Cricket Magazine - www.CricketMagKids.com

"Here's the door," the assistant announced unnecessarily once they were a few feet from the barn's hidden door; as the CBers could--now that they knew where to look--see the faint outline the secret entrance made when it met the real wall to the barn. "Now, just in case there are...er, really animals in there, I'm going to listen in as a griffin and see if I can sense anything."

The CBers sheilded their eyes from the glare as the assistant transformed, and when they opened their eyes once more, they were in the presence of an imposing but graceful amer-eyed griffin.

The farmer's assistant cocked her head to one side, observing the sounds from within the belly of the great structure. Looking at the CBers, she pinned her eyes, signaling danger. Another flash of light deemed her human again, and she gravely informed the CBers of the gargantuar army hiding just behind the thin wooden wall.

Shadow Dragon suggested they open the door and pick the animals off one by one with the nets as they rushed out. Their guide declined that idea because of the lions directly up front.

Moonfrost suggested they lock the barn door. The farmer's assistant thought that was an excellent idea. She motioned for Moonfrost to proceed with her explanation. The CBer was, after all, now the head of battle planning and strategies.

"It'll force the murderer to dig her way out of her fort, climb through the dangers of the dragon mine, gather her forces, go back through the dragon mine, and somehow find a way to get all those creatures out of the one tiny hole in her fort." The others had to agree, it was pretty brilliant.

"Excellent idea," the farmer's assistant complimented. But then her face fell. "If only we had a lock."

"You don't have a lock?!" The CBers cried incredulously.

Yet again, thanks to her slightly featherbrained approach to things, did the farmer's assistant take on the demeanor of a sheep. That is to say, she blushed sheepishly.

"Well...You know, the secret entrance is really an exaggerated precaution," she explained--ready, as she always was, to do just that. "No dangerous fiction character is ever admitted outside of the farmer's room, and no one can really get through the electric fence. So we didn't want to waste supplies--and time--building unnecessary security measures."

The CBers groaned. They knew, of course, that it wasn't the farmer's assistant's fault that she couldn't predict the coming of a dangerous foe in the midst of a group of vacation-loving CBers, but they were still at a loss for what to do, so groan they did.

"I don't suppose we could bolt the doors," Shadow Dragon sighed.

"Sorry, SD," the assistant apologized. "But it would compromise the magical wall that the barn provides." She smiled proudly just the slightest bit. "You know, there's no way wood would keep out stray dragonets. We had to enforce it with magic! If something bores into it from the outside, though, like a nail, it'll shatter."

"Hold that thought," Moonfrost interrupted, excitement beginning to dawn in her eyes. "You said the wall was magical?"

"Of course," the farmer's assistant assured her. "How else would we keep all those---Oooh! Now I see what you're thinking! Why didn't I think of that before?"

"What? What's the plan?" The others asked, beginning to feel a little ancy sitting still for so long next to a wooden wall that shielded what the farmer's assistant had warned them was a dangerous mob of animals.

"Well," Moonfrost began. "I'll tell you, but Farmer's Assistant--I have a question. Can you do magic?" The CBer already knew the answer. If the farmer's assistant could turn into a human, then surely she could do other minor magical feats, such as seal up a wall, right?

"Sure can," the farmer's assistant answered. Then she took on a more serious attitude. The change was so sudden, and strange, and surprising, that it made the CBers wonder if their comrade could shift expressions and demeanors just as she could species. It certainly made sense. They wondered if she did it consciously, or if it just happened with her moods.

"So, do you think you'd be able to magically seal the door?" Moonfrost asked, the only one who wasn't daydreaming about expressions and morphing. At the word 'magic', everyone perked up, thoughts put aside for later.

"Well, I can try," replied the assistant. "Magic isn't just snap-your-finger-and-it's-done. Each species has a different...erm...Well, you'll see. Shadow Dragon, escort two Chatterboxers to fetch me a few tree saplings. Take the bicorns with you."

Obediently, Spyro and Over the Rainbow followed Shadow Dragon towards the treeline. Moonfrost, Turgon, and Panda stayed behind with the warthogs--and the farmer's assistant. The three were glad they'd lingered, because then the farmer-in-training started making the grass grow. Magically. It was the first time in the eleven days the CBers had been on the magical farm that they'd been able to see magic being done. They drank up the sight, commiting the entire process to memory in a mental video they'd replay thousands of time when telling the story to friends and family.

First the farmer's assistant placed her hands between the sparse shoots of new grass that had begun to sprout in the dirt patch by the secret entrance to the barn, concentrating with her eyes closed. The CBers then felt a little tingle in the air, almost like an electric shock, but not unlike the cheerful buzz Jack created when feeling happy. Finally, after a few seconds, the grass became greener, fuller, and lusher. It sprouted up, covering the dirt and creating a cow's dream dinner. But it didn't stop there. It grew, and grew, and grew, until it was almost over three feet tall; it surrounded the farmer's assistant and grew right over her crouched form. Okay, now it was ten cows' dream dinners, plus dessert.

The CBers were now in full realization that they were not hanging out with just a normal person--sure, they'd seen her turn into a griffin a few times, but feeling the magic and knowing that it actually resided inside a person and came from them--that made them see the farmer's assistant with whole new eyes. Round, awestruck eyes, to be exact.

The farmer's assistant opened her eyes and was met with a forest of green. Slightly dizzy from the exertion, she wobbled to her feet and exited the fresh grass.

"I'm a little out of practice," she gasped with a weak smile. "Don't worry; I've got enough energy left for another enchantment. That was just a practice run."

Poetic Panda let out an amazed whistle. "That was awesome," she said with a shake of her head.

"Aw, that was nothing," the farmer's assistant beamed. "Wait 'till you see what I do with the trees!" Apparently, she could not resist a little bit of bragging. The CBers didn't blame her.

Speaking of which, the tree team was nowhere in sight. The CBers that stayed with the assistant looked over the driveway and swept their gaze towards the field, panning slowly to the right.

No one was in the tall grass that flanked the treeline; no one was at the edge of the woods; and when the treeline receded to make room for the 'small' garden, no one was there either. The CBers knew they shouldn't have been worried, because it takes a little while to dig up a sapling, but they couldn't help listening--just in case a faint scream happened to find its way to them.

----------

Chip says, "Dunn..." Don't worry, Chip, the CBers will be okay.

submitted by Farmer's Assistant, The Resort Farm
(July 28, 2016 - 10:28 am)

reply

Toppy toppy top! I love it, Mice!

submitted by Topsy Owly
(July 30, 2016 - 10:25 pm)

reply

Top

submitted by Farmer's Assistant, The Resort Farm
(August 2, 2016 - 12:33 pm)

reply

Our school started back, so posting will be slowing down. Sorry.

submitted by Farmer's Assistant, The Resort Farm
(August 5, 2016 - 8:48 pm)

reply

So suspenseful... =)

Top!

submitted by hotairballoon
(August 8, 2016 - 6:15 am)

reply

@Farmer's Assistant- Sorry I haven't been on here in a while, but i thought of some names for turgon's dragon

Turgon- Actually I thought of them because I am much more amazing than Dragonrider!

Dragonrider- coughcough no you aren't coughcoughcoughsneeze sorry I must be coming down with something! ANYWAY what were the names that you thought of Turgon who I'm much better than?

WHAT did you just say young lady?!

Hey, don't you young lady me! I was just saying how awesomely amazing you are.

Surrrrrrreeee you were. Anyway, here are the names I came up with. If it's a blue dragon it will be named Emerald and if it's a green dragon it will be named Sapphire.

That makes no sense.

Yes it does. Don't question my strategy of naming. It's perfect.

Those last two sentences didn't even make sense but ok then. I guess his dragon has to be blue or green (but feel free to make it a different color. Turgon can't always get what he wants)

submitted by Dragonrider
(August 15, 2016 - 5:23 pm)

reply

TOP!!!!!

submitted by ToppyDragon
(August 21, 2016 - 7:37 am)

reply

Hello, and welcome to THE NEXT FOUR POSTS! As you know, it's been *looks at piece of paper* A REALLY LONG TIME since I've posted the next installment! So I'm going to catch us up with THE NEXT FOUR POSTS!!!!! (I got my mom to let me make this story a part of school...:D :D) Thanks for the name ideas, Dragonrider!

------------

Their misgivings were put to rest when from over the slight dip behind the driveway rose Shadow Dragon, Spyro, and Over the Rainbow. In their grasps were two small, budding hickory saplings, just as the farmer's assistant had ordered.

"Perfect!" She exclaimed when seeing the small trees. Upon reaching the team, Spyro and Over the Rainbow each handed her a sapling. Tenderly the farmer's assistant placed them onto the ground on either side of the secret door so that they stood parallel to the nearly invisible lines. "Okay, now we have to plant them," she instructed. "Shadow?"

The dragon CBer sensed what the assistant wanted; she rose, set the saplings aside, and proceeded to plunge her talons into the earth, rapidly digging two deep holes. She set the foot-tall baby trees into the ground and with a sweep of her tail they were buried again.

"Thanks!" said the farmer's assistant gratefully. Then she cracked her knuckles. "Let's get this show on the road."

She transformed into a griffin, presumably because it was her natural form. The CBers assumed she'd be able to do magic more easily in her real form.

Since it seemed as though the griffin would be taking some time to warm up, Spyro risked a question to Turgon. "What's up with the grass?" he whispered, noticing the abnormal foliage between the two hickory saplings.

"Oh, that was the farmer's assistant's practice run," Turgon explained. He was watching the assistant like a she was a movie, hardly taking his eyes off of her.

Spyro nodded just as the farmer's assistant turned her face to the sky. A strange, shimmering aura surrounded the saplings and they began to tremble. The griffin threw open her golden beak--and began to sing. Wavering chords sung by many, yet at the same time only one voice rang through the air. A hopeful song. A song of all mournings gone. A song of peace and well-being. It felt as though all the grass and bushes and clouds and sky were singing with her, in harmony. Tears welled up around the edges of the CBers' eyes as the vibrating song shook their chests.

The small trees trembled, and suddenly began to grow upwards. Expanding slowly at the base, they stretched up by the inches. Branches magically sprung from the rapidly swelling trunks along with fresh green leaves. They bent backwards as soon as they were almost two feet tall, pressing themselves flat against the wall of the barn; pancaking their new wood against it; creating a brace that would keep the door from swinging open.

The melody changed; grew louder, and a single branch from each small tree snaked outwards. Smaller and smaller they shrank until each one was thinner than a needle. Then, in the likeness of a needle, they wove their way into the barn through the miniscule breaks the entryway provided at either end. Deep within, startled lions backed away from the snaking twigs as they wove a wooden net inside the barn.

The farmer's assistant's song ended, and the melody wavered in the air for a single heartbeat--then all was silent.

The song had had a profound effect on the CBers. Those who were up close to hear it were speechless for a few minutes, and those in the house found themselves feeling at peace; able to relax their tense muscles and sigh.

The farmer's assistant stayed a griffin for a few minutes longer. While she was still in her fearsome form, she did something nobody except the farmer had witnessed her doing. She spoke.

"You have witnessed the magic of a griffin, little ones," she said in the same multi-toned voice she had just sang in. The CBers felt a deep feeling wash over them, something like affection. "It has been quite some time since I've sung," she said. "I'd forgotten how it felt."

The CBers didn't know how to respond, so the noble creature transformed back into a human. They had just glimpsed who the farmer's assistant really was. She was no human, nor was she anything like one. She had given up the freedom of wings to the more restricting form of a human. The CBers couldn't believe how anyone could do that.

The assistant rubbed the back of her neck. "I'd forgotten how it felt to sing," she repeated, looking refreshed.

"You...You just..." The CBers couldn't find the words to say what they wanted to say.

"My connection has been restored," the farmer's assistant continued. "When griffins spend too much time as a human or another creature, they begin thinking like one. They take on the mind and personality of the creature they are. The longer they stay in it, the more they begin to forget what it's like being a griffin and the more they embrace and enjoy their current form. I've chosen to take the form of a human. But the unrestrained freedom of being a griffin...I miss it. However, it can never be the same unless I choose to stay a griffin. I can't have a claw in two worlds, eh?"

That was more like the farmer's assistant the CBers had come to know and love.

"But now I might be a little bit different until the effects of magic wear off." The farmer's assistant suddenly noticed the wall of trees she'd created. "Wow, look at that tree wall."

The CBers turned their attention to the new wall the farmer's assistant had made. Two tall trees now blocked the door on the inside and out. Mission accomplished--the murderer's animals had been immobilized. Of course, the murderer would never place all her birds in the same nest. Soon the CBers would find they'd done all that for naught. The wall would soon be ripped down by more evil animals. But nevermind that; the CBers never thought about it, and returned home to be greeted by relieved friends.

----------------

The CBers, CAPTCHAs, and AEs were allowed a relaxing evening, and they utilized their privilege until dinnertime.

Their nighttime meal on that very fine day ten was smoked ham with honey buns and baked cinnamon apples. Steamed veggies decked the table in small self-serve bowls, and the maids brought out plates and silverware. The CBers began to serve themselves.

After he was sure that all of the CBers and the farmer's assistant had gotten enough food, the farmer served himself and asked the CBers who'd gone on the mission to debrief the others, including himself. When they were done with their exciting tale, the farmer thoughtfully chewed on some ham. Eventually he swallowed, and, shooting an admiring glance at the CBers, he spoke.

"It is a wonderful thing when a griffin sings," the farmer remarked. "Griffins require a deep love to power the magic they use."

He chuckled softly. "So, we've gotten the murderer's animals trapped, have we? This is great, although I don't think we should celebrate yet. This battle is far from over. However--my assistant thought you might need some cheering, and she prepared a party for you last night."

The CBers began to feel excited, the AEs especially.

"A pie party?" Rufus questioned tentatively.

"A bowling ball party?" asked Mortifero.

"Maybe you're joking, and there's no party?" Gwen inquired hopefully.

"No, no, this is a party I think you'll enjoy. I won't tell you what it is quite yet, but I'd like you to think about some of your favorite books."

The farmer left the table with a mysterious smile, and his assistant followed him. The CBers turned to each other and, instead of thinking about their favorite books, they debated what the party was about.

"Uh, guys, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Moonfrost grinned.

The AEs knew their CBers almost too well. That's why they covered their ears--and it's a good thing they did--because Booksy blurted (loudly) what all the CBers had been thinking.

"OOOH I HOPE THIS MEANS WE'RE FINALLY GETTING TO MEET BOOK CHARACTERS!!!"

The table erupted in excited chatter.

"Let's not sound too disappointed when the farmer comes out with a pop quiz," Mortifero and Gwen grumped.

I guess you could say that the CBers were having a pre-party party, and the theme was fangirling! When the farmer walked back in, he heard something like a group of guinea pigs getting taken away by hawks...Until the CBers saw him and snapped to attention, quiet as could be.

"Er...Is everyone okay?" he asked. The CBers nodded, their eyebrows cocked in anticipation. "Chatterboxers, have you thought of your favorite books yet?"

"I want to visit Artemis Fowl," said Moonfrost.

"Harry Potter," Joss and Booksy decided.

"Well, I'd kind of like to talk to the cats from warriors," Over the Rainbow suggested.

"Sounds good; is everyone okay with that?"

The CBers were too excited to care who they visited. Just the ability to meet characters they once believed to be simply ink on paper was enough for them. The farmer led the way to his room, where the farmer's assistant was waiting for them.

----------

"Which characters would you like to meet?" questioned the farmer's assistant.

"Artemis Fowl," Moonfrost answered immediately.

"Okay, Artemis sounds good. He's reenacting the series; he's on the beginning of...book five, I think. Or whichever book has the demon city in it."

"It's book five," Moonfrost confirmed.

"All right," nodded the farmer's assistant. "But surely Moonfrost isn't the only one who wants to meet a book character."

"Uh, maybe Voldemort?" Joss looked around for signs of agreement. The others had to admit, it was a great idea.

"Hey, I know some of you already met the clans, but I'd like to see Firestar," interjected OtR.

The Chatterboxers started to get really excited. The farmer's assistant hurried off to find the requested characters, and the farmer led the CBers to the designated party area.

---------------

submitted by Farmer's Assistant, The Resort Farm
(August 31, 2016 - 11:15 am)

reply

~ ~ ~

"Which characters would you like to meet?" questioned the farmer's assistant.

"Artemis Fowl," Moonfrost answered immediately.

"Okay, Artemis sounds good. He's reenacting the series; he's on the beginning of...book five, I think. Or whichever book has the demon city in it."

"It's book five," Moonfrost confirmed.

"All right," nodded the farmer's assistant. "But surely Moonfrost isn't the only one who wants to meet a book character."

"Uh, maybe Voldemort?" Joss looked around for signs of agreement. The others had to admit, it was a great idea.

"Hey, I know some of you already met the clans, but I'd like to see Firestar," interjected OtR.

The Chatterboxers started to get really excited. The farmer's assistant hurried off to find the requested characters, and the farmer led the CBers to the designated party area.

---------------

The party plaza, as the farmer called it, was quite a sight to see.

The CBers were dazzled by the beautiful fireflies hanging in jars on strings that laced the air above the party zone.

Below, short-cropped, incredibly soft grass held thousands of sparkly diamonds that reflected the lights of the lightning bug jars above.

The actual 'room' itself was incredibly large and oblong, but it took place deep within the farmer's room, so enormous trees surrounded it instead of walls. The CBers wondered if the farmer could change what his room looked like at will.

Glowing pumpkins surrounded the border of the pary zone, casting their orange glow into the woods.

As the CBers trailed further into the grassy clearing, they saw little stations scattered around inside it.

Punch tables stood to one side, innocently advertising their wares, which included a few Eat Me pastries (that, when eaten, had the same, but significantly milder, effect of the Eat Me treats in Alice in Wonderland), some butter beer, square candies that look round, stale bread (from the Eragon books!), and of course some punch (to name just a few of the foods displayed).

A section was cut off where CBers could practice using Weasly's Wizard Wheezies, provided they put on the necessary safety equipment for the more dangerous exploding varieties of pranks. (It is said that Puck spent the entire time over there, marveling over the ingenious magical tricks.)

There was, naturally, a bookshelf; however, the books weren't books the CBers had seen before. They were much more exciting than just your average library book: They were the autobiographies of famous book characters. For instance, there was one called Life as the Chosen One: How J.K. Rowling Chose Me to Write a Book About. Another book was titled Unfortunately, I am Everlasting by someone named Winnie. The books weren't all biographies, though! There was a fictional book written by T.S.F.R. (The Swiss Family Robinson) about a family who gets lost on a peninsula covered in ivy, where there's a strange map that eventually leads them to uncover a lost civilization, and almost become famous before they stop the reporters from pouring onto their settlement. They live happily ever after.

The CBers desperately wanted to sink into a leaf-covered bean bag and read to their hearts' desires, but there was still more to be seen! An interactive magical hologram computer floated off to the side, and the CBers found that it was a database where the farmer kept a list of ALL the stories that were inside of his room and his farm! Gwen and Mortifero hogged it, trying to see how long it took to get to the end of the list.

As the CBers dispersed themselves throughout their dream come true, the CAPTCHAs played under the punch table, and the AEs pretended like they weren't interested in all the wonderful things before them.

Poetic Panda and Shadow Dragon were sampling the foods at the tables.

"Look, Shadow, it's an Eat Me thingy!" Panda exclaimed with delight.

"Wow, I wonder if it's the shrinking kind or the growing kind. I dare you to eat one."

Panda held the pastry to her mouth. Slowly, she took a bite. Nothing happened.

"Hm, I guess they're just for looks," Panda shrugged.

Just then, the farmer walked over. "Moonfrost is really enjoying the bookshelf," he commented. "Oh, are you trying the Eat Me pastries? My assistant made those last night--she diluted the effects. You'll have to eat a whole one for anything to happen, and they wear off after a while."

Panda and Shadow Dragon looked at each other.

"I must say, they orange dip tastes amazing with them," added the farmer as a side thought, and he walked away to explain the rules of the prank station.

"Go ahead, eat the rest!" urged Shadow. Poetic Panda shoved the rest of the pastry into her mouth, and she suddenly shrank by about four inches.

"Oh! Look at that, I'm short. I have to go show this to everybody."

"Don't let the AEs see you--they'll never stop laughing."

"Oh! I almost forgot to tell you--remember when you were trying to get into the breedery? You were just a shadow. As in: You turned invisible."

Shadow Dragon looked confused. "That's odd. Maybe it was a trick of the light."

"No, I don't think so. Every time I think back to that moment, I can see that there was no way it could have even possibly been a trick of the light."

"Well, if that's the case, that means I can turn into shadows...Which I doubt."

"Here, let's try an experiment. Eat one of these Eat Me things so you're smaller. That way you can fit into the shadows cast by the pumpkin lanterns."

Shadow Dragon obliged, swallowing two of the same pastries Panda had sampled. She lumbered over to the flickering light of the jack-o-lanterns and sat down. "Hey, wait a minute," Shadow Dragon muttered. Then, raising her voice excitedly, she said, "Hey, Panda, these aren't candles in here, they're pixies!"

"Really? Cool!" replied Panda. "Then I bet...Yes! They are! Those are faries in the jars above, not fireflies! I thought it was odd that they were glowing so brightly."

The CBers took a minute to admire the beautiful glow of the magical beings, and then they turned back to their experiment.

Before that, however, the farmer made an announcement. "Just a reminder, CBers: The assistant will be back in fifteen minutes."

Acknowledging the farmer with distracted nods, the CBers turned back to their reading/pranking/scrolling/eating/experimenting.

"All right SD, back to the experiment. Just sit back and try to melt into the shadows. I'm going to turn around, and count to forty-seven."

As Poetic Panda began to count slowly in her head, Shadow Dragon tried to find a connection with the shadows. After about fifteen seconds, she began to feel lighter. A coolness washed over her; it flowed in and out from underneath her scales. Her mind relaxed and she felt calm. The shadows became substancial, and the dragon burrowed into them, letting them pour over her mind and cover her completely.

She opened her eyes again and found that she could see, but everything was muted and smudged. The shadows stood out to her; she saw them in a way she'd never seen them before. They were opportunities; outlets for her newfound power. In the dim lighting of the party, Shadow Dragon knew she could move around virtualy unseen, the single shadow leftover blending right in.

Vaguely Shadow noticed Poetic Panda finish counting and turn her head. A look of surprise mixed with satisfaction blurred her face.

The dragon decided to try moving. It felt as though the shadows were pushing her along, effortlessly washing her wherever she wanted to go. She found that she could climb up the poles where the strings of faries in jars were hung, and that when she went straight back down them she didn't feel gravity's pull.

Shadow Dragon also found that, when she was stopped by the booshelf and ready to pull herself out of the shadows, she swam upwards and out of the cool, thick, liquid shadows. Her mind fizzed, and it was hard for her to tell if she was actually really moving upwards and out. She pushed out of the sea of camoflauge and fizzled into view, causing the CBers who'd been reading books to nearly faint with surprise.

Shadow Dragon shook her head a few times. "Phew! What an experience!" she grinned.

Poetic Panda heard Shadow's exclamation, and she whipped around. "I told you so!" she shouted excitedly. "This is amazing! I couldn't find you! How's you do it?"

The dragon CBer looked up, thoughtful. "Well," she began slowly, "It felt like I sort of burrowed into the shadows. Like they were mud. And/or bushes that were perfect for hiding in. I guess you could say I turned the shadows into curtains and hid behind them!"

"That is so cool..."

Suddenly Shadow felt a strange tingling sensation and felt a brief surge of fear that the shadow camoflauge hadn't been such a good idea. Poetic Panda must've seen her worried expression, and she started to laugh.

"Oh, don't worry, SD, it's just the Eat Me pastry wearing off. Believe me, I was startled when mine wore off, too. I thought I'd been poisoned."

The two CBers heard a sudden explosion, and an army of frogs suddenly started hopping all over the grass. Everybody got really quiet, and Spyro raised his hand up. "Uh...That was me, guys, don't worry. Carry on."

The CBers' heartbeats retreated to their normal pace quite quickly after that. All the stress and anxiety from the past week dissolved as they stopped worrying and had fun. Over the next ten minutes, they read, scrolled, ate, and threw stink bombs at each other, having the time of their lives.

~ ~ ~

The farmer's assistant walked into the wild party and stepped onto a bucket. "CBers, if I may have your attention please!"

The chatter died down, and as it did so, the farmer's assistant continued with her announcement. "I've gotten the book characters to come here tonight for this party. Now, you can come up and get to know them."

With that, a line of cats walked in through the bushes, followed by a teenage boy with dark sunglasses and a suit, and finally a sinister-looking wizard with a scary wand. The book characters spread themselves out and began--you guessed it--talking to the CBers.

Booksy Owly found herself confronted by none other than Voldemort.

"Uh..." she squeaked, not sure if Voldemort was still as evil as he was in the books. He just stared at her from his incredibly tall height, imperiously gazing down on her. To Booksy's great relief, the farmer's assistant walked up and joined the conversation.

"Hi, Voldemort," the farmer's assistant began. "This is Booksy Owly, one of the Chatterboxers here on vacation. Booksy, this is Voldemort. He's not too good a talking...civilly."

"Nice to meet you," Voldemort said, and held out his hand, long fingernails and all, for Booksy to shake. "I don't usually talk--POTTER shall DIE!!!--pardon me--to normal people."

Booksy took an apprehensive step back.

"I'm not really evil anymore," he continued. "I changed my ways pretty quickly after I appeared here and got a mind of my own. But I still have some of my old impulses, sometimes to my extreme embarrassment. Not to mention I've just gotten back from a fight scene...So I'm feeling a little--Nagina...Kill this man...--Sorry! Evil." Voldemort's hand unconsciously whipped to his wand, but thankfully he didn't pull it out.

Not registering anything after 'kill this man', Booksy had thought that Voldemort was sending his snake on her, until she realized that she wasn't a man. She sighed with relief.

"He's nice once you get to know him," whispered the farmer's assistant, sensing her discomfort. "Ask him about his autobiography; that'll get him excited."

And so the farmer's assistant left Booksy to talk to Voldemort about his autobiography.

----------------

Over the Rainbow, Turgon, and Rosemary were having fun talking to the warrior cats. A few more CBers and AEs were behind them, watching. The farmer was translating for them--he had apparently taken the time to learn cat language.

"Yeah, we're one of the many, many, many different versions of ThunderClan out there," said the farmer, perfectly translating Graystripe's meows.

"What's it like being in a clan?" asked Turgon.

"Hard. The hunting isn't any easier than it was inside the book."

The CBers looked at Graystripe's large belly. "Are...you sure?" OtR queried suspiciously.

"Yeah, we're sure. But this cat gets fat, whatever the season." That was Mousefur.

Longtail butted into the conversation. "This person wants to know who in the world was Redtail's mother." He indicated Moonfrost. A playful glint danced in his eye. "Mr. Farmer, could you tell her that it's top secret information?"

Moonfrost's face fell. "Well, could you show us some battle moves instead?" she asked hopefully. The cats nodded, and began showing the CBers their famous ThunderClan battle sequence.

-------------------

Artemis Fowl stood off to one side. He would wait for the CBers to come to him, not the other way around.

Artemis was in a...foul...mood. The farmer's assistant had grabbed him right when the demon was appearing in the middle of the street. It wasn't the best place to stop, and now all the story was paused. So Artemis knew that the characters would be grumpy when he got back.

Artemis prefered to stay in his story, day after day, not stopping the reenactment for Voldemort's hunting club or one of the warrior clans' anniversary bashes, or a Fablehaven scavenger hunt. Such things didn't appeal to him, and as the main character of the story (essentially the ruler) he got to decide if the other characters, from the people who helped Butler off his mattress after he fell out of the hotel window to the birds that flew in the sky above it, were permitted to leave the story. Artemis didn't like too many distractions. But he was a good guy now, so his mindset had changed a little, and he'd agreed to meet these people who had apparently needed 'cheering up'.

A blue dragon approached him. Artemis adjusted his sunglasses.

"Hey, are you Artemis Fowl?" asked Rufus.

Artemis, instead of saying simply yes or no, replied, "Artemis Fowl, junior, at your service," and held out his hand. The blue dragon reminded him of one of the imps from his story. Artemis shook his head irritably. An imp he would have been meeting, he recalled, if he hadn't been disturbed. Oh, well, Artemis sighed. I have to keep the people happy.

"I'm Rufus. I heard Moonfrost and Joss talking about you earlier--"

What is with all these absurd names? Parents should not name their children with such sprezzatura. The naming of a child takes thought, although I do seem quite ultracrepidarian when I say that, having never had a child before.

"--and she was talking about the Neutrinos. I like pie blasters and explosive things."

"Neutrinos are very, very dangerous and only the LEP is permitted to use them." Artemis anwered the unspoken question promptly. He knew what Holly would think if he gave a person a Neutrino to use in real life. "I hate to vitiate your hopes..." he said. Then, with a grin, he thought, But I actually don't.

Moonfrost walked over just then. "Artemis Fowl!!!" was all she could say.

"Are...you okay?" asked Artemis, one eyebrow up, to the girl whose tongue seemed to be locked up.

"I'm--fine--only--*HACK*--choking--is all."

"Ah. Then I won't worry."

Moonfrost ran to the punch table and gulped some punch to clear her throat.

The party ran on well through the night. (Or so it seemed to the CBers, who were already feeling tired at around nine.) Artemis Fowl ended up having a mildly good time, and the warrior cats proved themselves master scrollers--they beat Mortifero and Gwen to the bottom of the story list! Voldemort, the CBers discovered, was a nasty prankster and gave Puck a run for her money at the Weaselys' Wizard Wheezies. At around ten-thirty, the farmer's assistant rounded up the CBers and told them it was about to be time for bed. She took the book characters back to their stories and led the CBers to their rooms.

"Ahh, what a wonderful party," Rosemary sighed.

"I can't wait to get back to my egg," Turgon murmured.

"I wish we could've stayed up longer," Critic A yawned.

"Good night," mumbled Princess Icicle.

"Syim!" squeaked Elsa.

"Yawn," agreed Cappy.

-------------------

submitted by Farmer's Assistant, The Resort Farm
(August 31, 2016 - 11:26 am)

reply

--------------------