Chapter Text
The sun fell over the horizon in a slow, almost lethargic cast, warming your skin as you stepped out of the moving van. The early morning birds just beginning to chirp, reminding you of how terribly early it was. You stretched your hands high above your head, enjoying the colorful, and strangely bendy, architecture around you. This town was a fresh start, and worryingly a shot in the dark, as you had pushed yourself towards the furthest place from Mayhem Town as you could, not caring where exactly you would end up. The sign on the way in had read, “Lazy Town”. Ironic, compared to the chaotic,crime ridden place you had grown up and come to resent. Today was a new day.
You brushed a leaf off of your sweatshirt, locking the rented van. Hoping to explore a small bit, you stepped onto the sidewalk, noting the smallness of this town, and seeing the Town Hall from across a small sports field. You silently strolled into the town square, noticing a small stone that read “LAZY TOWN SHOULD ALWAYS BE HAPPY”, with a long crack down the bottom half. You noticed lights on in the Town Hall, and you climbed the steps. The sun was slowly climbing in the sky, lighting the doorway in an orange glow. You exhaled a breath, and raised your hand to knock.
“MILFORD, I CANT BELIEVE YOU DIDNT BRING IN THE CLOTHES OFF THE LINE!” The door swung open, hitting you in the face. As you stumbled back a tall woman stepped onto the awning clutching a cup of iced coffee, wearing a night gown and slippers, shuffling to the end of the walkway towards the street, speaking angrily to herself. She didn’t notice you stumbling back, and you fell into a massive bush, yelping as you landed.
The woman whipped around, a scared look on her face “Oh! Dear god you scared me to death! Are you alright??” She rushed toward you and you began picking yourself free from the thorny bush. “MILFORD!! GET OUT HERE NOW!” The woman basically screamed, lowering her voice to say, “Oh dear, I’m so sorry, here, take my hand.” She offered her hand and you took it, pulling yourself back onto the stoop, brushing leaves off.
“What is it Bessie!?” A frantic voice came from the doorway, as a heavy set friendly looking man scrambled out in yellow striped pajamas. You made eye contact with the man and his facial expression morphed from worry to absolute horror. “Oh dear! Are you alright! What happened!” You opened your mouth to say something, but the tall woman, who you assumed was Bessie, said, “Milford THIS is why you need to install a doorbell! Poor thing was too afraid to knock!” You began to say, “Hold on-“, but you were cut off by the man again. “I’m terribly sorry Bessie, I just have so much going on with Stephanie’s new fountain and all, so I just haven’t-“. You realized have completely forgotten you were there, going back and forth over, what you couldn’t tell.
After about two more minutes of arguing, the man, Milford, sighed and admitted defeat. You stood, reaching to pick a thorn out of your arm, and the movement seemed to startle the pair, as they simultaneously turned toward you. “Oh my goodness me, I’m so terribly sorry, I can’t believe this has happened. Please come inside, we have band-aids.” You smiled inwardly, and said, “No! That’s ok! It was an accident.” They stared for a few moments and glanced at eachother, realizing they do not recognize whoever they are looking at. “Oh, I’m sorry I don’t think we’ve met! I am Mayor Meanswell! And this is my secretary Ms. Busybody!” He reaches out his hand to you, and you take it, shaking it firmly. “Oh, Mayor! Nice to meet you, I actually have just arrived from Mayhem Town, and you’re just the person I was looking for!”
~~
After the morning craziness, it felt nice to be in your new, currently empty home. You laid down on the floor, enjoying the cool feeling of the hardwood on your cheek, and the serene silence of the world. The sun was now high in the sky, and you closed your eyes, a long night of driving was finally catching up to you, but a knock on the door snapped them open, and you peeled yourself off the ground.
Standing on the doorstep was probably the pinkest, sparkliest, and chipper little girl you have ever seen. “Good Morning! My name is Stephanie, my uncle mentioned someone new moving to town, and I thought I would come over to see if you needed any help!” Your heart instantly melted. “Good morning!” You gave her your name, noticing a small plate she was holding. “It’s very nice of you to come by! Right now I’m actually still moving in, but you will be the very first person I come to with any problems!” You said. She must have noticed the tired expression you wore accompanying your smile. “Oh! Thats great! The mayor is my uncle, so if you ever need me, just come to the town hall! Also, I made you these muffins! I got the recipe from a friend!”
After you shut the door, you sat down on the floor, putting an arm over your eyes, soon rolling over and peeling the plastic wrap from the plate. You took a small bite and noticed the muffins were banana peanut butter, and had the essence of being mainly for health rather than a sweet treat. You swallowed the bite and resealed the plate, standing up and walking over to begin to unpack.
It was evening when you decided the exhaustion was taking you over, and you collapsed onto your newly built bed. You felt a little bit guilty you couldn’t spend your first day meeting the townspeople, but soon that feeling was crushed once you pulled up your blanket, and you fell into a deep sleep.
~~
A sound from outside startled you awake, and you sat up straight as a board. You’re got up and headed to the front door, feeling weary of how dark it was in your home, and you peered outside into the street. Nothing. You slowly turned and heard the sound again, a sharp sound, almost like… a tennis ball? You opened the front door and stepped outside, the wind a bit chilly through your thin nightshirt and shorts. You walked towards where the sound was cautiously, too curious as you now heard grunting and the outline of a figure.