My 1st SS fanfic - The Lord of Zelirangoo

[Effralyo]

It seems to me that no one in here post SS fics about the "foreign" characters before, but, although it, I decide at last to write mine - about our main character and my ever "sweetheart". And since the most of the story characters are "fan" ones, I`ll give the links to their pix where it will be possible.
Before starting, wanna warn about the two things to make the reading easier:
1) I act in the story personally. Not as a human, but as a little black-and-white toon bobcat named Missopeho Clark (Missy, for short).
And 2). Since the Two-Headed Monster haven`t a name in Russian version of SS, I decided to name him myself: Two-Headed Owhice Clark. Here he doesn`t speak mumbo-jumbo, but almost always speaks normally and acts as a single monster.
..Well, it seems I didn`t miss anything? So let`s start.....
***********************************************
The Lord Of Zelirangoo
Prologue
It got already dark over the blue mountains.
Silent`s everywhere.
Only the moon lights.
Suddenly a rustle resounded in the dale. Small sparkles flared up in the wood, over the swamp and on the trees.
Zelirangoo Dale had awoken.
The inhabitants of the small village lying near it - Kelgerayda-Foah - were afraid to go to the dale in the night. There were thousands of legends about this mysterious and weird place. It looks so calm and nice in the day and changes as the sun sets.
They said that a big green six-armed creature lives in the swamp, and that your shadow can escape or trick you in there, or that may ahppen something after what you`ll never come back. One of the villagers was even reiterating that have seen a Dratcher....
..Maybe, it was the most popular story amond them. And how good that no one of them was in Zelirangoo THIS night!..
..Moonlight fell on the rock top. Something started to materialize slowly from the air.
Firstly it was simply a certain slim silouette, which them turned into an unusual female creature. It was Obeira herself, the Queen of the Dratchers.
Light silvery-blue, with long mouth and long floppy thin ears, she was about ten feet tall. Big gorgeous eyelashes, pink plume on the head, long tail, yellow nose and hands, orange chest, feet and fluffy wrists were so adorning her...
Obeira lifted he right hand.
"It`s time! Come out everyone!.."
And seventy-seven lookalike spirits, male (bushy-browed) and female (with thick eyelashes and white spot on the neck) materialized by the rock.
"Greetings to the Queen!..", resounded the choir of loud voices.
"Fanokeits!" - Obeira pointed at one male spirit. "It`s up to you to go to the Great Lake bank!.."
"Will do, my Queen".
Fanokeits walked to the bank of the Lake Hoyde, screwed up his eyes and stretched hout hands to the waves.
The other Dratchers were only gazing at him.
Thousands and thousands of silver sparkles started to spill over the water. Next moment the gigantic water-lily flower rose on the lake surface and blossomed.
Everyone saw a tiny dratcherlet sleeping in the middle of the flower.
"My son", Fanokeits whispered taking him in hands tenderly.
"Yes". -Obeira nodded. - "The Great Lake gave you a son. How will you name him?"
"He was born on the Vine Month", the dratcher said. "Let him be named Zeliboba -"Found Under The Vine."
Obeira nodded again, taking the dratcherlet herself and lifting him over the crowd.
"I name you Zeliboba!", she said loudly. "And see that several centuries later you`ll be the one who will glorify the whole Zelirangoo Dale and our clan!"
(TBC)

[Effralyo]

Chapter 1. A Priest In Exile
It was time when the muppets were just beginning to live amond the humans, and often it was rather hard for them - they couldn`t understand some of human habits, didn`t know neither malice, nor jeal, nor deceit.
And many years ago a young mauve muppet named Ernesto Wellainever (www.photobucket.com/albums/y93/EunyEldo/Ern.jpg) was taken to the monastery since they were need a bellringer. Though the lone muppet was looking pretty odd amond the human mionks, they all liked him soon, and the prior - Padre Hullicker - used to say, "There isn`t difference in faces for God." But, though Ernesto spent a big part of his life in the monastery, he wasn`t a real monk. He didn`t want to pray like everyone else, he thought that Bible is false at a half (but never said it to anyone), and finally, he was long for knowing is there any magic worlds and critters anywhere else. Afterall, if the muppets CAN live here, -maybe they aren`t the only ones.
Who could know that one day his odd belief will change his destiny for ever...
..That day Padre Hullicker was preaching, as ever, how mighty God is, and how weak are all earth inhabitants against him, and how does everything depends on him.
"The one who doesn`t believe may stand and ask", he added in the end of the preachification.
Ernesto felt a little tremble but got up. Everyone gawked at him in surprise.
"You have something against my words, my son?", Hullicker said folding his arms.
"Yes", Ernesto answered categorically.
The monks and parishioners both gasped.
"Padre Hullicker.. I mean - Your Reverence - I`d like to ask you", Wellainever continued. "Say me, why doesn`t God let the spirits exist? What does he afraid of?"
"B-because nothing can confront him!", the prior replied a bit confused.
"But I was always amazing by the only thing. Maybe, God is mighty and kind. Maybe! He can bless or curse us. But we Muppets aren`t his children. We`re children of Fantasy, and we still DO exist, though, as you always say, "Everything that is beyond God`s will is a heresy and sin". Can you say why that?"
"The world`s vanity is capturing you", Hullicker said. "We mustn`t know why this or that happens, we must only pray to get eternal bliss in the heavens, my son. That`s all that can I say. Now, go and read "Pater Noster" forty times for your shameful question."
"No", Ernesto quietly replied. "I want to know the reason why can`t the children of God and of Fantasy live together and be friends. I shan`t calm down until will prove that it`s POSSIBLE."
(TBC)

[Effralyo]

"Very well. Very, very, very well!..", Hullicker laughed sarcastically. "A youngster thinks that can argue with God himself! Very well."
He looked at Ernesto from his pulpit and said at last,
"Okay. I`ll give you an only chance to prove it. You can start packing. Tomorrow you`ll go to Zelirangoo. I ehard your sister moved to there, and they just need a preast, so, p`haps, you`ll meet in there your colleagues. Now, go to your place..."
"Thank you for an advice, Your reference", Ernesto said.
Prior nodded in silence. He felt deep inside that Wellainever`s...right.
..Next evening Ernesto with a suitcase and a cassock hanging on the arm arrived to the railway station. The train hadn`t appear yet.
Ernesto bought a ticket and looked at the clock.
"The train will ba here only in a hour.."
Suddenly someone hailed him.
"Sorry sir! Going to Zelirangoo too?'
Ernesto looked backward and saw a purple muppet monster with two heads. The stranger had a grey suit on and was holding by the hand a litle black and white female bobcat wearing glasses.
"Er...yes", the young priest smiled. "And how did you guess?."
(TBC)

[Effralyo]

"Easily! It seems we`re all sent to there in the same day for some reason! But, actually, I`m going to there just for a good rest. Y`know, sitting for such a long time in the office can make you go really nuts; besides, Missy( he pointed at the bobcat) wants to visit this place so much I have to agree!"
"Indeed", Ernesto laughed. "What`s your name?"
"Owhice. Owhice Clark", the two-headed monster replied stretching out a hand to him. "Maybe you`ve heard already about me? I`m an owner of the biggest oil corporation..."
"The reachest one of the Muppets?", Ernesto asked. "Yes..I heard, but so long ago... And who`s this little lady?"
"My step-daughter Missopeho", Owhice answered with pride.
"Hello!", Missy said.
"And my name`s Ernesto Wellainever."
They were talking all the time until the train arrived.
"Y`know what", Owhice offered, "let`s go together! I`d never met such a person to talk with. Look, I`ve bought tickets to the adjoining seats."
"Why not?", Ernesto agreed. "Afterall, if we`re acquaintances already..."
...All the way Missy was silent, listening to Ernesto. She started to think about the spirits too. And her main thought was, "If I only could befriend with one of them!.."
(End of Chapter 1)

[Effralyo]

Chapter 2 -Zeliboba All Alone
...Many years passed after the night Obeira named him before Zeliboba became already three centuries old - a child in human bespoke. He became as slim and nimble as the other Dratchers, and could use the amgic as well..Though it rarely managed to him.
No one of the spirits knew about new settlers of Kelgerayda-Foah. they were afraid even to come closer to it. But one day happened something that made Zeliboba separate for ageswith his tribesmen.
There was a sleeping volcano on the north of the dale. It was rather quiet all the time, so the spirits thought that there`s no reason to afraid of it.
Suddenly a terriblenoise resounded in the dale. The volcano awoke!..
It was a real disaster for the dratchers. Lava stream was coming right to the ruins of the old town where they all lived.
Queen Obeira gathered her tribe on the large rock, being very worried for them. She decided that it`s better to lose home than people.
"Even whole our magic won`t be strong against that stream", Fanokeits scowled looking in a far.
"Be all ready!", Offlaraora - the Queen`s brother - warned. "It seeming to hit the rock on its way.."
Next hour they nearly became deaf from a rumbling of volcano. Obeira screamed spying the stream coming closer to the ruins and drowning them.
"Our home! Everything burns!...
"Wait!.."
(TBC)

[Effralyo]

Zeliboba spied a tiny blue spot on the one of the columns. The column was already at a quarter in lava.
"Hirlenjo!..", he shouted. "We forgot Hirlenjo!.."
"How are you going to save her?..", Offlaraora amazed. "Will magic up a lava shield?"
"If I only ould know how to do it!.. No, in another way!.."
As if a blue lighting flied over the hot stream. Luckily, the column was thick enough to hook onto with claws. Zeliboba started to climb up slowly.
"Pheeewww..."
He was on the column top. The little dratcherelle shrieked in glad seeing him.
"Calm down, Hirlenjo! C`mon, agheze!"
She clumb on his back and embraced him by the neck.
Zeliboba strained and jumped towards the rock.
Hirlenjo managed to jump down right on the cliff edge. Offlaraora rushed to hug his daughter...
Zel himself barely managed to hook onto the rock protuberance right under the cliff. He was too weak to get to the rest who couldn`t see him. He heard how Obeira called him several times, but couldn`t answer. It seemed all his power had oozed down. The poor dratcher gasped for air and fainted.
Several hours later none was audiable upstairs.
The Dratchers left the rock thinking that Zeliboba fell down and died.
They have already gone far away while he was slowly recovering.
As his head stoppedhurt, Zel clumb up. No one around,no even tracks.
They have all disappeared.
The Dratchers never cry, but he felt now really heart-broken. Instead of the tears, poor young spirit only moaned loudly.
The magic dale seemed to be deserted.
Accidentally Zeliboba heard a strange rumbling coming from a far. He knew that Queen Obeira used to charm up the thunder, so thought that she`s now trying to say where they all are.
He felt better and went towards the place where from the noise was coming. Passed the canyon at one jump and found himself..... on the railway roadside...
Sixteen railway carriages on the full speed passed by him.
In the window of the one carriage Zeliboba spied a small female lynx in glasses looking right at him. He could see her for a couple of seconds, but noticed a smile on her face.
He freezed in thought deciding what to choose - follow the train, or stay here.
"Okay!", he decided at last. "Staying here won`t help anyhow to find my folk... And I`d..like...to know... where does she go..."
Thinking so, Zel wagged his hand to the old ruins and went by the railway after train.
Did he know what`s the railway at all or not, he was sure that, if he`ve met a wonder now, there`s thousands of wonders else in the land the train goes to.
Soon afterwwards Zel disappeared in twilight.
The sun was setting.
(End of Chapter 2)

[Beauregard]

Oh, I like!

I've not had time to read it all yet (drat that scything shool work!) but I will read the rest shortly!!!

[Effralyo]

I`m darn glad, Beaudee! Miss tons those giganitc quoted comments....;)
(Comes to post Chapter 3 and 4)

[Beauregard]

*panting* Ok. Just finished difficult test. Time for a break. *starts reading*

[Effralyo]

Chapter 3 - The Warm Welcome

"Daddy!.. Da-ad!.. ", Missy exclaimed."There`s a Dratcher in the window!.."
"Where?.."
Both Owhice and the priest literally got stuck to the window, but saw none.
"Certainly, we`ve already passed by that spot", Owhice sighed sitting back to his seat. "You were a lucky, honey. Maybe, you know how was he looking?"
"So cuute!.. With orange chest, and tall, and fluffy..."
"Okay, okay!.. Hope you`ll meet him again as we`ll arrive to the dale", Owhice joked and looked at his watch. "What does it mean - we must arrive nearly in the midnight?.."
"I think so", Ernesto replied. "We can together stay in my house, if you don`t mind."
"You`re from there yourself?..", the monster amazed.
"No, but I know that my sister just moved to there; and, luckily, Padre Hullicker said me her address. We`re going now right to her."
"Cool!..", Missopeho exclaimed.
..She was sleeping on Owhice`s lap until the inspector declared, "Zelirangoo Dale!"
"At last", Owhice said.
He carefully picked up the sleeping Missy and carried her to the exit; Ernesto took his suitcase and cassock following them.
A bit later they reached a big house on the village edge.
Ernesto walked to the door and knocked.
"Who came so late?, resounded the tender female voice, the door had opened, and our travellers saw a pretty mauve muppet miss holding a lantern.
"Ernesto!", she exclaimed in glad. "At last they let you go!. And..who`s that monster?.."
"Owhice, my friend. We met on the station. He said that goes to here too. Maybe, you`ll let him stay at ours?"
'Owhice Clark?..", she amazed. "Sure! But what do such a richman do in here?"
"I`ll explain everything later", the two-headed monster said.
(TBC)

[Beauregard]

This first chapter certainly has lots of wow ness. Once again, your choice of words turns a simple sentence into something of beauty, and, in a strange way, the occasional grammatical error makes the work seem more living.

For example: "Silent's Everywhere."

At first I thought you meant "Silence." And maybe you did, but when I read it again, I discovered taht it sounds much better than silence. "Silent's everywehre." "Silent is Everywhere." It adds a wraping of mystery and magic in just the second line. I don't know if it was purposefull, but it was pretty darn good.

"Small sparkles flared up in the wood, over the swamp and on the trees."
I can picture this so well. Your painting of before come to mind, with the sparkles in them.

"Light silvery-blue, with long mouth and long floppy thin ears, she was about ten feet tall. Big gorgeous eyelashes, pink plume on the head, long tail, yellow nose and hands, orange chest, feet and fluffy wrists were so adorning her..."

A beautifull creature if ever I did see one!

"Thousands and thousands of silver sparkles started to spill over the water. Next moment the gigantic water-lily flower rose on the lake surface and blossomed."

if only I had been there to witness this site!

"Let him be named Zeliboba -"Found Under The Vine."

And so this is your :p love, who I have as yet only seen in drawings.

"Ernesto Wellainever."

Nice pic. Nice charcter. Handsome dude!

"You have something against my words, my son?", Hullicker said folding his arms.

Oh my...

"Say me, why doesn`t God let the spirits exist? What does he afraid of?"

But is he afraid? Were not..well..assuming that the Mupepts and spirits were real (not somethign I believe) but if they realy were exsisitng, then they too would have been created by God, not apart from him. This is what I think...ahh, anyway, let us continue...

"No", Ernesto quietly replied. "I want to know the reason why can`t the children of God and of Fantasy live together and be friends. I shan`t calm down until will prove that it`s POSSIBLE."

Wow!

I can't wait to see how this opens up!

*goes on reading*

[Beauregard]

"Owhice. Owhice Clark", the two-headed monster replied stretching out a hand to him. "Maybe you`ve heard already about me? I`m an owner of the biggest oil corporation..."

my, my, my. Imagine the Two-Headed Monster being the head (two heads?) of a giant coorperation. Very exciting.

And, indeed, this whole story is exciting. The volccano, the rock, the thunder that was a train - though i guessed it! - it's all good.

Beau

[Effralyo]

And who else can he be? Running an oil company with 2 heads is easier, fer sure!;)
Gardee, you gave me such a CHARGE of writing vigor!!!!
Continue....
..When Missy awoke, she found out that lies on the sofa in the living-room, and that her step-Dad, the priest and his sister - Whatziheck Wellainever - are all sitting by the fireplace.
"Dad, we`re already at Ernesto`s?", she asked under yawn fixing her glasses.
"Ah?" Yes, honey, we`re already here. We`ll look around the village tomorrow, and awhile will drink some hot chocolate."
"And where can be my Dratcher now...", Missy sighed, sitting on the sofa closer to Dad.
"You know what, Ern?", Whatziheck asked her brother. "D`you remember an old small church near our house, and that bellringer Furio? Well, that insane human! So, he`s disappeared someplace! Maybe you can shift him? I know, you were a bellringer too in that town.."
"Let`s see", Wellainever shrugged in confuse. "Actually, I`m looking for spirits, but... well, still can work on it."
"Er.. Miss Wellainever, I`m afraid that we`ll be simply random boarders for you", Owhice turned to Whatziheck. "Is there an empty cottage to buy? I can pay any price!"
"Yes, I know one, but its owner forbids to sell it", she nodded. "I don`t know why... Furio Usone was an only human in here -and a most cranky, too. Who else of us can have a house but not to live in it for ages!"
"Furio? That disappeared bellringer, right?"
"Yes, but no one of us can guess what for did he leave his home even not taking anything but a gun from there."
"But the hunt is an usual event", Owhice amazed.
"Not, if it comtinues TEN years and without coming back", Whatzi corrected. "However, Mr. Clark, you`re welcomed in here. Maybe, someday that man WILL sell his house.."
Missopeho wasn`t listening to them. For a moment it seemed to ehr that a pair of lighting eyes looks at her thru the window. They were familiar...
Little bobcat runned to the window.
No one around.
(End of Chapter 3)

[Beauregard]

Whatziheck Wellainever - what a hilarious name! Hehe!

"But the hunt is an usual event", Owhice amazed.
"Not, if it comtinues TEN years and without coming back."

But where? And why? *reads on...except! Quick, write more!

[Effralyo]

Chapter 4 - A Newbie In the Wood
..Pheew! Zeliboba shrunk from the window in a last moment. Bright light flash scared him, but he wanted to say anyhow to Missy that everything`s OK, he`s here and she can calm down.
Certain feeling captured him wholly since the first time he saw Missy. Zel couldn`t get on WHAT it is and it is pleasant or not.
He screwed up his eyes and wagged his hand infront of his face. No way...
"What`s on with me?..", the dratcher thought, walking towards the wood.
Small sparkles were noticable infront.
"Fellow spirits!", Zeliboba guessed hurrying to there.
...Fireflies... Lighting trees... Certain noise of unknown small critters... Strange large flowers... Zeliboba felt almost at home looking at it all, and mearly said the greeting...
Fiueeeeeeeeee! Fiueeeeeeeee!.. Heue-hoo! Wohaho-fiueeeeee!
The dratcher shivered. He turned to the strange voice and saw... Was it a flower, or a bearded wizard? It seemed that both at once! But instead of words he was singing as a flute. He was all green. As if from big and small leaves and petals was made a funny wizard figure, who, besides, was very flexible.
The "flower"-wizard gawked at Zeliboba and whistled,
Fiuooooooo?...
Zel whistled too, but it soundeed too short and absolutely unlike the "flower"`s song. Someone right upon his head laughed loudly.
"Heh, can`t speak like our Eeyee-Fiue?.. Whoa, what do I see, a newbie!.."
"Ack.."
The dratcher looked up.
"Who talks with me?.."
"Me! Can`t you see at last?.. Clap-Clap-Ash!.."
(TBC)

[Beauregard]

He screwed up his eyes and wagged his hand infront of his face. No way...[/left]

These feelings, something that you cannot tell if it's good are ones I can relate to. The scratching confusion in his mind is brillient.

...Fireflies... Lighting trees... Certain noise of unknown small critters... Strange large flowers... Zeliboba felt almost at home looking at it all, and mearly said the greeting...

Woooah...colorfull and beautifull...

The dratcher shivered. He turned to the strange voice and saw... Was it a flower, or a bearded wizard? It seemed that both at once! But instead of words he was singing as a flute. He was all green. As if from big and small leaves and petals was made a funny wizard figure, who, besides, was very flexible.

Wow! What a curious creature, and al green, I picture him, I think I do, but did you do a picture of this creature? I think i see one in my mind...

"Ack.."

Ack indeed!

"Me! Can`t you see at last?.. Clap-Clap-Ash!.."

And can't we see him too..please...!!!

[Effralyo]

As he found out, Eeyee-Fiue was entvining a tree trunk. The tree was..talking! And its branches were all arms with thousands, and thousands, and thousands of green flat leaves-hands.Zeliboba nodded chuckling weakly.
"Now I`ve got it on..."
"Eeyee is an Orchidruid", Clap-Clap continued, bending lower to Zel. "And my neighbor. And where from did you come? Frankly, I`v enever seen a spirit of your kind!"
"I`m Zeliboba the Dratcher. And I`m looking for my family now..."
"Wait, wait!.. "Dratcher" - you said?.. The tribe that human was talking about to himself?.."
Seeing obvious amazement on Zeliboba`s face, Clap-Clap-Ash explained:
"Last month I`ve seen in here a human with a gun, and, as far as I amnaged to learn, he wasnted to catch anyone of your tribe... He believes that even a smll flock of dratcher`s fur brings luck."
"But I remember that our Queen Obeira told me long ago that the spirits are all immortal at all! It isn`t any thing we must be afraid of all weapon!"
Clap-Clap giggled.
"Why don`t you can trick him, then?"
'Indeed!.."
Zeliboba wanted to laugh too, but asked worrying:
"I say, have you seen anyone of us here?"
"No...Maybe, you came from that end of the dale?" - The Ash pointed someplace towards the railway.
(TBC)

[Effralyo]

"Yes!" - The furry blue spirit described how had he lost his family and followed the train ("a thunder snake" - as he called it).

"That "snake" is called train,", Ash corrected. "Wait!.. So you`re that frllow Effralyo was harping on about to everyone all day long?.."
"Effralyo?"
"Well, our Geewiliker, local madcap, the echo dwarf! He always learns about everything first and then repeats it all the time... You`ll definitely meet him soon - he can be wherever!"
Zeliboba sat down by the Clap-Calp Ash.
"Pretty interesting.."
"Ha, you`re not only one newbie in here! Effralyo said, a Purple one, a Two-Headed one and a little Black-And-Whitey had arrived on that train!"
(As he mentioned Missy, Zel feltt again the same. Now he understood that it`s pleasant, but couldn`t find a name for it... He shut his eyes again and gasped for air for a second.)
"What the...", the dratcher whispered.
"Gosh, you`re darn tired!.. Just falls down on the ground, eh!..", the Ash exclaimed. "Certainly, and what else top expect after such a long trip... Wanna take a nap?"
"I think so-ooooooooo....", Zel nodded under yawn.
"Okay. Won`t disturb you more. Night."
Zeliboba found a big flat rock, as he used to do before, living in the ruined town, and sprawled across it, being hit with lassitude at last.
(End of Chapter 4)

[Effralyo]

Chapter 5 - The Dale Plot

..Missy got up the first next morning. Well, actually, Whatzi awoke earlier and was already cooking breakfast until the little lynx warned her that she`s going to walk along the vilage, so will be back only in several hours.
Whatzi had agreed, and Missopeho went outside.
If someone awakes the first at all in Kelgerayda-Foah, it`s children. And now our heroine saw several of them playing hopscotch in the middle of the street.
"Oh,hello!"
A light green muppet girl turned to Missy.
"Guys, look who came! Welcome!" - She stretched out a hand to the lynx. - "My name`s Gilda Random. Do you know Brenda Random, the host of cafe? It`s my Mom. And what`s your name?"
"Missopeho Clark."
"I know. I`d seen yesterday that you were on the station. Right? Were it you sleeping on the certain monster`s hands?"
"Er..yes, that was my dad..."
"Hi!" - A bright turqious boy walked to the group. "I`m Heyo. Heyo Getlost! I live in a lighthouse with my father."
"Hello", Missy smiled. "Nice to meet you all, guys!"
(TBC)

[Beauregard]

And this story too is exciting, and I'm glad that Effy will be in it. The little bundle of energy is great fun!

[Effralyo]

(Continue. And do the names suit?)
And literally in a couple of hours she felt at home amond them. Besides Heyo and Gilda, she met the two twins - Fanro and Stanro; a son of the village blacksmith - Domkret-Daumkraft; Eyla, Daylark, Frakalyo... And, although being the lone lynx amond all those muppets, Missopeho quickly got on with everyone.
...Soon afterwards Heyo called her and Gilda into a secret place behind the old windmill.
"Give an oath that never will say about it to anyone!", he asked. "I have a secret!.."
As the girl sweared on it, Heyo started to whisper:
"We`ll go to the wood. This night.Only three of us."
"Why?", Missy amazed.
"Because there`s lots of spirits in there today! I so wish to see an one at least!.. And you`ll help me on my way, okay?"
"Ok, but why in the night?"
"They all sleep in the day -that`s why. We must be careful. Gathering in eight o`clock in here, and mum`s a word! Take the torches!"
"I say, is there any Dratchers in that wood?", Missopeho asked carefully.
"Er..Dratchers?..." - Heyo scratched head in thought. - "Not sure... Dad said, they live in the farther end of the dale..."
"But I HAD seen one!"
"Maybe, that one accidentally had got in here? Did you really see him?"
"Yes, from the train window!.."
"Weird..."
Heyo confused firstly, but decided at last:
"Well, let`s see, then. Watch out, don`t scare him..."
Both girls agreed.
...thinking of it couldn`t leave Missy all day. She tried to say something to Owhice several times, but every time was cutting off suddenly. Who knows, will Dad let her go alone to the wood later in the night or not.
The little lynx, just incase, decided to tell him that they`re going to bake potatoes onthe riverbank this evening. And Owhice permitted her. So missy came to warn the rest easily.
(End of chapter 5)

[Effralyo]

Chapter 9 - Meet You Suddenly

..It was constantly seeming to Zeliboba that these places are familiar to him, and something deep inside was agreeing.
He spent all the day in thousands of hideouts, watching the villagers hurrying on the daily routine and longing to see that lynx girl at least once again. At least...
..Two residents of Kelgerayda-Foah, the young Incre Dibly from the bakery and his buddy Unspeak Ableguy, passed by the thicket of honeysuckle, chatting away, and the one phrase Zeliboba had overheard, hiding in there, made his heart literally sing - being so suitable to the surrounding:

"..good weather for fishing today, er, Unspeak?.. Look - all crimson sky..."
The dratcher nearly jumped out of the bushes. Charmed, fascinated,he stared at the setting sun, then at quiet the dale was lighting with now; and, obviously, Ernesto Wellainever was ringing now the bells - their sounds floated over the dale, joining for ever in one in Zel`s mind with the sunset.
"That`s how is it called", he thought, - "Allcrimsonsky..."
(TBC)

[Effralyo]

"And you know what?", Clap-Clap-Ash said as Zeliboba told it to him. - "They say, your people always live under this Allcrimsonsky. And not only they."
"Really?.."
"I heard it. They think, we spirits are visable just in this very time, when the day meets the night and freezes before darkness."
"Freezes before very darkness...", Zeliboba repeated, hugging his knees.
He understood at last what that certain feeling was. A song was building and wanted to be born. The words were all in disorder before, and now everything calmed, the rhythm he took from his own heartbeat and melody - from Wellainever`s bellring.

"I love you,
I do,
Though saw you just a second, saw and lost,-
I love,
I love as only lonely Dratcher can,
And miss,
And look for you, while hiding everywhere,-
I do,
And long for seeing you one day again."..
(TBC)

[Effralyo]

These words were, certainly, too simple, and perhaps already had been repeated many times before by someone else, but for Zeliboba they were first in his life.
Warm waves of sunset flushed from far high, like fall, to the whole Zelirangoo Dale, and it got darker. From Alcrimsonsky it became Allpurplesky.
"Arwww", the dratcher expired, looking towards the village.
And by his ogling look, by dreamy mood and a bit weird speaking, Clap-Clap-Ash understood what`s up with him.
Understood, but said nothing.

...Soon afterwards.....
A little colorful geewiliker rushed thru the wood, and around everywhere echoed: "They`re cooomiiing!.. They`re cooomiiiiiiing!.."
"Who`s coming?!" - Zeliboba jumped up from the rock in awe. - "Where?!.."
"Pooh, gosh, Effralyo!" - Clap-Clap-Ash grumbled. -"Always rises much ado about nothing.."
Indeed - at the same moment who else flopped down rright near them but Effralyo Geewiliker.
(TBC)

[Effralyo]

"Ooh... Pheeeewwwwww.. The kids are coming!", he expired under pant.
"What a panicker, bumped into me, and cannot even explain what`s going on!..", Ash said, picking him up.
"But I`ve seen nothing more! Must we hide?", Effralyo asked. - "Whoa, and who are you? You`re a newbie here, right?"
The last words were related to the dratcher, who nodded and stretched out a hand to the geewiliker:
'Yup, my name`s Zeliboba!"
"Hehe, Zeliboba - Found under the wine! And I... Ah, yes, you already do know it? Or Ash didn`t tell you yet? I`m Effralyo - The Sparklet."
"We haven`t time to chat away! Do you want to be inivisable or not?", Clap-Clap-Ash interrupted.
Zeliboba froze. Missopeho`s image flicked infront of him again on a moment.
"You know.. I think, we needn`t", he said.
(TBC)

[Effralyo]

Meanwhile, in Kelgerayda-Foah...
"All`s here? Nothing missing?", Heyo asked the girls, checking his own outfit. - " Well, off we go, then!"
"Off we go!"
It was rather interesting, yet scary too - to go to the wood in the night, - but if you want to reach your aim, be ready to everything. But Heyo, as a real leader, never let himself ack and amaze too much without a good reason in the trip. He walked first, holding a pocket torch. Missy and gilda followed him, holding each other by the hand.
The three little brave friends firstly could see almost none in the dark - only one time someone`s pretty kind eyes sparkled infront. Somebody flied right above Missopeho`s head, accidentally touched her with a wind - or, at least, something wind-like... Gilda stumbled against something that ouched under her feet.
"Can you see anything?", she whispered, turning to Heyo.
"Ssh... Lighting mushrooms..."
A small batch of lighting mushrooms dispersed straight away, as the kids went closer to them.
"Whoa, they even run!", Missy astonished.
"C`mon," Heyo hurried her. - "We mustn`t digress."
Soon afterwards they had to turn off the torch, -almost everything here glowed softly - trees, moss, fireflies...
"Whoa", Heyo thought.
Not only he, - all three friends felt now a bit scared. No one knows what habits do the spirits have, - perhaps, they don`t like to be gazed from all sides now! But they still couldn`t turn back. The other villagers can laugh if they`ll know that the friends found none.
Missopeho suddenly shrieked.
There really was a reason to amaze - a pink lighting heart hovered above her.
She looked at it and saw several alike hearts floating from the middle of the woods, and all - to her.
(End of Chapter 6)

[Effralyo]

Chapter 7 - Far Far From Here

... Somewhere on the dale edge, near the very Blue Mountains...
Fanokeits couldn`t almost anything but think of his missing son. It seemed it happened just yesterday, not three centuries ago, - the Great Lake, the water-lily, and common joy and congrats with fatherhood. And now.. Now he was ready even to lose his magic for an only chance to find Zeliboba.
It touched everyone of the dratcher clan: Hirlenjo, Offlaraora, Gelarkiel, Gembang, Taudinta, Tekkiolar, Queen Obeira herself... If even they could lose their house, but save Zel somehow, there couldn`t be such grief. But now the great spirit clan lost not only nativeland.
For the Queen, nevertheless, it wasn`t so scary. During her long life she had never seen a dead dratcher. She knew that only the humans and regular animals can die, but nothing alike or close to it ever happened with any spirit. And it gave her a hope Obeira hurried to share with Fanokeits.
(TBC)

[Effralyo]

(um, Gardy, vanished again..;) Yoo hoo, but I`m still here...)

[Effralyo]

"You think, Your Majesty?", he amazed.
"I don`t think, I`m sure", the Queen said decisively. "Zeliboba`s not dead. He`s somewhere in miles from here. Perhaps, we are all far from him, but he`s alive, I do believe. Remember how had he rescued Hirlenjo?"
The dratcher nodded. Yes... He could recall Zeliboba hanging on the cliff face.. and then his claws got weaken, and he fell down. But definitely not in lava. They didn`t hear a splash. Somewhere in a safe spot, maybe....
"Certainly..", Fanokeits whispered. "He leaved there... Can you give him any sign, My Queen?"
"I`ll try.."
The Queen stood straightly, generated a lightball, throwing it up. It explosed high in the sky, like a beautiful firework, and a loud thunder rumbled in the entire dale.
The dratchers froze waiting.
Zelirangoo was silent.
"Strange", Offlaraora scratched his head in thought. - "Nothing..."
Obeira sniffed on the wind.
Obviously, something told her that Zel is alive indeed, but by a mistake went astray, because she exclaimed shortly and clearly, "Return now. And quick, before it`s too late!"

..He was in love too. And decided long ago to prove his love by an unusual gift.
His girlfriend leaved in the human world while he had spent already ten years looking for this gift. Bought a cottage, which almost didn`t visit during all his time in here.
Hunt was his aim of life. He got used to shoot, wait, track and find, like a lonely wolf. Whether the dale is magic or not, he`ll get what does he want. Blue fur... Sky-blue.... No one furry plain animal has it. And with what great amazement and delight will she stare at him then!.. It even seemed that he could hear her voice:
"Furio.. You are the best, my hero!.."
He could whisper "yes", but was afraid even to breathe, watching the dratcher pride from behind a rock. They, obviously, were going to look for the one of them. Well, let them look... And he, Furio Usone, will follow them himself. Secretly.
Furio couldn`t decide which one to choose - it seemed there wasn`t a suiting dratcher amond them. So the hunter decided to shoot the one they are going to search now. If it won`t manage to them, he just wil shoot any other one at random. Afterall, the main thing is to get the fur, and whose, no matter.
(TBC)

[Effralyo]

Obeira gestured everyone to follow her, and the dratchers moved back to the ruined old town.
The way back, though took only two hours, seemed her a century. She couldn`t help but smelt someone secretly watching her. But every time the dratcherelle was looking backward, she couldn`t see anything suspicious.
"Perhaps the worrying phantom", Obeira thought and stopped paying attention to it.

Furio got used not to sleep sometimes for several days, so tracking the dratchers wasn`t too hard for him. Several times, nevertheless, he wanted to spit over it all and shoot the Queen, but then thought that her folk will just tear him to pieces. There`s too many spirits versus a human. So it`s better to wait more...
(TBC)

[Effralyo]

(oops, a random double post! Continue`s coming now!)

[Effralyo]

They found none in the old town... Only the lava around - it got already stiff - and the stones sticking out of it everywhere.
But Fanokeits, smelling on the air, guessed where Zeliboba went.
"At last!..", Offlaraora exclaimed in glad. "Which way now?.."
"After him!", Obeira ordered. "Lead us, Fanokeits. I can mistake, but the father`s heart never does."

A night train rumbled along the railway, but no one of the passengers could see the dratchers. They all hidden on the roadside and then continued their way.

Furio understood that comes in the.. village - towards his own house. So that missing spirit perhads does wander someplace near Kelgerayda-Foah, and he even doesn`t know?.. The hunter mentally cursed himself. How could he be so stupid?..
Furio went faster. Now he already wasn`t watching the dratcher clan. Onwards and only onwards, and - quick... The closer to the house the closer the desirable prey is. Only one dratcher, just one... He must get home faster than his relatives, and shoot that spirit. As soon as possible...
He already ran, trying to catch breath; the dratchers leaved far backward, and it wasn`t already matter.
At last the known hut-like houses were already noticable infront. Here it is, Kelgerayda-Foah.. Now only get home, and may count that the dratcher`s yours!..
A lone cottage with the door that hadn`t been unlocked since the day he left was hard to miss. Furio got the key out of his secret pocket.
Klang! The lock opened.
The old house, all dusty and messy, dark and threating, as if winced, feeling its owner back. Furio was never care about much cleaning, so you can fancy how terrible the cottage looked.
The hunter slumped in the armchair - a fountain of dust shooted up. But he sput over it.
"Tomorrow", an only thought was in Furio`s mind now. "Tomorrow I`ll get him. Tomorrow..."
(End of Chapter 7)