Good Morning, Mr. Kay - E.M.P. Book 1

ten.

Illustration [Kelpakaichi with Sarah Hickory.  Their story will be told in The Report on Creature Blu.]: https://www.quotev.com/story/13784110/Good-Morning-Mr-Kay-EMP-Book-1/10

The dark, frightening ocean lapped against the trestles of the birch pier, and incandescent blue roses hugged the boards beneath Hua's rump.  She and Eve were sitting at the edge of the new addition to the dimension, and flickering stars glistened above, cold like diamonds.  Eve was fascinated by the atmosphere above her, and she swiped an uneasy paw at the blackness.

"Have you ever left White Space?" Hua asked.

"No.  I am too afraid to."  Eve got up, and her thick coat rustled as she jumped up, clawing at the stars.  She was frustrated about how far away they were; depth was not something she comprehended easily.  "I have only heard about the other dimensions or seen them through portals."

"Other dimensions are nice.  But don't come to Earth's dimension.  A lot of us would be confused by a creature like you."

"Oh, I know.  You handled me quite a bit better than your father did, Ms. Hua."

"How did he react?"

"He fainted immediately.  I thought I killed him, and I didn't know how I would explain to Blu about the dead human.  She adores humans as well.  Thinks you all are cute."

"Cute?"

"Yes, like how your kind adores dogs."

"Oh."

"It's not in a condescending way, though.  Blu thinks you all look adorable."

A distant shout sped over a breeze, and Hua dragged her gaze away from the concerned Eve towards the indiscernible sound.  Rings of light were being emitted from the horizon, and the orbs of illumination surrounded swinging oil lamps.  Hua jumped to her feet as she made out the indigo silhouette of gorgeous pirate ship floating upon the grand waters, and she swore she could make out her name from the desperate calls.  Her father had been gone for what seemed to be hours, and Eve and her had discovered the ocean expanse he had made.  A beach littered the shoreline, and Eve had been captivated by the trillions of grains of sand.  She picked up handfuls and dropped them for about half an hour, unsure about the concept of sediment.  Water had also blown her away.

After Eve found her bearings, they settled upon the pier, watching the waves roll about.  Hua grabbed onto Eve's forearm and jumped up and down, pointing.

"Dad's back!  Dad's back!"

Eve pricked her ears and began to emit a strange chortling sound as excitement bubbled through her.  She twirled in sluggish circles, keeping her head towards the ship.  A brilliant shockwave rumbled over the waters, and a rowboat darted up to the dock, its white paint glistening in the illumination from the blossoms.  Eve squeaked happily and jumped in, ignoring Hua's cry to stay still, and she almost fell into the ocean.  As the boat slowed its rocking, Eve looked expectantly up at Hua, who finally lowered herself into the tiny vessel.  After she settled into one of the stiff seats, the rowboat drifted hastily over the surface of the water, returning to the ship that had sent it out.

The wind was filled with humidity, and little droplets of water began to drench Eve's tan fur.  There was no moon to guide the way, and the world began to grow spooky and dark as they abandoned the glowing pier.  It was startling at first, but the comfort of the great ship coming into view dissolved any hesitation that Hua had.  The rowboat slowed its journey as it neared the watercraft, and a rope ladder launched over the uneven driftwood guard rails.

Hua hooked her hand around one of the bamboo rungs, and she clambered up.  She released a soft shriek as Eve jerked the bottom of the rope, trying to see if she could climb up it as well.

"Eve!" Hua cried.  "Let me get up first." 

Hua finished traveling to the main deck, and Mr. Kay happily hugged her at the top, a broad smile plastered on his face.  Hua hadn't seen her father so thrilled in about ten years.  The last time he was this ecstatic was when he got an incredible raise for his surgical practices, and Hua now realized he was just glad he was free from poverty.  It wasn't pride for his work.

A sharp c***k leapt through the air before a deep splash greeted the humans' ears.  They rushed to the side to gaze at Eve desperately clawing about in the black waters before she hooked onto the side of the ship.  She jumped hastily up to the cannon holes in the hull, great waterfalls of water dribbling off her coat.  Eve finally made it to the main deck, and little bits of water splattered against Mr. Kay's and Hua's faces as she shook her pelt dry.

"Mr. Kay, you must make your ladders stronger," Eve remarked humorously before she trotted off towards the gallery, excited to explore her foreign surroundings.

As she bumbled into the indigo darkness, Mr. Kay swung his arm about, and the great sails undid themselves, causing the ship to lurch and emit a deep, dark creak.  The gusts picked up, and the warm flow of air dragged them into the night.  Hua watched the glowing pier reduce to a blue pinprick on the horizon as they traveled further into her father's world.  Mr. Kay followed his daughter's gaze.

"We are traveling to a distant hinterland," he told her.  "I want to build a town."

Hua remained silent.

"Are you alright?"

"Eve showed me her face."

"Oh dear."  Mr. Kay embraced his distraught kin tightly, trying to squeeze out all of her fear.

"The bones, the tendons..." Hua breathed.

"Hmm?  That's what scared you?"

Hua pulled her head back and locked her eyes on her father's contorted, confused face.  "Yes?"

"Oh, I was afraid of the mirror."

"The mirror?"

"She can force me to see myself."