Sunny's Poptropica Ramblings

Books and Monsters (oc x canon/au)

Heya! This thing is for MysticSunni  as a little gift and very late thank you for something she wrote for me! Please check her out if you can! She has some really good stories and ideas!!

Context: In this au Raven ends up being taken in by a monster couple as a child so the events of Monster Carnival never happen. He helps run the local book store owned by his adoptive parents. It's a very silly au I came up with but I thought it could work as a short story. This town is not the one from the island.
Anyway enjoy this thing I guess

Books and Monsters
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It was a normal day for Magic Grape when her brother had received a letter. The mayor of a small town requested his aid after hearing about his adventures and good deeds. A hero would certainly be helpful with a monster problem.

The request was that Mischief Grape help deal with the monsters that lurked in the woods. Hopefully keeping them away for the carnival coming to town. Though the monsters have never actually attacked the carnival before the mayor wanted to keep them at bay just in case. Along with helping keep things going smoothly, the pay was good.

Mischief asked her to come along, the list of tasks seemed a bit too much for a single person. So the two set off on a journey to an island set in the past. They arrived just as the day started to begin in the town of

POV - Mischief Grape

I exited my blimp as I have done man times before in the main street of a small town. Everything was straight out of the 1960s down to the clothes people wore. My sister soon joined me at my side.
I looked at the list I had been sent again. Other than the whole monster thing it was stuff I had done before. The carnival had been set up but had not yet opened for the day. We might have arrived too early.

POV - Magic Grape

I had decided to explore the place we had landed in while Mischief went to visit the people who asked him to come.

It was a nice town, the people were nice even if they stared at me because of my clothes not fitting in. There seemed like plenty of stuff to do. I just had to find something to kill time until the carnival opened. I passed by several small shops before something caught my eye.
A small corner bookstore, I could tell from the displays in the windows and bookshelves I could see. The sign reading "Books and Buttons" was hung above the windows. A bit of reading would make time fly by. Besides I was curious what books this time period had.

I pushed open the door and heard a little bell jingle announcing my arrival. The smell of new books and wood lingered in the air. I looked around before going up the counter, no one was around. The sign said they were open, I was sure about that. My eyes landed on a small golden bell with a card reading "ring for service!", so I did.
There was a thud from behind the wall the counter blocked and a deep voice called out "I'll be there in a second!"

POV - Raven

Mornings are always quiet in the shop but even more on the days, something exciting came to town. The carnival had come to town and I say for certain that I am absolutely not a fan. My early childhood was made a living nightmare by one of those things. I would rather stay in the shop bored out of my skull. My mothers had already gone out for the day. They went out to get some food before the carnival opens.

I was in the small storage room in the back of the shop. Organizing the books currently being sold or are going to be sold. That was until the bell at the desk rang, which caught me off guard and I fell from the stool I was standing on.
I called out telling the person I was coming and brushed myself off. With a deep breath and I exited the back and out into the store, ducking to avoid hitting my head on the door frame. Standing on the other side of the desk was someone I haven't seen before.
They were staring at me, I know what they were staring at. There are certain things about my face and overall body that I couldn't hide as well as others. I looked human enough, but was still weird enough to get a lot of staring. I just took a deep breath and mentally prepare myself for the typical comments and insults. I gave them a smile "Hello! Welcome to Books and Buttons, my name is Raven how can I help you today?".
They didn't say anything for a few awkward seconds before asking "do you have any romance books?".
I did perk up at this, I enjoy a good romantic story every so often. Read about what you want but can't have. Makes the longing for it worse but makes you happy for a little while.
"We do! They are over by the fiction over in the corner" I pointed in the direction of a section I knew every well. "Are you looking for something specific?" they shook their head "I'm just browsing and killing time"
I nodded and went through a mental checklist of things I could do to stay out of the back rooms. It's rude to not be at the main shop while someone is there browsing. I opted for reading a book I have been wanting to read. Though I couldn't really focus on it, the mysterious stranger had taken over my brain. She's very pretty, but I am not stupid enough to think about anything beyond that.

There was silence for a while, nothing but the muffled sounds of the outside world and the flipping of pages. Then she spoke up and asked a question.
"So, have you lived in this town for a while?"
" I've lived here a majority of my life and know this place like the back of my hand. Any reason for asking?"
"Is it alright if I asked you some things?"
I gave her a smile "I can definitely do that. Could I get you name first Ms..?
" Magic Grape. My name is Magic Grape."
An unusual name for sure, but honestly I have heard weirder names. Seriously some people are bad at naming their kids.
"It's wonderful to meet you Magic Grape."

We had nice chat about what things about the town, what things you could do here, and a little bit about me. I learned she was out of town with her brother. When she mentioned that I of course asked why they were visiting. This town isn't exactly big or well known.

"Well, have you heard about the monsters that people say live around here?"
I just nodded my head as I tried to not show any signs of panic.
"So the mayor of this town asked my brother to help keep them away from the carnival. He asked me to tag along just in case he needed help. Not sure what the plan is to keep them away if they even exist, but I'm sure nothing bad will happen."
She paused for a second before asking "Is everything okay?"
I lied through my teeth that I was fine and was just nervous about the monsters. In reality I was panicking, rumor had been going around that traps were being set up in the woods. If the mayor hired them as well, then the monsters living in town could be in danger of being discovered or hurt. Not only was my family and our fellow monsters in danger of that happening, but I was also in danger.
I need to tell them now.
I looked out the window to see my two mothers returning to the shop. I stood up and went to grab my coat. "I am so sorry for cutting our conversation short but I need to do something important outside of the shop. You can ask the owners to check you out."
She looked disappointed and asked if I would be there tomorrow.
I didn't want to tell her that but a part of me still wanted to talk to her. She was so much fun to talk to and I know she probably didn't know what plans the mayor had in mind.
I hesitated before answering yes. I would love to talk with her again. But right now I need to warn the monsters we knew to not go near the woods or the carnival.
I rushed out the door as soon as my parents entered and ran as fast as I could.

A/N - Ah a cliffhanger! I will hopefully have part two done soon. That's where the fun begins :)