A Very Hoppy Reunion - Boosya & Lolli
Jul 19, 2022 20:17:09 GMT
Velania Kalugina, Andy D, and 1 more like this
Post by Lolli (Jennifur Cottontail) on Jul 19, 2022 20:17:09 GMT
Co-Written with the delightful and charming Bosalind "Boosya" Sugartooth
Lolli is walking around Fort Ettin, nimbly getting out of the way of adventurers and repair workers. She’s already caught up with a couple of people she knows. Suddenly, the familiar smell of carrot cake fills her nostrils.
Lolli twitches her nose and jumps with a turn. Less than ten feet away, she sees her grandma, sitting down on a stump and having tea by herself. Boosya looks a bit tired but is smiling benevolently, watching the people dashing backwards and forwards over the rim of her glasses.
Lolli smiles and shouts with delight “GRANDMA” and rushes over to her. She gets to her table and sits down. “Oh my gumdrop, I’m so happy to see you. I tried to find you after the battle but I just couldn’t. I was on my way to Bloody Creek when the battle just started and I couldn’t get to you or grandpa. Ohhh, but I’m so glad you’re here and you’re ok! How’s Grandpa? And the others? Are you ok?”
Boosya jumps on her seat a bit, almost spilling her tea.
"Oh, Lolli, dear! My eyes must be getting worse, I haven't even noticed you!" She rights her glasses, and produces another cup from her endless basket, pouring some tea for her granddaughter.
"I'm so glad to see you alright, my little girl," she pinches her cheek. "Ooooh, you look so thin! Here, have some carrot cake, I baked it yesterday," before Lolli can answer, a piece of carrot cake is lodged between her jaws.
Lolli immediately chews on the carrot cake and makes the usual 'mmmm' noise when she’s eating her grandma's cake. She closes her eyes and thinks it’s just perfect. It brings a tear to her eye. Lolli continues chewing slowly trying to savour every bit of the carrot cake.
As Lolli is chewing, Boosya starts answering some of her questions. "Oswald is fine, grumbles about how he's tired to resetting his smithy all the time. You know how he is. Had to work overtime during the invasion," she waves, nose twitching in a familiar annoyance. "So add a bit more grumpiness into the mix. Bloody Creek was mostly fine. Although a couple of dragons did attack it, and I had to dress a couple of burns. And that nice priest died, poor thing," the old harengon shakes her head with a sad sigh. "But how are you, dear? Were you here, at the fort the whole time?"
Lolli just manages to finish swallowing the carrot cake as her grandma is done talking. She makes a gulp sound and then she smiles over to her grandma “Firstly, Thank you. Thank you. Thank yoooooou. Your cake is soooooooooo delicious. You really are the best cook”. She gets out of her chair and rushes over and gives her grandma a big hug. After a few moments she releases her and goes back to her seat. Then she smiles happily “I’m happy grandpa is ok too. I’m sure you did great holding down the place in Bloody Creek. I’m sure you did so much work. That's sad to hear about the priest. We’re they the ones you talked about before with the funny jokes? Also, no I wasn’t in the fort. Only passing through now. I was actually in Daring Heights helping defend there. I was on the way to meet you but I got stuck on the way to Bloody Creek. I had to head back to Daring Heights. Luckily, I managed to find a friend, Pipper and we helped with the defence there. I’m so happy to have her there. But the battle was… so much more intense than I expected. And there’s… so many people… dead. I feel…” she trails off unsure how to answer the weight of the situation they’re in.
Boosya reaches down and pats Lolli’s head. “Oh, my dear Lolli, I’m so sorry you had to go through all this,” the old harengon says. She glances around worriedly as if looking for ways to make it better. With a heavy sigh, she settles, looking just a tad regretful as any old person does realising that they cannot in fact protect the younger generations as well as they hoped. “It is a difficult time for all, Lolli, dear. But we mustn’t dwell. It’s important to move on. Will you be going back to Daring Heights? To your shop?”
Lolli listens wisely to her Grandma’s words. Just hearing her words makes her feel slightly better. “You’re right. Thank you for always knowing what to say”. She smiles fondly. “And… yes I am heading to Daring Heights. The Fitzgrove shop luckily didn’t get damaged during the attack so it’s still ok. I think both Annabelle and Brendan are still shaken after everything. But yes, I’ll be back working there once they open the shop again. Which is hopefully soon. What are your plans? And oh how come you’re here, in Fort Ettin?”
Upon hearing about the Fitzgroves, Boosya nods with a smile. “Oh, it’s so good to hear they’re well! Although I did find some of their hem work questionable, they had so many good ideas. I’m glad they and their shop have survived unscathed,” she said in a tone suggesting that Fitzgroves’ survival was Lolli’s own idea. “I need to say hi to them when I’m back in Daring Heights. I’ve just left the city, in fact. I’m off to Port Ffirst at the moment. Rumour has it they’ve been hit real hard, poor dears,” she sips her tea and tuts disapprovingly. “There’s a druid there who needs some help with cleaning and reconstruction. I’m not much of a builder, but I sure can clean,” she chuckles fondly. “Do you remember your cousin Terence’s birthday party? How you kids destroyed poor Oswald’s smithy? That was some clean-up!” She asserts with a nod. “But after that, I will return to Daring Heights. After all this invasion thing, I thought to myself - why, I know so much about medicine, how come I never learned brewing healing potions? And decided to give it a go!” She gives the air an excited sideways punch. “I’ve met another cleric, very sweet halfling, named Laurel. Do you happen to know them? They live in Daring Heights. They agreed to teach me herbalism as long as I donate all the tutoring money to Thya’s refuge. Such a sweetie.”
Lolli smiles “Ah you’re learning how to make medicine. That makes so much sense. I mean you already know so much about medicine since you’re a midwife and all. Ohhh you’re gonna be amazing at it. And ohhh no I don’t think I met them. But if they are helping Thia’s Refuge I am sure we would get along really well. They sound lovely. I did my fashion ball to help Thia’s Refuge as well. So I’m so glad there’s more people around trying to help the children. Actually, I might check in on the children when I’m back in Daring Heights”. She ponders off thinking for a moment “But yes come by the shop. I’m sure Annabella and Brendan would love to say hi to you anyway. And ohhh I’m so glad you’re doing ok. I’m here helping my friend Amble with this spores issue he’s found in the fort. It’s… not exactly resolved. Might be quite dangerous. Be careful if you’re staying here”.
Boosya gives a sage nod. "Yes, well, spores are very dangerous. Make sure you wear a scarf over your nose and mouth. But I am not surprised something like that would be here. It's a veritable free-for-all! Just look how many people are around!" She huffs as two construction workers pass them wheeling a cart with rubble. "Can't imagine it being too hygienic!" She takes an excessively loud sip of her tea. The workers don't seem to notice the little harengon tea party and go about their business, unperturbed. Boosya shakes her head in disappointment, but when she turns back to Lolli she has a smile on her face again. "I'll make sure to tell Anna and Brendan hi from you when I'm back in Daring Heights. I imagine I'll be there for a while," she says with a thoughtful expression. "With my herbalism lessons, I can't imagine going back to New Hillborrow any time soon. Besides, I've been living with your grandfather for a month without him being able to go fishing once. You know how he gets when that happens!" She gives Lolli a meaningful look over the rims of her glasses.
Lolli laughs at her grandma’s expression knowingly exactly what her grandpa is like when he misses any amount of time fishing “Yeah I can imagine. I assume that’s another reason why you ventured out on an adventure quest?”. She grins toward her knowing she could be right. “I was… there when New Hillborrow… was… destroyed. I was helping to make sure everyone was evacuated from New Hillborrow. I doubled checked on your house and saw everything was gone. Oh, the animal sanctuary was cleared out too. We helped with that. And then as we were leaving a dragon came and set fire to everything in the village. It was so sad. And Jasper the shrub was in the flower fields and I thought they were gone. I rushed over after the dragon left. They were ok. I can imagine New Hillborrow will take some time to get back to normal. I don’t think… your house made it Grandma”. She looks at her grandma sadly and reaches out to squeeze her hand.
Boosya listens intently to Lolli's tale, nodding. "Ah, so that's what happened there! Don't worry, dear," she says, patting Lolli's hand. "It's just a house! We've got most of our things out. Besides, the walls are still there. Pity all the work that Ana did with the roof went to waste," she sighs and wrinkles her nose. "Real shame. But it's alright. Oswald had already put a tarpaulin over the house, and his smithy can stay without a roof until autumn," she waves off snidely. "Oh, but I didn't know poor Jasper was there at the time! He's such a lovely chap. Always walking in the fields, counting flowers - such a darling! I tried getting his measurements for hat once, but he took off so quickly I couldn't catch up! I definitely need to knit him something nice, poor little dear! But I'm sure BB is taking good care of him," Boosya adds, relieved. She looks back at Lolli with a pride smile. "But thank you, dear, for checking on our house. It's very kind of you, and very responsible..." she says with a hit of regret. "I'm sorry if I'm coddling you too much sometimes, and talking to you like you're still small. I guess to me you'll always be little Lolli who is getting entangled in my yarn. But I'm proud to see you've grown up to be a brave and talented young bunny! And I'm very happy to see you alright." She gives her granddaughter an apologetic smile.
Lolli blushes under her Grandma’s compliments. They make her feel happy despite everything. “Thank you Grandma. And there’s no need to apologise, we’re family. But I am so glad you’re alright too”. She hops over and plants a massive hug on her grandma. Holding her and feeling comfort with being around family and especially her favourite grandma. “You’re the best grandma ever, you know that”. Lolli smiles up to her and then lets her go “Oh and I’m sure Jasper would appreciate anything you give him. He is so lovely and very humble. And yeah he was there when the dragons did the fire. We all thought he was gone. But we ran really quickly up that hill. But yeah luckily he was ok. Ohh and you’re right BB is definitely checking on him. I think he was heading there after it all went down. But yeah I’m sorry about the house. I am happy to offer my help with doing some repairs on the house if you need the help. However, will you go back to New Hillborrow or move somewhere else now?”
Boosya returns the hug and ruffles Lolli’s hair and ears. “Oh, you know your grandpa would never move away from the pond. Best carps in the Dawnlands!” She parodies her husband. “And I love New Hillborrow. The neighbours are so lovely. I’m sure there’s nothing a couple of Mendings won’t fix. Besides, this adventuring life gives me all the travel I need!” She finishes her tea, wipes the cup with her apron and puts it in her basket. “Well, I suppose I better get going, right? Can’t make those poor folk in Port Ffirst wait!” She punches air with an enthusiastic expression. “Adventures await! Haha! I hope you’ll figure out this spore thing soon. Say hello to Amble for me,” she pinches Lolli’s cheek.
Lolli smiles happily “I definitely will pass it along and oh thank you so much for all the lovely wishes. But yes I’ll come by and help fix your house then if you're staying. Also yes I won’t keep you either. It’s so good to see you. Send the biggest hello to grandpa when you see him next”. Lolli smiles and gets up to walk away. She waves and then he pauses for a moment and rushes back and throws her arms around her for one last big hug. Then she hops away waving goodbye with a big smile on her face.
Lolli is walking around Fort Ettin, nimbly getting out of the way of adventurers and repair workers. She’s already caught up with a couple of people she knows. Suddenly, the familiar smell of carrot cake fills her nostrils.
Lolli twitches her nose and jumps with a turn. Less than ten feet away, she sees her grandma, sitting down on a stump and having tea by herself. Boosya looks a bit tired but is smiling benevolently, watching the people dashing backwards and forwards over the rim of her glasses.
Lolli smiles and shouts with delight “GRANDMA” and rushes over to her. She gets to her table and sits down. “Oh my gumdrop, I’m so happy to see you. I tried to find you after the battle but I just couldn’t. I was on my way to Bloody Creek when the battle just started and I couldn’t get to you or grandpa. Ohhh, but I’m so glad you’re here and you’re ok! How’s Grandpa? And the others? Are you ok?”
Boosya jumps on her seat a bit, almost spilling her tea.
"Oh, Lolli, dear! My eyes must be getting worse, I haven't even noticed you!" She rights her glasses, and produces another cup from her endless basket, pouring some tea for her granddaughter.
"I'm so glad to see you alright, my little girl," she pinches her cheek. "Ooooh, you look so thin! Here, have some carrot cake, I baked it yesterday," before Lolli can answer, a piece of carrot cake is lodged between her jaws.
Lolli immediately chews on the carrot cake and makes the usual 'mmmm' noise when she’s eating her grandma's cake. She closes her eyes and thinks it’s just perfect. It brings a tear to her eye. Lolli continues chewing slowly trying to savour every bit of the carrot cake.
As Lolli is chewing, Boosya starts answering some of her questions. "Oswald is fine, grumbles about how he's tired to resetting his smithy all the time. You know how he is. Had to work overtime during the invasion," she waves, nose twitching in a familiar annoyance. "So add a bit more grumpiness into the mix. Bloody Creek was mostly fine. Although a couple of dragons did attack it, and I had to dress a couple of burns. And that nice priest died, poor thing," the old harengon shakes her head with a sad sigh. "But how are you, dear? Were you here, at the fort the whole time?"
Lolli just manages to finish swallowing the carrot cake as her grandma is done talking. She makes a gulp sound and then she smiles over to her grandma “Firstly, Thank you. Thank you. Thank yoooooou. Your cake is soooooooooo delicious. You really are the best cook”. She gets out of her chair and rushes over and gives her grandma a big hug. After a few moments she releases her and goes back to her seat. Then she smiles happily “I’m happy grandpa is ok too. I’m sure you did great holding down the place in Bloody Creek. I’m sure you did so much work. That's sad to hear about the priest. We’re they the ones you talked about before with the funny jokes? Also, no I wasn’t in the fort. Only passing through now. I was actually in Daring Heights helping defend there. I was on the way to meet you but I got stuck on the way to Bloody Creek. I had to head back to Daring Heights. Luckily, I managed to find a friend, Pipper and we helped with the defence there. I’m so happy to have her there. But the battle was… so much more intense than I expected. And there’s… so many people… dead. I feel…” she trails off unsure how to answer the weight of the situation they’re in.
Boosya reaches down and pats Lolli’s head. “Oh, my dear Lolli, I’m so sorry you had to go through all this,” the old harengon says. She glances around worriedly as if looking for ways to make it better. With a heavy sigh, she settles, looking just a tad regretful as any old person does realising that they cannot in fact protect the younger generations as well as they hoped. “It is a difficult time for all, Lolli, dear. But we mustn’t dwell. It’s important to move on. Will you be going back to Daring Heights? To your shop?”
Lolli listens wisely to her Grandma’s words. Just hearing her words makes her feel slightly better. “You’re right. Thank you for always knowing what to say”. She smiles fondly. “And… yes I am heading to Daring Heights. The Fitzgrove shop luckily didn’t get damaged during the attack so it’s still ok. I think both Annabelle and Brendan are still shaken after everything. But yes, I’ll be back working there once they open the shop again. Which is hopefully soon. What are your plans? And oh how come you’re here, in Fort Ettin?”
Upon hearing about the Fitzgroves, Boosya nods with a smile. “Oh, it’s so good to hear they’re well! Although I did find some of their hem work questionable, they had so many good ideas. I’m glad they and their shop have survived unscathed,” she said in a tone suggesting that Fitzgroves’ survival was Lolli’s own idea. “I need to say hi to them when I’m back in Daring Heights. I’ve just left the city, in fact. I’m off to Port Ffirst at the moment. Rumour has it they’ve been hit real hard, poor dears,” she sips her tea and tuts disapprovingly. “There’s a druid there who needs some help with cleaning and reconstruction. I’m not much of a builder, but I sure can clean,” she chuckles fondly. “Do you remember your cousin Terence’s birthday party? How you kids destroyed poor Oswald’s smithy? That was some clean-up!” She asserts with a nod. “But after that, I will return to Daring Heights. After all this invasion thing, I thought to myself - why, I know so much about medicine, how come I never learned brewing healing potions? And decided to give it a go!” She gives the air an excited sideways punch. “I’ve met another cleric, very sweet halfling, named Laurel. Do you happen to know them? They live in Daring Heights. They agreed to teach me herbalism as long as I donate all the tutoring money to Thya’s refuge. Such a sweetie.”
Lolli smiles “Ah you’re learning how to make medicine. That makes so much sense. I mean you already know so much about medicine since you’re a midwife and all. Ohhh you’re gonna be amazing at it. And ohhh no I don’t think I met them. But if they are helping Thia’s Refuge I am sure we would get along really well. They sound lovely. I did my fashion ball to help Thia’s Refuge as well. So I’m so glad there’s more people around trying to help the children. Actually, I might check in on the children when I’m back in Daring Heights”. She ponders off thinking for a moment “But yes come by the shop. I’m sure Annabella and Brendan would love to say hi to you anyway. And ohhh I’m so glad you’re doing ok. I’m here helping my friend Amble with this spores issue he’s found in the fort. It’s… not exactly resolved. Might be quite dangerous. Be careful if you’re staying here”.
Boosya gives a sage nod. "Yes, well, spores are very dangerous. Make sure you wear a scarf over your nose and mouth. But I am not surprised something like that would be here. It's a veritable free-for-all! Just look how many people are around!" She huffs as two construction workers pass them wheeling a cart with rubble. "Can't imagine it being too hygienic!" She takes an excessively loud sip of her tea. The workers don't seem to notice the little harengon tea party and go about their business, unperturbed. Boosya shakes her head in disappointment, but when she turns back to Lolli she has a smile on her face again. "I'll make sure to tell Anna and Brendan hi from you when I'm back in Daring Heights. I imagine I'll be there for a while," she says with a thoughtful expression. "With my herbalism lessons, I can't imagine going back to New Hillborrow any time soon. Besides, I've been living with your grandfather for a month without him being able to go fishing once. You know how he gets when that happens!" She gives Lolli a meaningful look over the rims of her glasses.
Lolli laughs at her grandma’s expression knowingly exactly what her grandpa is like when he misses any amount of time fishing “Yeah I can imagine. I assume that’s another reason why you ventured out on an adventure quest?”. She grins toward her knowing she could be right. “I was… there when New Hillborrow… was… destroyed. I was helping to make sure everyone was evacuated from New Hillborrow. I doubled checked on your house and saw everything was gone. Oh, the animal sanctuary was cleared out too. We helped with that. And then as we were leaving a dragon came and set fire to everything in the village. It was so sad. And Jasper the shrub was in the flower fields and I thought they were gone. I rushed over after the dragon left. They were ok. I can imagine New Hillborrow will take some time to get back to normal. I don’t think… your house made it Grandma”. She looks at her grandma sadly and reaches out to squeeze her hand.
Boosya listens intently to Lolli's tale, nodding. "Ah, so that's what happened there! Don't worry, dear," she says, patting Lolli's hand. "It's just a house! We've got most of our things out. Besides, the walls are still there. Pity all the work that Ana did with the roof went to waste," she sighs and wrinkles her nose. "Real shame. But it's alright. Oswald had already put a tarpaulin over the house, and his smithy can stay without a roof until autumn," she waves off snidely. "Oh, but I didn't know poor Jasper was there at the time! He's such a lovely chap. Always walking in the fields, counting flowers - such a darling! I tried getting his measurements for hat once, but he took off so quickly I couldn't catch up! I definitely need to knit him something nice, poor little dear! But I'm sure BB is taking good care of him," Boosya adds, relieved. She looks back at Lolli with a pride smile. "But thank you, dear, for checking on our house. It's very kind of you, and very responsible..." she says with a hit of regret. "I'm sorry if I'm coddling you too much sometimes, and talking to you like you're still small. I guess to me you'll always be little Lolli who is getting entangled in my yarn. But I'm proud to see you've grown up to be a brave and talented young bunny! And I'm very happy to see you alright." She gives her granddaughter an apologetic smile.
Lolli blushes under her Grandma’s compliments. They make her feel happy despite everything. “Thank you Grandma. And there’s no need to apologise, we’re family. But I am so glad you’re alright too”. She hops over and plants a massive hug on her grandma. Holding her and feeling comfort with being around family and especially her favourite grandma. “You’re the best grandma ever, you know that”. Lolli smiles up to her and then lets her go “Oh and I’m sure Jasper would appreciate anything you give him. He is so lovely and very humble. And yeah he was there when the dragons did the fire. We all thought he was gone. But we ran really quickly up that hill. But yeah luckily he was ok. Ohh and you’re right BB is definitely checking on him. I think he was heading there after it all went down. But yeah I’m sorry about the house. I am happy to offer my help with doing some repairs on the house if you need the help. However, will you go back to New Hillborrow or move somewhere else now?”
Boosya returns the hug and ruffles Lolli’s hair and ears. “Oh, you know your grandpa would never move away from the pond. Best carps in the Dawnlands!” She parodies her husband. “And I love New Hillborrow. The neighbours are so lovely. I’m sure there’s nothing a couple of Mendings won’t fix. Besides, this adventuring life gives me all the travel I need!” She finishes her tea, wipes the cup with her apron and puts it in her basket. “Well, I suppose I better get going, right? Can’t make those poor folk in Port Ffirst wait!” She punches air with an enthusiastic expression. “Adventures await! Haha! I hope you’ll figure out this spore thing soon. Say hello to Amble for me,” she pinches Lolli’s cheek.
Lolli smiles happily “I definitely will pass it along and oh thank you so much for all the lovely wishes. But yes I’ll come by and help fix your house then if you're staying. Also yes I won’t keep you either. It’s so good to see you. Send the biggest hello to grandpa when you see him next”. Lolli smiles and gets up to walk away. She waves and then he pauses for a moment and rushes back and throws her arms around her for one last big hug. Then she hops away waving goodbye with a big smile on her face.