Homesick by LotsofLatte on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

Evening bliss, one of the many raving festivals of the tropical Palmellow lights the night in exciting music and fireworks. Papaya was enjoying the festivities as he usually does, engaging with his culture through the excellent food, music, dances and so on. Apple would normally join in too for these, but he was strangely absent. Papaya knew that Apple had received a letter in the mail recently from his friends, but didn't think much of it until now.

In retrospect, it's easy to forget that Apple has spent his days here in sunny Cinchurro, and the greater archipelago of Vastacia, for the better part of almost 2 years. Papaya hadn't given it much thought, but that amount of time being essentially ripped from your home would eventually get to you. He knew he had to help, at least just to talk to him about it and give reassurance.

He would find Apple sitting at a log nearby, a bit far from the festival. The music and cheers were still within earshot, but the tropics allowed for some silence amidst the cicada chirping and bird calling. The fox was gently petting the nestlefly pup he had found and taken in for a bit now, gripping the envelope stamped with the Minuera flower. Papaya wasn't sure how to approach, his friend had a sad look to his eyes, gaze directed towards to the grassy ground, the flowers swaying with the evening breeze. He gulped and stepped forward.

"Hey."

Apple didn't flinch or looked surprised, he just kept his eyes low and letter gripped tight. "Hey," he responded. Papaya rubbed his arm a bit, trying to not avert his eyes in awkwardness. He wasn't used to conversations like this. "I know it's been a while since you've seen your friends. I'm sorry for not saying anything about it." The fox gave a big sigh, it seemed like speaking for once on the topic was a bit of a relief, a gateway to his inner feelings, "It's not your fault," he paused, "-I'm just not sure if I'm ever going to get back home at this rate."

It is true that Apple had spent a significant amount of his time here traveling the whole of Vastacia, meeting new faces and learning about their cultures, but he hasn't really come any closer to finding his way home. Getting sent to somewhere else by dimensional portal doesn't exactly leave a trail of crumbs. Papaya scratched his head a bit, "Have you - read the letter?"

"A little. It's hard. I love seeing their names, reading their words, but..." Apple choked a bit on his words, silencing himself to catch himself, regaining his composure, "I miss them, a lot." He looked up to Papaya finally, his eyes were full of sorrow, "I want to go home."

Papaya couldn't ignore this, he was in the thick of it now. He couldn't just get away with saying 'cheer up kid' and giving a pat on the back. After all of this time of being his new best friend, he had to start giving answers and coming up with solutions. Enough waiting, but... what could he possibly do? The salamander pondered to himself for a long time. Apple clenched the envelope tighter, like a swarm of thoughts entered that he'd been desperately keeping at bay, and water welled under his eyes as he choked again. It felt like he was gonna burst.

And then it hit him. Papaya snapped like he'd just hit the bullseye, "Well... there is one person I know who can help. See, my uncle, he's this big shot explorer I guess." Apples gazed up as he looked back to his friend, "Really? Who is he?" He stuttered a bit. Papaya chuckled a bit nervously to himself, scratching the back of his head.

"Tartare Chastain, ever heard of him?"

With that, Apple's eyes lit up like he'd just been given all the hope in the universe.