Silver (The Devereaux Story)/Chapter 1

"So, what are we doing here again?"

Eska asked Painter as they worked their way through the Fluorescent Fields.

"I already told you," Painter explained while mixing the red and the blue together, "We're collecting paint for my grande masteurpiesas!"

"Master pizzas?" Eska coked her head while carrying a bucket full of orange paint, "Isn't that Baker's thing?"

"Non!" Painter replied, "masteurpiesas!"

"That's what I said," Eska stated.

Painter face palmed himself, "My masterpiece! Papa is hosting an artistic showcase in the village, and I want to participate. Partially, because I want to be ze one to win..."

However, Eska wasn't listening to the rest because she was distracted by high-pitched squeaking. She followed the sound through the fields to the same stump she hid Britze when the red Smurfs attacked here. She slowly got on her knees and looked through the hole. It seemed as though nothing was in here until a small head peeked out from under the leaves and startled Eska. Eska looked back inside the stump.

When it peeked out some more, it revealed itself to look like a mouse with light grey fur and beady, black, and adorable eyes. The mouse cowered in fear and backed up from Eska. Eska's eyes widened in sympathy as she pouted.

"You poor thing!" Eska whispered to it, "You must be scared! Well, don't worry. You're among friends here. I won't hurt you."

The mouse stuck its nose in the air to sniff around. It slowly scurried over to Eska and sniffed her. Eska chucked a bit and held out her hand. The little one was small enough to fit into the palm of her hand. Eska took a closer look.

"The thing is only a baby," Eska realized, "It must've gotten separated from its parents!" She looked at the sleeping baby mouse, and how hollow its stomach is, "We'll get you something to eat, then figure out where your family is."

"Eska, mon ami, " a voice echoed. It was Painter, "Who are you talking to?"

"Uh.."Eska looked at the mouse, then Painter. She cupped the mouse close to her chest so Painter wouldn't see, "Nothing!"

"Well, I got the paint I needed," Painter held up his buckets of paint, "We shall head back to ze village so that I can start my ''masteurpiesas!" ''

"Painter," Eska told him, "Only Baker can make master pizzas!"

"Augh! Never mind you!" Painter grunted, then headed back to the village. Eska used the red hoodie tied around her waist and put it on backwards, putting the baby mouse in her hood to keep an eye on it.

"No worries, little fella," Eska pet its head with her finger gently, "I'll take care of you."

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