Poppet Boyfriend: Vult Ludure 2 (special preview)

Stubbed toes, smashed fingers, rammed elbows, all of these and more have become a normal part of my life. Vult is new to his body, and much like a newborn fawn, his joints wobble and buck as he grows used to them. Unfortunately for me, but fortunately for him, he feels none of his falls, trips, tumbles, splats and jams; I do. As such, I have bruises from my forehead to my toe. I have come to rely on aspercreme and epsom soaks like I am my ninety year old grandmother. 

Aside from that, I do enjoy Vult’s company. He’s kind and sweet, and I think the guilt he feels over every tumble hurts worse than the bruises. I’m the youngest of ten children, I have been used to being thrown, tossed and tumbled by my elder siblings. I’m just not used to the sad puppy dog stare this living poppet gives every time he does. He’s not sure on his feet, but his mind is as sharp as a tack. Already he’s written several comedy skits for the carnival, especially for the children’s performances. 

I guess my only complaint aside from aching all the time is Vult’s adoration of the band Abba. He and Mr. Faire have bonded, and Mr. Faire’s love for the band has become Vult’s love for the band. So, there have been a few nights where I am roused from sleep by ‘Waterloo’ still playing on the record player. 

I wake up, turn the record player off, and marvel at how soundly Vult can sleep. I’m grateful he can sleep so soundly so easily, that rest passes on to me as much as the bruises do. The injuries are easy enough to acknowledge, but I am aware of other things that connect Vult and me. There is the fact I am feeling more rested, I’ve lost a bit of weight because of all his running around. There are also times where my heart starts pounding, but I do not know if this is me, or if it is somehow connected to Vult. These palpitations usually occur when he is standing near me.

“Ulalume?” Vult asks quietly one evening. “May I ask you something?”

I’m quietly working on a cross stitch, something I do in my spare time to stock up on easy handmade gifts. “Ask away.”

“This is slightly awkward,” he murmurs. “But I thought the best thing to do would be to ask you about this. It just makes me anxious to ask, is all.”

I look up from my work and lay the project in my lap. “Your options are to ask, or not ask. Whatever you do, there can be repercussions or success. So out with it.”

Vult huffs and grasps his hands together. “Well, you see, something most unexpected happened today and I have been ruminating over it ever since.”

I pick up my cross stitch project and continue on with it. “What a word, ruminating. Continue.”

“I was asked out by one of the performers in the children’s pavilion.” He speaks quietly and nervous, constantly fidgeting in place. “She wants to go out on a date with me.”

“Ow!” I prick my finger and I quickly bring it my mouth, tasting blood. “Sorry, Vult. Do you mind me asking who it was?”

He balls up his hand and holds it to his chest. “I can tell them no, if you want.”

“If I want?” I scoff. I lick my finger again. “What do you want?”

“I want to hear your answer,” Vult replies. “You and I are connected, it would be rude of me to not ask your opinion on the matter.”

“You’re your own person, Vult. You can do as you please.”

Vult frowns and shakes his head. “I really can’t! If you and I are connected then that means that whatever I experience, so do you. We share things, even if we don’t mean to. So I need to ask and make sure it’s alright.”

I sigh, moving my craft out of the way and placing myself before Vult. “Do you want to go on this date?”

Vult’s mouth is in a tight line. He looks to his hands then back at me. “She’s a nice person, and I enjoy hanging out with her.”

“Then go and have a good time. I’ll be fine here. I have a lot to catch up on anyways. Just be careful out there, okay?” I flash a smile but he still seems guilty.

“Only if you’re really sure.”

“I am.” I stand up from the sofa. “Let me go get a bandage for this. I’ll be right back.” I step out and head to the first aid tent. For some reason, I feel really agitated. I should have expected Vult to meet someone eventually, he’s smart and adorable, who wouldn’t want a piece of that? I’m just surprised by how I felt by him asking. 

I don’t immediately go back to the tent after I get a bandage for my pricked finger. Instead I wander off to the mess tent. Inside, there are people having late night snacks and drinks. Everything is calm and still here, no glamors, no hiding, just the usual folk in their usual guise.