{"submission_id":"233191","keywords":[{"keyword_id":"91826","keyword_name":"bookstore","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"13"},{"keyword_id":"2248","keyword_name":"coffee","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"1875"},{"keyword_id":"384","keyword_name":"corgi","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"2537"},{"keyword_id":"123","keyword_name":"female","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"519806"},{"keyword_id":"1594","keyword_name":"giraffe","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"1574"},{"keyword_id":"188","keyword_name":"hybrid","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"36933"},{"keyword_id":"19891","keyword_name":"magpie","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"180"},{"keyword_id":"165","keyword_name":"male","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"639770"},{"keyword_id":"91827","keyword_name":"meddling","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"2"},{"keyword_id":"451","keyword_name":"skunk","contributed":"f","submissions_count":"17985"}],"hidden":"f","scraps":"f","favorite":"f","favorites_count":"1","create_datetime":"2012-04-21 18:41:26.193696+02","create_datetime_usertime":"21 Apr 2012 18:41 CEST","last_file_update_datetime":"2012-04-21 18:36:20.244315+02","last_file_update_datetime_usertime":"21 Apr 2012 18:36 CEST","username":"MicahWeil","user_id":"12771","user_icon_file_name":"5828_MicahWeil_micahcoon.gif","user_icon_url_large":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/large/5/5828_MicahWeil_micahcoon.gif","user_icon_url_medium":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/medium/5/5828_MicahWeil_micahcoon.gif","user_icon_url_small":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/usericons/small/5/5828_MicahWeil_micahcoon.gif","file_name":"299532_MicahWeil_short_of_it.doc","file_url_full":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/full/299/299532_MicahWeil_short_of_it.doc","file_url_screen":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/299/299532_MicahWeil_short_of_it.doc","file_url_preview":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/299/299532_MicahWeil_short_of_it.doc","files":[{"file_id":"299532","file_name":"299532_MicahWeil_short_of_it.doc","file_url_full":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/full/299/299532_MicahWeil_short_of_it.doc","file_url_screen":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/screen/299/299532_MicahWeil_short_of_it.doc","file_url_preview":"https://nl.ib.metapix.net/files/preview/299/299532_MicahWeil_short_of_it.doc","mimetype":"application/msword","submission_id":"233191","user_id":"12771","submission_file_order":"0","full_size_x":null,"full_size_y":null,"screen_size_x":null,"screen_size_y":null,"preview_size_x":null,"preview_size_y":null,"initial_file_md5":"1e59902d20b4ae3df022f9ec145797ab","full_file_md5":"1e59902d20b4ae3df022f9ec145797ab","large_file_md5":"","small_file_md5":"","thumbnail_md5":"","deleted":"f","create_datetime":"2012-04-21 18:36:20.244315+02","create_datetime_usertime":"21 Apr 2012 18:36 CEST"}],"pools":[{"pool_id":"10460","name":"Middleton - Darryl, Gwen, Toby","description":"Tales of of the small city of Middleton, featuring Darryl (a giraffe/skunk hybrid), Gwen (a corgi), and Toby (a magpie)","count":"4","submission_left_submission_id":"223496","submission_left_file_name":"287377_MicahWeil_respectformurphy.doc","submission_right_submission_id":"233194","submission_right_file_name":"299535_MicahWeil_anticipation.doc"}],"description":"The first in the series for these character. We are introduced to Darryl, a giraffe/skunk hybrid who works at a bookstore. His boss, Toby, knows he's taken a shine to one of their regulars. When she offers to meet him for some coffee, Toby can't help but get involved...\n\nThis is the first in the series. \nThe second story can be found here:\nThe third story can be found here: https://inkbunny.net/submissionview.php?id=223496","description_bbcode_parsed":"The first in the series for these character. We are introduced to Darryl, a giraffe/skunk hybrid who works at a bookstore. His boss, Toby, knows he's taken a shine to one of their regulars. When she offers to meet him for some coffee, Toby can't help but get involved...

This is the first in the series.
The second story can be found here:
The third story can be found here: https://inkbunny.net/submissionview.php?id=223496","writing":"The Short of It\n\nShortie by Micah Weil\n\n\t\"Thank you for shopping at Toby's Used Books. Please come again.\" The words were so rehearsed the giraffe/skunk hybrid could have done it in his sleep. It wasn't that he hated his job. It was quite the contrary; Darryl loved to work at the book store. Toby was an excellent boss to a fault (that fault, of course, being his prankish nature). He was surrounded by what he enjoyed, books that fell into the category \"classic\" in one way or another. To top it all off, the customers he dealt with were usually cheerful.\n\n\tUsually, of course, was the operative word there. He'd just spent the last half an hour being yelled at by an out of towner about why they didn't have the latest popular tripe on their shelves. The thing had finally slithered away when she realized that he had stopped paying attention to her ranting. He watched, bored, as the door clattered shut behind her. \"Good riddance,\" he grumbled, stretching his long neck and looking up to the top floor. \"Toby, how are you doing up there? Need any help?\"\n\n\tA black feathered head popped up from behind a pile of books and looked down at him. \"Ah, I'm fine up here,\" he chirped. \"You okay down there, oh mixed one? Heard some shouting.\"\n\n\tDarryl smiled and waved politely. \"It's nothing. Out of towner was pissed that we didn't have any copies of Twinkle.\"\n\n\tThe magpie chirped happily. \"Good. I'm glad.\" He disappeared behind his books again. \"Vampires do not need to sparkle, thanks.\"\n\n\tDarryl chuckled. The old man had a passionate hatred for that series of books, and who blamed him? He'd seen so many quality books ignored because of those sparkling zombie love novels with obvious Zoroastrianistic undertones. While the thought of the legions of Fangirls made him giggle, it still bothered him. \"You take too much pride in your hatred for those books.\"\n\n\t\"And you take too little care in watching the counter.\" \n\n\tHe winced. The magpie was a lot of things - opinionated, loud, and scatterbrained. One thing he definitely was, however, was extremely astute when it came to his store. He ALWAYS knew when there was someone standing there, waiting for Darryl to take care of them. Fearing the toad had returned to complain some more, he turned. \"Welcome to Toby's Used Books,\" he said gently. \"How can I...\"\n\n\t\"Hello Darryl!\" The British accent trailed up to his ears and made him smile. Staring up at him, at her amazing four feet of height was a familiar face. \"Do ya have my books?\" The corgi's stump of a tail twitched happily in anticipation of his answer.\n\n\t\"Hey Gwen.\" He reached under the counter and pulled out the pile of books. \"You've got quite a spread this time. Guardians of Iron, Dead Rose Society...\" He held up the single trashy romance novel out of the pile. \"This.\"\n\n\tShe giggled. \"I like to keep my interests varied.\"\n\n\tHe leaned over to look at her. \"You know, for someone so short, you've got one hell of a voracious appetite.\"\n\n\t\"Oh luv,\" she leaned up and kissed his nose, which made his cheeks flush red. \"You say the sweetest things.\"\n\n\t\"That's gonna be $23.75, dear.\" She put the total on the counter and took her books. \"Thank you.\"\n\n\t\"Thank you, dear.\" She trotted off to the door, happy as a clam. He smiled and turned back to the register to put the money away. \"Darryl.\"\n\n\t\"Hmm?\" He looked up.\n\n\t\"Ya wanna go get some coffee later?\"\n\n\t\"Huh? Oh...I don't know...\"\n\n\t\"He'd love to,\" squawked the magpie. \"How's three sound?\"\n\n\tShe giggled. \"All right. Three it is.\" She shook her head. \"And I won't be mad if you ditch. See ya later, Darryl.\"\n\n\tHe didn't even wait for the door to shut before turning his attention to his boss. \"What the hell?! I didn't ask for your help.\"\n\n\t\"But you need it,\" the bird said as he poked his head back out.\n\n\t\"Don't forget that I work until five tonight.\"\n\n\t\"Not anymore. Get to know the corgi a bit more. I'll let ya off early so you can go see her. Besides, you need a lady in your life. It's blindingly clear that she digs ya.\"\n\n\t\"Are you crazy? She's half my size!\"\n\n\t\"Opposites attract.\" His beak offered a frown as best it could. \"You're leaving at two. At least go see her, or I won't give you the hours that I'm kicking you out for.\" \n\n\tThe hybrid snorted and turned back to the counter. \"Nobody asked for your help, old man.\"\n\n\t\"And yet you're getting it.\" He disappeared behind the piles of books. \"You'll thank me later.\"\n\n\tTrue to his word, the giraffe/skunk hybrid found himself being ushered out of the shop to go meet up with his canine companion for the afternoon. It wasn't hard to find her, after all. There was only one place in town that served the tea she liked, and only one place she'd go - Stone's Cafe several blocks down. He sighed a little bit and stepped inside. It was 2 in the afternoon; the only ones that would be there were the workers and the yuppies from out of town.\n\n\tIt wasn't a surprise to see her sitting at one of the tables, deep in a book. He strolled up and sat down across from her, being as quiet as he could. He wanted to see how long it would take her to realize who was there.\n\n\t\"No thanks,\" she said, waving him off. \"I don't need a refill.\" He smirked. Apparently, she thought he was a barista. He leaned on the table, which only seemed to irritate her. \"Oh christ,\" she spit. \"You're not gonna hit on me, are you?\" She looked up to glare at him, but blushed. \"Darryl.\"\n\n\t\"I don't hit women, you know,\" he said playfully. She immediately dropped her boot and giggled. \"How are you doing, Gwen?\"\n\n\t\"Just enjoying my tea and my books.\" She closed the paperback and put it with the rest of her pile. \"I...I wasn't expecting you to come here. Figured you would have ditched.\"\n\n\t\"That would have been unfair to you.\" He set his hands in front of him on the table. \"So...\"\n\n\t\"I'm glad ya came.\" She got off her chair and moved it closer to him, her tiny stub of a tail bobbing excitedly. \"I've wanted to hang out with you for a little while.\"\n\n\tHis cheeks reddened. \"...why is that?\" It made him feel a little uncomfortable.\n\n\t\"Oh come on, luv. You're smart, you like a good book, and when we get a conversation going, it's enjoyable.\" She grinned. \"And you're positively adorable.\"\n\n\tHe chuckled weakly. \"I am not...\"\n\n\t\"Oh come on. You know you are. How many tall necks have a big, cuddly bush of a tail?\" She smiled. \"I think you're positively darling.\"\n\n\t\"Thank you. I really appreciate it.\"\n\n\tShe grinned. \"So how about a date, then? You and me, tomorrow?\"\n\n\tHe frowned and looked down at his hands. \"Nah...I'm good.\"\n\n\tThe corgi's face contorted into a frown. \"...got someone already? I'm sorry, Darryl.\"\n\n\t\"No, it's not that.\" He sighed, his fingers digging at the table. \"...I've had a couple of bad break-ups. I don't wanna go down that way.\"\n\n\t\"Oh...\" She reached over, her smaller paw catching his cheek. \"I promise ya...if we part ways, it'll be-\"\n\n\t\"You're a good friend, Gwen. I don't want to lose that.\" He ran his fingers along her hand and arm. \"...I don't want to ruin it...\" She smiled and slipped her fingers into his. \"I guess I'm just supposed to remain alone.\"\n\n\t\"I don't think that's right. There's someone for everyone. You just have to be willing to look for 'em.\" He sighed and shook his head. \"What are you afraid of?\"\n\n\t\"I'm afraid I'll have to go through all that again...I know, it's selfish, but each time, we ended up breaking up for the same reasons, no matter who ended it. It's always ended badly and with hurt feelings.\"\n\n\t\"That's no reason to be alone and you know it.\" She sighed and pulled herself closer, the chair dragging loudly across the floor. \"Look...one date. That's all I ask. I wanna say that I've had an opportunity to date one of the sweetest guys I've ever known.\" She spoke so rapidly, he barely caught it...his cheeks brightened with embarrassment. \"Darryl, please...\"\n\n\t\"...okay.\" His ears wilted in defeat. \"Name the place. I'll pay.\"\n\n\tShe smiled. \"Tomorrow, I'll meet you at your place. We'll go from there, okay?\" She leaned up and kissed his cheek. \"I promise it'll be fun.\"\n\n\t\"Okay.\" He scribbled his address down on a napkin and gave it to her. \"I gotta get going as it is.\"\n\n\t\"Aww...okay.\" She reached around his neck with a hug. \"Talk to you tomorrow?\"\n\n\t\"Talk to you tomorrow, Gwen.\" He returned the gesture before getting up and heading out, leaving her to her books.\n\n\tIt was evening when Darryl's feet finally stopped. It'd taken a while for the thought to sink in. He had a date. For the first time in six months, he actually had a date. He looked around to see where his feet had led him. It was a bit fitting that he found himself at his favorite bench in the park, right under one of the bigger, leafier trees. He flopped down on the bench that was there and stretched his arms out along the back. The sun was starting to set, and he had to calm himself.\n\n\t\"So ya walked out on her,\" squawked a familiar voice. \"I ought to dock ya.\"\n\n\t\"Yeah, I kinda did. Got a bit overwhelmed thought.\" He let an arm fall to his side so Toby could sit. \"I got overwhelmed.\"\n\n\t\"Not surprised,\" the feathered male sat down next to him. \"You seriously need to get a girlfriend.\"\n\n\t\"Gwen thinks so too...\" He waved his hand dismissively.\n\n\t\"And?\" The magpie leaned on his knees, watching the crossbreed.\n\n\tThe giraffe/skunk turned to him with a smile. \"I'm gonna need tomorrow night off.\"\n\n\tThe magpie chirped happily. \"Gladly...and finally.\" He stretched and ruffled his feathers. \"You deserve it...\"\n\n\t\"Even after what I've done?\" He chuckled. \"...is it strange that I'm actually looking forward to it, even though I know how it's gonna end?\"\n\n\t\"You seem so confident she's gonna be chased off.\"\n\n\t\"Not until she decides she wants to be...\" He blushed a bit. \"...I dunno.\"\n\n\t\"Look...Darryl.\" Feathers patted him on the back. \"Go and enjoy it. You assume too much. That's bad. You need to enjoy your life and the people in it, no matter how short your time with them may be.\"\n\n\t\"I know...and you're right.\" He got up. \"I've gotta head on home and get ready for tomorrow night. I'll see ya at work tomorrow.\" He started off towards his apartment. The magpie smiled and spread his wings against the bench, just to watch the sun set.\n\nEnd\n\n","writing_bbcode_parsed":"The Short of It

Shortie by Micah Weil

\t"Thank you for shopping at Toby's Used Books. Please come again." The words were so rehearsed the giraffe/skunk hybrid could have done it in his sleep. It wasn't that he hated his job. It was quite the contrary; Darryl loved to work at the book store. Toby was an excellent boss to a fault (that fault, of course, being his prankish nature). He was surrounded by what he enjoyed, books that fell into the category "classic" in one way or another. To top it all off, the customers he dealt with were usually cheerful.

\tUsually, of course, was the operative word there. He'd just spent the last half an hour being yelled at by an out of towner about why they didn't have the latest popular tripe on their shelves. The thing had finally slithered away when she realized that he had stopped paying attention to her ranting. He watched, bored, as the door clattered shut behind her. "Good riddance," he grumbled, stretching his long neck and looking up to the top floor. "Toby, how are you doing up there? Need any help?"

\tA black feathered head popped up from behind a pile of books and looked down at him. "Ah, I'm fine up here," he chirped. "You okay down there, oh mixed one? Heard some shouting."

\tDarryl smiled and waved politely. "It's nothing. Out of towner was pissed that we didn't have any copies of Twinkle."

\tThe magpie chirped happily. "Good. I'm glad." He disappeared behind his books again. "Vampires do not need to sparkle, thanks."

\tDarryl chuckled. The old man had a passionate hatred for that series of books, and who blamed him? He'd seen so many quality books ignored because of those sparkling zombie love novels with obvious Zoroastrianistic undertones. While the thought of the legions of Fangirls made him giggle, it still bothered him. "You take too much pride in your hatred for those books."

\t"And you take too little care in watching the counter."

\tHe winced. The magpie was a lot of things - opinionated, loud, and scatterbrained. One thing he definitely was, however, was extremely astute when it came to his store. He ALWAYS knew when there was someone standing there, waiting for Darryl to take care of them. Fearing the toad had returned to complain some more, he turned. "Welcome to Toby's Used Books," he said gently. "How can I..."

\t"Hello Darryl!" The British accent trailed up to his ears and made him smile. Staring up at him, at her amazing four feet of height was a familiar face. "Do ya have my books?" The corgi's stump of a tail twitched happily in anticipation of his answer.

\t"Hey Gwen." He reached under the counter and pulled out the pile of books. "You've got quite a spread this time. Guardians of Iron, Dead Rose Society..." He held up the single trashy romance novel out of the pile. "This."

\tShe giggled. "I like to keep my interests varied."

\tHe leaned over to look at her. "You know, for someone so short, you've got one hell of a voracious appetite."

\t"Oh luv," she leaned up and kissed his nose, which made his cheeks flush red. "You say the sweetest things."

\t"That's gonna be $23.75, dear." She put the total on the counter and took her books. "Thank you."

\t"Thank you, dear." She trotted off to the door, happy as a clam. He smiled and turned back to the register to put the money away. "Darryl."

\t"Hmm?" He looked up.

\t"Ya wanna go get some coffee later?"

\t"Huh? Oh...I don't know..."

\t"He'd love to," squawked the magpie. "How's three sound?"

\tShe giggled. "All right. Three it is." She shook her head. "And I won't be mad if you ditch. See ya later, Darryl."

\tHe didn't even wait for the door to shut before turning his attention to his boss. "What the hell?! I didn't ask for your help."

\t"But you need it," the bird said as he poked his head back out.

\t"Don't forget that I work until five tonight."

\t"Not anymore. Get to know the corgi a bit more. I'll let ya off early so you can go see her. Besides, you need a lady in your life. It's blindingly clear that she digs ya."

\t"Are you crazy? She's half my size!"

\t"Opposites attract." His beak offered a frown as best it could. "You're leaving at two. At least go see her, or I won't give you the hours that I'm kicking you out for."

\tThe hybrid snorted and turned back to the counter. "Nobody asked for your help, old man."

\t"And yet you're getting it." He disappeared behind the piles of books. "You'll thank me later."

\tTrue to his word, the giraffe/skunk hybrid found himself being ushered out of the shop to go meet up with his canine companion for the afternoon. It wasn't hard to find her, after all. There was only one place in town that served the tea she liked, and only one place she'd go - Stone's Cafe several blocks down. He sighed a little bit and stepped inside. It was 2 in the afternoon; the only ones that would be there were the workers and the yuppies from out of town.

\tIt wasn't a surprise to see her sitting at one of the tables, deep in a book. He strolled up and sat down across from her, being as quiet as he could. He wanted to see how long it would take her to realize who was there.

\t"No thanks," she said, waving him off. "I don't need a refill." He smirked. Apparently, she thought he was a barista. He leaned on the table, which only seemed to irritate her. "Oh christ," she spit. "You're not gonna hit on me, are you?" She looked up to glare at him, but blushed. "Darryl."

\t"I don't hit women, you know," he said playfully. She immediately dropped her boot and giggled. "How are you doing, Gwen?"

\t"Just enjoying my tea and my books." She closed the paperback and put it with the rest of her pile. "I...I wasn't expecting you to come here. Figured you would have ditched."

\t"That would have been unfair to you." He set his hands in front of him on the table. "So..."

\t"I'm glad ya came." She got off her chair and moved it closer to him, her tiny stub of a tail bobbing excitedly. "I've wanted to hang out with you for a little while."

\tHis cheeks reddened. "...why is that?" It made him feel a little uncomfortable.

\t"Oh come on, luv. You're smart, you like a good book, and when we get a conversation going, it's enjoyable." She grinned. "And you're positively adorable."

\tHe chuckled weakly. "I am not..."

\t"Oh come on. You know you are. How many tall necks have a big, cuddly bush of a tail?" She smiled. "I think you're positively darling."

\t"Thank you. I really appreciate it."

\tShe grinned. "So how about a date, then? You and me, tomorrow?"

\tHe frowned and looked down at his hands. "Nah...I'm good."

\tThe corgi's face contorted into a frown. "...got someone already? I'm sorry, Darryl."

\t"No, it's not that." He sighed, his fingers digging at the table. "...I've had a couple of bad break-ups. I don't wanna go down that way."

\t"Oh..." She reached over, her smaller paw catching his cheek. "I promise ya...if we part ways, it'll be-"

\t"You're a good friend, Gwen. I don't want to lose that." He ran his fingers along her hand and arm. "...I don't want to ruin it..." She smiled and slipped her fingers into his. "I guess I'm just supposed to remain alone."

\t"I don't think that's right. There's someone for everyone. You just have to be willing to look for 'em." He sighed and shook his head. "What are you afraid of?"

\t"I'm afraid I'll have to go through all that again...I know, it's selfish, but each time, we ended up breaking up for the same reasons, no matter who ended it. It's always ended badly and with hurt feelings."

\t"That's no reason to be alone and you know it." She sighed and pulled herself closer, the chair dragging loudly across the floor. "Look...one date. That's all I ask. I wanna say that I've had an opportunity to date one of the sweetest guys I've ever known." She spoke so rapidly, he barely caught it...his cheeks brightened with embarrassment. "Darryl, please..."

\t"...okay." His ears wilted in defeat. "Name the place. I'll pay."

\tShe smiled. "Tomorrow, I'll meet you at your place. We'll go from there, okay?" She leaned up and kissed his cheek. "I promise it'll be fun."

\t"Okay." He scribbled his address down on a napkin and gave it to her. "I gotta get going as it is."

\t"Aww...okay." She reached around his neck with a hug. "Talk to you tomorrow?"

\t"Talk to you tomorrow, Gwen." He returned the gesture before getting up and heading out, leaving her to her books.

\tIt was evening when Darryl's feet finally stopped. It'd taken a while for the thought to sink in. He had a date. For the first time in six months, he actually had a date. He looked around to see where his feet had led him. It was a bit fitting that he found himself at his favorite bench in the park, right under one of the bigger, leafier trees. He flopped down on the bench that was there and stretched his arms out along the back. The sun was starting to set, and he had to calm himself.

\t"So ya walked out on her," squawked a familiar voice. "I ought to dock ya."

\t"Yeah, I kinda did. Got a bit overwhelmed thought." He let an arm fall to his side so Toby could sit. "I got overwhelmed."

\t"Not surprised," the feathered male sat down next to him. "You seriously need to get a girlfriend."

\t"Gwen thinks so too..." He waved his hand dismissively.

\t"And?" The magpie leaned on his knees, watching the crossbreed.

\tThe giraffe/skunk turned to him with a smile. "I'm gonna need tomorrow night off."

\tThe magpie chirped happily. "Gladly...and finally." He stretched and ruffled his feathers. "You deserve it..."

\t"Even after what I've done?" He chuckled. "...is it strange that I'm actually looking forward to it, even though I know how it's gonna end?"

\t"You seem so confident she's gonna be chased off."

\t"Not until she decides she wants to be..." He blushed a bit. "...I dunno."

\t"Look...Darryl." Feathers patted him on the back. "Go and enjoy it. You assume too much. That's bad. You need to enjoy your life and the people in it, no matter how short your time with them may be."

\t"I know...and you're right." He got up. "I've gotta head on home and get ready for tomorrow night. I'll see ya at work tomorrow." He started off towards his apartment. The magpie smiled and spread his wings against the bench, just to watch the sun set.

End

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