apple of course).
"Yeah I'm fine." I said, and the goat looked at me for a minute.
"…Okay." She said still analyzing me, the goat then walked off and I swore she punched Dr. Shrunk in the side. The axolotl huffed in annoyance,
"Angel, find Garnet we are leaving. Meet me at the train station." Dr. Shrunk said.
"But—" I tried to say only for the axolotl to give me a glare,
"Yes, sir." I muttered as I went on my search.
/Garnet's POV/
I watched as a yellow and white dog with very thick, black, eyebrows. Put the diapers and pull-ups I had bought into a paper bag. The dog also had white whiskers and a big brown button nose with a white tail. He seemed to look like a labrador retriever, he wore a worn-out, faded pair of orange overalls as he has a laid-back grin.
"Thanks, Benjamin." Bumpkin said,
"No problem, now are sure you don't need anything else? I can get a soother, it helps reduce stress." Benjamin asked me and I snickered at the idea Xavier would kill me if I did that. And I was about to say yes too but the door opened and my heard turned to see Angel. She opened her mouth to speak but as Angel took in the shop her face went even redder. Her eyebrows furrowed together as she took slow, tentative steps in the shop. I scoffed and walked over to Angel snapping her out of her stupor.
"What's up, Angel?" I asked,
"Hmmm….oh….right! Dr. Shrunk says it's time to go." Angel said getting back on track.
"Really? But I was—" I said until Bumpkin interrupted,
"It's fine, I can show you next time you visit. Just make sure to write." He said putting a scrap of paper in my pocket. I smiled,
"I will, seeya Bumpkin and Benjamin!" I said I then left with Angel reluctantly heading home. As Angel and I walked through the town the animals all waved and behaved rather friendly towards us.
"I wonder why they didn't locate us to this town." I said and Angel nodded in agreement, this place was a lot nicer to and for humans. The two of us got to the train station and looked around for Dr. Shrunk…..but he wasn't there.
"An-Angel, di-didn't you say Dr. Shrunk would meet us here?" I said hating the stutter in my voice,
"He did say that, I wonder where he is." Angel said as I could tell she was beginning to worry. I gulped and cleared my throat,
"Don't worry, I'm sure he's just late." I said and we both sat down on a bench waiting. But the axolotl never showed up we waiter one hour, then two, and then three. It eventually became to late that we needed to find some shelter for the night. I ended up taking Angel by her hand and leading her to Bumpkin's home as I remembered where he said he lived. Suddenly though Angel stopped and I turned around to see her picking up Dr. Shrunk's torn-off bowtie.
She put the bowtie against her heart and I led Angel as she was consumed by worry. And even if I hated to admit it I felt the same way, I just couldn't help but wonder.
Where is Dr. Shrunk?
