[Poppy] Rain Check

Poppy let out a sneeze and crinkled his nose, feeling the air suddenly drop a degree (or at least, that was what it felt like). This wasn’t the first time that he found himself getting caught in a shift in weather, but then again, the clouds that hung over Burrowgatory were numerous and gray the whole day. It was bound to let loose at some point, and that happened to be in the afternoon, right when he was casting his line without any shade.

And in Burrowgatory, around this time, when it rains, it pours.

He only had perhaps a minute to sprint to the nearest shelter before the tiny droplets became larger and heavier. It hit the ground with a certain ferocity, disturbing loose soil and rippling the water on the lake’s surface. Poppy had to settle for a towering tree with sprawling branches; its leaves catching most of the rain, which would have to do until it lightened up some.

He stared at the scene before him: the landscape looked blurry and also did not look like it was going to cease any time soon. Usually, he would at least have the bobber in the water to keep him company; the potential surprise of something catching the line or a stray piece of debris floating towards him that would make the wait worth it. Here though, away from the water’s edge and with nowhere else to go, the only thing he could look forward to was for the rain to lighten, or stop altogether, if the clouds were generous.

Since it looked like it was going to take a while, he decided to sit on the slightly damp grass and continue to watch. The rhythm of the rain was soothing in its own way, but he would’ve preferred to be inside somewhere rather than the spotty shade of a tree. Every now and then he would think if it was safe for him to take a nap, but he also wondered if this area was prone to flooding, and decided that it was not a good idea.

So he would continue to watch, and for a while, the scenery did not change.

That was until he saw a figure run into his point of view, white and ghostly, until they almost tripped but managed to regain their footing. They had a little glow behind their head that was noticeable in the dreary weather, but seemed to have stopped in place under the rain. Poppy would raise his hand in an attempt to catch their attention, and when the stranger finally faced his way, they approached, flimsy umbrella in hand.

“Oh, I should not have listened to Jackal and thought that this umbrella was enough.” they shook their head and lightly squeezed their oddly shaped ears. The glow, as it turned out, was coming from a circle that steadily floated behind them. “Have you been waiting out this storm for a while?”

Poppy nodded, realizing only then that he was not talking to a Succubun.

They placed their hands on their waist, looking rather disappointed. “Shame, but at least we can wait it out together, if you do not mind.”

He shook his head and patted the fairly dry grass beside him, close to the tree trunk. The stranger obliged and showed a kind smile. Their dress was soaked and her exposed legs a little muddy, but they were lucky that it was not windy - the tree still provided ample cover, especially since the rain was starting to lighten. It was now easier to hear each other speak.

When they sat on the grass, they let out a soft sigh before turning back to Poppy. “My name is Dove. It is a pleasure to meet you, though I wish it were in better circumstances.” They showed their hand; a gesture for a handshake.

The Succubun stared at it for a moment before taking it and shaking it once. “Poppy. Pleasure.” he paused for a moment, “It always rains heavily this time of year.”

“My friend said the same thing, but did not outfit me appropriately.” they did not sound angry nor disappointed, and they still had an easygoing smile on their face. “I was on the way back home and saw the clouds. I had thought I was clever for taking a shortcut, but I was not able to outrun the rain. How about you, though?” they glanced at the fishing rod Poppy was holding and could not hide the moment of confusion on their face, “I was told that there were no creatures besides flora that lived in Burrowgatory?”

“Correct. I only catch imps. And the occasional can or plastic bottle.”

“Oh!” and unsurprisingly, it looked like Dove did not know what to do with the information at first. They decided to go for the safer option, “What kind of imps?”

“The kind that swim.”

They let out a small snort. “I did not expect a deadpan sense of humor.”

“I was not trying to be humorous.”

“Ah, you will have to forgive me then, for assuming.”

“No apologies needed.” Poppy glanced at the rod in his hands for a moment, “I didn’t get to catch anything before the rain fell, so I have nothing to show.”

“That’s alright. Only a few moments before, I did not know that there were imps that swam in the lake.”

The conversation would bounce between them under the wet leaves. Eventually, without them paying attention, the rain would lighten further, becoming a gentle drizzle and letting some of the light from the ceiling’s crystals shine through. Dove did not wait for it to completely stop, however, as they had an umbrella, and they mentioned that their friend might be worried that they were not back home yet.

“What will you do, Poppy?”

“Go back home. I like being by the water, but not getting drenched.”

“Hehe, I see. Well, I wish you good luck with your fishing when the weather improves.”

“And you have a safe trip back.”

“Thank you.”

The stranger would open their black umbrella and take a few hesitant steps onto the soaked grass before waving back. They would then pick up their pace and walk towards the direction of the park’s exit, away from view. Poppy’s eyes would flit between the halo that graced Dove’s head as well as the notably tiny, fluffy tail they had. He may not be very knowledgeable about current events, but considering the conversation he had with a friend the other day, and now this encounter…well, he supposed his interest was piqued. Perhaps he should pay a visit to the Heavenly Embassy after all.