Buncle and Melon

Bilby Hart, an Xero in his estimated middle 30s, has been exceedingly excited for this week’s adventure. Bilby’s tail wagged eagerly as they knocked on their siblings' door.

A multi footed patted sound got increasingly louder as it headed towards the door. A small gray Xero wearing a skull had opened the door. 

“Oh! Um, hi? Is Cas Hart home?” Bilby asked nervously.

The melanistic Xero gave no response.

“Um..Valentine Ledger?”

The small Xero squinted. 

“…Aristotle!” He yelped as a last glimmer of hope. 

Ari’s smoll body appeared. He was excited and practically leaped into his arms. The gray Xero observed before shrugging and leaping into Bilby’s arms as well.

“Sorry for the wait!” Val’s voice shouted from inside the house. “We couldn’t find the-“ she stopped mid sentence, eyeing her brother-in-law. “Kids. Haha, I see you got your hands full.” She laughed light-heartedly. 

“I only remember the two.” Bilby chucked, prying both Ari and Marrow off. As soon as they set foot on the ground they scurried off again. 

“Is my sister home?” Bilby purred. 

“Yes! She’s out on the ranch with Mel” The housewife exclaimed. 

Bilby made his way outside, rushing along the fence on all fours before loudly whistling to the two Xeros mid feed.

“Casanova! Melon head!” He called out happily.

“Uncle Bilby!” Mel beamed with joy

“Hey if it isn’t Billy Bill Bilby ” Cas teased 

“Hardy Har Har.” Bilby rolled his eyes. “Hey Mel!” He smiled, scuffing up his niece’s hair. “I got a proposition for you. Would you like to come on an expedition to Kiah? I know you’ve been needing to photograph the environment so why not make it a fun family camping trip?”

Cas chuckled. “You sure you ain’t gone soft, city boyeh?”

“I think I can handle camping, Cas.” He muttered.

“That sounds great buncle!”

Bilby clapped. “It’s settled then. Cas?” He glanced, asking for sublet permission.

“Yeah yeah that’s good. Make sure to keep them safe!….Mel. Ha!”

“Mhm.” Bilby scoffed. “Come on melon head, let's get ready.”

“Yes sir buncle Bilby sir!”

Bilby and his niece Mel arrived on Kiah grounds. 

Together, the duo carefully maneuvered their way deeper and deeper into the forest, careful not to disturb the local system but stepping carelessly and leaving trash.

Bilby, unwilling to admit it, already felt a bit uneasy. It was getting darker which made him increasingly anxious. 

Mel, excitement buzzing from every fiber in her body, took charge and began collecting the dried dead tree branches and leaves to build a fire.

Bilby, finding comfort in Melon's leadership, decided he would make up the tent. 

“I haven’t propped up one of these in a long time. Not since I moved, I believe.” He rummaged through this pouch and pulled a comically large tent and placed it gently on the ground. He fished out the large wooden stacks and began supporting down the tent with mighty wacks from his tail.

Mel had elegantly crafted a ring of sticks and stones and lit a very comforting campfire. “Is there anything specific you wanted to see on this trip?” She mewed

“Well…” Bilby started. “I think it would be cool to see a dyno beeble. They look like they’re wearing little fur jackets and it’s just the cutest darn thing I ever saw .”

“Seems like the wild is back in your voice bunkle” Mel giggled

“Who said it ever left, greenstalk?” Bilby teased

Mel laughed and continued finishing up the camping arrangements. At the end of the night they had a beautiful fire burning, nearby streaming water and a pitched tent.

Bilby left Mel to her things as he patted off to obverse the local flora. That’s when it happened. A golden Beeble was perched gently on a leaf, slowly gnawing away. It’s golden off greenish shell filled Bilby’s eyes with amazement. He had never seen one of such fine colours before! His heart flattered, looking on for what felt like hours. The little horn and fuzzy jacket was absolutely adorable to Bilby.

He returned to camp, smiling and purring from ear to ear before excitedly explaining his findings to his niece. Mel only wished she could have taken a picture! 

They both fell asleep happily and in the morning were able to photograph the wildlife. Mel was able to take pictures of nesting Volan as well as hold a couple of Beebles that crawled onto her palm. Bilby ran away screaming from a Teropita who confused him for a walking nut. The sudden need to run felt Bilby exhausted and it was then the two decided to head home.