My Sudden Monster Convergence

We didn’t hang around too long as Mom quickly spotted another shop selling some sort of grass weaved baskets. Some were colored in pastel blues and reds while others had yellow ribbons and bows. Some were even weaved to have the sun on the sides or several big flowers you'd see around tropical islands. There were even flipflops with footprint decals on the soles and hats of different sizes. The prints on the flipflops looked human enough though there was others with paw prints and one that just looked like human hands? The hats on the other hand ranged from umbra sized sunhats to small pet sized cowboy hats with circular cutouts for ears. It wasn’t too hard to tell when the shopkeeper was a Majin-mew girl. She was wearing a large weaved hat with holes large enough that her ears easily moved around as she listened to customers’ questions.

Mom ordered something called a ‘fairy min’ and I got a cowboy looking hat along with a pencil holder that looked like a boot. The hat had a few shiny black sticks weaved into the sides. It kinda looked like those sticks women used to hold up their hair? Or thick chopsticks.

Sadly I didn't get to wear the hat or see what exactly Mom bought. Guess it would probably look like a possessed hat if I tried. And the last thing I need to worry about is being considered a wight. Though it would be a neat trick if I didn’t want to fight. Would that work on that Oni? The thought only made my blood burn. She knows something about Mark. What if she targets him, Belle or any of my other friends next?! No, this needs to be handled personally.

Mom did stop in front of a store that was advertising selling fairy themed clothes. Her brows pinched into a glare as she stared at a pale green shirt with tied ribbon in the slits of the sleeves. I could even see her hand clenching into a fist. Not sure what to do, I just tapped her shoulder, hopefully she'll snap out of this.

She blinked twice before shutting her eyes. “Sorry about that.” She half grumbled. “Those seam lines are horrid and that material!” She turned her head away like she was offered disgusting food. “Whoever's selling those clothes probably annoyed a pixie or three! Let’s just get out of here befo-”

“Ally? Ally!” A short woman rushed up to my mother. Appearing from the crowd like a ghost through a wall. The woman was in a mismatched skirt of reds and an off color green shirt that looked like barfed up salad. She was running up to my mother waving her arm in a dizzy blur.

Mom on the other hand hunched forward and her face instantly falling into a face that would snarl. A moment later, she straightened up and her face changed into a smile. “Hey…….Charlie…..what are you doing back in Starwbae?” She said laying on the annoyance in her voice extra thick with a greasy side of ‘go away’.

The woman reached mom and smiled a friendly smile. “Heeeeey Aaaaally wally! When I saw that gaudy salad outfit, I asked myself if I knew who that was. And I totally realized that's none other than you~!” Her voice sounded as if she was discussing something like an expensive vacation, while she gave my mother a slightly unhinged head tilted smile. 

She then inched closer like a fangirl trying to touch their idol, her fingers moving in a grabbing motion. “It's been sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo…..” As she exaggerated her words, she leaned her head back and made circles with her pointer finger. “Been too long.” She just finished somewhere in the middle of her sentence.

“I see…. Well, it's been a ni-” Mom began but Charlie grabbed her hand.

“I just wanted to tell you about my new job as a fashion consultant!” She shot a thumb at the store mom was  complaining about and smiled. “Got the goods on fairy styled sewing and fabrics they like!” She leaned in close as she eyed the crowd. “Apparently fairies love my voice! And I didn’t even try singing to them.” She even turned to a nearby fairy sitting on a hanging bench a good two or three feet above them. “Hi! Mr or Misses fairy! That’s quite the weird shirt you have on!” She screamed and her voice sounded like a flute blowing razors. My ears felt like a hoard of rats were clawing their way out of them, even shielding myself with my hands and wings did nothing!

She might not have seen the fairy but I managed to and he looked like he just had lemon juice poured on him as his face was twisted into a god awful cringe. He quickly gave a hand wave before blasting off in the opposite direction we were.

I just stared at the woman. Barely as my ears were still sore.

What sort of hype is she taking? Is that why her voice is so-crazy?!

“Alright! That actually sounds nice. The job I mean. Did you need some sug-” Mom began, seeing as Charlie didn’t let go of her.

“NOPE~! I got lots of other stores to help out so I can’t waste any more time! I’ll see you around Wally!” Charlie waved an arm like she had no bones before quickly turning around and disappearing into the crowd. Leaving us a little deaf and me unsure if magical people were worse than magic books.

“Ok, that’s………..nice.” Mom half heartedly whispered as she watched Charlie’s back quickly become swallowed into the bodies of the crowd.

“That was…Charlie. She’s a very ‘friendly’ person.” Mom shook her head. “I’m not even sure if sugar slimes could keep up with her energy. Anyway! There’s more to do, Oly. come on.” She moved to walk down the park in the direction of a game stalls.

I wasn’t sure what to make of that woman but maybe friendly was a little too kind. Poor fairies. I wouldn’t wish that kind of person on even that Oni bitch. Some forms of punishment just aren't worth it. I rubbed my ears. Please just don’t sing. Turning I began to follow Mom. Hopefully whatever we do next will be more interesting than thi-

“Friend-leeee”

Feeling a cold chill lick its way down my back, my head snapped in the direction of an alleyway and my wings pulled open. I saw a few wooden boxes, a wall painted with burning wings and a tall gated fence covered in red tarp. Nothing else, no movement, not even an animal. Even the cold I felt was gone. Looking to the left and right didn’t bring anything else to light. 

I took a step closer to the alleyway, the only sound I paid attention to was the whistling wind. Poking my head into the alley, the light in here was a dark red. The shadows seemed to pour out of the alley, away from the fence, stretching for any other dark places. Even the sound here was a dried out echo of the people outside that felt similar to a crashing waterfall in the distance. My scales and the skin underneath felt like a thousand acid spraying ants were running or biting me, I felt myself rasing in height and my muscles tightening up. Some of the untied tarp flapped in the wind as if it was calling me closer or telling me to run away.

“Maybe….” I stepped back, my mind didn’t fight me on this. “I’m just hearing things.” I stepped farther away, still watching the alleyway. The whistling alley.

I didn’t look away until I bumped into something.

“Woah! The Void is that!” Shouted a confused man as he dropped a large sausage sized corndog.

Instantly people started to look at the guy while a few that probably saw him get shoved either looked around or stared at him with annoyed eyes.

“Come on dude! You’ll freak out my boyfriend!” “Haha! Nice man! You almost got me!” “Really cool body acting but maybe don’t waste your food.”

“G-guys! I wasn’t playing a joke! Something actually hit me! It was like a fucking invisable brick wall!” The guy shouted but what I assumed were his friends rolled their eyes or walked away. He on the other hand began to reach out, patting at the air like a mime. “It’s gotta be around here somewhere….”

Sadily for him I was already moving down a path my mother was on, so I might’ve left him looking like an idiot…….. Then again the way his friends reacted, he might actually be one. Whatever, I’m not here for him. Once I caught up to Mom and nudged her arm a little she just shook her head. 

“I’d complain about that but…that guy.” She shook her head before turning around. “Let’s just focus on the next part.” She gave an almost evil smile as we continued on our way.

“No, I don’t think selling dildos will make a killing.” Dainin argued as he finished pulling in one of the larger statues of the region’s hero. Sadly he felt he couldn’t carve a perfect sculpture of the Sun trailer. His client really wanted a buffer, manly version.

“Come on Dan. You know a lot of people relieve themselves and since my last idea of flesh lights was a little….off the road. I think this could really work! I’ve heard some women love collecting the things! Think of all the money and possible future clients!” Raz, a pure black silla-cat said, waving his cat paws in the air as if trying to conjure up this possible lucrative future.

“Raz, could you consider I’m a local wood carver? I have zero online presence and the only ones that might buy are the Jardin and Vulva-flora. And the last thing I want is a bunch of Vivi-flora hanging around my workshop at home moaning for more of the things.” Dainin pointed out as he faced his partner in this, lazily floating in the air with a grumpy pout.

“If you’re worried about an online presence then I can easily handle that. You won’t even have to pluck whiskers over it. Just make a few sample products and I’ll work my magic! It’ll be strictly an online store and sell to all the cities like Arenas Doradas? Maybe even-”

Right at that moment, Dainin’s grandson Cole walked in tugging a large bag over his shoulder. On his own.

“Oh hey Cole! How are you doing?” Raz called with a cheery wave.

“I’m good, just bought a few things on my way here.” Cole quickly pulled a paper bag from his pocket. Pulling out a fat meaty roasted golden, muck squid swqueer, quickly handing it over to Raz’s drooling mouth. “Here you are. Thought Granddad was working you to the bone but bec-” Before Cole could warn Raz of the chili filling, he had already swallowed the whole thing. A muck squid the size of a small chicken and it was sucked up by a small cat only a third bigger.

“Mhm-Yum! You’re a good egg. Mhm! I’ll see you later Dan” Raz licked his paw, slowly floating away. “I gotta make a few calls and research the sex toy market. Oh and love your festival outfit, very heroic!” With that Raz floated through a cat sized sliding door into his office. Leaving Cole with a small smile on his face.

“Cole…..What are you doing here? I thought I told you to spend time with your family.” Dainin said as he crossed his arms and leaned against a wall.

Cole shrugged. “You are family. But I guess that’s your answer then?” His voice was a little quieter.

Dainin sighed, knowing exactly why he came here, as he loosened his posture. “I took him to the Viento Forest.” Cole’s eyes shot wide open, even leaning back in surprise but Dainin only shook his head. “The guardian and her protege didn’t react poorly. In fact he’s actually won their favor.”

Cole looked away as his hand formed a fist so tight his arm started trembling. “It has to be acting.” He muttered under his breath.

“He’s definitely different from before. A lot less quiet and I don’t feel the same…….anger? He’s more curious.” Dainin explained with a confused face.

But Cole shot a boiling hot glare his way before his eyes widened and he dropped his head, looking at the floor. “Sorry. I just can’t trust it, that’s not a real brother.” He whispered more to himself as his body slightly trembled.

Dainin just stared at Cole. He didn’t speak for or against his mindset. He just released a small almost quiet sigh, slowly getting up and pulling Cole close. Cole didn’t pull away or step back, instead he leaned into him. Feeling his presence and existence.