A Helping Hand

Amaryllis had shut the bookstore for the day. She wanted to get to know some of the others in the Burrowgatory. Not that her pale skin tone agreed about being out during the brighter hours. She walked until it was too much for her.

Entering the nearest building, she smiled. There were imps everywhere. She wasn’t in the Imporium, these were not the imps that Hutch kept. She remembered when she showed Hutch Maria. It didn’t end well. At least she got to keep the Uniqor.

She  approached some of the imps, quite curious. Cribbit, Stroodle, Lepidaisy….. She stopped at the last one, Stellaram. It was beautiful and looked so soft. She wondered if the imp would get along with her Maria.

A cough from behind her almost made her jump. She turned to see a doll, larger than herself. She looked up at the blue eyes, a half smile on her face.

“Well, hello sweetheart. Here for one of my pedigree imps?”

“I wasn’t. I didn’t even know these existed. They’re beautiful. Could I lend you a hand?”

“Sure thing! I’m Quince.” She moved around Amaryllis and picked up the Stellaram then handed it to the goth girl.

“I’m Amaryllis,” she said, gently holding the imp. She petted it. Definitely as soft as it looked.

“What a pretty name. Do you own an imp?”She notes how the imp leans into the doll. Almost instant trust.

“I do. A Uniqor. Her name is Maria. She got a hold of some mochi a while back, but I think I much prefer her new appearance.”

Quince smiled. A girl that had taste. Perfect. She led the smaller bun to a small, open space. “So, I train the imps I sell, but it is just as important to play with them too. Put that one down in here.”

Amaryllis did as she was told. Quince handed her an imp toy. Within moments, Amaryllis was playing with the Stellaram. Quince watched, noting the bun was sweet and gentle with the imp. It was perfect. Soon the imp climbed into Amaryllis’ lap, laying down for a nap.

Quince put Peach and Mademoiselle in the area to let them play. She sat next to Amaryllis. Amaryllis suddenly felt a hand in her hair. She sighed as she was petted. She pet the Stellaram as she leaned into the larger bun. She closed her eyes just as Quince’s imps took notice.

“Thank you for the help, Amaryllis. This imp was a bit anxious from too much energy, but it’s not ready to play with other imps just yet. Will you come back?”

“Yes. I’ll bring Maria with me too. Once she’s done being mad I spent time with another imp,” she joked. This caused the large bun to laugh.

“I would be happy to meet Maria. It sounds like she adores you if she’d be jealous.” Quince scooped the Stellaram into her lap. She petted the imp until it calmed back down.

Amaryllis stood up, smiling to Quince. She left with a promise to return tomorrow. She did, with Maria in tow. She returned the day after that too, enjoying helping with the imps on her unprompted vacation.