Exploring Horizons - Chapter 6
I want to thank DaytonGamingGames02 again for allowing me to continue to use his OC Jȁschke.
Karuna, Lizzy, and Christina set out and since it was closest they first went to the Retreat.
As they approached Lin was sitting in the Garden. He stood as they approached.
"Good Morning Karuna and Lizzy," said Lin, "this must be the little one the Great One spoke to me about."
My name is JÄSCHKE, but you can call me Christina," said Christina. "You're a monk just like my last master was."
"I never knew your master but I heard about his death," said Lin, "we are no replacement for all he gave this world or the love he had for you. I will gladly speak to you about anything that you wish to discuss. I know changes are not always easy to accept and are rarely easy to understand, but I will help anyway I can."
"That's what my mom told me during my vision," said Christina. "I know my new life will take adjusting but I know I'm loved."
"What's going on this morning friends," said Toby, as he walked out of the retreat.
"Good Morning Toby," said Karuna, "I'd like you to meet our new daughter, JÄSCHKE, she likes to be called Christina."
"Welcome to Passiddhi Point Retreat Christina," said Toby. "I was your Grandmother's master before she chose her mate. I just know you will love everyone."
"Her parent's master was Sangye," said Lin, "As you can see she has a lot of Mastiff blood."
"Oh, sweetie," said Toby, "you have seen pain that no one, let alone a pup should ever see. I know your new mom and dad will love you more than you can imagine."
"Thank you Toby," said Christina. "The Great One, granted me a vision so I could say goodbye to my parents. They said Mom and Dad were chosen to take care of me. I love everyone I've met. This place is so beautiful. I know I'll love it here."
"Well, I'm sure you didn't come to just meet two old monks," laughed Lin, "Let us give you a tour of the retreat."
They spent the next hour walking around the grounds with Toby explaining his visions for the retreat and future expansions.
Karuna brought his vehicle around and himself, Lizzy, and Christina rode to town to meet the others and see the town of Adventure started at the Lookout.
Ryder met them just outside.
"Good morning Ryder," said Lizzy, "This is our daughter Jäschke, she goes by Christina."
"Good morning Jäschke," said Ryder, "Welcome to the Lookout. This is the original home of Paw Patrol and still our headquarters. We originally started with 6 pups but have grown to many many more. We have multiple aspects of rescue that we are capable of."
"Wow, I can't believe all of this," said Christina. "I had heard of Paw Patrol and I've learned about all that everyone has done. Where did all of this equipment come from?"
"Well," said Rocky, "I initially built a lot of it. Now your Grandfather Rocky and I built the rest. Have your parents told you that Rocky is a certified genius?"
"Yes, they also told me you were too," said Christina. "I hope to become a police officer someday so I can help stop robberies from happening. I want to help stop any pup from losing their parents like I did."
Lizzy and Karuna were both shocked. This was the first time Christina had expressed interest in becoming a police officer.
"So you really want to become a police officer?" asked Ryder. "Let me make a quick call."
Ryder pulled out his pup pad and called Chase. He asked if he and Val were available. They said they would come over.
Chase pulled up with Val in Chase's patrol unit.
"Wow, it's really Chase the pup police officer," said Christina.
"Yes, Christina, this is Chase," said Ryder, "He is the police pup. He also was the first paw patrol member. He serves as my second in command. I thought you'd like to meet him and his daughter Val. She's becoming a police pup also."
"Hello Christina," said Chase, "Your grandfather has been bragging about you already."
"Which one?" asked Christina.
"Both," laughed Chase.
"Chase," said Lizzy, "We just found out about Christina's past this morning. I believe she has the desire to become a police pup."
"Really?" said Chase. "That's great. We need more police pups. We seem to have all kinds of rescue pups growing up. It's great to hear that the younger generations want to continue the Paw Patrol Mission. What kind of Police Pup do you want to be?"
"I want to be an investigator," said Christina. She told a brief version of her parents and master being killed in a robbery attempt. By the time she finished Val had tears running down her muzzle.
"Christina," said Val, "We're family here. As such that makes you my cousin. I promise I will do everything in my power to help you become the officer and later investigator you want to be."
"Really?" said Christina.
"I promise," said Val.
"I've never had cousins," said Christina.
"Well now you have a bunch of them," said Val. "I was going to go play with Mira, you want to come? Uh, that is if it's ok with your parents."
"Mom, can I?" asked Christina.
"Of course honey," said Lizzy, "have fun."
The two girls ran off to go play, giggling as they ran.
"She'll be ok," said Lizzy.
"Well, I think I've been replaced," laughed Chase. "I'll watch them if you two want to spend the day together."
"Thanks Chase," said Karuna. "We'll hang out here at the Lookout."
Val introduced Christina to Mira, they all hit it off quickly. They decided to play tag and then they went to the beach to meet Zuma.
"Good Morning, Sweetheart," said Zuma, "I take it this is Christina?"
"Yes, how did you know?" asked Christina.
"Your Grandpa, Rocky is my best friend," said Zuma, "He has been bragging about you since he met you. So do you know how to swim yet?"
"No, I've never been around water warm enough to swim in," said Christina.
"Rocky used to be afraid of water," said Mira, "Dad helped him get over his fear. Dad could teach you if you wanted."
"I think I would like that," said Christina.
"You know Mira," said Zuma, "Part of being a water rescue pup is teaching swimming and water safety. You could teach her."
"Do you think I'm ready," asked Mira.
"It doesn't matter if I think you're ready," said Zuma, "It only matters if you think you're ready. Regardless, I'll help you. So Christina, do you want to learn to swim?"
"Yes, I would," said Christina.
"Ok, let me call you parents and make sure they are ok with it," said Zuma pressing his pup tag and calling Lizzy. Lizzy said that was a great idea and they would come down shortly to watch.
"Ok, let me close up the shop," said Zuma. "Mira, why don't y'all go down and get comfortable with the water."
"Ok, Surf up, Let's splash!" laughed Mira.
"I like it," laughed Zuma.
The pups ran down to the shore and Mira walked in a little bit before sitting in the water. She told Christina to come sit next to her. Christina hesitated.
"I walk in with you," said Val. "One paw at a time."
"We're not going deep," said Mira, "We're just going to sit here and talk about stuff."
Christina put a paw in and then lifted it back out. She looked over at Val.
"No one will force you," said Val.
"That's right," said Mira, "if you're not ready, we can just sit on the beach and watch the water for a while."
Mira stood and walked over to Christina. She hugged her.
"I should be scared," said Christina. "I'll never be a good police officer if I'm afraid of everything."
"Everyone is afraid of something," said Val. "There's no shame in it. Your grandpa Marshall is afraid of high places but he's still a great firefighter. You can overcome your fear or you can work around it. Either way we are a team, we help each other."
"Thanks," said Christina, turning and looking at the water. Mira came and sat next to her on the other side.
Lizzy, Karuna, and Zuma were just up the beach from the girls.
"I think she might be scared," said Lizzy.
"She is, but it's ok," said Zuma. "Let's sit here for a bit and let them work it out. Mira knows how to comfort somepup when water is involved." They sat and watched the girls talking.
"Christina," said Mira, "no one will fault you if you don't think you're ready. I want you to enjoy the water. You can't enjoy it if someone forces you too. If all we do today is sit and watch the water today, then we'll get in later."
"Thank you for not pushing me," said Christina. "I know it's an irrational fear, but…"
"I have an idea," said Val, "Let's go sit in water we'll all enjoy."
"What do you mean?" asked Christina.
"You like a good bath don't you?" said Val.
"Well, yes, who doesn't," said Christina.
"Your grandpa Rocky used to hate baths," laughed Mira.
"Really?" asked Christina.
"Yep, Let's go to Katies and sit in water we can enjoy," laughed Val.
They ran toward the adults and asked if they could go to Katie's.
"Sure," said Karuna. "But why?"
"Well, Christina's not ready to get it the water yet," said Val, "I figured we could go sit in bath water to start with today. If we are with her, then she might feel more comfortable later when we are with her during lessons."
"You are your mother's daughter for sure," laughed Zuma.
The girls all yipped and ran towards Katie's.