All I want is a little of the good life

[playersandpieces]

WHO: Fluttershy, the guests in her home, and one extra little character
WHERE: Fluttershy's house
WHEN: The middle of winter
OPEN/CLOSED: Closed for Fluttershy, then open to the others later
PROSE OR BRACKETS: Either/or?
WARNINGS: None at the moment

[Fluttershy had several friends that stayed with her from time to time. Unbeknownst to the others though, there was someone extra, and I'm not referring to her animals or any unaccounted for little critters that find solace on her property.

The first hint is that things would go missing from time to time. A cookie from a platter, a few buttons from a bin, thumbtacks, old bottlecaps, once even an entire orange. Things you wouldn't really notice were missing unless you super counted everything, or were looking at the time.

The second hint would come as a singular event, an old cushion that suddenly got a hole one day, with a few pieces of fluff strewn out of it. Though one of the pets had been (gently) blamed, they pleaded innocence, the pillow fixed, and the incident forgotten about.

It wasn't until the chatter of the animals turned to "their little friend" that someone thought something might be up. But nobody was ever clear on who they were talking about, just that the little one was new and named Biscuit. Assuming it was a mouse or something of the sort, this too was accepted and then moved on from.

But fastforward to the depths of winter, and a bird flying to the window Fluttershy was sitting near. It was agitated and worried about something, throwing wings and feet against the window, chirruping loudly.]

Comments

[strengthinkindness]

[Fluttershy blinked a little at the sound of the bird, glancing up from her knitting, frowning as she tried to listen to the bird.]

H-Hold on, you're going too fast...What happened?

[When the bird clarified, her eyes widened a bit.]

What...?

[Placing her knitting things down, she hurriedly grabbed her coat.]

Show me where...!

[playersandpieces]

[As soon as Fluttershy was ready the bird took off, leading her to the backyard and into the trees. It landed beside a snowdrift beside one tree, in the scraggly twigs that made up a bush, leafless in the winter.

And in the shade of this bush was a scrap of red cloth, wrapped around something too bundled up to be distinct.]

[strengthinkindness]

[Seeing the small cloth, she took in a sharp breath and carefully made her way towards the snow drift.]

H-Hello...?

[playersandpieces]

[There was no response, which only seemed to worry the bird more, causing it to flitter and jump around in worry.]

[strengthinkindness]

Shh, I know...

[Carefully she stepped through the snow, kneeling down when she was close enough.]

...Biscuit...?

[playersandpieces]

[The bird's response would have to suffice, because there was still no reply from the little bundle of cloth.]

[strengthinkindness]

[With a slight nod, Fluttershy softly apologized before she scooped up the small bundle and headed back into the house.

Thinking for a moment, she then went into the living room, placing a cushion on the table and placing the cloth bundle on top of it. Then she went into the kitchen, grabbing a candle and some matches to place near the cushion, lighting the candle to help warm up.

Then she headed out again to find something drier for the small creature to warm up with.]

[playersandpieces]

[The bird followed the two of them in, pausing just long enough to pick up a smaller bundle, like a tied cloth bag, that'd been nearby in the snow from Biscuit's lying spot.

Coming inside, it flew over to the cushion and put the bag down, then fluttered up onto the pillow and settled in beside the poor creature.]

[strengthinkindness]

[Soon Fluttershy returns with another piece of cloth. It had been part of an old sweater she'd had, and she had planned to use pieces of it for something else anyway, so this seemed like a good time for it.

Kneeling beside the table, she hesitated a moment before carefully unwrapping the soaked cloth.]

[playersandpieces]

[The bird moved enough to let her unwrap the cloth, and then settled back in.

Beside what looked like a small human??? Well, at least at first. Then you'd notice his pointed ears, mouse-like feet, and the tail that hung limply from his body. And though he was already somewhat pale (with lightly pink hair, even), he had a worrisome white cast to his skin, that was blue at the edges.

He was breathing, at least.]

[strengthinkindness]

[Fluttershy gasped softly; while the animals had told her a little bit about Biscuit, she wasn't sure what she'd been expecting, but somehow seeing the small mouse demon was still a surprise.

But shaking it off, she very carefully lifted him up, worried about how cold he felt. Removing the wet cloth, she then wrapped the dry one around him like bundling him in a blanket, placing him down on the cushion again and moving the candle closer so he might feel the heat.]

[playersandpieces]

[It took a while, but gradually he started warming up, color coming back to his skin, and eventually he started coming around, stirring a bit before opening his eyes.]

[strengthinkindness]

[She'd settled back into her knitting while waiting for him to rouse, checking on him periodically. Seeing him starting to wake, though, she put her knitting aside.]

How are you feeling...?

[playersandpieces]

Okay, I think... [He very carefully sat up, putting a hand to his head.

Then he stopped and looked up at Fluttershy with a surprised, wide-eyed blink.]

[strengthinkindness]

[She just gave him a gentle smile.]

Do you think you can eat something? I've made some soup...it might help warm you up...

[playersandpieces]

Um... Yeah. Sure, that's alright.

[He looked aside as the bird hopped up a little closer, chirped something- waited for a head pat -and then flew off and back outside. He waved in its wake, and then looked somewhat unsure as he let his hand fall, glancing aside to watch Fluttershy.]

[strengthinkindness]

[She'd already gone to the kitchen, though returned just as quickly with a bowl of soup.

Though the "bowl" was really a bottlecap, but it was a good size for him as she offered it to him.]

Here...I'm sorry I don't have a spoon small enough for you to use...

[playersandpieces]

That's alright. [He reached out, carefully taking the cap from her.] I can just sip from it.

[strengthinkindness]

Mm...all right...Just be careful...

[playersandpieces]

I will be. [Brief smile, before he set to drinking from the cap, still looking somewhat troubled.]

[strengthinkindness]

[Something that didn't escape her.]

Is everything all right...?

[playersandpieces]

[He paused, letting the soup rest in his lap.]

I guess, I'm just not really used to people seeing me.

[A weak laugh and he smiled at her somewhat helplessly.]

Not... supposed to, anyway.

[strengthinkindness]

Mm...I see...

Well, these were...very special circumstances...If it hadn't been necessary, I wouldn't have...

[playersandpieces]

True... [He thought a moment, then beamed at her with a little tail flick.] I've been doing pretty good so far though, I've been here for a while and haven't been spotted before-!

[Then he stopped short, clapping his hands over his mouth as he looked down some with wide eyes. Oops.]

[strengthinkindness]

[She just giggled softly.]

Mm, right...

[playersandpieces]

[Yeeeeeep. So uh. Soup. Going back to that now.]

[strengthinkindness]

[She smiled, picking up her knitting again.]

I am glad you've managed so well for so long...I hope it wasn't too difficult having to do things on your own though...

[playersandpieces]

Not too much, no! I've had a lot of help from your little animal friends.

[strengthinkindness]

[There was a bit of a knowing smile, but she nodded as she continued knitting.]

Mm, that's good...I'm glad they were able to help...

I just wish I could have helped too...

[Other than conveniently "misplacing" certain things.]

[playersandpieces]

Nono, it's alright. [He sat back some, thumping his fist on his chest before spreading his hands a bit.] We muskin are fringe dwellers, living unseen at the edges, making our own way.

It's what we do~

[strengthinkindness]

[She tilts her head a little.]

Muskin...?

[The name was a bit familiar, but she couldn't quite recall much about it.]

[playersandpieces]

Muskin! [He put the soup cap aside and stood up, a little shakily from being in the bundle and the cushion, but he steadied after a moment.]

People like me. We're like little mouse demons, without actually being mice? Same feet though. [And he picked one up, lacing his fingers between his toes and then stretching his leg out, balancing with a twitch of his tail.] It really helps for climbing and running!

[And he stood back normal.] And we make our livings in burrows and walls, knotholes, the little places big people like you don't look or don't care about, and we take the things you don't need anymore, or won't miss. We borrow, but only scraps, honest!

And of course, we have help from our small animal friends like the birds and the mice. The bird you saw before, he really helped me a lot. He helped me get somewhere in the first place, when I was old enough to leave my parents.

[A few months ago.]

[strengthinkindness]

Oh, I see...so he brought you here?

[playersandpieces]

He did! [And Biscuit sat back down to enjoy the rest of his soup.] He said he knew a place, and I trusted him.

[strengthinkindness]

Mm...well, I'm glad he brought you here...Even if you're not supposed to be seen by, um...bigger people...I'm glad to have a chance to meet you...

[playersandpieces]

[He glanced up, and blushed to the points of his ears, giggling a bit.]

Ahh... Yeah, me too.

[strengthinkindness]

[She smiled.] I hope we get a chance to talk more often...I'd love to hear more about you...

[playersandpieces]

Well, I live in your wall- [An admission that was a bit hesitant and came with a little sheepish giggle] -so I'll be around plenty.

[strengthinkindness]

[She giggled softly.]

Mm...still, I mean it'd be nice to see you more...