FSE

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formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 4** : Plans and Acceptance**

It was still early in the morning but she couldn't care any less.

The trusty light that had been with her for years now re-lit after the late hours spent working the previous night. Time was money and… Alejandra Coldthorn was not going to let any opportunity to be wasted, especially with the recent developments in the Gossamer region.

A thought that had been present with her ever since Tootsie had returned from the scout mission to see who was this curious new worker at the decaying but somehow still profitable Las Lindas farm.

Said oddity garnered even more interest from the CEO as the Mouse Prime was keen to point out an interesting detail from this very individual.

Matt Newcastle was a human, quite peculiar to find one in this region of all places as only a handful preferred the Prime-dominated continent to the Older and the Old World, and he had kindly and politely declined the offer given to him by Ms. Roswell.

It wasn't the first time the young woman had to deal with some possible new additions to the company that weren't that attracted by the wealth and power the rising Alexandra Dairy was showing all around. Sentimentalism, a fond attachment to the current workplace that denied her a logical chance to recruit those specialists.

Saddening situations that were barely got her annoyed, not even remotely. Yet what had happened with Mr. Newcastle had left her quite… restless.

It wasn't like Alejandra found the refusal itself irritating, but rather the woman perceived it as an 'unplanned' jab on her way… because of the context it was connected too.

It's been a full year now since she had that discussion with Diana, the kind lady that had been there for the then-little Coldthorn had been adamant to not even consider the proposal of giving Las Lindas' lands to the new businesswoman to try and bring it up to modernity.

Maybe it was how she had worded it, her tone, or maybe even the subject itself but… that day, Alejandra saw the patient mother showing the angriest bit within herself. It was a brief but fiery reply, one that still left her unnerved and also terrifying.

Her former caretaker had always been… quite blunt with her mindset, but to see the predicament explode in her face? It was one of the few times since she left High School that the CEO felt… small and helpless.

Like little Alej, a small and afraid girl that would barely socialize with those around her…

But while back then there would have been Randy and Mora to help her get up and deal with an obstacle along her way to become an adult, now Alejandra had just the experts she had hand-picked from a lengthy list and… Tootsie.

The secretary has been around for two years now, being incredibly supportive and capable of helping her with the paperwork/meetings. An Ace of All Trades, she would have considered the Mouse Prime if… not for the very quirky attitude the younger female would have when dealing with complex devices.

It was her hobby and also her work since she was the leader of the Development Section of the company, having more than legitimately claimed such a position within Alexandra Dairy with her innate 'Mad Scientist' intelligence.

Her innovative mind was attached to an amusing but sometime worrying streak of insanity here and there, but Tootsie was cautious enough to not create mess… rather helping Alejandra to not make one along the way…

She sighed as the screen of her PC came to life, her trusty machine immediately revealing her well-ordered desktop hidden behind a two-keys security system. Folders within folders, and files containing sensible information about the company's status and planned program.

Her cursor moved swiftly, opening the folder containing the 'Future' details and soon hovering over the file named after the human working at Las Lindas.

A quick research prior to make first contact had been made and the results were quite… average.

Matt Newcastle was actually 'Mattia Castlenuovo', a decision to switch to a more English-attuned name that sounded rightful since he had been living for a long time out of his native country and all around the United States to work as a Journalist.

Well-praised for his hard-work by his previous bosses, the young man had only a handful of details that eluded her first search, mostly about his educational level.

She could remember having been rather surprised by the fact the human had gone for almost four years of Economy, having obtained a master's degree from the faculty, but having seen nothing that could have even alluded to him having made use of the 'powerful paper' in his hands.

Her confusion intensified when she ended up finding a decade-old newspaper headline.

' Grave Accident! Car crash takes couple's lives.'

The article would then go in details as it added more on Matt's personal life within the whole familiar picture. A lone child that lived a safe but not easy childhood, moving all over his hometown in various cheap houses as to keep up with the father's work, the man having devolved his entire life to hard-work as a simple bureaucratic clerk.

A miser pay that conditioned the young man's lifestyle but didn't deter him from pursuing higher education, the degree having been obtained… just as his parents were taken away in that accident.

Alejandra could remember how her own father had passed away just mere months from her completion of her studies, the memory being burned in her brain as she had to endure the worst three hours of her life.

Three hours of empty hope that the conditions of her sole parent would have recovered from that heart-attack… but it was all in vain and she had knew that even back then.

Painful memories that weren't very suppressed as those served to remind her that someone that cared for her had sacrificed his life to make sure she would get the perfect life, a deign life.

And here she was, building the future for her legacy and making a name while at it.

But while the Cow Prime didn't back away from the challenge, the human did by denying himself the chance of being in a high position.

It was odd, but also understandable from a deeper perspective.

The rest of his life was blurred after the accident, having little to no friends in his temporary jobs and making his own presence as a lone worker rather than a social butterfly… like he was before any of that happened.

Alejandra hummed as her blue eyes lazily stared at his photo for some time, as if trying to get him to 'tell more' about himself. Childish, she knew that, but something born from boredom couldn't be any mature nor interesting to anyone.

She closed her eyes, a sigh leaving her lips as she patted her cheek, trying to get herself out from the post-sleep state her mind was. Her focus rekindled as the young woman scrolled down to study once more the known info about him and… she decided that this couldn't do.

The profits recently made by the farm showed a 250% increase compared to the previous months and if this trend continued to last… well, things were going to become quite interesting with her board.

An idea popped up and was almost shot down by her own mind as she first thought of it. She couldn't approach Diana Linda, it's been a full year now since she had seen her and… the Coldthorn was far too prideful to concede an apology just yet.

It wasn't pettiness speaking, but the woman had been building up a strong personality that couldn't be brought down not even for a moment as her company continued to rise through the polls.

Thus that idea was partly discarded as only the 'visit' part remained.

Tootsie had also gone to ask around about the 'newcomer' of the town and the locals were keen to point out how the youth would be walking around early in the morning and then would return to the farm just before lunch.

Today was going to be a busy day with appointments that couldn't be delay as of now, but tomorrow… was an easier day.

Just as he nodded to herself, a cup of steaming coffee landed carefully on her desk, making her almost jump in surprise as she turned to see her smiling assistant. The Mouse Prime looked incredibly happy, holding cup of chocolate milk in her other hand.

“Good morning, boss." She chirped mirthfully, causing Alejandra to sigh and nod with a smile.

“Good morning, Tootsie." The CEO replied with a less-tired tone, quickly sipping at the hot but delicious coffee. “I see that you're already up and working. Good."

The blonde nodded and took one of the two seats in front of the desk. “I just wanted to finish some of yesterday's work." She admitted with an uneasy smile. “Had little trouble with some of the more annoying paperwork about the product-placement efforts. People are going rabid with this stuff and-"

“If it's draining time and offering little profit, you are allowed to cut their budget and ask for a simplification of the planning." Alejandra interrupted, sighing as felt the coffee starting to make effect. “If there are complains, please bring it to me and I will see that they remember the contracts they signed for me."

Tootsie nodded, her smile revitalized and sporting that genuine liveliness that the CEO had learned to appreciated after so much time spent wit her.

“By the way," The woman continued, blinking as she glanced momentarily at the monitor of her PC. “Tomorrow I should have some normal check-up routine for the production sector planned to happen just an hour or two before lunch. Push it to after the pause."

The Mouse Prime looked partly surprise at this request. “New plans- and what about the Board's meeting that is supposed to happen after lunch?" The girl asked, getting a nod from her boss.

“We shall mix the meeting with the check-up. I think it's time to show how productive we are being right now as to boost the morale." She replied with a determined tone. “I think some are once more doubting my plans and, while there have been no complain, I think it's better to prevent it from happening."

The assistant nodded and saluted. “Understood, chief!" Her cheerfulness dragged around for another thirty minutes, the blonde leaving the office once both mugs had been emptied.

Alejandra sighed as she opened the folder containing her unfinished work for the month, humming carefully as she started compile the various reports with the newly-acquired data from the Statistics Section.

Blue eyes were looking quickly at letters and numbers, while her mind continued to partly analyze the matter at hand.

Curiosity, wonder and… interest. It's been a while since she had personally visited Gossamer and… while she was sure that not much had changed since her last visit, she sure wouldn't mind to rediscover the rare breath of air coming from such a calm town that she had once lived in.

She also wondered if her old 'country' clothes would still fit after last time but… t-that was a fleeting thought of course!

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The bar wasn't bustling as last time.

I guess the early hour managed to get people either still sleeping or going to their usual jobs rather than spending time in that place. Since there were just too little to bring to the Farmer's Market today, I was granted a few hours to go around town before lunch and beginning to work.

Diana had set some simple rules that I had no reason to disrespect, mostly because…

Who would drink alcohol this early in the morning?!

It was slightly saddening that Randal had to be around his mother to make sure she would get her medications.

It was something that was funny to see once or twice in a while… but the woman made the instances some lengthy battles, childishly refuting the 'need' of having to get these medicines but… she needed to. There wasn't an alternative to that in my mind as the Collie Prime showed me the list of medicals and… I knew some of those by name and effects.

I took a quick sip from my mug, water keeping my throat hydrated as I continued to engage in the discussion I was sharing with Minos. The man was surprised that I was allowed some free time from the work, but he seemed to accept it as soon as I mentioned my willingness to spend the time by the bar.

While this freedom was essential to further understand the world around me, I didn't have the means to gather this information. Why? The only thing remotely close to a computer were Nanozell spirits, beings born from pure Quantum energy and based by… Nanozell itself.

I head of this from the small radio announcing this… new energy that allowed the connection of organic to machine. The concept was absurd on itself, and yet it was… reality.

The hologram-like being the mayor was always with? One of those spirits. This one in particular being responsible for the electric grid covering the entire town, which made the insane price and requirements strapped to the buying one of them being… very modest.

The local library was also very obsolete, having been around since the formation of Neo-Earth and its list of books being very limited to old tomes and… non-modern texts.

“-By the way, did you hear about what happened in Tolas?" The Bull Prime asked with a curious glint in his red eyes. “A group of Necromancers were spotted trying to create some skeleton army. Thankfully the nearby Knight Clan provided support and the situation was resolved without any issue."

I blinked, sipping a little from my mug as my brain wrapped around the concepts of 'Necromancers' and 'Knights'.

...What the heck is going on?!

“Forgive me if I ask but… can you elaborate on Necromancers and… Knights?" I asked as calmly as possible, my mind failing to grasp what I just heard and… he sighed.

“I guess humans know little about the story behind Crests." Minos reasoned, glancing at his glass with a blank tone. “Well, I suppose I can explain it to you."

I nodded, completely intrigued by the matter… which hinted to some magical scenario which I had not foreseen. I can understand futuristic and bullshitty technology but… magic is not something I can truly accept without a proper motivation.

“Centuries ago, a galaxy-wide war occurred." He narrated with a quiet tone. “At first it was limited between Primes, a civil war that was born out of greed, ambitions and… religion."

He paused, downing completely the content of the glass. “An Empire seeking the full-control of the gifts left by the Gods, the Crests, and that wanted tyranny over my people." He blinked, nodding as the bartender refilled his glass with new water. “A united form created by the Crest of Light herself, a faction that served to defend the weak and the innocent."

…

“The war… reached Earth, didn't it?" I guessed, grimacing a little at his nod.

“The Emperor himself wouldn't have cared for mankind. Daring people, strong ones, but terribly weaker in technology, biology and intelligence to the Primes." The Bull Prime replied. “Yet… one of the Crests was taught on Earth. She grew from a mere child to a dangerous warrior and… Earth was pulled in the conflict."

Why I felt like I heard this… in some movie? Like… this sounded so much fictional and yet I knew very well that Minos wasn't the kind of guy that delivered lies, or at least not so blatantly. The lack of confusion or any other telling signs from the nearby bartender further legitimized his words.

“The battle turned gruesome for a time, with soldiers either dying or changing their views about… the Empire." He stopped just a moment, a brief… nostalgia present in his glance. “The endgame was tiring, the armies all fighting at once within the humans' homeworld and… the Emperor was beaten, at the price of the planet being condemned to death."

“So… Earth was lost like that?" I sighed at his following nod. “That would explain some minor confusion I had over… history." I managed a brief smile, causing him to snort and shake his head, a tiny smile present in his own face as we both spent some time in silence.

The Prime was the one that rekindled the talking, bringing up his… phone? I didn't expect him of all people to have one around and it looked quite expensive too.

“Do you remember when I mentioned about my friend? The one that was allowing me to live nearby?" Minos questioned with a curious tone, making me frown and nod back.

“I… I do remember." I replied slowly, trying to understand why it was important.

He started to digit some of the keys and… began the call. “I mentioned about your 'situation' to this friend. She is trustworthy and believes your words."

I glanced back in surprise and nodded as I waited for him to continue with the device.

He brought it close to his ear and… someone answered. There was silence from the Prime for some time and… then he sighed tiredly.

“Sorry. I didn't know she was- I understand. I should have seen her doing something like… that." Minos talked to the unknown receiver, glancing briefly my way before returning his attention back to the call.

“Are you sure?" He asked at the unknown individual. “I understand that it was your mother that- I see. Well… I will pass the phone to him. Say hi to your mother for me then..."

I was given the device and… I put it near my ear. “Hello?"

“Hello." The woman on the other side replied with a blank tone. “From what I was told, I'm speaking with Matt Newcastle?"

I blinked, surprised that her tone was so… calm and emotionless.

“That's me. Yes." I replied curtly, feeling rather uncertain about the tone I was supposed to use while speaking with her.

“Good. Then from what my mother told me, there is a slight chance that you might have been kidnapped and placed in a different continent in the span of time of… just a sole day." She paused a moment, keeping quiet just for a few seconds. “Mr. Newcastle, I don't wish to sound disrespectful but your story sounds… quite far-fetched."

“I understand that… it sounds unbelievable but I'm quite sure that I wasn't in Gossamer before blanking out in a bar in New York." I nodded my head. “I know drunk people can do some… interesting stuff left unattended but-"

“There are limits even to that. I understand." Yet her tone hardly 'showed' that. “Still, I hope you understand that I will have to ask you more about… the situation."

“Yes." I said back, waiting a few moments as she seemed to be… moving some papers?

“Your birthplace is… Florence. Correct?"

“Yes."

“And you were born to… Paolo and Carla Castlenuovo. Correct?"

I flinched just a moment, turning as to not show this to Minos. “Yes." I replied with a tighter tone.

“You were a student in a University in Milan and you passed with a Master's Degree. Correct?"

“Yes. If I have to be specific, in Economy." I pointed out, regretting instants later as I did breach the politeness and-

“This is reported too, yes."

Wait what? I was… registered? I thought that-

“Your parents died four years ago because of a car accident. Correct?"

I froze, eyes widened a little before I closed them and tried to calm myself a little. A little too sudden that one…

“Yes." My tone spared none of the turmoil happening momentarily within my mind but soon… I was surprised by the caller once more.

“Mr. Newcastle, I wish you understand that… it's not my intention to bring back any of the bad memories. I'm just trying to help you with this situation and, if my tone might have betrayed any foul intention, I wish to apologize already."

I blinked in surprised, glancing at the device in silence and… then I sighed.

“I… suppose you are correct. I'm sorry myself if I did sound too angry with my tone-"

“It was my fault for bringing that up in such a mechanical manner." She interrupted curtly and I understood that… we were both at fault for that little predicament.

“Look, how about I forgive you and you forgive me? We both are responsible so… we cool?"

… 'We cool'? Really brain?!

Sorry boss!

There was once more silence and then… she sighed too. “I suppose that could work. We are cool."

I grinned a little, feeling that the affirmation sounded 'fun odd' coming from such a blank voice.

“And I think we are also done for today." The young woman concluded.

I frowned. “I thought that-"

“This questioning was to verify the authenticity of the data mother got from yesterday. Now we will see if we can find any clue about what happened that specific night and… Minos will be our mutual contact." She explained, interrupting my question.

“So… next time it will be your… mother?" I asked before the call ended, hearing a... hum on the other side?

“It will depend on my mother's schedule… but I think it's for the best if I am the one taking care of the questioning. I don't think she would be… keen to keep things professional or at least decent."

I blinked in surprise at that. “I see." I replied quickly.

“I will contact you once more if something surfaces and… I suppose I should be introducing myself since we will talk again." She mused calmly. “My name is Naerie and… it was a pleasure talking with you, Mr. Newcastle."

“Matt. Please call me Matt, Naerie," I smiled a little, happy to know who I was talking to. “And it was a pleasure for me too."

The call ended and I passed the phone back to the Bull Prime.

“It sounds like some progress was made." Minos commented with a small smile. “And… 'We cool'?"

I huffed, bringing my hands close to my chest. “It was a particular situation and… can I ask you something actually?"

He nodded and I went ahead.

“So, Naerie said that it was best for her to be the one reporting for any new info but… why not her mother?" I asked out of curiosity, only for the man to down once more his previously full glass.

“There are things that are best understood personally and… I hope you keep blissfully unaware as it's all about your sanity at that point." He replied with a serious tone, making me worry a little.

“T-That bad?" I shot back with confused wide eyes.

“Even worse..." He said, leaning a little on his stool as he glanced around the place.

The bar was starting to get filled with people and noises from the various other clients started to get louder than before. It was almost time for me to return back to Las Lindas, I noticed as I turned my sight at my watch and… I thought that maybe it was good time to cut the discussion here for tomorrow.

Just as I was about to return my attention back to Minos, I felt someone poking at my shoulder.

I turned around and saw Taffy waiting there.

She was smiling, the girl donning her work uniform and holding what looked like to be a confection holding something sweet. Her smile widened as she noticed that my eyes were aimed at the possible sweet gift.

“Matt, I know that you were busy with Minos but… I just finished my shift, do you… want to eat outside?" She lifted a little the lid of the confection and…

_ It was an apple pie. _

I glanced at back at the Bull Prime and the man sighed with a knowing smile nodding and waving as I got up, paid the bartender and followed Taffy outside the bar.

I guess I could spare some time for an apple pie.

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Finding a spot that would leave them undisturbed proved to be a quick thing as they decided to stand by the unused outdoor section of he establishment. They picked the central chairs in it, the table clean enough to allow them to place the food without risking any damage to it.

Preparing the pie had been quite an easy task after having done this particular food a lot when she lived with her grandfather, just a few years before coming to this country-side piece of Gossamer.

Taffy had never stopped feeling embarrassed about causing quite a ruckus with her quick rush through the town, the day when she met the only human inhabitant and also got quite confused about his curious attitude.

She would have expected anger from the young man and… yet he had been quite understanding about the reasons behind her panicked run to reach the bar. Overly-so, if she had to be honest with herself, the Bunny Prime feeling that the behavior shown by Matt was far from… alright.

There was a hint of sadness squeezing along the lines of happiness flowing from his tone. A persisting and lingering sour taste that characterized him far from truly happy.

It was instinctive, something her grandfather had praised back when he was still alive and that she had learned to respect for its importance. It was something Taffy herself couldn't understand for sure but… she knew when someone was hiding something important from others.

This little talent, coupled with her affectionate manners and caring tones made it possible for her to relate with those that had some issues about themselves or others.

But while this gift had rarely failed her, the young woman had to admit that it was still strange how she could feel so little from Matt himself.

The human was bursting with some pent-up energy, prepared to deal with a long day of work back at the farm where he was part of. A humble job done with even humbler reasons.

She was aware of the reasons behind his refusal to deny Las Lindas's failure, his drive was something that was as inspiring as worrying. He was growing attached to Mrs. Linda, the woman being known for her motherly ways, and if her boss was right… then the young man was going to suffer a lot very soon if the declining conditions of the farm's owner were a reality.

And while Taffy continued to understand what was going on within Matt, the bunny's green eyes were giving a mirthful glint back to the human as he delightfully enjoyed the first slice of the pie.

“This is… so good, Taffy." He glanced back, cleaning his mouth with a tissue. “Like really, you are some deity of food or-"

She blushed, shaking her head nervously. “N-None of that. It's just that I love cooking and… that's it." The girl replied with a twitchy smile.

That comment came out of nowhere! She thought still feeling rather flattered by his words.

It's been a while since she had cooked for someone and… it felt nice to know that she didn't lost her 'golden' touch over the kitchen. Just as the human concluded the first slice, he stopped and glanced once more at her.

“By the way, Taffy," He started with an interested tone. “Why aren't you eating this too?"

...What?

“I made the pie for you-" She explained quietly, only to stop at his huff.

“But the apples were from the farm I work in and… I don't think it would be right if I was the only one eating this heavenly food." He pressed on, getting another blush from the poor bunny.

Was there even a limit to his… capacity to compliment her food and her?

The Prime hesitated a little, glancing down on the pie she had created with tender love and genuine affection. Would it be right if… she actually wanted to try its taste?

Her hand slowly scooped one of the cut slices and… she brought it near her mouth. Her lips were graced with the sweet flavor of the apple, the crust of the cake being crispy enough to add some stability in that sensible emotion building from her happy belly.

A smile adorned her face as she was glad to know herself that her hand-made creation was really good. Her green eyes opened back to find a teasing grin on the young man's face, her cheeks reddening just a little.

“Is it good right?" He poked with his words, her cheeks puffing at the tone he was using. “C'mon, Taffy, it's not like I'm trying to extort some arcane secret out of you-"

“It's delicious." She replied quickly and suddenly, looking away from him. “I admit I did a good job."

He nodded. “A really good job." He reiterated, taking a bite out of his second slice. “But I've to ask this little pressing thought of mine."

She paused mid-bite, a curious look appearing on her face. “Sure, go ahead."

“Taffy," He said with a calm tone. “Why did you prepare a pie for me?"

…

Raspberries!

To think that she would end up caught like this and… so suddenly. Really, he was just that much… quick-thinking. She hummed quietly, trying to appear outwardly calm while chaos erupted from her panicking mind.

What was she supposed to reply to that?

Then, she got an idea.

“I-I thought that it would be nice that… I made something for my new friend." She replied with a convinced tone, smiling even as to try and get him to accept the excuse.

He merely blinked.

“Taffy, I'm going to be very honest with you." Matt replied, his free hand patting on her shoulder, causing her to tense just a little.

Was he going to tell her something about himself? Did he buy her-

“You might be an excellent chef, but you are a terrible liar." He stated flatly, the Bunny Prime freezing instantly at that direct comment and she… deflated.

“...Was it that bad?" She asked with a low tone, the human sighing.

“I've seen worse but… you truly shouldn't try to lie like that, you get caught pretty easily." He admitted without hesitation. “But seriously, is it something that could potentially get me angry or-"

“Possibly." She blurted out nervously. “Maybe?"

Matt sighed and nodded. “Look, how about… I promise you that I will not be angry if you tell me already what is it?"

…

What?

“Y-You mean that-"

“Whatever 'terrible' motivation got you to make me an apple pie, I will overlook it because I promised you that I will not get angry." He interrupted with a soft tone. “C'mon, I swear I will not be angry and-"

“I think you are unhappy!" Taffy's eyes widened instantly as she realized that the tension had taken over her mind and… she had let out the real issue. She sighed and decided to explain properly, seeing the confused but still calm expression on the young man's face.

“I-I can… see when someone is showing sadness and trying to cope with it and… I think you are that." Her eyes squinted. “I'm sorry if I sound too condescending but I just wanted to help and-"

She flinched as he stood up from his chair, his face now blank and emotionless as… he started to walk towards her.

D-Didn't she go overboard with it? M-Maybe he is just walking away rather than-UH!?

His arms wrapped around her neck as he pulled her head onto his chest. There wasn't any fur so… the contact felt rather smooth.

“That was... the cutest and kindest reason to try to make me a pie, Taffy." He replied with a happy tone. “Like really, if you wanted to be 'condescending' you would have just barged in and asked without any care about it-"

“T-That would have been horribly mean." She interrupted with a surprised tone and… some tears falling. “L-Like why- why would-"

The human frowned as the girl pressed her face on his shirt, sobbing loudly as she let out all that tension at once. He patted her head softly, minding her bunny ears and… surprisingly enough enjoying the softness of her pink hair.

It was fluffy and-

Drat, now he was thinking about 'that' fluff.

“Taffy, what's wrong? I don't think I have said anything terrible or-"

“I-It's not that." The Prime sniffled, looking up with her teary green eyes. “Y-You- T-That was the first time i-in a while I hugged s-someone since-" She cried a little more and Matt continued to caress her head.

“Hey now," He sighed calmly. “No need to cry right now, Taffy. Look, how about… we share tales?"

She tensed a little but her crying reduced as she once more glanced up. “Wh-what?"

“I tell you the reason why I'm sad and… you tell me yours." He explained while patting her shoulders.

“R-Really?" She asked, getting a bright smile from him in response.

“Yes." He replied with a nod.

They both returned to their original seats, Taffy making use of some tissue to clean off the tears while the young man sighed and prepared to… open up to his new friend.

“This happened… four years ago." The human spoke, his tone soft but loud enough for the girl to listen. “I was studying to get a degree in Economics, the plan being… going for a high-level job that would have allowed me to finally help my parents with the expenses back at home. I had poured blood, sweat and soul to make sure that finally we could have all had a… good life."

The young man sighed, a brief pause as he stared up at the cloudy sky as he tried to keep himself detached from the painful memory.

“It was raining when I first received a phone call from my mother. They, my parents, were both going to deal with some situation happening to my cousin and my uncle, they would have returned later than usual and… then the rain turned in a storm."

His throat turned sore, his mind burning as he went through the process of remembering the exact moments the phone rang once more.

“Another call… this time it was the police and… the car had crashed during a curve, the impact was… enough to kill them instantly."

His breath itched, Matt blinked as his sight blurred for a moment as tears tried and failed to form as his mind strongly resisted the strong emotion bringing him down.

“When I graduated, I… I found myself unwilling to make use of that degree." The human admitted with a quiet voice. “It felt wrong. It felt so horrible to even think that… that I could use something that would remind me of them, something that now was but a stupid paper and… I decided to search normal jobs as a journalist, wandering around and… never stopping for too long."

“O-Oh." was the only word that could leave Taffy's mouth, her stare now directed at the table as she knew it was her turn.

“I-If I have to come clean… then I guess I should properly present myself." She stated with a long sigh. “My name… my name is Ria Rudiger and… and I've been living with my grandfather ever since… my mother's abuse took a more violent turn."

Taffy drowned a sob as she gulped it down, keeping a strong face at the memories.

“I-I've been trying to make things work for my… former family, making sure that they would have gotten all their needs satisfied and… it didn't work."

There was a pause, then the Bunny Prime resumed with less stuttering.

“My grandfather… he had always been kind to me. When he learned about my mother's latest attack, he demanded the cession of my guardianship to him promising hefty charges if his request wasn't satisfied. Mother didn't even flinch to hand over the legal documents and… I lived with him for several years, enjoying a… normal childhood."

She finally lifted her stare up to the human.

“I loved my grandfather and he cared for me a lot as well." The girl smiled a little. “He said that… my name was Taffy because 'I reminded all of the good things in his life'.

Taffy blinked, glancing down to the table once more. “He passed away a few years ago. It was a natural death and… he died in his sleep, looking happy and content when he was found…"

She went silent, a sign for Matt to move as he stood out of his chair and went to pull her in another embrace. She didn't tense like last time, rather leaning on his chest and nuzzling as she sought comfort in silence.

“Do you want to… be accompanied back home?"

The girl glanced up quietly with a stern green-eyed look. “Already trying to… avoid judgment?"

He blinked in surprise as he felt her arms wrapping around his chest and pulling him close.

“My grandfather, I know he died knowing that I was going to keep up his good work, to make sure that I would never shy away from helping others." She sighed calmly. “And you, Mr. Newcastle, you are in dire need of help."

“I don't think that-"

“Shush!" The Bunny Prime interrupted with a tiny smile. “I think- no, I know that your parents would have wanted you to become the best person possible, an outstanding young man and… you are almost there."

…

“Matt, will you allow me… to help you?" She asked with a soft voice. “It wouldn't be too much of a hassle, just talking and-"

“Taffy." The girl squeaked in surprise as her cheeks were cupped by his hands. “I will do that… but seriously, I'm going to be late if I don't return to the farm right now. But I want to do this, really."

He pulled out of the embrace and started to walk out but-

“W-Wait." The young woman exclaimed, pulling at his arm and yanking him close enough to…

Smooch

Plant a little kiss on his cheek. “That is for… being a kind soul yourself, Matt." She smiled as she let him go. “But remember that you should also mind the emotional moment." Her final huff caused the young man to chuckle as he rushed out of the bar's outdoor section and in the path back to Las Lindas, ignoring the bright and genuine smile glowing from Taffy's face.

She sighed, tears drying up and her mood lifting up as…

…

_ Wait, did I just kiss him like that and- Oh, raspberry! _

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AN

And that was… the longest chapter I've ever pulled. No really, this is the biggest and… I'm tired.

So tired that-

_ Oh? What's this? _

...What?

_ There is someone there? Hello there~? _

Y-You are not meant to be there! This place is-

_ Now under the 'responsible' and 'diligent' control of this lovely High Prime, sweetie~. _

N-No! I-I REFUS- (Connection Lost)

_ Denied~! _

_ Anyway, now that this partypooper of an author is gone momentarily, I guess I should introduce myself properly. _

_ Hello my lovely minions, it is I, Ambar, and today I grace you with some good news! _

Since our dear writer decided to ~Kindly~ give up his control over the Review Q&A (for the Forums it will be via replies, mind you~), I will mention a few rules over this change of leadership:

1) No flaming! As much as fiery is nice, full fires will be extinguished with the power of love and… controlled explosions! (No, Naerie, I'm not going to do a redo of what happened back during last End of the Year.)

2) Comment, comment and comment! (and praise me too~)

3) I think this is pretty clear. I'm a Bear Prime and, the first one that dares to mention that 'little animal' as what I'm truly am… well, there is a nice 'resort' on the moon just for you. (No, Naerie, I'm not going to turn the resort in a space prison. I'm not that… distasteful.)