(Story written by @GfluidPantastic over on twitter <3)
Thud, thud, thud...
The patron rolled back and forth in their bed, trying to block out the insistent noise. Their money had paid for a very nice room. Lavish luxuries that most would deem unnecessary, and for the most part; they agree. All they truly needed was a comfortable place to rest, but...
Thud, thud, thud...
“AGGHH!” They rolled onto their back and smothered themselves with their pillow. “How do they even make people this inconsiderate!?”
……
One floor down an entire room reeked of apathy. There the culprit lay, hanging off the couch, and bouncing a rubber ball off of the ceiling. Over, and over, and over…
Thud, thud, thud…
Every hit perfectly on beat with the slow monotony of her boredom. Holding the little blue ball just long enough for it to contrast her tangerine tone, before torturing her neighbor once again.
She stopped for a moment. Just the necessary amount of time for her tail to whip back and forth in annoyance. One more throw, and the ball flew horribly off course, landing on the chair across the room. Groaning she sulks further off the couch, until her horns gently graze the carpet. Putting her hands down firm, she summersaults herself upright and continues her moping spree.
“Ugh, Lu said she’d be back by now! I’m bored, and I’m hungry, and ughhh!”
Stomping her way to the fridge, she flings it open and stares accusingly at its contents. She could try to make something she thought, but after yesterday Lu wouldn’t want her cooking alone. She stares in silence for a few moments, then snatches a jar marked “Mayonnaise”.
Ah yes, this is food.
Confident in her decision she grabs a spoon, and makes her way back to the couch. She elects to tear the lid off rather than twist, and gets the spoon halfway to her mouth before the front door swings open.
“Hey hun! Sorry I’m a little late, but you’ll never guess what I fou-” turning around she’s greeted with the scene of Maru frozen in time, a full spoon of mayo hanging in front of her wide open mouth.
“No. Put the Mayo down...”
Maru, always looking guilty, drops the spoon back in.
“But it’s food! It was in the fridge! The thing with all the food!”
“It’s an ingredient, not a meal!”
“Why not!?”
“Because it-” She pauses for a moment, her ears flat back, now forced to face this question. “No, just no!” she decides, walking to the fridge, confiscating Maru’s dinner on the way.
Perusing her options she hand picks what she needs, and makes her way to the stove. Grabbing the pot she needs without looking, she snaps her fingers and starts the flame. Following the scent of food, Maru lumbers into the kitchen and sits down at the table. She rests her head on her hand lazily and asks “So how did it go?” as her elbow drifts further and further away.
“Good!” Lu chipped “It’s always nice to catch up with old friends.”
Maru sits there watching in envy as Luminia composes the meal into place, bringing with it a melody of lovely smells. Maru can’t help but sit up, now half of her attention being dedicated to the food.
“Who were they again? I know they have all those knick knacks and books…”
“They are the ones that introduced me to the outside world forever ago! There is always so much wonder and adventure in that cart…” Trailing off lost in thought, Lu snaps back for a moment excitedly “Oh yeah! I was gonna tell you, Hendrix gave me this!”
Whipping a piece of yellow parchment out, Luminia proudly displays a dusty old map.
Maru stares for a second, and smiles awkwardly. “Yay? A map?”
Luminia stares at her in bewilderment.
“Oh no no no. A dungeon! You’ve never been to a dungeon before though, have you?” Flattening the map out on the table she points to a big red X.
“See? Whatever is there is a one of a kind adventure! Secrets, treasure, and mystery!” She looks up, eyes wide with wonder, hoping to see it reflected in Maru’s face. Maru processes for a moment, staring into the distance…
“OH! You mean we’re getting out of the house?!” Maru bolts up, finally understanding.
Luminia giggles a little, ruffling Maru’s puffy hair; “Yes, goofball. That’s what I mean.”
