All is not as it Seems
A streak of light shot across the starlit night sky.
“What did you wish for?” Eric asked inquisitively.
Beau shifted his gaze from the night sky towards his friend.
“How could you even ask that? You know that if I tell you my wish won’t come true!” he said in disbelief.
“You know I’m too lazy to guess.” Eric said with a smirk.
“Well then, I’m too lazy to answer.” Beau proclaimed as he stretched his hooves behind his head, and set his sights back toward the stars.
“You know what we could use right now, Beau?”
“Fresh fruit perhaps?” Fauna said joyfully.
She giggled softly as Beau and Eric looked visibly startled.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you boys, I have just finished picking these fresh apples back in town; they are incredibly juicy, and so delicious. I of course immediately stopped by your homes to share them with you, but found out you came here to star gaze. We deer need to stick together, and so… mind if I join you?” Fauna said with her doe-eyed gaze.
“You know you’re always welcome Fauna. You and Eric are my best friends. I couldn’t imagine a more perfect way to spend my night!”
Time flew by just as quicky as the shooting stars of the night sky. The three deer headed back into town, returned to their homes, and drifted off to sleep.
Light seeped through the curtains as they swayed in the gentle morning breeze. Beau slowly cracked one eye open as the morning suns rays filled the room. He slowly crawled out of bed, and haphazardly got dressed for the day. He quickly glanced at the clock and realized he was an hour late for his morning coffee with Eric. Realizing this, he wasted no more time and rushed out the door, and in the process almost knocked over the mailman.
“Pete, I’m so sorry! I have to be somewhere and I’m running late. “Beau shouted as he took off down the road.
Beau ran as fast as his hooves could carry him, and yet he felt like he was crawling. He had run past Eric’s house, but stopped suddenly as he skidded in the dirt. His lights were on! Beau slowly approached the door wondering if Eric was running late as well, or had he gone without him? Before Beau could knock on the door, Eric cracked the door open about an inch.
“Hey, I don’t think I can make coffee today. I’m sorry I have to cancel.” Eric said nervously.
“It’s ok. We can always grab one tomorrow. Is everything ok?”
“Not really. I didn’t know how to tell you...”
“Tell me what?” he said hesitantly.
Eric shifted his eyes from Beau to the floor. He slowly opened the door to reveal the boxes scattered around his room.
“I didn’t know how to tell you...” as he still stared at the floor.
Beau was visibly crushed by the news. He tried to speak but couldn’t. He was losing one of his closest friends, and felt utter betrayal that he was just finding out now. Unable to utter words, he slowly turned from Eric and headed towards home.
“I’m sorry my friend, I didn’t have a choice.”
Now home, Beau closed his curtains, shut off the light, and in doing so shut out the world. He laid in bed for a straight week and a half. Not even Fauna leaving food by the door would tempt him from the safety of his own bed. How could he possibly trust anyone when one of the few deer he trusted the most had betrayed his trust. He couldn’t bear to feel this pain again from Fauna if she decided to take the same path as Eric, so in his bed Beau would remain.
A new day began, but somehow Beau felt different. He couldn’t exactly figure out why, or what was causing this feeling, but he was still determined to stay in bed. Suddenly there was a knock on his door.
“Beau, you can’t go on like this. Open this door, or I’m coming in.” Fauna said sternly.
Beau threw the covers over his head.
“Go away!” he replied.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Fauna pushed the door open with ease. Beau could hear her step one hoof after another into his home.
“Hey! Have you been a superhero all this time, and never told me?” he whispered eagerly.
“Oh Beau! You never locked your door...” she giggled.
“Oh...” he said as he blushed.
“Well, here’s your mail since your mailbox was about to explode. I also expect to see you out and about today.”
Fauna continued her rant, but Beau could no longer focus on the conversation. His thoughts drifted on how today had somehow felt different, and then it hit him. He was consumed with the thought of moving, and as much as he wanted to tell Fauna, he couldn’t. It was almost like the choice was made for him. Beau stared at her sorrowfully.
“You understand me Beau, I better see you out of this house today!” She threatened as she closed the door behind her.
Looking at the pile of mail placed on his bed, he could see Erics farwell letter, but couldn’t bring himself to open it. He felt like a hypocrite. He moved Erics letter aside, and sifted through the other letters. Pausing, he noticed one particular letter from Wishy the Star.
Dear Beau,
I know what you truly wish. Seek the campground and you will find what your heart desires most in this world.
Wishy the Star
Beau stepped outside shutting his door behind him. He spotted Fauna in the distance, and since he was already being consumed by guilt decided, to search for this campground. Unfortunately, he thought Wishy had meant the campsite. Much to his dismay like the campsite, his search came up empty. As fate would have it, he came upon a stump in his travels with a four-leaf clover pattern. He was tired, his feet were sore, and was in need of a rest. Feeling sorry for himself, he let out a deep sigh of despair. I might as well quit this endeavor he thought to himself. Suddenly, a familiar aroma graced his nose. It was none other than his favorite veggie sandwich that a bluebird held before him in its mouth. Beau’s stomach began to growl. He slowly approached the bird, but it flew off towards a wooded area, unfamiliar to Beau. He followed the bird to a clearing revealing a dog feeding several birds in what appeared to be a campground.
“Hello stranger! Who might you be? You look hungry, pal. Here, have one of my sandwiches. I’m sure my birds won’t mind sharing. Name’s Harvey, but you can call me Harv. Pleased to meet you.”
“I would love one thank you. I’m Beau, and this is the most delicious sandwich I’ve tasted, ever! Nice to meet you too! What is this place, the land of delicious food?”
“You’re too kind my friend. This is my campground, folks from all over come here to relax, and unwind. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”
“Whoa, where did you get those neat items? I’ve never seen anything like those before?”
“Oh, I forgot to mention I have wares for sale, ”he chuckled.
Suddenly Beau’s vision narrowed on a drawing of a star wand like the one depicted on the stamp of Wishy’s letter. He pulled out the envelope just to be sure. As he did, a coupon fell from the envelope.
“What is a MEOW coupon, and more importantly what is this drawing Harvey?”
“I knew I forgot to tell you something. We only accept MEOW coupons as payment here. That there is a drawing of an ancient artifact that’s believed to grant wishes. My pal Wendell drew if from a recent dream he had.”
“May I purchase it with this coupon?”
“Sure thing pal. It’s all yours.”
“Thanks!”
The temperature was slowly dropping as evening was approaching. Beau walked over to the campfire to get a better look at the drawing. On the back he noticed some writing.
Ancient star wand
Purpose: To grant the user one wish
Location: Lost in time
“Location: Lost in time...?” Beau murmured to himself.
“What was that kid? OH, I’m sorry. Where are my manners? I’m Mr. Resetti. I couldn’t help but overhear you mention something is lost in time.”
“Yeah...” Beau stated as he anxiously looked at the mole who was now sitting next to him on the bench.
“I knew Tom Nooks actions would have consequences that would mess with laws of nature. Never trust a tanuki, kid.”
“Tom Nook, the real estate agent in town?”
“That’s the one and only.”
“What does he have to do with all of this?”
“His housing contracts are cursed. It’s all an illusion. There is invisible fine print on all property titles that the occupant will be compelled to want to move within a month’s time in order to keep Nook’s business booming. All I know is he worked with that sly fox Redd to draft these black magic documents, and when the work was complete, he chased Redd out of town so no one could know the horrible truth. It’s my job to protect all citizens of our fine town. To know all and see all, but I suppose it cost me my job since he fired me. Like my philosophy, all rules must be followed, lest you face the consequences. As a result of this, humans have learned the art of time travel. Our worlds reality is compromised, and I’ve made it my mission to try to restore the balance, and protect all our residents despite what old Nook thinks. If that wand is lost in time, it’s as good as gone, sorry kid.”
Beau tossed the drawing into the fire disheartened and defeated. Not only were his hopes of seeing his friends again shattered, but now he had learned his fate was unchangeable. He would now loose Fauna too, and like Eric, he couldn’t bring himself to tell her he would soon leave her behind as well.
“Hey kid! Tell no one what we’ve discussed here for your own safety. NOW SCRAM!!”
The mole disappeared into the ground as if he was a figment of Beaus imagination. On the bench where the mole was sitting was now a camera. Beau picked it up, and stumbled into a nearby hammock. Defeated and fatigued, he passed out instantly.
Beau woke to the chipping of bluebirds all around him. He wished he could enjoy all the beauty that surrounded him, but he was consumed by his grief. He made his way towards Harvey who was enjoying the company of his feathered friends.
“Did you sleep well pal?”
“I did. Thank you for your kindness. Mr. Resetti left this camera behind. Hopefully you can return it to him for me.”
Beau handed the camera to Harvey. The dog was intrigued by this device. He began taking pictures of his feathered friends.
“I need to get me one of these in the near future.”
“Harvey, don’t wait too long to follow your dreams, because unlike the pictures, you can’t go back in time. Take care and thank you again.”
Gravel crunched under Beau’s hooves, as he made his way sorrowfully back home. He wasn’t in any rush to go back. After all, today he knew he was moving, and despite not wanting to, he knew his fate was sealed. His home was coming into view, and Tom Nook was waiting by the door.
“Beau there you are. I’ve been looking for you. We need to discuss your moving situation, yes, yes! I’m here to offer you a new service. I’m proud to present The Deserted Island Getaway Package.”
“Sure, I’ll take it. It’s not like I have anywhere else to go.”
“Excellent, just sign here and I’ll take care of the rest.”
He signed without hesitation. If he truly had no choice in the matter, why delay the inevitable.
“Everything looks in order. Ok follow me. We need to get you to the airport asap.”
The flight was a blur. Beau couldn’t even remember the inflight movie, or if there was one for that matter. Nook showed him to his new home. It was nice enough, but in truth, why even care if he would have to leave it all behind in the near future. He decided he’d check out his new surroundings, plus he was famished.
The town was pretty underdeveloped, but luckily there were plenty of apple trees. While the apples comforted his hunger, they still reminded him of his friend Fauna. How he wished things could be different. Somehow before him a familiar face came into view. He’d recognize her face anywhere. It was none other than Celeste. An owl with a passion for everything celestial.
“Good evening, Beau! I’m here to examine the night sky. I hope I even see a shooting star! Have you ever heard that a wish upon a falling star will bring you good fortune. The stars above, falling all the way to earth to hear our wishes. Oh, I nearly forgot. I ran across this DIY in one of my books on the stars. It seems there’s a magic wand, that if you give it a wave you become a whole new you. I’d like to give it to you as a token of our friendship. Please try it out sometime. I hope to see you again soon.”
Beau stood there in disbelief. Could this mean all hope wasn’t truly lost? All he knew at this moment was he was determined to find a shooting star. It couldn’t just be a coincidence That the DIY is the exact star wand as the one Wendell drew in a dream. He scoured the sky frantically, refusing to blink, in hopes he wouldn’t miss a single star. Suddenly the familiar sound followed by several shooting star streaked through the night sky. He wished on everyone that crossed his path until the sky grew silent again. Racing home he headed to bed in anticipation of a letter from Wishy. Much to his dismay, there was no letter in the morning.
With a heavy heart the made his way to the beach. At least he could relax a little buy the ocean, or so he thought. He sat on what he thought was a seashell, but was in fact a star fragment. He immediately pulled out the DIY and realized he could craft the wand. Without haste he ran to the nearest crafting table. Moments later he now possessed the star wand. He raised the wand in the air and wished that all animals be free to decide their own path, and that he would one day be reunited with his dear friends.
“Beau, I got bad news. That outfit doesn’t suit you.” Eric stated.
“Yeah, it’s really not your color.” Fauna giggled.
Beau immediately hugged his friends.
“Is everything alright Beau?” Fauna said with concern.
“Everything’s perfect! But now that you mention it, there’s a weird rumor going around… Some folks? They’re saying none of this is real. None of it. They say the island is just a game, and everything we say, or do, it’s just to amuse somebody else! And.. I donno. I kinda maybe believe it. So many things would make more sense, ya know? Have you ever thought fruit grows way too fast, and trees have three kinds of wood? Have you ever noticed there’s pretty music everywhere. It’s great, but it’s weird… Does Tom Nook make any kind of sense to you!? Yeah I’ll buy your seashells so you can give me back my own money to pay off a house I’m selling to you! It’s all so obvious! Our lives are fake. We all should have seen it a long time ago. A long time ago. A huh huh huh. I’m joking, it’s a joke. You oughta see the look on your faces!”
