Blackberry's Second Journal: Chapter 9.5

[Blackberry Bun]

A mini chapter to introduce the new character.

Chapter 9.5: Newcomer


"So let me get this straight," I said while walking home with Almond after the Berry Blossom Festival was over.

"Ok," Almond said.

"You, Albatross, transformed into what you are now. Almond Cookie," I said.

"That's right," he said.

"And you can change back," I said. "But with a catch."

"Yes," he said. "I only can change back into spaceship once a day, and I only can keep it for five minutes."

"That's a huge handicap if you ask me," I said. "How come?"

"I had no idea that my transformation is nearly irreversible," he said. "I thought I could change back and forth as I like."

"Okay, I see," I said. "But how did you know about the five minutes limit?"

"I... I don't know. I just... know that," he said.

"Alright, any other special thing I should know?" I asked.

"Most of the magic from my spaceship form are gone when I'm in this form, though a few tiny bits still remain. Like this," he said, emitting small fire from his hands.

"The two Flame Stones," I said.

"Yeah, but it really hurts doing this," he said, putting off the fire. Burns could be seen on his palms, but they disappeared within seconds.

"The regenerative stone," I said.

"And I think the gravity magic from the Blue Rainbowberry is in my hair," he said, pointing at his gravity-defying hair. "The rest are probably gone completely."

"You forgot the Sun Stone," I said. "There are no other possible explanation for your sprinting across the berry fields without sweating."

"I missed that, alright," he said with a laugh.

"I'm wondering about your looks," I said. "How and why did you get that?"

"I don't know," he replied. "It was random, I guess."

"If you ask me, you have... unique looks," I said. "Simple, yet unique."

"Heh, really?" he said. "Good for me then."

"I'm not sure about that," I said. "In any case, do you plan on telling everyone else that you're Albatross?"

"If any of them asks me 'Are you Albatross?', I'll tell the truth. Otherwise, I won't say anything," he replied. "You can tell them if you like."

"I'll follow your plan," I said. "If anybody asks 'Is Almond Albatross?' I'll tell. That's all."

"I guess I'll be living with you from now on, right?" he said.

"You've been living with me from the start," I said. "No difference."

"Heh, I guess you're right," he said. "Your Majesty."

"Hey, I've already told you to quit calling me that!" I said. "The festival's over already!"


So, from that day, my home got a new kid. Almond's presence at home changed my life significantly. He was very cheerful, noisy, and he loved dragging me out from home every single day to play with others or just to walk around the land. He was very good at playing berry ball, skating, cycling, and any other physical thing. His infinite stamina made things worse for me and for everyone else as well because he would ask for more rounds even when we were already exhausted. Despite all those, everybody in Strawberryland loved him like any other friends, and I myself was no exception. I slowly began to forget that he was my spaceship I had to figure out. Instead, I started to consider him as my brother.

"Maybe it's better this way..." I said to myself while lying down in muse on the sofa in my house.

"Hey, what are you waiting for!? Let's go out and play!" Almond shouted from near the main door.

"Again?" I asked. "Ah well, right behind you," I continued, getting up from the sofa to follow him.


--End of Chapter 9.5--

[Stella Grapes]

Sounds like fun. I take it that fate just knows when newcomers need or do not need their own houses.

By the way, is the human version of this character anything like your actual brother's personality?

[Blackberry Bun]

By the way, is the human version of this character anything like your actual brother's personality?

I've never planned it in any way, but it seems to be the case. hock: