The Bluey and Jean Luc Chronicles - Chapter 1: Departed

The Bluey and Jean Luc Chronicles

Chapter 1: Departed

Our story takes place at a campground in Brisbane, Australia. Summertime has been rolling over the wondrous region with full force. Nevertheless, despite the sweltering heat hitting hard, that didn't stop our favourite set of heroes, The Heelers, from getting by. Except for one puppy.

Their holiday is coming to a close, as Chilli and Bandit receive a helping hand from their two daughters Bluey and Bingo. Chilli took care of the cupboards to make sure everything inside would be secure before the caravan would be hitched and moved away from the campgrounds. While Bandit was in charge of dismantling and storing the collapsable tables, as well as siphoning the petrol from the generator used to provide the caravan power. Bluey and Bingo were given menial tasks: Making sure there was no rubbish on the ground and making sure they had their things in order. Bingo, being the enthusiastic rascal she is, had no issue whatsoever in helping out. But naturally, Bluey was dragging her feet. But... the dragging seemed a little too... draggy persay...

Bluey sat on the campground's picnic table, with a stick in her right hand. She was just... poking at the ground, moping about. Sure, it may be because she was bored and didn't want to do much work. But it seems our favourite little Heeler had something on her mind; something different.

"It's just not fair!" Bluey sighed, jabbing the stick at random spots along the dirt before throwing it a few meters away. "He didn't even say goodbye to me! Well... at least I think he didn't. I couldn't really understand him... but still!" She kicked her feet as they hung from the seat, out of sheer frustration and confusion.

"Bluey!" Bandit harped. He thought she was with her sister helping tidy up the caravan. "I thought you were helping Bingo with the rubbish?"

Her eyes focused on Bandit and let out a gentle sigh. "I know dad...", she responded. "But I'm sad... He was my newest friend and he left too soon..."

Bandit didn't really understand the context until it clicked from the conversation he and Chilli had. "Who do you m- ooooh... That Jean Luc fella, huh mate?" All Bluey could respond with was a light nod as a single tear formed along her eyelid. Bandit sat down and put an arm around Bluey, holding her close and petting her head. "I know you miss him, sweetheart. But remember what Mum told you?"

Her head lifted up as she had to remember what Mum said to her that night after Jean left.

"She said uhh... 'Sometimes special people come into our lives, stay for a bit. Then they have to go?' I think that's what she said, right?"

Bandit gave her daughter a lovely pat on the head. "That's right, squirt. And she also said that the world is a magical place, in which it is. If the world wasn't so magical, I wouldn't have met your Mum nor had you two little rascals! I'm sure you'll see him again."

"For real life, dad?" She asks, with her eyes currently in "please face mode." She wasn't begging for anything but she was looking for reassurance. Obviously, Bandit's weakness is Bluey's please face. He won't recant his assumption that Jean and Bluey will reunite again. But he also does not want to upset her. So he caved.

"For real life, sweetheart. And tell you what, when you two do reunite, I'll talk to Mum about inviting him and his parents over for dinner. How's that sound?"

Bandit and Bluey looked at each other, and soon Bluey's frown turned upside down. Her tail wags with excitement as she leans into her dad for his warm embrace. "That would be wonderful, Dad!", she says.

"Good kid. Now can you please go help your sister? Our campground rental is expiring in an hour." Bandit pointed over to the unfinished caravan, with still much to do. Bingo was content with her task of picking up the leftover rubbish all along the grass.