Unicorn Lost

Presents

L	isten, guys," the unicorn whispers to her companions. "I've had some... prior experience with ferrets. They're too clever by half, and keep your hands on your wallets."

"I knew I guy like that once," sighs Ambrose, rolling her eyes.

The donkey, seated next to the king, draws attention to himself by shaking his bell-tipped ears and yawns, which turns into a bray. "Well, by the pricking of my thumbs--something weirdass this way comes!" he sighs in bored amusement. Rising from his stool and kicking it deftly into a corner, along with a pile of other, smashed stools. Eyeing the guests, the donkey adds dryly, "An' I don't even HAVE thumbs! Your Highness, I respectfully submit that you should throw these trespassers into the dungeon, IMMEDIATELY! Something about 'em doesn't smell right."

"I get that a lot," sighs Kamida.

The unicorn clears her throat and takes a step closer to the dais. Bending one knee into a bow she'd seen a trained pony do at a carnival once. "Oh great good King of the Mysterious Castle In The Air," Kathy begins. "We are but humble travellers passing through your enchanted--er, enchanting--realm, and mean no harm to you or your people."

Ambrose clears her throat, but Kathy ignores her.

"We were brought here by magic fell and strange," she continues. "And seek only an assurance of free passage through your lands."

"Forgive me for being forward," the jester interrupts. "But I ain't never seen a unicorn bend at the knee to ANYONE!"

The unicorn looks at him. "And I ain't never seen a donkey who could make an ass of himself at both ends."

The shaking of the bells on the jester's ears and collar sound like an alarm, and Kamida leaps into Ambrose's arms, hiding her head under her larger friend's arm and tucking herself into a tiny ball. But the jester surprises everyone by bursting into tears! The king and queen of the ferrets look pained, their court looks confused, as the wise-ass bawls in great, shuddering gasps. "Sh-she talk MEAN to me-e-e!" he wails, waving a painted hoof at the startled unicorn. "Don't she know better'n t'make fun of people DIFFERENT 'n her?"

"Oh, for the love of Mike," the unicorn mutters.

The king clears his throat and struggles to speak with dignity over the heaving sobs of his distraught jester. "I am afraid...that...until we can...settle amongst ourselves...what your true purpose is...we shall be compelled...to...detain you...for your own...protection."

"Detain?!" our heroes squeal. And suddenly they are overwhelmed by a chattering, spear-brandishing wave of ferrets, who usher them out of the suddenly-silent throne room.

The donkey sits up and a wry smile contorts his painted lips.

~~~~~~~~~~~{ Later }~~~~~~~~~~~

"It's not a bad prison...as far as prisons go," the unicorn shrugs, as Ambrose makes her fiftieth slow circuit of the perimeter of the cell, searching for some means of escape.

"You're really making me nervous," Ambrose replies, her eyes searching the shadows of the ceiling far above. "You really do sound just like this guy I once worked with." She pauses to regard the unicorn. "You really AREN'T a unicorn, are you? The donkey was right-- no Unicorn willingly bows down to anyone but a God."

"Forgive me for being polite. And I told you, I'm a hyena--"

"Ah, well. That explains it," Ambrose resumes her investigation of the cell. "Scavengers are all of a stripe."

"Excuse me...? Are you insinuating something?" the unicorn tetchily demands. "And have you looked in a mirror lately yourself?"

"I am a Bowman's Wolf--a genetically engineered sentient life form," Ambrose replies with dignity. The unicorn mockingly moves her mouth.

"Guys! Please!! Don't fight!" Kamida interrupts, miserably cradling her head in her paws. With a sigh, she murmurs, "My sister warned me not to go out adventuring."

"You have a sister?" asks Ambrose.

"Yes...her name's Trajida. She's a bit of a sourpuss."

"A polecat who's a sourpuss--nice," mutters the unicorn. Then suddenly a light goes off in her head, and her eyes become large and round. "Well, I'll be!" she blinks. "It's like the majestic presence warned me. There'd be people who would try to destroy the happiness I can bring! That's how the evil ones will try to conquer the power of the unicorns!"

Suddenly Ambrose breaks down in tears, collapsing to the floor with her face buried in her paws.

-page oo12-
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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