A Splash of Mom Paint (Preview)

A preview for our monthly Patron story, featuring a mom getting a cartoon cat mom makeover by accident. Enjoy!

The purple toon sighed blissfully then, her tail swaying happily from side to side. “Awww, ya know, you're just so sweet?”

“Err, am I?” Himiko wasn't sure how to respond to that.

“Mhm!” Luminaria nodded, her head a blur for a moment when she did so. “Not many parents would come to Toon Town to find the best paint in the world for their kiddies!” She adjusted her large glasses. “You're super special and sweet!”

“Right…” Himiko was flattered, but did find the toon’s enthusiasm a bit much, especially with how she leaned over the counter to say that. She cleared her throat. “So, what aisle do I-”

“OH!” The squirrel applauded her big, chubby paws together. “I'll lead the way! Just follow me to where your dreams will come true!” She happily twirled out from behind her counter and towards one of the aisles. She motioned with her puffy paw.

Okay, guess I’m doing this… Himiko followed closely behind, but not too closely. That big purple squirrel tail swayed a lot as Luminaria walked.

Himiko couldn't help but notice the size of the store as they went. It was so wide and vast. So many aisles, its paint department was enormous with rows of glass bottles, squirt tubes, tubs, and cans of all shapes and sizes. She couldn't help but think of how small the store looked from the outside compared to how it was within.

Eventually, they took a few turns and ended up in a lane full of blue. So many different shades of blue. “We should be in the right area, but finding specifically what you want might take a bit unless… here we go!”

They took a turn onto a different aisle of blue paint, finding another toon there. It was a bright green racoon guy with messy, neon green hair. He was on top of a ladder, mumbling to himself as he looked at the different cans on the highest shelf. At the bottom near the ladder was a flatbed cart full of blue paint cans.

Luminaria brought Himiko over to him, the raccoon not noticing them. “This is Ken!” the squirrel explained, holding her arms out towards him. “He works in this department. Looks like he's busy removing all the expired cans.”

“Paint expires?” Himiko asked out loud.

“Ken here knows the entire paint department like the back of his paw!” Lumarina continued, not seeming to hear the mom and her question, “He'll help you find what you need! Right, Kenny-poo?” She gave the ladder a big, hearty smack on its side.

A sharp rattle, vibrating wave ran right up the ladder and straight to Ken. The raccoon flinched, shaking in place. He started falling back, waving his arms wildly as he tried throwing himself forward. It worked, but he ended up smacking one of the paint cans on the ledge.

BAM! The can rattled. GURRRGLE! It suddenly rumbled, making weird, stomach-esque noises. Its sides pulsated, stretching out like a wall in a horror movie and fading back rapidly. It shook, getting further and further off the ledge.

Eventually, it went right over, falling right at Himiko.

However, the mom had first sensed the danger when Ken struggled to stay on the ladder and had already taken a few steps back. The can fell safely in front of her.

Though, upon landing, the lid popped right open and bright blue paint splashed right out. It got everywhere, coating her feet and part of her legs. “DAMMIT!” Himiko shouted, taking another step back despite the futility of it. She said some other things but with far more colorful language and under her breath.

“What the fudge?” Ken remarked, looking down for the first time at them. He pulled some earbuds from his raccoon ears. “Who bonked the lad-”

“I'm sooooo sorry!” Luminaria wailed, ears twitching and paws grabbing Himiko's hands, “That shouldn't have happened! Ken should've been more careful!”

“Careful?!” Ken snorted, climbing down. “Okay, I know you hit my ladder, Lum. Don't you blame me for scaring me like that!”