[CH. 001] [Audio]

[since1928]

[There's a high-pitched yelp.

It sounds sort of strangled, or maybe it even sounds like someone getting squished under a heavy weight. Whatever has happened doesn't take too long to recover from, however, as the high-pitched voice rouses from that former dazed state.]

...Oh boy. Anybody got the license plate of that train??

[He tries to laugh, letting it peter off into a mild groan.

Somewhere behind him, there's the sound of a muffled, fat bark.]

Comments

[since1928]

Okay!

[...Hold up]

Waitaminute– Who's "we?"

[her_mouse_jesty]

Oh dear, I keep forgetting to introduce him to everyone.

[She clicks her tongue.]

Come here, that's a good boy.

[You know that muffled, fat bark? You're hearing another one.]

They call it a Meow Wow, but I named him Figaro.

[since1928]

[...

So he wasn't just imagining it. Because the same bark responds to the bark over on Minnie's end.]

Oh. Oh! Right, the Dream Eaters!

[her_mouse_jesty]

It seems we all get one when we arrive... Wait, did you get the same one I did?

That's so cute!

[since1928]

I– oof!

[Again smushed by the Meow Wow who tries licking the communicator.]

–That's really fitting! Haha!

[her_mouse_jesty]

[She giggles, but starts to walk.]

They can be quite a handful... Pluto could definitely give them some lessons.

[since1928]

I'd say so. Pluto has a little more control on his licker than this fella!

[Mickey will just stay stuck under the fat-faced marshmallow for now.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

It will take a while, but they'll listen to you eventually. You just have to be very, very firm.

[since1928]

Firm. Gotcha.

[Another well-rounded "woof" punctuates the end of that note.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

[Lo and behold, she's there in no time. If he wasn't being squished, she would have squished him herself. 'Figaro' just rolls on the ground.]

Mickey!

[since1928]

[Those disc-like ears perk at the sound of his name. He gently yet firmly pushes his Meow Wow off of him to stand, arms open wide.]

Minnie!

[her_mouse_jesty]

[The world's best invitation, as far as she's concerned. she runs right into his arms, almost tackling him as tough as the Dream Eater did.]

Mickey...

[since1928]

[Mickey laughs as he catches her, spinning around, almost tipping over from Minnie's hug.]

Aw, Minnie. Hope I didn't worry you too much.

[her_mouse_jesty]

I knew you'd come back. You always do!

[She kisses his cheek, a huge smacker, before simply cuddling up to him, content to be there.]

[since1928]

[As per usual, he blushes, acting all smitten as he hugs her back. All the mouse cuddles.]

Haha! It's not right to keep my best gal waitin' forever.

[her_mouse_jesty]

[Minnie leans in Mickey's arms, Figaro keeps rolling on the ground, and all is right with the world.]

I'm just glad you're safe.

[since1928]

Me too. I'm very glad nothin' happened to you while I was away.

[As he keeps her there, his Meow Wow bounds over to Figaro, wuffing and snuffing.

A pause. Mickey blinks.]

Gosh. Now I'm wonderin' if anything did happen while I was gone.

[her_mouse_jesty]

[She glances over at the critters. Figaro finally stops rolling, if only to snuff and wuff right back.]

Well... There was that nasty Spellican. I managed to put up some spells to keep it from going inside any buildings, but it was a lot more than I'm used to.

[since1928]

[The Meow Wow wiggles with glee. Yay, new friend!]

Spellican? Oh boy. I think I remember that...?

[He's not even sure, considering how different the timelines are at the moment.]

[her_mouse_jesty]

[She glances over at him. Wait a minute... Last time he was here, didn't he he say... Oh, that's right!]

Mickey... this might sound silly, but what's the last thing you remember before coming here?

[since1928]

Silly? Not at all!

[How can his sweetie say anything silly? Her words are wonderful! Er. Right, paying attention now.]

The last thing I remember...hmm. [A gloved hand cups his round chin, fingers stroking in thought.] I think I was tryin' to follow that Spellican fella – if that was the right one, that is. But then I ran into some kinda giant ape that appeared out of nowhere!

[her_mouse_jesty]

[Oh, dear. So it was still true.]

I guess we're still from different times... Even if the gap is a little smaller now.

[since1928]

Y'mean nothing else changed?

[He glances around. Of course nothing here has changed dramatically.]

Here? Because I'm sure things got movin'.

[her_mouse_jesty]

I mean between you and me, Mickey. You're still learning under Master Yensid, and I'm decades ahead.

[since1928]

[A look of surprise crosses his simple features.]

Wait, no – I'm sure I'm way past that point now. At least, I'm not an apprentice anymore.