Slime-Cycle (Humble Beginnings)

37. Missing Slime, and losing Apollo

They listened to the wind.

It blew through the tall grass, causing ripples in the field like waves in an ocean.

Slime laid beneath the flowing grass, staring up at the sky with their eyes half closed.

This was nice.

They were having a day out with their friend. After exploring the surounding area, they were tuckered out and went to rest in the field.

It was peaceful.

For a good while, thats all they did. Lay there, swaying their feet side to side and gazing up at the sky.

A faint smile rested on their face.

After a bit of this, a shadow slowly appeared in their vision, blocking out half the sky.

They heard a soft chuckle from above them, and their smile grew wider.

"Comfortable, are you?" The voice of his friend teased.

Slime smiled a goofy grin, looking up to see their friend with her sunhat, and a dress flowing with the grass at each gust of wind.

She was beautiful. Who needed the sun when she was there?

They pushed themselves up, adjusting the tight dress shirt theyd been given a few days ago. They didnt quite understand why they needed to wear such restricting cloths, but it made their friend happy when they wore it, so they didnt mind.

Standing up to be beside their friend, they turned to smile at her.

She softly smiled back.

"Here. I want to show you something." She spoke quietly, turning to carefully walk through the field towards the sun that was just beginning to set. "Follow me."

Slime tilted their head, watching her for a moment before going to follow her as she led them through the grass.

The two of them walked for a while, before finally reaching the downward slope of a hill that led out into a wide open horizon.

The wind blew over them stronger now, the chill of the day beginning to get colder as the sun got closer and closer to setting.

The view was gorgeous. They could see for miles out across the forest and the fields.

The girl looked over at them with a faint smile. "Out there." She spoke softly. "Do you see those lights?" She asked.

Slime paused, looking out to where the girl had pointed. There was something out there.

Orangish yellow lights flickered off in the distance. They could faintly see human built structures surounding them.

"Thats L'manburg." She spoke, watching Slimes eyes widen with curiosity, staring ahead at the horizon. "Thats the town I come from."

Slime turned to look at her, head tilted.

"You have to promise me you will never go there." She asked, her smile fading.

Slimes smile faded as well.

She looked at them with a concerned gaze. "The people there arent like me." She began. "And they wouldnt understand how special you are."

"If you went over there, those people would fear you. And when people are afraid of something, they lash out." She trailed off.

Slime looked at her, their brows furrowing.

"I dont want you to get hurt." She spoke softly.

Slime glanced away with a frown.

The woman sighed. "I know, its sad." She empathized. "But its better that they dont know about you, lest they decide you're a danger.."