Chapter 2
The evening was peaceful in Moominvalley. The stars hung above a night sky, gently, and kindly painting the evening canvas. I was inside, eating the chicken chili Madame Fillyjonk sent us. "Well, that was delicious, wasn't it?". "More of that, and I would've been as big as a Turkey with the biggest flabby butt". I said, gently. Moomintroll laughed. "Me too".
"Well, how is your milk, my boy?". "Can I get you some bedtime milk to lay down with?". I asked, gently. "I have some, I got some from the refrigerator, if that's ok". Moomintroll said. "That is perfect, my Poika". I said, gently. "Have as much as you feel". I laughed a gentle laugh along with Moomintroll as I kissed his cheek. I made massaging circles on his cheek as well. "I love you, my boy". I said, kindly. Moomintroll nodded as he felt my kiss. I felt better, knowing he was in a good place as well. "I love you, too". Moomintroll said. "I will always love you, my boy, forever and always". I said, gently. Moomintroll agreed, as I kissed both of his cheeks, nuzzling him. I could see in his suffering eyes, that he felt better. He felt comforted. This made me happy.
"I have some blankets for you, if you need some". "That, and some wooly trousers if I can get you some". "Feel free to use anything". I said, kindly. "Thank you, that is so kind". Moomintroll said. "I do my best". I admitted, gently, as I winked. Moomintroll and I hugged, as I rubbed his back. "Have a wonderful evening, call if you need anything". "Guess what, now?". I said, gently. "What is it?". Moomintroll asked. "I love you". I said, gently. "I love you lots". I kissed Moomintroll's cheeks. "I love you, too". Moomintroll said. "Goodnight, son". "See you in the morning". I said, gently.
"Goodnight". Moomintroll said, as we went our separate ways. The night was young, yet we were in our prime. It was an evening for love. Our love was eternal. Forever. With that, I bade you goodnight, and…see you in the morning. Ciao!
Moomintroll woke up, as he looked around the small living room. For a second, there was someone in the parlor, but he looked familiar. For as sneaky as he was, apparently, he wasn't sneaky enough. Snufkin the Vagabond was there. Snufkin, for as old as he was, (he was a Silent Generation), was still friends with someone as resourceful and young as Moomintroll. "Pithy me, but do you know it is late?". Moomintroll asked. Snufkin smiled a gentle smile, flicking ash from his cigarette. "I have an idea, but then, I wanted to see my best friend". "I knew he was having some sort of trouble". Snufkin said, in a gentle, kind, wise voice, that was thick, and coated in its own rasp, similar to a charcoal pile, in a mining town.
"How is my pal doing?". "Is he having a fine evening?". Snufkin asked, gently. In the darkness, the sight that was as creepy, and small as any, was the sight of Snufkin's cigarette end glowing a bright orange, as he smoked it.
"I'm doing ok". Moomintroll said, in a small voice. "I guess…..I guess things have been alright". "I've been staying here with a wise wizard". "He's very intelligent".
"Mm, is he sir Jatuk?". "You know I've heard of him, he often is secluded due to his old age". Snufkin said, gently. "But then, every man reaches an age where he escapes the tyranny of a woman's presence, of societal presence". Moomintroll raised his eyebrows in curiosity. "So, you're saying, there's pressure from society to uphold everyone's demands, and questions they're too lazy to find the answers to?". "Moominvalley has garnished a lot of demands from other places during the wars". Moomintroll said.
"Perchance". "But with how passive we've been through the years, anyone can inflict pressure that we have the excitement to take, and the ability to take". "If anything, it's all about impressing others, and looking important, and influential". "But influence is only as strong as the actions we exhibit". Snufkin replied, gently, with wisdom. Moomintroll agreed. "I wouldn't be opposed to that theory". Moomintroll said. "Hmm….well". Snufkin said, muttering as he smoked his cigarette. "Other than that, how have you been?". "Has everything been ok for you?". "Everything going well?". Snufkin asked, gently. "It is". Moomintroll said. "I kind of been looking around, and trying to find something to do, because…..because I don't have anything".
Snufkin nodded, as he smoked. "I understand". He said, gently. "Sometimes, things can be too much for us to handle at one time". "I think perhaps now you need to rest, and see if you can find something later on". "Something will come, you just have to wait for it". "I promise you".
Snufkin smoked his cigarette. The ash fell to the carpet, as a purplish, orange smoke cloud resonated. "I know it's been hard for you, my friend". "I wish there was something I could do to ease the burden, but for now, I'd focus on construing relationships with my family, and being ok with what I do have". Snufkin said, gently. "Never worry about the maternal dissonance". "Women have their temperaments, and their fears of setback". "A man knows he's right, but will gladly feed a woman her nuance, and compliment, give her every reason to be excellent". "While knowing he's excellent in his own way". "Or, perchance, knowing deep down, a woman is the finer prize, while he's of a lesser, or equal competence value".
Snufkin smoked his cigarette, gently. "Loyola has her moments, I just go along with her". Snufkin glanced around, as he smoked. "Do you like being a husband?". Moomintroll asked. "Somewhat". Snufkin said. "Being a husband is a lot, but I handle it, well". "It's inducing a lot of temperament from both sides". "It is odd, however". "Hmm".
"One day, you'll be a husband". "You'll think to yourself, how good is life when I'm beside the woman I adore". "I can assuage you, she'll alleviate all of your pain". Snufkin said, gently. Snufkin smiled a gentle smile, as he lifted his cigarette. "Mmm". he mumbled. As Moomintroll glanced, he noticed Snufkin's passive demeanor. It was as if he was too passive. Passive enough to take an immense amount of pressure. It was as if he was already under pressure. Oh well.
"I got you something from the village store". Snufkin said, gently. His pants were open, as he was shirtless at the moment. He did have his hat. In the late 60's, it was as if he was a hippie, or part of the counterculture. In truth, he was. "I'm sure you'll like it". "I thought of us when I got it, and our friendship, our deep truth for one another". Snufkin said, gently. "What is it?". Moomintroll asked. "It's only one of your favorites, I thought I'd bring to us, exclusively". Snufkin said, gently. "Mm, one of our favorites". Snufkin cracked a gentle, yet cunning smile. From his satchel, he took out a milk jug, and some chocolates in a blue box, with a golden ribbon. "Just for us, my fellow". Snufkin said, gently. Moomintroll looked, as he nodded. "Thank you". Moomintroll said. "I appreciate it".
"I'm sure you do, my friend". Snufkin said, gently. Snufkin smiled a gentle smile, as he took in the nicotine, took in the flavor, and the aspect of his cigarette. "Something to cheer you up a bit". Snufkin smoked his cigarette. "Hopefully, you sleep well, my pal". "I love being beside you, and I love seeing your face each day". "You know so much, and are so wise". "You can do anything". "I believe you can, and you do". Snufkin said, gently. Snufkin smiled a gentle smile. "I know". Moomintroll said. Snufkin hugged Moomintroll, as he put his cigarette aside. "You're my best friend, and my favorite". Snufkin smiled a sneaky, cunning, mischievous smile that only adorned what would come next. His childish laugh about something random, and non-sequitur. In an active voice: something silly and stupid. :(. But that's what a woman would think. Women generally use the active voice.
Snufkin picked up his cigarette, as he leaned over the mantle. He blew out cigarette smoke, bringing the cigarette to his lips. One could only imagine how good the nicotine felt on his tongue, and in his brain. He felt even more passive, and relaxed. "Things with Loyola are going well". "We went to the market yesterday, and bought some radish seeds for our garden". Snufkin said, gently. His voice was deep, and raspy. "That, and Loyola woke up, opened the window, and let the fresh air come in". "I love when she does that, and she's in her loose negligee". "She looks so excited to see me, and bring me gifts". "I love a woman that's excited to see me". "She's perhaps the first woman that ever was". Snufkin said, gently. "But then again, talking to only men can be refreshing as well". "Let them be nice to you".
"I kind of like the Snork Maiden". Moomintroll said. "The snork maiden was always nice".
"Mmm, she is an interesting specimen". Snufkin observed, as he blew out more smoke. He tapped ash from his cigarette into the mantle piece. "She likes being beside anyone she can talk to". "That's the thing about women as well". "They're socialites without the importance factor". Snufkin said, gently. "She is a beautiful girl for you, I'd go for her anytime".
"I guess". Moomintroll said. "But I don't know how to profess my feelings for her, to her". "I kind of need help with that because….I'm not sure".
"Well, a woman desperately needs approval in order to excel, and succeed her journey". Snufkin said, gently. "I'm sure if you talk with her, and give her a reason to love you, share your feelings with her, she'll be impressed". "Even if it's at the bedside".
"Loyola and I talk at our bedside every evening". "I usually share my feelings with her, she shares with me, we usually do it after…."hugging".
"But talking can be just as peaceful as listening". "We can do what we please with any woman, because we communicate with them, in a loving manner". Snufkin smoked his cigarette, tapping more ash from it. "Women love to hear from us, just as much as we hear from them". He blew out more smoke, as the ash singed his cigarette down to a stub. Snufkin smiled a cunning smile, as he chuckled. The chuckling grew to laughter. "Steven and Neville send out a spice rack with cat poop in it, wrapped in saran". "No more printing price stickers, so a vase is marked electrical". Snufkin laughed as he chuckled, giggling. "The district manager will see it, and be disappointed". Moomintroll eventually laughed with him. Only after being put-off for a bit.
"A mentally handicapped man prints 97 electrical stickers, and eats people's food out of the trash". Snufkin said, laughing. "Or he eats other people's food". Moomintroll said, laughing. "Oh my….we need to quit while we're ahead". He and Snufkin laughed, as they smoked, (well, Snufkin smoked), and swapped stories by the mantle. "Well, if they can't get along, I don't know what hope is out there, really". Snufkin said, laughing. Snufkin kept giggling, as he laughed. Moomintroll laughed as well, until his sides hurt.
"Hmm, that was funny, in essence". Snufkin said. "That, and the lady who's been in prison, never comes in on time, is unprofessional, and fails the drug tests". Snufkin felt another bout of laughter come on. "Oh my….that was funny".
"It definitely was". Moomintroll said. The two of them laughed. "Well, everything is nice". "At least everyone is in bed". Snufkin said. "I guess". Moomintroll said, as he and Snufkin calmed down. "No more chaos, and disarray". Snufkin smoked the rest of his cigarette.
"How are things going with Madame Fillyjonk?". "Is she kind to you?". Snufkin asked, gently. His fingers, his paws, and claws became ashen and black when he rubbed his cigarette. "They're going alright". Moomintroll said. "She is nice, but sometimes, I disagree with her rules". "I don't want to follow them because they're not my parents', but I guess I'm ok".
"Madame Fillyjonk has her ways". Snufkin said, gently. "She is trying to be loyal to Moominmama's word, and take care of you in the best way possible". "She wants to make sure you're taken care of, too".
"I know". Moomintroll said. "Be open, and loving to her suggestions". "She does mean well". Snufkin said, gently. Snufkin smoked the last of his cigarette. "Remember, women need the assurance more than we do". Snufkin glanced around, wiping his face. As he wiped, he glanced around, putting out his cigarette in the small fireplace. "I'd be open to anyone, and positive towards the entropy of women and their nurturing efface". Snufkin said, gently. He blew out a hidden puff of smoke. "I will take that into consideration". Moomintroll said. Snufkin wiped his forehead, running his fingers underneath his hat. Luckily, only his brown hair was under there. "Well, it is getting late". "I'll see you at a later time, get some sleep for me". "Some reassurance things will be alright". Snufkin said, gently. "Ok, I appreciate it, Snufkin". Moomintroll said. "I appreciate it as well, ol' chap". Snufkin said, gently. He and Moomintroll chuckled. Snufkin hugged Moomintroll, patting him on the shoulder. "Sleep well, my friend". "Dream of positive things, such as rainbows, and getting along with the world, peace". Snufkin said, gently as he made the peace sign, with his index finger, and his middle finger. "Alright then, I'll remember it". Moomintroll said. "You sleep well, too". "Thank you".
"Goodnight, die famille". "Muumin". Snufkin said, gently, with kindness. He said "Goodnight, my best friend", in perfect Finnish. Oh yes, and he added, "Moomintroll" to it. Hmm.
"Goodnight". Moomintroll replied, as he laid back down, falling asleep. Snufkin snuck out through the window, closing it with the latch. I was glad Moomintroll and Snufkin were such good friends. Men need to stay together, it seems. Even in complex times. But I was certainly impressed with the camaraderie they had.
Little My lay sleeping, as she tossed and turned. Holding her teddy bear close by, she snuggled, as her breathing remained calm, and composed. There was a heavy amount of haunting darkness, however. Only the glow of the moon, with its whitish, yellow color, some pickled spots of dark red, added some amount of color. The wind howled, as an icy chill came by the window, rattling the windows. A dark figure with sad eyes, and a sullen look came by the window. Luckily, Little My wasn't awake to see her. By her, I mean the Groke. The Groke seemed sad, as she pined for warmth in the night, only disappearing at dawn to her cave. Even so, she went to her cave, laying down for the night. The Groke wished to cry, as a ravaging pain swept through her head. A headache. The Groke. A creature that had lost her birth parents, and now wandered, searching for some sort of relief. The nature of the world would have mercy on the Groke's heart. Still, she felt punished.
As Little My stirred awake, she heard her older brother, her Snufkin gently nudge open the door, kindly. "Guten toch, ech mu famille". "Tarku". Snufkin whispered, gently. Snufkin gently crawled into bed, beside Little My. "mmph, hello?". "Hi". Little My said, grunting tiredly. "Hello, darling". "How are you?". "Sleeping well?". Snufkin whispered, gently, as he smiled. "I am, kind of". Little My grunted, half asleep. "Mmph, why do you have to be so annoying?". This was followed by a giggle from Little My. "well, I was just making sure you were alright, that's all". Snufkin whispered, gently. "I know we've been having a bit of trouble, I'm just being sure we're in a good place".
"I am, now". Little My said. "I'm ok, thank you, and thank you for being an amazing brother".
"Of course, sweetie". Snufkin whispered, gently, stroking Little My's cheek with kindness. "I love you, so much". He and Little My smiled, giggling. "My hands are cold, wouldn't you believe". Snufkin whispered, as he and Little My giggled again. "May I share the evening with you?". Snufkin whispered, gently. "Go right ahead". Little My said, as Snufkin kissed Little My's nose. They both were siblings, being close, even in their own realm. Everything was good.