Ring, ring, ring, ring.

It's the nineteenth hour.

It's the nineteenth hour.

All nighttime shift LopVampas, get to your stations immediately!

Waking up who knows where, the bun rubbed his eyes. Ugh, what happened? Where is he? Heavy covers on top of him, he tried to recall. Oh, that's right, he was brought to Stratopia for a job. What job did he have to do again? Ah, right, Preciobu asked him to stop Hungry Chipmunk from eating the last spaceship. Huh, why does he feel like he already asked himself that already?

Zhulong and Niquel hopping towards him, he tried to recall for a moment longer. What did he do after that? Oh, that's right, he challenged Laine to a duel. That didn't turn out so well, did it? He's so going to lose the Mystic Carrot Bowl! He can kiss his divine naming ceremony redo goodbye. Farewell, Farmer Bunny, he never knew him.

"You're awake, that's good," Niquel said, voice relieved. "We weren't sure how long you'd be out for. But, the doctors managed to neutralize the toxins Hungry Chipmunk injected into you."

Information coming his way, the bun tossed and turned underneath the foreign covers. Come again? What happened now? Why can't he seem to recall the past few hours? Forget it, maybe it wasn't important. Did he at least manage to get Laine to stop eating the last spaceship? Maybe he should ask about that. Reaching for the Talkmaster B, his palms shook as he turned the knobs.

Little skull scribbled, the young adult shook the device. Maybe that was a bit too strong to start off on, should he try again? Little rocket drawn instead, he gazed at it. Is it just him, or are his lines super shaky today? Come on, steady now, try again. Adding the skull back, a robotic voice soon released itself.

[Did I manage to save the rocket?] A crackling voice asked through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Unfortunately, no, but you managed to save the inside of the rocket. Most of it, anyway," Zhulong said, shaking his head. "But, don't worry about that right now."

The bun could feel a ton drop on his back as the news broke. Oh, no, he didn't manage to stop Hungry Chipmunk? He's in so much trouble now! No, no, Siorc, happy thoughts, happy thoughts! Surely, a new cover can be built, right? Of course they can! It's fine, everything will work out somehow, won't it?

Duel flashing through his mid, the vampa flinched. What about his battle with Hungry Chipmunk, how did that go? He made a fool of himself in front of everyone, didn't he? There's no way he's going to win the Mystic Carrot Bowl now is there? He should have taken some time to train in between jobs! Not like he had time for that, but still. Oh, no, is he going to be Unhappy Bunny forever now? He may as well kiss his chances victory goodbye.

 

[What about the duel? Who won?] A crackling voice asked through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Neither of you did," Niquel said, shaking her head. She then stepped off towards the side. "Hungry Chipmunk is coming in. Take this."

Notepad handed to him, the bun closed his eyes. It's all over now, isn't it? The rocket was munched to half death. He can feel it now, he's going to face the wrath of the godbuns any second now! Can they fire him from being their plaything while they're at it? That would be lovely. Hungry Chipmunk strutting towards him, he locked eyes with her. But, her eyes were soon elsewhere.

"Joker Bunny, huh?" Laine asked, giggling. "Tell me a funny joke!"

"Please, can you just call me Niquel?" Niquel sighed.

"Oh, sorry," Laine apologized, head down. "Can you tell me a joke, though?"

"No, I'm not in the mood." A headshake.

"Swanky Bunny, huh?" Laine asked Zhulong, tilting her head. "Which godbun did you anger?"

"I didn't especially. Please, just call me Zhulong," Zhulong said, sighing. "What do you need? And no, before you ask, I don't have a sweet deal for you."

Eyes soon glued to him, the bun turned off towards the wall. If she's going to ask about his divine name, please don't waste her breath. He's not Unhappy Bunny! The gods made a divine mistake! Girl looking straight at him, he could feel it. Any second now, and she's going to say it. But, he had soon been proven wrong as something else flew his way.

"Hello, you're the bun that saved me, right?" Laine asked. "Um! Sorry about all that. The biting you, and stuff. Usually that's enough. I don't know why it wasn't this time!" She then drummed her fingers. "Are you Seeboro folk more susceptible to toxins or something?"

Question coming his way, the bun's ears twitched. Come on, what kind of question is that? He's a farmer! He can handle anything that someone throws at him! Well, alright, maybe not everything. Notepad out in front of him, the bun scribbled away with all his might. Words laid out in front of him, he squinted. Is it just his imagination, or does his writing look slanted? No, no, it's fine! Everything's neat, right? Please be legible.

[I'm a farmer, I can handle pretty much anything you throw at me. Even Rhubarb.] A written note said.

"Really? You sure about that?" Laine asked, scratching her head.

"I'm sure you are aware you bit him after drinking rocking fuel by now," Zhulong said, sighing. "Not to mention, all those metals you ate as well. Maybe your sister and your friends can handle it since they're around you all the time. But, we are not those buns." He then took a deep breath before continuing. "And, since you asked. No, we aren't more susceptible to toxins. I'm sure you know all too well what it must be like when someone isn't." But, such popped the bottle cap straight off.

"Listen, it's not like I asked to turn out this way! It's not like I wanted to be called Hungry Chipmunk!" Laine cried, tears streaming down her face. "It's not like I asked for this little, okay, big problem of mine! Every since my divine naming ceremony, everything got so much worse for me! You think I enjoy this?! You think I want to cause problems for my sister?!"

Room growing dead silent, the bun locked eyes with Laine. Why does he feel like this bun and he were on the same side of the coin here? Maybe she should join the Mystic Carrot Bowl, too. She could use a redo more than he did. He wouldn't mind losing to her if she did. Should he bring it up? Nodding, he scribbled up a storm.

[I understand how you feel. Have you considered joining the Mystic Carrot Bowl. Maybe you can have your Divine Name Ceremony redone!] A written note shouted. But, a headshake had come his way.

"No, I'm good, our duel was more than enough for me," Laine said, shaking her head. "Besides, I wouldn't trust the Mystic Carrot Bowl if I were you." Tears then streamed down her face. "But, seriously. Thank you for the duel, seriously. I don't know what happened, but I feel full now thanks to you." She then turned back towards Zhulong. "Sorry for yelling, can you forgive me?"

"You're good," Zhulong responded.

"Sorry for asking you to tell me a joke, too, uh, what's your name again?" Laine asked.

"Niquel," Niquel said, sighing. "Can you let Siorc rest now?"

Room soon growing quiet, the bun let out a yawn. How strange, he can't seem to keep his eyes open anymore. Dream world ready to drag him back in for the early evening, the vampa curled up underneath the covers. Sweet dreams, don't let the godbuns whisk him away to somewhere else whenever he wakes up next. Zzz.

Ring, ring, ring, ring.

Ring, ring, ring, ring.

It's the tenth hour. 

It's the tenth hour.

Work time, work time! All daytime LopVampas, report to your stations.

Work bell jolting him awake, the vampa's eyes opened wide. Wait a second, how long was he asleep for? What's he doing lying here in bed like this? The godbuns are so going to give him an even worse job today, aren't they? Blinding light burning through the ceiling, he let out a groan. Oh, great, here come Preciobu! Fire him, please, thanks.

"Look at you, still lazing around in bed!" Preciobu cried, laughing. "Listen here, you little plaything! I heard what happened after you stopped Hungry Chipmunk! Can't believe you let her do you in like that! What, were you waiting for me to stop her or something? Fat chance of that happening!"

Accusation coming his way, the bun rolled his eyes. Did he look like he was waiting for them to come to his rescue? He thinks not! He handled the situation on his own, didn't he? Well, maybe not. The spaceship would never recover from this, would it? Oh, no, don't tell him, they're here to redo his naming ceremony and giving him a worse one for his failure? Please, whatever they do, don't call him Failure Bunny! He'll try harder at the job they have for him today, he promises! Talkmaster B out in front of him, he turned the knobs with a fury.

[I'm sorry! It won't happen again! Please, just fire me!] A crackling voice shouted through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"No way! You're our little plaything forever, got it?" Preciobu shouted. "Listen, your performance was so pathetic! You need some poison training!"

Words poison training coming his way, the vampa blinked. Sorry, come again? What do they want him to do? Shaking his head, he turned away. He won't be needing that, thanks. Alright, tell him his real job now. Let him guess, they want him to rebuild the rocket Hungry Chipmunk ate? He's on it! Thumbs down awarded to the divine, his ear had soon been tugged.

"Who said you could you refuse, hmm?" Preciobu asked, tugging the ear even harder. "Listen, you're going to the Sumazo Forest alone! And, you're going to find those pathetic little mortals who wandered in there and can't get out, got it? And, if you even so much as succumb to the poison there, you can consider your chances of entering the Mystic Carrot Bowl next week null and void, you hear me?"

Sumazo Forest brought to his attention, the farmer froze in place. What did this godbun just say, the Sumazo Forest?! No, no way is he going there! Didn't that place have monsters seeping with chocolate inside out? Sorry, he just remembered, he has a farmer's meeting to attend back at home! Just his luck, he'd better run! But, his ear had been tugged once again, with feeling.

"Look at you think you can give me that funny little two lettered word!" Preciobu shouted, face twisted. "You're going to the Sumazo Forest, and that's final! What, you think you're going to die there? That's your own fault if you do! Tch, you mortals think you're better than us, don't you? Ha. Call me when you ascend! You'll see you're nothing more than a little paperclip!"

Godbun laughing up a storm, the bun folded his palm into a fist. Excuse him, did he say he was better than them? Not in a million years! Please, can they maybe reconsider sending him to Sumazo Forest? There's no telling if he'll even survive one step in there! Talkmaster B out in front of him, he turned the knobs rapid fire.

[Please, can't I do anything else? I'll fix the rocket for you! Oh, I know! I'll build you a new shrine! I'll have it done in six days!] A crackling voice cried through the Talkmaster B's speakers.

"Aww, look at you trying to find any way to squeak your way out of this!" Preciobu shouted in a mocking tone. "Your desperation isn't going to work! Fine, since you're such a pathetic little puppy, head for the rest station and beg on your knees for Artibu to give you her Magical Little Immunity Charms!" They then grabbed the pitiful mortal's hand. "Now, let's get going! We're going shopping! Oh, and just so you know, I sent your stupid friends back where you came from! So, it's just you and me, Unhapbu!"

Dragged off to some jewelry store, the bun let out a tired laugh. This is it, this is how he's going to go out. The chocoyetis are so going to do him it. So long, world, it's been a nice one hundred years, but there's no way he's going to reach the hundred first. Dragged off to a hairpin station, he looked away. Great, more weapons, yippee. No, no, Siorc, happy thoughts, happy thoughts.

Tossed into a chariot, the vampa let out a groan. Can this job be cancelled? Or, better yet, fire him! As if that would ever happen. He's going to be god's little plaything forever! He can kiss his farm goodbye. They're going to smite it next if he fails this job, for sure. No, no, happy thoughts, Siorc, happy thoughts. They wouldn't do that, would they?

Stratopia left behind, the farmer wondered. The Mystic Carrot Bowl, would he really stand a chance there? Maybe it would be rigged for him to lose the whole thing. No, no, why would that happen? Surely, it would go fine! Besides, it's not like the gods have any say in who goes up against who, right? Or, maybe they did. He's going to get a top tier opponent, isn't he? Oh, no! He's doomed!

Dark purple trees off in the distance, the bun held back the urge to bite his nails. Sumazo Forest is so close. He can already smell that cocoa stench in the air. Covering his nose, he crossed his fingers. Chariot, it's time to turn around! Yeah right, as if that would happen. Creature speeding up, he remained seated.

"Remember, if you fall this time, you're not joining the Mystic Carrot Bowl!" Preciobu shouted. "You want to fight in that so badly? Then you'd better do everything right this time!" As they said such, they pushed the mortal over edge. "We're almost there! You'd better prepare yourself! Get your wing ready!"

Yoink.

Boot soon becoming one with his rump, the young adult went flying. Closing his eyes, everything flashed through him at lightning speed.

He is so not going to make it through here.