A New Beginning
Chapter 8: Old Friends
Standing on his front patio the Dandyman took a long drag of his cigar and blew out a cloud of smoke. It was well past noon, reaching late into the evening and the chitter chatter of fluffy voices echoed around him. The herd of fluffies had long since cleaned up the overgrown grass surrounding his home and had slowly begun to clear the area outside it. With the front and back yards cleaned the Dandyman cleared the area of deadly beasts leading towards one of the nearby barns. The group of fluffies were happily working, the array of coloured fluff within his view.
Taking a puff he stepped down from the patio, his hands tucked into the pockets of his suit. Walking down the dirt path, he made a mental note to pave it over and approached the fluffs. The first to notice his presence was the smarty Lemon, always on the lookout and aware of her surroundings. The other fluffies looked up one after the other, saying hello in their high pitched baby-like voices before returning to work.
The herd smarty Lemon bounded over and sat in front of him, her little face beaming with glee.
“Hewwo mistah Dwandymwan. Can Wemon hewp u?” The little fluff spoke with excitement yellow tail wagged happily. Crouching down to her the Dandyman placed a hand atop her fuzzy head and gently scratched the back of her right ear.
"I’m letting you know that there’ll be some more humans arriving tomorrow. So take extra care to watch over your herd." Antonio, an old acquaintance, had called three days ago about a job for the Don. The Dandyman had accepted the task to retrieve information from one of the Don’s guests. Instead of leaving, the Dandyman had requested the guest be brought to the property in return for a favour. He didn’t want to leave the herd unattended.
“Hoomans? Wy hoomans cum?” Lemon looked concerned, her tiny pony body shaking fearfully at the idea of more humans hanging around. She had only ever heard terrible things about humans from her mother who had heard tales from her mother.
"They’ll be fixing up the barn over there." The Dandyman indicated to the barn behind the fluffies the closest one to the house.
The House was at the back of the property facing east, allowing him to see the sunrise every morning. A driveway connected from the house to the east. The property was forty-nine acres, the homestead was towards the back of he property about nine acres in and the remainder extended from the left of the house. Close to the house were four old dilapidated barns built in a line. The barns were grouped in twos with a gap between them.
“Hoomans bwad fu fwuffies.” Lemon whimpered as her tail stopped wagging and ears drooping.
“I’ll tell the other human’s not to hurt you or your herd. I’ll be very explicit. You and your herd are my guests here. As long as you are working on my land as good fluffies, I’ll protect you.” The Dandyman reassured the little white mare.
“Weawwy? Dwandymwan pwotwect fwuffies and hewd.” Asked Lemon tentatively asked, looking for any sort of lies with her big green eyes. The Dandyman gave a reassuring smile and gently patted her head.
“I promise. You and your herd are good fluffies. Now you and your herd should gather up, it’s getting late, you should look at heading home.” The Dandyman rose to his full height and brushed off his suit. Lemon nodded and ran off to her herd gathering them up. The little herd collected themselves, the sleds and began getting ready to leave.
“Bwye bwye mistah Dwandymwan. C u newx bwite time!” A chorus of yells from the fluffies came as they waved their little hoofs and headed back into the outback. Lemon led the herd off as the toughies took formation and the workers dragged the sleds away.
Watching the fluffies leave, the Dandyman returned to the homestead. Walking in through the front door he pulled his phone from his pocket and began to ring Antonio.
“Yes?” Came the response from the rough and deep voice on the other end.
“Checking in on your progress. You didn’t get lost trying to find the podunk town nearby?”
“You’re a right prick at times you know that? Why did you have to pick some country ass town in the middle of nowhere to live near?” The tone was pointed and judgemental, eliciting a snort from the traveller.
“Because it was out in the middle of nowhere. I like my privacy. Last thing I want are nosey neighbours and city life.”
“Middle of nowhere is right, there’s barely service for wifi. Some of the new soldiers are complaining aboutthe place. Boring, nothing to do and extremely hot. There are city boys, that’s for sure. Ooooi Vinnie watch what you’re doing you mook that’s expensive!” Antonio’s voice moved away and shouted loudly, the Dandyman ignored it assuming one of the boys had messed up.
“Well they don’t have to like it. If they don’t they are more than welcome to take it up with the Don. I’m sure he’d be appreciative.” The Dandyman removed another cigar and lit it up taking puffs as he spoke.
“That would go about as well as telling me mamma her cannolis taste like rubber.”
"But we still ate them despite the taste. That aside, how is your guest?
“Comfortable.” Antonio’s tone mocked.
“Good. Keep him that way. Now you brought everything right? Enough materials and men for the job?”
“Hey now who do you think you’re talking to here? Antonio always comes through. The Don is extremely grateful for your help, he appreciates it and he always repays in kind. The Don took great lengths to spare no expense you hear? The Don still favours you Dandy, you may have been but an associate but you are considered family. You know we take care of our family.”
“I appreciate it, I wouldn’t be doing this if I didn’t. The Don was good to me. I’ll see you tomorrow, rest well.”
“You got it.” With a click the Dandyman hung up on his old acquaintance Antonio. He went about preparing, he had been fixing up the old shed close to the homestead, fixing it up and sound proofing it. The door had been reinforced as the only way of entry or exit. He had even gotten out his old tools of the trade all in preparation for his little guest.
The Dandyman spent the remainder of his time preparing, laying out a black suit with red trim, matching tie and homburg. Whenever he was on the job for the Don this was the suit he wore. The Dandyman had dozens of suits each for different occasions, when it came to meeting with certain guests, black and red was his choice. Getting an early night the traveller drifted off to sleep.
The next day came and as always the traveller was greeted by the herd of fluffies led by Lemon. He greeted them and received a chorus of replies.
“Gud dway mistah Dwandy!” Lemon led the greeting.
“Hewwo nice Mistah!”
“Gud Bwite time!”
“Happies bwite time!”
The chorus of fluffies would respond before receiving their tasks for the day. They eagerly got to work without making a fuss. The Dandyman set up the water trough and filled it up making sure they were hydrated. He would then return to the homestead to make himself coffee, he rarely ate in the morning since coming to this world. He would then walk out to the patio and watch the fluffies as he drank his morning brew. Black voids watching as the tiny creatures went to work. Brown coloured fluff shortly drawing his attention. Up the little walkway trotted Twig a flower in his mouth.
The little earthie trotted up to the Dandyman, his little tail wagging as he dropped a small flower at the travellers feet.
“Gud bwite time dwandymwan! Twig hab gif fu u! Pwetti Fwowa!” The little earthie said with a beaming smile, lately he had become more open with the traveller and started leaving small gifts for him. One day was a rock, another a leaf Twig thought was pretty and today a flower.
Bending down the Dandyman picked the little flower up and gave Twig a pat on his head, “Thank you Twig, I’ll wear it proudly.” He then slid the flower into the right lapel of his suit. The flower was a pretty red waratah, a native flower of these lands. Twig then bounded off singing about the biggest heawt happies.
“Funny little bugger.” The Dandyman drank the last of his coffee and went about his morning deeds. He would check his phone as Antonio texted saying they would arrive by eight. Checking his watch, he had an hour until then. Taking the hour he cleaned himself up and dressed in his suit. Straightening out the silk jacket he stepped out the front door as he heard the sounds of engines in the distance.
“Mwetaw munstah!” One of the fluffies cried followed by another. The herd began to panic and ran about trying to find somewhere to hide.
“FWUFFIES!” Wemon yelled in her biggest voice to draw the herd’s attention, snapping them out of it. Luckily none of them had done any scaredy poopies, a blessing that in their frightened state they had remembered not to make a mess.
“Smawty Wemon say it am awrite! Hooman fwens ob dah Dwandymwan! Nu nee be scwadies!” Lemon attempted to comfort the herd and calm the situation. The fluffies looked a little unsure and frightened at the mention of humans.
“Hewd stway tugeda! Wook out fu wun anudda!” Lemon looked at her toughies who moved to the outer edges of the work area. The workers would be moved inwards as Lemon soothed them over. She would walk up to each fluffy giving them soft licks before returning to work.
Good job Lemon." The Dandyman complimented the little white fluff who waved a hoof to him and continued to sooth her herd.
“Hopefully there isn’t an incident.”
Looking down the driveway four black sedans and half a dozen trucks followed behind them. The vehicles came roaring down the driveway, the trucks coming to a halt a little closer to the barns. The four sedans pulled up with one pulling away and coming to a stop closer to the homestead. The fluffies shivered, trying to avoid the metal monsters so they scurried into the tall grass to hide.
The drivers door opened and a man in black suit and shades stepped out. He walked around to the rear driver side passenger door and opened it. Another figure stepped out a man in his late forties, well combed slick black hair, shadows and matching black suit. The man strained out his clothing and walked across, approaching the Dandyman, briefly eying the fluffies from the corner of his eyes as they peeked from the tall grass.
“Well you weren’t kidding about the shitrats.” The rough gruff voice of Antonio rose as the man stared at the Dandyman.
“When have you ever known me too kid?” The Dandyman approached until he was only a hair’s breadth from the other man. The fluffies watched curiously, this was the first time they had ever seen other humans on the property.
“I don’t know how you can stand being out here. It’s so…uncivilised and smells of shit.” Anontio removed his glasses showing stoney black eyes, a large scar running through the right.
“I’d rather the call of nature than the hustle, bustle and stink of city life. The city is just a cesspool of a shit.” Retorted the Dandyman with a serious expression. The two looked at each other with hard looks, the tension could be cut with a butter knife. The two continued to stare before they burst into laughter.
“It’s good to see you Dandy ya bastard.” Antonio extended a hand and met the Dandyman’s grasp. The two shook hands with matching grins.
“You to Antonio. How’s Mamma Bellucci?” The Dandyman released his grip and relaxed.
“Mamma’s good, she misses you. You’ll have to come visit, she says you’re breaking her heart.” Antonio pretended to weep and spoke in a fake solemn tone.
“Tell Mamma I’ll stop by when I can. But let’s move to business, you have your guest?” The Dandyman changed the subject intending to get on with the job. He didn’t want too many humans on the property for too long, higher chances of something going wrong, especially with the fluffies.
“You’re breaking my heart here Dandy. Don’t you want to catch up with an old pal?” Antonio pretended to be hurt before laughing and turned around beckoning the traveller to follow. The two old colleagues walked towards one of the trucks. Two burly Italians got out of the truck and walked to the back. Popping it open another man bound in thick ropes and duct tape with a bag over his head lay in the back of the flatbed.
“Take him to the shed over there.” The Dandyman indicated to the shed he had cleared out earlier, the same one he had built the fluffies sheds in.
“You heard him boys, take the mook.” The two men grunted and dragged the bound man away. He had stirred and gave muffled screams, attempting to squirm out of their grip but was unable to. He received a blow to the stomach for his trouble.
“Give me an hour or two. He’ll sing like a canary. In the meantime got a few ground rules while you and the boys are here.” The Dandyman pulled out from his jacket a pair of black gloves and slowly put them on. Antonio pulled out an envelope and handed it to the Dandyman without a word, it recorded the details of what the Don was after.
“Of course. What do you take me for? You’re the boss here, it’s your land.” Antonio turned to address the men he had brought him with as they got out of their cars and flatbeds.
“Alright boys listen up! The Dandyman has a few ground rules, you’ll listen and listen good, you’ll treat him with the same respect you are expected to afford me! Anyone who breaks them is gonna have a long conversation with the Don. And he doesn’t take too kindly to anyone disrespecting Dandy here, got it?” Antonio levelled a glare to his charges making some of the younger ones gulp.
“Yes Capo!” Addressed the older crew as they straightened their backs and stood in line. The younger ones quickly joined them, clearly not used to proper etiquette.
“Alright tell them Dandy.” Antonio looked to one of the older men who approached and pulled out a cigar. The man lit it up for Antonio before offering one to Dandyman. The traveller accepted and allowed the grunt to light the cigar before retreating back to his place in line.
“Alright now listen good. There are fluffies on this property! They belong to a herd I got working for me! They are not to be touched! If you spot a feral fluffy ask Lemon the white mare with yellow mane and tail or Rex the big fluffy buffalo looking one if it’s with them! If they say yes, don’t bother the fluff! If not get them to check the fluffy. They’ll see if the fluffy is worth adding to the herd, if not then free game. I don’t want no hell gremlin ferals around.” The Dandyman addressed the group, his eyes burning into them as if he could see into their souls.
“You’ll keep out of my house and business. You won’t snoop around but stick to your jobs! I want that barn fixed up and ready by the end of day. If I find anyone has hurt any fluffy belonging to Lemon’s herd, know this, you won’t like the outcome.” The Dandyman got up close and personal with the grunts. He stressed each point, he didn’t want any of Lemon’s herd to be hurt.
“If we have an understanding I’ll be off, got a job to do.” The Dandyman turned and walked back over to Antonio, “Are you staying or heading off?”
“I gotta head back to the Don. Luca will take care of the boys.” Antonio indicated to the man who had handed over the cigars, he was tall, burly and bald. “Luca’s trustworthy. Once your done with the guest he’ll take it from there. Luca I’m trusting you to make sure no one fucks up!”
“Yes sir!” Luca gave a pointed salute.
“If I need anything I’ll let you or Luca know.” The Dandyman walked off heading over to the shed not looking back as Antonio bid goodbye, got back into his car and drove off.
Opening the reinforced shed door, the so called guest was bound to a chair in nothing but boxers the bag had been removed. His face was black and blue, the traveller could barely make out his features but he appeared to be a caucasian male around late twenties or so.
“Well it’s a pleasure to meet you. I go by the Dandyman, I hope you enjoy your stay. Are you comfortable? I hope so after all as a proper gentleman it is only proper to look after the needs of my guest.”
The Dandyman slowly gave a charming smile while his eyes twinkled, despite the warmth of his chagrin a deep pit of despair welled up into the man. The Dandyman stepped forward, closing the door behind him. Screams would soon echo within that little shed but no sound would escape.
Wemon eyed the hoomans with wary gaze, she didn’t trust them. The only hooman she trusted was the Dwandymwan, he was good to them and had earned it. He had given them work for nummies and helped them out, he had saved Twig for fowebah sweepies and given them a new song to sing. Biggest heawt happies.
Wemon had watched the hoomans from the moment they arrived in the big black metal munstahs. One of them had gotten another hooman who seemed to speak to the Dwandymwan. They seemed to be friends. Wemon couldn’t hear them but they seemed like friends. Friends was a good thing right? Wemon wasn’t too sure.
The Dandyman’s friend seemed to bring another friend, but he didn’t have the strange fluff like the others, he had no fluff. He was taken to the shedsie where the Dwandymwan joined him. Was Dwandymwan making another friend? Friends were good. You couldn’t have too many friends.
Wemon shook her head from the thoughts and walked over to her best tuffy Wecks. The little fluffy beckoned the large fluff down as he lay on the ground so she could speak to him.
“Wecks wach hewd wike wingie munstah, nu twust utta hoomans.” Wemon whispered to Wecks getting a nod of affirmation from the Fwuffalwo. Wemon returned to work but kept her gaze on the hoomans. The strange humans, some of them dressed like the Dwandymwan went to the big metal monsters and removed loud noisy things. The hoomans approached the big not house and seemed to be doing something.
Wemon slowly moved closer to get a better look, all the while keeping on edge. One of the humans was barking orders, he was big, strong and had no fwuff on his thinky pwace. He seemed to be the smawty of the humans, giving orders that they followed. She watched them work, it was noisy and frightened her.
“OI don’t get any closer fluffy!” The voice of the no fwuff hooman startled her as he looked over at her near the edge of the tall grass. It seemed he had spotted her making her jump in fright at his sudden shout.
“Wemon sowwy, nu huwties pwease.” Wemon gulped and took a step back as the giant hooman took a step towards her, arms folded over his chest.
I aint gonna hurt you, his rules. And I aint gonna cross him, the boss or the Don. I like my head where it is. Now keep back. I can’t say that there might not be a fucking idiot or two amongst the grunts that wouldn’t try to hurt you on purpose and make it look like an accident." Wemon recoiled at the rough tone of the man, wincing as he said bad wowdsies but she didn’t say anything. Giving a nod of her little fluffy head she quickly trotted off.
“Cute little fucker.” Luca muttered as he turned his attention back to the working crew. He never admitted to anyone but he had a soft spot for small cute little critters, especially kittens.
Wemon ran back over to the herd as they worked. She joined back up with them and started to do a head count, or name check. She looked over each fluff calling them by name in her thinkie place.
"Wecks, Wiwwow, Wose, Bawk, Wock, Mawuun, Powkadot, Wawa, Bewwy, Twig, Pwickwe, Tinie un Benni. Am aww fwuffies." Wemon did her count and gave a sigh of relief, not realising she had been holding her breath during the check.
“Fwuffies swing! Wunce mwowe, wunce mwowe, gu tuu swee wunce mwowe!” Wemon sung loudly catching the attention of her herd. The nervousness around the hoomans began to settle as they joined in.
“Be a mwan mwust be bwind tu make up hwis mwind tu gu tu swee wunce mwowe.”
Unknowing to little Wemon as the herd sang, one of her herd was getting curious about the hoomans.
A pair of curious brown eyes watched the hoomans work from the tall grass as the others sang. Their owner slowly got closer looking on in wonder at all they did. Some hoomans carried strange metal things for hitting, sharp pointy metal things and others tree things. It was all amazing to the little fluff as they watched, getting closer and closer. They slipped back as the no fluff hooman spoke to another hooman.
Running past as fast as their little legs could carry them the fluffy got closer to one of the metal munstahs to inspect it. It was so big and large, it made loud noises but listened to the hoomans. Approaching one of the shiny wheels the fluffy looked into it, the metal was so shiny. The fluffy gasped as he spotted a blue fluffy just like him.
“Hewwo nu fwend.” The fluffy said with a beaming smile, a smile matched by the fluffy, but it didn’t speak. The fluffy was confused and raised a hoof to wave, the other fluffy did the same.
“Am nu fwen!” Said the little fluffy excitedly as he bounded around in circles.
“Fwen wan pway?” Questioned the little fluff with big hopefully eyes. His heart was pounding within his tiny chest. But yet again the other fluffy didn’t respond.
“Wy fwen nu speekie? Fewn hab huwties?” The little fluff slowly got closer to the shiny wheel. “Huggies mwake bwedda!”
The fluff attempted to hug the other fluff but only felt the cold touch of steel. He blinked in confusion, tears forming at the edges of his eyes. “Fwuff nu wike Wawa?”
Wawa looked heart broken as the other fluffy behind to tear up as well. “Nu Wawa nu mweanies be bwad fwuffy to new fwen. Nu cwy fwen.”
Wawa reached out with a hoof but as he did his body stumbled as he fell snout first into the wheel.
“Huwties.” The fluffy got up and sniffed as he looked at the other blue fluffy. Boo-boo juice was trickling from his smeww pwace.
“Nu, nu mwean huwt ubba fwuffy! Wawa sowwy. Wawa gwet hewpsies!” The little blue fluff began to look around franticaly, he spotted a little hooman by one of the large metal monsters on his own. He seemed to be numming on a strange stick similar to the Dandyman’s but much smaller. The strange nummy stick always had a bad smell.
“Hooman un hewp Wawa wike Dwandymwan hewp fwuffy fwen Twig!” Wawa then began scurrying towards the hooman, running as fast as his little legs could carry him.
Another chapter done. This chapter featured more of Dandyman’s past on earth. What is he doing to the old barn? Why does he want it repaired?
Little Water is a little to curious. Poor naive little fluffy thought he had found and hurt a new friend. Poor little Water what will he do as he runs to a young human for help?
