[Story Prompt 1] A New Adventure

It's been a fairly regular activity to take Molly on walks around the neighborhood, but she doesn't get a lot of contact with other creatures, JellHead or no- the squirrels seem to be remarkably good at evading her (probably a good thing)- who knew moving with a persistent wobble wasn't the most efficient way to chase? I mean, she can run like a non-Jell dog, but she still wobbles so much when she sees them that it's hard for her to walk straight and the last time she tried she ended up hitting the tree with a loud SMACK. Scared the life outta me! Seemed okay though. I thought it might be a good idea, however, to find a way for her to meet other JellHeads- a social enrichment sort of thing. They say JellHeads are mostly autonomous but I know dogs are social creatures and my Molly can't be that different, right? She did eat my slippers after all, and chases those squirrels… not to mention aggressively wobbling whenever that accursed JellCat is ever in sight, no matter how much I try to soothe her.

She's definitely a dog if I've ever seen one.

So. The JellLab we visited had some sort of training board when we were there, maybe we can meet up with (ew) other people, or find a sort of (ugh, but it's for her) playdate for JellHeads. I've read online (yes, I can use the computer, I just chose not to. For a year. Because.... reasons.)  that you can get them to complete tasks like fetching rare things called "shinies" with enough training. We'll see if I can get her to fetch anything other than random twigs and dog things- she is a dog after all. I wonder if JellHeads can get useful occupations. Ha! That's something. But if anyone can do it, it's my Molly.

To the JellLab then. Pain in the rear to drive all the way there again but at least Molly can get into the car without too much trouble. Last time it took a-- oh come on, you can do it, you're not a lump, are you? Come on girl! Jump! (She's wiggling her Jell to make it look like she's jumping. I think? Clever girl?)

I think she doesn't want to get in the car though-- oh for pete's sake there's that cat again. Shoo! You're distracting my JellDog!

I guess that's why she was wiggling? Come on, don't make me carry you and get all sticky. Up, you.

To the JellLab, then, so we can train my dog to actually behave. Sounds like a dream come true.

---

That's odd. The reception desk is empty and there aren't so many of those… noises. No JellBeans either. It's not like they closed up shop, it's… oh, shoot. It's after hours. That's what I get for coming here on a Sunday. Guess I can't ask about… what, Molly? That's just paper.. I suppose I could take a look though… not like I can't contact these people on my own time. 

Molly?

Yes, that's paper. Must've fallen off the board. Kind of dirty though. Huh.

Haunted house? Pfft. Got to be a prank.

What do you think, Molly? Spend the night with me in a creepy house with only the ghosts for company, or maybe a scary JellHead? Nah, I'm not stupid. Probably some sort of special effects thing.

Still…

How's about an adventure, Molls? Might be interesting.

It'll be Halloween, after all.

---

How far away is this place?

50 shards better be enough to reimburse me for gas.

---

The mansion is a 120 minute drive, but of course there had to be a necessary stop for equipment. Turns out a lot of stuff left in the garage untouched for a year ends up being faulty. So there was also a stop at the local store for flashlights, snacks, and a relatively cheap backpack to carry the stuff. Molly was well-behaved and the shop clerk wasn't particularly bothered by a JellHead in the store- except for a chancy moment when they opened a candy bar and the already keyed-up JellHead nearly achieved levitation. Her caretaker got her calmed down again and they purchased the equipment, commenting to her JellHead as they left that "It's cheap trash but this will be piece of cake. Haunted, my rear end. At least we'll have some fun exploring- that house is HUGE!"

She seemed to like the idea about "snooping at an old rich person's place." After all, whoever inhabited the place did so a lifetime ago- their lifestyle would be completely different from that of herself. She had her old portable camera, so if they did see anything she'd report it, but she really wasn't expecting much. She was fairly cynical, but to be fair, if someone was there planning to fake a good scare, it could be fun as well. She was aware that it could be tough for Molly though, almost questioning bringing the JellHead along. But the ad had said bring a JellHead, for "safety", and if this was a prank she figured whichever JellScientist had set it up would account for the well-being of the JellHead involved. And if not, well… she'd fight like a bear to protect Molly. But it was probably nothing too important. Clever trick, though, making the paper look old.

---

Upon arrival-

This place looks like a dump.

Eerie, though.

What's that, Mols? Another squirrel?

The blood moon is high in the sky and the two figures standing at the door- one short and wiggly, one large and sturdy, are barely visible despite this. Figures that there'd be an eclipse right then, the sturdy one thinks. It's impressive timing. Or maybe they're just lucky? They take a moment to appreciate the beauty of the scene- the old building, despite being a "dump" in the human's eyes, has a strange allure about it. It's like the doors are saying "open me", and "come closer."

The JellHead shudders, one big shake moving throughout its jell and body. Perhaps there's more to this expedition after all.