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Post by Amelia on Feb 9, 2023 5:57:04 GMT -6
The soft push of the wind tickled the grass so that it lie flat against the ground. It was a warm day, uncanny for the winter season. But a warm day in winter was always like an unexpected present. One could be grateful for it, surprised by it, and aware enough to make the most of it. It wasn't like it happened often, but every year it seemed to happy more. Perhaps it was that she didn't remember all the nice days the year before, but it was odd to block out a positive experience. Perhaps it was that all the cold days overshadowed the few nice moments that were sprinkled in. Regardless, Amelia knew it was a day worth making the most of. Everyday had potential, everyday had the chance to be more than it was. Amelia knew like nobody else that it was easy to sleep a day away. You turned over and got a few extra hours in the morning, and when you took your time getting out of bed in the morning it could easily be well into the second half of the day before it felt as though the first half had even begun. When it felt as though the day flew by, the obvious culprit never answered for the end result. Alas, it was easy to waste a beautiful day. Today Amelia had prepared herself for more. Today Amelia had decided to make the most of the day. She had made some solid strategies to become the best version of herself. That was far from easy. Life was automatically harder for the mammalian, and as far as she knew it wasn't her fault. She knew a few simple facts. One- she had a life she didn't remember. Two - she was in a different form before this. She gathered this by the clothes that were around her home, (and now she really didn't have the need for them.) Three - something had happened to her, and now she was different because of it. In some ways she was better. There wasn't much in the place for self-esteem issues, because her appearance didn't matter to her. She made sure she was generally clean and well-groomed and thats all that seemed to matter for a mammalian. There was no makeup, there was no fashion concerns. Things seem to come her way without her having to try too hard, and she had the natural balance and grace that came with being feline. In other ways she was worse. Mostly her brain. She was convinced it played tricks on her, showed her things that weren't there. She didn't stand on solid ground when it came to decision making. Her decisions were often poor, and if it wasn't for the direction from her pets, she probably would have missed meals and not ended up coming home. She didn't have the financial means to make poor financial decisions fortunately. She imagined there was some form of trauma that she didn't remember, but perhaps she was better for it. She spoke with a therapist regularly, and she liked to think she was making progress on who she was. As long as she avoided anything magical (and luckily, her lack of understanding of it made her avoid it out of safety, ) she was unlikely to cause harm to herself and others. Still, the mammalian rarely left home alone. On this beautiful day, she was accompanied by two of her longest standing pets. Both of them knew her before any of the changes, and both of them protected her (despite the fact that they refused to share much information with her from her past life.) Eve circled the skies above them, enjoying any chance to stretch her old wings. She was probably one of the oldest creatures in the labs, and had far retired from anything too exciting, but she was a grandmother figure to both Amelia and the rest of the creatures that made up her family. She made sure everybody was safe, and she made sure everybody was fed. On the strange days where Amelia was trapped in her own mind, the Wiurn happily made sure everybody made it through the day. Sandy had come into Amelia's life as an angsty teenage creature, but had grown into a much more mature being. She was the other side to Amelia's coin. Stubborn, (as all Thundergugs were by nature,) clumsy, but a bit more mentally hardened. Less likely to be convinced to do the wrong thing, but also likely to make poor choices. Sandy protected the mammalian in many other ways, and collectively they continued to make it through every season of the year. As Sandy grazed in the grass nearby, Amelia found herself a sturdy bench to take a rest. The wood was damp, but the warm weather ensured no frost was present. "Is somebody sitting her?"
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Post by Amelia on Feb 9, 2023 6:15:09 GMT -6
Of course, Amelia wasn't used to much social interaction. It wasn't as though she actively avoided it, but she found herself a lot more closeted due to her hobbies. She knew there were many others who called the laboratories their home, she simply didn't seem to interact with them much. She would speak to shopkeepers and make polite conversation. Hell, she had even been known to flirt to try to get a bargain. Because she had enough connections with her pets to have conversations with them, she found enough of her social needs were met without even having to leave the house. But still, interaction with others provided a benefit that her pets just simply couldn't. The mammalian turned to the voice, her crisp blue eyes making out a dark figure to her side. The sun reflected against the sun, and she had to squint to make out the individual. Her eyes would quickly adjust, and in a moment she saw another mammalian. Or at least she assumed it was something of one. They stood on their hind legs, and it was clear by their muscle density that they also walked in a humanoid way. A similar coat to hers, this person's had more orange and browns. The spots were similar, but also the pattern varied. From their back sprouted a pair of soft, white, angelic wings. From the top of their head, a kind of caribou antler. The face was something different as well, although it appeared feline in nature, there was also clear human like qualities. The eyes were a crisp emerald, which gave a stark contrast to the earthy tones of the coat. Still, it was a being she had never seen before. With the downy feathered wings, they gave off an angelic glow.
"Am I dead?"
Even Sandy raised her head to this. When Amelia spoke out loud, she couldn't understand the words themselves. But even the Thundergug knew that Amelia was saying weird things, and she had barely even started this new social interaction.
"Excuse me?" The voice was deep, masculine. It had a warm quality to it, like a cup of hot cocoa on a chilly winter night.
"I'm sorry, I don't know why that's what I said. I shouldn't have said that. Really, I mean. I meant to say. What I should've said-"
The mammalian began to ramble, and she could feel her cheeks grow flush. How was she capable of making so many social fumbles, in such a short period of time? She had barely met the man, and yet, here she was, struggling to compose a simple sentence.
"I'm only asking because I've let my Chirmya off to run and I wanted to sit while I waited for him to tire himself out. You're in the middle of the bench, and I thought it to be polite to say something instead of push my way in."
He spoke with a bit of a proper accent - it was clear he wasn't from the area. She muttered an apology, scooted slightly over to the side, and gestured towards the empty bench beside her.
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Post by Amelia on Feb 9, 2023 6:28:18 GMT -6
"I'm a bit concerned on your thoughts around your current existence. Did I intrude on a private, existential moment?" The strange man smiled, and it was apparent he was attempting to make a sort of joke.
"I'm sorry. I guess I'm just not used to seeing many people around these parts. See, most of the time when I take Sandy and Eve out, we don't see anybody else. Hell, I don't think we ever run into anyone. Occasionally we see someone in the distance, but it seems people keep their space around here. Or perhaps its just me." She paused at those last words, and broke eye contact. It was clear it was possible she didn't give off an entirely inviting vibe, maybe that's why she had no real friends.
The Thundergug continued to graze in the distance. She briefly turned her head to Amelia when she initially spoke out loud, decided there was no threat in the mammalian sitting on a bench, and went back to her snack. It was always a treat when they got to explore different pastures, and it was important for the herbivore to enjoy a variety of plants to reap the rewards of the different nutrients they provided. Eve enjoyed taking this time to hunt, as the old Wiurn rarely got out to take down her own food anymore. She was used to eating the food provided to her, but dipping back into her carnal instincts made her feel alive in a way she rarely got to anymore. She was nothing more than a green speck in the distance, but it didn't mean she wouldn't return if it was made known her presence was needed.
"I'm new to the area. You're the first person I've had the pleasure of meeting so far. And I have to admit, it certainly has been a pleasure."
His clear attempt at flirting wasn't lost on Amelia, but she wasn't exactly prepared to answer. Instead she scanned the park for the Chirmya, who the man had claimed he was out with. "I'm glad I could be on the welcoming committee. Where exactly is your pet?" She let a shy smile out, trying not to be too flustered with her interactions. This was why she had no friends, it had to be.
"He's around. He doesn't get the chance to spread his legs much since we've moved, but I know he will always come back. He has a better grasp on where we live than I do. I'm struggling a bit with this city. I've found the shops, the basic neighbourhoods, the areas around to explore. But everybody seems to have their head down and their focus on their own day to day activities. Maybe its the sheer intelligence and sentience a lot of these lab creatures have, they provide their own variety of social factor." The vulnerability was welcoming, and he brought a hand to brush some hair out of his eyes, before sharing another smile with Amelia.
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Post by Amelia on Feb 9, 2023 6:47:38 GMT -6
"I don't have many friends here either, and I would say that I've spent a fair amount of time in the city. I'm also not from here, a transplant like most." She said no more, as she was unable to volunteer an area she was from. She had recently done some travelling outside the city boundaries, but nothing felt quite like home. The closest she would have to bet would be the mountains, but even then something didn't feel right.
"I wanted to gander a guess that you weren't from here either. You've a different accent than some of the city folk. Not in a bad way. You also don't look like you're from here. But I guess you can't go off of appearances either."
She let her eyes sweep over him once more. They shared resemblances, but also the wings and antlers showed he wasn't exactly a cut and dry species she was familiar with. "Where are you from? What brought about the move."
He shuffled his wings, and for the first time the mammalian seen that they were some degree of functional. Maybe not for flight, but he certainly had strong control over them. They did more than just rest at his sides. "I'm from far outside of the city. If you go north-east, you'll find an area that isn't quite the mountains, but isn't quite the jungle. Further beyond that is my home. Most are unfamiliar with it, I promise I wouldn't find a townsperson who is familiar with it. But we learn Common from a young age - and how to properly speak it - and are taught life skills they wouldn't even touch on in the city. We have a connection to our surroundings. We are one with nature, nature is with us. Life is harmonious for us, and we strive to keep it that way."
Sounded like a paradise to the mammalian. It didn't exactly explain the reason for a move, if anything it just gave more reasons to want to stay. "I couldn't imagine wanting to leave."
"Certain pressures push us to leave at different ages. Some are lucky and never find themselves having to venture out. Others, like me, are tasked to see a little more of the world. A city like this is a perfect place for me to go and gather what I need." It was clear that he was quite deliberate with his words. The sentences didn't flow as gently. It seemed like a combination of choosing the right words, and rehearsing words he was already too familiar with. Despite him having said he hadn't met anybody here yet, it didn't sound like the first time he was explaining why he wasn't in his hometown.
"So, are you planning on sticking around?"
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Post by Amelia on Feb 9, 2023 6:58:14 GMT -6
"Isn't that the question eh?" He pulled himself to his feet, and Amelia watched as he delicately stood on the snow. Perhaps it was that he was so light footed, perhaps it was that the snow was already packed down. But he didn't seem to make as much of an indent in the snow when he stood up, and for this Amelia found herself impressed.
"I sometimes wonder why I'm still here." She found the words had come out before she had even conceptualized them, and here she was somehow sharing her problems with a complete stranger.
"Is there something keeping you here? Or something pushing you away?"
"In all honesty, I'm unsure of my purpose here sometimes. I have amazing pets, and in them I have a family. But I struggle to find what is next for me. Is this the end goal? Do I feel fulfilled here? Is there more for me. In a family that isn't lab creatures." When the words first came out, she entirely meant if she had siblings or parents. When you didn't know your past, it also meant you didn't know where you came from. You had nobody to call to fill in on life accomplishments. You had nobody to share your successes, to support you through your failures. But as she looked into the violet eyes of the man next to her, she started to question if maybe she also meant if she would have a family of her own. A partnership, offspring. Was she motherly? Could she be a good mother? His gemstone eyes fixated on her, and his soft disposition made her feel comfortable. It reminded her of something she had mined up before, and she wondered if she had any gems back at her kennel she could show him. So unique, most people didn't have eyes of those colour. She wanted to say something, but his response brought her back to the moment.
"I don't know if we're meant to have all the answers. I think it's good to have a direction to go in, but I don't think we always have the chance to know if our decisions are right. I think we have to be willing to open the doors and go through them. Everything is an opportunity if we're willing to explore it. Every day has the chance to be beautiful if we are willing to see the good in it." His words were poetic, and it warmed Amelia. It was the hot cocoa feeling again, and she felt good to be around him.
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Post by Amelia on Feb 9, 2023 7:09:35 GMT -6
"I needed to hear that." She didn't have a good response to his words, and instead she chose to sit with them for awhile. He scooted a bit closer to her, and she could feel the heat radiating from him. The golden feathers of his wings further reflected the sunlight, and the stripes of his fur softened any hard edges he brought with him. The striking orange of his fur was a strong contrast against the snow, but blended with his wings, funny shaped antlers, and golden eyes.
"Sometimes people just need to hear certain words out loud. You know, I think you would like my home town." He brought a hand towards hers, resting it on top of hers. "At the very least, I think you would enjoy some of my family. We're a very encouraging folk. I bet you would find yourself knocking out some of your goals with the right support. At the end of the day, they say it takes a village, and everybody just needs the right kind of support."
Amelia was taken back by the support, and she couldn't help but feel a bit surprised by the touch. But a good surprise. Being touched wasn't a bad thing. She was a social creature. A sexual creature. It wasn't a bad thing to be touched by somebody else. It wasn't something to shy away from. Others were there to help her, they weren't necessarily there to cause her any distress. She had to be more open to making friends. To meeting people. To meeting a partner. Maybe that meant leaving the city, maybe that meant taking a chance. She turned her body towards his, soaking up his handsome appearance, basking in the gaze of his sky blue eyes.
"Tell me about your goals. What are you hoping to accomplish?" He took her hands in his as he said this, and held them in her lap. The hot cocoa feeling reached through her body, and she couldn't help but let out a slight gasp.
The sunlight was obscured, for just a moment, by the old Wiurn circling around. She had finished her hunt, and it was clear she was deciding to come back. At this point, Sandy had found herself closer to a tree, without realizing it the Thundergug had slowly made her way away from Amelia. There was some berries that had been uncovered from the sudden warm weather, and she was eagerly enjoying their taste. Getting out of the house on these warm days were always a bonus. She had a chance to enjoy some berries, Eve stretched her wings, and Amelia had a chance to stretch out on a park bench and clear her head.
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Post by Amelia on Feb 9, 2023 7:22:21 GMT -6
Amelia let her gaze fall to her Thundergug, who remained in sight, but just barely. She briefly peeked into the sky and made note of the Wiurn, but drew her gaze back to the handsome creature in front of her. A translucent feather fell onto the ground, and was barely visible against the white snow. Overall he blended well against the surroundings, his coat was only a few shades greyer than hers, and his soft golden eyes were the only obvious contrast to the beautiful wintery surroundings.
"I don't really know. I think that's part of my problem. I did a bit of exploring, although I certainly didn't go as far as where your village would be. I enjoy spending time in the mines, sometimes I put work into training my pets. But I think there's more out there for me, beyond the city limits. Beyond even the park we're currently in."
With that, the gorgeous creature in front of her stood to his feet. "Then what's stopping you? Let's go. Theres a nice trail from here that goes out towards the city limit. We can just start walking and see where it leads us. Its a beautiful day, theres loads of sunlight. Let's find your muse." His confidence was palpable, and Amelia jumped to her feet as well. She wasn't sure where she was going, but she had a really good feeling about it. He wrapped a hand around hers, and circled a golden wing around her. The hot cocoa feeling was back. She looked up at him, melting into his emerald eyes. "I have some suggestions for things for you to do, things I want from you. They're easy things. I think they're going to help you get your muse. There's a regular radio channel I've been listening to around here. I want you to write down things that feel like they're speaking to you. There's this hostess, she has an accent similar to mine. She has the best advice. Listen regularly, every evening before bed if you have the chance. Keep yourself a journal with this advice. When you fill it up, there's a good place you can bring it to help you make sense of your feelings. She specializes in it, deciphering dreams and giving meaning to these sorts of things. It'll help you really physically see your goals. With all of these things it can feel a little messy, but I think you're smart enough to be able to filter out the nonsense and the stuff that you'll carry on for your future. But journalling needs to be a private thing, so don't share it with any of these guys." He pointed to the Thundergug, and at this point Amelia realized the two of them had begun walking towards the edge of the park, opposite Sandy. Towards the path he had mentioned earlier.
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Post by Amelia on Feb 9, 2023 7:35:39 GMT -6
"Sorry, I don't want to get overwhelmed. You're telling me that this radio channel, theres a woman who speaks every evening, I should write her advice in a journal, along with my interpretation of it, and then when I fill up this journal there's a different woman you're familiar with who can use it to help me create my goals? Sort of like a therapist." Amelia paused for a moment in her step, making sure she was explaining everything properly.
"Yes, that's exactly it. But it has to be our secret. She's really good at what she does. Think of everything up until the journal submission as just a therapy. The radio host has some good information, but its not always surface level obvious. I want you to meet this woman. The one that can help you with your goals. She's basically one of the best psychs I know, and I think this town is missing out without her talents." He began leading her again, and she followed in his footsteps. The sounds of the snow crunching underneath her feet echoing as his glided noiselessly.
"Like a psychiatrist?" He didn't respond to her question, but she assumed it could mean nothing else. She rested her hand on the edge of the park gate, about to reach for the lock so she could go through it. "I thought your town was far away, how would I possibly be able to even meet her? Is she nearby? How could I even access her talents." Some of these questions came as statements, and the mammalian held the gate open, still remaining on the city side of the gate. Beyond the gate was an unpatrolled area. Although the path was quite weathered, she avoided going anywhere too far out of the city.
He stood on the other side of the gate, his hand resting on the top of her forearm. "You're never going to grow if you don't let yourself explore a little. She's not far actually, she comes into the city every 4 weeks. Partially to check on me, partially to see some of her other clients. There's a few people in town she's familiar with. I would say she's in hot demand. I wouldn't want you to miss out on this chance." His voice was welcoming, warm and forgiving. It encouraged her to make decisions she normally wouldn't. Maybe this was what she needed to grow a little. Step outside of her comfort zone. Plus, it wasn't far from town. It wasn't like she was the only client in the area either.
"This radio station..." she trailed off, going back to the objective she was given. He told her the station, he told her that it would be on at 830pm every night sharp. He told her the music they played when they didn't talk, how sometimes you had to fiddle with the dial because a neighbouring station would sometimes pick up. She felt more confident with this information, and she looked back up at the strange but seemingly perfect man in front of her. His spots matched hers, his eyes were the same crisp blue hers were. They were one in the same. She pushed the gate open and stepped through.
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Post by Amelia on Feb 9, 2023 7:46:29 GMT -6
He smiled warmly, gesturing for her to follow him further inside. Amelia took a step before she was alarmed by a loud grunt.
Hey. I think I'm pretty full, I've had my fill of the berries here. Plus its starting to get late. Crazy how the day is flying by on us. Eve has already circled around and decided to head back to the kennels. I know you're enjoying stretching your legs and moving around the park, but what are you thinking about getting out of here?
Amelia stopped and turned towards the park. There was a bit of a hill, and she could see the Thundergug lazily walking towards her. Her large feet pressed into the snow, making loud crunching sounds as she walked. She didn't walk over Amelia's footprints, instead making her own path nearby. Her earthy pattern blended against the shrubbery around them, but also was quite obvious in the winter colours. The sun had made its way behind some clouds, and although the day was still uncannily warm, it wasn't quite as bright and translucent as it was when they originally got to the park. Amelia wasn't really ready to leave, she was basically just about to begin a journey. But, she couldn't leave the Thundergug at the park either. She hummed at the decision she had to make.
"I'd really like the chance to spend more time with you." His voice was seduction now. Although it always carried a taste of charm, it wasn't quite as alluring as it was now. She held on to the fence with one hand, as her choice was a bit more difficult with her Thundergug chiming in. He wrapped a delicate arm around her waist, the earthy browns of his fur blending against the fence she gripped. She felt a tingle down her spine, a feeling she was unfamiliar with, but also understood the intentions of. "This woman I want you to meet, she sets up just outside the city here. I can pull some strings even, get you to drop your journal off someplace you feel more safe." He whispered these words in her ear, and he pulled her body against his. She felt the heat through her, but this time she felt a bit embarrassed with the intentions. It was clear though he could feel her hesitation, and the approaching Thundergug didn't help. Sandy stood at the top of the hill, silently watching the mammalian as she went through her internal thoughts. Amelia turned towards her new acquaintance, and back towards her beloved pet. "I know you can do great things Amelia, just give yourself the chance"
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Post by Amelia on Feb 9, 2023 8:08:29 GMT -6
Sandy stood, watching Amelia. Amelia felt the Thundergug watch her, although she said no words, there was clear thoughts in place. Amelia turned to the man, who brought his hand further along her back side. She wanted to swat him away, she felt as though his touch wasn't appropriate for the Thundergug to see. "You said you live near here?" her voice quivered, and it was clear he could see the doubt she had for following him this time around.
"Yes, and I'm always around. Out for a stroll, exploring the city. If it's not today, I'm sure I can make another time for it. For us to spend some time together, go explore. You can even share your journals with me. I want nothing more than to see how the amazing Amelia interprets the legendary radio broadcasts. You know, we really value your opinions." He pressed his lips into the side of her head, and she was shocked and overwhelmed by the closeness. His dark grey eyes matched the clouds in the sky, and for a moment the mammalian was unsure if it was going to storm. Certainly not at this time of year.
Sandy let out a huff and shook her head, indicating for the mammalian she was tired of waiting.
"I'm sorry, I think I have to go. I'm sorry, I'll see you around?" Her voice was weak, she hated the dissapointment she was bringing. But also, she couldn't leave Sandy by herself. And the Thundergug was right, the day was getting away on them. She was unsure what the man was thinking, saying how much daylight they had left. Did he not realize how far the day was going?
"You couldn't get rid of me even if you tried." He laughed and squeezed her hand. He turned his head, his dark eyes looking into the distance for his Chiryma.
Amelia turned around and came back through the gate, swinging it open for her friend to come through and listening as it crashed closed behind her. She walked up the hill, towards her Thundergug.
I'm sorry, I got caught up, I have a lot of fun things to tell you about what I was up to while you were eating. But I'm ready to go now.
She pulled herself up onto the 'gug's back, and turned around to tell her friend goodbye, but he was gone. Strange, she hadn't heard him leave, he didn't even really say goodbye. Sandy began walking home and Amelia was enraptured by the thoughts of this new person in her life. His soft voice, his kind touch. The way she felt welcomed. The way she felt as though she had a renewed sense of purpose. He had given her a goal, she was eager to get started on it tonight.
But what she didn't notice was the inconsistencies. The inconsistencies in his fur, the inconsistencies in his eye colour. Did she really even remember an eye colour for him, or did her brain just fill the gaps in? How he walked without damaging the snow, despite his obvious large stature. He knew her name despite the lack of introductions, yet she still didn't know his. But she didn't think of these things. Because when the brain creates its own pathways, it hides the parts that don't make sense.
I'm glad you had a good time, despite how I know how hard it can be for you to spend time alone.
It appeared Sandy didn't see him. Amelia would later learn, neither did Eve. But despite this, Amelia didn't need convincing. She simply kept the conversation she had to herself. The companionship she longed for, the social interaction she craved. The direction she was given, the goals she had. She was certain they would meet again, and maybe next time they would go outside the park towards the path. After all, he had given her some fantastic direction. She looked forward to the radio channel she would listen to. She looked forward to the journalling she would do. She would look forward to the times she would see this man again, (and this was certain to be true.)
The mammalian hadn't been handed the best hand. Sometimes it was better if she shared things. Because when she didn't, the inconsistencies didn't seem to matter. The parts she didn't understand didn't seem to come to light. Nobody else noticed when her brain decided to make things up, because she chose not to share. Nobody noticed the weird mammalian talking to herself, wandering down into unsafe areas alone. And this was a tricky situation, because the further she strayed from the reality, the harder it would be for anybody to bring her back.
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