Autumn in the Park

Mimic hummed softly as she opened the door, Bastion immediately ran out of the house and into the yard and through a pile of leaves then turned around and ran over to Mimic, bouncing up and down, making squeaky noises.

“You’re so excitable.” She giggled softly then bent over and picked him up, looking around, purple eyes taking in her surroundings as she pet the Pampki.

“Do you think anyone else will be in the park today? It’s pretty cold, even though it’s mostly warm down here.” She says, looking up at the crystals before making her way towards the park.

“Maybe if we’re lucky we can find a few succubun who brought their Imps out for some fresh air, then you could make some friends! Would you like that, Bastion? Having more friends to play with?” She asked, holding the small Imp up to her face.

Bastion’s bottom wiggled happily and he squeaked at her, before licking her nose, causing the girl to laugh.

“If we don’t find any other Imps today, we can always try tomorrow. I imagine a lot of buns are spending the nice cool day with their lovers. Hmm, if that’s true we’ll probably see a lot of couples at the park instead.” 

Entering the park, Mimic noticed that the park wasn’t as full as she thought it would be at this time of day. 

Tilting her head curiously she looked up at the crystals.

“Hmm, guess I was right.” She says, setting Bastion down as the wind suddenly picked up and swirled around her.

“Ahh, so you guys finally decided that you wanted to talk?” Her purple eyes glance upwards as two purple spirits manifest on both sides of her head, one leaning down and bumping against her hand, while the other nudged her neck.

“Hello to you guys too.” She smiled softly, reaching up to pet the one that nudged her, before looking at the leaves, another brief wind brushing against her.

“Well, I figured that coming to the park would be better than going to the cemetery since there are more trees out here. Plus, Bastion needed room to run around and I didn’t feel like staying home.” She shrugged, turning her attention towards Bastion, who was chasing a few leaves as they fluttered to the ground.

Another breeze as the spirit motes moved around her before floating higher and brushing against the leaves, causing them to fall on top of her head.

“Candy Apples! Freshly made candy apples for sale! Ten Carats each! Get them before they’re gone!”

Mimic’s ears twitched, “Candy apples? Apples are still in season?” She thinks for a moment, tilting her head from side to side before making her way over to the apple vendor.

“Can I have one candy apple please?”

“Sure. That’ll be ten Carats.”

Mimic nods then digs into her purse and hands them the Carats.

“Thanks! Have a nice day!”

“You too!” She waves, taking a bite of the apple as she makes her way over to where she heard Bastion’s squeaks.

“I don’t think you guys can eat this. Wait, can you?” She holds up the candy apple and the spirit motes hover near it before trying to take a bite.

Mimic chuckled, “Yeah I figured you couldn’t eat this. Sorry. I’ll enjoy it for all of us.” She giggled then sat on the ground beside Bastion, pulling him into her lap and petting him as they settled to stare out at the water.

Bastion sniffs at the candy apple. 

“Wanna try it?” She takes a bite and gives him a piece, watching as he chomps on it.

“It’s not dango but it tastes good, right? That reminds me, I need to stop by Dan’s to grab some more dango later… well maybe. You don’t seem to eat it very much so maybe I should go and ask that Imp Tamer what to get you instead.” She pets his head, eating the rest of her candy apple.

Soft whispers upon the breeze, catch her ears.

“You’re right, I should’ve brought a picnic basket but I didn’t plan on staying out here for very long. Maybe next time.”

The rest of the afternoon was spent with Mimic playing fetch with Bastion and chasing him around the park, until the crystals began to dim. 

“Ready to go home, Bastion?” She asks, picking the Pampki up and petting him.

Bastion squeaked and nudged her hand.

“Alright then, let’s take the scenic route back. It’s not too dark yet and the fresh air will do us good. You’re getting a bath once we get back though.”