A gift for my good friend  lyahtoy. Two requests left and then I'm free! ^^;

Lyah's Origin Story

The skunk yanked on his energy-cord handcuffs in despondence, their dim, green glow the only source of illumination in the back of the imperial guard’s hovercar. A sense of vertigo overcame him as the inertia of his body carried him forward against the slowing vehicle, signifying that they were at the destination. His somewhat rounded squirrel ears, a last souvenir from his mother, perked at the sound of pawsteps thudding around the craft, disabling the magic-laden back doors and throwing them open to temporarily blind the prisoner. Taking advantage of his cringing state, two guards pulled him out with strong, furred hands and maintained their grip as a third guard spoke:

“For participating in forbidden arts clearly outlined in the Laws of Magic, you have been exiled from the City proper and condemned to life in the outskirts. You may not enter the City proper, under penalty of death. You may not leave the City outskirts, under penalty of death. You may live in housing of your choice within the outskirts. You may find work of your choosing within the outskirts provided they do not conflict with any laws now or henceforth provided by our glorious City. These conditions are not open to debate or change and will remain in effect until your death. Prisoner Laki, do you have any questions?”

The skunk twitched his tail as he adjusted to the noon-day light, glancing at the many dilapidated buildings around him. Far to his left were the high City proper walls, constantly patrolled by snipers trained to fire at anyone trying to break into the luxurious city beyond. That City was full of skyscrapers, beautiful parks, and all the niceties one could ask for; he would know: that’s where he lived until just a couple days ago. To his right were the woods surrounding the city and its outskirts. High electric fences stood guard at the other end, providing no way out aside from the gates leading out to the rest of the world, but those, too, were always patrolled.

Not that it would matter if he got out; his magical signature was blacklisted by the imperial guard- if it leaves the outskirts, they will track him down, no doubt about it. Laki had already resigned himself to life in the outskirts, even before he saw the walls enclosing him firsthand.

“Prisoner Laki?” the armored falcon guard asked with a hint of irritation. “Do you have any questions regarding the terms of your exile?”

To tell the truth, he had a thousand questions, but to ask why the City was so strict and so harsh when it comes to magic wouldn’t change a thing. Instead, the skunk shook his black-furred head in resignation.

“Very well. The City will not offer you any assistance from henceforth on. Goodbye.” As the falcon gestured to his fellow guards, a wolf disabled his handcuffs and kept a close eye as his comrades returned to the hovercar. With a deceptively gentle hum the vehicle left, leaving Laki to his own devices.

A furred hand gripped the skunk’s shoulder, somehow avoiding the long, lightly curled tail Laki trusted to find such surprises. “Welcome to the outskirts, friend,” the warm voice spoke cheerfully. Laki turned with a sharp intake of breath to find a weasel grinning at him.

“Who are you?” Laki asked, somewhat suspicious of the dirt-covered mustelid.

“A fellow exile, banished here for life for having used magic to grow flowers for my girlfriend.”

“That’s awful!” Laki cried, but inwardly he wasn’t surprised. If magic was not performed with explicit permission from the City, the practitioner was liable to be banished. The City officials explained that one rogue mage could inflict terrible damage, and thus any hint of uncontrolled magic would be forbidden. But most knew that wasn’t true- the City just wanted a monopoly on its power.

“Indeed, my friend. But here things are… more lax, you see. The guards will turn a blind eye provided you appear destitute and do not harm another. For example…” the weasel cupped his hands together, eyes closed, and with a deep breath revealed two handfuls of ripe strawberries still glistening with dew. “You must be hungry from the long drive here, yes?” Laki nodded, graciously accepting the fruit into his own hands.

As Laki devoured the tart yet delicious berries, his weasel friend prodded, “So what were you caught doing? We have all sorts here, from murder to flowers, so any crime is forgiven among our group.”

Laki swallowed before humming in response. “My mother was a high priestess squirrel, my father a warlock skunk. He specialized in offensive spells and curses, but soon became corrupted by its power. He made me...” The flow of painful memories became unbearable and he shook his head, eyes squinted from pain. “I do not wish to go on, I’m sorry.”

Once more, a gentle, furry hand fell on his shoulder. “I will not press, friend. But could you at least answer this: can you use magic?”

“Yes, I can, but no black magic. I can only use spells that cannot harm another.” He hoped this weasel wouldn’t press for details. He’d rather not mention that he was promised to a demon were he ever to touch the dark arts.

“Then it’s a good thing that’s all the guards care about!” the weasel laughed. “Can I have a demonstration?”

Laki put his hands together in preparation… but then shook his head out of fear. “No, I can’t do it! What if they do something awful to me? They already banished me for something out of my control…”

The weasel nodded solemnly before grinning. “Come with me, friend.” He led the skunk to a red fox guard in the characteristic silvery imperial armor. “Officer Jesse? I have something for you!” the weasel called, causing the fox’s ears to perk.

“Is that so, Daniel?” the fox guard replied with a fanged smile.

Daniel nodded cheerfully, showing his empty hands before conjuring an apple before the guard. “Guard duty must be tiring; why not have a snack?”

“Thank you, my friend,” Jesse replied with a warm smile, taking a bite of the apple and returning to his post.

“Is there any doubt in your mind now?” Daniel smirked at the skunk. “Just a little show of magic, if you could.”

Laki nodded, now somewhat relieved. Remembering his teachings, he summoned an orb of clear water, drawing it from the moisture in the air. He guided it with his fingers to divide it in two and drink one half. “Are you thirsty?”

Daniel grinned and bit down on the ball of water, causing it to splash over his red muzzle and highlight the mud encrusted on his whiskers. “Not really, but I appreciate the gesture. Come, let me introduce you to your new friends!”


“Forgive me for asking, but why are you so dirty? Certainly there’s running water here, right?” the skunk prodded as they walked down a cracked concrete path.

“Oh, most of the houses do, if you can afford one,” Daniel replied. “But I work at a construction site, you see; last I checked, it’s pretty dirty there!” The weasel laughed as they entered the town square.

Buildings rose only three or so stories around them, a far cry from the skyscrapers of the City Proper. There were no high-tech Holo Boards advertising the latest products, no vendors selling only the finest of what have you… despite the bustle of the congregation, Laki could not help but feel the town was unnaturally quiet.

“Hey, Laki!” Daniel suddenly called, a number of paces ahead of the skunk. “Are you coming? There’s somebody I want you to meet!” With a quick nod, Laki hustled to where the tall weasel stood and called to a kangaroo turned to read a paper tacked to a wall. “Oh, Austin? Austin! I have somebody to meet you.

There was something off about the kangaroo, Laki was sure. A grey, cylindrical nub stuck out from the very tip of his tail and something resembling a scar ran up the length of his body from the end of his tail to curve around his head. However, it took Laki’s approach and Austin’s turning to face them did the skunk notice the beige thread crisscrossing the scar- or seam, it appeared- and the rounded, fluff-filled paws the ‘roo balanced on. In shock the skunk realized that Austin was a living toy!

“Hey, Daniel!” the kangaroo called, his fabric eyes widening with joy at the appearance of the weasel. “Who’s your new friend?”

“This is Laki! He’s an exile fresh off the hovercar; I was hoping you could help him get a proper welcome and perhaps a job at that factory of yours?”

Austin nodded solemnly, extending a soft, fabric hand to the skunk. Laki stiffened at the gentle touch, but found it quite enjoyable. It had been years since he last touched a toy, ever since his father began… training him…

Images flashed through the skunk’s mind- his father berating him for fearing the dark magic the warlock forced on his son, the ritual Laki was forced to undergo…

“Are you alright, Laki?” the kangaroo spoke with a note of concern, snapping the skunk back to reality.

Laki smiled at the worried toy. “Yes, everything is fine. It’s just been so long since I felt a soft plush toy before… and I’ve never seen a living toy like you!”

The kangaroo’s grip tightened on Laki’s shoulder for just a moment before he pulled the skunk into a warm, soft hug. The fabric seemed to surround and push against Laki in a strange way, less like a plush toy and more like a… balloon? Before Laki could ask, however, Austin spoke, “That’s a real shame, never having a nice toy to cuddle. I hope I can make up for at least some of that. Just let me know if you want a hug, okay?”

Laki nodded into the tall kangaroo’s shoulder before probing, “Are you… full of air? You sort of feel like a balloon when I hug you…”

With a chuckle, Austin explained, “I call it a poolplush: a soft plushie with an inflatable center. After I invented them in my workplace in the City proper, I simply couldn’t help myself and turned into one with the magic I knew! Let me tell you- I’ve never regretted it. Being a big, soft toy was the best decision I ever made, even if I was exiled for it!”

“That’s all well and good, but I know you need help in your factory and here’s two paws rearin’ to go!” Daniel advocated, slapping the skunk in question on the shoulder.

“Ah, I see,” Austin grinned. “What do you say, Laki? Would you like a job at my factory?”

“Oh, yes!” the skunk replied, nodding emphatically at his potential employer. “That was actually my biggest worry when I was exiled, that I wouldn’t be able to support myself out here. I’ve been told it’s really hard to find work out here.”

“It’s a good thing you came when you did, then,” Austin replied, motioning for Laki to follow him. Homeless lined the streets, defeated expressions clear in each set of eyes. Many held bottles of one drink or another. “My factory will open tomorrow. While I can’t give jobs to all of these people, I can get at least a few off the streets.”

“That’s very kind of you,” Laki replied. “But why me? Why hire a skunk you barely know above anyone else?”

“Barely know!” Austin laughed. “You’d be surprised how much you can learn from a hug, especially when you’re a toy like me. You’re dedicated, friendly, and you love soft, cuddly toys, am I right?”

“Um, I guess so…”

“So I couldn’t ask for a better employee!” Austin continued as they approached a large, square building topped with a couple smokestacks.

“Wow,” Laki said, stopping for a moment to admire Austin’s business. “It’s so… primitive!” he blurted out before smacking two hands to his mouth in embarrassment. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean- but, you know- it IS kinda… old-fashioned…”

Austin clapped a light yet firm hand on each of Laki’s shoulders. “I don’t take offense. The City proper goes to great lengths to make sure their own products aren’t beaten out by exiles’ so they price more modern, magitech factory parts far too high for us to purchase.” He sighed. “Luckily my intent was never to make it big in the toy industry- I just want to spread some soft, puffy happiness to all the heartbroken.”

Laki smiled. “So when can I start working?”

“Tomorrow! Do you have a place to stay?”

“No, sir.”

“Why don’t you stay at my place for a little while? It’s not the biggest home, but it will keep the rain out, at least.”

“Thank you, sir!”

“Please, just call me Austin!”


The shabby apartment the kangaroo toy unlocked smelled heavily of fabric and chemicals. The toy didn’t seem to mind, though… if he even could smell through that cloth nose of his. “Well, here we are,” he said with little fanfare. “Please excuse the mess; I tend to do a lot of experimenting in my free time.”

Truth be told, the smell really did bother Laki, but he wasn’t about to turn down free boarding. “No, thank you, really! I can handle a little chemistry so long as it’s not harmful.”

“Oh, wonderful! I hope you can prepare your own food. I can give you a few credits on loan, but I don’t have any food to speak of; all toys have to eat is plastic and rubber.” In demonstration, Austin took a swig from a blue jug covered in warning labels, making Laki feel somewhat squeamish. “Ah, liquid latex. It goes down like Greek fire, but it’s one of the best drinks to build stretch potential.”

“You just drank… a bottle of latex?” Laki had to force down some liquids of his own.

“Oh, sorry! Here, why don’t you go buy yourself something nice at the market place,” Austin hurriedly said, fishing out a few crumpled credits. “I’ll try to clean up while you’re out.” Laki graciously accepted the money and stepped out of the smelly apartment back into the smelly hallway. Everything seemed to smell in the outskirts.

The skunk returned as the sun was setting, his arms full of groceries in plastic bags and his belly full of a cheap yet delicious stew. Austin was there to open the door and greet his roommate and employee with a smile. “Welcome back! I see you got plastic, there; thanks!”

“Plastic? No, sorry, I only got myself food.”

“You got plastic bags, though!” the kangaroo chuckled, taking the bags into his large, soft arms. “May I eat them?”

Laki laughed silently. “Sure, go ahead. Let me put away my food, first.”

As Laki and Austin sorted through the food he had purchased, a decent amount considering the funds he had been given, Austin was snapping up each bag into his plush jaws as it was emptied. “How do you even digest that stuff?” Laki blurted out.

“It’s a bit of chemistry and a TON of magic. It’s far too complicated to explain, though. Sorry.”

Laki cringed and turned away. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have ever brought it up.”

“No, no! I’m glad you take an interest in toys; you’ll be a good employee, I’m sure. Here. This is for you.” The kangaroo offered Laki a beige otter poolplush toy with a silver crescent moon and star on each cheek and a cute potbelly. While it wasn’t alive, its sewn-on smile and expertly crafted eyes that almost seemed to wink at the beholder could only make Laki gasp in amazement.

“It’s incredible!” he whispered. “Thank you so much!”

“Go ahead and take little Lyah here wherever you like at work. Toys are loved and encouraged there!”

Laki proceeded to cuddle the large otter toy in glee only to be hugged in turn by the living toy kangaroo behind him. There they remained until Laki dropped asleep, exhausted from his long day of exile, magic, and job hunting. Austin gently carried him to a pile of prototype toys, a soft mound of felt and vinyl that further comforted the skunk in his dreams…


Laki’s work was monotonous yet relaxing. He loaded spools of fabric into the machines each morning and watched to make sure they didn’t run out during the day. In the meantime he helped to sew up the parts of the stuffed animals and poolplushes and the machines lacked the precision to like paws and intricate curls. A day became a week, a week became a month, and a month a year. The skunk eventually managed to afford his own home, another shabby, smelly little apartment in the same building Austin lived in. Even as nightmares of his father’s dark rituals and curses tortured him in his sleep, he would often awake to find the kangaroo had already tucked Laki into his pouch to keep him safe and warm.

The kangaroo poolplush was always experimenting with various chemicals and plastics in his hunt for the perfect toy and it showed in the steadily increasing quality of his work. Soon the plushies and poolplushies were everywhere in the outskirts and even in the City proper and more and more money flowed into Austin’s company. Yet the poolplush never moved out of that shabby, smelly apartment or bought any sort of niceties. His only explanation was that he was too busy making toys to bother arranging any sort of real estate purchase, and his only lament was that his work could never spread beyond the City walls.

One day, however, Laki found a certain notice on the bulletin board on the wall of the factory. “Requesting volunteers for testing a new PVC material!” it declared in Austin’s signature handwriting. “If interested, fill out survey below!” Sure enough, the table beneath the board had a stack of papers printed with just three questions. Always willing to help out Austin’s work, Laki took a paper and pen without hesitation.

The first question was simple. “Can you use magic?” Laki simply penned a “Yes”.

The next was a little more complicated: “Describe your experience with the company. Do you enjoy the production of toys and stuffed animals? What do you think the company would benefit most from?” Laki spent a little more time here, writing at length about he had never been happier than when he got to sew up a few more stuffed animals for shipping. He finished with a fervent wish that somehow the business could expand beyond the outskirts.

The final of the three was simpler than the second, but much stranger. “Do you wish you were a toy?” Laki looked at Lyah, the toy otter he kept under his arm, with a sigh. He wanted very desperately to become a toy like Austin. Being soft and friendly and so huggable… the many poolplushies he had collected over the last year had certainly quelled his longings, but it was no substitute for a fabric pelt and stuffing-and-air body. He hesitantly wrote “Yes” and deposited the survey into a simple cardboard box with a slit cut in the top.

The rest of the day passed with little incident until the shift’s end. The machines powered down just as Austin shouted to the factory, “Can Laki and Reynie come with me? The rest of you may go about your days. Have fun and stay safe, everyone!”

The skunk and fox somewhat nervously made their way to the toy kangaroo, their tails wagging almost in sync. Austin grinned at their approach. “So you two filled out my little survey, didn’t you? Come, let’s walk and talk.”

As they headed towards the lab that was recently installed, Reynie spoke up. “Is this about the PVC test? Also, why did you ask—”

“Why you wanted to be a toy?” Austin preempted with a grin. “All will be revealed in due time, I assure you.” Austin shut the door behind them. “Now, let me ask, what do you want most of all?”

Before Laki could speak up, Reynie replied, “Well, I think it’d be nice to own my own toy company one day, you know. Maybe even work my way up this one and take over if I prove myself to you…”

Austin tapped the side of his muzzle with a grin. “That’s not it, is it? I could tell from the way you hugged me earlier last month.”

“What? Well, not exactly, but…”

“Come on, say it!” Austin insisted. “We’re all friends here!”

Shutting his eyes in determination, he shouted, “I want to be a poolplush like you, okay? I want to travel the world, weaving fabric and stuffing out of my magic to make toys for all the broken-hearted and sad! I just wish it were possible, but there’s no way I’m getting out of the outskirts, even if I learn to replicate your spell.”

“And Laki?” Austin turned to the skunk, seemingly ignoring Reynie’s wish.

“Um, I second Reynie’s desire. Making toys, maybe even living toys… that just sounds wonderful!” Laki said with a hopeful glint in his eyes.

“Good news for both of you: your wish is fulfilled.”

“What?!” the two shouted in unison.

Austin opened a huge plastic barrel, revealing it to be full of some kind of oily black liquid. “This is my experimental PVC. If you douse yourself in it, your whole body will be changed from flesh to plastic, becoming much like the inflatable shell beneath my layer of fabric and stuffing. In addition, I’ve worked on a second spell that will surround you in fabric and cotton, giving you a plushie layer as well.”

Carefully glancing around him, as if looking for eavesdroppers, Austin continued in a low whisper. “This also has the side effect of completely changing your magical signature. You can waltz right out of here without triggering a single alarm! How does that sound?”

“A… a whole new life…” Reynie gasped, dumbstruck. “You can’t be serious!”

“But I am.” Austin looked directly into his eyes. “Don’t worry about me. I’m happy here. But you two… you can see and do so much more! If you trust me, take this.” The kangaroo offered a metal bucket to both employees. “Take a bucketful and dump it on your head. The transformation will proceed on its own from there.”

After just a moment of hesitation, Reynie and Laki both took a bucket. “Before we begin,” Laki spoke, “can you make me look just like Lyah and with a pouch like yours? I’d like to bring him to life, so to speak. Besides, if I’m going to begin a new life, I might as well go all the way!” He tried to hand his toy otter to his employer, but the toy kangaroo pushed it away with a smile.

“I remember every detail of every toy I’ve ever crafted, don’t you worry a bit. And Reynie? Would you like a new form as well?”

The fox shook his head. “No, thanks. I like how I look, just not what I’m made of.”

Austin smiled. “Very well. I’m proud of you both. You’ve been such hard workers… this is the only way I can truly thank you…” it seemed as though he would cry cotton if he could.

With a nod to each other, both Reynie and Laki scooped up some of the magical PVC and dumped it on their heads as Austin chanted, eyes closed.

Energy flowed through Laki’s veins, freezing up his body. His head suddenly felt very light and full of air- the transformation was working! As the excess plastic flowed down his face, a featureless otter visage emerged, black and shiny. Laki could not see or think, his mind’s workings reduced to only the feeling of flesh and fur becoming vinyl and air. It took only a few moments for the enchanted material to coat his whole body, turning him into a plastic immobile otter. Laki’s new rounded otter ears picked up on the sound of Austin’s chanting which had reached a fever pitch. Cotton suddenly surrounded him, coating every part of his body while fabric magically stitched itself together to hold the stuffing in place. In but a heartbeat Laki’s body awareness extended a little further as a small pooltoy became a big poolplush.

“Alright… you can open your eyes now,” Austin whispered.

Laki- no, Lyah’s eyes snapped open as he gazed about his bigger body. In awe he felt the crescents and stars on his cheeks and rubbed his puffy potbelly and pouch, noticing the valve for inflation just inside. He swung his smaller, otter tail experimentally, tracing the gradual change from beige to white, interrupted solely by another grey valve. Overall, he found the form to be to his liking- at least it didn’t remind him of his father…

With a start Lyah realize the contract binding him to the demon was gone. He was completely, undeniably free.

Beside him, Reynie’s now larger, puffier body was the source of incredible joy for the fox. In an instant he threw himself into Austin’s arms, hugging him tightly. Lyah decided to join in and together they thanked their… manufacturer. The word was sweet honey to the born-again otter. “Thank you,” Reynie whimpered. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

“You’re welcome! Now I suggest you get a move on; I imagine the guards will be quite confused as to why two exiles suddenly disappeared.”

“But… what if you get in trouble?” Lyah asked, suddenly concerned for the kangaroo.

“I think it’s about time I flexed my economic muscles… you’d be surprised what being the richest person in the outskirts lets you do!”

The richest person…! Lyah thought. He was sure a similar thought traveled through Reynie’s mind if his gaping muzzle was any indication.

“Go on, go!” Austin shooed them away with his puffy hands. “You have lives to change outside these walls!”

With a final “Thank you!” the two sprinted out of the factory. Lyah decided to take nothing- he wanted no reminder of his old life- except the wonderful memories of his manufacturer, of course.

He noticed Daniel the weasel in the street. They had been best friends ever since Lyah arrived at the outskirts… he couldn’t leave without saying goodbye. “Daniel! Daniel!” he called.

The weasel turned, somewhat confused at the toy otter running after him. Suddenly he recognized the voice. “Laki…?” he asked, eyes wide.

“Yes, it’s me! But my name’s Lyah, now; Austin turned me into a poolplush like him! It also completely changed my magical signature; I can leave the outskirts!”

“No way!” Daniel laughed merrily. “That’s incredible! I’ll miss you, but that’s no reason to stay; get out there! Live your life! Just remember me when you’re lonely, okay? My friendship will never falter, even if we’re separated by a thousand miles or more!”

Lyah smiled fondly at his friend. “I’ll miss you, too.” The two mustelids hugged one another tightly.

“Get going, my friend,” Daniel whispered into his cloth ear.

Lyah took off once more with a last wave to his friend. Within a few minutes he approached the Vertical City Road, a massive stretch of pavement and concrete that neatly divided the whole City in two; four if one counts the Horizontal City Road. This was it.

If Lyah still had a heart, it would be hammering at the sight of the huge gates looming over him. Guards patrolled the flow of people entering and exiting, asking each their name and reason for leaving or returning. Lyah watched in fear as an exile attempted to leave, only to be shoved back, shouted at, and beaten by the surrounding guards. Nevertheless, he approached one of the three gates and was halted by the bear on duty.

“Name?” the bear asked gruffly yet impartially.

“Um, Lyah.”

The guard checked his Holo-Pad. “Doesn’t say there’s a Lyah. What brings you to our glorious City?” he probed in that same gruff yet monotone voice. Clearly he had done this a lot.

“Um, I was, uh…” Lyah tried to appear calm as he scrambled for an excuse. He should have rehearsed this! “Visiting… a friend,” he finally stammered out. “His name is Daniel. He’s a weasel. He lives in the outskirts.” He hoped listing off details would make him seem more credible.

“Visiting an exile? Why would you do that?”

Lyah grew increasingly panicked. “He… I… uh…”

“Please forgive my otter friend,” a blessedly familiar voice spoke smoothly. Lyah turned to see Daniel approach, one hand curiously behind his back. “He’s not good at talking to authority figures like you.” That seemed to please the bear, but Daniel continued, “I met him before I was banished a couple years ago on an out-of-City trip. After I WAS banished, though, this big, fluffy nut still insisted on visiting me every month!”

“Well, then, why isn’t he on the list of visitors?” the bear questioned.

“He went to the City proper first, you see,” Daniel smiled without missing a beat. as part of his trip. He even picked me up some gilded lilies there!” Lyah watched in surprise as he materialized a few golden flowers behind his back and presented them to the guard. Both were stunned; that could keep a family fed for months. “But I simply couldn’t accept his generosity. Here, Lyah: a gift from you to me to you!” The otter accepted the heavy, precious flowers generously, inwardly marveling at Daniel’s talent in magic.

Eventually the bear nodded and disabled the force-field gate. “Works for me,” he replied simply. “Thank you for visiting our glorious City.” And with that, Lyah stepped past the gates. Many thoughts whirled through his mind- the places he would visit, the toys he would make, the magical libraries he would study at… but one thought stood clear above the rest: thanks to some incredible friends… he was free.