Land And Water: Samir's Proudest Moment
Story Time! *Warning: Cursing, Abuse, Angst, Small Racist Slurs And Spoilers Of Character's Backstory*
"It was a normal sunny day in the Peace Kingdom, the weather was perfect, and the sky was as clear but has some clouds to the touch. It was Samir's third weekend on the land full of grass and trees, and the animal folk that either can fly, lift very heavy obstacles, and sometimes use magic and spells. Since being transported to Forest High Samir had always wanted to see a bit more of what the nonwatery world has more to offer. So he decided to put on his jogging outfit, grabbed his wallet and phone, and told his housemate Same Watanabe (shark in Japanese), that he'll be going out for some... "Fresh Air".
"While walking to the nearest town that he could spot from a far distance, the first thing that he went is to a tea shop for some morning tea and to see on what type of teapots that have for sale".
Samir: (Alright! Let's see what kinds of tea and pots they have here).
"As soon as he thought about it, some of the customers in the shop had already noticed Samir's presence. Some were shocked about his appearance, while some others were curious to the fact that a water folk was interested in some fresh herb tea. (It's actually a rare thing for them to see in person btw). The shop owner spotted Samir and welcomed him with open claws and greeted him to one of the finest tables near the window where the sun would hit you with a friendly and gentle warming touch."
Teashop Owner: I'll be right with you with your tea young man.
Samir: Umm... yeah sure, thanks old man... Sir...?
Teashop Owner: [Small laughter] Please, call Gingerbranch.
Samir: Oh! A-thank you Gingerbranch... Name's Samir, Samir Takahashi.
Mr. Gingerbranch: Oh ho! A Takahashi you say?
Samir: !... (The hell is he talking about)?
*Samir was highly unsure of what the 52 year old Plant Cat was talking about*
Mr. Gingerbranch: For you see young water breather, there are a few Takahashi creatures that I know and witness throughout my entire existence. Like "Satomi Takahashi" for example, he's a professor in a university, but in another country. And there is Atsushi Takahashi that is an astronomer. And for the last one on the list is Rumiko Takahashi, the first female manga artist to work on a boy's manga. Very talented and bright creatures they are. Oh, and I almost forgotten one and particular Takashi: Hitomi Takahashi! Hmm, my daughter love's her and her voice.
Samir: (Really? There are some Takahashi peeps out there that have incredible and great job careers? Well, the only Takahashi that I know out of the group is Hitomi Takahashi: Who is well known for her incredible voice and songwriting. I'm just surprised that even the land folk in these parts know about her and her work).
Mr. Gingerbranch: Have you heard her music? If so, which set is your favorite?
*Samir jumped for a second before responding with a small pinch of embarrassment*
Samir: I'm into J-Pop the most... Even though Rock is cool and all, but J-Pop had gotten me the most out of the rest of her music and songs.
*Gingerbranch smiled with approval, the kind of approval of a parent accepting their child's engagement*
Mr. Gingerbranch: My daughter loves that genre too! She would listen to it while she's doing her homework or doing chores around the shop or at home. She would even sing the lyrics sometimes whenever she's-
*Both of them then stop to turn around to the noise that interrupted their conversation*
???: Didn't we just talk about this a while back? I thought I requested you to not tell stories about me while we're at work or with strangers.
*She then paused to look at Samir and asked with a soft concern tone*
Gingerbranch's Daughter: Who are you? I haven't seen you around in this town or shop before... You must be one of the water Folk transfer students that I heard about from a close friend of mine.
Samir: Close friend? (Is there a land forest folk student in the school that is a friend of hers)?
Gingerbranch's Daughter: Yeah, his name is Lupo Harrot. Even though we don't go to the same school together, but he always keeps me updated about what his school was planning on doing or what some of the students are going to do the next day.
Samir: Wait really? So... You already knew about the transfer before it actually happened?
Gingerbranch's Daughter: Pretty much. But I told him that I wasn't too interested in what species they are, I saved that part out because I wanted to see you and the others myself in person.
*Samir somehow felt unsure about the last part, especially since he and Same were the only oceanic predators out of the entire transfer policy towards that school*
Malachite Gingerbranch: Anyway, the name's Malachite. Malachite Gingerbranch.
Samir: Samir Takahashi, nice to meet you... and your father...
*He said that last part with a bit of nervousness in his tone. And after that Mr. Gingerbranch finally spoke*
Mr. Gingerbranch: Anyway, do allow me and my daughter to continue our service in our shop. And I'll bring in your tea shortly young Takahashi.
Samir: W-wait, I didn't order anything Mr.-
Malachite Gingerbranch: You don't have to Samir.
*Malachite then decided to sit with him to explain it even more*
Malachite Gingerbranch: My entire side of my father's family tree has this special type of ability where they can read someone like a book and tell on what tea or type of meal that is well suited for them just by having a short good look at them.
*Samir was surprised about this small family secret*
Malachite Gingerbranch: Besides him and those before us, not a single one of them are Magic Cats. Yet their ability to read and tell a creature of any kind just by looking at them led to other cat folk, especially magic cat folk, to question how certain earth cat folk like them could even possess something like this. They tried to create spells to understand my father's family secret technique, but none were successful or fully completed their spells and magic. It was so much of a hard discovery for them that they'd finally given up the idea of replicating my father's family technique after seven generations.
Samir: Damn... Well, I hope you don't mind me saying this: But what really made them stop after all those years?
Mr. Gingerbranch: Because I told them what type of cat folk me and my family are.
*Mr. Gingerbranch interrupts the conversation with a small tea set and some cream biscuits for a side snack and then places them on the table*
*Samir asked before Mr. Gingerbranch decided to sit down himself*
Mr. Gingerbranch: You see young Takahashi, like the world you once lived in our world has our own set of creatures big and small. Either by pure blood or mixed blood, all of our air breathing creatures of both land and sky have their own set of different varieties of species. For example, Skunks belong to the Mephitidae, which makes them far more different from any rodent of the Rodentia family. And even though us cat folk are in the same cat family, that doesn't mean that our breeds are the same as others thought of it to be. That I know you can understand that one young Takahashi.
Samir: (Well yeah, of course I do, especially with my adoptive brother back at home).
*We entered to a flashback when Samir was a young boy in his own home back in the ocean*
"Samir's life was never easy since his adoptive brother came along: Satsujin Takahashi. A Basking Shark without a family or any other relative to look for guidance and support to call his own. Ever since he showed up in Samir's life his parents would often sometimes abuse him both physically and mentally. But all of that was the cause of his adoptive brother Satsujin, who would mostly make up excuses, blame him for things that he never done, and would study great white behavior before making it look like that Samir actually hurt him. He doesn't have close relatives or other family to go to, so for his entire life was a living hell. His parents still do birthdays and holidays with him, but not as the same as they once did before Satsujin came along into the picture. No matter how hard he tried in sports and at school, they never reached to his parent's approval or attention".
"But the school knows that Samir's life was in shambles and tried to associate with the Takahashi family, but even with their own words has caused Samir to have even deeper scars that are hard to remove or hide from. Thankfully the transfer had freed Samir from his horrid life that used to be his reality, but the most important thing is that both the school and his friend Same had made it happen for him. (Samir never knew it was his only best friend that also helped him from his old life and started out fresh)".
"But why did they really do all of that for him? Did they only do that because they're tired of his parent's disbeliefs and bad parenting? Didi any of this really helped him in some sort of way? If so, why couldn't or haven't done this sooner? What was the point of them waiting for the right moment to finally take action or a stand towards both his parents and Satsujin? Why exist to suffer like this and wait to finally be free from everything? Why"-
Mr. Gingerbranch: Oh my...
*Samir had finally snapped back into reality to look at Mr. Gingerbranch's way*
Mr. Gingerbranch: Oh, do forgive me young Takahashi... but I also see that you need something else beside the tea and cream biscuits that I served you.
*Samir looked at his tea and biscuits that are placed right in front of him, both freshly made to perfection and looked to still have their significant glammer*
Mr. Gingerbranch: Malachite darling, do you mind fetching the specific tea that we use whenever we have those moment of bad weather evenings?
Malachite Gingerbranch: Of course, right away.
*Malachite then proceeds to fetch the tea that her father requested to bring, while waiting for the tea Mr. Gingerbranch carefully placed his old paw onto Samir's arm*
Mr. Gingerbranch: I may never know on what life you had to deal with back in your world, but I'll let you know this one simple thing: Your new life on these lands will never be the same as they once were. Don't do things that will make others like you or accepts you. Instead, do things that really make you happy, things of what makes you yourself, things that others will appreciate and respect you for what you want to be. And what you really desired the most.
*Samir gave in a soft smile before responding and asking him a question*
Samir: Thanks... that's something that I've been wanting to hear for a really long time... But can I also ask you something?
Mr. Gingerbranch: Yes, go on.
*Mr. Gingerbranch gives in a smile as usual*
Samir: What type of cat folk are you? (I know I should've paid attention to the last part, but I still want to know on what type of cat he is)...
Mr. Gingerbranch: Well that's simple to answer; I'm a pure blood Plant Cat.
*Samir only researched all of the land and air folks before transferring to Forest High, he never read a single article or book about the many types of cat folk and their meanings before*
Mr. Gingerbranch: It may not look like it, but it's true. Despite of my appearance resembling a Flaming Cat, but the type of ability and power that I hold is 100% related to a Plant Cat. Even Malachite's mother is a pure blooded Plant Cat herself, but besides her species it's more of her hospitality and bright mind that gained more of my interest the most.
*Samir was a little glad to hear that, and somewhat exceptional of his answer*
Mr. Gingerbranch: You know young Takahashi, if you ever want to know anything about the us cat folk and what types of abilities and power that we each have, you are always welcome to come by the shop with yourself of the other transfer students whenever you like. But we are closed on the Thursdays and Sundays by the way.
Samir: [Laughs softly] Thank you, Mr. Gingerbranch. I appreciate it.
*As Mr. Gingerbranch leaves Samir alone to continue his work and business, Malachite finally came in with some calming tea to relieve the stress and negative thoughts that was bothering him earlier*
Malachite Gingerbranch: Hope that this helps for whatever was on your mind Samir.
*She said this while pouring into the extra cup next to his other cup that is filed with the other tea along with the biscuits*
Samir: Thank you, Malachite, and don't worry about it. Like a friend that I know always say: Time heals all wounds.
Malachite Gingerbranch: [Smiles softly with ease] Well, if this friend of yours is also a transfer student, I'd like to see them someday here at the shop.
Samir: [Scoffs softly in response] If he were to come over here someday, I must warn you of a little something that no one back in the ocean knows... He's obsessed with creatures of any kind who have heterochromia eyes and the color green of any shade in total.
Malachite Gingerbranch: Huh...?
*Samir knows this secret all too well, especially back then when they were children and Samir went to Same's place for the whole week while both of his parents were on a business trip and Satsujin was at one of his friend's places. Samir had bought a few varieties of color eye contacts for him to try out, since he was getting a bit tired of looking at his eyes that resembles his father's. The first one that he put on was a set of green eyes, even though he wasn't too fond of the color he decided to give it a shot. After he put one of them on Same went to the bathroom to grab some ear cleaners, and that is where it all happened"
"As soon as Same had his eyes locked into Samir's, he questioned him on what he was doing. Which he replied with that he was trying to see if any type of color of these fake eyes suited him the most, and this is where Same started to explode with pure high energy of love and interest. Both on the color green and the look that is identical to heterochromia. And on that day forward, Samir had learned about Same's deepest passion"
"While Samir can finally sit and relax on his morning tea and biscuits, he never thought that his third week on the dry and green lands would actually have a few friendly faces out of Rae and her best friend Chu Chu. And then the taste of the tea had caught up to him immediately after that thought*
Samir: (Damn, he wasn't kidding about the tea).
*Time had passed, and Samir was getting ready to walk out of the door when Malachite rushed in to stop him before he left*
Malachite Gingerbranch: Here, it's a little souvenir from our teashop. And your very own tea set along with a few herbs to make your own homemade tea while we're on our days off.
*Samir then gets the box out of the bag and saw a beautiful tea set that looks like it could be used for someone who is rich and high in quality. Besides the colors off of it, it was still a nice and thoughtful gift from the Gingerbranch family*
Samir: [Smiles lightly] Thank you.
*He then puts the box back into the bag before saying goodby to Malachite*
Malachite Gingerbranch: Hope to see you again Samir! And the other transfer students too.
Samir: Yeah, sure. (If the other transfer students are willing to come with me that is).
*On his way to the other side of the Peace Kingdome, he spotted a public park with little cat folk or land folk on sight. literally the perfect opportunity to take a nice and quiet jog around the new and open place. Before he could step into the park though, a security guard stopped Samir at his tracks before he could say anything to him*
Security Guard: May I have you name and reason young creature?
*Samir found the last part to be rude, but responded to the guard anyway*
Samir: Samir Takahashi, and I would like to have a small and steady jog around the park please.
*The security guard was pulled back by Samir's response*
Security Guard: Wait really!?... D-don't take this the wrong way around, but I thought that water folk creatures like to work in their stamina in the water like any other marine life would.
Samir: No... that's just a myth, at least that is what we only do every once in a while, but not as much as what our ancestors did back in the past. (I can't tell if this cat folk is secretly a racist or just strait up rude as hell...).
*His face doesn't show it, but his mind can express it*
Security Guard: Oh! Well... do forgive my words and comments about you and the rest of the creatures of the wet surface. But I do need to ask you a serious question before you could step any further into the park's grounds.
Samir: [Sighs but in a calming manner] Yeah sure, what is it?
Security Guard: Are you planning to make this your first and last day around the park, or are you planning to come by every once in a while here?
Samir: Umm, I'm not so sure about that. But hopefully I'd get my answer once I'm done with my stay here for the day.
Security Guard: It's okay to not have an answer right now, there's no rush into it. But even if it's your first or probably your only time around here, I'd like to show you something real quick.
*The security guard then walks up the side of the gate where he reveals a hidden set of lockers, some that already have some stuff and belongings inside*
Samir: What is all of this?
Security Guard: It's a policy that we have in the Peace Kingdom. Whenever someone of any kind wants to spend their time here at this park, we'd have these special lockers that would store and protect their valuables or certain and extra items that they wish to place them inside. Only to prevent from robbery and theft. And just like any other post office, they each have their own set of numbers. Which these set of lockers can only go up to 1-335 lockers in total. Crazy, isn't it?
*Samir was speechless on what he saw, and a bit jealous too. Like why they couldn't have this back in the ocean? It would've felt a bit more sense than what he had to experience while growing up. And right in the moment in his thoughts is where the security guard shows Samir the locker where he would put in his valuables, number 125*
Security Guard: This is where you'll be putting in your stuff here whenever you're ready to enter into the park. Here, let me open up for you.
*As the security guard opens up the locker, Samir then noticed a familiar pen beside a journal and a book that reads: Tales Of Both Ruin And the Unknown*
*It's basically a book old stories told by adventurers of the past and ancient paintings and scripts*
Samir: Hey, isn't that Rae's pen? [Said it while pointing at the pen]
Security Guard: Hm? Oh, you know little Mrs. Matsumoto too?
Samir: "Little Mrs. Matsumoto"? (Guess I'm not the only one with a weird ass nickname in this world)... [He says this while also imagining her as an old granny]
Security Guard: Well yes, she and her family would usually come by here to have some quality family time. And would sometimes have birthdays or any other celebration here with either friend or family, it's always nice to have those types of activities here at the park. [He says it while looking at the open park before looking back at Samir]
Security Guard: Here, let help you take care of that for you. [Reaching out to grab Samir's bag out of his hand]
Samir: Oh yeah, here. Thanks. [As he handed him his stuff to the security guard]
*The moment the security guard had saw what bag it was, he instantly knew of where it came from*
Security Guard: "Teashop Branch" huh? Heard that it's one of the most secretive places out of the entire Peace Kingdom. Especially the Gingerbranch family that can somehow read other creature folk of any kind like a book.
Samir: (So, he knows about the family's secret too? I don't even know why I should be surprised about it, or maybe it's because that I just don't really care at the moment).
*After putting up Samir's bag in the safety locker, the security guard finally lets him in to start off with his jog. As he ran around the park, he saw some things that were never part of the park that he grew up knowing: There were water faucets where originally in the ocean was phonebooths, and that it was 100% clean. 30% more cleaner than what the park back in the ocean. Even though the city and the nearby kingdoms tried their best about the pollution, but not everyone can follow the protocol now, can they? *
*Several minutes have passed and Samir's jog was a lot fuller and more spacious than what he thought it would be. His jog was later stopped by a familiar voice from not too far away from where he stood in his tracks. He then peeked to where the voice was located, which it turned out that the voice was no other than Rae Matsumoto. Just sitting there minding her own business near the water fountain in the middle of the park, just... staring into her own reflection as if she's starring into a clear glass mirror...*
*But then a sinister thought had crawled into his mind... an evil idea that will change both of their moods for the rest of the entire day. Samir then creeped his way to Rae's direction but from behind and made some small noise that would hopefully get her attention, which it did! It caught Rae's attention, and she immediately stood up from where she sited and walked up to the noise that got her standing. She'd taken a small peek, but no one or nothing was there and thought that her mind was playing tricks with her, that is what she though until Samir scared her from behind and caused her to fall inside of the fountain*
*She immediately gasped for air after her fall and turned to see of where the laughter was coming from. And soon after she found out on who it was, she became fired up with rage and got out of the fountain all soaked and wet. On the other hand, as soon as Samir stopped laughing his gills out, he then decided to pull out his phone and took a selfie of himself and the angry skunk squirrel right behind him*
Rae: Hey, I'm talking to you young Takahashi! Now tell me on what the hell was all of that for!?
*Rae says this while Samir was looking at the photo that he took, and then he finally turned around and looked at the small skunk squirrel hybrid*
Samir: Relax, it was just a simple and harmless prank. It's not like that you actually drowned in that tiny ass fountain at all, now have you?
*Rae's face was starting to turn all red from frustration, until Samir casually landed his old jacket that was from his old school to Rae to make sure that she does not get cold or that her fur becomes all stiff*
Samir: Here take this, and don't worry about returning it back to me at school. I don't ever plan on keeping it any time sooner, I was originally planning on throwing it away or burning it this weekend. But since I'm feeling a bit generous besides of giving it to you because you're completely wet and socked, consider this my first small gift from me. Just make sure you wash it afterwards to get rid of the leftover shark scent.
*Rea was unsure about this unexpected gesture from Samir*
Rae: ...Thanks Samir... [A slight bit of blush had shown upon her face]
Samir: Don't worry about... Pft, "Little Mrs. Matsumoto".
Rae: So you've meet Mr. Glitcher huh?
Samir: Wait, Mr. Glitcher...?
Man, this felt like that this drawing had taken me for ages!😭
(Maybe it's because it kinda did, but you'll see it in one of the reblogs).😅
Anyway, I hope that all of you like/love the newest Land And Water post of the month.😺
(And Happy Mermay... kind of)...😅
