Being able to travel through time and to alternative universes sure has its advantages. From their cottage in England, sisters Hazel and Sylvie hopped through a magic portal and arrived at the south pacific Spoontoon Islands in the late 1940s.
On the beach the duo crossed paths with a female otter called Lilly and her adopted daughter Kiki, a vixen cub, who happened to be around the same age as Sylvie. Looking for a playmate, Kiki asked Sylvie if she wanted to play volley ball with her, to which the rat happily agreed to.
Whilst their charges played, Lilly and Hazel chilled on their deck chairs and began to converse, getting to know each other and found that they had plenty in common. Its safe to say that Hazel and Sylvie will definitely be returning to Spoontoon islands whenever they can, so they can visit their new friends.
“Sylvie?” The young water rat standing by the edge of a flowing river turned her head dejectedly to address the grey and white hare padding carefully over the rocky bank towards her. “Sorry, Hazel. I-I shouldn’t have just tottered off like that.”
The rabbit frowned. “You seemed really out of sorts. Perhaps it’s my fault, however, me prattling on about Wizards School, and all the friends I made there.” The water rat managed to smile. “Not at all. I’m actually very happy you made friends. It’s just difficult for me, because I had so few in the orphanage.” She gazed back across the river to the green and gold forest glen beyond. “I did have my share of bullies, however.” Hazel winced. “I’m sorry. You miss being around others your own age, I know. And not trying to pummel you on occasion.”
Sylvie chuckled, “It was like a ritual, really.” She was starting to feel better. “Womp the Water Rat Day!” Hazel snickered and they both looked at each other and broke up in laughter. Once they had finished a sisterly hug and nuzzle, she smiled, brilliant, amber eyes shining. “I’ll tell you what, love. Why don’t we do a bit of traveling for the day?” Sylvie rolled her eyes. “But we always do that.” “No, let’s go someplace where you might meet some young friends. Would you like that?” The water rat huffed, “What if they just want to bully me?” Hazel shrugged. “Then we’ll go someplace else. I won’t rest until we find some wonderful children you can meet, how’s that? That will be our hunt today.” “We’re going to hunt for children. Because that’s not at all creepy-sounding…” The hare gave her shoulder a playful swat. “You know what I mean! Come on, let’s get some things together to journey with us. Swimsuit, basket, some food. We’ll find a nice beach and make a day of it.”
Sylvie looked dubious as she followed the witch back towards their cottage. “Are you really sure you can find one? From what you told me, teleports are usually quite random. We often don’t know where we’ll end up. Or when. Remember last time, when we tried to visit an island? Thank goodness we left before the volcano eruption!” Hazel winced as she looked back at her. “Please, don’t remind me. Look, I can probably train the staff to be more precise in my requests. I’m still getting the hang of it, you know. How long have we known each other? A year or so? And every time we go somewhere, I bring you safely back, yah?” The water rat bowed her head slightly and folded her paws in front of her. “Of course, big sister. But how are you going to get the staff to be so precise?” Hazel stopped outside their door. “Hmm. I suppose if I try a new spell. You would like to stay on Earth this time, I imagine.”
Sylvie rolled her eyes. “Of course.” The hare nodded. “Alright, come inside and I’ll get the staff. I have an idea. But I’ll need you to leave me alone for a few minutes while I focus, okay?” “Sure, sure. I won’t be a bother. I’ll just make cheese sandwiches for us and pick out clothes.” She looked hopeful. “You really think you can do this?” Hazel winked. “We’ll see.” **
Sylvie could hardly believe it when the pair touched down lightly onto warm, golden sand and the sparkling cloud around them settled before fading into wisps, and she got her first look at the island they’d landed on. The ocean waves crashed inland, sending the sea-salt spray of mist to moisten their fur. The sun above broke through a few gathering clouds. In the distance, beach-goers of various species young and old sunned themselves, played in the sand, or explored the waters just offshore.
“Hazel!” Sylvie exclaimed. “You did it! How did you-“ The hare giggled, waggling her paw. “Never you mind. Trade secret. Actually, it was a lot of trial and error. The staff had to get better with destinations, that’s all.” She shrugged and sighed deeply, “Time however is out of my paws, I’m afraid. No one can control time, not even a witch. So, I have no idea what year this is…” They glanced at some young wolf cubs as they laughed and chased each other up the beach, followed by a much older male and female wolf. The female wore a full red-one piece that hugged her hips and dropped down past her thighs, while the white wolf at her side wore a blue pair of long shorts. “Ohhh,” Hazel looked worriedly at the purple and blue bikinis they were wearing. “I fear we might be under-dressed…” She quickly whispered a brief incantation and their bikinis slowly stretched and pulled around their bodies until they looked like one-piece swimwear similar to the lioness’s. “Much better.”
“And just in time…” Sylvie remarked, as two other beach-goers waded out of the water close by, and gave them a smile and a wave. One was a lovely otter with blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a pink one-piece, while her companion, a slightly younger fox kit with light brown hair and green eyes, wore a dark orange one-piece. “Get in while you can,” the otter chuckled to them as her and the vixen padded past. “Looks like rain soon.” “Excuse me, miss?” Hazel walked after them. “Could you tell me what beach this is?” “Oh, there’s really no name for it, but this is South Island, a bit more of a quiet, peaceful part of Spontoon Island.” The otter looked curious. “Your first time here?” Hazel smiled. “You might say that, yes.”
The vixen spoke up, “This is our fifth or sixth time here. We like to go diving out there and pick up shells.” She clung close to the otter and took her paw. “As long as my sister looks after me, anyway. She doesn’t like the fact I go down really deep.” The otter snickered and bumped her muzzle against her cheek. “Taking too much after your aunt Leilani.” She noticed Sylvie standing timidly next to the hare and acknowledged her with a bright smile too. “I’m Lily, by the way. Lily Dewitt. This is Kiki.” “Hazel,” the hare smiled back and nodded to the water rat. “And this is Sylvie, my…I guess you could say my little sister.” The otter looked pleased. “Looks like we both have “guess we could say little sisters.” She patted Kiki’s head. “Why don’t you and Sylvie go play, and we’ll be right here to keep an eye on you both, okay?”
“Oh, sure!” Kiki grinned and eagerly took the water rat’s paw. “Come on, I brought a beach ball with us this time. We can play catch!” While the two little girls ran off, Hazel joined Lily as they sat on folding chairs. “So,” the otter curled her legs up, “how did you two become sisters?” Hazel hesitated before reply, “Well, she…she comes from a very bad orphanage and I just happened to be there at the right time and…the right place.” She chuckled, “Funny how that happens, isn’t it? Time and space can be so random.” The otter smiled at her. “I guess so. Leilani, she’s my best friend back in Tahiti, says it doesn’t matter much what path we take in life, what matters are the people we meet while walking it.” Hazel replied, “This Leilani seems quite wise. What about you? How did you meet Kiki?” The otter looked fondly at the two girls now laughing and splashing each other as they ran after the beach ball. “Much like you, right place, right time. I was swimming one day in the waters off Tahiti and came across a tiny boat. She was inside it, suffering from malnutrition and heat exhaustion.”
“Oh my gods!” Hazel exclaimed. “Wh-What about her parents?” Lily sighed, shaking her head. “Drowned. Leilani found their shipwrecked boat on the ocean floor. I-I think they tried to rescue Kiki before they…” She looked out at the ocean and smiled faintly. “But it’s all for the best. Me and Kiki are the best of friends, and I guess I look at her more as my own daughter sometimes.” Hazel replied gaily, “Same! Even though she’s not that much younger than me. I’m 25 now. She’s just turned 14.”
The otter grinned, “Oh my gods, same here. I’m 25. Kiki’s 14 but…she’s forgotten when her birthday was, so Leilani thought we should just celebrate it at Christmas.” Hazel smiled softly, “Well, you’re a very pretty otter. And Kiki is adorable.” Lily blushed. “Thanks. So, where are you from?” “England, actually. I have a cottage in the Northern part.” “Ohh, what a nice place! I’d love to explore more of the world sometime.” Hazel couldn’t help but smile widely. “Well, I’ve explored the world quite a bit, you might say.” “No kidding!” Lily looked amazed. “What’s your favorite place?” “Oh, there’s really no telling, but…hmm…this place seems quite wonderful so far.” She gestured to the swimsuits around them. “If a bit…er…constrictive. Um…” She carefully chose her words. “Which…I suppose is normal for the year we’re in…” Lily laughed, “Well, if normal by our clothes, yes. I mean, Leilani usually swims in the fur only, but here…the beaches are quite conservative and prude for 1947.” “1947?!” Hazel’s eyes widened. “Ohh, that explains the swimsuits…” Lily looked at her oddly. “You weren’t aware of the year?” Hazel bit her bottom lip and sat up on the chair to lean close to her. “Um, Lily, I should tell you. You’re correct; I’m not from around here, at all. Back home in England, it’s…a bit later…well, a lot later…”
“You mean the time change? I think Spontoon sits on the timeline of-“ “No…um, no, dear otter. I mean…year-wise time.” She paused and then spoke slowly. “It’s 2026 where I’m from.” Noting her expression, she quickly added, “I’m not daft at all, Lily, and I pray you believe me. I’m a witch with great powers. Sylvie and I, every once in a while, travel to various locations in time and space. We simply chose your Spontoon Island as a point today. Well, my staff did…” She turned and grasped the staff to show to her. “I can train it somewhat to take us to a location I describe thoroughly enough, but…time itself, I have no control over. But the staff obviously chose this place, so that we could meet…” Lily stared at the staff, lost in thought. “It’s not the path…it’s the people we meet…” She then looked intently at Hazel. “Hazel, I do believe you. Because,” she looked at Kiki and Sylvie now holding paws as they swam around the shallows. “I’d been hoping Kiki could meet more friends her age…and like magic she arrived.”
Hazel was about to reply when a roll of thunder echoed through the clouds and along the horizon. A small pattering of rain fell and several moans of dismay followed. “Ugh,” Lily looked disgusted. “And just when the conversation was getting quite interesting…” Hazel snickered, “It’s fine, Lily, we have time.” Her eyes glowed briefly as she incanted again, and the rain slowly stopped, the dark clouds lifted, and the warm sun burst through a cloudless sky. “Now then,” she grinned at the otter’s nonplussed expression. “Where were we?”
