“But why can no come hab nummies wi’ famiwy?” the blue stallion whined, nestled into the crook of his mother’s arm.
“Because mummy, daddy and your sister have to meet some of their boring friends and you already had delicious sketties in our room, remember?” his human mother explained, stroking his dark blue mane, eliciting coos of contentment from the wriggling fluffy.
The fluffy smacked his lips as the memory of the, as he called them, ‘BESTEST SKETTIES EBA!’ ran across his taste buds and filled his nostrils. A shiver ran up his light blue fluffy body at the recollection of the sheer ecstasy the meal had given him.
The elevator dinged as the gold colour doors opened to the warm, wood panelled lobby, chandeliers dangled from the high ceiling, providing ample bright light that reflected off the beautiful parquet floors and shining out the floor to ceiling windows, illuminating the freshly fallen snow. The woman exited the elevator her fluffy secured in her warm embrace. He was occupying himself by playing with the diamond necklace that hung down her chest, the many colours that seemed to explode from it when it refracted the light in a certain way.
“Good evening Mrs. Samuels” The man behind the front desk called to the woman as she made her way across the lobby.
“Hello Cecil” She replied politely “Just taking George here to the crèche before we go to eat” Gesturing with her head to the fluffy in her arms.
“Splendid, I do hope you enjoy our facilities, young master George” The man sweetly responded looking at the blue stallion.
The stallion giggled and waved his hoof at the man in way of a greeting, his mother’s necklace all but forgotten. After about twenty more feet of walking they came to a pair of solid wooden doors, an engraved bronze panel above the door declared this was the aforementioned crèche. Pushing a button by the side of the door, they waited for about ten seconds before the door swung open and a cheery young woman beckoned them in.
“Hello Mrs. Samuels and cute little Georgie” The young woman cooed at the delighted fluffy and his smiling owner.
“Hello Rachel, how is everything today?” The older woman enquired.
“Oh fine Mrs. Samuels, only six other fluffies in today. Mrs. Emmett’s, do you know Mrs. Emmett? Well anyway, her pair are sleeping, apparently a big day on the slopes for them, but the rest are playing happily. I am sure Georgie will have lots of fun and maybe even some comfortable sleeping companions should he choose to take a nap” Rachel chattered, she opened her arms in anticipation of being handed the fluffy.
Mrs. Samuels handed the young woman the fluffy who took him and held him just as his mother had been doing. “Now, you be a good boy and have lots of fun tonight, I will be back for you later.” She leaned down kissing George on his snout and ruffling his mane.
George giggled at this and gave a squeaky little “Wub ‘oo mama”.
Mrs. Samuels backed away, while Rachel took George’s front hoof with her free hand and waved it towards his mama “Say bye to mama”.
Mrs. Samuels smiled at this little bit of puppetry and blew one last kiss before turning on her heel and pushing through the doors and back out into the lobby.
“Come on then little guy, let’s get you to the playpen so you can have some fun” Rachel said warmly to the fluffy as she tickled at the fluff on his belly, eliciting further giggles and his hoofs to attempt some facsimile of pushing her hand away as if he wasn’t enjoying it as much as he was.
Rachel walked over to another set of double doors and pushing through them she made her way into the playpen proper. The air was filled with the sound of fluffspeak. Snippets of “Bestest baww, wub baww” and “Gonna catch oo’ fwen’” punctuated the lullaby like music that was gently trickling out of speakers in the room. Rachel nodded to Scott, the guard on duty in the playroom and received a nod back before he returned to his vigil over his wards.
Leaning over the soft four foot high padded wall that served as the playpen’s boundary, Rachel gently deposited George onto the warm and soft padded floor, his small brown hooves making slight indents into the fuchsia coloured vinyl material.
“Go on little guy, go have fun” Rachel encouraged as she stepped back, giving him a slight wave as she made to leave the room.
George looked up at her as she left then moved one hoof forward, as he pressed down the floor it seemed to come to life with warmth, it ran up his hooves through his legs and into his body, filling him with a sense of comfort and security. He loved that feeling, he had been here nearly a week already, every day he had spent some time in this playpen but every time it was like he was feeling that sensation for the first time. However, this was the first evening he had been here and there seemed to be fewer fluffies than on his previous visits.
He headed over to the sleeping area, a soft room, made to look like a castle and filled with cushions and blankets, all scented and all decadently plush. Poking his head in he saw a fluffpile consisting of just two fluffies, not wanting to disturb them, he pulled his head out and backed up slowly. Turning around he trotted over to where two fluffies were playing, rolling a ball between them.
“Hewwo nyu fwens, fwuffy namesie am Geowge, wa’ am yu namesies?” George inquired plopping onto his rump halfway between the playing fluffies and out of the trajectory of the rolling ball.
“Hewwo nyu fwen’, fwuffy namesie am Mawigowd and fwen’ namesie am Wogew, oo’ want pway wit us” Marigold politely offered. Roger waggled one front hoof at George.
“Tank ‘oo nyu fwens, Geowge wud wub tu pway” George giggled waving his front hooves one at each of them.
Marigold giggled as she rolled the ball gently to George. George collected the ball with a hoof and batted it over to Roger who redirected it and rolled it back over to Marigold. The trio continued to play like this, their play interspersed with eruptions of giggles when someone missed the ball or it went a little wide and shouts of ‘Wub baww’ and ‘Wub fwens’ when the ball got to its intended target.
After about ten minutes of this exciting game, another pair of fluffies waddled over. George had noticed these two waddling about after each other in a game of what he called catchies.
“Hewwo Mawigowd, hewwo Wogew” The bigger of the two fluffies greeted “Who am yu nyu fwen’?”
Marigold turned to look at the pair “Hewwo Caesaw, hewwo Juwia, dis am Geowge, he am gud fwen’”
George smiled at waved his hoof at the two new, hopefully friends.
“Hewwo Geowge” Caesar and Julia said in unison.
“Do yu fwuffies wanna pway catchies?” Julia enquired.
George was happy to know that they called it catchies too.
“We wud wub to pway catchies” Marigold responded, George nodded in agreement.
“Wogew am tiwed” interjected Roger “Am gun go sweepies in sweepy pwace. Bye fwens!” He cheerily added before waddling over to the little castle.
“Sweep weww wogew” The remaining four fluffies responded almost in unison causing all four to fall over in a fit of giggles.
After regaining their composure, Caesar said “Otay, Caesaw go fiwst, yu fwuffies wun away.”
The other three fluffies lost no time and waddled in three separate directions, laughing as they went. The game of catchies consisted of one person doing the catching and the other three ran away, when one of the fluffies running away was caught by the catcher, they hugged and the caught fluffy became the new catcher. They played this for a good thirty minutes before all four somehow managed to end up in a group hug with each of them thinking they were the catcher.
After they broke apart giggling and cooing with glee George declared “Otay, George am catchew now, fwens wun” The other three broke off and laughed in delight.
George spotted Julia heading towards a large window and gave chase. He knew that window, he had looked out of it multiple times during his stay at the hotel. Julia would have nowhere to run and would be stuck between it and George himself. He was gaining on her when all of a sudden, she did something George could never have expected. She turned and ran along the side of the window. Instead of altering his course, George did what any fluffy would do and followed in her wake, going over to the window before he would make the same turn as her, but as he began to turn he saw something that stopped him.
Just outside, below the bottom edge of the window was a large clump of furry looking masses. They were in a variety of colours, mostly greens, browns and whites but pretty much all colours were represented. They weren’t colours who he knew them, vivid and bright, they were dull and faded like someone had tried to wash them away. Then he noticed, they were moving slightly, swaying to and fro, pushing forward to under the window.
“Wha’ am Geowge wookin’ at?” Julia inquired, poking her head over his shoulder.
George jumped, he had completely forgotten about his friends, lost in his own world in trying to figure out what the things outside were.
“Geowge am wookin’ at dose” He poked one hoof against the glass indicating the clumps outside.
Julia peered out the window down to what George was pointing to then she pulled her head back “Juwia nu no bu’ Caesaw wiww” with that she waddled off to go and get Caesar.
George continued his observation, it was hard to make out but he swore he could see smaller and brighter coloured clumps on top of some of the larger clumps. What could they be? The fur was all matted, dingy and dirty. It gave George a dirty feeling just looking at it but for some reason he could not look away.
“Hewwo Geowge, wha’ am oo’ wookin’ at?” Caesar announced his presence.
George turned, seeing Marigold, Caesar and Julia all standing there looking at him quizzically. Turning back to the window he again stared down. The other three looked at each other, their faces were masks of confusion with a hint of worry. Caesar walked forward tentatively until he came to George’s side, looking down he relaxed and turned to talk to Julia and Marigold.
“fwens, Geowge an’ Caesaw nee’ to tawkies. Juwia an’ Mawigowd should go sweepies. We be dewe soon” Caesar explained.
As if to emphasis Caesar’s point, Julia began to yawn and stretch “Come on Mawigowd, wet’s go sweepies.” She turned and headed to the castle. Marigold cast one last glance at George and Caesar before turning to follow Julia.
Caesar turned back to the window and sighed “Dose am fwuffies”
George looked at Caesar, shocked “Dose no am fwuffies, fwuffies am soft an’ weww fwuffy. Fwuffies no can be owtside now, it am too cowd fow fwuffies.” Repeating the phrase that his human sister Emily had told him.
Caesar sighed “Dose fwuffies wib owtside, dey no am soft an pwetty cos dey no hab mummahs an daddehs to gib dem baffies an bwushies” He shook his head “It am so saddies, gib Caesaw bigges’ heawt huwties”
“Geowge no bewieve it, dey no can be fwuffies, it no twue” He puffed up his cheeks but never took his eyes of the jostling mass below.
Caesar gave his new friend a side long glance and then tapped on the glass twice with a hoof, knowing it would dismiss George’s scepticism once and for all.
Suddenly, parts of the mass seemed to stop as heads craned upwards and faces popped into view, eyes pleading and open mouths crying out in mute pleas for help. George could do nothing but stare in abject horror as the truth could no longer be denied. They were fluffies, dirty and bedraggled but fluffies nonetheless. He kept watching as some of the fluffies used the other for support as they tried to clamber up to the fluffies above them, their calls and cries muted by the thick glass.
George finally tore his eyes away from the scene below and looked at Caesar, his eyes filling with tears “W-why?” his voice audibly cracking with emotion. Caesar was right, the knowledge give him a dull ache in his chest.
Caesar sighed “Nu no, it am just how it is. Dey am owtside fwuffies, we am inside fwuffies”
He shook his head and turned away from the window “Come Geowge, wawk wiv me” Caesar began to walk in the opposite direction of the window.
George looked at Caesar as he walked away, then looking back to the window, he took one last glance. Most of the fluffies had climbed down, resuming the jostling they were doing before, but there was one still looking up at him. George locked eyes with it and he could see tears slowly trickling down its face, it opened its mouth saying one final mute plea before George retreated from the window and chased after Caesar.
Catching up with Caesar, George fell into stride next to Caesar. “Caesaw hav bin hewe many many fowebas” Caesar said, his eyes remaining straight forward. “Wen Caesaw wa’ babbeh, wived on stweet wi’ mummah an bwuddahs an sissies. Den wun bwight time, nice mistah cum take Caesaw an’ famiwy to shewtew. Dat wen Caesaw meet hooman mummah, mummah Wosawin, wa’ mowst butifuw hooman in whowe wowd. Gib Caesaw bestes nummies, an’ wub, an’ wife possibwe. Caesaw eban hab speciaw fwen’ an’ babbehs. Geowge ebeh hab speciaw fwen’?
George stopped walking for a second, his mind processing that Caesar’s story had turned into a question. He quickly caught back up then matched Caesar’s pace. “Nu, Geowge nu hab speciaw fwen’ yet bu’ mummah sai’ if Geowge be gud den nest yeaw Geowge hab speciaw fwen’ an babbehs” He grinned at the thought of a little family of his own.
Caesar nodded, smiling back, then his face took on a more serious expression. “Caesaw speciaw fwen’ gu foweba’ sweepies wots of bwite times ago” He sniffed slightly “Caesaw miss hew an ouw babbehs bu’ dey hab gud homesies wi’ mummahs an daddehs.
George nodded “Sowwy bou Caesaw speciaw fwen’ an hab many happies fow Caesaw’s babbehs bu nu undastan why Caesaw teww Geowge all this…”
Caesar stopped causing George to walk a few steps ahead, quickly stopping and turning around he faced Caesar.
“Caesaw tink Geowge been inside fwuffy since he wa’ babbeh, am Caesaw wite?” He asked. George nodded. “Caesaw tuu, aww dese odda fwuffies wewe, Mawigowd, Juwia, aww ob us. Dose odda fwuffies owt dew aw owtside fwuffies dey nu can be wike us. Dey nu hab homies ow mummahs ow daddehs, maybe sum babbehs dewe bu’ da west aw tu faw gon’”
George shook his head “Nu! Fwuffies aw fow huggies an wub! Aww fwuffies! He puffed out his cheeks.
“What’s going on here fellas?” Both fluffies looked up at this interruption. It was Scott, their minder for the evening. He was crouched so his head was just over the boundary of the play area. “Some of your friends are trying to sleep and you guys are getting a little loud.” Both the fluffies hung their heads and mumbled out apologies. Reaching in Scott rustled their manes “It’s okay guys just try and keep it down, what were you guys shouting about anyway?”
“Sowwy scott. Ceasaw wa’ tewwin’ Geowge bou’ owtside fwuffies.”
“Oh” Scott replied “Them” he nodded thoughtfully. “Try not to think about them, they will be gone soon, they gather by the wall because the heated floor” He patted the soft floor they stood on “Vents out excess heat just underneath the window” Looking down he saw their very confused expressions “Ummm… It’s very warm there and it’s very cold outside so they all try and get close to stay warm, understand?” The two fluffies thought for a second but eventually they nodded their understanding. “Now, you guys have been doing a lot of playing, why don’t you get some rest and before you know it, your families will be back to pick you up.” With that, Scott took his leave.
Caesar and George glanced sidelong at each other before making their way over to the castle. Without a word Caesar headed inside, making his way over to the four fluffy fluffpile and snuggled in cosily, the other fluffies moving unconsciously to allow their friend to get in close with them. George looked over to the window then to Scott, who was occupied talking to someone on his phone. He quickly and quietly moved towards the window and upon reaching it he looked down.
He saw the fluffies back to their usual jostling for space then something happened. A man in a big puffy coat came over with a broom and he started swatting at the fluffies. George watched the silent performance as the herd moved en masse, fleeing from this new threat to life and liberty. The entire affair playing out in silence. The man had managed to move off most of the herd, only those too weak or too injured to move were left behind. The man disappeared then came back with a shovel and a large plastic bag, scooping up the fallen, the sick, the dead and depositing them into his bag. He didn’t discriminate, babies, adults and even old fluffies, they all went into the dark bag.
George tore his gaze from the horrible scene outside and ran as fast as he could into the castle and dove into the fluffpile. His sudden entry garnered a few muttered complaints from the other fluffies but he didn’t care. He just wanted to feel safe and secure, to forget what he had just witnessed. As he scrabbled deeper and deeper until he was at the core of the pile. Surrounded by the warmth and feel of the others, he started to calm, his heart rate to drop back to normal and his eyes to flutter. Within moments he was asleep, his mind wiped clear and he surrendered to the darkness.
His next waking moment, he was rising from the diminished fluffpile. Only Caesar and Roger were left. “Come on little guy, your family are here to pick you up.” Rachel explained, she held him as she had earlier and Scott replaced the removable castle roof and went back to his seat.
George yawned contentedly before realising, he scrabbled up her body and over her shoulder. Panicked she grabbed him tightly as he squeaked in surprise and protest. Despite his discomfort he stared at the window, his neck craning to see below the edge but he couldn’t.
“Calm down buddy, we will get you back to your mama, you can see your friends tomorrow. I’ll be sure to let her know you want to come back again tomorrow.” she chuckled to herself, moving him back down into a more secure position. George stayed silent, staring at the rapidly receding window until they passed through the doors and it disappeared from view.
“Here he is” announced Rachel, presenting George to Mrs. Samuels who happily took him, holding him close to her chest. George wasted no time in nuzzling in close.
“Thank you Rachel, how has he been? He seems a little unsettled.” Mrs. Samuels looked down at George, concern in her eyes.
“He has been fine, probably just a little abruptly awoken and wanting to go back to sleep” Rachel reassured her.
“Oh, is that all little guy?” She enquired to George, stroking him softly behind one ear. The little guy remained quite and just nuzzled his face on her. “Well I guess we will see you tomorrow, have a nice night Rachel.” George’s whimper at the first part of this sentence went unnoticed by both women.
After the pair had made it into the lobby proper, leaving Rachel to go back to her work, George piped up “Mummah, wewe am daddeh an sissie?”
“They went up to the room, honey. Emily was tired so daddy took her up to bed, don’t worry, she will want to snuggle up to you while you sleep” Mrs. Samuels reassured him.
This brought a smile to George’s little face, which vanished shortly as he made his next request. “Mummah, Geowge nu wan’ gu cwess anymowe…”
Mrs. Samuels stopped in her tracks and held George up so they were face to face “Why honey? Did something happen? You can tell mama.”
George looked into her eyes then looked down “Nuuu… Geowge jus miss mummah an daddeh an sissie, jus wan sweep in woom untiw famiwy ge’ back. Othew fwuffies gib Geowge bigges’ heawt huwties”
Mrs. Samuels looked at the fluffy, his head hung low. “Okay honey, you don’t have to go back” She promised but determined to go see Rachel tomorrow and get to the bottom of what really happened.
George visibly relaxed at this and as Mrs. Samuels brought him back close, a small smile graced his face. “Wub famiwy, nu wan eva nu hab famiwy” George declared happily.
Mrs. Samuels kissed his little head eliciting a contented giggle from the now happy fluffy. “Don’t worry honey, you will never be without us, we are your family now and forever.”
George snuggled into his mother’s warm embrace and began to snooze, all thoughts of the unfortunate, outside fluffies falling out of his mind as he once again fell into a cosy and happy sleep.
Inspired by: Outside the Hotel Window (by Kalooboo)