[SNEAK PEEK]Cuddly Doll
Milkshake gives Lumi a little gift.
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Cuddly Doll
By Limewah
**Subscriber Reward for Senpaiithon (Apr+May 2024)
Featuring MilkshakeDrake's character
SNEAK PEEK**
Lumi and Milkshake had picked a pretty good time to stop by the weekend flea market; it was bustling, sure, but it wasn't completely jam-packed. Particularly not around that little nook that stank of incense, each tent crammed full of esoteric trinkets and sundries. The middle aged women that one would expect to pile in were nowhere in sight, so the pink, white winged, long-tailed dragon and the pink-and-white Arcanine-Rapidash hybrid had free reign to peer at the crystals, baubles and gemstones.
Milkshake was the taller one, mostly appearing to be an Arcanine, with the characteristic stripes and thick mane of hair. Though if one looked at their legs they'd see hooves rather than footpaws. Their long tail had a slightly graceful swish to it, less stiff than a canine's, more equine in nature. They wore a loose t-shirt and shorts, definitely dressed for the summer heat.
Lumi, on the other hand, was svelte and big-hipped, the colour of bubblegum. Their tail was almost always lifted in the air or draped over something; they were well aware of the tripping hazard it posed. They were dressed down too, in a femme tank top and shorts; a sharp contrast to their partner. And again, not the sort of sights one would expect anywhere near a stall full of magical trinkets.
Neither of them really believed in magic, but this was a good place to find a new pendant or two to use for hypnotic shenanigans.
“Oooh, look at this one," Milkshake said. The pink and white furred Arcadash (Arcanine for the most part, save for dark hooves instead of footpaws) lifted up a little milky white crystal cradled in a small wire cage. Milkshake held the trinket so it dangled just above their pink doggy nose, and it naturally began to sweep back and forth in front of Lumi's heterochromic blue and black eyes.
“Look closer, clooooser now~" Milkshake's voice took on a low, teasing, B-movie hypnotist tone.
Lumi's lips twitched. The dragon tried and failed to stop themself from giggling. Their eyes naturally followed it. Too well conditioned by plenty of trances to resist the desire and impulse to continue to follow. Back and forth. Leaning in a little closer to their partner, to their eyes and their smile, the backdrop to that pretty swinging gem.
Lumi could always look away, they knew that, but… looking just felt more natural at that moment. Far easier. Far more… right.
“Back again?"
The sharp bark threw Lumi out of that momentary reverie, and their long tail stiffened and pulled in tight to coil all the way up their legs. Both dragon and canine looked at the source of the sound - it was the old madame who ran this particular stall.
The wrinkled sow peered up at them with a very unamused look. The tight dark shawl wrapped around her shoulders and head gave her the appearance of some ancient slavic spirit. She was known for being quite terrifying, particularly to people who were happy to browse and take up space.
They'd forgotten she was here this weekend….
“Here to window shop once more? To put your pawprints all over my crystals and mess up their auras? Or will you actually buy something this time?"
“J-just looking." Lumi choked out a nervous laugh.
“NOT good enough." The sow almost seemed to grow a foot as she slammed her hands on the counter and peered right into the dragon's soul.
Lumi glanced over their shoulder; Milkshake was nowhere to be seen. Had they seriously abandoned them?!
“You buy something, or else…"
Lumi glanced down to the thick piece of cardboard taped to the edge of the stall. CASH ONLY, it said. They looked back to the sow with a conciliatory smile.
“Sorry… I only have card…"
The sow waved the dragon off with a series of spat curses, and Lumi felt a chill going down all 15-or-so feet of their long pink tail.
They had the vague feeling they'd just been cursed.
As they slunk off, they heard a familiar laugh.
When they looked back over their shoulder, they were surprised to see Milkshake standing where they'd been. How had they managed to strike up a conversation with that sow so fast, let alone make her beam and giggle in a way that seemed to de-age her at least 2 decades?
The Arcanine was handing her a few notes, and she handed them something small and lilac-coloured. Milkshake caught Lumi looking, and gave them a wink before thanking the lady and moving to catch up.
“..Thanks for buttering her up," Lumi said with a little sigh of relief.
“No problem…" Milkshake said. “I forgot I'd asked her to make a little something a few weeks back!"
“Oh really?" Lumi looked down at the little parcel, wrapped in lilac tissue paper and bound with a little knot of twine. “What's in there?"
“Oh, just a lil somethin'. You'll see when we get home."
“Come on…" Lumi leaned in to nuzzle their snout against Milkshake's wet canine one. “Tell meeee~"
“Nuh-uh." Milkshake's eyes gleamed suddenly, pulsing with a few brief ripples of pink, purple, and white. Lumi was stopped in their tracks, their thoughts suddenly paused… then they shook their head and pulled back with a laugh.
“No faaair!" Lumi said.
“It'll be worth the wait, sweetpea!" Milkshake grinned. “Let's get some food though, I'm hungry…"
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