The Song of the Quiet Grass (Trade)

The Song of the Grass

Awakening from his normally deep sleep, Grassdy noticed that he was no longer in his soft, comfortable bed anymore. As a matter of fact, he wasn’t even in his own house anymore. Grassdy looked around, seeing that he was in a large cage. Looking around fearfully, all that could be seen in this dark cage was some straw, along with a little bowl of slightly dirty water. The silver metal of this large cage was a incredibly cold, like touching fresh ice from the freezer. The area around the cage was quite dark, like the ink of a squid or octopus.

“What the heck happened last night? I don’t know where this is.” Grassy wondered as he touched the cage, which was so cold that it made him shiver. Sadly looking around his surroundings, Leafdy couldn’t see any of his friends nearby. All he could see was a small doll, two red balls, and a taxidermied bird that appeared to be in the jaws of a large taxidermied fish. But there was one thing that stuck out, another cage that had a little girl.

This young girl looked around eight or nine, with long, black hair. Her eyes were a deep, sad blue, like pools of ocean water. Getting a better look at the girl, she had a sad and quiet expression, unlike most little girls that Grassdy knew. Her ears looked like those of a wolf, along with a tail.

“Of course, that little green guy and the other things I captured are sleepin’ like babies on some cough syrup.” A voice told someone, which seemed quite amused. Leafdy laid down, trying to listen in the on the conversation.

“Excellent work Mustang Horse, you always get the job done.” The Ringmaster congratulated the voice which came into view. Wearing a tan-colored hat, jeans, and a brown jacket made of rawhide, Mustang Horse looked like a cowboy out of an old movie. Carrying a shiny, silver gun in his tan holster, Mustang Horse smoked a small cigarette.

“Of course, I always do the job! Now, let’s talk turkey.” Mustang Horse chuckled as he and the unknown Ringmaster approached the cage with the small girl.

“Hey freak, it’s almost your time to sing! And if you start crying again, I’ll sell your organs for a good price, I'll be gaining back all of the money I paid!” The Ringmaster barked as he threatened the young Half-Wolf girl, shaking her rusty cage back and forth. The little girl cried quite a lot, trying to stay to the back of her dirty cage. Slumping on the floor, Grassdy tried to see if he could find anything else.

“And now, the greatest show is about to start!” The Ringmaster declared as the lights went on, hurting Grassdy’s eyes. With a long top hat and twirly mustache, the Ringmaster carried around a whip. The cage was lifted up from Grassdy, revealing an audience of excited humans. Boys and girls were cheering, holding their cotton candy and soda like partying monkeys.

“Is this some kind of circus?” Grassdy wondered as he stood up, protecting himself from the harsh lights.

“First, we have the fantastic Water Woman!” The Ringleader announced as he cracked his whip on the ground. This was the signal for Waterdy to enter the stage in her bright-blue dress, covered with fancy pearls and beads. Grassdy also noticed that Waterdy had a strange headband on her head, with a bright-yellow gem that seemed to glow like the sun.

“I’m the queen of the water, and I’ll entertain you all!” Waterdy playfully boasted as she blasted water from her hands, sending the cool spray all over the cheering crowd. Giving the audience a smile, Waterdy was lifted by two pillars of water.

“And now, the Water Woman shall show off her other amazing power!” The Ringleader cheered as Waterdy made the water into various shapes and colors. These magnificent displays ranged from simple bubbles to incredible giraffes and elephants. The crowd cheered as the bubbles would eventually burst, soaking the mass of people with water.

“Oh, I guess my trick is next!” Grassdy exclaimed as he created a few leaves, throwing them around like a gust on a fall day. The crowed cheered, though not as much as when Waterdy did her bubble stunt. Though the crowd did cheer when fire touched the leaves, causing them to explode brightly.

“And for the next trick, we have the Man of Fire!” The Ringleader announced as Firedy entered the stage. Firedy was also wearing the same headband as Waterdy, which was also glowing.

“I’ll dazzle you all with the fire of life!” Firedy declared as he created more fire, which looked like words and symbols. These bright displays seemed to disappear quickly, though the audience seemed to cheer even more.

“And now, our final and most grand display! She can sing like the sirens of the sailing days, and will calm your stressed mind and help you solve problems you might have today!” The Ringleader boasted as two strongmen slammed the young Half-Wolf’s cage on the ground. The young girl yipped as she tried running to the back of her little cage, which split apart as she was handed a microphone by a clown. Chains came up from the ground, ensuring the young girl.

“I...can’t sing.” The young girl sputtered, tears rolling down her little face. The Ringmaster groaned as he rolled his eyes, being used to the girl’s constant crying from show to show.

“Boo! Sing for us, you dumb girl! You’re boring us to death!” Shouts came from the audience, who began to throw some popcorn and piece of candy at the young Half-Wolf. Trying to herself hide from the brutal harshness of the circus audience, the young Half-Wolf buried her face in her hands.

However, one of the strongmen tapped on the young Half-Wolf’s shoulder, getting her attention. Catching the young girl off guard, the strongman threw a pie at the girl’s face, covering her with cream. The audience to began to howl with laughter as the clowns also threw pie at the young girl. Soon, most members of the circus were throwing pies at the Half-Wolf girl. Grassdy, Waterdy, and Firedy stood back, keeping away from the scene.

“If you’re feeling angry at the girl, throw anything you want at her!” The Ringmaster cheered on the crowd, who began to throw popcorn, soda, and hot dogs at the cowering girl. After only a few seconds this girl was covered in food, breathing heavily as she tried to calm herself down. The audience continued to pelt the girl with all sorts of food, now moving onto eggs and vegetables. Mustang Horse chuckled, watching the girl squirm sadly and angrily.

“STOP THROWING THINGS AT ME!” The Half-Wolf girl roared in frustration as she broke through the chains that bound her, scaring the audience as they threw more things. The Ringmaster drew his special whip, smacking the young girl across her face.

“How dare you break those! These chains cost me about three-hundred dollars, you dumb little brat!” The Ringmaster barked as he struck the Half-Wolf again and again.

“Well, I hope that the medical bill costs you less.” Nick Wolfe replied as he entered the circus dome. Gone was his yellow hoodie and blue jeans, as Nick Wolfe was now wearing a black modified, unbuttoned trench coat, taylor made for better combat potential and close-ranging fighting. With stiff pants and a blue belt and a green belt, all of his clothing was made for better combat. His ornamented cap had a golden wolf-like head medallion, while his right collar had a small, golden chain. Carrying a katana around his belt, this sword was now built like a wolf, with the blade coming out of the mouth.

“Hey, don’t block my view! I paid some ten dollars for this ticket, and I’m not gonna let some pretty boy ruin my family’s trip!” A fat and hairy member of the audience growled at Nick Wolfe, getting up and raising his fist to fight.

“And your hospital bill shall cost thousands.” Nick Wolfe sighed as he punched the fat and hairy man in the face, throwing him down the stairs. The other members of the audience began to scream, running away.

“Don’t hurt my husband, please! It’s just a little girl!” The wife of the man begged Nick Wolfe, trying to get him to stop.

“Give me a freaking break.” Nick Wolfe groaned as he smacked the shrieking wife away, heading down the stairs to see the young Half-Wolf. Grassdy was watching from the distance, widening his eyes at Nick Wolfe’s amazing power.

“Hey, don’t hurt the audience members!” The Ringleader growled at Nick Wolfe, preparing to strike the Half-Wolf with his whip. However, before the whip could touch Nick Wolfe’s face, the powerful Half-Wolf grabbed the whip.

“It’s quite amazing how people like you think that you even have a chance against myself.” Nick Wolfe replied, pulling the Ringmaster towards himself. Kicking the ringmaster in the face, Nick Wolfe slammed the circus leader onto the ground.

“Strongmen! What are you waiting for, get him now!” The Ringleader barked at the two strongmen, who charged at Nick Wolfe. Giving a little smile, Nick Wolfe punched the first strongman in the chest, knocking the wind out of the buff man. The second strongman tried to grab Nick Wolfe, who broke the two arms of the second strongman.

“Now, tell me where this Half-Wolf girl is and maybe I won’t let you meet my katana mouth to mouth.” Nick Wolfe calmly threatened the Ringleader, who cowered in fear.

“Why hello there, Wolfe!” Mustang Horse greeted Nick Wolfe as he fired his little pistol at the Half-Wolf. Nick Wolfe dodged these shots, blocking each bullet with ki.

“I can tell you’re a weak fighter, so I won’t use my Ascended Fang form.” Nick Wolfe sighed as he jumped towards Mustang Horse, kicking the hunter in the face.

“Well that's too bad, 'cause I ain't willing to fight you all by myself!” Mustang Horse declared as he began to run away from the scene.

“Hey you coward, get the hell back here!” Nick Wolfe called out to Mustang Horse, who quickly drove away on a tan-colored motorcycle.

“Sorry, but I’m better with being an alive number two than a dead number one, so I’ll hopefully see ya later, Nick Wolfe!” Mustang Horse laughed as he drove away on his motorcycle, leaving a trail of dust.

“Darn, I hope I never have to deal with that guy anymore.” Nick Wolfe sighed as he went back to the circus top. The young Half-Wolf girl looked a bit saddened, though she became a bit happier when she saw Nick Wolfe

“Are you a Half-Wolf, like me?” The girl nervously asked Nick Wolfe, walking towards the man who beat her captors.

“Yes, I’m a Half-Wolf, just like you.” Nick Wolfe responded, helping the young girl up and giving her a reassuring smile. Turning his attention to the beaten Ringmaster, Nick Wolfe grabbed the bloodied man by his shirt.

“Please, let me go! I’m the innocent one here, that girl broke my chains which cost me quite a lot of money! Do know how much chains cost in this economy?!” The Ringmaster pleaded with Nick Wolfe, with Nick Wolfe threatening the man with his fist.

“Where the hell did you find this girl?!” Nick Wolfe interrogated the Ringmaster, who at first refused to respond. However, striking him in the face twice to get a response was the most likely way to get a response

“Some guy sold her to me in return for some of the girls who work here, for some kind of a harem! The guy gave her to me for a cheap price!” The Ringmaster cried out before Nick Wolfe could punch him again. Dropping the Ringmaster on the ground, Nick Wolfe sighed as he picked up some extra-strong rope.

“Well, thanks for the information.” Nick Wolfe thanked the Ringmaster as he began to hogtie the circus leader, making sure he could no longer move. Throwing the Ringmaster roughly back on the ground, he noticed Grassdy, Firedy, and Waterdy staring at him.

“Hey, could you remove the bands on Firedy and Waterdy’s heads?” Grassdy asked Nick Wolfe, who nodded as he pulled the bands off, freeing Firedy and Waterdy from the circus’s control.

“Hey, what the heck are we doing here?” Firedy asked Grassdy, who smiled as he and the others left the area, scrambling away. Sighing as the three little beings ran away, Nick Wolfe turned his attention back to the Half-Wolf girl.

“The name’s Nick Wolfe,” Nick Wolfe introduced himself to the girl as he began to clean off some of the cream pie and popcorn stuck on her face, “Say, do you have a name that I can call you?”

“No, I don’t have a name.” The Half-Wolf girl sadly replied as she sadly looked at Nick Wolfe. Though she did have a scar from the Ringmaster’s whip, she still looked quite pretty for someone who’d lived in the circus.

“Well, how does Shizuka Wolfe sound for a name?” Nick Wolfe suggested to the Half-Wolf girl, who thought for a moment.

"Shizuka? What does it mean?" The Half-Wolf girl asked Nick Wolfe, tilting her head in a bit of confusion.

"It's a word from the Half-Wolf language, it means quiet." Nick Wolfe explained 

“I like the sound of that one, so I'll be .” Shizuka replied with a light giggle, showing that her mood was lightening up, having a little smile with a little fang. Nick Wolfe thought back a bit, noticing that her grin was similar to his own when he was young.

“And for now on, just call me dad, okay?” Nick Wolfe told Shizuka Wolfe, who nodded as he let the Half-Wolf girl ride on his back. Leaving the circus with a whistle, Nick Wolfe was excited to tell Angel that they would now have a third child.