The cool lateness of the afternoon was as bleak as the cloudy smoke gray sky over his head as he sat under a large banana leaf that he was using as a make shift umbrella. It had been pouring non stop all day; much like it had for most of the week, since leaving his ailing comrade. 625 snorted in frustration at the constant downpour as it was greatly slowing his progress with the thick mud that now clogged the forest paths with dark black muck, he would be of no use to Gantu if he got sick as well so tried to remain as dry as possible. Walking down the side walk with it's many small puddles that rippled and shimmered from the rain drops hitting them 625 clutched his leaf stem tightly, a sudden gust of wind sent a spray of mist flying into his face causing him to sneeze and wipe the excess moisture off his rusty red nose. Eyes like polish ebony scanned the shop windows before he stopped and quieted cursed himself for being so dumb, he had no idea where any Pharmacy was in this town so how in the world was he going to find it?
As if in answer to his question small sounds like voices made his short ears perk up as he turned around and looked over his shoulder and spotted two tall human earth females chattering amongst themselves, they both wore long dark coats and funny looking hats as they both stood under a huge dark red umbrella.
625 mentally smacked himself as he carefully approached the pair, well duh, just asking for directions would make things a whole lot easier for starters. Holding his banana leaf and the ends of the small black cloak he had found in one fist the plump yellow experiment reached up and tugged on the nearest lady's skirt to get her attention, at first she looked about for the one out was pulling on her before casting her gaze downward as her blue eye went slightly wide at the creature looking back up at her.
"Hey little guy," she said in a sweet voice as she knelt down to have a better look at him as he clutched the cape about his small shoulders to keep his coat from being soiled by the muck and damp. "are you lost?"
"Err, yes I am.'' the strange animal answered as he looked about hoping that this conversation was not attracting any further unwanted distractions. "Do you know where they sell medicine around here?….my friend is really sick and needs help fast.''
"Sure, you just keep going down this street it's the third store on the left with a big white roof you can't miss it.'' She smiled and pointed in the direction of the pharmacy lay beyond them hidden by the dark blackish gloom of the buildings around it.
"Hey thanks miss.'' the golden creature grinned showing his big square shape front teeth before running off down the side walk, splashing though smaller puddles while hopping over larger ones.
"Did you just give directions to a talking yellow koala Candice?" her brunette friend asked as they watched him vanish off into the misty fog.
"I guess I did.'' Candice laughed as they both climbed up into the bus as it came to a screeching halt before them.
His cape and backpack flapped and bounced up and down behind him as he ran past the blackened yellow lit windows of houses and shops that loomed up over him like faceless giants, his breath huffed out as a whisper of mist as the temperature went down before he came to and stood before his goal. "Kawai Drugs" the sign over his head read in large stylized letters as the rain water dripped off it's flat white roof, as he was too short to reach the door handle 625 dragged a crate out of the small ally beside the store and got up on top of it before and another dilemma stopped his hand in mid reach. The medicine sold at this place was for humans not aliens, his arm dropped as he sighed as he looked back up at the sign, what ever he got Gantu it could make him 20 times worst than better. 625 shook his head to snap himself out of it for time was running out and he really didn't have much of a choice as he gripped the handle and opened wide the glass door, the still nagging nervousness of his previous though hung tight to his mind as he walked into the pharmacy.
Row upon rows of bottles and jars lined the shelves as 625 took in all there was to see, posters advertising the latest health food gimmick or medical break though hung on the walls, his nostril winked as he did not at all like the faint medicine smell in the air as it reminded him too much of Jumba's lab that often stunk strongly of intravenous fluids and other such noxious chemicals. Looking up past the counter he could see a middle aged woman working on what looked like prescription papers, she had long curly red hair and pink lipstick and wore a nurse's shirt decorated in patchwork hearts. Tying his cloak around his neck as his hands were starting to ache from holding the ends for so long 625 walked up to the counter and cleared his throat before speaking.
"Uh excuse me miss can you help me?" he asked trying to sound as calm and confident as he could, the woman looked about over his head for the owner of the voice as he called again and waved. "Down here.''
The nurse looked downward and gave him the same expression as the girl at the bus stop as her sea green eyes set off her heart shaped face rather nicely as she gave him a confused look.
"Um yes, can I help you?" not believing that she was talking to this strange little koala like animal.
"Yes I'm looking for some medicine for a very sick friend of mine." said the yellow koala in a straight forward tone that was betrayed by the tinge of worry and concern in it.
"Sure.'' the woman said as she turned around towards the massive pill bottle laden wall behind her to start the search. "What are his symptoms?"
As quickly and clearly as he could 625 told the nurse as much as he could about Gantu's condition as she looked about and picked up two large white bottles and set them on the counter, holding up the first pill bottle and then the second she explained what they would help and how many he should have his friend take.
"They will help bring his fever down and settle his stomach so you can get some food in him.'' she said as her fingers tapped over the keys on the register to ring up the price. "That will be $16.95 please.''
625 eyes went wide as his hands searched his sides and stomach for pockets that weren't there, he didn't have any earth currency in fact the very idea was forgone to him even now. Quickly 625 went to his backpack and rummaged through it until he pulled out a large homemade sub wrapped in plastic wrap, walking back to the nurse he offered up his last sandwich hoping against all hope that it would do.
"A sandwich?" she stated looking very confused. "Is this some sort of joke?"
625 shook his head, he had never been more serious in his life as he stared up at her with his dark glittering eyes.
"Please, it's all I've got….my friend he really needs that medicine…I don't have $16.95..please.'' he said in a pleading voice and almost near tears as the sub trembled in his hands. He had come so far and couldn't fail now.
The nurse was silent for a moment trying to comprehend the situation at first thinking that this was some kind of prank the neighbor hood kids were playing but as he eyes flickered back into his something deep in her heart of hearts told her that this was real. Who ever this creature's friend was clearly meant a lot to this little guy just to come all the way here and offer up the last of his food just to get what was needed to cure his illness, her pink lips turned up into a soft grin as there was something about the yellow creature before her she couldn't help but like. Reaching down she took the sub from him and range up the purchase as 625 almost fainted in relief, the tension he felt in those moments was so thick you could slice it in half as the nurse placed the meds in a plastic bag and handed them to him.
"Here you go buddy, hope your friend feels better soon.'' She grinned and waved as 625 thanked her over and over as he stuffed the goods in his bag and hurried out the door.
He had to get back as fast as possible as he jogged down the street towards the out skirts of town, his stomach growled as he was very hungry but he could easily make more sandwiches back home. Holding his bag in his short arms the experiment rounded another corner only to come face to face with a huge German Shepard, 625 yelped and tore off down the sidewalk with the dog hot on his heels as his bag flew out of his hands when he panicked and slid into the street. Smelling the canine's steamy foul breath on the back of his neck 625 scrambled like a maniac for the nearest tree and climbed on up, barking and snarling at him from below the dog had him trapped and circled around like a shark as the terrified cousin clung to the nearest branch for dear life. Horror struck him hard as he looked around for his back pack and couldn't find it any where until he looked over his shoulder to his left and saw it, where it lay was right in the middle of the road as sugarcane trucks came roaring down the street.
There was nothing he could do as the dog barked and clawed the tree under him in a vain attempt to chew a new squeak toy out of his hide, one by one the monstrous vehicles ran over his bag crushing it flat into the rain soaked street. Afternoon drifted into evening as the dog had long since lost interest in him and walked off to find more challenging prey, 625 weakly climbed down from his hiding place and wandered like a zombie into the street to retrieve his bag. Upon opening it he could see the pill bottles were crushed flat just like his spirit, a cold torrential rain started to pour around him as he sat there holding the ruined pack and meds. Sadly dragging the pack to the trash bin near by he tossed it in before sitting down on a close shop's front step and put his face in his hands, he had also lost his cape in the chase and was getting drenched in the rain but in truth he really didn't care. 625 wiped his cold nose and looked up at the cold uncaring sky, tears well up and burned his eyes as they slid down his cheeks creating dark streams down his yellow pelt as the mist of pain and sorrow floated across his glossy black gems.
Gantu could be dead by now and there was nothing 625 could do, he had failed as he swallowed hard. He tried and he failed as a merciless bolt of lightning lit up the streets followed by a deafening crack of thunder. He sat there in the gray of the storm for 10 minutes more before heading back home empty handed, mud and dirt clung and spiked his coat as he trudged down the path back to the ship when a thought crossed his mind. Maybe he could ask his cousin 626 and the little girl for help…he shook the idea away, they'd never help him not after all they had been though with him and Gantu but what else could he do? Stopping at the end of the street the round bellied alien looked up the path that lead to Lilo and Stitch's home, warring emotions rattled his brain as he tried to figure out what to do. He "humphed" to himself what else could he do? He had lost the medicine for Gantu and times was running out as well as his options, sighing painfully 625 went up to the house and knocked softly on the door.
As if in answer to his question small sounds like voices made his short ears perk up as he turned around and looked over his shoulder and spotted two tall human earth females chattering amongst themselves, they both wore long dark coats and funny looking hats as they both stood under a huge dark red umbrella.
625 mentally smacked himself as he carefully approached the pair, well duh, just asking for directions would make things a whole lot easier for starters. Holding his banana leaf and the ends of the small black cloak he had found in one fist the plump yellow experiment reached up and tugged on the nearest lady's skirt to get her attention, at first she looked about for the one out was pulling on her before casting her gaze downward as her blue eye went slightly wide at the creature looking back up at her.
"Hey little guy," she said in a sweet voice as she knelt down to have a better look at him as he clutched the cape about his small shoulders to keep his coat from being soiled by the muck and damp. "are you lost?"
"Err, yes I am.'' the strange animal answered as he looked about hoping that this conversation was not attracting any further unwanted distractions. "Do you know where they sell medicine around here?….my friend is really sick and needs help fast.''
"Sure, you just keep going down this street it's the third store on the left with a big white roof you can't miss it.'' She smiled and pointed in the direction of the pharmacy lay beyond them hidden by the dark blackish gloom of the buildings around it.
"Hey thanks miss.'' the golden creature grinned showing his big square shape front teeth before running off down the side walk, splashing though smaller puddles while hopping over larger ones.
"Did you just give directions to a talking yellow koala Candice?" her brunette friend asked as they watched him vanish off into the misty fog.
"I guess I did.'' Candice laughed as they both climbed up into the bus as it came to a screeching halt before them.
His cape and backpack flapped and bounced up and down behind him as he ran past the blackened yellow lit windows of houses and shops that loomed up over him like faceless giants, his breath huffed out as a whisper of mist as the temperature went down before he came to and stood before his goal. "Kawai Drugs" the sign over his head read in large stylized letters as the rain water dripped off it's flat white roof, as he was too short to reach the door handle 625 dragged a crate out of the small ally beside the store and got up on top of it before and another dilemma stopped his hand in mid reach. The medicine sold at this place was for humans not aliens, his arm dropped as he sighed as he looked back up at the sign, what ever he got Gantu it could make him 20 times worst than better. 625 shook his head to snap himself out of it for time was running out and he really didn't have much of a choice as he gripped the handle and opened wide the glass door, the still nagging nervousness of his previous though hung tight to his mind as he walked into the pharmacy.
Row upon rows of bottles and jars lined the shelves as 625 took in all there was to see, posters advertising the latest health food gimmick or medical break though hung on the walls, his nostril winked as he did not at all like the faint medicine smell in the air as it reminded him too much of Jumba's lab that often stunk strongly of intravenous fluids and other such noxious chemicals. Looking up past the counter he could see a middle aged woman working on what looked like prescription papers, she had long curly red hair and pink lipstick and wore a nurse's shirt decorated in patchwork hearts. Tying his cloak around his neck as his hands were starting to ache from holding the ends for so long 625 walked up to the counter and cleared his throat before speaking.
"Uh excuse me miss can you help me?" he asked trying to sound as calm and confident as he could, the woman looked about over his head for the owner of the voice as he called again and waved. "Down here.''
The nurse looked downward and gave him the same expression as the girl at the bus stop as her sea green eyes set off her heart shaped face rather nicely as she gave him a confused look.
"Um yes, can I help you?" not believing that she was talking to this strange little koala like animal.
"Yes I'm looking for some medicine for a very sick friend of mine." said the yellow koala in a straight forward tone that was betrayed by the tinge of worry and concern in it.
"Sure.'' the woman said as she turned around towards the massive pill bottle laden wall behind her to start the search. "What are his symptoms?"
As quickly and clearly as he could 625 told the nurse as much as he could about Gantu's condition as she looked about and picked up two large white bottles and set them on the counter, holding up the first pill bottle and then the second she explained what they would help and how many he should have his friend take.
"They will help bring his fever down and settle his stomach so you can get some food in him.'' she said as her fingers tapped over the keys on the register to ring up the price. "That will be $16.95 please.''
625 eyes went wide as his hands searched his sides and stomach for pockets that weren't there, he didn't have any earth currency in fact the very idea was forgone to him even now. Quickly 625 went to his backpack and rummaged through it until he pulled out a large homemade sub wrapped in plastic wrap, walking back to the nurse he offered up his last sandwich hoping against all hope that it would do.
"A sandwich?" she stated looking very confused. "Is this some sort of joke?"
625 shook his head, he had never been more serious in his life as he stared up at her with his dark glittering eyes.
"Please, it's all I've got….my friend he really needs that medicine…I don't have $16.95..please.'' he said in a pleading voice and almost near tears as the sub trembled in his hands. He had come so far and couldn't fail now.
The nurse was silent for a moment trying to comprehend the situation at first thinking that this was some kind of prank the neighbor hood kids were playing but as he eyes flickered back into his something deep in her heart of hearts told her that this was real. Who ever this creature's friend was clearly meant a lot to this little guy just to come all the way here and offer up the last of his food just to get what was needed to cure his illness, her pink lips turned up into a soft grin as there was something about the yellow creature before her she couldn't help but like. Reaching down she took the sub from him and range up the purchase as 625 almost fainted in relief, the tension he felt in those moments was so thick you could slice it in half as the nurse placed the meds in a plastic bag and handed them to him.
"Here you go buddy, hope your friend feels better soon.'' She grinned and waved as 625 thanked her over and over as he stuffed the goods in his bag and hurried out the door.
He had to get back as fast as possible as he jogged down the street towards the out skirts of town, his stomach growled as he was very hungry but he could easily make more sandwiches back home. Holding his bag in his short arms the experiment rounded another corner only to come face to face with a huge German Shepard, 625 yelped and tore off down the sidewalk with the dog hot on his heels as his bag flew out of his hands when he panicked and slid into the street. Smelling the canine's steamy foul breath on the back of his neck 625 scrambled like a maniac for the nearest tree and climbed on up, barking and snarling at him from below the dog had him trapped and circled around like a shark as the terrified cousin clung to the nearest branch for dear life. Horror struck him hard as he looked around for his back pack and couldn't find it any where until he looked over his shoulder to his left and saw it, where it lay was right in the middle of the road as sugarcane trucks came roaring down the street.
There was nothing he could do as the dog barked and clawed the tree under him in a vain attempt to chew a new squeak toy out of his hide, one by one the monstrous vehicles ran over his bag crushing it flat into the rain soaked street. Afternoon drifted into evening as the dog had long since lost interest in him and walked off to find more challenging prey, 625 weakly climbed down from his hiding place and wandered like a zombie into the street to retrieve his bag. Upon opening it he could see the pill bottles were crushed flat just like his spirit, a cold torrential rain started to pour around him as he sat there holding the ruined pack and meds. Sadly dragging the pack to the trash bin near by he tossed it in before sitting down on a close shop's front step and put his face in his hands, he had also lost his cape in the chase and was getting drenched in the rain but in truth he really didn't care. 625 wiped his cold nose and looked up at the cold uncaring sky, tears well up and burned his eyes as they slid down his cheeks creating dark streams down his yellow pelt as the mist of pain and sorrow floated across his glossy black gems.
Gantu could be dead by now and there was nothing 625 could do, he had failed as he swallowed hard. He tried and he failed as a merciless bolt of lightning lit up the streets followed by a deafening crack of thunder. He sat there in the gray of the storm for 10 minutes more before heading back home empty handed, mud and dirt clung and spiked his coat as he trudged down the path back to the ship when a thought crossed his mind. Maybe he could ask his cousin 626 and the little girl for help…he shook the idea away, they'd never help him not after all they had been though with him and Gantu but what else could he do? Stopping at the end of the street the round bellied alien looked up the path that lead to Lilo and Stitch's home, warring emotions rattled his brain as he tried to figure out what to do. He "humphed" to himself what else could he do? He had lost the medicine for Gantu and times was running out as well as his options, sighing painfully 625 went up to the house and knocked softly on the door.