My First Imp Prompt

It was no secret that Griffin was lonely. He didn’t keep up with many of the other buns at work, too shy to hold much conversation, and the few friends he has from his college days are typically too busy with their own lives to be able to come together and hang out like the old days. The stillness of his apartment is nearly too much to bear most days— there’s no reason to look forward to coming home. Even his usual shows and games don’t perk him up the same way that they used to; he needs a change. He needs something different.

As he looks at the buns around him a glorious idea comes to mind. So many times he sees another bun with an imp, going on a leisurely stroll or playing in the park. Buns of all backgrounds and professions find a common love in imps. Many of the most popular kinds have reacted positively to training methods— and as Griffin thinks, it would be rather difficult to think of a day he has gone not seeing an imp with another bun.

Perhaps it was time to take a visit to The Imporium to find a new friend in need of a home.

#

Griffin holds the pet carrier with worried, but steady, hands as he exits The Imporium to head back towards his apartment with his new friend in tow. Hutch had been more than helpful in making his selection; it took quite some time for Griffin to settle on which type of imp suited him the best. Before he left, he even made sure Griffin bought a few extra essentials such as treats, toys, and a soft bed for the imp to rest in.

Chirop are perhaps the easiest to train, and they are incredibly cute. Griffin just wasn’t so sure about having something that could fly and wreak havoc; he shivers to imagine what would happen if it accidentally escaped the apartment. Impup are another lovely choice and one of the most common imps he has seen, but Griffin isn’t much into tricks as much as he is companionship.

The phloof makes a curious noise from its carrier. His phloof. Griffin’s heart warms as he looks down between the bars of the carrier’s side windows at his imp. The standard colored imp stares up at him inquisitively with another sweet sound rumbling out.

Griffin keeps the carrier in his lap as he rides the bus line to his apartment; it is a thankfully short journey, and the phloof doesn’t seem too distressed by the hustle and bustle of all the buns around him. As soon as his stop comes, he hops off the bus and scurries down a side-street before ducking into the lobby and queuing for the elevator. It’s a matter of minutes before Griffin is able to lock his front door behind himself with a sigh of relief.

His apartment is dark and quiet for only a few moments longer. It feels significant. Like a big step. Griffin feels a ball of anxiety twist in his stomach, but he feels the glimmer of excitement beneath it.

“Well, no going back now is there?” Griffin sets the carrier on the floor of his living room. Quickly he turns on a few lamps and unpacks the bag of extras from The Imporium. Treats go on the kitchen counter, toys go tossed across the floor, and the bed nestles neatly under a tall side-table where his phloof can rest privately. Finally, he squeezes the lock on the front of the pet carrier for the door to swing freely. His phloof peers out for only a moment before dragging itself out and across the floor.

Griffin sits back on his couch to watch. The phloof turns this way and that, seeming to be soaking in every detail of the room. It tilts up its head before slowly moving to explore. It sniffs at the furniture curiously, even moving to the toys and giving them a proper sniff as well. Not too interested at the moment. Eventually, it heads down the short hallway where Griffin’s bedroom and bathroom are nestled.

While the imp explores its new home, Griffin busies himself with a few chores that he had been procrastinating on. He recalls hearing that phloofs, while the perfect cuddly imp friend, are notorious for shedding lint. Perhaps a first-day bath would discourage some of this undercoat from finding its way into the corners of his apartment.

Once his chores have been completed and Griffin feels satisfied, he goes to seek out the phloof where it has made itself at home curled in the center of his bedspread. It purrs happily upon seeing the bun round the corner.

“Come on, little guy. Let’s get you washed up. Sound good?”

The phloof tilts its head innocently.

#

A bath is easier said than done. Luckily, the phloof is docile enough not to run, though when the water starts, the imp becomes a bit on edge. Griffin lets the water warm up to something comfortable before plugging the drain and pouring in a bit of his own personal bubble bath. The suds foam quickly. Soon the bath is ready and it is time for Griffin to ease the imp inside.

It takes a great deal of patience, and an even greater deal of give and take. In the end it takes quite a few treats to convince the imp to tread water. The phloof’s fur sags dramatically under the water.

“Oh look at you— sopping wet!” Griffin laughs at the sight. He pours a bit more water over the phloof and begins to scrub lightly at its tiny body. When he is satisfied with the cleanliness of his imp, he pulls the plug to drain the water and gives a final rinse with warm, clean water from the tap. The phloof seems relieved to be taken from the bath and sat on a fluffy towel.

Griffin fluffs up the phloof with the towel, assuring it is mostly dry before releasing it from the bathroom. By now the hour is late, and Griffin begins getting himself ready for bed. He changes into pajamas, brushes his teeth, and sets out his outfit for the morning. When he comes to the bedroom again he finds the phloof nestled by his pillows, sleeping.

He turns off the light with a soft smile on his face before crawling in beside the imp. The phloof stretches out towards him, Griffin is more than happy to scoop up the still-damp imp into his arms for a bedtime snuggle.

“Maybe tomorrow we can work on finding you a name, sound good?”

The imp doesn’t reply, of course, but settles against Griffin’s chest with a gentle purr. He pulls the blanket up over them both though his eyes don’t leave the tiny imp resting against him. It won’t be easy with a new pet, especially as a first-time owner, but he has the confidence that things are moving in the right direction. It already seemed as if the imp’s docile nature meshes perfectly with Griffin’s more anxious personality. Before he knows it, Griffin is caught in a deep and relaxing sleep.

Perhaps getting an imp was a good decision after all.

word count: 1211