Too Much To Ask - Snufmin

The Story Of the Bug Infested

A pair of hours had passed since the two fanciers had arisen from a rightful rest. The mumrik and the troll agreed to pay a visit to the folk in need of a helping hand.

They were met by the father and son watching their home turn black from all the bugs coating its walls.
They then turned their gaze towards Snufkin and his companion.

"Moomin, are you sure y-"
"Yes! I can do this!"

Snufkin covered his mouth.

"I was going to ask you if you brought the sponges"

Snufkin laughed as Moomin blushed brightly, shaking his head with a frustrated look!

"O-Oh right! I, um. I think I forgot"
He hastily glanced down the bucket he had brought.

A relieved sigh escaped him.

"Yes, I got them"

"We got you these"
Sniff happily presented a couple of jars, causing Snufkin to sigh.

He did not look forward to cleaning up the Muddlers mess.

"Oh, Snufkin! I got an idea!"
The mumrik smiled softly, wiping some sweat off of his forehead.
"Yes, Moomin?"
"Well, I don't know much about beetles but if they are anything like ants, they should have some sort of ruler. Shouldn't we exterminate him or her first?"
Snufkin nodded, absolutely agreeing with every word his dearest and quite frankly, his only friend uttered.
"That's a brilliant idea, Moomintroll. You are so smart"

Moomintroll giggled softly, helping the poor boy cool down in the hot weather by handing him a cold can of soda.
As the mumrik downed the drink, Moomintroll got to work.
He gagged at the sight of the creatures. They wouldn't have been a problem if they weren't massive.
They could easily devour a bird.

The outdoors didn't take too long to clean, it was the inside that took the most patience and practice.

Moomintroll kept all of the Bugs in different sized jars while Snufkin captured them.
Muddler and Sniff did offer their help but the young boys politely declined.
They'd only make things worse.

Thereupon another few hours of imprisoning the bugs, they were done.
Moomin had trapped the queen! Or king, you never know!
He proudly showed them off in his jar.
"What do we do with it?"
"Kill it!" Sniff exclaim in hatred.
"Hey, that's not the way! Right, Snufkin?"
The mumrik sough. He couldn't tolerate making his best friend upset.
"Right. Let's keep them in there for the night though"
Smothering the things seemed like effortless extermination.

Moomin snickered softly, too naive to comprehend what was going on.

"Sure!"

The Muddler seemed relatively delighted to have his house back. Normally, it would be relatively apparent but the way the two of them live -
It's not human. The mumrik had a tough time comprehending how and why they would prefer to live that way.

"Thanks, boys. Are you sure you don't want anything in return?"
"No thank you, Muddler. You do owe Snufkin though!" Moomin cackled with his paws seated on his hips.

The Muddler nodded at the lads
"Of course. Come by anytime and I'll help you out"

~Time Skip~

Moomin and his friend were on their way back to Moominhouse but a pair of stops in between couldn't hurt.

Moomin tugged Snufkins tunica as he caught a glimpse of the beautiful sunset. The orange and yellow blending into the pink and purple.
It reminded him of something.
He rapidly turned to peek at Snufkin who appeared a bit confused over whatever his buddy was up to.

Moomintroll bobbed his head reassuringly.

"Your eyes, they look like the sunset!"

The cat person murmured something under his breath whilst he grew bashful.

"Thanks"

The inexperienced troll turned red as well.

"No worries"

Moomintroll veered around to face the dusk that discreetly moved down.