Beauty and the Beast

Chapter 5

"Papa/mama" you called out, not being able to see through the smoke. "Dag gonnit" you heard through the smoke. "How on earth did that happen?"  Your f/m announced with irritation in his/her voice. "Are you alright?" You asked as the smoke began to clear. "I'm about ready to give up on this hunk of junk" your f/m replied, ignoring your question. You looked on the counter to see a small device spewing out smoke. Your f/m was an "inventor" for a small company out of town. He/she had been working on this specific device for a couple months now, though you still weren't sure what it was supposed to do, and were supposed to give a presentation about it tomorrow. "You always say that" you say, opening another window. "I mean it, this time. I'll never get this boneheaded contraption to work" he/she shouted to no one in particular. "Yes, you will. And you'll do fine at the presentation tomorrow" you encouraged. "Hmmph" was the only reply you received. "...and become a world famous inventor" you added, hoping to cheer your f/m up. "You really believe that?" He/she questioned. "I always have" you replied with a smile. "Well, what are we waiting for. I'll have this thing fixed in no time" he/she said, with pep in their voice. "Hand me that dog-legged clencher thing" he/she said. You grabbed a strange looking wrench and handed it to him/her. "So, did you have a good time in town today?" They asked while they began working on the device. "I got a new book" you paused "papa/mama, do you think I'm odd?" You asked. Your f/m turned towards you. You noticed that he/she had put on his/her magnifying glasses, distorting the appearance of his/her eyes. "My daughter? Odd? Where would you get an idea like that?" They questioned. "Oh, I don't know. It's just I'm not sure I fit in here. There's no one I can really talk to" you said as you sat down on a stool. "What about that Wilford? He's a handsome fellow" he/she said as he/she worked. "He's handsome all right, and rude and conceited and...oh papa/mama, he's not for me" you said with a sad tone. "Well, don't you worry, cause this invention's going to be the start of a new life for us" your f/m encouraged. You smiled at them as they removed the glasses. "I think that's done it. Now, let's give it a try" your f/m said with enthusiasm. The device flickered and beeped. You weren't really sure what was happening, but it wasn't exploding. "Is it working?" You asked. "I...I think it is" your f/m said with a laugh. You ran over and hugged him/her. "You did it! You really did it!" You said excitedly "I'll grab my coat! Then I'm off to the city!" Your f/m shouted, running to the other room. Within seconds they returned, coat in hand, and began heading out the door. You couldn't afford a car, and there wasn't much need for one, so you, and your f/m biked. The city was about a 3 hour bike ride from your house, plus stopping to rest. Your f/m would always bike down, stay the night, and come home the next day. You walked outside, and down the steps. Your f/m had already prepared his/her bike and had placed the device safely in the basket on the front of the bike. You walked over to him/her and hugged him/her tightly. "Goodbye papa/mama! Good luck" you said as you ended the hug. "Goodbye, y/n, and take care while I'm gone" he/she said before mounting the bike, and before you new it, he/she was out of sight.