Drider Boyfriend: Kerekes (rough draft)

There are cows as far as the eye can see. They come from the barn, they come from the field, they range from prize winners to prize breeders. All my life, I have been surrounded by cows. Not that I mind, I often prefer them to people. I have raised many cows on my family’s dairy farm. Our products have been used in the Miror royal palace, they have made delicacies in Pirlipat, and they grace the homes of many of the people all around.

Muffet Farms is known far and wide as the best dairy in all of Miror. It was started when Grandpa Horner had been working at the royal palace and had been kicked by one of the royal farm’s cows. As payment for the accident, Grandpa Horner was given the cow that had struck him to do as he pleased. Rather than using the cow for meat, like most would assume, Grandpa Horner began his dairy farm. He was just sixteen at the time, now he’s eighty and happily sits on the front porch, watching the farm he built with his own bare hands.

Like I said, I often prefer the cows over people. My cows are sweet, gentle, and have the most beautiful eyes. I have raised dozens on this farm, taking care of each one until they mature to be milkers, breeders, or sold to other farms. I have a relationship with a dairy in Pirlipat who exclusively buys my cows. I thought we were on friendly terms, but the man who owns it has other things on his mind, I’ve come to find out. His friendliness stems from a desire to join our two farms together by making me his wife. My mother just told me he has spoken to her and father concerning the matter.

I hate it. Mr. Porgie is a fine enough man, but he is not someone I would want to marry. He is not someone I would consider husband material at all. Grandpa Horner agrees with me. He’s always been a good judge of character, even if people do consider him daft these days. He’s never liked Mr. Porgie, and has often played pranks on him when he visits the dairy.

“I’d rather you marry one of our bulls than that fool,” he grouses one day while carving a wedge of hard cheese.

“I doubt we’d have much to talk about, Grandpa. But I think me and Mr. Porgie would have even less to talk about.” I lean back in my chair, watching the distance stretch out beyond my vision. The horizon grows, showing the hills and valleys and deep lush forest of the Tulgey Wood.

“Better you marry a bull than shit.” Grandpa Horner spits.

I smirk to myself, enjoying that Grandpa had the common sense to realize Mr. Porgie was not the glitz and glamor he portrayed to my parents. I want to believe my parents are considering my best interest, but it feels like they aren’t paying close attention to Mr. Porgie at all.

“Oh dear,” Grandpa says softly. “What’s that?” He points into the distance I had just been staring. Where the horizon had been turning lavender as night crept in, was now turning grey with smoke.

I grow frightened, the smoke came out of nowhere, and there is so much of it already. “Is there a fire?”

“There hasn’t been a fire in Tulgey Wood since the last Jabberwocky hunt,” Grandpa’s tone is stoney and cold. He squints through his glasses as the smoke begins to turn black. “This doesn’t bode well for the critters in the woods.”

“What should we do?” I look around frantically but Grandpa takes my arm and holds me still. “We’re too far away to be of any help. I’m sure by now those boarding the woods are doing what they can.”

News about the forest fire spreads pretty quickly. Part of the Tulgey Wood was set on fire, although nobody knows now exactly what caused it. They said that luckily the part of Tulgey Wood that was burnt was a rocky terrain mostly filled with caves and sand traps, unfortunately, though, it had been home to a clan of Driders who were now rendered homeless.

“It’s so sad,” I murmur as I read the paper. “Where will they go?”

“Who knows?” My mother sighs. “Let’s just hope they don’t start coming out of the wood and start crawling all over us.”

“Mama!” I exclaim out of shock.

“We don’t want them getting our cows, do we?” My dad throws at me. “They’ll wrap them up and suck out all their organs.”

I furrow my brows at them both. “You don’t honestly think that’s what they’ll do, right?” I watch them as they both remain suspiciously quiet. I sigh heavily, deciding to leave the argument at that for now. No reason in jibing them until I am forced to marry Mr. Porgie. I shudder to think.

Now, our farm extends pretty far. The field we let our cows graze in is one of the biggest property lots in the kingdom. What borders it used to belong to an extremely old aristocratic family, the Ganders, who has since not only lost their wealth but whose bloodline ended extremely blue - also extremely infertile as they tried to remain blue. The property and land has remained empty for years. We had bought much of the unused land they had to add on to our fields, so our fence was very close to the home. I was always scared of the place when I was a kid, just assuming it was haunted or something.

The house is so big and extravagant, or used to be before it fell into disrepair. I suppose that’s why no one has yet bought it, it would cost too much to fix and renovate. Also, I suspect not many people want to live next door to a cow pasture and its cowpies. Well, prove me wrong, I suppose, as one day we receive word that someone has bought the entire Gander estate. It was all anyone could talk about. Who would purchase such a place? Who needed a building the size of a small kingdom? I was very curious myself, and I hate to admit that I used the calves as an excuse to rubber neck.

I took the calves out often, loving to watch them play while I enjoyed lunch or a snack. They followed me everywhere so it was easy to lead them where I wanted to go. I took them along the fence that is closest to the Gander estate, and there I’ll sit, letting the calves have their fun while I tried to spot any activity in the house.

There’s a massive Tuffet Tree, whose roots push up at the ground to make perfect little seats. It sits directly in the middle of Muffet Farm and Gander Estate, so technically we co-own a tree. Anyways, I sit there, eating my lunch as I wait to see the mysterious owners of the new estate.

I feel a tap on my shoulder, but when I turn, I don’t see anything around me. I think perhaps it was just a trick of the mind until I feel the tap again on the top of my head. “Excuse me,” a voice whispers from the limbs of the Tuffet Tree. “Are you perhaps a member of the Muffet clan?”

I look up into multiple eyes. I drop my food onto the ground and nearly fall off my seat. I trip over myself as I stand, watching as the Drider lowered down from the limbs of the tree. The Drider was much bigger than I expected, at least the size of one of our cows. Their abdomen was bulbous and round, striped black, yellow and orange. The body that rose up held similar markings, their torso was black while their arms were stripped with bright yellow. The torso was lean, slightly fuzzy, and masculine in appearance.

“Forgive me, I did not mean to frighten you.” The Drider sweeps their arm along their torso. “My name is Kerekes, and I am to be your new neighbor.” He has long orange hair that swept to one side, showing the sharp angled ear.

I gulp down my heart as it pounds in my throat and I attempt to stand again without my knees knocking. “I’m Quinn Muffet.” I’m horribly embarrassed by my shaky voice.

His eyes widen, all eight of them. He has two big eyes front and center, with smaller ones at each side on the temple. Then two even smaller ones just above the big ones. They look glossy like water, but their shine is like a rainbow. His features are very angled, with his jaw jutting down in a harsh angle then leading to pincers before his mouth.

“An honor to meet you, Ms. Muffet. Perhaps you can help me set up a meeting with your family. My clan and I are moving into this estate, and we would like to be on good terms with our new neighbors.”

I gasp in alarm. “Oh! You’re from the Tulgey Wood!”

Kerekes tilts his head to the side. “I am afraid so,” he sighs dismally. “Our home was burnt, and it would be too long to wait until we could live there again. So we gathered our resources and moved in here.”

I’m still uncertain if I am terrified or excited by Kerekes’ sudden appearance. I’m trying to take it all in, but I’ve never seen a Drider in person before, so it is all new to me. I try to smile shyly, but it comes off awkward and contorted from uncertainty.

“I would like to meet with your family as I know this could cause some unrest if we do not introduce ourselves. We want this move and our stay to be as cordial as possible. We would like to keep a relationship with your family since our property is so close to one another.” Kerekes extends his hand out, motioning back to the house.

I nod. “Of course!” I am almost breathless. “But I’m afraid my parents already have a bias against Driders. They fear you will eat our cows.”

“That is why I wish to speak to them. We are not the sort to take what isn’t ours. We hunt, but we do not hunt the property of our neighbor. All we ask is a place to call home as ours was taken from us.” He sounds heartbroken as he says this. “Most of my clan is frightened as it is. Most have never set foot out of the Tulgey Wood before, so this place, this home, it is new to them and they are exhausted. We mean no harm, in fact, we would love to work with you and buy your products. The children have been so excited to see the cows up close.”

I look up at the Gander house. “Children?”

Kerekes stares up longingly to the house, tears gathering in his eyes. “There are more children in the house now than adults because of the fire.”

My heart is struck cold. “I thought the reports said that the fire was not-” I stop when I see tears run down his cheeks. “I am so sorry,” I breathe. “I would love to help, but my parents will need convincing. My grandfather, though, will understand.”

Kerekes wipes his cheek. “Perhaps if you and your grandfather could meet us first, it will better help convince the rest of your family that we mean no harm here.”

“My grandfather would love that, he likes anything the size of a cow,” I try to jest. I then clear my throat as nerves arise again. “Is there anything you and your clan need?”

“Understanding,” he sighs. “After that, we shall see.” He extends his hand to me. His fingers and palm are extremely long, and the joints in his fingers are very pronounced. “If you and your grandfather possibly can, I invite you over this evening to meet with me and my clan.”

I take hold of his hand, finding his fingertips prickle, but the back of his palm is velvety. “I will try.”

“Thank you, Ms. Muffet,” he says softly. “I truly hope to be friends with you and your entire family.”

I go home and talk quietly to Grandpa Horner about my meeting with Kerekes and the invite he extended. Grandpa gets a look on his face, serious but intrigued.

“Your mother won’t take to this,” he grumbles. “Your father, maybe, but your mother and her will are stronger than his.”

“That’s why he offered to meet with us first,” I say. “So maybe we can leverage their opinion.”

“I would like to meet them,” Grandpa says thoughtfully. “And if they are going to be our neighbors, we at least need to try and be peaceful.”

That evening, Grandpa and I make an excuse and leave to go meet the Driders at the Gander estate. At the front doors I can see a lot of repairs that are needing to be made, but I also see hints of such work beginning as the pillars have spider silk wrapped around them.

The doors open and Kerekes stands there. He slips his arm across his waist and bows his head before us. “I am glad you two could make it.”

Grandpa chuckles and nods his head. “Thank you for inviting us. I must say, I’m quite surprised. Never met a Drider before.” he holds out his hand. “Horner Muffet.”

Kerekes shakes his hand. “A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Muffet, please come inside, and excuse the mess.”

“I’m used to barns and cows, nothing seems messy to me anymore,” Grandpa laughs.

Kerekes turns and looks down at me with a smile. “And thank you, Ms. Muffet.” He takes my hand and opens his pincers, kissing my hand with the lips behind them. “I greatly appreciate this.”

My heart is fluttering, hammering really. I smile up shyly at him, suppressing the awkward giggle building up. “No need to thank me. It’s what neighbors should do.”

Grandpa whistles as he looks around. On the ceiling and floor there are driders who are removing fixtures and statues. They fill in crevices and holes with their silk, already the ceiling is almost white from the patches.

“You fellas doing the repair work all on your own?” Grandpa asks.

Kerekes stands beside grandpa and looks around. “We don’t have much choice. Most of our resources went into buying the property. We are doing what we can to make the home habitable until we can find a way to build up our income again.”

“Was there much left in the house when you moved in?” Grandpa Horner asks.

Kerekes nods. “Everything was furnished, Some clothes still hanging in closets. We’ve found hidden stashes of some jewelry as well.”

“Then why not sell what you don’t need?” I suggest. “Maybe that’s something Grandpa and I could help you with?”

A nearby Drider scowls at us as he passes by Kerekes. “Trust you with our resources?” He growls.

Kerekes holds up his hand to the Drider. “These are our neighbors, we are trying to build up a relationship with them,” he says warningly before turning to us. “But he is right. I do not know your intentions, how could we trust you not to take advantage of our need?”

“I own the most successful dairy farm in three kingdoms,” Grandpa laughs. “If I stole a dollar from you, then you could take a cow for each one.”

“Exactly, so why help us at all?” The other Drider snaps. “Those who have more often only want more.”

Kerekes gives the Drider a look before turning his attention back to us. “We live simply, we do not ask for much. But our homes and lives are in peril, so must understand why we must work hard to trust you.”

“Here’s the way I see it, son,” Grandpa starts. “I’ll buy from you directly. I’ll offer the best price I can. Everything I buy I will then give to my granddaughter here. She will keep it, or give it away. After all, she does have a future to think about.”

Kerekes looks down at me. “And you can guarantee you won’t sell it to make a profit?”

“I told you, a cow for every dollar stolen.” Grandpa laughs.

Kerekes continues to look at me. His eyes are unnerving, but they are beautiful all the same. “I promise, I want to help you.”

Kerekes looks away and down at my Grandfather. “Then let’s finish this tour and discuss this further.” he holds his hand out to me again. “Come along.”

I take his hand, letting him lead me through their new home. He takes us into the dining room where many Driders are gathered around the fireplace.

“Right now, this is where we are all sleeping, as the other rooms are very cold, and we can’t yet afford lumber.” Kerekes pulls out a seat for me. “The children are also still too afraid to sleep on their own. The fire was quite traumatizing for them.”

I look around in awe, there are adult Driders scattered about, but there are dozens of small children ranging from youth to babies. “Sorry to hear about that,” Grandpa sighs as he takes a seat. “I lost both my parents at a young age as well.”

Kerekes kneels beside me. “Our clan works together as a unit, we all take turns raising and caring for the children. But still, we have lost so many due to the fires. Our losses cannot be measured.”

“Is there anything the children need?” I ask out of reflex. “Books? Blankets?”

“Right now they need a home, and while we are working day and night to provide that, it will take time for them to feel at home in this strange new land. Right now, Ms. Muffet, they take great pleasure in watching your cows. They find them comforting and cute.”

“You’re the cow lady!”

I jump in surprise from the voice that comes out from under the table. I look down, seeing a set of eyes blinking up at me. Kerekes reaches under the table, pulling out a small Drider. “Do not frighten our company little one.” He holds the child in his arms tenderly.

“Sorry,” she says softly.

“Go on and play,” Kerekes coos to her. “Our talk is far too boring for the likes of you,” he chuckles. He kisses her cheek and sets her upon the table.

“But she is the cow lady!” The girl whispers to him.

Kerekes tickles her along her torso. “I will introduce the cow lady later. For now, I am afraid I am talking boring business, my little one.”

She giggles and pushes against his hands, holding onto them and being lifted.

“Forgive me, this youngling is my niece.” He places the girl on his back. “She’s been very attached to me since we left the Tulgey Wood.”

“Nothing to forgive,” Grandpa Horner replies. “I like seeing a close family.”

“We are all close here, which is what makes this so important,” Kerekes replies. “We want to live peacefully here, Mr. Muffet, but I hope you can understand the underlying fear we have.”

“People are not kind,” Grandpa sighs heavily. “I know that fear, Mr. Kerekes.”

Grandpa and Kerekes talk business for a long while, and Grandpa offers a good sum of money for whatever they don’t want. As we start to leave for the night, I feel a tug at my skirt.

I look down to see Kerekes’ niece behind me. “Could you try bringing the cows closer to the fence?” She asks softly. “So we can see them better?”

Kerekes picks her off the floor. “Now where did you come from?”

I smile up at her. “I’ll try, if you’d like.”

“I would!” She gasps excitedly.

“Then I will do my best to lead them to the fence tomorrow.” I look to Kerekes who has the sweetest smile upon his face. My heart gains an extra pulse and my smile goes soft and goofy. As Grandpa and I leave, he gives me a nudge.

“I saw the way you looked at him, you're just like your Uncle,” he teases.

“Uncle Jack?” I ask.

“He always preferred the company of anything other than a human,” he laughs.

“But how did I look at Kerekes?” I scoff.

Grandpa Horner sighs. “Like you’re smitten. You almost had hearts in your eyes.”

I frown, but I can’t deny what he said is partially true. Kerekes is quite handsome, but I doubt he sees me the same way. “I just want to help him, that’s all.”

“Sure, darling, sure,” Grandpa laughs. “I’m sure you do.”

The next day, as I take the calves out, I lead them to the fence again. I look up at the house as I sit down under the Tuffet tree, hoping that the children are looking out to see the calves. I lean back against the tree and when I look up, I see Kerekes in the branches.

I jump up as he comes down. “I hope I didn’t scare you again,” he says.

“A little,” I laugh “What are you doing here again?”

He lands beside me and smiles. “I wanted to talk to you again.”

My heart leaps and I smile awkwardly. “What about?”

His smile matches mine and he chuckles shyly. “Whatever comes up.” He offers his hand to me. “If you’d like, that is.”

I place my palm in his. “I’d like that very much.”