#soulsinbottles

The Cherry Coral is Returned | The Road to Recovery Begins | Epidose III: A New Hope

*When Vex opens the shop, she asks the Cherry Coral who was returned if he’d like to stay in her apron pocket or in his treasure cave for the day. He opts for the treasure cave, something he’s been doing more often, and Vex smiles at his progress. She places the Cherry Coral and his snake plush Esperanza into the box under the desk where he prefers to hide, but he waves his hand to get her attention.

*Vex leans down and the little Cherry Coral quietly asks if he can sit on top of the counter today. Vex places his box securely on the counter where the Cherry Coral can view the whole shop if he wishes. She tells him to let her know if he’d like to move again, and he nods. He’s going to do it. Today... he is going to meet people!

*Feeling a bit exposed, the Cherry Coral peeks over the top lip of the box looking around to see if anyone in the shop looks safe to say hello to. Esperanza helps him look with her blue button eyes.

*There!

*The Cherry Coral has seen Ilichtda visiting the nursery. Edgar likes him, and the hatchlings are always very excited when he shows up. The Cherry Coral raises a hand that trembles with nerves and waves at Ilichtda, ducking down immediately. When he peers out again, Ilichtda is patiently waiting outside the nursery, and gives him a kind smile and finger wave in return when he appears.

@skelegtvt

*When Crysta offers some warm cuddles and purrs, the Cherry Coral actually accepts, provided that Esperanze is also invited (she is!). The purrs are very soothing to the Cherry Coral and though he’s not quite ready for smooches, this physical contact gives him a bit more confidence. Plus, Crysta smells really nice, and he likes that.

@crysta-cub

*The Cherry Coral is relaxed after his snuggles and purrs with Crysta. When you approach with Rubeus, he actually appears very alert and curious, a huge change from his previous listless demeanor. He’s especially interested in how happy and well cared for Rubeus is. You brought him to the shop, and he isn’t worried that you’re returning him? That means you must be a great owner, and if that’s true... maybe there is someone who would want... to have... and keep... a Cherry Coral... like... him...

*Vex watches as the Cherry Coral waves the letter to the kitsune, asking for it to be read to him (his owner never taught him to read). The words in the letter bring happy tears to his eyes, which he is careful not to get on the soft sweater that he pulls over his head. People do want him? Not as a joke? Not to tease him? People would let him... be in their home? Part of their... family? With cuddles and everything? This is a lot to think about and discuss with Esperanza, but he allows himself to be given a very careful cuddle. Cuddles, he decides, are nice!

@tails-and-scales

*Vex points the Redimese (such a cutie) towards the Cherry Coral, who is actually leaning out of his box nest by now to see the visitors who want to offer him words of encouragement. Nobody laughs at him. Nobody mocks him. Nobody calls him sniveling or clingy. Even this anxious Redimese is treated with respect and care, not scorn. The Cherry Coral understands that the Redimese might be nervous around so many people under the bright lights of the shop. He knows he is, so he offers a hug from Esperanza and, after a deep calming breath to gather his courage, one from him too.

@soulsinbottles

*The day is winding down in the shop, and the little Cherry Coral sees a few more visitors have come to see him before Vex closes for the night. Each lamia gives him plenty of space, making sure to approach one at a time to offer him a meaningful gift. The chocolate and the heated blanket are wonderful, and he plans to share them with Esperanza later. The hoodie fabric is soft, and having a book read to him in a Krait’s soothing voice sounds wonderful, but the hand picked shinies make his eyes widen. It is clear that these are from a personal treasure stash!

*The Cherry Coral doesn’t know how to react. He begins to feel a bit overwhelmed by the attention and acceptance. He starts to doubt himself and scoots under his blankets, hiding. Understanding that he needs some time, you make small talk with Vex before leaving for the night. At home, in his nest, two crimson eyelights glow in the darkness. The Cherry Coral has a lot to think about...

@juliacarter07

I love my sans hoodie from fangamer... but my mom shrunk mine so I need to order a bigger size.

*By the time you get over to the Lamia Bittybones Adoption Center, you feel worn. It’s been a rough few weeks, and you just want to find a good emotional support and a little tsundere Coral to shower in love and affection until all of the negative things just fade away. You know that both Chains and Corals will come to you if you make yourself available, so you say out loud to the shop in general that you sure would love to cuddle some Corals, then head to the Meet and Greet room to wait.

*As if they somehow expected you, there are already a number of Chains waiting in the room. You sink into a comfortable beanbag chair and let them pile onto your lap to cuddle. Your SOUL is thumping in your chest, a sure sign that one of these Chains is meant to be yours. You look at them, and see one staring up at you with wonder in his orange eyelights. His SOUL glows brightly in his chest, and he begins to purr. A sense of calm washes over you. This is nice, you think. That’s when the Corals show up.

*The Corals seem to want to use the beanbag chair! They poke and prod the Chains (even the one you are bonding with) onto the floor and take up residency in your lap as if they don’t realize that you aren’t part of the beanbag.The sassy lamias keep bumping your hands and accidentally snuggling you as they settle into comfortable positions. One of them picks up your hand and places it on himself like a blanket. You think you like that little guy the best.

*You pet the Corals, who grumble in a way that sounds an awful lot like purring but allow it. You whisper little compliments to them, which they wave away though they can’t hide their happy little blushes. Eventually the Coral who used your hand as a blanket stretches out, sneakily shoving other Corals off of your lap. It’s time to go. You pick up the Coral and the Chain. The Coral pulls a slip of paper out from under his shirt and waves it at you.

*It’s his adoption paperwork. It’s all filled out with squiggly incomprehensible writing except for your name. It’s obvious that the Coral did this himself. You carry your two boys to the front desk where you fill out crisp new paperwork for the Chain and sign your name on the Coral’s crumpled, ink-smeared form. 

*Edgar opens the package and takes out the scarf. It’s so soft and looks quite handsome against his feathers. It also provides a very warm place for Quetzl (the feathered Papython) to hide in. Edgar will wear it always.