An Adventure Beckons...

[oshi_desune]

Sitting at a table in the famous ramen shop, Isabelle order a bowl of ramen and sits down, patiently awaiting for it to be served. She had heard of this shop from her great-grandmother who had once came here before her journey to the New World. Her great-grandmother met her great-grandfather there and romance blossoms on first sight. He died in the Great War a few years after her grandmother was born and heart-broken, her great-grandmother travelled to the New World. Since then, her great-grandmother never came back. The tales astound little Isabelle when she was young and upon coming of age, she finds a way back here, to this very shop of magic and romance...


"Your order is served. You are one of the few lucky ones to be here since the place was just reopened. We had some troubles a few years back and had to close up our shop. We hope you enjoy it here," the lady bowed and walked away leaving Isabelle with a beautiful orange painted clay bowl with delicate designs. The chopsticks are a deep shade of brown and matches the bowl perfectly.

Taking in the delicious aroma wafting up from the bowl, Isabelle took in a deep breath and picked up the chopsticks. To her suprise, the ramen in the bowl moved a little. Giving a small gasp, she slowly moved away from the bowl thinking that perhaps a cockroach or a big insect has made it's way into her ramen.

The owner of the stall came over and calmed down the distress girl and telling her the story of the Goddess when she is calmed enough to listen to the story. Understanding dawns upon her face and though she seemed a little incredulous, Isabelle does seem to buy the story after all. And after confirming with the owner that this bowl of ramen does not spill nor get bad, she brought it with her to the inn that she is currently staying at.

 

[oshi_desune]

Almost a week has passed since the fateful day at the ramen stall. Isabelle has been enjoying herself very much indeed. Such beautiful scenery and such beauty of nature could be seen at the forest nearby... However, the bowl of ramen showed no changes.

'But the shoplady said that it has never once been a dud. Well, only time will tell...' And as these thoughts pushed their way into her head during a long cold night on the balcony of her room, something curious happened!

Sparkles appeared on top of the bowl and as she went to have a closer look, her eyes got all watery. Before she even have time to react, a big sneeze ensued. And she sneezed right into the bowl too!

 

[oshi_desune]

Aghast, She stared at the sparkling bowl of ramen. "Oh dear! what have I done!?"

But suddenly, the bowl shifted shape! First the ears appeared, sticking out of the bowl, then the head, followed by the rest of the tiny little body of what seemed like a tiny little fox-like creature but with the beautiful designs of the bowl etched onto it's fur. And it is still holding onto one of the chopsticks too! It is magical!

Isabelle stared at it in amazement. It looks like it is a female too. Gently picking her up she looks at the cute little ball of fur all curled up in a ball... Looking at her lovingly, Isabelle decided to call her Amber for the colours of her fur. Amber could barely open her eyes.

'It is night time after all,' Isabelle muses...

And so Isabelle put Amber on a pillow on the chair next to her bed. Looking at Amber, Isabelle felt a wave of calm and joy settling on her. And as she puts her head onto the pillow, she closes her eyes and visited the world of sleep and dreams...

And so, both Isabelle and Amber slept the whole night through... Each being the other's companion. This would be a friendship that never ends till the end of time for now, magic binds them together... This is their destiny.

 

[oshi_desune]

The next morning, Isabelle opened her eyes to another bright sunny day. Looking at the clock on her bedside table, she was shocked to see that it was already 11! Turning around to the other side of the room, she looked for Amber on the chair next to her bed. It is empty! Where could she be!? Looking around the room in panic, Isabelle saw Amber sniffing at a plant near the bookshelf. 'She must have woken up early and decided to explore,' Smiling, Isabelle got up and walk over to Amber.

Amber turned and look at Isabelle when she heard the footsteps. Holding out both her paws, she looked at Isabelle with a look that says 'Pick me up!'

Grinning at the little kit, Isabelle hold out her hands and picked up the little girl up gently. "You are up early. We have not been introduced properly yesterday night. You were so sleepy we did not have time to talk!"

"Well, it takes a lot of energy emerging from the bowl of ramen... I could not keep my eyes open," Amber snuggled up close to Isabelle feeling her warmth.

"Well, are you hungry? Let me get you some food..."

Amber nods in agreement but replied, "No ramen for me though!"

Smiling, Isabelle put the little kit down. "Of course! I would never dream of feeding you ramen," Isabelle walked out of the room and came back few minutes later with some toast, scrambled eggs and sausages. Putting it down on the table, she bent down and lifted up the ravenous Amber onto the table. "Tuck in!" Eating and talking, both of them quickly consume their brunch in merriment. Never before has Isabelle been this happy after her great-grandmother passed away...

 

[oshi_desune]

Days passed in a blur as both Amber and Isabelle spends precious time together. However, Isabelle promised to join in a camping trip and Amber needs a to be taken care of since she is too young and weak to go on a trip like that. With a heavy heart, Isabelle left Amber at the Lucky Noodle stall while she went on the trip. Hoping that Amber, with her stout heart and sensible head, would be okay there for the day. She heard that there have been other kits around so maybe she would find some friends...

.....

After picking up Amber at the shop when her trip ends, Isabelle look at the little kit to see that she does not seem too happy... "What's wrong Amber? Are you alright?" Isabelle asked sounding very concerned. The kit is very quiet today. Normally she would be jumping around the pile of books on the coffee table in joy but today she just sat down on the couch and kept quiet.

Amber looks at Isabelle. "I'm just tired. A lot has been happening at the shop and I am just exhausted,"

Sensing that the little kit is hiding something from her but since she is not willing to open up yet, Isabelle did not bother to ask her any further. Instead, she picked up the kit and asked her if she is hungry.

"I have already eaten at the stall just now and I am quite full now," was the only reply that Isabelle could get from Amber.

"Well then, I will just tuck you into bed now okay? Rest more. I am sure you had a really happening day if you are this tired now. Okay?" Isabelle put Amber down onto her chair. "Sleep tight my dear," She gave the little kit a peck on the cheek and went to take a bath. It has been a long day...

Amber toss and turn on her chair trying to find a comfortable position to sleep in. The day at the shop was a nightmare... It was a havoc. So many foxes at the same place at the same time. Trying to clear those thoughts from her head, she drifts off into a fitful slumber...

 

[oshi_desune]

Amber woke up from her sleep all refreshed. All that had happened the day before was lost in a most uplifting spirit that she has somehow acquired through the night. Amber felt great! Somehow a transformation had occur and now she is a full fledge adult. Strutting off in front of the mirror, Amber looked at her now slim and fit body.

She is not the weak little Amber anymore. She now can jump as high as the cabinet and walk for a long time without getting tired. Loving every moment and committing her look in her memory, since every girl needs to be vain once in a while after all, she went looking for Isabelle. Turning the doorknob with her paws, she walked out of the room.

Strolling across corridors and walking down stairs, she found Isabelle at the parlour, sipping a cup of Earl Grey tea while reading a book. Walking towards her, Amber looked around the room in great interest. Everything seems much smaller to her now. And as she neared Isabelle, the teenage girl looked up from Artemis Fowl into a pair of enchanting and sparkling eyes.

Gasping, Isabelle looked at Amber in amazement. Putting down the book that she was so engrossed in just now, Isabelle walked towards Amber with an incredulous look upon her face. "Amber?"

Amber just looked at Isabelle and smiled.

Composing herself, Isabelle gave the female a one over and admire her lean and slender body. Taking the last sip of her tea, Isabelle packs up her belonging into her backpack and look at Amber with a twinkle in her eye. "Care to go for a nature walk with me?"

Amber nods and the two walked out of the inn enjoying the warmth from the sun's ray and also from each other's companionship...  

[oshi_desune]

The lane was bathe in the golden morning sunlight and the wind blows gently at the two companions as they walked under the maple trees decorating a narrow pathway in the woods. Amber pounce and jumps about in delight, glad to be able to finally come out of staying indoors. She delights in everything, from the shape of the leaves to the smell of the spring flowers blooming on every single inch of what used to be the snow covered grounds of the woods. A rabbit was running along a hidden path and Amber gave chase, laughing all the way and kept saying, "Look Izzy! I'm chasing a rabbit!"

Isabelle just look at her in amusement. She checked her step so as to not lose sight of Amber as she is chasing the rabbit but still lets her have fun. Stopping by a small daisy, she picked it up and promptly put it up on her ear. She loves spring time. It is her second favourite season, the first being Autumn, since she was born in October... Taking in deep breaths, she walked on to realise she lost sight of Amber. 'She can take care of herself I am sure,' Isabelle thinks to herself. 'Amber is a clever girl'

No sooner than that was said, she heard Amber's scream. Panicking Isabelle tries to find the direction if that scream. But before she could take another step, she heard the sound of paws, running. Curiously, it sounded like there was more than two pairs of legs... What could it be?

Tall grasses were shaking as two fox emerge from behind it. One was Amber but the other one seems to be a male fox. He is red and brown in colour too... 'What a rogue!' was the first thing that came into mind.

"Isabelle, this is Chocolate. He has been living in the wilds ever since he was a kit. He has nowhere to live and I wonder if he could come and stay with us?" Amber said all this really fast as she was out of breath.

Rather taken aback, Isabelle looks at both Amber and Chocolate. She seemed really happy to finally have a fox companion. "I guess he could... But, he better go back to the inn with us and take a bath first. Well...both of you should take a bath when we are back," she said looking at the both of them covered in mud.

Laughing, Amber replied, "Sure! Thanks a lot Izzy!" Looking at Chocolate, she gave him a big smile and said, "See, I told you she does not mind!"

Chocolate looked at Isabelle and said in a low voice, "I am sorry to intrude upon your generosity. I would not have come if Amber had not asked me to. I hope you do not find me rude,"

Charmed by his speech and after giving him a second look over, he does not seem so bad after all. Isabelle smiled, "Oh no. Not at all. Come, lets get back to the inn. It seems like it would be raining soon," As soon as she had said that, drizzles started to fall from the sky and all three of them ran back to the inn.

 

[oshi_desune]

Rushing into the inn, Isabelle looked at her clothes that are all drenched... "Wow, we never saw that coming," She giggled when she saw the sight of the two grown foxes in front of her. "You two are a mess!” Laughing all the way back into their room, Isabelle unlocked the door and switched on the lights. Isabelle went into one of the bathrooms and made ready a hot bath for both Amber and Chocolate and made sure they had everything before getting ready to take a bath herself.

However, as she walked across the room to the other bathroom on the other side, she saw a box on top of a chair at the dining table. Her curiosity was aroused as it was not there this morning. Picking it up, she frowned to find the ordinary cardboard box quite heavy. Putting it down on the table, Isabelle opened it up and was quite surprised to find a beautiful bowl of what else, ramen!

This bowl, however, is very different from the bowl that Amber came from. Beautifully decorated in white, brown, green and gold with vines motifs, the bowl also has wings! Touching the wings with her hands, Isabelle froze when the wings jerked away from her touch. It is so soft! The noodles moved a little as well, as was what happened with Amber. However, the wings are a mystery. How could a bowl have wings? But the greatest mystery of all is how on earth that box got in here. Picking it up again, Isabelle checked it for any labels or just for any sign of where that box came from. She found none. Slowly, Isabelle sat down on the chair and stared at the enchanting bowl.

Isabelle was still staring at it when Amber and Chocolate finished their bath. One look at Isabelle’s face and another at the bowl, Amber ran towards her.

“I do not know how this got here. It was in this box and when I opened it, this bowl was inside. How did it get in here?” Isabelle put her head down onto her hands in defeat. “I have been thinking for so long but yet I could not think of a reason why,”

“Isabelle, perhaps this bowl is meant for you to take care of?” Chocolate said. He gave Amber a look and motioned towards Isabelle.

Amber took the hint and went to Isabelle, gently nuzzling her. “I am sure there is a reason why this bowl was brought here to you. Maybe this is what you have always called fate? Let’s keep this bowl safe and sound till the little kit emerge shall we?” Amber said in a gentle voice and licks Isabelle’s hand. “You should take a bath now. If you are in these wet clothes any longer I fear you may fall sick,”

Isabelle agreed and went off to take a bath, the bowl staying in her head the entire time.

Amber looked at Chocolate when Isabelle walked off. “Well, what do you make of it? A bowl suddenly appears here out of nowhere. How could that have happened? Not an ordinary bowl. Oh, no... It is a bowl with wings. And it has even bigger wings than those that we have seen before at the shop as well. I do not have a good feeling about it,”

Chocolate tried to calm Amber down, “Look here. Do not worry so much about it okay? I have a feeling that this will bring more good than harm. Trust me,” Steering Amber away from the bowl to look at him he asked, “Don’t you trust me?”

Amber does trust Chocolate. And after hearing those words from him, she instantly felt much better. Feeling her usual self now she replied in a delightful tone, “And we have another addition in our family! Yay!”

 

[oshi_desune]

After a few weeks of keeping the bowl with her, Isabelle has grown fond of it. It's soft wings brushing on her hand, and the lovely motives on the bowl captivates her and she always wonders how the little kid would look like when it's all grown up...

One day, coming back from grocery shopping, she found the bowl missing! She looked around but still, there is no sign of it. Calling Amber and Chocolate, she asked them to help her look around for it.

A loud gasp from Amber alerted the other two and both of them came running to see...

The little boy was jumping and flapping his wings, trying to fly. However his wings are still too small for his body and he fell down every time. Turning his head, he saw Amber and Chocolate and ran under the tablecloth.

Seeing such a cute little boy, Isabelle could not resist and tried to coax him out from where he is hiding. Talking in a very soft tone, "Come here little one, we are not going to hurt you. See," Pointing at Amber and Chocolate. "We are family. Come now young one. Come here..."

Mikael looked from under his paws. He has hidden his head under them. The sound of the voice seems familiar. Isn't this the voice who sang to him everyday when he was still a bowl? Slowly, he made his way to Isabelle's outstretched hands.

Picking him up, she introduced him to Amber and Chocolate. "There. she is Amber and he's Chocolate,"

Amber walked slowly towards the little kit and touched her nose to his. He giggled at the touch. "We'll take good care of you. Won't we Chocolate?" She turns to look at him.

"Yes we will," Chocolate replied, he himself is also entranced by the little boy before him.

 

[oshi_desune]

Mikael grew up being really doted upon but somehow, he is still very shy towards strangers. He would be missing for long hours if there are visitors and later someone would find him somewhere in the garden messing around with the earth and caressing the leaves of plants there. Somehow, flowers bloom exceptionally beautiful when he is around and the trees grew tall and strong as well.

As Mikael gets older, he goes out alone more and more often. Isabelle knowing that he does not like to be kept indoors allows him to do as he wishes. Although the noodles at home and Isabelle misses his presence when he is gone, they always celebrate when he is back.