Chapter 2 - The Prior Kingdom
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A black cat, Julius sat on his throne, carved out of an old tree stump. By his side was a young girl and his best friend named Alice, who was wearing brown boots and a fluffy petticoat over her bright yellow dress.
On his other side sat a rabbit in blue shorts named Oswald, alongside his mate, a rabbit in green skirt named Fanny, whom was stroking her stomach gently. The last member of the group as was a cat in a light pink skirt and hat with a small yellow flower coming out of the top of it, named Ortensia.
They gathered in a green meadow, covered in dozens of pastel colored flowers. Butterflies of various colors swooped down and drank nectar from the flowers before scaling back into the bright blue skies above.
"Oh , Oswald!" Fanny sighed happily. "I can't wait until our little bundle of joy can experience life … ... …" She started stroking her stomach again.
Oswald smiled lightly as he pulled her closer to him, in a half hug.
Ortensia picked grass out of the ground , blade by blade , as she stared at the rabbit sitting next to Oswald. She let out a small sigh as she turned her attention fully to the ground. Oswald had noticed her doing this often , but hadn't really thought too much of it.
Is she upset?
But everytime he tried to ask , his mouth suddenly dried up, and he wasn't sure he would be able to properly form the words to ask her what was wrong. In fact he was baffled at the possibility anyone could be upset at all in such a beautiful place.
When she noticed Oswald's staring she smiled and gave a small wave. Oswald awkwardly looked away and settled his gaze onto Alice who was combing through her brunette hair with a small brush made from thistles and old tree branches.
Julius sat in silence, tapping his fingers on the side of this throne as he often did when he pondered. Then he suddenly sat upright , alerting the others. "Who wants to go to the mortal world?"
Alice's eyes widened in childlike wonder. "Oh can we?! It's been such a long time since we've gone there!"
Julius smiled "Of course we can! Let's go!"
Julius got off of his stump throne and headed to a small pond nearby , connect to a thin stream. He put his paw in the water and spun it around in delicate circles. Suddenly a portal opened up , showing the mortal world within it.
Julius hopped in first, followed closely by Alice. Oswald grabbed Fanny's hand as he helped her into the portal. Ortensia sighed a bit before following them in too.
"This is wonderful!" Alice said excitedly, before twirling around. "It's been far too long since we've been here!"
"Yeah, it sure has." Julius said. "So, what shall we do first?"
"Oh! Can we take a walk in the park?" Alice asked, excitedly.
"Of course." Julius said, before looking over at the others. "Is everyone is all right with it, that is."
"Sounds lovely!" Fanny said.
"I'm fine with it." Oswald said.
"Ortensia?" Julius asked.
"Huh?" She asked, looking up from her paws. "Oh, uh, yes. I'd like to go to the park."
"All right, let's go then!" Julius said, leading the way with Alice right behind him.
Oswald turned towards Fanny. "Come on Honey Bun! Lets go!"
"Coming!" She giggled.
Ortensia sighed, causing Fanny to look over.
"Hey, you okay?" She asked.
"Huh?" Ortensia asked.
Fanny frowned. "You sighed." She went over and put her hand gently on her shoulder. "Is everything okay?"
Ortensia shivered and blushed a little bit at her touch. "Y .. .. … Yeah I'm .. .. .. I'm okay .. … ..."
"Then come on, let's go!' Fanny giggled, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the others.
Ortensia's blush took over her whole face as they continued on. "Can you tell me what's wrong Ortensia?"
"Well, you .. … .. you see I uh .. .. .. uh .. .. .." She started before being interrupted by a loud rufflings noise. "Huh?"
Out of the bushes leapt a tuxedo cat, surrounded by a group of yellow creatures.