Unicorn Lost

Presents

Y	ou know, kid," the unicorn smirked, cocking her head--and nearly losing her balance. "I've been reading fantasy stuff all my life, and I never heard of that. Your old man's pretty clever."

The little skunk turned her petite striped face aside, and blushed.

The unicorn looks back at the town. "Well, I guess we'd better get going--it's a long...well, it's going to take us a while to get there." She looked down at the skunk's diminutive stature. "Hey, why don't you hop aboard, I'll give you a lift--?"

"Excuse me--but don't you know," a melodic voice interrupted them. "That it is *forbidden* to let anyone but the Unicorn's own True Love to ride upon their backs?"

The sudden advent of the stranger startled our protagonists. The skunk, upon perceiving the wolf-like aspect of the newcomer, instinctively took refuge between her new-found friend's legs.

"And you would be...?" the unicorn asked, narrowing an eye.

The newcomer shruged her jacket and adjusted her hat--or at least the unicorn assumes it's a "she" by the length of her mane and eyelashes.

"The name's Ambrose," she replied, extending a paw...and then withdrawing it when she remembered what manner of creature she addressed. "I'm something of an expert in Monoceros magicii. I was sort of hoping that you were someone I know, who's gone missing."

Then she leaned nearer, and took a few puzzled sniffs. "Pardon me for being forward," she then said, "but something about you doesn't smell quite right."

The unicorn looked down at the skunk, who put her paws on her hips and stamped a foot.

"No...no, it's not that," corrected the adventurer. "This has to do with the natural essence of unicorns. They give off a sort of spicy scent--well, the males do; it smells like cinnamon or pumpkin pie. Females--I've been told--smell like lilacs and roses." She scowled, "You, on the other hand, smell like...well, chocolate."

The new unicorn sighed. "Well, to be honest with you...this morning, when I woke up, I was a hyena. Then I got up here, made three wishes that I thought were pretty good ones, and got changed into a unicorn."

The adventurer tilted her head to one side, as the skunk gave a reassuring caress to the unicorn's kneecap.

"And are you regretting your wishes?" the adventurer asked.

"No--not exactly. It's just taking a bit of getting used to."

"What were the wishes, if you don't mind my asking?"

The unicorn sighed.

"I want to help people," she said, "I want to make people happy."

This made the adventurer smile. "Well in that case," she said, "we are very well met, indeed! I am on a quest that requires the services of a unicorn--unfortunately, my own unicorn is...well, sort of part of the quest." Again, the confused, pained expression flashed across her furry face, troubling her intelligent amber eyes. "You wouldn't mind helping a stranger, would you?"

The unicorn glanced down at the skunk. "If you don't mind using a counterfeit unicorn," she answered, "then we don't mind helping you with your quest."

A triple nod of satisfaction seals the deal, and the trio turned once more toward the far-off citadel.

"Will there be hunks?" asked the skunk.

"Hunks?" inquired Ambrose with curiosity.

"She said something about rescuing hunks. I think they're something like me. I'm not sure," the skunk shyly explained.

The adventurer looked curiously at the unicorn, who rolled her eyes evasively and tossed her golden mane. "Everyone needs incentive," the unicorn shrugged.

"Ehem," the adventurer politely commented. "Did you ever happen to read the clauses of the Unicorn Creed?"

The unicorn sighed. "Boys bad?" she asked.

"Boys bad," Ambrose nodded. "C'mon, let's go."

And they began treading in place, as the citadel slowly approached them.

-page oo10-
written by Nightstar

Copyright and Credit:
  · Florence from "Freefall" © Mark Stanley.
  · Magic Gardener © Hortmage.
  · Jeanette © Jeanette Isabelle.
  · Kathy from "Carry On" © Kathy "Nightstar" Garrison.
  · Kamida © Guest #1.
  · White Pony from "Cross Time Cafe" © S.Kidwell.
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