I am pretty new to FanFics, but I love writing. I hope that you will enjoy my story, called Things Change with Time (I may decide to change the title as the story moves on, but I will call it that for now.) I am open to any critizism, and I will try to update two to three times a week. Thanks for reading!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter 1 - The New Girl My stomach jumps up into my throat as I come closer to my new home. A new town, new people, new environment... how will I ever feel comfortable here? The cab comes to a stop, and I close my eyes, taking deep breaths. I must have sat there a while, because next thing I know Kapp’n turns to me and says, “Portia? Here’s your destination, lass. I hope you enjoy your time here in Rallington.” I looked at him and reply, “I hope so, too. Thanks, Kapp’n.” "Now, you take care of yourself, ya hear?" I nodded slowly and handed him my five dollar bill. He shook his head and was about to hand it back, but I jumped out of the car too quickly. He shook his head as he stuffed the money in his pocket, and then he drove off. As the taxi cab pulled out of view, I looked at my new home. It was unlike what I was used to. It was nothing more than a small town in the middle of nowhere. Railington had a few houses and a small shopping center, contrasting greatly to the busy city streets and bright night lights of casinos, hotels, and restaurants just dying for you to come and spend your money. No, this town was small and cozy, (nothing to what I was used to) and I wondered if I would get claustrophobic by the lack of space. I sighed heavily, and went towards the direction of the shopping center. My name is Portia. I previously lived in the famous Diamond City, where it was all about glamor and style. I had a great feeling when I entered the small town of Rallington that this would differ dramatically. I am a definite trendsetter. Back in Diamond City, I was the popular of the elite, the famous of the rich, the trendy of the stylish. I was the girl to be around. I can't tell you how many times I've been invited to wild parties, fancy dinners, or even pre-movie premieres. And yet... here I am on my way to Rallington. It's kind of a long, personal story why I am moving here. I will get to that later. Anyway, I will go back to where I was before I introduced myself. As I walked down the stone path, stores on each side, I noticed no more than four animals out and about shopping. I wondered how much business these poor stores got in a day, and I felt sorry for their low customer count. I pondered over why they would open a business out here for a long while. I finally found Nookington's. The owner of the store, Mr. Tom Nook, said I would find him here. He is the one who I bought my new house from, the rather stuck-up squirrel who thinks he's all that. I wasn't offended at all, though, I mean, I'm used to the prideful type of people, and I must admit I myself was rather prideful back in Diamond City. "Welcome! How may I be of assistance?" Mr. Nook asked showing a toothy smile. "Hello, Nook. Um... my name is Portia. I just moved here from Diamond City. Do your remember me?" I played with the necklace around my neck nervously. I felt like a different person, standing there shyly waiting for a response. I was never like this in Diamond City, always completely confident and sure of myself. It's just that... in Railington, I felt like I was an outsider because of my previous popularity. I desperately hoped that feeling would soon pass. "Ah, yes Portia. Your house is avaliable to move into whenever you'd like. I can show you where it is right now." I smiled. "That would be fine, thanks. Have the moving trucks arrived yet?" Mr. Nook nodded. "Yes, in fact -" "Nook!!!" a female voice interrupted from right behind me, making me jump. "Come quick! It's Heather, you see, she's... she's not breathing."
Signature-------------- There are 589 people in this world... The people who understand math and the people who don't. :3
Thanks for your comments! I'll post it now, if you guys want it. Alright, here is chapter 2!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter 2 - A New Group of People Nook rushed past me before I could even think straight. The porcupine was standing in the doorway nervously, and as they exited out the door all I could do was trail along behind them, and hope some answers would come soon. I followed them to a store two doors down. It had dresses, shirts, pants, wigs, glasses, hair accessories, and just all types of clothes. Another porcupine with the nametag, Mabel was standing in the doorway, looking very similar to the first one but different in the face. The first porcupine strode through the store at the lead and Mabel followed us. I tried to stay out of the way but had no other choice to be shuffled into the small room that smelled of sickness and death. Another porcupine, probably the one named Heather, lay in her sickbed with a warm cloth on her forehead. To me, she almost looked like she was sleeping peacefully until I noticed that there was no rise and fall of her chest, just a still body that once held a vibrant spirit. Unfortunately, I realized at that moment, death happens to all of us, sooner or later. The difference people see most often is that the ones who embrace it are happy, and the ones who shove it away are racked with aner and torment. I could definitely tell by the soft expression on Heather's face that she had been one to embrace it. Nook bent over the frail body and checked for a pulse, but I could already tell you, she was dead, and it was impossible for her spirit to come back. After Mr. Nook checked several other things about her, he stood up with a grave expression, and said to the porcupines, "I'm sorry, but she's passed on." Mabel let out a whimper and started to cry. Sable hugged her, and I was left helplessly to watch this sad time. Why did I have to come right in the middle of things? Couldn't Kapp'n have taken ten more minutes so I wouldn't have to witness this? But then Nook gestured for us to leave, and I followed him out of the store. I looked back and noticed it was titled, "The Able Sisters." I decided I would have to pay that clothing shop more than a couple of visits. At first I thought we would head back to Nookington's, but when we passed the store without a second glance, Nook said to me, "I'll take you directly to your home, and you can get settled in. I'm sure that the moving truck has dropped your stuff off on the front doorstep by now, so there is no worry about that." I was stunned. Leaving stuff on the front doorstep? And not think that somebody might be the slightest bit tempted to pick it up and take it? I had to keep telling myself that this was probably normal here in Rallington. Another thing I would have to get used to. As we approached a small, very humble abode, a female canine passed us. Nook tipped his hat to her and said, "Good morning! How are you today, Daisy?" "Good, thanks. How about you? Business well?" Daisy responded. She was a white dog with pretty blue eyes. She was holding some books, as if on her way to study. "Excellent, my dear friend. Have you met Portia, yet? She just moved in." "Oh, I believe I haven't. Nice to meet you, Portia," Daisy responded, smiling widely. "I was just going to show her home. Would you mind taking her around the town afterwards? I'm afraid I have some... business to take care of." "Gladly. Let me just return these books to the library. I'll meet you at your house, Portia." "Thank you, Daisy," I said, blushing for my lack of conversation. I usually always knew the perfect, wittiest thing to say. What was wrong with me? Before I knew it, I was in front of my new house. It was cozy, as Mr. Tom Nook described it. Well to be honest, tt was the size of my front bedroom in my old house! And I was supposed to fit all my stuff in it? As Tom had said, my stuff was waiting for me on my front doorstep. Every single thing. "I must leave you now, Portia. Please do take care." As Nook was leaving, I was pulling in all of my boxes of stuff. "It will take me forever to move in!" I grumbled to myself. The house had only a few pieces of furniture in it already. A chair, a sofa, a black-and-white television from the forties, and a refrigerator. I knew it would take some getting used to living in this new town, but I was surprised to sit down rather contentedly, awaiting the arrival of my new friend.
Signature-------------- There are 589 people in this world... The people who understand math and the people who don't. :3
You're a great writer, but I think it's easier to read if you space it out. It's optional, though, so you don't have to do it. By the way, that's a great chapter!
Signature-------------- [#[_]#] I just got at D.S.i! [@[_]@]
It is much easier to read if you space it out. This is how it should be:
"Nook rushed past me before I could even think straight. The porcupine was standing in the doorway nervously, and as they exited out the door all I could do was trail along behind them, and hope some answers would come soon. I followed them to a store two doors down. It had dresses, shirts, pants, wigs, glasses, hair accessories, and just all types of clothes. Another porcupine with the nametag, Mabel was standing in the doorway, looking very similar to the first one but different in the face. The first porcupine strode through the store at the lead and Mabel followed us. I tried to stay out of the way but had no other choice to be shuffled into the small room that smelled of sickness and death.
Another porcupine, probably the one named Heather, lay in her sickbed with a warm cloth on her forehead. To me, she almost looked like she was sleeping peacefully until I noticed that there was no rise and fall of her chest, just a still body that once held a vibrant spirit. Unfortunately, I realized at that moment, death happens to all of us, sooner or later. The difference people see most often is that the ones who embrace it are happy, and the ones who shove it away are racked with aner and torment. I could definitely tell by the soft expression on Heather's face that she had been one to embrace it.
Nook bent over the frail body and checked for a pulse, but I could already tell you, she was dead, and it was impossible for her spirit to come back. After Mr. Nook checked several other things about her, he stood up with a grave expression, and said to the porcupines, "I'm sorry, but she's passed on."
Mabel let out a whimper and started to cry. Sable hugged her, and I was left helplessly to watch this sad time. Why did I have to come right in the middle of things? Couldn't Kapp'n have taken ten more minutes so I wouldn't have to witness this?
But then Nook gestured for us to leave, and I followed him out of the store. I looked back and noticed it was titled, "The Able Sisters." I decided I would have to pay that clothing shop more than a couple of visits.
At first I thought we would head back to Nookington's, but when we passed the store without a second glance, Nook said to me, "I'll take you directly to your home, and you can get settled in. I'm sure that the moving truck has dropped your stuff off on the front doorstep by now, so there is no worry about that."
I was stunned. Leaving stuff on the front doorstep? And not think that somebody might be the slightest bit tempted to pick it up and take it? I had to keep telling myself that this was probably normal here in Rallington. Another thing I would have to get used to.
As we approached a small, very humble abode, a female canine passed us. Nook tipped his hat to her and said, "Good morning! How are you today, Daisy?"
"Good, thanks. How about you? Business well?" Daisy responded. She was a white dog with pretty blue eyes. She was holding some books, as if on her way to study.
"Excellent, my dear friend. Have you met Portia, yet? She just moved in."
"Oh, I believe I haven't. Nice to meet you, Portia," Daisy responded, smiling widely.
"I was just going to show her home. Would you mind taking her around the town afterwards? I'm afraid I have some... business to take care of."
"Gladly. Let me just return these books to the library. I'll meet you at your house, Portia."
"Thank you, Daisy," I said, blushing for my lack of conversation. I usually always knew the perfect, wittiest thing to say. What was wrong with me?
Before I knew it, I was in front of my new house. It was cozy, as Mr. Tom Nook described it. Well to be honest, it was the size of my front bedroom in my old house! And I was supposed to fit all my stuff in it? As Tom had said, my stuff was waiting for me on my front doorstep. Every single thing.
"I must leave you now, Portia. Please do take care."
As Nook was leaving, I was pulling in all of my boxes of stuff. "It will take me forever to move in!" I grumbled to myself.
The house had only a few pieces of furniture in it already. A chair, a sofa, a black-and-white television from the forties, and a refrigerator. I knew it would take some getting used to living in this new town, but I was surprised to sit down rather contentedly, awaiting the arrival of my new friend."
But it's still good!
Signature-------------- Who loves the chocolate? Everyone loves the chocolate. Nobody hates the chocolate. 'Cos everyone loves the chocolate!
That's a good idea. When I am writing it, I give it 5 spaces to make it a little easier to read, but it never shows when I post it. I will have to do that from now on. Thanks for the advice!
Signature-------------- There are 589 people in this world... The people who understand math and the people who don't. :3
Daisy nodded. "Yeah, isn't it awesome? I love the paintings and the fossils the best, but my favorite hangout is the Roost downstairs."
"The Roost?" I asked.
"Yeah, let me take you down there. K.K. Slider, the best dog ever known to animal, plays there every Saturday night. He is awesome, and plays the best songs."
"K.K. Slider?" I asked again. Questions just kept coming to me. Who knew there could be so many questions about one little town? Then I added, "Y'know, I think I heard of him back in Diamond City. He plays the guitar, right?"
"Yeah! He does!" Daisy exclaimed. "Did he play there in Diamond City a lot?"
"Oh yeah, all the time. In fact, I think he was my best friend's brother, surprisingly enough."
"No way!" Daisy's jaw hit the floor. I smiled. I loved knowing things no one else knew. It gave me power. This is how I felt back in Diamond City. I realized that though I lived in a new place with new people, I would always be the same old Portia.
As we entered the Roost, a strong gust of the warm, fresh-brewed coffee smell hit my nose, and I exhaled contentedly. There was a coffee shop back in Diamond City called "Cofton's Brewing Shop" which was my favorite place. I was glad I was able to find a place like that here.
I sat down on one of the stools and Daisy took her place beside me. A tall bird with a nametag reading, Brewster greeted us, and said, "One moment please." He disappeared to the back room, and I waited observantly.
One of the first things I noticed about this place was a beautiful piano player sitting at the piano. The notes that came when she struck the keys were shaped elegantly and gracefully, and the music was just delightful. She was a gray-haired cat, and a very talented one at that.
I also noticed the stage with the microphone where K.K. Slider must sing when he is in town. Pictures and tasteful decorations lined the walls of this shop, and behind the counter was a countless selection of brews and flavors. I looked over at Daisy, who was clicking her nails on the counter impatiently.
"Ugh!" she said. "I wonder what's taking him so long! He is always so attentive and ready to serve! Gosh... wonder what's got him busy."
I nodded my agreement just when Brewster came out of the back room, wide-eyed and anxious. He hurried about the shop, back and forth between coffees, when Daisy interrupted. "What's wrong, Brewster?"
"I, uh, I'm sorry... I've got to go," He continued running back and forth.
"Wait! Stop! What's wrong?" Daisy insisted.
Brewster sighed, and said hesitantly, "I need to, uh, help Blathers with... something."
"Well?" Daisiy prompted. I got extremely impatient at how vague this bird was being. But then he spoke, which sent a silence over the whole room, even the piano player stopped playing as we soundlessly took in these words:
"Celeste is missing."
Signature-------------- There are 589 people in this world... The people who understand math and the people who don't. :3
I'm sorry I haven't written in 5 days... I get so easily distracted.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter 4 - The Story Moves On
"Not Celeste..." Daisy said under her breath, looking quite shocked and surprised. I looked at Daisy quizzically. She understood my unspoken question and said to me, "Celeste is Blathers little sister. She's only 9 years old. I hope..." she paused as she drew in a sharp breath. "I hope something terrible didn't happen to her..."
"Yes, I know," Brewster said quickly. "That is why I am going to help. I can't stand by and do nothing." He shook his head and grabbed the bag he was filling full of notebooks, pencils, clothes, and other various objects. (Brewster must live in the back room of the Roost, I noted silently.) He added, "If you ladies still want your coffee, I am having Jitters come and fill in for me. He has been an apprentice to me before, and -"
"Brewster," Daisy interrupted. "It's fine. We don't mind. There will always be another time to have a cup of jo. But... can we help in any way?"
Brewster shook his head quickly. "No. I don't think so. We are reporting her to Booker and Copper so they can tell the NASA system." (I later learned that NASA doesn't stand for the space team, but means National Animal Security Alert
"We can go do that. And we will let you know if we hear anything. We will also be going to various towns all over Highton State. I hope that Blathers' family is coping well with the news..." he shook his head sadly.
"Good luck, Brewster," I said, not being able to find the words until now.
He dipped his head gratefully yet sorrowfully, and walked away.
Daisy and I sat in silence for several minutes until the piano player resumed playing her graceful tunes. Daisy and I exchanged glances but Daisy didn't say anything. I didn't dare to either. We didn't have any more to do here, but what could we do outside of here? I puzzled over this for several minutes.
And then the door squeaked open. A little green and yellow bird, very jittery in appearance, walked in with a suitcase. He entered behind the counter and set the case down, opening it up and pulling out a coffee cup. It had enscribed in it, "Jitters," and he smiled as he set it down, looking it over quite thoughtfully. Daisy and I once again exchanged looks, curious to the quirky fellow.
Finally the bird looked over to us and said, "Why, hello there! I'm sorry I didn't see you! My name is Jitters. I'm filling in for Brewster."
"Yes, we know," Daisy said. "Nice to meet you, Jitters."
Jitters smiled his broad, quirky smile again. He said, "May I interest you in a cup of jo?"
"No thanks," I responded, though regretting my words when I thought of how good a cup of warm coffee sounded. "We best be going."
I pulled on Goldie's arm and we walked out, leaving Jitters to his work.
"Well... what do we do now?" I asked Daisy.
She shook her head. "I don't know. I'm sorry to throw you into all the drama when you just moved here, but... this is serious. Celeste is so young, I can't imagine what could've happened to her. I sure hope they find who did it..." She sighed. "I'm not in the spirits to go anywhere else now. I'm sorry. Why don't you go and get all settled in, and I will see you tomorrow morning?"
I shook my head slowly. "Yeah... I guess that's a good idea. Goodbye, Daisy."
She said her goodbye and I headed back home. The rest of the evening was uneventful, just a bunch of back-aching moving in that lasted until deep into the night. Finally, too exhausted to work anymore, I went upstairs and settled into my bed, pondering the day's adventures.
Signature-------------- There are 589 people in this world... The people who understand math and the people who don't. :3
I'm so sorry I haven't added in a long time! School has been really busy, but I will try to write more often in the future. Anyway, here's chapter 5: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter 5 - The Dream
"Portia! Portia!" A voice called to me in the distance. I turned to look and see who it was, butw I found no one, nothing. Just an empty field of nothingness. That's where I was, a plain, deserted field. I turn back to what I was doing.
"Portia!" This time the voice was much sharper and more demanding. I turn to look again, and, once again, find nothing. I frown, disappointed, and turn again to what I was doing. But now, I don't even remember what I was doing.
Then I feel this overwhelming urging to get up and look around again. I do, and follow the tight urge which felt almost like a rope around my neck until I come to a thin stream of water. I stand there fo several moments, and then the urging pulls me upstream, where I follow the rocky riverside.
Finally, I get so exhausted; the stream seems to lead on forever! I sit down, ignoring the pulling on my neck, and rest for a minute.
An earth-shattering scream fills the air. I get up quickly and regret ever stopping. Could I have prevented this? Could I have prevented whatever caused this horrific thing that sent this poor girl screaming?
I run and run and run. And finally, I find her. A lifeless body in the middle of a clearing, I rush up and see if she is still alive.
I check for a pulse, but nothing is there. I w as too late. I turn her over and see blood trickling down from her face and from her neck. I sit there disbelievingly, uncertain of what to do.
Then I hear a voice, "Are you ready to die, Portia?" I look up, my heart pounding wildly, and see a man with a mask, but who for some reason looked vaguely familiar, coming towards me with a sharp knife. I scream, and he comes closer, ready to strike.
I scream again! I scream louder than I've ever screamed before! And then I find myself in my home, on my bed, awaking from a terrible, terrible dream. I feel that same urging I did before. I got up quickly, got dressed, and exited the home, determined to find Celeste before she died.
Signature-------------- There are 589 people in this world... The people who understand math and the people who don't. :3
I tried to make this chapter sound kind of dream-like, like she was questioning her sanity and all that was happening, so near the end I didn't do so much description, but I was hoping to give it that sort of effect. Tell me what you think! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Chapter 6 - The Run
The sky rattled with it's thunderous boom. Lightning lit up the moonlit sky, and rain began to poor. The wind picked up, and it was cold, ever so cold. Portia shivered and rubbed her paws together ferociously, hoping to get warm, but with no luck. I was lost, on my own, in this horrible weather. But I knew I could not give up, not until I found Celeste.
Booker was lost in deep sleep, but Copper was just in a dreary daze. When I entered the town gate, he just looked at me and opened the gate wordlessly without asking for explanation, which was good because I was unprepared to give him one.
I ran and ran. I didn't know where I was going. I didn't try to catch a cab at this time of night. I didn't try to reason with myself that what I was doing was completely insane. All I did, all I needed to do, was run.
Finally, when my legs couldn't go any further though I desired to run faster and faster into oblivion, I stopped. I rested in front of a general store, catching my breath. Finally when I caught it, I looked around and realized what I had done.
I was here, lost in the middle of nowhere, on an impossible quest. But worst of all, I was scared. I was flat scared. I knew I would never find Celeste, with no leads, no clues, not any information at all. I couldn't ever dream of finding the poor baby owl, especially in this weather, this time of night, under these conditions. I could never find her when I was this scared. I stood up, dusted myself off, shivered again, and tried to think of what I would do next.
The first thing I thought of doing was finding someone inside the general store. The lights were on, so someone must be inside. I tried opening the doors, but they were locked. Frustrated and even more frightened, I sat down with my head in my paws. My breathing came in short, ragged breaths as I tried to close my eyes and let the scary feeling wash away. I began to cry.
As tears streamed down my face, I heard the door jingle, and a voice "Are you lost?"
I stood up and turned around, nodding slightly. It was a white dog with big clumsy black paws and black tail-tip, with sea-green eyes. He looked curious and confused that I would be there at the time.
He came outside and locked the door. He motioned for me to get in his car, which I did. He introduced himself as K.K.Slider's brother, who I had even seen a few times at concerts. I was grateful for his generosity, but I was still scared to death, so I didn't say much. After muttering the single word "Rallington" he drove me back to my hometown silently.
I tried to compose myself, but I knew it didn't matter. He dropped me off at Rallington silently. By this time, the sun had just begun to rise, sending it's pinkish gold rays over the mountains surrounding Rallington. They seemed to give me hope, and for some reason I wasn' t so scared.
I don't remember too well what happened that night. It was all such a blur. In fact when I got up the next morning I thought it had been another dream in response to my previous dream. But it wasn't. It was real.
When I entered my town with all the police cars parked around it, it was real. When I found my house broken into and tore my stuff to pieces, it was real. When I found traces of muddy paw-prints on my front door, it was real. When I talked to the police about all that had happened the previous night, it was real. That night was as real as any. But for some reason, I knew it was more than real. It was a miracle, because I knew that if I had stayed in my bed, if I had just tried to go back to sleep after my horrendous dream, I would probably have had a different destiny. Perhaps I would have been kidnapped, or something worse. But I know that it was a miracle, because I am still here.
Signature-------------- There are 589 people in this world... The people who understand math and the people who don't. :3