Deep beneath the stone, seeds begin to grow. Sun shines through the rain, we will live again

[gobetween]

There was a problem with taking time to explore Birchpointe. The gardens he was able to raid were all the way back in Duckburg, and if none of his friends were home- as was the case today -then what's a hungry Fraggle to do?

Take his chances, that's what.

He's at least avoided the city, finding somewhere tucked away in the forests that blanketed the countryside. And not only that, but there were two gardens here, both lush and full of fruits and vegetables. Surely they wouldn't miss one or two little items, right...?

So here he is, doing the sneaking bit again, crouched in the brush until he's absolutely sure the coast is clear. Then he starts moving closer, pausing every now and again to let his nose find the best things to take.

Comments

[shiningkindness]

While he's fairly hidden from human eyes, he still catches the attention of some nearby animals. A few birds leave their perches and fly towards the large tree just beyond the garden.

A few moments later, a door embedded in the tree opens, and Fluttershy stepped out, carefully making her way towards the garden. Guided by the little bird on her shoulder, she eventually spotted the tuff of tail sneaking around.

"Um...excuse me...?"

[gobetween]

That tuft flared out and then quickly zooped down into the brush like someone slurping up a spaghetti strand. Then after a few heartbeats, about a foot ahead of where the tail went down a pair of eyes came up, peeking up out of the greenery.

[shiningkindness]

Once he came out a bit more, Fluttershy knelt down to get a better look at him, offering him a gentle smile.

"Hi," she said softly. "It's all right...no one's going to hurt you. I know you're hungry, but...if you don't mind taking fruits and vegetables from the other garden?" She gestured to the other section of fence, which came a bit lower than the fence around the plot they were in.

[gobetween]

He sat up on his hands some, which let Fluttershy get an even better look, as he stared across to the side.

"The other garden? Uh, sure."

[shiningkindness]

She nodded, though tilted her head a bit as she tried to better identify what he was. "Thank you. The other garden is where animals and other creatures are free to take what they need. I need this garden for any guests I'm helping inside."

[gobetween]

"Oh, I see!" Standing up now, he brushed his knees off and started heading that way.

"Sorry about that. I guess I lost the 50/50, eh?" Said with a good-natured laugh.

[shiningkindness]

She giggled softly. "That's okay. I know both gardens look pretty similar." Rising to her feet, she followed him as she motioned to the fence. "The best way to tell is that this fence is lower, so it's easier for other animals to get into it."

[gobetween]

That fence got a good look once he was able to reach it, and he nodded as he saw the truth of her words.

"Yeah, I guess that must really help." The garden got his attention now, as he scanned it, lightly sniffing the air. Let's see here...

[shiningkindness]

She nodded, though didn't say anything as she watched him look through the garden for what he needed. She couldn't help being a bit curious, though, and eventually she spoke again.

"Um...would it be okay if I asked you something?"

[gobetween]

He walked the rows, picking one vegetable here and another there. By the time Fluttershy spoke up he'd had quite a bundle in the crook of his arm, as he turned to look at her.

"Yeah, what's up?"

[shiningkindness]

"Well..." She paused a moment, trying to think of the best way to ask. "I hope you don't think me rude, but...what sort of creature are you?"

[gobetween]

He laughed lightly and turned to face her, now holding onto his bundle with both arms.

"I don't think you're rude! Lots of people don't know what I am. I'm a Fraggle!"

[shiningkindness]

"A Fraggle?" The name was vaguely familiar, though she couldn't recall anything besides it. "What's a Fraggle?"

[gobetween]

"Beings like me!" He snickered some, walking over to her. "Ah, gee I never know how to answer this question...
,
"Well, let's see here. Fraggles mostly live underground. We make music, write stories, and play sports and games, and all kinds of stuff like that."

[shiningkindness]

"Oh wow..." she said with a smile. "That sounds like a lot of fun. And do all Fraggles look like you?"

[gobetween]

"Kinda, yeah! We're all about the same size and there's snouts," he cupped a hand over the end, "and tails," then half-turned to wave his from behind him, "but lots of other different colors than me."

[shiningkindness]

"Oh, I see. So you're all the same species, but with different traits." How interesting!

[gobetween]

"Yeah, pretty much!" He paused for a couple mouthfuls, then continued. "Otherwise, we're pretty close to the cities I've been seeing up here, though not quite so... so...." He searched for a word, then half-shrugged. "Well we don't have cars or electric lights or anything like that."

[shiningkindness]

Thinking for a moment, she nodded. "So pretty much like here just without the same technology."

[gobetween]

He considered that, and nodded. "Sure, sounds about right."

[shiningkindness]

She giggled. "My name is Fluttershy. What's your name?"

[gobetween]

"Gobo. It's nice to meetcha!" A pause, and a snicker. "By an attempted sneak into your garden, but that's kinda how I've been meeting a lot of people."

[shiningkindness]

She laughed softly. "Well, at least that's what this garden is for."

[gobetween]

"Yeah." Another snicker, and he smiled. "You must get lots of visitors, if you've got a special garden set up."

[shiningkindness]

"Oh yes. I look after all the animals in the forest in one way or another. A lot of them stop by to eat from the garden."