Kyle and Lucy — Chapter 2 [Rewrite] 🐱😈 · 4:35pm Feb 2nd, 2023
A short and steady ride later, Ahana made a graceful landing at the mocha-scented outskirts of Java Row, docking at the Bug Stop across the road. Bushes of bitter coffee and cocoa beans lined up with the eggshell fences bordering a country mile’s worth of farmland, filling the air with a nutty aroma. Crawling from under the bug, I saw a carved sign proudly standing ahead of the vast, grassy plains split up by an array of shining streams.
Crystal Line Rivers, it read.
“Mm?” my massive friend asked, nudging my tail.
I hugged her cheek, feeding her an apple I had saved in my hoodie.
“Mm!” Her wings fluttered before she took flight once again, the force of her takeoff nearly knocking me down.
I took in the crisp air on my hike through the plain’s tall grass. The calming rush of the clean waters led me to a wide range of sandy mounds that housed a bundle of shrubs, bushes and vines that carried all sorts of unique produce: sweet sprouts; Brussels sprouts’ tastier cousins, orangos; mango-skinned oranges, forget-me-nuts; I could never recall what they did, and the ones I came for, berry straws. A long raspberry in the shape of a straw, one that can be eaten as it’s slurped inside out. It’s like those tart, powdered sugar sticks, except the entire thing is good for you. It was only a matter of time before I started sucking down straw after straw between every few that I stuffed in my pouch.
In the corner of my eye, rows of crystals lining the edges of the surrounding rivers glowed bright, spurts of bubbles escaping to the surface. I watched the bare stems shrivel out fresh straws from the ones I picked off in less than a minute. Halfway through my plucking, a straw tumbled from the prickly bush and into the low water. As I splashed about to steal it back from the rushing current, I caught something, but it wasn’t like anything I've seen before. Either someone took a swim and wiped out, or it was the ugliest berry I ever witnessed. Then, I took a closer look.
It was a girl.
She was pale as a ghost, sporting this drenched gray dress trimmed with purple, and a pair of black and white stockings. The strangest things I found on her were two solid brown horns poking through her tinted pink hair, a long tail with a heart-shaped tip, and a set of folded bat-like wings tucked against her back. Looking over her, I sighed upon seeing her side softly rise and fall. I tried tapping her awake, but I was only greeted with a twitchy wing that flung water in my face. She looked a mess, but despite how yucky she felt to the touch, I had to help her. Draping my hoodie over the girl’s shoulders, I heard a light wince peep out of her as I carefully scooped her into my arms. The way her face tensed when I hurried around the smaller streams made my orange fur stand on end.
I needed to see Gram. Immediately. The girl barely spoke or moved at all, and it was like holding a wet towel.
A used one, too. Nasty.
The exhausted farm workers I passed by on Java Row looked concerned, but I didn’t have time to explain the situation; I barely understood it myself. The warm glow of the setting sun was fleeing off into the horizon, and this soaked creature shivered in my grip the whole way. I gave it my all to run as fast as I could without hurting her more, but despite all the detours I took, it was too far to walk, and the evening air only got darker and cooler. Desperate times called for desperate measures…
I had to hitch a ride again.
The nearest station’s bell rang loud into the night as I thrashed and slung it’s rope about until Ahana valiantly swooped in from the starry sky. I ultimately had to sacrifice half of the berry straws for the trip, but it was worth every nutrient. Grasping the situation, the bug locked us in tight and made swift shortcuts across the pebbled Zen gardens of Onyx Street toward the shopping center. I made sure she kept us cozy in the fuzz of her extended tummy the entire way. With my white shirt being doused as well, I needed the warmth, too. Landing outside the bakery, I tipped the Butter-pillar and rushed inside the dining area as Gram sorted the register.
“Kyle!” she jumped, waddling from behind the counter. “I was getting worried! What’s the matter?”
Between the speedy ride and my company’s condition, my head had more beats than a Mickey Johnson album. I placed the girl into Gram’s husky caramel arms, waiting hopefully while she adjusted her tiny silver glasses to scan the ghostly being with a wrinkled frown.
“I think I can manage this. My, she is a slimy little thing, isn’t she?”
I collapsed belly down atop one of the burgundy leather chairs as Gram moved toward the living room down the hall across from the front entrance.
“It’s okay,” she whispered, nuzzling my head with her puffy jowls. “I can take care of it.”
One would probably feel the urge to say that I should have turned to the nearest adult instead of taking the long way home, and I completely understand. However, there are two things to keep in mind:
First, I’m not normal, which is okay.
Second, I spent most of my time with Gram. Everything I knew in life I learned from her. She was a beacon of hope, a person who would never let my spirits drop. If she hadn’t raised me the way she did, I’m not sure how I would have turned out. It was just easier for me to relax when I had all the answers coming from her.
She was more than my teacher; she was my mom.
Once my energy returned, I limped after Gram in the comfy space of the living room. A fresh pot of evening tea rested beside her reclining chair, its soothing smell filling the room. The serene radiance of the moon’s light clashed with the chimney’s glow through the glass door leading to the concrete balcony. The old pug threw my soaked hoodie aside and swiped a woolly decorative blanket off the wide teal sofa facing the bricked display, slapping it over her shoulder. I stood by her side as she curled the girl close to her lacy violet gown. Seeing the pained look on her face slowly fade away helped put me at ease.
“Kyle, hon,” Gram called softly. “Fetch me a lump of coal, will you?”
Admittedly, I was rather jealous. To be treated by someone as nurturing as her for the first time was the most peaceful experience any creature could go through. I raced to snap one of the smoky rocks tucked against the side of the chimney. I knew this girl was in for something special, and I didn’t want to miss the show. Even in a deep sleep, there was no way she couldn’t feel the sweet embrace…
FWOOSH!
Of the fireplace.
Looks great!
Ooh, nice job!
Nice bit of pacing, though towards the end I'm confused, is she placed beside the fireplace ? Fwoosh, just leaves lot to the imagination. XD
5714671
Tossed straight into it, XD
Oh my! I can see the dark comedy now, but it's playfully dark and I find it so enchanting. The character building on Kyle is nice, the bond between himself and his Gram its so sweet. I love how you gave them a very cozy and playful relationship between the two. Reminds me of spending time between my granny and I, the introduction of this little girl is a setup of something adorable.
I just know it.
I love the expanded details you added here and there, especially the produce details. It adds a bump of charm to world building, still such a charming read. Gram is so eccentric.
5718745
Forget me Nuts, *snort* .
That made me giggle way too much, idk why. Berry straws though, mmmmm!
You have me wishing those were reality, they sound soooo delish! I looove a good tasty fruit, and the way you described it is right up my alley. Kyle is such a little cutie, everything seen through his eyes is a real delight. He has a tender innocence in his outlook, which the best heroes usually have. Peter Parker, Herc, and Harry Potter to name a few.
The innocence they see in the world, it is a sign of hope and faith. That if we look close enough, you can see beauty and magic in anything really. It's the cynicism we let attach to our hearts, that rib us of this gift. But it's lovely to see that some heroes still haven't quite given up yet. I'm loving this sooo much!
Gram is really funny too, she is overflowing with the energy of a wonderful guide to our little kitty! The fireplace joke, sooo funny!
Another cute piece of art, I love to read it. How did you come up with the idea to duo a kitty and a devil?
I'm just curious of your thought process, hon.
5723578
No idea, XD
Ran into some Animal Crossing art years ago and modeled a cat character that came in mind. The spots on the cat, when I was drawing it, looked like stitches in a way and I decided to make him this Frankenstein's monster-type creation.
Lucy came to mind through a YouTube skit I saw where the devil has a tutu-wearing daughter that loves MLP and similar stuff, lol. Then I just thought what if they made good friends. 🤭
Long story short, my mind is just odd at times. 🥴
5723581
I wouldn't say odd, more like creative.
5723583
Means alot 💖
You have a very funny sense of humor.
It's a nice chapter, but this chapter was snappy. He arrived at the new setting and then quickly left. It's not bad, but sometimes letting a scene simmer could be worthwhile. The humor is cute and scenes vibrant, it's a really well designed story.
5733039
I'll expand what needs expanding, just lemme know 🤓
5733045
Maybe just a bit more scene building at the area before he finds the girl.