Package For Atsou
''Normally I don't easily admit this, but you sure did great job at growing those apple trees!''
''Why, thank you!''
Ameena paused watering a young hazel tree to wipe some sweat of her forehead and give Seedos her most generous smile. She knew how much it meant when Seedos gave away a compliment about someone's plants, Leafos had told her.
Anyone Seeods had ever given a comliment, had became an award-winning pumpkin grower at the very least. There were even people who had made it to an own florist shop, but Ameena didn't have those ambitions, she just wanted to grow the highest and most vertile trees she could.
Those made the most money, and provided the most food for her piñatas.
''I can see your beautiful plants have helped you expanding your piñata collection...'' Seedos wandered as if he had been reading her mind. ''You've got several different colored Flutterscotches already, good job! Just make sure they don't eat all your flowers...''
''Don't you worry about those! I grow plants for consuming, not for wasting away eventually!''
''I know, but...'' Seedos frowned, getting this worried look on his face Ameena found amusing. He looked like a concerned daddy, priceless!
''I know, Seedos'' she joked ''they grow up way too fast...''
''Exactly!'' Seedos agreed, way too much caught up in his own thoughts to consider the fact Ameena was just joking, ''the first gardener I've ever met who feels the same way! You truly are a great successor for my dad Ameena, you are!''
''Now, that is very flattering.''
Ameena reached out for her watering can again to provide her poppies with some water. It hadn't rained in a few days, so Ameena had to play a cute little rain cloud!
Haha, she never said that out loud, but she liked making up silly stuff like that while she was gardening. It made the difficult and sometimes monotonous work a lot more fun and appealing! And yes, her efforts had indeed paid off... This garden was unreconizable from the one she had arrived in a week and two days ago! Thís garden was a small piece of paradise...
''I have to go now, Ameena'' Seedos said suddenly, after he'd been talking to a bunch of buttercups. ''I have to search for new seeds! If I find any valuable ones, I'll bring you those. I'm sure you'll take great care of them!''
''Thank you!'' Ameena grinned. ''I appreciate it!''
She waved to Seedos as he walked towards the swamp, and miraculously he turned around and waved back at her! Ameena chuckled. This Seedos was certainly a cute kid... A little strange maybe, but very nice...
''Hi Ameena! I see you get along with Seedos pretty much, that's great!''
Ameena was startled. ''Leafos! I didn't even know you were in the garden!''
''Just arrived'' she sniggered. ''I know I can get on people's nerves by creeping them up all the time, but heck what! I enjoy it... But seriously, I'm glad you and Seedos get along! As you might know, he doesn't have many friends... Most people consider him rather strange.''
Ameena nodded. ''I know, he is, actually... But he's good-hearted, and he's funny!'' She shrugged. ''I don't give a Sour Sherbat about his reputation, I hang out with whoever I want. Regardless of what people say.''
''That's good Ameena, he really needs a friend like you... His best friend now, is some lame-ass Shellybean. He tried to learn it tricks, but it failed... I feel bad for him at times, and I'm worried too, about him living in that cold, dampy swamp and all that stuff... He's always been an odd child, but his situation worsens as he shows up less among the people! I believe you came to this Island right on time, I don't think it's too late to safe his sanity yet... He won't lose it, he won't... I hope he won't...''
''Of course he won't!'' Ameena wrapped her arm around Leafos' shoulder. The normally cheerful girl looked chagrin now. ''Seedos is a good kid, and you're just an overanxious big sister! Really, I like Seedos, he makes me miss my own brother, Atsou...''
''Have you heard anything from Atsou yet?'' Leafos asked while breaking away from Ameena's embrace, happy to change the subject. ''A letter, a message, anything..?''
''Not yet'' Ameena sighed. ''I still haven't been to the post office...''
''You definately should! He might have written you, or your mother, a friend, anyone. And maybe you can send him a package? You told me he likes food, didn't you? Why don't you collect some ripe fruits and buy some candy at Chewdini's? Anyone would like a package full of Piñata Island's delicacies... Delights is what we are specialized in, after all!''
''Sounds great!''
''I guess this is about right...'' Ameena murmured to herself. ''I think even Atsou would be pleased with a pile of food like THIS...''
Ameena looked at the profusely filled basket next to her. It contained self-grown apples, blueberries and blackberries, several kinds of sweets she had bought in the Village - candy canes, toffees, fudge, and even wine gums -, two blueberry muffins and a pot of coffee for her mother.
She had also included a letter, which said:
Dear mama and Atsou,
I've send you some specialties from Piñata Island! This stuff is really good - I've grown the fruits myself!
Eventhough I miss you two very much, I really enjoy my stay here. You two should come over once, I'll pay the flight when I've made enough money (I make money with selling my fruits, vegtables and by sending piñatas to parties! Atsou, if you want I can arrange you a Zumbug for your 14th birthday, that's a really cool zebra-like piñata with real good candy in it!)
I've met loads of nice people. Leafos to start with, a girl of my age who makes sure I'm okay and helps me with my garden. She has a brother, Seedos, who's one year younger than her, and yeah, I get along with him pretty well too, but I must admit he's a bit eccentric (and NO Atsou, you are NOT going to bully him when you and mom come to visit me!).
One of the many remarkable things about the Island is, that Islanders have to wear masks when they go outside. They feel like their face is a private thing; something only lovers, family members and childhood friends can see. The masks are bound to personality and have to do something with an old Islander's Legend, but Leafos says she will explain me all that stuff later.
Some people really take the mask thing overboard, though! I've met a girl that dresses completely like a cat, and a man that wears a monkey suit all the time! I wonder why they do that... But I like it! If it weren't this warm on Piñata Island this often, I'd probably pick an animal suit too!
Anyways, I hope you are doing all right. How are your grades, Atsou? How's auntie Joanne doing, and how are Valentia and Theresa? Wish them well for me!
Lots of kisses XXXXX - Ameena
She was looking forward to their reply already! How was she gonna wait for that..? Sending this message all the way to Europe would take at least five days, and it would take even longer for their reply to reach her, because European post organisations often didn't even know Piñata Island was even on the map... And it being located near the Bermuda Triangle made shipping complicated and dangerous!
''I'll just have to be patient...''
Ameena took the huge basket and headed to the Village, trying her best not to drop anything. Fruit tasted less yummie when it had fallen on the ground several times.
It was early afternoon in the Post Office, and Fannie was doing her nails. This was usually one of the most quiet parts of day; all people were either working in their gardens or stores or having their lunchbreak.
Petula had gone home a few hours ago to get some sleep. Fannie had found it hard to reassure Petula, because she knew she would be pretty creeped out herself if she had seen a scene like that! A floating, undead skeleton man taking the life of an innocent baby Kittyfloss... In the woods, at night, probably surrounded by even greater dangers than Dastardos!
Petula was lucky that the Dark Gods hadn't noticed her; if they had she would have died, likely in a more lugubrious way Fannie could even imagine! She had heard the stories, and yes, she had always believed in the folklore... She didn't WANT to get proved right on this - at all! - but she was convinced she would one day, it was just way too obvious sinister things were going on in those dark, eerie jungles.
''Deliveries from Europe!''
Fannie literally jumped of terror when that thunderous voice came out of nowhere. Was one of the Dark Gods coming for her, or Dastardos, now, had they learned to endure sunlight?
She Goobaaishly chuckled when she saw the owner of the voice was an ordinairy delivery worker.
''Hahaha, hi Juanez, sweetie. Don't you take any notice of me, I was just a little... creeped, ain't your fault, I'm...''
''Don't you worry, gorgeous, I ain't no danger.''
Juanez gave her a flirty wink and glanced at her chest immediately. Thát looked nice! That chica wore an ugly-ass mask, but thát and that short skirt did definately make up for it...
As much as Fannie liked that kind of attention, she wasn't in the mood for 'attention' right now, especially not now that she had a crush on that enchantingly handsome Sparcticus, 'attention' from Juanez would feel like adultery!
''Not now...'' she whispered playfully. ''But I'll see you around, so eh...''
''I understand. I have more packages to deliver, you must be too... Well, have fun checking these, and em... I'd love to see you around sóón...''
''You will.''
''Okay then.''
Phew, she got away with that quite well!
When Juanez had walked out, Fannie unpacked the huge boxes to see who were the deliveries for. Was part of her job.
Okay, it wasn't, but she enjoyed doing it so much! Kept her work interesting, and it kept her up-to-date with the social developments on the Island...
Hmm, one huge crate with deliveries for Paper Pets. Paper Pets didn't make their accesoiries theirselves, they imported them from the United Kingdom.
There were several smaller crates with goods villagers had ordered, such as make-up, technology related items and kitchen equipment. Piñata Island was too small for industry - if you forgot about the fact that it was actually a huge piñata factory by itself!
Fannie wasn't interested in people's overseas orders. She was interested in their letters! Love letters in general, but personal mail worked for her in general.
Now most of these letters were family-related. Loads of Islanders had family in the world outside. There were countless Islanders who had moved to America to attend university and wanted to contact the people they left back home, and their was also a - much smaller - group of foreigners living here, and those people needed to stay in touch with their loved ones they left behind too.
Fannie skimmed quickly through the names. Patchingo, Daisia, Gretchen, Ivor, Kelly, Ameena...
Ameena! The new girl she had to become friends with! Haha, epic!
A rush of adrenaline flushed through Fannie's veins as she held the letter closely. Who would've sent her this? Her mother, one of her friends, a cousin or... her boyfriend?
Fannie giggled. In about five seconds she was about to find out all about that new girl's love life!
1... 2... 3... 4... 5!
She ripped the evelope open, and the first thing she noticed was a very, very bad handwriting. Was that an 'i' or an 'l'? However, she quickly found out this wasn't a love letter, but a silly little letter by her little brother...
Hey sis. :D
How are you doing on Pinata Island? Me and mom miss you. Mom says you need to reply quickly otherwise shell turn nuts (as if she isnt already!) ;P
Ive Googled Pinata Island today. Wikipedia says its a very sunny place with rainforest dessert and mountains everything you can ever imagine. I wish I was there! Youre so lucky I have to go to school everyday and you take care of pinatas on a sunny island! Its kinda weird though... Pinatas alive? You sure youre not really in Spain or something and you and mom is playing a prank on me? Pinatas alive... Impossible! D:
Anyway wherever you are I hope youre having a great time and reply quickly. Mom said hi. And that she misses you. I do too. xD
Love 3
Atsou and mom.
Now that was lame.
She quickly re-sealed the envelope again. There were more interesting letters waiting for her, begging to be read, why would she waste her time on this one?
''H-h-hello?''
Argh, seemed like those other lovely letters had to wait...
''A customer?'' Fannie grinned as friendly as possible. ''What can I do for you, wanna send anything or check your receivings..?''
''Both.''
That was strange. Fannie hadn't heard that voice before!
She looked at the girl that had just walked in, she couldn't see her mask because it was hidden behind an overly full basket. Still, she had an idea who this mysterious customer was...
''You must be Ameena, the new gardener! Petula told me about you. She likes you very much, and we share the same taste in most things!'' Fannie giggled. ''Put that basket down, it seems heavy. Here, here's a table.''
Ameena was releaved to put the pannier down, and so were her arm muscles! After that long walk to the Village - which was mainly uphill! - they were all sore and stretched.
''Great work-out, isn't it? Moving crates.'' Fannie giggled once again. ''That's how I keep in shape, at least! Can I offer you a glass of water? You must be thirsty!''
Ameena nodded. ''Yes please. That's very nice of you.''
''Well, here you go!''
There were always a bottle of mineral water and several paper cups on Fannie's desk. Customers were often dehydrated and exhausted when they arrived, everyone on Piñata Island sended BIG packages! Islanders just didn't do greediness, they were very genourous folks.
''You enjoy your stay on the Island so far?'' Fannie asked when Ameena was finished drinking.
''Yes, I do! It's a beautiful, and very, very, very special place, and er... I like the people here! But I miss my family a lot, I haven't heard of them for more than a week...''
''Don't you worry about that!'' Fannie jumped up in excitement, reaching for the envelope. ''A letter from your brother Atsou had just arrived...''
''That's great! I have something to send him myself...''
''Splendid! I'll arrange you a crate and your package will be shipped tonight!''
