31 min read
We All Scream for Ice Cream
June 11, 2017
◈ WHO: LuLu & Ryder (shushida & Skyeforge)
◈ WHEN: Mid-afternoon on June 11, 2017
◈ WHERE: Modesto, California
◈ WEATHER: Is the pavement sizzling!?
◈ WHEN: Mid-afternoon on June 11, 2017
◈ WHERE: Modesto, California
◈ WEATHER: Is the pavement sizzling!?
The morning had started mild enough when light was just peaking out over the horizon. However, the temperature had risen with the sun today in such a way that you could watch the mercury climb in a thermometer by the second. When mid-afternoon hit, it was sweltering.
LuLu was trying to enjoy a casual day, but the heat was getting to her. The girl huffed softly. Her fingers curled into the collar of her blouse and she wafted the fabric in a feeble attempt at making a breeze. "Need to cool down." Her shirt failed to provide any relief. She then moved onto fanning her ears.
Unsurprisingly, there was a lack of glaciers, igloos or snowmen around to stave off the spring weather. Still, there was one thing that could save this day. "Ice cream!" LuLu recalled there was a shop not too far from where she was at. She just had to make it there!
LuLu was trying to enjoy a casual day, but the heat was getting to her. The girl huffed softly. Her fingers curled into the collar of her blouse and she wafted the fabric in a feeble attempt at making a breeze. "Need to cool down." Her shirt failed to provide any relief. She then moved onto fanning her ears.
Unsurprisingly, there was a lack of glaciers, igloos or snowmen around to stave off the spring weather. Still, there was one thing that could save this day. "Ice cream!" LuLu recalled there was a shop not too far from where she was at. She just had to make it there!
Huffing and puffing, this was one of the many reasons why Ryder hated leaving the house. The heat was the worst thing in the world on this day. To top it all off, Reuben left Ryder at the strip-mall to go shopping for some rare herbs he had heard about. So, Ryder's job was to just waste time until he came to pick him up. Oh, why on earth did he refuse to go with his guardian. He regretted the decision as soon as the heat began to spike.
As he was floating, rather slowly might I add, down the strip-mall lot, he realized the heat wasn't going to get any better. With sweat beading up on his forehead (even with his overly large mushroom hat on), he knew what he needed to do. Get somewhere to get away from the heat.
Finally, in his view down the way was a small ice cream shop. Ryder hadn't ever eaten ice cream, but his guardian liked it and just by getting close enough to it, the toadstool raevan knew that it was cold. So they must have to keep an ice cream shop cool, right? It was only logical. With that in mind, Ryder made his way off to the small shop. With a smile on his face, he quickly entered the store to feel the cool air conditioned room air creep onto his face.
This would be the perfect waiting place for his guardian to return to him. Taking off his mushroom cap, he placed it on a nearby table and floated down into a chair, draping his ribbon down the front and grabbing into a small bag he was carrying only to pull out his most recent book. Turning to the page he was last on, he began to read with a smile on his face.
As he was floating, rather slowly might I add, down the strip-mall lot, he realized the heat wasn't going to get any better. With sweat beading up on his forehead (even with his overly large mushroom hat on), he knew what he needed to do. Get somewhere to get away from the heat.
Finally, in his view down the way was a small ice cream shop. Ryder hadn't ever eaten ice cream, but his guardian liked it and just by getting close enough to it, the toadstool raevan knew that it was cold. So they must have to keep an ice cream shop cool, right? It was only logical. With that in mind, Ryder made his way off to the small shop. With a smile on his face, he quickly entered the store to feel the cool air conditioned room air creep onto his face.
This would be the perfect waiting place for his guardian to return to him. Taking off his mushroom cap, he placed it on a nearby table and floated down into a chair, draping his ribbon down the front and grabbing into a small bag he was carrying only to pull out his most recent book. Turning to the page he was last on, he began to read with a smile on his face.
LuLu had made it the the ice cream shop just before she opted to go nude instead. Her face was dewy with a layer of sweat. The sigel released an audible sigh of relief as she entered. The air conditioning hit her clammy skin and caused it to prickle. This was the promised land!
But, it was not over yet. The rabbit floated further into the store to claim her prize. It was time for ice cream! She had almost made it to the front counter when something.... or rather, someone caught her attention.
It was a rather loudly dressed frei sulking in the corner. LuLu eased closer to him. How was he not already dead in all those layers? The next thing she took notice of was the splash of multicolor freckles that adorned his pale skin. It was her first time seeing something like it.
LuLu clutched both her cheeks in her hands. A soft, low squeak rumbled in her chest. She exclaimed, "A-adorable!" The sigel took the seat next to him. She continued, "I love them." She pointed to her face. Her own tattoos quickly morphed into a splatter of colorful dots to mimic his freckles.
But, it was not over yet. The rabbit floated further into the store to claim her prize. It was time for ice cream! She had almost made it to the front counter when something.... or rather, someone caught her attention.
It was a rather loudly dressed frei sulking in the corner. LuLu eased closer to him. How was he not already dead in all those layers? The next thing she took notice of was the splash of multicolor freckles that adorned his pale skin. It was her first time seeing something like it.
LuLu clutched both her cheeks in her hands. A soft, low squeak rumbled in her chest. She exclaimed, "A-adorable!" The sigel took the seat next to him. She continued, "I love them." She pointed to her face. Her own tattoos quickly morphed into a splatter of colorful dots to mimic his freckles.
So enveloped in his book, the frei didn't even take notice of anyone around him while he read. The story was just getting good, and suddenly, a squeak emerged and a stranger began to talk to him, interrupting his beautiful tale, and even went as far as sitting across from him.
Quickly, Ryder closed his book and brought it to his chest. Then he watched as this girl's face began to suddenly transform, the tattoos forming multicolored freckles across her face as well. That just made the frei's eyes widen and feel uneasy. It was obvious that she was like himself. He had noticed the ribbon and the half-bodied self. Though she was more like Ethiriel in appearance than himself.
"Th-thank you?" the frei stated in a form of a question as he just stared at the girl. "You...changed your face..." he softly said, in slight shock at the girls powers. He was so naive to this world he lived in. Everyone had these strange, exciting powers. He just hoped that he could figure out a cool, exciting power of his own instead of being stuck with the shitty power of making people feel strange when they touch him. Maybe one day he'd be able to control it.
Quickly, Ryder closed his book and brought it to his chest. Then he watched as this girl's face began to suddenly transform, the tattoos forming multicolored freckles across her face as well. That just made the frei's eyes widen and feel uneasy. It was obvious that she was like himself. He had noticed the ribbon and the half-bodied self. Though she was more like Ethiriel in appearance than himself.
"Th-thank you?" the frei stated in a form of a question as he just stared at the girl. "You...changed your face..." he softly said, in slight shock at the girls powers. He was so naive to this world he lived in. Everyone had these strange, exciting powers. He just hoped that he could figure out a cool, exciting power of his own instead of being stuck with the shitty power of making people feel strange when they touch him. Maybe one day he'd be able to control it.
LuLu blinked at the boy slowly. She caught onto some of his uneasiness and transformed her tattoos back to their default golden hue. She probably should've introduced herself first, but she had gotten so excited over Ryder's unique appearance.
The rabbit nodded her head forward, "My name is LuLu. Pleasure to meet you." She tapped her chin in thought as an idea struck her, "I can control ink. What is your favorite color? I can do that instead."
The rabbit nodded her head forward, "My name is LuLu. Pleasure to meet you." She tapped her chin in thought as an idea struck her, "I can control ink. What is your favorite color? I can do that instead."
So this girl was named LuLu, that was quite interesting and fun to say, Ryder mused. And she could control ink? What a unique and interesting power.
"It's nice to meet you, too," the frei began shyly, loosening the grip on his book as he opened up a slight bit. He wasn't one to make conversation, nor give into it, and all he really wanted to do was get back to reading his book. Though, after some thought, he realized that Reuben would be proud that he made a new friend on his own, considering that's all he ever wants of him. As that fact faded from his mind, a small, awkward smile grew on Ryder's face in an attempt to try and make a friend.
"The power to control ink? So, does that include the ink from pens as well? What all can you do with it?" he questioned curiously; and realizing he hadn't returned the favor of introducing himself, he instantly did before the rabbit could even speak. "Oh...and I'm Ryder. I would have to say my favorite color is red or burgundy. What about yourself?"
"It's nice to meet you, too," the frei began shyly, loosening the grip on his book as he opened up a slight bit. He wasn't one to make conversation, nor give into it, and all he really wanted to do was get back to reading his book. Though, after some thought, he realized that Reuben would be proud that he made a new friend on his own, considering that's all he ever wants of him. As that fact faded from his mind, a small, awkward smile grew on Ryder's face in an attempt to try and make a friend.
"The power to control ink? So, does that include the ink from pens as well? What all can you do with it?" he questioned curiously; and realizing he hadn't returned the favor of introducing himself, he instantly did before the rabbit could even speak. "Oh...and I'm Ryder. I would have to say my favorite color is red or burgundy. What about yourself?"
As Ryder's nerves wound down, LuLu eased into a conversation with him. She returned his smile with one of her own. The sigel nodded, "Yes, pens included. I can make ink move. Change color. All kinds of ink." After a pause she continued, "I have not tried to do much else though."
Her ears perked on end when Ryder mentioned his favorite color. Her smile broadened. "Mine is red, too!" As though on cue, LuLu's tattoos adjusted themselves into a deep red hue. "Is this better Ryder?"
Her ears perked on end when Ryder mentioned his favorite color. Her smile broadened. "Mine is red, too!" As though on cue, LuLu's tattoos adjusted themselves into a deep red hue. "Is this better Ryder?"
Ryder just gawked at the thought of making ink move. Reuben had gotten him pens for his first month's birthday and some writing pads, though the frei hadn't really learned how to use the pens and paper. But he knew that he could make ink move when he drew his squiggly lines.
"Wow, that sounds neat. And what are those?" the raevan asked, pointing up at the girls ears as they perked up. The mushroom hadn't ever seen such things attached to a person before, and seeing as how this was only the second raevan he had ever met, he had no idea what else was out there.
As the girl changed the color of her tattoos to red, Ryder chuckled his awkward laugh. "That's really cool! I wish I could do that," he said, crossing his eyes trying to see the freckles on his nose.
"Wow, that sounds neat. And what are those?" the raevan asked, pointing up at the girls ears as they perked up. The mushroom hadn't ever seen such things attached to a person before, and seeing as how this was only the second raevan he had ever met, he had no idea what else was out there.
As the girl changed the color of her tattoos to red, Ryder chuckled his awkward laugh. "That's really cool! I wish I could do that," he said, crossing his eyes trying to see the freckles on his nose.
The sigel's eyes tracked upwards towards the fluffy appendages atop her head. She smiled. "Those are my ears. You can touch them if you want." LuLu ducked her head lower so they were within reach for the boy.
LuLu then recalled why she had come to this shop in the first place. She quirked her head at Ryder. "Are you getting ice cream, too?" She then glanced to the shop's front counter to see if there were any specials on display today. "The weather is perfect for it."
LuLu then recalled why she had come to this shop in the first place. She quirked her head at Ryder. "Are you getting ice cream, too?" She then glanced to the shop's front counter to see if there were any specials on display today. "The weather is perfect for it."
As she stated he could touch them, he recoiled slightly. "I...shouldn't," he said, ashamed, his pale skin showing off a red tint as he clenched tighter to the book in his arms.
When the sigel questioned him on ice cream, he hadn't ever thought of that. "Ah, I've never had ice cream before. I...don't know what it's like. I'm only here to get away from how hot it is outside."
"What does ice cream taste like?" his curiosity peaked, and he loosened his grip once again on the books, moving past the subject of touch.
When the sigel questioned him on ice cream, he hadn't ever thought of that. "Ah, I've never had ice cream before. I...don't know what it's like. I'm only here to get away from how hot it is outside."
"What does ice cream taste like?" his curiosity peaked, and he loosened his grip once again on the books, moving past the subject of touch.
LuLu gave the boy a coy smirk. "I promise they are soft," She teased. Nevertheless, she moved onto the next tangent in their conversation. It was, in her opinion, the most important of all. Ice cream!
"Well, you came to the perfect place by accident. Ice cream is cold and sweet. The best thing for today." The rabbit rose from her seat and turned to Ryder. "I will get you something good." With that said, she floated to the counter.
Upon her return, she gingerly set down a plain paper bowl in front of the frei. inside was an unassuming scoop of creamy white. On the other hand, Lu's bowl was brimming with three scoops of assorted colors and topped with a smorgasbord of sweet toppings. "I started you off wth vanilla. That is the first flavor I ever had." She used her spoon to take a bite of her own messy concoction. "Go ahead and try it."
"Well, you came to the perfect place by accident. Ice cream is cold and sweet. The best thing for today." The rabbit rose from her seat and turned to Ryder. "I will get you something good." With that said, she floated to the counter.
Upon her return, she gingerly set down a plain paper bowl in front of the frei. inside was an unassuming scoop of creamy white. On the other hand, Lu's bowl was brimming with three scoops of assorted colors and topped with a smorgasbord of sweet toppings. "I started you off wth vanilla. That is the first flavor I ever had." She used her spoon to take a bite of her own messy concoction. "Go ahead and try it."
All Ryder could think of was how his powers weren't able to be controlled. What if he touched her ears and she started getting light headed? What if something worse had happened? His face downturned away from the rabbit raevan and darkened red before she began to speak with him further. He just didn't want to admit his powers were a bit out of control at the moment.
Ryder just slowly looked up as the rabbit floated over towards the counter. She was so nice and seemed very enthusiastic about ice cream! This lifted the boys spirits a tad, even though he didn't feel the need to respond.
As she returned with a small bowl of vanilla ice cream, Ryder took in the sight and smell. It definitely looked nice; but all Ryder ever wanted was things that were older; rotting. That's the only type of food he enjoyed; at least via his mouth.
The young frei took up a spoon as he watched his fellow raevan do and followed suit. As the cold hit his tongue, all he could do was cringe before dropping the spoon back into the bowl. "Wh-what was that!?" he called, wiping his mouth. The sweetness was too potent for the young boy, and he blushed in embarrassment. "That wasn't good."
"I'm terrible. I apologize. You went through all the trouble of getting me some and I don't care for it," he said after a short pause, almost stuttering in between sentences. He didn't want to upset or offend her, but at the same time, he was not going to be able to down an entire bowl of this concoction.
All Ryder wanted now was a nice rotting sandwich, or some old bark. Strange things that humans didn't eat seemed to be what the frei wanted. He clutched tightly to his book and couldn't help but feel awkward after creating such a scene.
Ryder just slowly looked up as the rabbit floated over towards the counter. She was so nice and seemed very enthusiastic about ice cream! This lifted the boys spirits a tad, even though he didn't feel the need to respond.
As she returned with a small bowl of vanilla ice cream, Ryder took in the sight and smell. It definitely looked nice; but all Ryder ever wanted was things that were older; rotting. That's the only type of food he enjoyed; at least via his mouth.
The young frei took up a spoon as he watched his fellow raevan do and followed suit. As the cold hit his tongue, all he could do was cringe before dropping the spoon back into the bowl. "Wh-what was that!?" he called, wiping his mouth. The sweetness was too potent for the young boy, and he blushed in embarrassment. "That wasn't good."
"I'm terrible. I apologize. You went through all the trouble of getting me some and I don't care for it," he said after a short pause, almost stuttering in between sentences. He didn't want to upset or offend her, but at the same time, he was not going to be able to down an entire bowl of this concoction.
All Ryder wanted now was a nice rotting sandwich, or some old bark. Strange things that humans didn't eat seemed to be what the frei wanted. He clutched tightly to his book and couldn't help but feel awkward after creating such a scene.
LuLu watched as Ryder sampled the ice cream and subsequently wretched on the mouthful. Her smile faltered for a moment. She hoped she had not accidentally poisoned the poor boy. Maybe some raevan were lactose intolerant?
"It is ok. Everyone has different tastes." LuLu shrugged gently. "More for me!" She exclaimed. The rabbit then took his scoop and dumped into into her bowl. The vanilla disappeared into a pool of hot fudge with a faint 'schlorp'. "What do you usually need to eat?" She knew that each raevan had their own unique food source. She was not any exception to this rule. The sigel helped herself to another candy swirled spoonful of her own mixture. "Ice cream is yummy, but I really like creativity and ink the most."
"It is ok. Everyone has different tastes." LuLu shrugged gently. "More for me!" She exclaimed. The rabbit then took his scoop and dumped into into her bowl. The vanilla disappeared into a pool of hot fudge with a faint 'schlorp'. "What do you usually need to eat?" She knew that each raevan had their own unique food source. She was not any exception to this rule. The sigel helped herself to another candy swirled spoonful of her own mixture. "Ice cream is yummy, but I really like creativity and ink the most."
Ryder couldn't help but smirk at the sigel grabbing his ice cream. He simply clung to his book and looked towards the others in the room, glancing out over the people, all enjoying this thing they called ice cream. He was almost disappointed he didn't like it; for everyone around him seemed to be enjoying themselves so much.
Turning his attention back to the rabbit, he pondered a moment. He didn't really know what he ate. Reuben always called it "trash", as he'd be found rummaging in the trash can for old, rotting food to snack on. Though Reuben told him he wasn't supposed to do that, when he felt this feeling called hunger, he couldn't help but dig around for old food or something that he could eat that tasted delicious to him.
"Well, Reuben calls what I eat 'trash'. But sometimes it tastes so good. There was one time when I felt what you call hunger as Reuben was sleeping, dreaming. I felt like eating whatever was occurring around him...or in him. I can't even understand it. I didn't do anything to him; but I just felt so hungry and it sounded like a perfect meal to me." the toadstool sighed with distraught confusion. The old food he consumed was only temporarily filling; and that's why he needed so much of it. He didn't know if he should eat what people were thinking about, what they were dreaming (or day-dreaming) about, or if he should just leave them alone. Plus, how was he even to know how to eat such things? There was still so much he had to learn.
"How do you eat...creativity? I mean, that's not a meal, or at least...not a real meal, right?"
Turning his attention back to the rabbit, he pondered a moment. He didn't really know what he ate. Reuben always called it "trash", as he'd be found rummaging in the trash can for old, rotting food to snack on. Though Reuben told him he wasn't supposed to do that, when he felt this feeling called hunger, he couldn't help but dig around for old food or something that he could eat that tasted delicious to him.
"Well, Reuben calls what I eat 'trash'. But sometimes it tastes so good. There was one time when I felt what you call hunger as Reuben was sleeping, dreaming. I felt like eating whatever was occurring around him...or in him. I can't even understand it. I didn't do anything to him; but I just felt so hungry and it sounded like a perfect meal to me." the toadstool sighed with distraught confusion. The old food he consumed was only temporarily filling; and that's why he needed so much of it. He didn't know if he should eat what people were thinking about, what they were dreaming (or day-dreaming) about, or if he should just leave them alone. Plus, how was he even to know how to eat such things? There was still so much he had to learn.
"How do you eat...creativity? I mean, that's not a meal, or at least...not a real meal, right?"
LuLu tilted her head slightly as she listened intently to Ryder's description. It vaguely reminded her of the sensation when she feeds. "You will discover what it is one day." She shrugged slightly. The sigel felt this was something each raevan had to figure out for themselves. After all, learning creativity was one of her food sources had taken many years of confusion on her part. "It is a real meal for me. I cannot see it, but I can feel it." She placed a palm against her chest. "Warm and heavy. Right here. It happens when I am near someone creating. I first fed when my GramGram was knitting." She nibbled on another bite of ice cream. "Now, I feed whenever I go on walks. I can usually find someone making something. Ink also helps keep me full."
Ryder simply listened to the rabbit raevan's explanation. It was something felt, not something seen. Ryder thought about that and reminisced on how Reuben's dream was basically calling him to feed. The imagination was a funny thing; it had so many facets. So many ways to show itself. Dreams (day and night), thoughts, and even memories. Things that didn't even make sense to the raevan, called to him. With that in mind; the frei figured he'd give it a shot the next time he really felt drawn to this "food". For him, he sort of intrinsically knew what she was talking about. He understood what he felt that time he witnessed Reuben's dreams. It was just an abstract feeling and he didn't really know what would happen had he given into that temptation.
"I'll have to keep my thoughts on that. Right now, the only thing that keeps me full is...rotten food," he admitted, reluctantly. When his aunt Cali found out that he only ate rotting food, she was sort of disgusted. So he knew that it was weird, different and strange. He almost felt ashamed of the fact. He knew that he was of a different mold; and he never felt all that confident with himself when it was so apparent he was different.
"I'm glad you've found a good meal for yourself, though. I just hope that I can figure it out for myself one day."
"I'll have to keep my thoughts on that. Right now, the only thing that keeps me full is...rotten food," he admitted, reluctantly. When his aunt Cali found out that he only ate rotting food, she was sort of disgusted. So he knew that it was weird, different and strange. He almost felt ashamed of the fact. He knew that he was of a different mold; and he never felt all that confident with himself when it was so apparent he was different.
"I'm glad you've found a good meal for yourself, though. I just hope that I can figure it out for myself one day."
LuLu hummed softly when the boy finally admitted what he had been feeding on. She frowned in thought. "There is not much of anything rotten at an ice cream shop." Then offered. "I can see if they have anything expired?" The rabbit was about to rise from her seat again at his word. LuLu determined that everyone deserved to enjoy a cold treat today! Even if it was spoiled cream.
Ryder didn't understand. She was actually going to try and get him some food that he wanted? Something that Ryder and aunt Cali looked down upon? This was potentially the nicest thing someone had ever done for him. With an awkward smile creeping upon his face, he said, "That...would be wonderful."
With that, he set his book on the table and let his smile shine. This sigel was being so amazing to him and he couldn't even thank her enough for what she had done thus far.
"So, you have more body than I do...why is that? How can I get more body?" he asked after the happy feelings wore down a bit.
With that, he set his book on the table and let his smile shine. This sigel was being so amazing to him and he couldn't even thank her enough for what she had done thus far.
"So, you have more body than I do...why is that? How can I get more body?" he asked after the happy feelings wore down a bit.
LuLu's smile also lit up as he accepted her proposal. Victory!
The sigel answered his question before she tackled the task of getting him a snack. "I am older. It sort of happened on its own." The rabbit scrunched up her nose. She never had an interest in asking about the complexities of raevan growth. The girl had simply been happy to gain hips at one point or another, and who knew when legs would come along.
Setting her spoon back into her bowl, she floated out of her seat and finally set off towards the counter again. If Ryder was watching, he would have seen her trying to explain the request to the cashier. She started with a glance back in his direction and a nod of her head. Then, there was some waving of her arms. Of course, it concluded with plenty of polite smiling to the human behind the register. The human still looked a bit confused but he bobbed his head and retreated to the storeroom. He emerged with a particularly frosty looking cup of soft serve. In fact, is was practically frostbitten. The rabbit moved to pay, but the human declined.
LuLu returned to her seat and set the cup in front of the frei. She explained, "They only had some expired frozen yogurt cups in the back they had not thrown out yet. Think it will work?"
The sigel answered his question before she tackled the task of getting him a snack. "I am older. It sort of happened on its own." The rabbit scrunched up her nose. She never had an interest in asking about the complexities of raevan growth. The girl had simply been happy to gain hips at one point or another, and who knew when legs would come along.
Setting her spoon back into her bowl, she floated out of her seat and finally set off towards the counter again. If Ryder was watching, he would have seen her trying to explain the request to the cashier. She started with a glance back in his direction and a nod of her head. Then, there was some waving of her arms. Of course, it concluded with plenty of polite smiling to the human behind the register. The human still looked a bit confused but he bobbed his head and retreated to the storeroom. He emerged with a particularly frosty looking cup of soft serve. In fact, is was practically frostbitten. The rabbit moved to pay, but the human declined.
LuLu returned to her seat and set the cup in front of the frei. She explained, "They only had some expired frozen yogurt cups in the back they had not thrown out yet. Think it will work?"
The toadstool mused a moment on her extremely short explanation of her stomach as she was off to the counter. Sort of happened on it's own? So, one day he would just wake up and his body would be there? It was just one of those scenarios that were "too good to be true". In his eyes, ever since he laid eyes on those with legs, he wondered what it'd be like to walk instead of float. He felt like Ariel from the storybooks he'd read in that regard.
Upon her return, she explained that they were expired frozen yogurt cups. Expired typically wasn't an appetizing sound when it came to food. But to this little frei, it was his only hope.
Ryder took the cup and opened it up, seeing nothing but the melted cream, he just simply took a sip. Bringing the cup back to the table, he licked his lips a moment and smiled. "This is fine, thank you so much for taking the time to get it. It could be better; but it's good enough," he said with a short nod and a grin towards the rabbit.
Oh how proud Reuben would be if he were only here to witness such an event. Ryder actually socializing like a normal person. This one would definitely go down in his memoirs.
"Umm...so what do you do for fun?" he asked, taking another sip of the expired yogurt.
Upon her return, she explained that they were expired frozen yogurt cups. Expired typically wasn't an appetizing sound when it came to food. But to this little frei, it was his only hope.
Ryder took the cup and opened it up, seeing nothing but the melted cream, he just simply took a sip. Bringing the cup back to the table, he licked his lips a moment and smiled. "This is fine, thank you so much for taking the time to get it. It could be better; but it's good enough," he said with a short nod and a grin towards the rabbit.
Oh how proud Reuben would be if he were only here to witness such an event. Ryder actually socializing like a normal person. This one would definitely go down in his memoirs.
"Umm...so what do you do for fun?" he asked, taking another sip of the expired yogurt.
The rabbit breathed a sigh of relief. She had found something that did not make the poor boy gag. Though, the expired confection would probably make anyone else sick to their stomach.
Nevertheless, LuLu was pleased with herself. She resumed picking at her own treat and responded to his question. "Art and parks. Shopping is fun, too." After a moment of thought. "I do makeup at a tattoo parlor a few days a week. Yourself?"
Nevertheless, LuLu was pleased with herself. She resumed picking at her own treat and responded to his question. "Art and parks. Shopping is fun, too." After a moment of thought. "I do makeup at a tattoo parlor a few days a week. Yourself?"
Ah, art. How the toadstool loved such things. It always inspired him and sparked his imagination. After all, he was a very reliant on visual stimulation. "I love art! And I really love shopping for new books," he replied quickly, before also beginning to think upon her question.
"I like to read a lot. And practice my magic whenever I get the chance," he began, scrunching his face as he spoke the latter part of the sentence. His magic had been giving him a lot of difficulty the past few weeks and he couldn't quite figure out what was going on.
"How do you control your powers?" he questioned the br'er, feeling comfortable enough to ask such a thing now that the conversation had gone on a bit further. He needed as much advice as he could get, especially from any older raevan he met. After all, they should have some experience with controlling their own powers, right?
"I like to read a lot. And practice my magic whenever I get the chance," he began, scrunching his face as he spoke the latter part of the sentence. His magic had been giving him a lot of difficulty the past few weeks and he couldn't quite figure out what was going on.
"How do you control your powers?" he questioned the br'er, feeling comfortable enough to ask such a thing now that the conversation had gone on a bit further. He needed as much advice as he could get, especially from any older raevan he met. After all, they should have some experience with controlling their own powers, right?
LuLu nodded softly as she listened to the younger boy list off his interests. She intentionally glossed over the subject of reading. Books were not her cup of tea unless they contained more pictures than words. Otherwise, she had a difficult time staying engaged. The princess stories of her youth had done their job in keep her strung along, but anything lengthier usually ended up collecting dust on a shelf. She diverted their conversation down a different path. "Your magic? What is it?"
To answer Ryder's question, she revealed a small tattoo on her wrist. "They became more active after I got this. It took practice to get better though. Stress makes it harder to control."
To answer Ryder's question, she revealed a small tattoo on her wrist. "They became more active after I got this. It took practice to get better though. Stress makes it harder to control."
Ryder looked out the window at some passersby with a heavy sigh. His magic. Where would he even begin? There was so much he had yet to learn and control was not his friend at the moment.
"My magic is a plethora of things. I have Alice, which I guess is a power...oh, and I can manipulate mushrooms, like my hat I made. And..." he paused a moment to bite his lip before moving forward, "...and I have poisonous skin."
The frei fell silent for a moment to see if she'd have a reaction to the latter "power" before speaking up again. "I hate my skin," he said, looking at the ground a moment.
"I've poisoned both my aunt Cali and Reuben, my guardian, just by touching them. I always feel bad, and I've been trying to learn how I can lessen my poisons potency, but I haven't really figured it out yet," he sighed, clasping his hands and setting them on the table before giving the rabbit a distraught and disappointed look.
"My magic is a plethora of things. I have Alice, which I guess is a power...oh, and I can manipulate mushrooms, like my hat I made. And..." he paused a moment to bite his lip before moving forward, "...and I have poisonous skin."
The frei fell silent for a moment to see if she'd have a reaction to the latter "power" before speaking up again. "I hate my skin," he said, looking at the ground a moment.
"I've poisoned both my aunt Cali and Reuben, my guardian, just by touching them. I always feel bad, and I've been trying to learn how I can lessen my poisons potency, but I haven't really figured it out yet," he sighed, clasping his hands and setting them on the table before giving the rabbit a distraught and disappointed look.
LuLu's gaze followed his outside momentarily, but snapped back to attention when he exhaled deeply. She listened to his troubles with a neutral expression. Her ears twitched gently here and there at certain words. His mushroom powers were certainly an interesting quirk. Even though the toadstool cap fit well enough with the rest of his ensemble, using his skill for fashion was an unusual choice in the rabbit's opinion. LuLu mused. Maybe one day she could get the boy into a proper hat.
Another comment which escaped his lips was difficult for her to interpret.
Alice?
The rabbit decided not to pry on that topic for now. She moved onto address the larger elephant in the room. "Poison skin, huh?" Her nails clicked noisily on the table as she mulled over a solution for the frei. She began, "I used to hate my powers. One time they made me turn into something horrible. A monster." The comment was in reference to the events that had unfolded while she had transitioned into a sigel. It had certainly taken LuLu a long time to forgive herself for the damage caused by her growth. The raevan was glad that her ink powers had chosen to re-manifest in a milder way this time around. Though, in the bottom of her heart, she knew the potential to lose control was still there. She sighed, "Do not feel bad for things you could not control. It was not intentional."
Another comment which escaped his lips was difficult for her to interpret.
Alice?
The rabbit decided not to pry on that topic for now. She moved onto address the larger elephant in the room. "Poison skin, huh?" Her nails clicked noisily on the table as she mulled over a solution for the frei. She began, "I used to hate my powers. One time they made me turn into something horrible. A monster." The comment was in reference to the events that had unfolded while she had transitioned into a sigel. It had certainly taken LuLu a long time to forgive herself for the damage caused by her growth. The raevan was glad that her ink powers had chosen to re-manifest in a milder way this time around. Though, in the bottom of her heart, she knew the potential to lose control was still there. She sighed, "Do not feel bad for things you could not control. It was not intentional."
Ryder simply nodded. "Yes, poison skin," he reiterated with a sigh. But as the rabbit began to speak about her powers turning her into a monster, Ryder (even being as imaginative as he was) couldn't imagine her being a monster. He clutched his book in his arms and drew away from the table a bit, thinking of her as a beast was scary after all.
However, the toadstool was curious as to what she meant, and began to speak up because of it. "Like an actual monster?" he questioned bluntly, not entirely sure if she was being sarcastic and just meant having a bad attitude or if she was genuinely turned into a ravenous beast. "Your ink powers did that to you?" he prodded.
As she said things are out of his control, his mouth curved to one side as he began to tap his fingers on his book. "I know it wasn't intentional, but I don't even know where to begin fixing it. If I were to touch you, for all I know, you could have some sort of reaction. But I never know what that reaction will be. My aunt Cali just got sort of "high"," his fingers doing air quotes, as though Reuben was there with him, "as Reuben said. But Reuben himself went into a complete allergic attack and began to feel light headed and nauseous and had to sleep it off after I touched his hands for a few seconds."
The fact that his poison was so unpredictable was another problem in and of itself.
However, the toadstool was curious as to what she meant, and began to speak up because of it. "Like an actual monster?" he questioned bluntly, not entirely sure if she was being sarcastic and just meant having a bad attitude or if she was genuinely turned into a ravenous beast. "Your ink powers did that to you?" he prodded.
As she said things are out of his control, his mouth curved to one side as he began to tap his fingers on his book. "I know it wasn't intentional, but I don't even know where to begin fixing it. If I were to touch you, for all I know, you could have some sort of reaction. But I never know what that reaction will be. My aunt Cali just got sort of "high"," his fingers doing air quotes, as though Reuben was there with him, "as Reuben said. But Reuben himself went into a complete allergic attack and began to feel light headed and nauseous and had to sleep it off after I touched his hands for a few seconds."
The fact that his poison was so unpredictable was another problem in and of itself.
LuLu noticed the boy withdrawal. She could not help but lean in closer to fill in the space between them. Her elbows rested on the table. She replied, "Yes, a real monster... worse than the ones in your stories." The girl trailed off. Her amethyst eyes locked with his for a few tense seconds. They held a sharpness that had not been their previously. Suddenly, black tattoos wound into a gruesome mask over her face. "Boo!"
The rabbit giggled and the ink melted away to reveal her normal golden markings. Her features returned to their normal softness. "Sorry, I could not help it. You looked so tense!" A few more giggles and then she settled down. "That is in the past. I do not intend to ever turn back into that monster."
LuLu listened to Ryder's explanation of the poisons symptoms. They seemed to vary greatly depending on the person afflicted. She inquired, "Have you ever let another raevan touch your skin? Maybe only humans are affected?" The rabbit's ears perked as she got an idea. "I am pretty tough. I can give it a try?"
The rabbit giggled and the ink melted away to reveal her normal golden markings. Her features returned to their normal softness. "Sorry, I could not help it. You looked so tense!" A few more giggles and then she settled down. "That is in the past. I do not intend to ever turn back into that monster."
LuLu listened to Ryder's explanation of the poisons symptoms. They seemed to vary greatly depending on the person afflicted. She inquired, "Have you ever let another raevan touch your skin? Maybe only humans are affected?" The rabbit's ears perked as she got an idea. "I am pretty tough. I can give it a try?"
As the rabbit leaned closer, Ryder quirked a brow and pushed himself even further back in his chair, or as much as he could. As her face transformed, Ryder's brow quickly led itself to slight fear. His overactive imagination was taking this small gesture to the extreme, and her tattoos were actually rather frightening. His eyes squinted as she let out her "boo" he flinched for a moment before she returned to her seated position with a giggle.
Once she began to speak again, Ryder felt as though he could breath. A small smirk grew upon the boy's face before speaking. "Well, I'm definitely glad that you've gained control of yourself then. And I'm glad that's all in the past."
Then, the time came. She had a point. As nervous as touching her made him, the only raevan he had ever touched was Ethiriel. Ethiriel had said that she had some sort of vision by touching him. He paused a few moments to think, making sure that this decision couldn't possibly bite him in the ass—if he had one—like so many of his previous decisions had. But over all, he figured it may be worth a shot. Maybe humans were affected a bit differently in comparison to raevan. "If you're certain. But don't say I didn't warn you."
He held out his pale, rainbow freckled hands to the girl, scrunching his face tightly in anticipation of what may happen.
The rabbit rolled her eyes. It couldn't be all that bad. After all, they would only be touching for a moment. What could go wrong? "I am certain." The girl sounded resolute. She reached across the table and grasped his exposed hand in her own. The skin on Ryder's palm was a little clammy from his nervousness. It caused her to giggle.
The sigel waited a few moments for something to happen. She was rewarded by a tingling feeling in her fingertips. It was similar to the sensation that sometimes swept through her limb after she accidentally slept on it. Overall, it was pretty anticlimactic given the frei's harrowing descriptions of other's reactions to this power.LuLu pulled her hand away. She then touched her thumb and fingers together. The prickling only lasted a couple of seconds before normal feeling returned to the digits. She cooed softly, "Interesting."
The sigel waited a few moments for something to happen. She was rewarded by a tingling feeling in her fingertips. It was similar to the sensation that sometimes swept through her limb after she accidentally slept on it. Overall, it was pretty anticlimactic given the frei's harrowing descriptions of other's reactions to this power.LuLu pulled her hand away. She then touched her thumb and fingers together. The prickling only lasted a couple of seconds before normal feeling returned to the digits. She cooed softly, "Interesting."
When the rabbit grabbed his hands, Ryder winced. She held on for a good few moments and when she pulled away, Ryder's eyes widened suddenly to see what happened. Interesting? What was interesting?
"Wh-what happened!? Are you alright?" he questioned timidly, pulling his hands back and wrapping his arms around himself once more, waiting for a response.
"Wh-what happened!? Are you alright?" he questioned timidly, pulling his hands back and wrapping his arms around himself once more, waiting for a response.
LuLu glanced at her fingers then nodded at the boy. "I am fine. It fell asleep for a moment." She placed the hand in question to her side on top of the table. Her nails clicked on the surface. The numbness had completely dissipated now.
"Told you not to worry." The sigel shrugged. "It actually felt kinda cool." She then noticed that the last bites of her sundae had melted into a puddle while she had been distracted. The rabbit mixed the cream together with the toppings into a goopy mess. She really did not care to finish it. LuLu had been at the shop for almost an hour now, and she had already accomplished her goal of buying a cold treat. Despite having met an adorable new frei, she still had a few more errands to run. Perhaps it was time to start heading out again. "Do you think it has cooled down outside, yet?"
"Told you not to worry." The sigel shrugged. "It actually felt kinda cool." She then noticed that the last bites of her sundae had melted into a puddle while she had been distracted. The rabbit mixed the cream together with the toppings into a goopy mess. She really did not care to finish it. LuLu had been at the shop for almost an hour now, and she had already accomplished her goal of buying a cold treat. Despite having met an adorable new frei, she still had a few more errands to run. Perhaps it was time to start heading out again. "Do you think it has cooled down outside, yet?"
Ryder's face fell a moment. Fell asleep? He didn't quite understand the sensation. But, if it felt cool and she wasn't freaking out, that was a very good sign. Apparently he wasn't completely toxic to every individual. "I'm very glad you're okay," the toadstool said with a crooked smile.
The frei nodded as he glanced outside. "Yes, it may have. I should actually be getting back to Reuben soon," he said, realizing how late it was getting; after all, Reuben didn't like him to stay out too late whatsoever.
"I've had a very nice time meeting you, though. We should meet again sometime."
The frei nodded as he glanced outside. "Yes, it may have. I should actually be getting back to Reuben soon," he said, realizing how late it was getting; after all, Reuben didn't like him to stay out too late whatsoever.
"I've had a very nice time meeting you, though. We should meet again sometime."
The rabbit smiled at Ryder's sentiment. He seemed to worry about a lot of things. Her safety was no exception. Though their contact had been brief and LuLu had felt no sense of danger during it, the boy's concern was appreciated. She was also happy to be someone who was relatively unaffected by the frei's powers.
LuLu nodded in agreement with Ryder. "We should. Do you have a number?" She reached into her bag and pulled out a red cell phone. The sigel waved the device in the air before she flicked her thumb over the screen and it came to life.
LuLu nodded in agreement with Ryder. "We should. Do you have a number?" She reached into her bag and pulled out a red cell phone. The sigel waved the device in the air before she flicked her thumb over the screen and it came to life.
Ryder watched as the rabbit pulled out her phone. His brow quirked a bit, rather interested in it. Obviously he knew what she was talking about, but Reuben hadn't ever gotten the frei a number of his own. His face fell sad as he looked at the book in his arms.
"I...don't," he stated quietly. But he opened the book in his arms and saw the card that Reuben always made him carry in his books. "But this is my guardian's phone number, if you want that?"
The toadstool smiled a bit as he handed the business card to the rabbit.
"I...don't," he stated quietly. But he opened the book in his arms and saw the card that Reuben always made him carry in his books. "But this is my guardian's phone number, if you want that?"
The toadstool smiled a bit as he handed the business card to the rabbit.
LuLu plucked the card from Ryder's fingertips. It was printed on a sturdy cardstock with clear, concise lettering. The sigel read over the lettering.
On top, in bold, was: "The Mystic Herb"
She noted the name Reuben neatly displayed on the card. That must be Ryder's guardian. Lu also recognized the shop's address. It was about a 15 minute drive from Josh's apartment. The rabbit would have to pay it a visit next time she was on that side of town.
Of course, there was a contact number included on the card. LuLu tucked the card away into her bag along with her phone. "I will keep in touch, ok?" The rabbit rose from her seat.
On top, in bold, was: "The Mystic Herb"
She noted the name Reuben neatly displayed on the card. That must be Ryder's guardian. Lu also recognized the shop's address. It was about a 15 minute drive from Josh's apartment. The rabbit would have to pay it a visit next time she was on that side of town.
Of course, there was a contact number included on the card. LuLu tucked the card away into her bag along with her phone. "I will keep in touch, ok?" The rabbit rose from her seat.
Ryder looked up at LuLu as she rose up. The mushroom simply gave a slight smile and a nod. "I look forward to it," he said, his smile turning slightly downward as he sighed. He knew this would be the end of their conversation and their meeting, but at the same time, he sort of gained a new outlook. His power wasn't completely deadly to all. Maybe there was some hope?
The frei placed his book out on the table and opened it, ready to start reading. He decided he would stay in a little while longer just to push off the heat slightly more, fading away into his own little world of fantasy with each word on the page.
The frei placed his book out on the table and opened it, ready to start reading. He decided he would stay in a little while longer just to push off the heat slightly more, fading away into his own little world of fantasy with each word on the page.