It was a lovely late summer evening and Vi was relaxing on a bus as it traveled through the countryside. It was an old machine that rattled and bumped with every pebble but it was empty and quiet, down right peaceful. They laid across two seats with their legs kicked up onto the armrest, eyes gazing up to the colorful golden patterns of sunlight dancing across the metal ceiling.
The peace was interrupted as the bus took a sharp turn and began to slow down. Curious to where they were, Vi sat up and gazed out of the window to find themselves still nestled in the countryside but also approaching a small town.
The fields and forests all around it looked like something from a children’s book. Every field was growing a different kind of colorful vegetable while the trees of the forests were so spaced out that dappled light ran through the forest’s floor like rivers of gold. Once the bus got into the town proper, Vi found that the locals also seemed just as lively. It seemed like everybody were out decorating the streets and small cottages with banners and streamers and fairy lights before night came.
As the bus rolled up to the town square, it stopped. The old hydraulics let out a long hiss as the doors creaked open. Vi sprang to their feet. After grabbing their heavy backpack from the empty seat in front of their own, they thanked the bus driver and left the old machine.
The air smelled deliciously sweet. A bouquet of wild flowers and sweet fruits all mixing together beautifully. Looking around they found that the town square had already been decorated, with many carnival-like tents set up and booths relating to all sorts of food. No games though.
Heading across the town square in search of learning more about this colorful little festival they found themselves being approached by a pink chipmunk wearing a knee length sundress. She was a short thing and a bit on the chubby side but very cute. She carried a clipboard in one hand as well. An organizer perhaps?
“Hello there new friend. I am Giggles, welcome to Sunnyfields.”
Giggles? It took some effort for Vi not to giggle at such an odd name.
“I’m Vi. Nice place you have here.”
Vi extended a hand to be polite but Giggles instead moved forward and wrapped them up in a very warm hug. It was surprising but Vi wrapped an arm around her to at least return the gesture.
“Are you here for the Festival?”
“Yeah, you could say that. Thought I would see what’s going on.”
“We have not had a visitor in a long time! Do make yourself at home.”
Giggles turned her eyes away to a pair of beavers who were trying and failing to make a lop-sided tent stand up straight. Easing out of the hug, she gave a small curtsy to Vi before skipping off to help the odd pair.
Now free from the rather polite chipmunk, Vi took a look around the town. It was a small place with a lot of rustic charm. None of the shops or stores were related to bigger chains or international companies either. Everything was locally owned, locally grown, locally sold. Quite the old school place as well as while there was only one small general store, there was a video rental place still running and an arcade with games that had to be several decades out of date. Even more strangely though, was that they were all clean, well maintained and looked like they had never had a day of bad business in their entire lives.
After being amazed at how quaint this little town was shaping up to be, Vi found a bench to relax on while the rest of the festival was put together. They watched how everybody moved and spoke. Hugs were common, speaking was simple and polite. Everybody did their job and everybody did it with a smile. Vi could not help but love the warm, cozy, aura everything gave off.
Eventually the sun set and as night finally bathed the town in cool blues, the lights of the festival came on. The various food venders became alive with the sound of clattering utensils and soon enough, the smell of melting sugar and freshly chopped vegetables began to mix into the fresh, nighttime, air. Soon after the rest of the townsfolk gathered around. They welcomed each other warmly and gave hugs instead of hand shakes. Suddenly, music started to play through speakers dotted around the town and all at once everybody spread out to enjoy themselves.
Vi was feeling pretty hungry after such a long bus ride and the smells of so many delicious things was not helping in the slightest. Standing up, they adjusted their purple leather jacket and dove into the flowing crowd of colorful locals. They made their way to what looked like some kind of hot dog stand but it soon became apparent that they were in fact selling fresh, roasted carrots on a bun.
From the corner of their eyes, Vi caught sight of a cute little yellow bunny boy waiting in line for one of these odd carrot-dogs. He wore shorts that were similar to Vi’s and a loose, long sleeved t-shirt that hung off one shoulder… Vi nodded to themself in thought and took a step back. They fluffed up the fur around their neck and ruffled their hair to give an impression of playfulness.
“Hello, ‘new friend,’”
Vi said as he waved to the bunny.
“Hello. Are you wanting a carrot too?”
The bunny replied while staring intently at the others being served in front of him.
“Oh is that what they are selling here? I am a bit new to town.”
The bunny boy turned his gaze away from the vendor and once they saw that Vi was indeed a new person, they opened their arms up for a hug. Vi grinned as they stepped forward to meet the warm greeting half way. This bunny smelled like fresh cut grass on a warm summer day, sprinkled with just a little bit of powdered sugar.
“Welcome to Sunnyfields. We have the best carrots.”
The bunny said as he broke the hug.
“Oh I’m sure. I’m Vi by the by, and who are you?”
“Cuddles. My favorite vegetable is carrots, especially the big ones.”
“Nothing better like a nice sweet carrot I admit.”
Vi said with a smirk as the line continued to move.
“Yeah, especially when you boil them and add a bit of butter.”
“How about roasted with a dash of honey?”
“Oh that’s a good idea. Yeah.”
Cuddles said as he turned away to keep an eye on the cart for a moment. Vi stole a peek at the fluffy cotton ball of a tail sticking out of his shorts before he turned to face them again.
“What’s your favorite vegetable?”
“Eggplant. It’s delicate and delicious if you treat it just right. Sweet too.”
“That’s very fancy. I don’t think I have tried one of those before.”
“No? Hm. How about I treat you, trying something new can be fun. Right? Let me buy you something you have never had before, and something sweet to drink on the side perhaps? I would love to talk more about this lovely little town you got here as well.”
Cuddles eyes squirted and his cute little pink tongue slipped out of the corner of his mouth as he thought about the offer. Vi took the chance to glance from their right to the left, taking in as much of the surroundings as they could before Cuddles could answer.
“Sure thing, new friend.”
“Fantastic. Could you go save me a seat while I get the drinks?”
Vi asked as they pointed to the larger eggplant food vendor across the way.
“Will do!”
Cuddles said cheerfully as he hopped away.
Vi did a sharp turn on their heel and made their way quick and casually to the nearest vendor that looked like they served drinks. Going along a row of three of them they stopped at the furthest end.
“Two of those milkshakes, extra liquor, extra sweet, and extra large.”
Vi said as they threw down a twenty.
“Do it extra quickly and you can keep the change.”
“Yes Sir!”
The small punk mouse girl behind the counter put together the two drinks faster than Vi had ever seen before. She was cute, the first of the locals they had seen with an ear piercing as well. Her style was also a little less old fashioned, perhaps someone that moved here a short time ago. It would explain why they were the only one serving alcohol and not just fruit juice or mixes.
Once the drinks were done Vi threw a handful of orange sprinkles on one, and purple on the other, before quickly heading back into the crowd. They weaved between the chattering, eating and dancing locals and made their way over to the eggplant vendor. Cuddles was already sitting on one of the many stools, head turned to look for Vi and as soon as he saw them coming, he started to wave.
Vi gave them a smile and a nod back before sitting down and putting the huge milkshakes on the counter. Cuddles was in awe instantly and did not hesitate to wrap his lips around the two straws sticking out of the glass and gulping down a few mouthfuls. Even that barely touched the amount still left however.
“Mmm, that’s really good.”
Cuddles said as his eyes twitched from the invisible liquor hitting him already.
“Good to hear. Hey, can I get some sweet fritters over here and some eggplant parmesan?”
Vi said to one of two Dalmatian cooks behind the counter. They looked so similar that it took Vi a second to realize one was a boy and the other a girl, both twins. Very cute at that.
“So, what’s it like in this little town?”
Vi asked before taking a sip of their drink.
“It’s lovely. I like to take walks down by the woods near my cottage all the time and draw butterflies.”
Cuddles said before drinking more of his milkshake.
“Oh you are an artist?”
“No no, I just like doodling. I am a gardar, gerdan, gardener. Heh.”
He stammered with a blush.
“Seems a lot are gardeners, or farmers, around here.”
“Yeah, we love our vegetables. They are tasty and healthy and make us all the money we could need. Heh. I hear, ehm, that Missy down by the river even found turnips in the water. Just floating by! Nobody knows where they came from.”
Cuddles said before giggling. Vi let out a soft chuckle too.
“There’s an arcade just down the road. Great place to hang out with a carrot smoothie you know. I once got the high score in ‘super bunny smasher 64’ but Toothy beat me a week later.”
“Hey that’s still impressive, smashing bunnies like that is hard work.”
“Hehe no no, you are a bunny that smashes things. Not the other way around.”
Cuddles laughed.
By the time the food had come, Cuddles had already drank half of his milkshake. His eyes took a moment to look at the fritters but once he remembered why they were sitting here, he smiled. They looked tasty. Golden, fried, and with powdered sugar on the top. Vi’s parmesan however was a bit different. Less sweet looking, with cheese and sauce that looked like a strange lasagne.
“They look gooood.”
Cuddles murmured.
“Oh they are, here.”
Vi scooted over so that they were sitting hip to hip before picking up one of the sweetly fried fritters and offering it to Cuddles.
“Close your eyes, and take a bite. It’s better than it looks.”
Cuddles did exactly what he was told and after closing his eyes, he leaned towards Vi and took a bite. A loud crunch sounded out and he got powdered sugar all over his lips. He giggled, chewed and then went in for another bite.
“So what do you think?”
“Eggplant is amazing.”
Cuddles said as he rocked back and two on the stool.
Vi took the fork near their bowl of eggplant parmesan and ate some of it before taking a sip more of the milkshake. Cuddles did not hold back at all and practically shoved the plate of fritters down his throat before finishing almost all of his drink.
“Here, you can finish some of mine. I’m a bit of a light drinker.”
Vi said as they poured half of their milkshake into Cuddles’ glass.
“Hm, you know. A little cottage near the woods, with a beautiful garden filled with butterflies. That does sound nice. I wish I had a home half that nice, but I currently don’t have anywhere to stay.”
“Oh no, no no… No. That won’t do, it is gonna be fall soon.”
Cuddles said while chewing on his straws.
“You should come stay with me, we could have a ssssslumber party.”
“That’s really kind of you. I promise I won’t keep you up at night.”
Vi said as they playfully bumped shoulders with Cuddles. He giggled and leaned away before swaying back and bumping into Vi. His giggling continued until he ran out of breath.
“Come on ‘giggles’ I think you have had enough eggplant for one night.”
“I’m not Giggles. I’m Cuddles. Silly purple bunny thing.”
He said with a fuzzy smile.
Vi got up and offered the exceptionally intoxicated bunny a hand. Cuddles took it and carefully stepped off the stool but stumbled and fell into Vi’s chest. After holding him close for a second, Vi put one of his arms around their shoulder and grabbed the back of his shorts to help his stumbling steps find balance. Being able to get a feel of that little puffball tail was also a bonus.
“Which way was your house again?”
Vi asked with a cheeky grin.
