Unicorn Lost

Presents

I	understand wanting to slay a dragon tonight," Jeanette said.

"But I'm afraid it's late and no one has mentioned anything about a plan. If nobody objects, we can stay at my place tonight. I live in a tree house just outside the barrier."

Given that no one objected they exited the barrier and walked a short distance through the rainbow fields. No one said much of anything on their journey. As she carried the eternal flame, the chipmunk appeared to be in deep thought. They arrived at a pink Victorian style tree house. The front of which faced West, and in the Southwest corner next to the road stood a lamp post. A light could be seen from the North side of the house. The tree house was like something from a Berenstain Bears coloring-book. A door was located in the trunk of the tree which opened up to a narrow circular stair case, which lead to the main part of the house.

"Here we are," Jeanette said, unsure what her mother would say about her coming home this late and even more concerned about how to break the news that she is to fight a dragon. Though nervous about going up against the dragon, Jeanette believed she could do it. The scary part is telling her mother. "We better talk quietly. While my mother may be up, my sisters are probably asleep."

When they got to tree-house, the butterflies which were following Jeanette and Florence flew to the branches above where they rest for the night. Jeanette opened the door and then the first thing Florence noticed was the scent of apple and cinnamon tea and (sniff, sniff) acorn soup. Once inside Kathy, Florence and Kamida notice a bunch of photographs on the walls. The older pictures feature a family of five: two parents and three girls. The more recent pictures feature just the mother and three daughters. What they noticed the most was an empty suit of armor, the size of an adult chipmunk, off to the side. Also, sitting in a big chair, was an adult red headed chipmunk.

"They followed me home, Mom. Can we keep them?" Jeanette teased somewhat quietly so she wouldn't wake her sisters.

Jeanette introduced her new friends to her mother Rebecca, whom unlike her daughter's who had canine teeth, actually has teeth like a chipmunk. Rebecca invites them in the kitchen where she has acorn soup and apple and cinnamon tea already prepared. Jeanette puts her eternal torch in its stand. "As a wolf and skunk, Florence and Kamida may want something besides acorn soup," she said.

"Where have you been?" her mother asked.

Jeanette takes a deep breath and quickly tries to explain what happened without mentioning the dragon. "These three are searching for a friend of their's, and when they got to see the King, a commotion broke out so his majesty had them locked up until he could sort everything out. Upon hearing what happened I acted as if I had official business in the dungeon and even flashed Dad's badge to convince them I had legitimate reason to be there. I looked up where they were held, and when no one was around, I stole a key. I waited discreetly till it was safe to let them out and lead them out of the city."

Rebecca sighed in disbelief.

Then to Florence and Kamida, Jeanette says, "We have some chicken and dumplings, my great grandmother's recipe, in the refrigerator or if you prefer we have fish and I'll make some hush puppies to go with them."

Florence grins, "I'll have the fish and hush puppies, please."

"I'll have your great grandmother's chicken and dumplings." Kamida says.

"Though Mom is a herbivore, being that she's full chipmunk, my sisters and I are omnivorous given that we are one-quarter vulpine," Jeanette explains.

Unaware that Kathy was a carnivore earlier that day, Jeanette only offers her the soup. Kathy was going to say something but given her current appearance she held her horses.

Then to Kathy the young chipmunk asked, "Do you want anything to go with your soup? We have bread and some apple butter."

"That sounds great," the unicorn responded. "I'll have some."

"Me too," the little skunkette said.

Jeanette pulls out a Mason jar with the best tasting apple butter ever and sets it on the table. Kathy's eyes open wide with delight. Next Jeanette goes to the cabinet and pulls out a brown container which reads, "Hershey's Cocoa." "Does anyone want any hot cocoa?" she asked.

Everyone but Florence said yes.

Then by rote memory Jeanette runs the recipe through her mind, "Combine one-quarter cup Hershey's Cocoa, one-half cup sugar, a dash of salt in saucepan; stir in one-third cup hot water. Bring to boil over medium heat, stirring constantly; boil and stir two minutes. Add four cups milk; stir and heat. Remove from heat; add three-quarters of a teaspoon vanilla. Beat with rotary beater until foamy."

As they had a late dinner, Jeanette suggested sleeping arrangements. "Kamida, you can sleep with me. Florence, Kathy, since this is only a four-bedroom tree house, the only thing I can offer you two is the living room."

-page oo15-
written by Jeanette Isabelle

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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