Chapter Text
1. The Whole World and YOU!
Wally Darling, a happy little rising star, was aware of what he was and aware it didn’t bother him too much most of the time.
How could he be too sad or uncomfortable about being a puppet for a kids show, when he lived in the kindest neighborhood to ever be found? As the star, the face, the main man, he kind of had to be clued in on some of the inner workings of existence.
Not enough to worry about, though. Not nearly! If anything, it meant the creator had given him a duty, as star and smiling face, to help keep things running nice and smooth for the kiddos soon to see.
The show itself wasn’t ready to go yet, so most every day was spent having fun, doing projects, playing games and making great memories. Who could ask for more? Who even would?
Wally gave himself a final once-over, his smile growing as he fixed a tiny flyaway, then tweaked his ascot. He smiled brightly at himself, hands to his hips. “Hello, me. I sure am pretty.” A little giggle rippled through him, then. “I love you.”
Clicking off the bathroom light, he stepped into the open-plan main room.
“Home, I’m ready for the day.”
Home made a low hum, lights dimming slightly.
“I love you, Home. I’ll be back soon, just like always.”
Home’s windows, ever watching, seemed to smile inwards at him.
Wally opened the front door, and stepped out into the neighborhood. He couldn’t wait for all those kiddos to see his world and how fun and friendly his neighbors were. The creator was right, this was a great place to live.
His first stop was his best pal, Barnaby. Just like Julie Joyful and Frank Frankly were best pals, so too were he and Barnaby B. Beagle.
Unlike the other early risers, the big blue buddy of his was still snoozing away, if the chainsaw snores were any indication. That dog was funny, even fast asleep.
He opted to head to Howdy and the Bugdega. The little yellow puppet had had his last apple for breakfast. Time to pop in and grab more!
The bell chimed above, and Howdy was already up and at ‘em. His top arms adjusted some drink bottles, while his lowers cleaned the counter. The green caterpillar grinned down at Wally. “Morning! Got a bag of apples here for ya.”
“Oh, for little ol’ me?”
“Absolutely.” Howdy passed the bag down gently to the much smaller puppet and cocked an eyebrow. “Now, how’d you wanna pay today?”
“Hmm…” Eyes rolled to the ceiling, he held the bag and pondered. “How about… a riddle!”
Howdy nodded, lower hands clasped. “Wonderful!”
“Okay. Four legs up, four legs down, soft in the middle, and hard all round. What is it?”
“Oh, that’s a tough one! The best ones are tough!” The green puppet’s lower arms folded, an upper to one hip, the other stroking his chin. “Hmm… is it me?”
“Nu-uh.”
“Then I dunno, what is it, Wally?”
The little puppet grinned. “A bed!”
Howdy slapped the counter top with a laugh. “You gave me a riddle that good for a bag of apples?”
“You have the best apples. Bye, Howdy!”
“Bye, Wally!”
Darling little Wally would have headed straight home, but a distressed squawk lead his eyes to Poppy’s. Guess dropping off apples would have to wait. That was okay.
“Oh dear, oh no, oh dear!”
That was Poppy. Wally peaked up over the edge of her dutch door, just able to look into her kitchen. He set his apple bag just outside. “Hello? Hello?”
Eddie, hat missing, was not what Wally expected. “Goodness, Wally. Things got jumbled awful quick.”
The poor mailman. But Wally only smiled. “Maybe I can help?”
Eddie popped open the door. “You can try. I’m really at a loss here.”
“What happened?”
The orange puppet rubbed the back of his head. “Poppy asked for help getting her muffins in the oven, but-”
“Oh, this is just awful! I knew this would happen!”
On the floor slumped a big, red bird, holding a frilly apron. Somehow, Poppy had managed to rip the back string from her apron. Her eyelids drooped with the rest of her, big wings holding the mangled fabric. “How can I do anything with my apron all ripped up?”
“Aw, that won’t due.” Wally pursed his lips in thought. Then, he smiled up at her, as even on the floor, she towered over him. “I’ll tell Nemo. He’ll hop over and fix this, maybe even stay long enough to get those muffins when they’re ready.”
“Oh, golly, Wally. That’s so nice of you.”
“Good idea.” Eddie smiled too and placed his hat back on from the hook on the wall he’d set it. “Gotta get back to my route. Let Nemo know I haven’t seen mail for him just yet. That big bunny sure wants his letters.”
The little yellow puppet grinned. “Can do, Eddie Dear.” His calm gaze went back to the distraught bird. “Don’t worry, Poppy. I just have to drop my apples off at Home, then I’ll go get Nemo.”
“Thank you again, little friend!”
He couldn’t fight a chuckle. He loved that he had learned to do that, even if it took a while. Poppy was always so grateful for any help given.
Wally stashed the apples just inside his door, told Home he loved them very much, and went on his way once again.
Sally and Julie were already off on their own, Sally trying her best to make a flower crown while Julie was making an entire flower wreath. Her little tongue poked from her mouth in concentration.
“Good morning,” Wally drawled. Sally perked up and waved, Julie matching her intensity with a massive grin.
“Morning, Wally!” Julie held up her wreath and asked brightly “Think this will fit Barnaby?”
The yellow puppet hummed. “Maybe as a necklace.”
She plucked another dandelion, and two more blossoms sprang up from where that first had been. “Ooh! Even better!”
“Hmm.” His gaze turned to Sally. “What about you?”
“What about me? I’m not the best at this. But I wanna make the set look as pretty as I can! I’m working on something big! My biggest play yet!”
He nodded at the happy star. “That’s good. I look forward to it.”
“You’d better, Mister Darling!”
“Ha ha, my father was Mister Darling, silly Sally.” He couldn’t fight a giggle as he walked on. “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
Frank’s house wasn’t far. Nemo’s was close, too.
Nemo and Frank got along in a way. It helped that Nemo, that big white fluffball with purple blotches all over, was almost always outside. His little cabin was between two, big trees, and was easy to spot from the path.
There in the field behind his house was Frank, who, Frankly, looked cross with the fluffy rabbit sitting a few feet away.
“Now, Nemo, don’t move.”
The rabbit twitched a purple ear, eyes crossed on the butterfly perched on his nose. “Doing my darnedest, Frank! Move a little faster!”
“I can’t! It’ll get away!”
“I’m gonna sneeze!”
Wally managed a bright, “Hello, you two!”
“Hello. Don’t scare the butterfly.” The gray puppet didn’t look up, nothing new there.
“Heyo, Wally. Uh… I’ll be here a minute.” The little, yellow butterfly stood out against the purple blotch on the big bunny’s muzzle.
“I can see that.”
Frank slowly circled, and Nemo watched Wally.
The yellow puppet pressed his palms together. “Nemo, soon as you can, Poppy ripped her apron.”
Purple ears popped up. “Oh, sugar, how bad?” He had jolted, making the butterfly flap nervously.
“Hold still!” Frank chided, squinting as they wound up with their net, ready to strike.
“Oh, a ripped string.”
“Oh, that? Easy-”
WAP!
The butterfly fluttered on, and Nemo sagged at the net over his nose. “...peasy.”
“Darn it. You come back here so I can identify you!” Frank bounded off, net pulled away and ready to go. That bug wouldn’t know what hit it!
Nemo crossed his arms, frowning. “You’re welcome, sourpuss.”
Wally patted the big bunny on the shoulder. “I’m sure Frank appreciated your help catching the butterfly.”
Nemo pouted where he sat. “I wanted to catch Eddie before he left the post office, but that butterfly landed before I could get away in time.”
“You’re late because of a butterfly?”
Nemo stuck out his tongue. “Darn bugs, always up to something.”
Wally rocked on his heels, smiling sweetly. “Mmhmm, blame the bugs.”
But they both chuckled at that.
Wally blinked. “Oh, Eddie wanted me to tell you he had no new mail for you yet.”
“Aw, sugar! You’d think with six siblings and a grandma, I’d get a post card.”
“I’ll send you a post card.”
Nemo shook his head. “You live two minutes away!”
The yellow puppet grinned. “Guess you don’t want any mail, then.”
“Would you want a post card from someone two minutes away?”
Wally gave the rabbit a softer smile, then. “I’d love it, neighbor. It can go on the fridge.”
But Nemo chuckled, eyeing him. “You live so close, just throw a paper airplane. Eddie’s great at making those.” The spotted puppet stood, dusting off his dark blue overalls. “Poppy got muffins in the oven?”
“How did you know?”
He waved him off. “That’s what she makes in the morning. And, these ears of mine can hear just about everyone if I try.” Said ears twitched, the purple things flicking back one at a time before popping back up.
“True. If you help her soon enough, you can probably have one nice and fresh.”
Nemo popped up to his feet, and started skipping away down the closest path to the barn the bird lived in. “Don’t have to tell me twice! See you soonish, Wally!”
“Bye-bye, Nemo!”
The yellow puppet sighed, content with his little neighborhood, his happy life of laughter and fun. Who could ask for more?