NOT DEAD! Just super mega horribly busy and now I have three jobs and someone's got to write/edit/plot my books and design the covers and the loft needs clearing out again and and and and aaaaaaaannnnndddd, but I did go to the beach the other day and had some glorious fish and chips :3
To Riordanlover16- Lil' Beastie VS Storm is like... when the new baby comes in and everyone's fussing over it, but the older sibling feels left out. It's fine in the end, all good XD And maaaaayyyyybbbeeee ;)
To valdeznation- It's all good, my dude! I kinda died too XP I swear, I will finish this story, give myself a break to catch up on other nonsense and then I'll be back with a sequel :D Here is Valentine's Part Two! Don't tear your hair out though, your head will get cold :O
About three or four foot down, her plastic spade struck something solid. A bit of scraping and dusting revealed a small wooden chest, styled like a true pirate treasure chest. It wasn't heavy at all, though she could feel something moving inside as she wrangled it to the surface.
The key was already in the lock, clunking satisfyingly as she turned it.
"Holy shit!" She swept the contents out and held it aloft, beaming. "Fuckin' shiny Ponyta, let's go!" It was a foot tall, almost Build-a-Bear in quality, with floppy limbs and a squishy body and a smiling face. Blue mane and tail made from a soft silken material so it flashed flame-like in the light.
Louisa shook it, laughing maniacally. It wasn't an in-game shiny Ponyta, but it was a shiny Ponyta no-one else would have, confirmed seconds later by Leo's next card.
Piper and Hazel helped make this. Apparently, I can't sew. Shiny Ponyta, bitch! Let's go!
"Let's fuckin' go!" Louisa agreed, cackling. She held the toy out for Storm to sniff. Storm only accepted this other equine creature because it was not a real one.
I won't be replaced by a dragon and I certainly won't be replaced by a plushie. She huffed air in Louisa's face, then turned her nose up. Louisa narrowed her eyes, setting the toy in her lap.
"Where's all this comin' from?" she asked. "No-one's replacin' ya, Storm." Louisa scratched her behind the ears, the mare sighing contentedly. Louisa smiled softly. "Is this 'cos I'm gettin' married?"
No. Don't be ridiculous.
"Bullshit. You dumbass, I ain't leavin' you."
But you'll have your nice normal life going on! You won't need a pegasus.
"I'll always need my pegasus," Louisa assured. Storm's ears pricked, head bobbing indecisively. She could and could not meet her rider's eye. Louisa shook her head fondly. "You're my oldest friend, I ain't droppin' you for nothin'."
Not even shiny Ponyta? Or that, she jerked her head at Lil' Beastie chewing on the spade, horrible creature?
"No," Louisa laughed. "There ain't nothin' in this world or the next that'll take you away from me." Storm brightened at that, licking Louisa's face. Louisa cupped her pegasus's face, scratching her jaw. "What are you?"
A dumbass.
"A dumbass," Louisa confirmed affectionately. She grabbed up the toy and jostled it at Storm, grinning. "Shiny Ponyta, bitch. No, don't bite it!"
Lil' Beastie broke up the tussle by biting the spade in half. She whined miserably, nudging one piece with her claws. Louisa tutted, patting the dragon's head in commiseration. She tidied the broken toy into her basket— there was enough plastic in the sea— and shiny Ponyta, guarding the toy from the jagged plastic with the packet of paintbrushes.
She lingered by the water for as long as Lil' Beastie allowed, closing her eyes to the shushing and lulling of the surf. She needn't be in the water to feel better; the scent alone soothed her nerves, easing tension from her shoulders and lightening her lungs. She was disappointed when Lil' Beastie bit the toe of her sneaker, quickly remedied when she recalled Leo had things in store for her.
They trudged after the dragon, heading back to civilisation. Again, no-one paid Lil' Beastie much attention, thinking she was a dog, but there were a few eyebrows raised at the horse— for Storm was a horse in mortal eyes— dutifully in step with Louisa. Storm whickered at the first few, only Louisa knowing the insults that went to those staring, then held her head high and marched on.
Soon enough, Bunker Ten came into view. The gates stood open for customers, Coach Hedge checking those who came in against a list on a shiny new clipboard.
"Name and appointment," he requested. Louisa folded her arms and he looked up, squinting. "Sorry, cupcake. Been a long morning."
"You want me ta get you anythin'?"
"I'd love a cappuccino. Extra chocolate. And get me one of those biodegradable lids, they are delicious." He kissed his fingers. "Mellie's got some stuff for you at the desk. Something from our Valdez, I think."
"Yeah, he's sent me on a scavenger hunt." She showed him her basket. His eyes widened and she smiled. "Do you want the spade, Coach?"
"No, no. Not if you're gonna eat it."
"Take the spade." He didn't argue again, snatching both halves up quick as a blink. He waved them in, happily crunching away while awaiting the next customer.
Louisa took out his cappuccino first. Lil' Beastie stayed with her while Storm grazed the grounds. Louisa spotted Chuck hiding in a tree, practising his reconnaissance skills. He watched Storm for a moment, deliberating. Louisa tipped her head. "I wouldn't do that if I were you," she called out. Storm snorted around her mouthful of grass, tail swishing. "Not you," Louisa told her, pointedly looking up at the tree.
"You can see me?" Chuck blinked, baffled. "But… but… I camouflaged and everything!" He sulked at her and scrambled down the trunk. Louisa smiled. He had even gone as far as to paint his face in greens and browns, miffed his efforts had been in vain. "I wasn't going to do anything anyway," he muttered.
"No?" Louisa challenged lightly. "You wasn't gonna jump from the tree onto her?" He scrunched his nose, hurriedly blanking his expression.
"No," he lied. "No, I wouldn't do that."
"No, of course not," Louisa agreed. She crouched to his eye-level, dropping her voice. "For the record, she would buck 'n' throw you off if ya did that. 'N' trust me, it hurts."
"I just want to pet her. She's got pretty feathers."
"Then ask her. Don't sneak attack her."
"But sneak attacks are fun."
"So is keepin' ya fingers." She waggled her own in demonstration. Chuck regarded his hands thoughtfully, then her, eyebrow raised in question. Louisa bared her teeth. "She bites somethin' fierce 'n' your momma won't be happy if you lose ya fingers now, would she?"
"No," Chuck sighed, shoulders slumping.
"Remember to say please," Louisa said, ruffling his hair. He brightened and dashed off. Storm looked up from eating, nuzzling his face curiously. She let him play with her mane and stroke her feathers while she ate, Chuck being extra careful as to keep his fingers attached.
Inside, Mellie was checking people in on the computer. Louisa sidled around the desk, Lil' Beastie on her heels. There was a jar of chocolate chips cookies on the counter, Louisa helping herself and ignoring the dragon's pleading. "No people food," Louisa reminded her.
"Those are for the children," Mellie tutted once she had finished with the customers.
"Is Leo about?"
"Ah, no. Nyssa and Harley are covering today, getting to know the place. Leo is… out."
"With Bradley?" Mellie nodded. "Did he say where they were goin'?"
"No, but he did leave this for you." From beneath the desk, she produced a large box. Big enough for Chuck to sit in, wrapped in blue paper decorated with fish and octopi. Mellie smiled, leaning her elbow on the top. "Now, something tells me you're a child of Neptune."
"What gave it away?"
"Here. Open it in the staff room; I won't have you messing up my desk."
"Yes, Mellie."
"And leave the cookies, Louisa. They're for the children." Louisa sighed, relinquishing the jar. Mellie shooed her away.
The box wasn't too heavy, a sturdy weight. Lil' Beastie yipped and hopped up, trying to sniff it. Louisa thumped it down on the staff room table, studying the paper pattern with a wary eye.
Inside the box was another box. And inside that, another box. And then another and another and another, each one wrapped in some fish or boat or mermaid themed paper. She was ankle-deep in the wrappings and growing. Another box, another box, another box, until… finally. She held a box no bigger than her palm. Attached to the blue tissue paper was a sticker of a shark, holding down a folded-up bit of red card.
I feel like Yzma, Leo had written. Having fun yet? I know I am.
"Bastard."
Coach and Chuck said they'd help you with the recycling. I think they're hungry. It may look like a strange present, but I promise it'll make sense soon. Make sure you keep it with you at all times.
She tore off the paper to find a plain brown box. Lifting the lid, she discovered a smaller white box with Leo's writing on the lid. Sorry, couldn't resist.
Inside that, she found her present on a bed of more blue tissue paper.
It was a necklace, a pendant. About two inches across, perfectly round and flat, not very thick and shaped like a doughnut. It was steel or something, but with no markings and threaded onto a thin silver chain.
She rubbed it with her thumb, inspecting it closely. Was it a coin of some description? Was it magic? She shook it, bit it, held it out for Lil' Beastie to sniff. The dragon did not seem interested in it, happily dashing her way through the mounds of paper and cardboard.
She read the note again. Make sure you keep it with you at all times.
That meant it was important. Whatever it was, it was important enough for Leo to stress it never left her person. She looped it about her neck, fumbling a little with the clasp. Gave it finally polish with her fingers to, once again, reveal nothing.
"Hmmph," she said, wrinkling her nose. She didn't know when this 'soon' was, but she hoped it wasn't long.
There was a crash and a yelp behind her. Lil' Beastie had got her head stuck in a box, horns tearing through the sides. In her desperation to dispel it, she had sprinted straight into the wall and now lay dazed on the floor.
Louisa took a picture before helping. She had to pin the dragon between her feet and use both hands to wrestle the box off. Lil' Beastie grinned when sight returned, clicking gratefully. Louisa tossed the box away. "You can breathe fire, right?" she asked. "You could've burnt the box off." Lil' Beastie shook her head and gave what Louisa could only describe as a hiccup. She opened her mouth wide and exhaled, not flames, but bubbles. A stream of dozens of bubbles encasing her legs and floating up to halo her head.
Louisa retrieved her phone. BUBBLES?
Yes, bubbles
WHY?
It was Estelle's idea. Did you get through the boxes?
Fuck you and your boxes.
Ha, I knew you'd say that. Coach owes me money.
What's the thing?
A single emoji again, the zipped mouth one. Louisa sighed and replied with a middle finger.
"Right," she said, looking down at the dragon. "Anywhere else?" Lil' Beastie cocked her head. Thinking or sifting through her programming, Louisa wasn't sure. She waited with her hands on her hips, tipping her head back when the dragon spun in a circle. "Go on then, where are we goin'?"
Lil' Beastie took her for another walk. Storm stayed behind to educate Chuck on the awesomeness of pegasi (and to sneak some of those wonderful cookies), though not before reminding Lil' Beastie who had been there first. My wings are better than yours.
Louisa wasn't sure where they were going. Lil' Beastie stopped at random things— bus stops and mailboxes, coffee shops and street signs. She would consider each one, look at Louisa, and then move on. It was only when Louisa noticed they were going in a circle did she twig. She pulled her phone out and opened Pokémon Go. Lil' Beastie whirred happily at that and continued the route.
Leo must have mapped out something brilliant. A long route of Pokéstops, gyms and raids. He must also have got into her account somehow as she had plenty of incenses, lures, incubators, berries and Pokéballs of all variations.
She lost count of how many Pokémon she caught. All her eggs hatched and she managed to gain a few more from Pokéstops, nearing completion. She depleted most of her resources in the hunt of the elusive shiny Ponyta, consoling herself with the one in her basket. She even levelled up, allowing herself a victory dance at that; Leo would never catch up now.
She noticed she was hungry about half past two, stomach grumbling. She looked up, neck aching, and found the dragon perched on top of a mailbox. "I'm gonna stop for food," Louisa told her, the rest of her sentence falling away as the dragon hopped down and scampered off. "Hey, wait up!"
Lil' Beastie kept about ten feet ahead, remaining in sight, weaving between other pedestrians and yip-yapping back at her to keep up. A half hour of this and Louisa started to recognise where they were.
Leo was waiting for her at the same table outside the same café. The pink and yellow awning, the cursive name she couldn't read. Bradley's pram was even parked in the same place. His back was to her as they approached, though Lil' Beastie trundled ahead and collided with his leg. He grinned and leaned down to fuss the dragon, looking up as a familiar pair of sneakers came into view.
"Well, don't you clean up lovely?" he smiled crookedly. Louisa looked him over, quelling a laugh. He was even wearing the same outfit as before; a dark blue shirt unbuttoned over a black T-shirt and black jeans. The cool February weather did not bother him, his hands warm on hers. "Have you had fun, chica?" he asked, kissing her fingers.
"There were enough boxes to feed Chuck for the year."
"Ah, he's a growing boy." He jumped up to pull the seat out for her, seeing her glance at the pram. "He's been asleep for… ten minutes or so." He tucked her in, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. "What are you having?"
"Pancakes," she grinned, "'n' lots of 'em. Where've ya been?"
"Oh, just catching up on some stuff," he waved vaguely, returning to his seat. "Why? Did you miss me?" That grin again, that one that set something fluttering in her chest.
"Pfft," she said, only making him laugh. Lil' Beastie had curled up for a well-earned nap in the pram's under basket. "When did you make her?"
"Been working on… her, yeah?" Louisa nodded. "I've been working on her since the New Year. Making a small Festus was easy peasy. Until I got to her brain. Replicating Festus's brain chip took me ages and I got it wrong, like, four times. The first time I did it, she was like something out of Five Nights at Freddie's. Nearly took my face off. Don't worry, I was ready. I armoured up, just in case." He tapped a finger on his temple.
"She's very weird." Louisa showed him the picture of Lil' Beastie stuck in the box. "She's very bossy too."
"Like someone else I know," Leo smiled, eyes twinkling. Louisa squinted at him. He was saved by a waitress coming over for their order. When she went back inside, he reached across the table to take hold of her hands. Louisa squeezed.
"Thank you," she said, "for today. I don't know how ya managed it all." He shrugged a shoulder, canting his head. Louisa rolled her eyes. "So modest. Oh, shit!"
"What?" he asked curiously. She winced guiltily.
"I left your present at home. I'm sorry, but your dragon was attackin' me!"
"Ah. Your dragon. Even if Storm doesn't like her, she's programmed to recognise you as her master."
"You'll owe Storm a fuckton of sugar cubes."
"And you owe me a present, apparently." He sat forward excitedly, impish grin in place. "What did you get me?"
"Oh… well… it's kinda stupid now, after all you've done."
"Hey, hey. I like stupid. Gimme stupid." She hesitated.
"Wait 'til we get home. It's… in my room."
"Not even a clue?"
"No." She shook her head. He pouted, looking down at their hands. Louisa leaned closer and kissed his forehead, making him smile.
"Just one clue?"
"Only if ya give me a clue about this." She pulled the pendant from beneath her shirt. Leo considered it, mouth twisted in thought. Louisa watched him expectantly, lightly swinging the chain. His eyes followed the disc, creased at the corners.
"No, I can't," he eventually said. "You'll have to wait and see."
"Then no clue for you either." He sighed, nodding listlessly.
"Yeah, OK."
Pancakes arrived, with the whole array of toppings. Louisa piled hers with syrup, chocolate buttons, marshmallows and whipped cream, the noise of the can bringing forth happy coos from the pram. Leo stood and pulled Bradley from his blankets, attempting to smooth down the sleep-tousled hair, smiling when it sprung back into place. "Aaah, nevermind," he said, "still handsome, chiquito. Look who's here! It's Mama!"
Bradley squealed and flailed his arms, bucking delightedly when Louisa held her hands out. He chomped at her cheek, an open-mouthed splodge they interpreted as kisses. Louisa laughed, blowing a raspberry on his in return.
"I missed you too," she assured. "Been good for Papi?"
"Been an angel," Leo confirmed, circling his thumb and forefinger. Bradley gurgled and plonked his head down in the curve of Louisa's neck. Leo rubbed his jaw. "Well, mostly. I was in the throes of putting a fresh diaper on him and then… yes, you know what you did. Your cuteness only works so much."
"What did he do?"
"He peed on me. Sure, you laugh now, but wait until it happens to you." Leo shook his head, scrunching his nose. "Got some distance, I'll tell you that. Had to shower again," he pressed as she snorted with laughter. "And change his clothes. Surprised you didn't wake up."
"Awww, my Bradley's a lil' menace." Louisa lifted Bradley up, hands under his arms, and nuzzled her nose on his. He giggled and drooled, hands scrabbling at her face. "Menace, menace, menace, yes you are." She scooped him close, freeing her hands to squeeze a dollop of whipped cream onto a spoon, smiling when he laughed at the noise.
Leo raised an eyebrow.
"Are you rewarding him for peeing on me?"
"No, no. I would never. Never never ever never, no." She smiled sweetly, holding the spoon steady. Bradley eyed it curiously. He was at the age now where he could be tried on some solid foods, so why not start with a spoonful of squirty cream?
Louisa edged the spoon closer, poking his lower lip with it gently. He took his cue then and opened his mouth, eyes widening in surprise at the cool sweetness. His hands grabbed hers, sucking the spoon clean.
"Aaaahhh!" he protested when she took the spoon away.
Leo wiped the last of his syrup up with a chunk of pancake. Louisa refilled the spoon, Bradley excitedly wriggling for it.
"You've created a monster," Leo mused when the tot whined the second the spoon was removed. Louisa didn't give him another one, watching his little face screw up and redden.
"No," she told him patiently.
"Ah!"
"No." She bounced him twice. He burbled sulkily, tucking his head under her chin. Louisa rubbed his back soothingly, noticing Leo was watching with a carefully poised expression. Something between blankness and a small smile. "What?"
"What were you like?" he asked. She frowned in confusion. "I have been forewarned of the 'Terrible Two's'," he marked air quotes, "and now I'm curious. What were you like?"
"I don't know," she shrugged. "I was… still at the home."
"Jessica wouldn't know then?"
"No, but she's got plenty she could tell ya."
"Ah," Leo grinned, "terrible in all ages." She threw Bradley's spoon at him, though lightly enough for him to catch it. "I've already been told about your first shopping trip. Did you really attack the fish monger?" She turned her nose up in defiance and he laughed. "Menace Senior," he christened. "OG Menace. You're not even denying it."
"I know what I am."
"Confident Menace. Owning it. Cool. How do you feel about a walk through the park home and then… Lilo and Stitch?"
"Ooh, I love Lilo and Stitch."
"I know. He's a menace too," he smiled slyly. She stuck her tongue out. "I'm still allowed my present, right?"
"Maybe."
"I love you."
"Flattery will get you nowhere."
"You're supposed to say it back."
"It back."
"I'm eating your popcorn."