We continue to see how everyone will fare under these uncertain days we are under, let us head to our friends to see how they are fairing out. Shall we?
I do not own any part of Thomas the tank Engine and Friends, Tugs the television series, nor that of my little pony Friendship is magic.
They are owned by their respective companies while other characters are owned by Pinkninjaprime and blackboard26
Life under Lockdown.
It has been two weeks since the Island of Sodor had been ordered to be on lock down due to the increasing news about the world events on the virus outbreak. Thomas, his friends and one sister are doing all they can to keep up with their schoolwork while their school is still on lock down. Thomas had also been hearing how things are going in the world of Equestria where their pony friends are from. Since the close down the ponies have not yet returned fearing the virus could infect their world. Twilight and her friends continue to see how things on Sodor are progressing since they cannot continue their schooling since there are no connections from Equestreia to Sodor. However, Thomas have been sending their assignments from the teachers, that way none of them will lose anything they all learned since becoming part of Sodor from the previous year.
Rainbow Dash. "Well at least we can still do our schoolwork and keep in touch with our humanized engine friends at the same time."
Applejack. "Now that is the first time, I ever heard any thing from you enjoying any form of school Rainbow dash."
Rainbow Dash. "It is mostly to keep in touch with Thomas, his sister and friends since we cannot return there until the pandemic is over."
Twilight Sparkle. "And until we hear any more about their problems over on their side of the reality barrier, I believe it would be best to keep our studies like this to prevent the virus to come anywhere near here since not one pony here know how to deal with it nor have a way to find the cure."
Rarity. "Well let us hope it had not appeared in this world darling, at the same time I do worry about our friends on Sodor. I do hope the virus had not spread to the homestead, our friends there will have to cope to the conditions there."
Fluttershy. "Oh, um I do hope they do stay safe in these conditions, oh I just hope our animals back there are able to cope with this too."
Pinky Pie, "Do not worry about that Fluttershy, I do not know if the animals are going to be effected by this virus, if any thing we had learned about that world. The humans will do what they can to over come this awful time they are under. While they have that time, we can find some time taking turns to learn the game of Softball to help join up the softball team once the announcement of the games is set."
Twilight. "May be later Pinky, after we are finished with our schoolwork, so we are not so far behind it once school is able to resume."
Starlight. "I hear that Twilight and like Pinky had said, about the human world able to over come this, I just hope that includes our friends who are doing their part to keep the virus under control."
Applejack. "I just hope you are right about that Starlight, after reading on how these viruses spread across the world if any of them are not prepared for something like this, then it will be those individuals who may see what happens when they have not thought about such thing from the start."
Twilight. "What do you think Doodle Loo, do you believe the human world where Thomas and his friends live in able to over come this epidemic they are under?"
Doodle Loo. "It is hard to say Twilight, usually a lot of places should have placed some sort of plan to overcome these obstacles that are on the loose. But History had shown how such times can create an unrest of everyone who may or may not be effected by these events."
Flash Sentry. "I am just glad that everyone here is safe and making sure that we have not lost our acknowledgement of our academics.'
Twilight Sparkle. "Me too Flash me too."
On the Island of Sodor, things have slowed down since the announcement of the lock down, while most people who work the many shops on Sodor had to close to the fact they may not be essential enough during the epidemic crisis. Other institutes are open as essential such as grocery stores, take out dinning, and Structural. On the homestead, Thomas was busy checking his animals just after finishing his schoolwork on his computer. The farm work is important to Thomas and everyone on the homestead, to them this place was essential since it is now the start of the growing season and that means the start of growing essential foods to keep everyone on the homestead fed. Like everyone else they must follow the six-foot rule to prevent the spread of the virus to anyone beyond their homestead. Thomas checks the horses in the barn, while Toby checks the cows in the fields to check any changes to the herd. Oliver checks his brood of meat rabbits and his new flocks of pigs. Rosie and the ladies help keep the greens in the green house well-watered and begin planting the new plants for when it will be time to plant them in the garden again.
While all of this was going one. Everyone else was keeping busy sorting out the various things to do around the homestead. The twins Donald and Douglas were busy sorting through the trees Thomas had mounted up since the past two years. Both brothers decided that some will do nicely for a home of their own one day. Along the little western branch line once the all clear to move about the Island can resume.
Donald. "Another one down for the new timber framed home for our use Douggie."
Douglas. "At this rate we should have enough for the framework of the new house for the two of us Donnie."
Then Nia and Duck came into view to see how Douglas and Donald are coming along with the lumbermill.
Duck. "Hello there, you two, I hear you two wanted to make a new home along the Little western am I right?"
Douglas. "Donnie and I wanted to be prepared to earn a home of our own Duck. As much we enjoy living in the Dormers of the homestead. "
Donald. "We feel there will come a day when Douglas and I would want to move out on our own."
Douglas. "WE are just preparing the lumber for our planned timber framed home for our living conditions and hopes to gain a lumber mill of our own."
Donald. "Since learning along with Thomas on how to select the trees for our needs, we felt like my brother and I gained experience enough to be lumber men and try and managed the forests to keep them healthy."
Douglas. "Then again if anyone needed some trees to be removes in case of storms or other events to allow for trees to fall, then we be most happy to put them into use."
Donald. "What are you two doing about?"
Nia. "Duck and I are just wondering around to see how everyone is adjusting to these down times."
Douglas. "As you can see, my brother and me are keeping busy by turning these seasoned trees into much needed lumber and other things needed for either the homestead or for anyone else's uses." Then Duck and Nia began to walk off.
Duck. "Well just keep it going you two, it seams you have something planned once we can venture out again after the quarantine lifts."
Donald. "That depends on how long we have to be on lock down Duck."
Douglas. "My brother and I do have plans for the future, but as long as this lockdown is in place, we do what we can to keep busy."
Duck. "Both Nia and I do wish you two well."
Nia. "Bye Douglas, Bye Donald."
Donald and Douglas. "Bye, bye!"
Over by the animal barns Toby and Thomas are sorting out the new members of the heard since the previous year. After a total count they found they have now 28 members of the herd minus the four Steers he needed to sell to local markets to not only help restock the markets that were low on their meat supply, but a nice return once the steers were delivered.
Thomas. "It looks like we have eight new members to the herd Toby, after delivering last year's steers to the markets and slaughtering the two for our needs, we have a strong herd this year Toby."
Toby. "It will take all summer for Percy, Mavis, and Polly to help keep an eye out for Thomas, I am sure the four of us will make sure no harm is to come to your herd."
Thomas. "Chances are that I may have to come out and help you this year since traveling down the railway line may not be in the cards until the down time has lifted. Not to mention that the plans for the farmer's market will also be on hold too, since it will be difficult to find those who would come across the way to make sure we have a sound structure to have the Farmer's Market to take place."
Toby. "Not to mention that such places where people get their sustainable needs from are not going to follow the guidelines much of our governments have suggested we follow."
Thomas. "I am also doing the best that I can to follow the guidelines of our government, after hearing it from the Queen recently, I feel we can actually overcome this threat the world has seen since the end of World war two."
Toby. "Planning on when we send the cows to their feeding range yet Thomas?"
Thomas. "By next week Toby when the fields are full of green grass the cows can feed on while the home fields are growing the food for the wintertime."
Toby. "By then the fields will keep the herd there while we grow the winter bound hay once the fields are large enough for the gathering."
Thomas. "Yes, until then we need to make sure all of these ladies are finished with their calving if the calves are going to make it to the feeding range."
Toby. "So, which of these ladies are left to drop their calves?"
Thomas. "Those two in the rear either one of them are still close enough drop their calves in any day this week Toby. Once they have been dropped then we can record up to 30 in this year's herd."
Toby. "What are you hoping on this year Thomas? Or more heifers or more steers?"
Thomas. "I am hoping for more steers to send to market and allow the ladies to remain to bring in the new generations of beef steers for the market, and for us too."
Over in the green house Rosie and Emily are busy working in the garden with Henry, they are all busy planting the new seeds to help grow the much needed foods for the homestead to utilize, this year Thomas and Rosie decided to plant some Spring wheat to help make their own production of flour for the homestead.
Rosie. "Just remember to be a distant six feet from each other everyone."
Henry. "We remember Rosie, how are you coming along Emily?"
Emily. "Just fine Henry, thank you for asking me."
Henry. "No problem Emily, I just hope everyone beyond the homestead are doing well under these conditions we are under."
Rosie. "Everyone I heard are doing just fine Henry, I just got a call from Ashima and learned that everyone there are doing alright for now. Everyone there are doing all they can to keep busy and find what they have yet to learn about themselves while under this down time."
Emily. "OH yeah, like what?"
Rosie. "Ashima told me that Rajiv had started to look into painting, while Axel is trying to look like some fashion model when ever Frieda tries to come up with a new fashion look."
Henry. "Hmm, must have gotten the fashion bug from Rarity when she was still able to come here before the shutdown."
Emily. "It is a good thing since Rarity is unable to return until the shutdown would lift again, it is the time to learn more about us while understanding all that is going on with this virus that is still in the headlines."
Rosie. "All I can say Emily is to keep the faith that all of this will go away once a cure would be found, until then we will continue to do what our government has required us to do, in hopes to lower the spread of the virus as it continues to spread to all parts of the globe."
Henry. "I just hope someone has the antivirus soon, I am not too sure I want to live in a bubble or something."
Emily. "None of us do Henry, we do not really want to remain pent up in our homes when we have a homestead to take care of. Right now, this is what we need to do to prevent the spread to everyone we meet since we do not know who may have been in contact with the virus before we do."
Rosie. "Let us hurry up and finish up on planting the spring wheat, that way we do not have to be out here no longer than we have to."
Henry and Emily. "Agreed."
Down by the lagoon area, Trent Dimes (Ten Cents) and Shawn Brightly (Sunshine) just had their fishing licenses renewed and are busy fishing off the pier of their lagoon home.
Trent. "We may not be able head down to the Harbor for a while Shawn, but at least we can still do things along the seashore."
Shawn. "As long as we are still kept 6 ft apart from one another Trent, I may like your company, but under these conditions it is best to follow the guidelines for this down time we are under."
Trent. "I am wondering how Natalie and Beverly are doing, I am sure they must be missing us by now."
Shawn. "Well I did manage to talk to Beverly today, she said that her family is doing fine, as well as Natalie's family too."
Trent. "Really, oh that is great to hear that those two are doing just fine for now Shawn."
Shawn. "Not only that I hear that the captains of our friends are also doing well to keep their 6 ft rule while sailing the open ocean for any supplies that come to the island as well Trent."
Trent. "Still I just hope they remember to follow the safety standards that the government had asked us to do."
Shawn. "Well I am sure they will remember how to keep safe under these conditions we are under."
Trent. "So, do I Shawn, so do I."
Over by the Narrow Gauge house, the boys are just restless, and are bound to head out side for some fresh air to be relieved of their cabin fever, However they are still have to be supervised by Mr. Percival to make sure everyone of the Narrow gauge boys are practicing their social distance rules.
Duncan. "Ack I cannot believe we have to remain inside when there is beautiful weather on the outside of the house to absorb and feel free again."
Rheneas. "I'd be careful if I were you Duncan, there is still a virus going around, and the last thing we need is to head somewhere and come home to make everyone of us sick from that virus."
Rusty. "Rheneas is right Duncan, we cannot risk anyone going out if they are in the presence of anyone who may have become infected with the virus for anyone of us to bring back to inflict anyone of us for it."
Duncan. "Who is the one to release such a horrid item into the air in the first place?"
Rheneas. "No one here had released the Virus Ducan, it began somewhere in china, someplace where this whole thing started. Since then everyone around the world had to be prepared for when the pandemic was about to spread across the globe when it did."
Rusty. "Since then the public heath advisors had insisted that we remain on lockdown since gathering in public places, can spread the disease to anyone around them. Now until the cure would be found, and I do hope they find one as soon as possible, we remain on lockdown and that means we do not go out until we are watched upon by Mr. Percival to make sure we do not make any foolish decisions."
Sir Handle. "There is no such arguing about it Duncan, we cannot risk going out unless Mr. Percival is out there to prevent us from breaking the 6ft rule the government had insisted we follow."
Duncan. "Still I do not like to remain inside where there is a world out there to explore and discover."
Sir Handle. "Yes, I do agree about that, but until this pandemic begins to die down, I suggest we remain on lock down to prevent the spread of this disease to reach here too."
Luke. "Anyone for a game of Tic Tac toe, especially the game that Thomas had made for us last Christmas knowing how much we can be just a competitive under such times we are under."
Peter Sam. "I am up for the game of Checkers, but after a while it can get boring playing for so many games in a day."
Skarlowey. "I do not mind a play of your game Luke; anyone want to take part after me?"
Duke. "No Thank you Skarlowey, I prefer the book that I am reading."
Sir Handle. "What book you are referring to Duke?" Then Duke turned the book around to read out. "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. By J. K. Rowling."
Peter Sam. "Whoa Duke you should read the whole thing to us since we hardly every read the story until now."
Luke. "That is a wonderful Idea Peter Sam."
Rheneas. "Count me in as well, how about it Skarlowey?"
Skarlowey. "Of course, hearing such a story will help pass the time."
Rusty. "How about it Duncan, we could at least hear this story, it sounds like an adventure while listening to the story as well."
Duncan. "I suppose it could not hurt to listen to this book, I heard it was an inspiration for a movie of the same name."
Like. "I heard the books were better than the films Duncan."
Duncan. "We will see about that Luke." Then they all huddled around Duke to hear from the beginning of the Story of Harry Potter and the sorcerer's Stone.
Back on the homestead, Rosie and Thomas were checking on world events around the world, that way the two of them together will know of what to do if the pandemic could spread to Sodor.
Rosie. "What have you found out yet Thomas?"
Thomas. "So far, most cases around Great Britain is more focused in London, but the disturbing fact that the prime Minister has the virus and is now in I C U, I do hope he can pull through. I am just hoping and praying that he does."
Rosie. "I hope so too Thomas, this is a terrible time we are under. Not only because of our isolation from the rest of the world, but who knows of how long this whole thing will last until it is contained."
Thomas. "Or eliminated, I cannot help but feel awful for those who had lost loved ones already to this disease. I heard that some infants have also succumb to this disease, that had to be hard on the mother as well."
Rosie. "have you managed to reach Chad and Sally about how they and young Carter are doing?"
Thomas. "I have Rosie, so far Sally and Carter are doing just fine while her parents are doing all they can to help support her since she is now out of school and ready to take on the world."
Rosie. "I heard from the Earl that Chad continues his work around Ulfstead Castle during this crisis. Chad has to remember to keep his hands washed and sanitized."
Thomas. "Also remember to place on him a required face mask to prevent him from breathing in the harsh air that may have the virus in."
Rosie. "Until then we just must improvise how we do things on the homestead, like help feed our friends since none of us cannot gather in the dining hall. All I have to do is make the meals with either Emily, or even with Molly to help make the meals everyone will be grateful in making since some of them are not very good in making meals for themselves."
Thomas. "I just hope Gordon does not give you a hard time on what he wants on his plate when he gets it Rosie."
Rosie. "That is why Scott and Rebecca are there to make sure Gordon does not say anything he could regret if he was not in check about his behavior towards me."
Thomas. "I am grateful for them on that."
Rosie. "Come on now, it is time for our meal Thomas."
Then both Thomas and Rosie came together in their home kitchen like they did on their first meal on the homestead, only for safety reasons. Thomas called his sister down for dinner and all three sat down together and held hands to say grace before the meal."
Thomas. "Dear Lord, we have gathered here today to give you our thanks as we about to receive a wonderful gift from our labors. We also give this time to pray for those who are under these terrible times we are under. We ask of you lord to provide the ending to this terrible epidemic we are under, and help those who had loved one who were succumbed to this terrible virus we are under, and help shine the light once this whole thing comes to and end. Amen."
Rosie and Ariel. "Amen."
Ariel. "I do hope there will be an end to all of this too Thomas."
Thomas. "I just hope and pray everyone will come out of this alright, not just here on sodor, but everyone else around the world we may have known of Ariel."
Rosie. "The worst part of this, that some in this world have waited too long to be alerted about this pandemic we are under."
Thomas. "At least the Queen managed to bring in the spirit of our nation even if our Prime Minister is now under intensive care right now."
Ariel. "I just hope he will be alright before long, any ideas of who would replace him if he was to be claimed by the virus too?"
Rosie. "I do not believe that has been decided yet, anything could happen."
Thomas. "Well until then we have two more cows that have yet to drop their calves before the cattle drive next week?'
Rosie. "Do you believe we can do so under the down time Thomas?"
Thomas. "WE are doing our work from home Rosie, the time we spend together will be on our horses, I just hope the horses are able to work the cattle to the feeding range this year."
Ariel. "I know, I also heard a tiger from the Bronx Zoo also became infected with the virus too, I just hope that big kitty is able to over come that version of the virus that can affect the animals too."
Thomas. "That is why I need for the vet to come over for a quick visit to make sure none of our animals are infected with the disease we are under."
Rosie. "Until then we are just going to be under these conditions until the lockdown can be lifted again and allowing for us to be able to continue our life here as we planned Thomas."
Thomas. "I know I believe we will be able to overcome this Rosie; at the same time, I know we will be able to find our dreams that we have planned since owning this homestead."
Ariel. "I will also do what I can to be part of this homestead too my brother, I did not come here just to live afraid of this virus. For the sake of our sanity Thomas, I will do my part to make sure we can and will over come this awful time we are under."
Rosie. "I just hope and pray we will see the controller again; I know he must be worried about our well being since he cannot leave the house without knowing how vulnerable he could be from the virus."
Thomas. "WE are just got to believe he will also overcome this too Rosie, the railway needs him, and this Island needs its railways to keep the economy going. I just hope our drive teams are going to be alright, they have to work inside our dirty interiors to keep our engine selves going."
Rosie. "All I can do is to believe we can overcome this disease; we just have to hold on to it much longer than expected."
Ariel. "All we can do is be there for each other when times get bad, and this is the moment we needed each other to come up with a solution to make this pandemic come to an end before too many lives forget how fragile life beyond the home can be before we loose our sense of hope."
Let us all hope this awful time we are under can pass us and pray that we can see the light at the end of all the darkness that surrounds this awful time. Be safe, be healthy and please we all must do our part to keep this virus under control. I know this is hard, especially when the days become warm and welcoming. It is best to listen to the experts and hope we can make a return visit to our friends on the homestead when we return to Northwestern High School year 2.
