04-20-2020, 01:48 AM
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Well, this was new.
Then again, almost everything was new.
Dark eyelashes batted as sunlight met the clammy surface of her features, pinprick pupils staring up at the glowing orb dangling among the clouds. She couldn't remember the last time she was allowed to see outside. And when outside was so... detailed. Was detailed the right word? It probably wasn't. But there was no dictionary around to find a new one. Instead of convenient bookshelves and cabinets, there was a vast expanse of sand, sand, and more sand. What could one person want all this sand for? A gloved paw dipped into the grains, wiggling at the unfamiliar texture as it sifted around her touch. She could remember a touch just as similar -- no, she couldn't. She had no memory of anything but the creators and the walls and what existed within those walls.
The girl who couldn't remember lifted her paw, watching in silent awe as the sand trickled from the cotton fabric adorning that paw, strands of fur apparent along the unlined edges. Still a vibrant, ginger red, at least. She couldn't endure another redesign. The shift from limited monochrome and voiceless words to bold hues and sound effects had shaken her right down to her bones -- did she have bones? She could remember breaking an arm once, in the yard, trying to climb a tree -- she never climbed any tree.
Shaking her head to rid herself of the dizzying thoughts, she took a moment to glance over the rest of the body attached to the now sandy paw. Yep, she was still herself. Just a bit furrier than she last remembered. And four-legged. But that wouldn't be a problem!
The girl-turned-dog tucked her legs beneath her, pushing upward and rising to stand. Fluff-tipped tail wagging slightly, there was no mirror among the sand to show her face. But there was water -- she never liked water. Warily approaching the advancing tides, she craned her neck to peer into a reflection, only to be met with a rippling surface and seafoam rushing up to her ankles. With a hearty squeal, the poodle sprung back, fur on end as though a lightning bolt tore through her in that moment of vulnerability.
Water had never felt so cold before.
Straightening to regain her composure for an unseen audience, Benji turned her gaze to behind her, eyes widening at the sight of tropical greenery. A jungle! What was she doing out in a jungle? Was she stranded? Pursing painted lips, she studied the ferns and shadows. Maybe there could be people out there? She could find them, maybe. Unless they found her. After all, she was a colorful rainbow among flecks of beige and tan and brown. Even the legally blind could discern her from a bland background. A shudder raced up her spine, her eyes squeezing shut and poofy ears lifting to shield eyelids further to avoid locking stares with whatever islander watched her. A game of hide-and-seek, right?
Something rustled out there in the jungle. She audibly gulped, ruffed collar flaring like a cobra while her ears still served as a blindfold.
Lo and behold, her prediction came true.
Then again, almost everything was new.
Dark eyelashes batted as sunlight met the clammy surface of her features, pinprick pupils staring up at the glowing orb dangling among the clouds. She couldn't remember the last time she was allowed to see outside. And when outside was so... detailed. Was detailed the right word? It probably wasn't. But there was no dictionary around to find a new one. Instead of convenient bookshelves and cabinets, there was a vast expanse of sand, sand, and more sand. What could one person want all this sand for? A gloved paw dipped into the grains, wiggling at the unfamiliar texture as it sifted around her touch. She could remember a touch just as similar -- no, she couldn't. She had no memory of anything but the creators and the walls and what existed within those walls.
The girl who couldn't remember lifted her paw, watching in silent awe as the sand trickled from the cotton fabric adorning that paw, strands of fur apparent along the unlined edges. Still a vibrant, ginger red, at least. She couldn't endure another redesign. The shift from limited monochrome and voiceless words to bold hues and sound effects had shaken her right down to her bones -- did she have bones? She could remember breaking an arm once, in the yard, trying to climb a tree -- she never climbed any tree.
Shaking her head to rid herself of the dizzying thoughts, she took a moment to glance over the rest of the body attached to the now sandy paw. Yep, she was still herself. Just a bit furrier than she last remembered. And four-legged. But that wouldn't be a problem!
The girl-turned-dog tucked her legs beneath her, pushing upward and rising to stand. Fluff-tipped tail wagging slightly, there was no mirror among the sand to show her face. But there was water -- she never liked water. Warily approaching the advancing tides, she craned her neck to peer into a reflection, only to be met with a rippling surface and seafoam rushing up to her ankles. With a hearty squeal, the poodle sprung back, fur on end as though a lightning bolt tore through her in that moment of vulnerability.
Water had never felt so cold before.
Straightening to regain her composure for an unseen audience, Benji turned her gaze to behind her, eyes widening at the sight of tropical greenery. A jungle! What was she doing out in a jungle? Was she stranded? Pursing painted lips, she studied the ferns and shadows. Maybe there could be people out there? She could find them, maybe. Unless they found her. After all, she was a colorful rainbow among flecks of beige and tan and brown. Even the legally blind could discern her from a bland background. A shudder raced up her spine, her eyes squeezing shut and poofy ears lifting to shield eyelids further to avoid locking stares with whatever islander watched her. A game of hide-and-seek, right?
Something rustled out there in the jungle. She audibly gulped, ruffed collar flaring like a cobra while her ears still served as a blindfold.
Lo and behold, her prediction came true.