CHAPTER 1

     It was noon in the toddler room of the nursary, where many happy cubs ran around and played tag. Sitting and playing with the blocks in the corner of the room sat a little otter named Loch, who was in the middle of making a big castle.

     He was sitting contently playing alone until he heard two sets of footsteps from outside the classroom. One set was very calm and heavy, likely an adult and the other seemed to be the very fussy stomping of a tot.

     Interested, he got up and moved closer to the door to see who could be there. As he got closer to the door, he all of a sudden heard the footsteps turn silent as talking ensued. He pressed his fluffy ear against the door and eavesdropped, way too curious of this strange event.

"Nicole, you know the rules. You do not pour paint on other peoples clothes."

"B-but Henry wanted to wear a green shirt, not a bloo one. I added a bitta yellow to make it green!"

"But sweetie, the shirt is all ruined and Henry had to go home to get a new one. You had one too many warnings, so because you cant behave you have to return to the toddler room. Once you behave you can return to the kiddo room."

"Thats not fair! Its not my fault the stoopid paints didnt work! Im not a toddler im four and a haff!"

"Enough bickering, come on now before I take you to the baby room."

"Gulp! Yes ma'am!"

     Lochy hears the footsteps briefly commense again before the door swings open and startles him, as he trips and falls on his bum. A brown tanuki wearing a purple paw patrol pull up and a pink tee shirt is motioned in. By the kiddo teacher.

"Run along Nicole, behave yourself."

"Hmph fine"

     The teachers discuss the change in roster and the kiddo level teacher returns to her class. Nicole analyses the classroom and sees a small off-gray otter sitting on the ground petrified in just a Tshirt and diaper. Nicole makes the first move.

"Pfff, whats a baby like you doing in the toddler room?"

"Nuffing much, whatsa kiddo like yoo doin in the toddlew room? And im thwee, so im notta baby like yoo say I am", replies Lochy.

"Hmm, i guess you gots me there. My name is Nicole, but you can calls me Nikki."

"Im Lochy, nice ta meet yoo. Wanna comes builds wif me?"

"Ok, but only if I get to decide what we build."

"Pweeze donts make it somethin girly. Hasta be somethin cool okay?"

"Deal!" They shake paws and knock over the castle to begin building together anew.

END OF CHAPTER ONE