The Golden Prince

Remember Me

     The BPRD was quiet that day. Classical music flowed through the air as Abe floated in his tank. He moved his hands through the water, completely lost in the music when suddenly he felt the vibration of someone tapping on the glass. He turned to see a happy young woman smiling brightly at him. When he surfaced and walked down a few stairs to meet her she had to stop herself from jumping up and down like an excited child.
"Abe, you won't believe what I found today! Come on! Come see!" She took his hand and pulled him in the direction of her room. He could feel the vibrations of her excitement shooting into his hand. He didn't even have time to get a word in before she pulled him down the hall, around corners, and through a big, silver door. When they got to her room she presented a bunch of old pieces of junk that she had found all around the city neatly laid out next to a little red wagon. "I found an old typewriter, a single boot, some lightbulbs, an empty paint can, some empty bottles, a busted alarm clock, and the monitor of a really old computer!" She exclaimed.
"Uh, that's... fascinating, Faun"

"Oh, but that's not all!" She holds up a big jar full of old broken jewelry and small screws and scraps of metal. "Isn't it cool!? I found so much material!"
Abe picked up the jar to examine it closer. The small bits of metal shone when they caught her many hanging lights. While he took a closer look, Faun began to take apart her findings, setting apart the things she didn't need until the typewriter that she had found was but a shell. She set the guts of the old machine in a spare jar and grabbed a small bag of potting soil to fill the inside. All around her room there were discarded trinkets with plants growing out of them. Vines climbed the walls and dangled from the ceiling. Although full of old rusty parts, her room was full of life.
"You've added many things since the last time I was in here." Said Abe. "How many times have you gone out this week?"

Faun froze. She turned to face him with her lips pressed together, carefully thinking about what to say next. Abe waited patiently, looking at her with big glossy eyes. She knew she couldn't lie to him. "Almost every night this week."
"My goodness! Does Red know you've been going out so much?!"
"It's not that big of a deal, Abe. I'm being careful when I'm out there and besides, Red would probably agree that everybody needs a hobby."
Faun shrugged her shoulders. Her cheeks flushed and pink spread over her light freckled face. She could tell that Abe was unsure about all of this. She knew that Red would be more than unsure about it- he'd be furious. Faun twisted the necklace around her neck, twirling the golden locket between her fingers.
"You know that I don't like being untruthful. Especially to my friends." Abe placed the jar full of moss-covered screws and nails that he was gripping on Faun's plant-covered bedside table.
"You're not being untruthful you're just... not saying the truth out loud..."
Abe tilted his head to the side and crossed his arms. He said nothing but Faun knew that what she had just said was ridiculous. Her nervous smile fell from her face and she sighed. "I know. I shouldn't be sneaking out all the time. I promise to sneak out... less. Just please don't tell Red."
"Don't tell Red what?" Abe and Faun stiffened at the sound of the deep raspy voice behind them. Red stood leaning in the doorway with his arms crossed. "Oh, Dear. Well, I think I'll just show myself out. I can hear Mozart calling my name." Abe quickly shuffled out of Faun's room, waving at Red on the way out. Red eyed the little red wagon and the junk spread out in front of it. He lifted his eyebrows and walked farther into the room, the silver door closing behind him.
He picked up the old boot in one hand and raised one eyebrow. "You've been going outside? Without me?"
Faun said nothing. She only watched him shake his head. He knew the answer. All the evidence was laid out neatly in front of him. The tips of Faun's pointed ears were bright red and she wouldn't make eye contact with him. She only looked guiltily at the little red wagon.
"I can't believe you! I thought we were family! And after I had it in my heart to bring you a gift." Red said it in a dramatic voice, shaking his head with a slight smile that he tried to hide. Faun's ears perked up and she looked over at Red to see that he was holding a book in his hands. Her curiosity had flared up at the sight of it like throwing a log on weak flames.
"Well, I think you'll be pleased to know that I have a gift for you as well." She said placing her hands on her hips. Red stood and tilted his head down so that he could meet her eyes. He was almost a whole two feet taller than she was. He towered over not only her but many people. Faun on the other hand was quite small, shorter than most but she held herself with such power and pride that it was easy to forget her small size. She pulled out four large candy bars in silver shiny wrappers and held them out to him. Red snatched them and a grin spread across his face. "Awwww you knew I was low on Baby Ruths! You're forgiven I guess."
Faun smiled and shrugged. "Hey, what are sisters for?"
"Besides being a huge pain in the ass?" Faun punched his arm and let a short chuckle leave her lips.