DISCLAIMER: Hey guys, it's been a while! Just to let you all know, I don't know too much about the lore of the Jak and Daxter series, so I'm sorry if a few things might not be correct. This is just being written for fun, and I hope you enjoy!
Snow was pouring down on Haven city, making it increasingly difficult for oncoming zoomers and other vehicles to maneuver through the harsh weather layered out on the city's streets. Cars would honk while others would skid, and things seemed to be a bit of a mess. Besides that, the snow would fall onto the roofs of the buildings, turning them into what would seem to be a soft white blanket to lay on. It was beautiful, but one Ottsel, in particular, was not a fan.
The door swung open as Daxter set a snow-covered foot into the house which Jak and Daxter were provided while staying here since not having a place to rest after transporting from Sandover Village. Daxter thought it was one hell of an upgrade, with all the futuristic walls and weaponry lying around. Even the doors in the house would open upright when you stepped about a foot in front of them. Much better than staying in an old run-down hut with old loudmouth green himself. But then again, just about anything would be better than getting yelled at by Samos all day. Daxter shook his foot as the snow fell off onto the floor below him, before stepping into it once again as he walked forward deeper into the house.
"Hey Jak, I'm home!" Daxter called, raising a hand up to his mouth to further echo his voice. No response, Daxter raised an eyebrow as he walked to the kitchen,. "Hey, buddy!" He called once again. Still no answer. Could this be an early birthday surprise? Nah, why would Jak surprise him the day before his birthday?
"Daxter!" Daxter's ears twitched from the familiar voice. It sounded like it was coming from the garage. The orange Ottsel didn't waste a second as he headed over towards the door leading towards it, swinging it open.
"Jak ol' pal!" Daxter closing the door behind him, then waved his hands in the air. "Haven't ya heard me lookin' for ya!" The angry Ottsel crossed his arms. "It was no picnic gettin' here either!"
Jak chuckled. "Sorry about that, Dax." He was laying his back on a skateboard as he was working on something under their car, then rolled forward so that he could look Daxter in the eyes as he spoke to him. "Where'd you go, anyway?"
"Seeing Tess," Daxter said, he put a hand up to his forehead. "Wooh, that girl is getting demanding, let me tell ya! She's already talkin' about movin' in together." The Ottsel put his hands back onto his hips, speaking his thoughts out loud. "I don't think I'm ready for this kinda commitment. I mean, I'm good at flirtin' with the girls, but not when it gets this serious!" He shook his head, causing snow to fall out of his ears, splattering around the garage floor. A few drops landing near Jak.
"Ah don't worry, Dax! You'll figure it out." Jak reassured. "Besides, Tess is the girl for you. And we've all gotta settle down at some point."
That last sentence made Daxter feel old. "Is it already time for us to settle down?" The Ottsel crossed his arms to his chest as he looked down across the floor, starting to get pulled into some deep thoughts.
"I didn't say that." Jak corrected, standing up and wiping an oil-covered glove across his face, staining his cheek. "Just saying we've all gotta do it eventually. I mean, you're only just turning 21 tomorrow, huh?" Jak smiled.
Daxter smiled back. "Yep!" He replied, putting up some finger guns. "The big day, big guy!" He announced, seemingly excited. Not many people would guess this, but Daxter was in fact 6 whole months older than Jak, and he loved to rub it in his face. "And look who's still 20 and can't drink!"
"Yeah, yeah." Jak rolled his eyes with an amused smile remaining on his face. "I'll catch up to ya."
"Not in time, though!" Daxter said, reaching for the door handle, missing it the first time. "Cause we're gonna be drink-drink-drinkin' at the party!" And with that, the Ottsel walked out, closing the door behind him, his smile fading.
Twenty-one. Already? God, I'm getting old fast.
The Ottsel headed over to the kitchen in hopes some kind of snack would cheer him up, he hadn't eaten anything since breakfast and the empty feeling in his stomach was bothering him. But to his great surprise, there was pretty much nothing in the fridge except for a few half drank energy bottles and an old sandwich even Daxter wouldn't dare eat. He closed the fridge in disappointment. Nothing.
"Jaaaaak!" The Ottsel hung his head back and whined loud enough for his friend to hear. "We've got no food!" His ears twitched as they picked up the sound of the door to the garage opening and shutting.
"Oh! Sorry about that, bud! Forgot to head out to the market today and grab some food. Would it be alright if you did so? I've got something important for tomorrow that needs to get done. I'll make it up to ya!" The door shut closed again.
Daxter grumbled. Tomorrow's supposed to be my birthday party! He can't possibly be doing something else! Daxter would enquire more, but he was too hungry at the moment and decided it was best to just head out before his stomach started to digest itself. The Ottsel headed out the door, grabbing some money which was laying on the table on the way out.
Right as Daxter stepped outside, the snow didn't too kindly to it. A strong breeze sent chills down his spine and Daxter shook it off, along with the snow that came with it. "Yeah, go get the food Daxter in the freezing snow, cuz I'm so busy!" Daxter imitated Jak in a high-pitched voice and grumbled, kicking a left-over Christmas ornament buried in the snow on the way. That's when the Ottsel suddenly tripped on it, head planted right in the freezing white blanket which was about a foot tall. He pulled his head out, chunks of freezing snow now clumped into his fur.
"Happy early birthday to me!"
Daxter stood up, dusting himself off as his teeth chattered in protest to the sudden drop of temperature. Then he shook himself off to get the most stubborn pieces of white out.
Vehicles in the sky zoomed past his head, causing even more of a breeze in the increasingly low January weather. "Why does my birthday have to be in the winter!?" The Ottsel questioned frustratingly. As he tracked forward, the snow was now up to his waist, which made it increasingly hard to walk. About fifteen minutes later, the almost 21-year-old finally made it to the market. Good thing they had a green tent set up to protect the produce from the snow. Maybe if he had some remaining money he'd grab a scarf from the drug store across the road. Daxter looked up at the racks of food stacked high above him. He sighed.
"This..." The Ottsel sighed. "is going to be a problem." He put a hand up to his chin in thought. He was going to have to get creative. First the basics, bread! Then he'd get to the sweet stuff. Daxter scanned the market for bread until he noticed a stack of them which were just baked, judging by they were right near the brick oven which was currently on, Daxter was grateful for its warmth as he got closer. "That's more like it." He commented. He readied himself to jump since the closest bag of bread was about two Ottsel-lengths above him. Once sure his stance was right, he let his legs push him into the air as his right arm went up, grabbing right onto the bagged loaf of bread.
"Bingo!" The Ottsel exclaimed with a chuckled, holding onto his new bread. This continued on with various other groceries until he got to the honey, which was far too high up to reach for him, no matter how high he jumped. But this Ottsel learned a few tricks of being short in a tall world. He kicked the stand with just enough force so it wasn't too powerful of a blow, but not too weak that it wouldn't budge. Then one of the bottles started to tumble forward, hitting Daxter right on the head.
"Ow!" He complained, leaning down to grab the bottle when it hit the floor. "You were some trouble, weren't you?" He spoke to the bottle, putting aside that that might be seen as weird to the few people who were in this store. The weather was crazy outside, no one wants to be out unless it's an absolute emergency.
He jumped up to the counter, tossing the stuff onto the counter, much to the cashier's confusion and amusement.
"Down here, tuts!" Daxter announced at the lady, causing her to look down. She had black straight hair which was put up in a ponytail, and big dark brown eyes.
"Oh!" She chuckled. "Sorry about that." Her voice was high-pitched as she began to calculate the price of the items. "That'll be 28.95"
Daxter hopped up, slapping the cash onto the counter, then the woman gave him the bag of his groceries. After struggling to get the door open from the foot of snow outside, he left. Unfortunately, the lady scrapped the last of his money out of him, and he didn't have enough remaining for a scarf, but he didn't care, he got his food so his stomach could finally shut up.
The door to their house slammed open, Daxter letting out a loud sneeze after, using the back of his hand to wipe the snot leftover. He sniffled, then his eyes widened in realization.
Crap! I'm an idiot! I'm getting sick! And my birthday's tomorrow!
The worried Ottsel put his hands up to his cheeks as the grocery bag swung onto his arm.
"Hey, Dax!" Jak announced as Daxter's ears twitched when hearing his friend's footsteps approaching. Daxter breathed in as hard as he could to prevent his nose from dripping.
"Woah," Jak stepped back when he was Daxter. "You went out like that? Buddy, you're going to get sick!"
"Sick!?" Daxter replied. "Me?" He laughed. "Haha! Good one Jakkie boy." He elbowed Jak's leg as he made his way into the house, dragging the bag on the way to the kitchen. Daxter moved the stepping stool to the counter and walked onto it, setting down his groceries.
"You seriously walked all that, without wearing a thing." Jak followed him, leaning on the counter across from the one Daxter stood at.
"Hey, I've got my fur!" Daxter objected, grabbing a plate for the sandwich he was making.
"That's not warm enough." Jak shook his head.
"Ah," Daxter waved it off. "you worry too much!" He clumped some cheese and honey onto his bread, mushing the two pieces together, and took a huge bite, then continued speaking with his mouth full. "Besides, tomorrow's my birthday! I won't let my body get sick!"
"The cold doesn't care if it's your birthday or not." Jak crossed his arms. "Just don't go outside without anything anymore, and we'll hope you'll be okay tomorrow."
Daxter swallowed. "I'll be fine!" He said before stuffing another oversized bite of bread, cheese, and honey into his mouth. Jak headed back to the garage. Daxter raised an eyebrow and tilted his head in thought as his cheek fur dripped with honey mixed with cheese.
What is Jak even doing in there that's so important? Working on his car? C'mon! It's my birthday eve!