A little "friend" TGE oneshot.
@loftwingofcrimson @meadow-roses @thelittlebantamrooster @starrysketcher
HEHEH More tge stories!
Fanfic masterpost:
A branch snapped beneath Picket's paw as he weaved through the dense bushes surrounding him.
He was with his Master, Helmer, and together they were transporting a small letter from Prince Smalden to a Warren that was yet to join Smalls side.
“You think they’ll be nice?” Picket asked the black rabbit.
“I’ve been here a few times.” Helmer said. “Didn’t really make too many enemies.”
“So is that a yes then?” Picket questioned.
“I would assume, but a lot can happen in 15 years.” Helmer responded.
“That’s a long time.” Picket said.
“Before the kings fall, Picket.” Helmer said.
Picket went silent, he imagined a young Helmer, sometimes running around with a sword, much like himself, he imagined a few other scenarios, he let out a small chuckle.
“What's funny lad?” Helmer asks the golden buck.
“Nothing.” Picket quickly said, Helmer would kill him if he knew Picket was imagining him with a bucket stuck on his head.
As the two bucks approached the Warren door, a guard with a spear steep forward and blocked them.
“Who goes there?” The guard asked.
“Tell Lord Bard that ol’ ragtag fluff ball is here to see his dimwit cotton tail.” Helmer said.
Picket looked at his master confused, “Ragtag fluff ball?” he thought. The guard looked equally as confused as Picket.
“Uhh, Hey Marckas!” The guard yelled inside the warren door.
“Yeah?” Marckas yelled back.
“Tell Lord Bard that the ‘Ragtag fluff ball’ is here?”
“Uhh… Okay?...”
Picket heard shuffling of the rabbit leaving to tell Lord Bard.
“Master?” Picket turned to Helmer.
“Yes lad?” Helmer asked, moving his hand to fuss with his sword hilt.
“Ragtag fluff ball? Wanna elaborate on that one?” Picket asked, Helmer froze his hand.
“Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer for.” Helmer said after a moment.
“Wait, but I want to-”
“GREETING OL’ FLUFFER!” A brown and cream rabbit said, waltzing through the gate door.
The rabbit shoved Picket away from Helmer’s side and wrapped the black rabbit in a massive hug.
Picket frowned as he slowly stood up and brushed the dirt off.
“What was that for?!” Picket yelled at the Lord Bard, he was a large rabbit, larger than Helmer.
Lord Bard let go of Helmer and turned to face the golden buck.
“Well, well, well Helm, didn’t think a doe would actually take ya!” Bard said, elbowing Helmer in the chest.
“He’s not my son.” Helmer responded.
“Really? Then who is this nobody?” Lord bard asked.
Picket gasped. “Nobody!?” But before Picket could say anything, Helmer stepped in
“This nobody is actually my very capable and strong apprentice named Picket Longtreader, you may have heard of him”
“Ah! Ol’ little Picket longtreader aye?” Bard said, pushing Picket again but with less force.
Picket bit back a scowl. “Yeess siirr….” he grimaced.
“Hey O’l little buck! Turn that sorry frown upside down!” Bard said. Picket frowned harder.
“Anyways dimwit, we need to go inside and discuss the reason we are here for.” Helmer said, stepping between Lord Bard and Picket.
“Ah yes, of course.” Lord Bard said, turning and waltzing back inside the gate, motioning to the guards to let the visitors inside.
Approaching a brown door Lord Bard turned to the two bucks.
“You two can stay here while I attend a meeting I have, afterwards my attendees can fetch you and you can tell me why yall are here!” Lord Bard said. “Bit hurt it wasn’t just cuz yah wanted to see me Helm.”
“I’ve been busy.” Helmer responded, walking into the room with Picket following close behind.
“With a doe?” Lord Bard asked, smirking.
“No, with depression.” Helmer said, so casually and monotone that Lord Bard thought it was sarcasm, he laughed, patting his knee.
“Good one fluffball! For a second there I thought you were serious!” He said.
Helmer's blank expression did not change. “I wasn’t a joke, Bard.” He said.
“Was that a hint of hurt in Master's voice?” Picket thought, he watched the reaction of the Lord, it was still a smile.
“Sure it wasn’t.” Lord Bard said, then he turned around and walked out the door.
Helmer sighed and slung his pack off his back onto the floor. “Rest up Ladybug, dealing with him is exhausting."
“Then why were you so adamant on being the one who delivers the message?” Picket asked.
“Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer for Lad.” Helmer said.
“But I Do want the answer for my questions I ask!” Picket complained.
“Too bad, I don’t want to answer them.” Helmer said, laying down on one of the bunks and facing away from Picket.
Picket sighed, “Helmer is so confusing! Hopefully this will be over quickly and he can forget about it.” Picket thought as he laid down on his bunk to rest.
(One Hour later.)
Admiring the elaborate paintings on the wall, Picket wondered who painted them, he looked away from the paintings back at the rabbit leading them.
He and Helmer got called 10 minutes ago and were now following the attendee to Lord Bard’s meeting room to discuss siding with Smalls.
“Here we are, head on inside.” The attendee said, before walking away from the two bucks.
Picket placed a paw subtly on his sword hilt, he hoped he wouldn't need to use it.
Helmer walked in first, greeting Lord Bard, Picket followed in with a slight frown.
“Hello again my friends!” Lord Bard said, shaking Helmer's hand, turning to face Picket he said. ”Here I thought little lads such as yourself were supposed to smile!” He held out his hand for a handshake.
Picket’s slight frown deepened, as he kept his hands at his side.
“Dang fuzzles, you got a disobedient little lad here!
Helmer’s face remained neutral to most, but Picket noticed the shift in his expression that meant Helmer was not pleased with that sentence. Picket smiled, he was glad Helmer didn’t approve of this behavior.
“Oh now you're a smiley little lad huh?” Came Bard's sassy remark. ”What’s got you all smiley all of a sudden?”
Picket’s frown returned.
Bard raised an eyebrow but didn’t speak further, instead he waltzed over back behind his desk and sat down, gesturing to the chairs in front of him. “Take a seat friends! Let me know why you came here!”
Helmer remained standing, so Picket did the same.
Bard waited a moment before realizing they weren't going to sit down
“Anywizzle… What brings you here my furry freckled fluff ball?” Bard asked, leaning forward and placing his elbows on the desk.
Helmer reached into his pocket and pulled out the letter from Prince Smalls.
“Prince Smalden Joveson wishes for you to join our forces in assistance to defeat the threat of Morbin Blackhawk.” Helmer said, sliding the letter over to Lord Bard.
Lord Bard picked up the letter, looked at it for less than five seconds, then ripped it in half.
“No.” Bard said it in the most serious tone Picket had heard so far.
“WHAT!?!” Picket shouted. “YOU DON”T WANT TO HELP DEFEAT OUR OPPRESSOR!?!”
“Hmm, not really.” Lord Bard said. “This isn’t a good assistance pitch, if you want me to help, you gotta try harder than that lazy letter.”
“PRINCE JUPITER SMALDEN JOVESON HIMSELF WROTE THAT LETTER! THE MOST YOU COULD DO WAS ACTUALLY READ IT!!!!!!” Picket screamed.
“Ladybug. You are not helping the situation!” Helmer said.
“Ugh! This is impossible!” Picket said, stomping his foot on the ground. "HOW ELSE DO WE GET YOU ON OUR SIDE!? IF YOU WON"T EVEN TAKE A LETTER FROM THE PRINCE!
Helmer's face seemed to soften. “Ladybug,” Helmer began crouching down to Pickets level. “I know this is tough but.--”
Picket looked at his master, surprised that Helmer seemed to be choosing encouragement.
“-You need to suck it up so we can get on with it.” Helmer finished.
Picket frowned, of course Helmer wasn’t going with encouragement
“Yeah lad, you should know your place, little lads don’t talk unless their masters allow them too!” Lord Bard said. Helmer whipped around to face him.
“Excuse me?” He asked.
“What’s the matter little Helm? Did I say something wrong?” Lord Bard asked.
“He can speak if he wants! Yeah sometimes I tell him to shut up but I don’t own him!” Helmer shouted, slamming his hand on Lord Bard’s desk. "That's slavery!"
“Easier if he was your slave, little lads such as–” Helmer cut him off
“Call him a little lad again and I will slit your throat!” Helmer jabbed Bard in the chest with a finger.
Bard moved his hands up in a slight surrender. “Calm down their freckles, I mean no harm.”
Helmer leans closer into Bards space. “My. name. is. Helmer.” He said with a dark expression.
“Yeesh, okay!” Lord Bard began. “Dang! Did Airen--”
Helmer punched the larger buck. “Leave my sis-TERS NAME, out of your mouth!” Helmer said, voice laced with venom.
Picket made no move to stop his master, even when Bard glanced up at him in pure fear, he knew Helmer wouldn't do anything rash. (Beside punch the guy)
Helmer stared a moment longer at the shaking buck before exhaling and moving toward the door. “Come on Ladybug, we’re leaving.”
Picket stared at the quivering buck for a moment longer before growling at him and following Helmer.
As the two bucks made it back into the forest Picket asked. “What was that reaction to him saying Ariens name? You didn’t do that for the few others who mention her.”
Helmer sighed. “Ladybug, don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer for.”
Picket chuckled, I guess your right this time, i don’t wanna know.”
