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𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼
“Sox? What are you doing there?” Izzy asked the robot cat, whose is just staring at the corner of the room.
“I’m currently playing the game called ‘Time Out’. I’m currently at 160 points.” Sox stated, face plastered to the wall.
Izzy stared, “160..?”.
Izzy stepped into the room. It was lit, almost like someone was here, but not.
“Where’s Buzz?” Izzy asked as she opened the cabinet, it seems like Buzz hasn’t had lunch yet.
“Oh, Buzz is resting on the bed,” Sox said matter-of-factly.
Izzy looked at the very empty bed, “You sure about that?”.
“I’m very sure. He said he’d be there to keep track of my score.”
“…right.” Izzy glanced around the room and noticed something hidden under the desk.
Izzy bent down and pulled out a small vase with flowers in it. They looked like tulips, shining vibrantly like the sun. She sniffed and was blessed with a blissful smell.
“Where did Buzz get these?” Izzy asked as she raised the vase and placed it gently on the counter.
“I’m sorry, Izzy, but I have to stay focused on the game.” Sox started which made Izzy sigh.
“He’s not here- ok. Look for yourself." Izzy picked Sox up and faced him towards the entire sleeping quarters.
Sox scanned the room, “Oh no, Buzz isn’t here!” The panic now suddenly sets in the tiny robot cat.
Izzy placed Sox on the counter next to the vase of flowers, “How many times has Buzz played this… ‘game’?” she asked.
Sox looked up at Izzy, “About 16 times now. Every time I succeed in keeping my eyes on the wall, I get 10 points.” Sox explained.
“16 times…” she pondered as she placed her hands on her hips, “…that's a lot of times to play a boring game like that,” she commented.
“He really likes playing the game. It’s his favourite these past couple of weeks.” Sox added.
Izzy looked at Sox then at the flowers. Those flowers must be connected.
“Where did Buzz get these flowers?” Izzy asked as she gently touched a petal.
Sox turned his head to the flowers, “I don’t possess memory of where Buzz obtained these flowers but he always has a single flower in his hand when the game ends.”.
A single flower?
Izzy carefully counted the flowers. In total 16 tulips. Izzy hummed to herself as she thought about her next course of action. But she didn’t have time because the doors opened and Buzz walked in.
“Izzy? What are you doing here?” He asked as he suspiciously hid his right hand behind his back.
“I was looking for you. Sox was worried too. Weren’t you, buddy?” She asked the little cat.
“Indeed. Where did you go, Buzz?”
Buzz stood stiffly by the door, “I.. I was at the cafeteria. I was craving something.” he replied.
Izzy nodded, “I see, and is that your food?” she asked as she snaked her way behind Buzz to get a peek.
Buzz quickly turned, “WOAH- ok, I- No, this is-” Izzy pulled Buzz’s hand and there it was.
A single tulip.
Izzy and Buzz looked up at each other and maintained contact.
“That’s not food.”
“I- I know that-”
“I didn’t know you craved flowers.”
“I do NOT eat flowers-”
“Since when did the cafeteria serve these?” Izzy asked as she reached for the tulip.
Buzz pulled the tulip to his chest, “What do you want?” he asked as he backed up a little.
Izzy tilted her head, she walked past Buzz, “Nothing. I just wanna know where you’re getting these lovely flowers.” she says as she gestures to the vase.
Buzz froze, “Those were-”
“Under the table.” Izzy finished his sentence and she leaned against the said table, “You’re hiding something, Buzz.”.
Buzz laughed but there was a hint of anxiousness, “I’m hiding something?” he asked as he gestured to himself, “No. Believe me, I’m not.” he stated.
Izzy maintained eye contact, she stared daggers into Buzz’s soul.
“Ok,” Izzy announced as she pushed herself off the table and walked to the door.
“Ok?”
“Ok”, Izzy smiled then left.
Buzz watched as the door closed, then turned to Sox and the vase of flowers. He sighed, gently scratched Sox behind the ear and gently placed the tulip along with the rest of the tulips in the vase. He cupped one of them and pulled it close to his nose. He could almost imagine he was still there.
𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼
Izzy made sure her footsteps weren’t too loud. Curiosity kills the cat, but to her, curiosity kills boredom. Buzz was hiding something and she wanted to know what that thing was.
Buzz carefully made his way to a vacant space shuttle. Izzy watched from behind some crates to make sure her presence wasn’t known. Before Buzz stepped on the shuttle, he looked back, making sure he wasn’t followed. After he was sure, he closed the doors behind him.
Izzy knew she had a small window to get in without being detected and that's through the small hatch below the shuttle. Carefully and hurriedly she sneaked below the shuttle, fumbled with the wheel but managed to open it and sneaked in. She held her breath and stayed where she was. The spot she was hiding was good enough to hide herself.
The ride didn’t take long. The shuttle flew a bit across space, passing a few planets then finally landed. Izzy can hear Buzz walking to the door, opening and walking out. Izzy waited for a bit before finally stepping out. She looked around before recognising the planet.
“…Earth.” She whispered as a small butterfly fluttered past her.
A meadow of flowers expanded in front of her. A splash of vibrant colours wherever she looked. But why would Buzz come here of all planets? Did he receive a mission or something that she didn’t know about? Izzy had never been on Earth yet, but she’s heard of it. She’s read studies of the planet which is why she managed to figure out that this was Earth.
Izzy carefully sneaked around the meadow, wondering where Buzz had even walked off to. She walked past more flowers, each one beautiful and smelling amazing. She was so enamoured by these beautiful plants that she didn’t notice the rock. Suddenly the world shook and Izzy tumbled. Izzy rolled down the not-so-steep hill and fell flat into more flowers. The smells were overwhelming, she sneezed. Izzy pushed herself up and rubbed her nose which only made her sneeze again.
“Bless you.”
Izzy blinked and looked up. A man stood before her. Dressed in a yellow shirt, and what looked like a cowhide jacket with a red bandana around his neck. He kinda looked like those cowboys she’s heard about. The stranger even had the most cowboy-looking hat too.
“You alright there, Jill?” He asked as he extended a hand.
Izzy stared at the hand then at the cowboy, “My name isn’t Jill..” but she took the hand anyway.
The cowboy laughed, “No- I meant, Jill, as in Jack and Jill..” he said expecting Izzy to get it but she didn’t.
“Jack and Jill? Went up the hill…?”
“…”
“Ya, forget it.” The cowboy said as he fixed his hat, “How are you feeling, Miss..?”
Izzy blinked, “Oh, Izzy. Call me, Izzy. Just Izzy.” she said as she extended a hand to shake.
The cowboy shook it, “Nice to meet you, Izzy.” he smiled as he pulled away.
Izzy looked around and realised her tumble had taken her further from the ship. She couldn’t even see it now.
“You alright there?” The cowboy asked.
“Ya, I’m just.. I’m looking for someone, he’s about this high, wears the same gear as me and-”
“Looks serious all the time?” The cowboy cuts her off.
Izzy stared, “Ya! Wait- how do you know him?”.
The cowboy laughed softly, “He comes by quite often.” he replied as he gestured to her to follow him up the path.
Izzy followed behind him, “For what exactly..?” she asked.
The cowboy took some time to respond, “To.. pick up some stuff.” he replied.
They walked past a few trees and there before them was a wooden house. A nice house surrounded by trees and some..
Izzy stopped walking which made the cowboy turn around, “Is something wrong?” he asked.
Izzy looked at the flowers around the house, then at the cowboy, “Those are tulips.” she said.
The cowboy looked back at the house then smiled, “Yup. I don’t know about you, but tulips just make the house look lively, y’know?” he said as he rested his hands on his hips.
“Especially the yellow ones. They’re my favourite,” he added which just made Izzy turn to him and stare.
“Your… favourite?”
The cowboy hummed, “Yeah, obviously there's daffodils and sunflowers but I don’t know.. Those yellow tulips just bring a smile to my face.”
Izzy watched as the cowboy started moving towards the house, “C’mon. Let’s not wait in the sun now.”.
Izzy’s eyes never left him, “..What’s your name?”.
The cowboy stopped, “What?”.
“Your name..” Izzy pointed out, “…I never got your name.”.
The cowboy now fully turned to Izzy. He looked at her then smiled.
“Pride.” He tipped his hat, “Woody Pride.”.
𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼