Memoirs of a RAFian

[Cloak]

And now, the daily chapter.

CHAPTER FIVE:
The Pootang and the Seven Young Seals

"Uh, guys --" Abby said, attempting to get everyone back on topic.* It was rapidly getting to a point of one-upping each other.

"Oh, wait! How's about this one?" AniDragon said.

***

There once was a mother seal, Horse, and seven pups -- one angry, one greedy, one fearful, one willful, one hopeful, one compassionate, and one loving.

"Now, I need to go away for some time to collect some fish from the market." Horse told her children. "Do not let anyone in -- not a one, Gregory!"

She spoke to the angry, fighting-prone one.

"There's a Pootang in the area. It will gobble you seven up in a thrice if you let it in. Now, when I return, you'll know by my musical voice and white flippers. Farewell, children -- remember to do as I said."

After Horse had left, the Poitang did come calling. It attempted to pretend to be Horse, but the seven recognized the gruff, rough voice as not being Horse's and did not let it in.

Two hours later, the Pootang managed a passable imitation of Horse's lyrical voice, but the seven pups noticed the yellow-furred feet. They refused entry.

Then the Pootang spread flour on its feet, making them appear white. Then it tried again, only this time, it managed to successfully trick the youngsters and eat six of the pups, only the fearful one was spared due to her victorious hiding ability.

When Horse returned, she and her surviving went and found the Pootang. Horse cut open its stomach rescuing her brood, replacing the six pups with stones. Then she sewed the stomach shut and she left with her brood.

The Pootang eventually awoke, and went to drink from a river . . .

***

"I'm a mother? Oh, no-ho-ho-ho way!" Horse protested. "Seven kids are just too much. One would be enough."

"Little dark, dontcha think?" Saffa asked.

AniDragon shrugged, "It's based off of 'The Wolf and the Seven Young Kids'."

---
*

[redtailedsaffa]

James Moriarty: "Every fairy tale needs a good old-fashioned villain" = the Pootang

[Cloak]

Well, as you guys have probably already guessed, "Memoirs" is on temporary hiatus due to Pokemon XY coming out.  I didn't realize just how long the game is (or just how long I'm making it, due to training more than the prerequisite six), and as such, new chapters will usually appear on the weekends (or any time I have off of work).

I have come up with a few new book ideas, but I forgotten what was the last book I left you guys off with.

[redtailedsaffa]

LOL, we expected that. No worries.

This was the description of the last book, by the way -

BOOK CCVII: "Ghoulfiend" -- The RAFians must prevent the release of a demon (who has a history with Demos) by the Gatekeeper and the Keyholder.

[Cloak]

Ah, thanks, Saffa. But that was Book CCVIII, not Book CCVII (that's "The Importance of Cellulite", which used to be "Cellular Games", same plot but different title). So --

• BOOK CCIX: "Still Life Chase" -- Some of the RAFians find themselves running through paintings.
• BOOK CCX:"Repression Oppression" -- The RAFians must deal with an ancient demon that feeds on repression.
• BOOK CCXI: "A Saccharine Scheme" -- The RAFians must combat the Cuddlepies.
• BOOK CCXII: "A Reflection Complication" -- Some RAFians get trapped inside the realm of mirrors.

And that's all I got.

CHAPTER SIX:
The Morpher and the Pootang

"Be that as it may, AniDragon," Abby said, valiantly trying to get the conversation back on topic, "you guys are forgetting the --"

"Oh! I got one!" Faerie interrupted.

Abby pulled an "angry Jigglypuff" face. Fortunately, she didn't have a felt marker, like that Jigglypuff from the earlier seasons of the anime.

***

Once upon a time, there was a Pootang who was in terrible pain. It had a bone most uncomfortably in it's throat. It was cranky, naturally, and sought any means to dislodge it itself.

But it could not accomplish this, and bellowed mournfully at this predictament.

It was reduced to begging for help, in return for a reward. However, none were willing to help the untrustworthy beast.

Eventually, one took pity upon the beast -- but still expected the reward for her services.

Abby morphed into a crane and used her long beak to poke at the bone in the Pootang's gullet. She eventually managed to pull out the bit of bone lodged so unaccommodatingly in its throat. Then she demorphed.

Then the Pootang walked off, seemingly going back on its promise of a reward.

"Hey!" Abby demanded, now human. "What about my reward?"

The Pootang stopped in its tracks, reared up to its hindlegs in a most intimidating way. Then it looked over its shoulder and spoke.

"You just stuck your head into the mouth of the Pootang, and back out again unharmed." it said, its voice timber somewhat like Avatar Roku. "That should be reward enough."

***

Abby was not amused. She refused to believe she would be that greedy or that stupid. But the she gave up trying to get back to the topic at hand, as it has obviously gone onto a different tangent.

[redtailedsaffa]

I think I must've missed book CCVII somewhere along the line...

[Cloak]

It's where we fight a powerful creature created by -- well, that would be telling.

CHAPTER SEVEN:
Eating Excuses

"Anyone else got one?" Saffa said, sipping her chosen beverage -- before realizing she required a refill. She went off to fill it up again and returned quickly.

"Well?" Saffa prompted everyone.

Sakki held her index finger and said brightly,"Got one. Based off of one of Aesop's fables."

***

There was once a seal named Horse who was pursued by a gigantic, red-eyed, fanged Pikachu called the Pootang. Horse usually managed to outwit her foe, but there was one occasion where she did not, where she could not, endeavor to outwit it. It had her cornered.

"You are charged with the crime of being a worthless sack of meat."

"I am not worthless! I've saved my fellows numerous times, with plenty of evidence. What you claim cannot be true."

This went on for a fair bit as the sun peeked into the forum. The Pootang accusing Horse of crimes more ridiculous as the last. Crimes that justify it eating her. Horse disproved all of them as impossibilities.

"I cannot fill my empty belly with dialogues," the Pootang said eventually, before it lunged at Horse. But she wiggled her way free.

Momentarily free, but still trapped.

"Tyrants always find a way to excuse their tyranny." he muttered.

Then she sneezed.

And the Pootang was frozen solid.

Horse blinked bewilderedly. She said, "Didn't know I could do that."

***

"Could you do that, Horse?"

Horse looked thoughtful. "I don't really know. Never tried that particular, uh, 'technique'."

Cloak said nothing. He knew of the original fable, and it would apply all to fittingly with him and his mother. Cloak did nothing but sit stoically, stewing in his pain of his past traumas.

He hid it well from the others. Although, Aquilai gave him a suspicious glance, but said nothing about it.

[redtailedsaffa]

What is the original fable? I don't think I've heard it before.

[Cloak]

"The Wolf and the Lamb", Saffa.

Now, I'm feeling a little write-y at the moment. So . . .

CHAPTER EIGHT:
Questionable Enticements

Silence fell for a bit, broken by Noelle. She said thoughtfully, <Well, I have one, I believe.>

She hesitated, but Saffa prompted her encouragingly. Noelle took a breath, and plowed on.

<Well, it's based on an Earth fable I heard some time ago . . .>

***

There was once two siblings who grew into a geek and a seal. As it so happened, they got separated from their parents and lost in a dark forest of Phantumps and Pumpkaboos.*

"Guy, why are you leaving a trail of --"

"I would think it was obvious."

"But that's the last of our food!"

"Oh! Uh . . . um . . . erm . . ."

"Making noises of discomfort won't help us ya know." Horse said.

"There!" Guy said, pointing.

"Oh-ho-ho-ho no. I'm not falling for that." Horse quipped. Then she cleared her throat, and muttered much quieter, "Again."

"No, seriously, Horse! Look! A house made of junk food!" he exclaimed, with his mouth watering.

The two decended upon the house, began devouring it. Not a thought of the homeowner occured to them, as often the belly reigns over such courtesies.

"Are you enjoying it?" came a wheezy voice. It belonged to a haggard, old hag -- er, woman in an elaborately embroidered cloak. "No, no. Don't worry! I'm not mad!"

The two were leery.

"Don't be like that," said the cloaked lady. "I have more inside. Come."

She went inside.

"Let's the who-know-what outta here," Horse said.

"Took the words right out of my mouth," Guy said.

The two fled, and managed, by a sheer stroke of luck, bump into their parents, who was looking for them.

***

"A little too neat, don't you think?" Rotiart asked.

"Who invited you?" Saffa scowled.

---
*Would you rather Heffalumps and Woozels?

[redtailedsaffa]

LOL, if he ever comes up with a story I'd probably be the first to die.

[Cloak]

Yeah. Like you'd let him, Saffa.

Feeling write-y again.

CHAPTER NINE:
Little Blue Riding Hood

"Guys, what -- oh, forget it." Abby said, as Ash said, enthusiastically, "Oooh! Oooh! I've got one! I've got one!"

"Wonderful," Abby muttered drily. She was a little irritated that her idea of television show was long forgotten.

***

Once upon a time, a RAFian had to deliver a basket of goodies to the venerable, old Estelore.

"Here," said Ash, handing Blue a blue riding hood, "put this on."

***

"Wait, wouldn't Cloak be a better choice for --" Blue interjected.

"Hush up and let me tell my story!" Ash protested.

***

"Do I have to?" Blue complained.

"Please and thank you," Ash said presumptively, as she turned to reentered the the darling forum villa.

Blue sighed as he reluctantly donned the blue cloak. Then he took the basket and said defiantly, "I'm not skipping while carrying this."

Eventually, Blue made it to Estelore's cottage after a run-in with the Pootang. However, Estelore was not in -- she was out on some sort of cruise spa thing. The Pootang broke into the cottage and disguised itself as Estelore.

Blue did not know this, however.

"Why, Estelore, what long yellow ears you have," Blue said drily.

"The better to hear you with, dearie." the Pootang rasped.

Blue's eyes narrowed as he turned his back to the Pootang to set down the basket.

"My, Esty, what merciless red eyes you have." Blue said, hiding his suspicions.

"The better to see you with, dearie," the Pootang rasped.

"And what big fangs you have." Blue said, over his shoulder, waiting for the inevitable moment to come. He pulled a small, lightweight pack attached to a shurriken.

"The better to eat you with!" the Pootang roared as it lunged for Blue. But he had anticipated this, and threw the shurriken. Quick acting goo spread over the Pootang, hardening to a immovable shell, leaving only its head free.

***

Silence erupted after Ash was done.

"Well . . . I liked it." Ash said, in a meek voice.

Applause sounded soon after.

[redtailedsaffa]

This book is so cute.

[Cloak]

Thanks, Saffa.

Sorry that I haven't been posting new chapters, but I've been tired and they changed my hours. I'm still adjusting.

[redtailedsaffa]

No problem. We're used to the hiatuses now.

[Cloak]

Ah.

CHAPTER TEN:
Horse and Pootang in Partnership

"Wow, thanks," the shapeshifter blushed.

"I think I got one," Wild said, thoughtfully.

***

Against ordinary convention of their enmity, it came about that the Pootang and Horse became friends. They secured a vat of various Berries for use in leaner times.

Eventually, the Pootang made an excuse to be away for a period of time, but just went to the vat and ate the top level of the Berry vat. When Horse had inquired were it went, it replied, "Topoff." Horse though it was an odd name for a place -- before she assumed it may have been a seedy place, but she did not press the issue.

Soon thereafter, the Pootang made a similar excuse to Horse to leave. Then it gobbled the Berries in the vat until they were halfway gone. When it returned, and Horse inquired where it had been, it replied, "Haffgon."

Then the third occasion where this happened, the Pootang finished off the vat. When it returned, and asked by Horse. It replied, "Algon".

Leaner times soon came, and Horse decided that they should delve into the provisions they had set aside, only to realize what the Pootang did. The Pootang warned her not to put it together, but she persisted. So it attempted to gobble her up -- but found itself locked within a block of ice.

***

"I would never! It'd never trust that rabid giant Pokemon!" Horse protested vehemently. "And I wouldn't be that stupid!"

"Well, it was an adaptation of one of Brothers Grimm's stories." Wild responded simply. "'The Cat and Mouse in Partnership'."

"Wasn't that Aesop?" Gaz asked.

"Don't think so," Wild replied earnestly.

"Well told, in any case," Cloak said quietly.