Chapter 3
The next morning, Moomintroll sat upright on the couch, as he looked around, sniffling. Moomintroll sniffled, feeling much calmer than he previously had. Even as he felt calmer, he still felt tearful. But the important thing was, he was relaxed. He waited for me, patiently as I came from the kitchen. "Hello, my boy". I greeted with jovial rapport. "How are you?". "I may have seen you go to the restroom last night, but it is good to see you, nonetheless". "How are you this morning, son?". I greeted Moomintroll with a kiss on the forehead, and a nuzzle. "I'm alright". Moomintroll said. "I'm just….looking around".
"Well, it is fine to see you, my best friend". I said, gently. I kissed Moomintroll's cheek this time. "Nice to see you, too". Moomintroll said. "How are you?".
"I am doing well, yet there has been a bother in my hips, recently". I said, gently. "I can't exactly move the way I wish to, or go up and down the stairs the way I want, either". "Perchance it will go away with surgery, but that's nothing I can afford".
"Oh well, smoking helps to ease the pain, as well as take some baking soda powder". I said, gently. "Ah well".
I sat down in my chair, stroking my beard. Before I did that, I went for the dial on the television set. "Oh bother….this television will not work when I want it". I mumbled, as the dial fell off".
I noticed Moomintroll with moisture in his eyes, becoming upset. "I'm…. I'm sorry". Moomintroll said. "I touched the set last night, and accidentally broke the dial". "I'm terribly sorry".
"I understand, my poika". I said kindly, with friendly gentleness. "It'll be ok". "Sometimes, accidents happen, and we do things we don't mean to". "Everything will be quite alright". "Remember how much I love you, Poika". I said, kindly.
"Though, as spies, we have to get our stories straight". "We'll say, a little Gremlin did it". I said, gently chuckling, winking at Moomintroll. "Ok". Moomintroll said.
"That television comes from the 50's, anyhow". "I may get a new set come 70". I said, kindly. "They might have flying cars, and telepathy by then".
"It will be ok, nothing to worry of". I said, gently. "Now, how did you sleep?".
"I slept ok". Moomintroll said. "I just kind of looked around, and dreamt about my parents". "My mama and my papa are ok in heaven".
"Heaven is a peaceful place for parents, sometimes". I said, gently. "Parents need heaven to prepare and welcome their children when the time comes". "But I'm happy you had pleasant dreams".
"I had pleasant dreams as well". "I dreamt about radishes, and butternut squash". I said, gently. "It was lovely". Moomintroll looked at me, quizzically. "You dreamt about food?". He asked. "Yes, it is delicious". I said, gently. Moomintroll and I laughed. "Well, nice to know we're doing well". I said, gently. Moomintroll and I giggled quite endlessly. "You've been doing well in school, tell me about that". I said, gently. "Well, I am doing well in the way of doing my homework, getting a 100% on my tests, and passing". "I'm trying my best, but I find that I'm doing quite nicely". Moomintroll said.
"You have been doing well in school". I said, gently, and kindly, rocking back and forth on my chair. "You've been impressing your teachers with your good marks". "I'm very proud of you, son". I smiled a gentle smile, drinking my coffee. "I guess I have been". Moomintroll said. "My teachers say I'm doing well retaining the material, listening to the lectures, and being a participant in class".
"You are a smart creature, an astute scholar". I said, gently. "You deserve every good thing that comes your way, because I'm impressed". "I know that one day, you'll change the world for the better". "You have done amazing things, and with your knowledge, you will influence, and inspire our world".
"What are you planning on doing when you become of age?". I asked, gently. "I am going to become an adventurer, a nomad like my friend Snufkin….and kind of like my papa". Moomintroll said. "An adventurer sounds like a wonderful profession, don't take my statement as sarcastic, or indignant". I said, gently. "I do mean when I say, you will make a great explorer, someone with a sense for finding, and uncovering new gems". "One day, your explorations will change our world for the better, even as times do go on". "Never be afraid to take risks in your young, advantageous life". "Risks make the adventurer, the average man, strong, bold, and more intellectual as time goes on". "There is a link between spending time with the sea, and a higher intelligence Quotient". "Trust in me, there is a portmanteau". I smiled a gentle smile.
"The portmanteau is that of coming back with a higher Quotient, and the experience nature can give the brain, as movements activate the nerve stimulations in the brain". I said, gently. "Nature gives the brain a sense of independent actuation".
"I'm sure, and that's why I'll do it". Moomintroll said. "I will become an explorer, someone only bound to the new, fresh ideas of my mind, and the knowledge rich in new experiences".
I smiled a wise, all-intent, knowing smile. "I believe you can do anything, my boy". I said, gently. "You have the knowledge, and the wisdom to accomplish anything". "You can do it, and I believe in you". "My poika". I smiled a kind smile, kissing my Moomintroll on the forehead, as I petted his fur. "Thank you". "I appreciate it". Moomintroll said. I nuzzled my Moomintroll, gently, while he felt his forehead against mine. It was a magical feeling of love, and gentleness. Moomintroll drank his milk, as he kissed both of his cheeks, gently. We both felt content, as I helped him drink his milk as well. It seemed we both needed spoiled.
"Would you like something to eat or drink?". "Maybe something to nibble on before the Madame comes?". I asked, kindly. "I'm quite alright for now". "Maybe later I'll try something, but for now, I'm ok". Moomintroll said, as he sat with his almond milk. "Yes of course, my poika". "Let me know if you need anything". I said, gently. I smiled a kind smile, reaching over to hug Moomintroll, when….all of a sudden….I seemed to have lost my pants! My underwear fell, too. Allowing Moomintroll to see my wrinkled, old hips, and…."anything beneath the hips". That was wrinkled, and squishy too. (I must be getting old). "Sir Jatuk….grandpa". Moomintroll said, as he seemed a bit put off. "Oh, well, look at me, getting into nonsense". "They do look healthy….oh my….no rash this time….see?". I chuckled, laughing as Moomintroll seemed very put off. "Ok, then". Moomintroll said. Moomintroll and I laughed. "Well now, my boy, allow me to get us some milk, and berries". I said, gently. "I'm ok for right now". Moomintroll said, as he stood up. He walked over to the kitchen, putting his milk in the sink. "Of course, my boy". I said, gently. Moomintroll and I drank milk, I had creamer to my coffee, Moomintroll had milk, we each laughed, and talked about our evenings.
There was a knock at the cottage door, as Madame Fillyjonk gently came in. "hello, Madame….it is certainly pleasing to be of your acquaintance". I said, gently with politeness. "Yes, hello Sir Jatuk". Fillyjonk said, gently. "It is good to see you, as well". Fillyjonk seemed polite, and as sensible as my Moomintroll, yet without the yearn for adventure. She smiled a gentle smile, still. "How was your evening?". Fillyjonk asked, gently. "Ahh, well, it was typical for us men". "We had a nice evening, we talked, we ate our supper, and headed off to bed". I said, smiling. "As typical as a sportsman can get". Fillyjonk said. "I had a lovely evening as well with my Elliot". "We spent our evening, late, just laying in bed, talking, we had a lovely dinner of Rose wine, and Escargot scampi". "He truly is the perfect man I married". "Well, remarried after my husband passed".
"Ahh, well that is nice". "A marriage can be a blessing in its own realm". "I wish my wife was still with me". I said, as I glanced around. "I love a good marriage as well". Fillyjonk said. "My husband was a nice, honest man". "Well, so is Elliot, but life gives us different people with the same great qualities".
"Be with one another for as long as you possibly can". I said, gently. "A marriage is only as long as the person lives".
This made Fillyjonk cock her head a bit, scowling a small amount in curiosity. "I thought marriages lasted in life, and death". Fillyjonk said, with some uncertainty. "Well, they last for a long time". "erm….I guess". "I'm going to go ahead, and agree with what you said". I replied. We both laughed at this. "Well, I'm glad my best friend had a nice stay with you". Madame Fillyjonk said, gently. "Did you have fun, sweetie, Muumin?". She asked, gently, with kind softness. "I did". Moomintroll said. "I'm glad you did, honey". "Let's get something to eat at the local diner". Fillyjonk said, gently. She kissed Moomintroll's head, gently. "Ok". Moomintroll agreed. Fillyjonk hugged Moomintroll gently, being sure to treat him gently, and well. "Definitely". Moomintroll said. "Well, we must be on our way". "It certainly was nice to see you, Jatuk". Fillyjonk said, gently. "Thank you". I said, gently. "It was nice seeing you as well". "Thank you for stopping by, Madame". I smiled a kind smile, watching as Fillyjonk and Moomintroll left. Again, I was alone in my cottage, yet I knew the friends were doing well. They were still copesthetic with one another.
Fillyjonk and Moomintroll came to the diner, sitting down as the food was brought specifically to them. "Well, this is nice, I suspect". Moomintroll said, as he looked around. "It's as nice as the man who invented it". Fillyjonk said, with some gentleness, some dissonance in her voice. "It is what it is, but I figured we might like it". "After all, it was your parents' favorite place".
"It was". Moomintroll said, lowering his eyes. "I liked this restaurant, a lot". "And now, my parents will have to see it from heaven".
"I'm sure they will". Fillyjonk said, gently. While she and Moomintroll ordered their favorite foods, Fillyjonk remained quiet, and distant, as per her neurotic self. Fillyjonk only spoke when spoken to, and even so, she remained saddened, and distant. She opted not to speak any excited ills.
She looked as if she was about to cry, even as the dark sky loomed over them. Fillyjonk had a look of disappointment on her face. Moomintroll could tell she was disappointed in him. "Sometimes, women become depressed at random intervals". Snufkin told Moomintroll once, in a gentle voice. Then, he went on to explain how Little My became depressed sometimes, as well. Still, Fillyjonk seemed aggressive, even spiteful towards Moomintroll.
Moomintroll ate his chicken chili, not saying a word. Still, as his food was eaten, the door was gently pressed open, as the beautiful Snork Maiden came inside. She seemed sullen and stressed as she sat down. She seemed very melancholy and frustrated as well, judging by her eyes. When she turned blue, and her eyes seemed low, (like a baby doll), she was depressed. "Is everything alright, honey?". Madame Fillyjonk asked, gently. "Somewhat….but not exactly". The Snork Maiden said, with melancholy to her voice. "Today, I was almost attacked by a wild animal". "The creature bared its teeth, growled, hissed, and wanted to hunt, as if it hated the world". "Luckily, she backed off though".
"This happened near my birth parents' grave". Snork Maiden said, sighing. "Hmm, you and Snork lost your birth parents in a fire, a long time ago when you were only 3 years". Fillyjonk said, gently. Snork Maiden raised her eyes, hesitantly. "We did, and while we were hesitant to move into the orphanage, we were adopted by wonderful parents". "They are amazing, and comforting, but sometimes, I have nightmares, sometimes I dream bad dreams". "My parents comfort me, but I'm still trying to be ok with it". "I guess….I've been having a bad time". Snork Maiden began to cry, as Moomintroll comforted her by rubbing her back, gently. "It can be arduous at times". Fillyjonk said, gently. "I remember when my husband died, it was hard on me, personally, but I do believe you'll get through it". "I have a high faith in you, and in the person you are, and have been". "There's no one quite as intelligent and ample as you".
"It will be ok, honey". "Be open to who you wish to be". Fillyjonk said, kindly. "If you need anything, I'm always here for you, sweetie". Snork Maiden nodded as she ate her nettle soup. She seemed quiet, and pensive as well. She looked up at Moomintroll as he took a bite of his nettle soup as well. "I love you, honey". Mrs. Fillyjonk assured, comforting Snork Maiden. "I love you, too". Snork Maiden said, as she smiled a bit, eating her soup. "I'm going outside now, to have a puff". Mrs. Fillyjonk said, gently. "I'll come back in a moment".
She went outside, leaving my Moomintroll and Snork Maiden to eat their chili, and soup. "You never told me about how you lost your birth parents….at age 3". Moomintroll said, as he glanced upwards. "Well, it was to a fire at the house….we were all still young, and Snork and I woke up to see our parents gone….and while we thought they were sleeping, someone had to explain to us that they weren't coming back". Snork Maiden said, sniffling. "We were adopted right away, and our parents have been wonderful to us". "Oftentimes, I've felt like my mama and papa felt bad for me, even when we were young, and treated us well because of it, I don't want to feel as if they had to help me, because they felt it a duty to, I want them to do it because they love me".
"I know". "I feel like my friends….Snufkin and everyone else feels bad for me". "I told them not to". "One day I might….move out of Fillyjonk's house". Moomintroll said. "I might actually go somewhere, and begin a life on my own". "It is time for me to grow up, and become the man I need to be".
"I was perhaps thinking…..and….hopefully this seems right….or halfway intelligent….but…would you be interested in coming with me?". Moomintroll asked. "I would love to". Snork Maiden said. "We could live in the lighthouse your papa bought, and sleep outside to hear the fillies". "I know the fillies don't like anyone, but we could get them to warm up".
Moomintroll nodded, in acquired excitement. "I would like that". He said, gently. "A year without elders, a lighthouse by the sea, a ship carrying our fortunes, it would be amazing". "I'd like that a lot". Moomintroll glanced around as he ate the rest of his soup. "That, and no one telling me when bedtime is". Snork Maiden said. "My mama and papa still decide when it's time for bed".
"They'll say, "it's almost bedtime". Snork Maiden said, rolling her eyes. Moomintroll had to laugh. "Madame Fillyjonk decides that as well, it is very agitating". "She'll kind of say….in a singsong voice…."it's almost bedtime". Moomintroll replied, rolling his eyes. "Then, when the lamps come off, it is time to lay down". "No drinks, no food, or anything at bedtime". "No more than 3 bottles of milk, or water". "She doesn't want me to have an accident". Moomintroll shrugged a bit.
"I could see that at age 3, or 5, but now…?". "Parents in the valley are so overprotective". Snork Maiden said. She and Moomintroll shrugged, laughing. "Well, in any essence, parents tend to dote on us". Moomintroll said. "It is what it is, though".
"I'd have to think". Snork Maiden said. She and Moomintroll ate the last of their supper, as they stood up, glancing around. "There's almost nothing here". "All of our good palaces, and winter buildings are up there". Snork Maiden observed, looking at the Northernmost tip of the map. "That might be a good point". Moomintroll said. "Oh well, to some". He and Snork Maiden laughed. "But in any case, it is good to live in Moominvalley, still". "I'm close to my parents' home". Moomintroll said. "That is true". Snork Maiden agreed. While they walked outside, seeing the moon at its orange glow, with a bit of yellow garnish in it, they seemed perturbed by the darkness. "Well, it is what it is". Moomintroll said. Mrs. Fillyjonk finished her cigarette, walking over to them. "I apologize for taking so long". "I have been in an odd place with my smoking habits". Mrs. Fillyjonk glanced about. "It is burdensome to say the very least".
"I'm sure it was". Snork Maiden said. She looked at her wristwatch, seeing that it was almost time for bed. "Well, thank you for inviting me, Madame". "I had a wonderful time".
"I'm happy you did, darling". Madame Fillyjonk said, gently. Snork Maiden glanced around, as she hugged Madame Fillyjonk as well. But even so, with wishing her well, and seeing her off, she wandered off with Moomintroll. "Goodnight, Rakas". Snork Maiden said, gently. She kissed Moomintroll on the cheek. "Goodnight, Rakas, vanukas". Moomintroll said. "Goodnight, darling". Snork Maiden said, as she hugged Moomintroll. "Goodnight, I'll see you tomorrow". Moomintroll said, gently. "My darling love". He planted a kiss on her cheek. Snork Maiden, in her extreme endeavor, looked away. "Hmm, she must be in a bad mood". Moomintroll thought, innocently. "I don't know what's bothering her". Still, he innocently walked away from the fierce, suffering girl, knowing he tried. Moomintroll bade her goodbye, walking to Madame Fillyjonk's car, where he came home in time to bathe, and climb into bed. He wasn't looking forward to school, yet he knew he had friends at school. He knew he would be quite alright, in summation. Even as Snork Maiden was kissed, and nurtured by her parents, she knew she was quite alright. There wouldn't be too much trouble. Not by any amount. Yet, a friend would come to her aide soon. A man would attempt to talk her through her troubles. A philosophical male, such as a Muskrat.
As I looked through my Oracle, I called upon the philosophical Muskrat. He and I are good friends, old chums, in the respect. I must say, he is lighthearted, yet, with his philosophies, anything is possible.