[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

[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.

[her_mouse_jesty]

What? You are? Then...

[Okay, this is way past confusing now. She then shakes her head, leaning on him.]

Oh, nevermind. It doesn't matter. I don't care if you're from the day we first met to a hundred years in the future, you're still you.

[since1928]

[He smiles, but it sort of falters once he tries to figure out the gap that still exists between her timeline and his. His little heart sinks and bobs back into place all in the same moment Minnie rests against him, keeping his balance just fine.]

Yeah. We'll worry about that some other time. As long as you're here, things are good!