Chapter 5
The next day, there was a gray sky. Lightning shot across the sky, although there was no thunder. Moomintroll found it difficult to wake up. When he did wake up, he walked downstairs to the kitchen, sitting down at a table where he found it only appropriate to eat his breakfast. I came downstairs, sitting down as I lit my cigarette. "Hello, my poika". I said, gently with kindness. I smiled a gentle smile. "Hello". Moomintroll said. Moomintroll seemed normal. Yet, I could tell he was a bit tired. "It is a desolate day, isn't it?". I said, gently. "I think so as well".
"Kind of". Moomintroll said, calmly. "I guess things are going well, today". "I didn't have any nightmares, which is good".
"Good for you". I said, gently and kindly. "I'm happy you're doing well, my boy". "So good to see you in a better place". I smiled a kind smile. "Well, I hope the weather turns up sometime soon". "I was going to see what kind of treatment my flowers need". "I'm sure they need quite a bit".
"Is there anything I can get you at the moment?". "Anything you need?". I asked, gently. "No, I'm quite alright". Moomintroll said. "Perhaps now, I'd just like to be left alone to sleep". "I'm tired as of now". Moomintroll seemed saddened, yet calm as he sniffled. "I can help with that". I said, gently. I prepared the couch for Moomintroll's nap. "I know sometimes, it can be arduous". "I'm here to help you through it". I said, kindly. I helped Moomintroll lay down. Moomintroll looked pained as he glanced around. "Sorry". Moomintroll said, as he yawned. "It's quite alright, my boy". I said, gently. "Sometimes, we have scary days". "We'll work through it, I promise you".
Moomintroll let his eyes fall, gently as he stared up at the ceiling. When he looked upwards, he saw lightning travel from one cloud to another as rain pattered against the window. "Nothing". Moomintroll said, mumbling in his sleep, as he closed his eyes. There was a minor clap of thunder, as on the wall, a pregnant spider left a trail of ooze as she crawled upwards, hissing. She may've been in labor, perhaps.
I set to work on polishing my silver, as I glanced around. There seemed to be a knock on my cottage door. "Oh, and whoever might that be?". I said, answering. The young Vagabond, Snufkin stood, looking around. "What brings you by, comrade?". I said, gently. "Well, I heard Moomin was having a rough day, I wished to bring him to lunch with me, exclusively". Snufkin said, gently. "I knew he might be having a hard time, so just something that will make him feel much better".
"He is resting as of now, but I'm sure we're welcome to anything". I said, gently. "He loves when his friends come by to visit him".
"Yes, he is a nice ol' chap that way". Snufkin said, as he glanced around. "Moomin knows". We both laughed at that. "Well, in any case, I'll tell him you're here". I said. Moomintroll must've heard us talking because in that moment, he stirred awake. Moomintroll sat up, looking around as he rubbed his eyes. "I didn't sleep long, did I?". Moomintroll asked. "No, just long enough for our friend, Snufkin to come see us". I said, gently. Moomintroll rubbed his eyes, defensively. "Well, ok then". Moomintroll said, as he stood up. "Hey there, pal"."How are you?". Snufkin asked, gently. "I'm doing well". Moomintroll said, tiredly. "You look tired, sorry if I woke you". Snufkin said, gently. "No….no, you're quite alright". "If I woke up, it was because I heard noise". Moomintroll said, rubbing his eyes, still. 'Sorry, bestie". Snufkin said, gently. "In any case, would you like to have a quick lunch with me?". "I have sardines, nettle soup, and crab bites". "It would be a pleasure to share it with someone".
"You know….I would like to….but I'm not in any mood to". Moomintroll said, rubbing his eyes. "I am tired, I'm emotionally exhausted, and if anything, right now is a good time to get some sleep". "Sleep is the epitome of fervor".
Snufkin wrinkled his brow above his sympathetic gaze. "Oh, I'm sorry". "I didn't know". Snufkin said, gently with kindness as he straightened his gaze. "But hey, if you wish, you can join me for a smoke". "I missed you, we haven't talked in some time".
"We haven't….but…I…I…I guess I could come out". Moomintroll remarked. Moomintroll picked up his weight, walking outside to the porch, where he joined Snufkin. Moomintroll sniffled, rubbing his eyes, as within the darkness of the rain surrounding them, Snufkin lit a cigarette. The light of the match illuminated his face as he lit his end. "Today's a tough day for you, huh?". Snufkin said, gently. "It is". Moomintroll said, as he sniffled. "I'm sure it is". Snufkin said, gently. "Today often is a tough day, when it's the anniversary". Snufkin brought the cigarette to his lips, smoking. "My and I had our parents' death anniversary last month". "It was hard to get through". Snufkin blew out some smoke, leaning over. "But there is some hope to it, at least". "We'll find our way through anything, navigable".
"You ok?". Snufkin asked, gently. "Somewhat". Moomintroll said. "I just….wish my parents were still here".
"I do, too". Snufkin said, gently. "Your parents meant a lot to the world, they meant a lot to us". "I know that one day, you'll look back and know that it is relative". "We take the good with the bad".
"Hey, did you ever look at that lighthouse your papa invested in?". Snufkin asked, in curiosity, as ash fell from his cigarette. Moomintroll tried evading the question. "I've looked at it a few times, but I've never invested in it". Moomintroll said. "Mm, I'm sure the lighthouse would be a good investment". "You just have to have the confidence". Snufkin said, gently, smoking. "I'm sure I have confidence, I just don't want to face it, because everytime I look at it, my mind connects itself through thoughts of the stupid Vietnam war". "Apparently, the Axis Powers are fully involved". Moomintroll said, in a harsh, saddened tone. "Well, the lighthouse shouldn't have a negative connotation with it". Snufkin said, gently. "If anything, it should be a good reminder of your memories, and what was there, before". "The adventures you had".
"I don't know how I get back to those memories". Moomintroll said, sniffling. "When I look at the lighthouse, all I can think about is death". "All I can think about is….what happened". Moomintroll sniffled, holding his milk close to him. "Hmm". Snufkin mused, thoughtfully. "I may have some sort of idea to help with that". "What would you think if we took a trip to the lighthouse…and stayed a few nights together?".
"Just you and I?". Moomintroll asked. "No one else?".
"Just you and I…and Loyola". Snufkin said, gently. Snufkin smiled a gentle smile. "The Mymble and Hemulen as well".
"Like a sleepover?". Moomintroll asked. "Mm hmm, a sleepover, where we can stay up late, eat as much as we want, and go to bed when we want". Snufkin said, gently, cocking a cunning smile as he smoked his cigarette. He seemed to be clouded by ashen cigarette smoke. He tapped out cigarette ash. "You won't have to worry of My, or Sniff being there, My is away at school, and Sniff is doing what he wants". "There will be no little ones to interfere". "Just you and I, and the big gray sky". Snufkin and Moomintroll laughed. "Want to come with us?". Snufkin asked, gently. "I do". Moomintroll said. "Excellent". "Let me finish my puff, then we'll depart". Snufkin stated. Moomintroll did ask me if I wanted to come along to keep an eye on everything. How could I pass up an adventure? So, I said yes, brought a pack of cigarettes, Mrs. Wagners' pies, which were still popular, drove off to look for the lost hope at this lighthouse.
The lighthouse was on the edge of the sound on the other side. Still, it had some gray skies surrounding it as the lights were on up top. Inside, the smell of Soup, and Eggplant casserole wafted through the air. The sound of chatter filled the kitchen as Mymble instructed Loyola on baking. "How is everyone?". Mymble said, only glancing up from the oven. "We're all good". Snufkin professed, as he set down his satchel with his mouth organ, and his cigarettes. "Hi". Moomintroll said, quietly as he came in. "hey, kiddo". Mymble said, gently, taking the casserole from the oven. "Fancy meeting you here, I haven't seen a good friend in quite a while's time". "How are you, Moomin?". Mymble asked, gently. "I'm ok". Moomintroll said, as he sat down. "Well, sit, eat, drink, and make yourself comfy". "I put some of Moominpappa's, your dad's old records, and feather quills in the drawing room". "I figured they would make good figurines for a better time". Mymble said, gently. "That, and I redid the linens, and put them back on the bed".
"Thank you". Moomintroll said. Loyola came from the kitchen, hugging Moomintroll. "How are you, fella?". "You still look like a trillionaire". Loyola said, gently. "Um….thank you?". Moomintroll said. I had to laugh. "She's half right, you know". I remarked. "Mm, a good man always knows when he can suit up for the occasion". Loyola said, winking. "He's a handsome young devil, my best friend". Snufkin said, as a cunning smile curved across his face. He and Loyola chuckled. "Aren't you, ol chap?". Snufkin said, as he rubbed Moomintroll's shoulders. "I believe so". Moomintroll said. "Hey, I got you a little something to get you on your way". Snufkin said, gently, with cunning repose. "As long as it won't destroy my parents' lighthouse, or disturb my sleep". Moomintroll said. Moomintroll opened the package revealing a heart-shaped box of chocolates. "Oh…thank you". Moomintroll said. "Just for us, ol pal". "It'll be our dessert, and decadence". Snufkin said, gently. He smiled, kindly. "I knew you needed some sweets, sweets are my favorite, too".
"Sweets are good". Moomintroll said. Moomintroll looked down at the Casserole, seeing how it bubbled, and fizzled across the platter. "Don't worry, it's not for us, proprietors". Snufkin said, gently. "I have a chocolate banana split sundae with marmalade prepared for us". "That, and some pink Rose wine, for Loyola and I". "bon appétit". "Oh, and some chocolate caramel cake, and all the tab cola that can pack a fridge". Snufkin added. He winked.
"Wow….um….usually Fillyjonk doesn't allow me to have desserts ever…but this is nice". Moomintroll said. "I like it as well". I said, as I shared a childlike grin with Moomintroll. "Let's have some, and we'll sit on the verandah". Loyola said, gently.
"Hmm….well alright". Moomintroll agreed. We all went out to the Verandah, as Mymble and Hemulen stayed inside. "Mm, so it is quite a warm day". "Nothing bothersome, which is nice, but I can complain about the clouds". "I usually hate it with these clouds because it means no gardening, or sitting on the porch for a smoke". Loyola said, gently. She ate her ice cream. "Clouds are a nuisance".
"Well, we haven't had too many bad days for a while, which is nice". Snufkin said, digging into his confections. "I like coming out to sail, and set up for a while when I travel". "We're usually not busy, so we travel quite a bit, right, honey?". He glanced at Loyola. "Not usually, but I do my work at the officiator's office". Loyola said. "It's quite a bit for us, I'd say".
"Hmm….maybe". Snufkin said, taking a bite of his ice cream. "How have things been going, Moomin?". "How is your schooling going, well?". Loyola asked, gently. "I got a 100% on my math exams, and 90% on my History exam". Moomintroll replied. "Mm, that's wonderful, honey". "It seems we have a genius in the making". Loyola said, gently. "I knew you could do it".
Loyola smiled a friendly smile. "I knew you could, as well". Snufkin said, gently. "You're the best when it comes to something scholarly". "I knew you would give em mustard-pocket poop".
Moomintroll gave Snufkin a sideways glance. "Excuse me?". He said, put off. "Well, hey, you hit it out of the park". Snufkin said, covering his tracks. Everyone laughed. "I may have, but it was through hard work, and effort". Moomintroll said. "I'm not someone who's lazy".
"We know, but it can be tumultuous to say the least". Loyola said, gently. "When I was your age, I absolutely hated school". "It wasn't fair that I was taught an in institution that used to pound the life out of me by rapping my knuckles". "That was how catholic school worked". "That, and I didn't see the need to learn".
"Mmm". Snufkin replied, pursing his lips. "I remember catholic school as well". "The headmaster paddled my behind with the wooden paddle, and prod". "I never misbehaved, but at the same time, I never paid attention". "Paying attention was something I never displayed interest in".
"Mm, I remember the headmaster, calling my name, smacking the back of my neck with the prod when I would daydream, which was quite often". "Usually, I didn't pay attention to it, but I got hit so many times, it didn't affect me anymore". Snufkin said, eating his ice cream. "That, and we casted 9's, or 3's". "We did that in the 30's, or 40's right around Wartime, where it was a drill to either spot German planes, or go to the bomb shelter". "I was taught to seek out a German plane, and notify someone". "Heh, the war lasted long enough where our finances were drained".
"The war wasn't exactly good to us in 43, was it?". I asked, in between bites of my ice cream. "No, it wasn't". Snufkin said, shoveling his ice cream in, quickly, as if he was trying to evade the subject. "When Poland suffered, the rest of Europe suffered".
"It was Germany, Italy, Poland, France, all of those close regions that started the wars". Loyola brought up. "They all made a pact at the convention, and I believe were the Allied Powers".
"Hmm, let's see if they can make things worse off with this war". "They made some entropy with the last one, but we had to suffer through it". "That was kind of fascinating to say the least". Snufkin said.
"I wasn't born during the World Wars, but my Papa was in High School during the wars". Moomintroll said. "He said it was hard for him to finish school because he didn't know whether or not he'd have to enlist, or be called to go".
"War is mainly a disturbance of the mind". Snufkin stated. "When people usually disagree, or have a hard time, they become disturbed, and their internal conflicts come out". "Conflict can be a petty argument, War is truly disturbing". He finished his ice cream.
"I'd say the primary aspect of war is included with the rise in power of dictators". Moomintroll brought up. "They rose up, and took everything over…which resulted in chaos, and the attempted stoppage of evil".
"Mm hmm". Everyone agreed, nodding. "I'd agree with that, but mainly what people don't know is that these dictators were disturbed". "They brought their internal need to be noticed, outwards". I said, agreeing with Snufkin.
"Everyone knows that". Loyola said, curtly. "Hmm". I nodded, as we finished our ice cream. I noticed Moomintroll finished his ice cream as well. "Here, my boy". "Have some of mine". I said, gently. I handed Moomintroll some of my ice cream. "Thank you". Moomintroll said. "Hmm…did you just…". A mutter and a whisper from Loyola came. "Yes, I knew my amazing Poika would be hungry". I said, gently. "Mmm". Loyola nodded, pursing her lips. Then, speaking. "Well, a handsome, intelligent man needs some cola to rest his mind". Loyola said, gently, giving Moomintroll her cola. "Thanks as well". Moomintroll said, as he and Loyola laughed.
"Well, I'm happy to hear you're doing well". Loyola said, gently. She smiled at Moomintroll. "I'm so impressed with you, I knew you could do it".
"I definitely could". Moomintroll said. "I'm proud of you as well". Snufkin said, gently. "You're the genius that is the greenest". He winked a kind wink. "That, and we begin with a spin". He chuckled as he rhymed. "That is true". Moomintroll said. "How'd you like your ice cream?". Snufkin asked, gently. "It was good". Moomintroll said. "I liked when I put caramel on it".
"Loyola is known as my Caramel Vixen, because she puts caramel on her ice cream, and her pies". Snufkin said, gently as he and Loyola laughed. "You're my chocolate honey pumpkin". Loyola said, as she and Snufkin laughed. "Well, I douse you in caramel, and you're tasty enough". Snufkin said, as he kissed Loyola on the lips.
"Well, it is what it is". Moomintroll said. "Either way, I liked my dessert".
"I liked my dessert as well, thanks honey". Snufkin said, gently. He winked at Loyola. "You're definitely welcome". Loyola said, gently. "Well, yep, everything is quite in tip top shape".
"That's nice". Moomintroll said. "Well, thanks for keeping my parents' lighthouse preserved".
"Of course". Snufkin said, gently. "We know how much it means to you, and we kept it intact". "We just decided to come up, and see how it was for a nice getaway".
"I'm glad you decided to come". Snufkin said, gently. "I'm glad, too". Moomintroll said. "You're as glad as a bumblebee in the sea, and the bird pooping in the tree?". Snufkin said, gently. "I guess if that's how you say it". Moomintroll said. "You're one happy bumblebee". Snufkin said, gently. He and Moomintroll laughed. "I'm black and yellow". Moomintroll said. They both decided to laugh. "I'm a bumblebee that can talk, and fart". Loyola added, as she laughed along with them. "I sting someone, I poop out my stinger, it doesn't come out, it gets pooped". Snufkin said, laughing. "How about this, I'm a bumblebee that says, shut up, at once!". Moomintroll said, as he laughed.
"I am a bumblebee, wise old me, has no place to sleep". Snufkin sang as he laughed. "Stubborn old bee".
"Don't forget the bird, as well". Loyola said, as she laughed. "Stupid, bird". "Although, that might be me after some LS and D".
"Yes, you've done your fair share of pooping on the street after Hallucinogens''. Snufkin said, laughing. "I've done what I've considered to be fair". Loyola said. "Oh well".
"You're quite inquisitive". Snufkin said. Loyola nodded, as she drank her rose. "That's nice, and all, this has been fun, but I think I'm going to bed". Moomintroll said, when the laughter died down. "Oh?". "well, have fun, fair friend, and I'll see you in the morning". "Love you lots". Snufkin said, gently. "Here, let's get you situated for the bedside". He gave Moomintroll a glass of milk, some cookies, and some snacks. "Just for you, my friend". Snufkin said, gently. He wiped Moomintroll's face, gently, massaging and kissing both cheeks. "Goodnight". Moomintroll said, as Snufkin gave him a neck pillow to wear, and comfy pajamas. He also gave him a blanket to carry with him. "There you are, my friend". "Ready for bed". Snufkin said, gently.
"Love you lots, goodnight, my best friend". Snufkin said, gently. "Goodnight". Moomin said, as he went upstairs. His old room looked the same. Still, as he laid down, he felt comforted by the presence of his parents. Now, and forever. Well then….how lovely.