Chapter 10          

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a good Christmas/Holiday Break and New Year's! Let's see what
2022 brings us!

Enjoy the story!

Warning: OOC, random craziness, Error past dark abuse, many other troubles if mention,  cursing, killing, dark themes, racism mention profanity, suicidal moments, sexual moments mentioned, violence, smoking, drugs, alcohol, cringe, yandere, possible musical/singing moments and bad flirts.

Error/Moxxie speaking/thoughts

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"Maria, Moxxie glad you're here!" Susie exclaimed and hugged her friend. o

"Glad to be back!" Maria hugging back.

Striker coming over and looked at Moxxie coming out the truck. "Hey little critter. Still small like before."

Moxxie just walked past him and cuddle Bombproof. Who has gotten a bit taller. But he has ways to go before they can past their mother height.

"Hey don't ignore me!"

Bombproof neighs and nuzzle Moxxie happily.

"Traitor!"

"Whistler?" Moxxie looks at him.

"In the barn your rudeness."

Moxxie grinned and stick his tongue out at him.

"Why you-"

"Striker watch Moxxie while I bring Maria inside."

"Do it have too!"

"Yes!" Susie snickered as her son was already going after him when he yelled. "Those two are something else."

"I'm almost scared what those two will be when there older. In a good way."

"Plus, bad in a kickass way. Whiskey?"

"Hit me with a shot."

Moxxie rushes over behind the home and see Whistler outside the barn and the fence area. Grin as he hears the horse neighs excitedly to see them. Now at the fence and grins as they nibble their head. Hugs their face.

"Spoil them why don't you." Striker caught up with him and Bombproof walks over and nudge Moxxie.

They want the yummy carrots.

Moxxie did producing the familiar blood carrots.

Striker 'tsk' and watches the shorter Imp feed them both. Figures. Too nice for his age. Walks over and ruffle their head. Got a hiss and almost got bitten.

But still a vicious brat. Good.

"So, critter. How that lame school of yours."

Moxxie shrugged. "Boring but okay. You?"

"Waste of time but dealing with it." Striker rather be back here at home working on the farm. Even the ranch he can go sometimes with Mom to get their horses check. But his mom won't let him 'skip' school. Not like they even do much in their grades besides start planning how to beat someone up or gossip on stupid rumors. But he likes to stick it at few of those idiots that he is smarter and tougher than them. Especially when someone tries to bully him. Will NOT feel like that again. "But hey don't have to deal with little babies like you."

"Besides yourself."

"You got ten seconds to run before I put you in the chicken pen."

Moxxie really did run since he knows Striker will do it. He does not want to be peck thank you very much. The chickens can be vicious if they weren't feed. So, not taking the chances!

Besides that 'lovely' encounter the past two days went alright. Hang out with Susie and Striker. Even if Striker won't admit they are hanging out. Neither will Moxxie admit it. Got to watch Striker show him stuff he been teaching Bombproof and the foal was doing pretty well. Then spend time with Whistler in the barn. He actually got to go horseback riding with Susie.

He enjoyed it a lot and the presence of another person didn't bother him. He still can't believe he of all people will actually get comfortable about that. Well at least with those he only like and such. But only for a certain amount of time till he started to get fidgeted. That was Susie cue to get Whistler to bring them back on the barn.

Moxxie kept denying to Striker that he 'stole' the dagger he got him. Seeing the snake get so irritated is very amusing. Especially when he points out he is being smug behind the scarf. No, proof to show he actually done it. Plus, not like the others will believe him.

"This is your handwriting!"

"Nope."

"I'm seeing you write right now!"

"Not mine."

"Smart ass critter!"

"Whiner."

"VERMIN!"

"RATTLES!"

"Kids stop fighting or no ice cream at festival!"

They went quiet.

Striker got hit with a paper ball and open it up. Twitch at what it said.

Baby Rattles.

Error duck down from a pillow that hit the wall. Wow Striker left a small crack.

"STRIKER YOU BETTER NOT BE THROWING A PILLOW AT THE WALL AGAIN!"

"IT WAS ONE TIME AND THERE WAS A BRICK IN IT! THIS ONE DIDN'T!"

"THERE BETTER NOT BE!"

Yep he will be watching his eyes on pillows for a while.

"Rattles?"

"What?"

"You going to be in game?"

"Game?"

"Pain Game?"

Striker blinked and laughed. "I'm too young to be in it. They don't let you do it till your sixteen last time I check. Why worry I'll get hurt?"

"Nope."

"Ru-"

"Striker strong and can beat others if he wants too just. Little right now," Moxxie said in a casually like he was stating a fact.

Striker stared a long time and pushed their head down. "Yeah, yeah I am strong. But take a lot more than strength-"

"Like your ego."

"Seriously how you know that word! Do you even know what I means?"

"Book and yes."

"Smart ass."

"Pouty face."

"TROLL!"

"SWAMP RAT!"

"WHAT DID I JUST SAY!"

"Sorry Ma!"

"Sorry Susie."

Both gave each other a look that this 'fight' was just on hold. They do want those treats at the festival.

It was the next day and they arrived at the festival. Everything was soon finished being set up with food stands, random merchandise that probably not legal, knick knacks to be sold, game stands, music, bets being made on the participants of the pain game.

Moxxie fidgeted at the amount of people and stayed close to his Madre. His eyes looked around for any exits and such. Then at the Imps of any weapons, following them or possibly sell them something. Along with those annoying rats or possible bunnies.

"Is he always like that at event?" Striker asked Maria when he sees how fidgeted Moxxie was being. Kept shaking or looking around like a guard dog. Would have found it hilarious and joke. But he has seen him like this when they came over last time. How he only seems to only handle certain amount of people. He never seen someone so alert and nervous. The old miner at the bar usually like this but he was also a paranoid mess.

"Mostly yes. We usually just stay for half the event and watch the moon back at home." Maria tells him and look down. Eyes soften at her boy and pick him up with his tail. Chuckle at the pout he was giving her and nuzzle his head. "Relax Moxxie and have some fun."

"Fun?"

"Yes, fun."

"Moon?"

"The moon comes after the game."

"Still likes space?" Susie asked her when she put Moxxie down. The two watching their boys as Striker shows him one of the games and began to play.

"Yes." Maria sighs and smile a bit. The two woman looking at each other. "He just keeps surprising me on stuff that catch his interest."

"Think something from his past." Susie snorted.

Their boys in the background. Striker yelling at the worker. Moxxie just facepalming at the interaction.

"Yes." Maria eyes darken at that thought.

"Hey don't go on killing protective mom." Susie jokes but has a familiar look. "He is doing much better. He happy in own deadpan face way. You did well. Plus, your happy. Happier than you haven't been in a while."

"Hey I've been happy!"

"Yes, you have been but I'm just happy you have someone at that house now." Nudge her. "Moxxie help you out a lot too. Sure lost a lot of sleep to figure out the kid. But hey you are doing something right."

"I hope so." Maria chuckles

Moxxie threw a rock at the worker. They were knock out fast. Moxxie and Striker stared at the body. Then quickly take the prize they defiantly won.

"Kill any parents yet?"

"Oh I was so close tearing this bitch head off at the parking lot!"

"Do tell!"

"That was a scam!" Striker snarled and stared at the ball. It was already deflating. "This is junk! Should of took the money box!"

"You wanted it."

"You didn't complain either. Here get rid of it. Probably something else better."

Moxxie didn't make a comment and throw the small rubber ball at the other side of the festival. Barely paid attention, or care, where the ball landed.

BAM

"JERRY NO!"

"WHO THREW THAT?"

"HE WAS TOO YOUNG TO DIE!"

"Check his wallet."

"HE WAS A SHINING ST-5 soul money? You cheap ass prick! I'll kill you!"

"Already dead idiot."

"I'll double kill him!"

They played a few games and walk around just enjoying a good time. Moxxie was still a bit nervous but wasn't as bad like before. Soon they got some food and treats. Then headed off to the stands to watch the Pain Games that'll start soon. Maria made sure their seats were at the end of the bleachers so they can leave any moment.

"You think there will be any funerals Ma?" Striker asked her as eats his popcorn.

"Depends how many."

"How many were there last year?"

"Three surprisingly. But the third technically died after the fight was over. So, I guess it doesn't count." Susie taking a sip of her drink. "Want to make a bet Maria?"

"I'll pass."

"Can I bet?" Striker asked his Ma.

"Im not taking your money Striker unless you do all the house work."

"Hey Moxxie want to do a bet?"

"Striker!"

"What?"

"He not legal to bet. Same with you. Wait till he ten."

"Dangit! You two bet when you were younger."

"Correct we did but never talk about it in front of our folks."

"So, much money we spend afterwards."

"Worth it."

"Game?"

"Yes, the game starting."

Moxxie really didn't care to much about the games as he watches everyone go through obstacle courses, tug a war, lots of fighting matches, throwing knives or try to tackle down a hell bull. Huh guess back then there were a lot of extra parts happening in the game. Sure he snorted and snickered slightly on some stuff that happen. But all and all bored. Sees enough violence and really didn't know any of the imps.

"You having fun critter?" Striker asked him while he was standing up and was cheering out like everyone else. But Moxxie just looked so bored.

"No." Moxxie shrugged and nuzzle close to Madre side. As she yells at some imp to break another arm off. While still keeping him by her side.

"You are so weird."

Moxxie stick his tongue out at Striker.

Striker sticks his tongue out too.

But besides this Moxxie will admit he did enjoy himself. But he wants to see the moon right now! Then go home to test it.

Moxxie barely listen to the one who always open the sky to show the moon. In Striker word some 'blue blood prick' whatever that means. He'll figure that out later. But right now space time.

Moxxie eyes widen in awed as he watches the sky open up. The real harvest Moon that shines a bright red raining down to 'curse' the Wrath harvest filed every year. The space that surrounded the moon were different colors he couldn't tell left from right since they combined so well. It was either magenta, or purple then to pink and possible see the black mix in. Then to have those white or yellow stars twinkling all around the moon.

He wanted to see it so badly up close like they did in Outertale. But this time closer to touch if it possible.

He going to find out tonight.

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Done!

Let see how this shall turn out.

Hope you all enjoy it.

Until next time.

Bye, bye!