Lunchbox Lion Prompt
The sound of kids screaming and laughing was far away but loud enough to keep Hurley awake. He tried to nap away the time but the sounds. It kept reminding him that everyone else was enjoying halloween. Trick and treating with family, watching horror movies, even going to the local amusement park for their special Jacko’s Fright Night event.
Everyone expected him and Cereal.
Hurley was trying his best to convince his companion, his friend, and his buddy to enjoy Halloween instead of wasting it away in the amusement park’s workshop. Tapping his paws lightly against the cold concrete was the most “fun” he could get at this moment. Besides watching Cereal tighten a bolt, loosen a screw, let the animatronic run its routine, then repeat over and over again. It has been almost two hours of just this alone.
Laying his whole body flat on the ground he yawned “you have done that 20 times now, I wish I was over exaggerating that. He was loud enough that Cereal stopped mid turn tightening the 5th bolt on the robot’s arm.
Glancing over his shoulder he mumbled “I’m sorry,” the tone of his voice sounded genuinely guilty, so much so it made Hurley get up and walk over to his side. He didn’t want to make Cereal feel bad, but he also didn’t want this cycle to keep going for the whole night. Gently pushing his body against Cereal’s leg. His cold hand reached down as he ruffled Hurley’s mane, it took sometime but Hurley got used to the freezing touch. It became normal, “I just can’t… bring myself to relax. Not until this is done.”
This though? It will never be normal to him. It was his job to prevent Cereal from overworking himself, accidentally forgetting his lunch break, and now he had to somehow make him go enjoy halloween. “Mm… Have you considered that a break might help you? If you keep doing the same thing over and over again, you can’t see what changes you are actually making.” Looking up with his green eyes.
“After all… I think your friends would love to see you again don’t you think? It has been … how long?” Nudging his head into Cereal’s leg again, “for sure too long. Didn’t you tell me Dai was hosting a small get-together for his family and friends?”
Cereal sighed, “true, he did say he wanted me to show up. I’m betting he is hosting the party as a way for everyone to catch up with each other since this fall has been more busy than normal.” Hurley kept looking up at Cereal with big eyes. “... you want me to go, don’t you?” Quickly he nodded his head up and down so fast that for a moment it seemed like it might fly off of his shoulders.
“Okay… okay, just because I don’t want to make my brother sad I didn’t show up for his party. Besides, he has never hosted a non birthday party before.” Cereal and Hurley exchanged big grins as they grabbed their things. Cereal quickly put away his tools and supplies, putting the work in progress animatronic back in storage. Wiping down his hands with an old towel to get any dirt or oil off of his hands as he began to make his way back to Hurley. However, he was gone.
“Hurley?” Cereal called out. He felt a bit uneasy, it wasn’t like him to suddenly disappear like that. Doesn’t help that the workshop was quiet. Too quiet. Suddenly, the sound of soft humming was heard in the back of the warehouse. It did not sound like one of the animatronics, it sounded almost…. Unnatural.
“Cereal! Over here!” Hurley’s voice broke the tension as Cereal let out a sigh of relief. Walking towards where Hurley’s voice came from, Cereal spoke up, “hey! Next time give a heads up before you poof … like … that.” His voice trailed off as he saw what Hurley was holding in his mouth. The handle of this weird glowing candy basket was held up in the air by the lunchbox lion’s jaw. “Huh… okay, I guess finders keepers? As long as that does not any weird magic, you can keep it. I wonder what it is though.”
“I’ll take a look at it another time, but let’s head over to Dai’s.” Hurley, who was ready to go with his new Halloween basket in mouth, shook it side to side letting out a huff. “Okay… Okay we will first trick or treat then Dai’s party, alright?”