Pepe Love is questing! Episode 1/25

It is so early in the morning that there are still stars in the sky and mist is clinging to the trees and grass. If one looks carefully they can see the sun’s rays peeking above the horizon. Someone is awake and has been for many hours.

Celeste a little mouse witch has been busy packing the belongings she will take with her on a journey to find a new village, that does not yet have a mouse witch. All new mouse witches have to undertake this task. Being a mouse witch brings the understanding that their powers are to be used to help others.

Celeste had said her goodbyes to her mother and great-grandmother the night before and as she now stands outside with her kart loaded, Celeste’s grandmother gives some last words of advice and the wish that Celeste finds a lovely village to become a resident of.

“Halloween is soon here and you want to be established in a new village before that night arrives. My best wishes and love go with you. Call upon us if you need any help.”

Pepe Love is questing! Episode 2/25

Celeste has so many things to think about as she walks along the path, of course, she is very excited to be setting out on a new phase of her life and she has been well-trained by her Grandmother and Great-Grandmother, Aurora, who is a famous mouse witch in her own right.

Celeste does not travel alone, she has with her a precious broom, a gift from her Great-Grandmother. This broom, Belinda Broomfield, is so old that no one is sure when Belinda first came into being. Aurora told Celeste that Belinda had been gifted to her by her Great-Grandmother. So this broom is very old indeed.

Belinda and Celeste chat about many things, as they walk along, but especially about Halloween and how important it is for Celeste to find a village before then. Halloween was known as a time of great joy and celebration but it also brought with it some pranks, mostly done by ghosts, but other creatures liked to cause a bit of mischief too.

Pepe Love is questing! Episode 3/25

Celeste and Belinda were nearing the end of the forest. They had both enjoyed the walk. The forest was in full autumnal splendour and the rich aromas were starting to make Celeste wish for a break, some food and maybe a spot of tea. If they were lucky the next village would be their new home.

Before Celeste could voice any of this to Belinda a loud squawking and fluttering of wings appeared before them.

“Help me, you have to help me!”

A distraught crow had landed on the path.

Celeste was shocked but she kept calm as she said, “I can help you if you tell me what the problem is.”

“It’s my baby, it fell out of the tree and it is not ready to fly yet,” the flustered crow said. “Hurry, it is just over here.”

Celeste looked at Belinda, “If you would stay with the cart I will go and help this mother crow.”

Celeste followed the crow and came to where a nest was high up in a tree, but look as she might, Celeste did not see any sign of a baby crow on the ground. Celeste turned to ask the mother crow a question, but there was no sign of her either. Oh bother, I guess the pranks are starting early. Celeste shook her head and returned to the cart.

“Thanks, Belinda,” Celeste said, “Let’s be on our way.”

Pepe Love is questing! Episode 4/25

Celeste was lost in thought when she suddenly got a feeling—feelings are one of those magical gifts that mouse witches get— looking around she was greeted by the sight of charming houses, with trees in many fall colours in spacious yards, and even better, she did not detect the presence of another mouse witch. She was standing in front of a green and red house that did not look as if anyone lived in it. The house next door had a rake outside—someone had been gathering up leaves—and a pumpkin sat in an upstairs window.

Celeste opened the door, the first room was empty. This house had been waiting for her, she knew it.

“Belinda, wake up, I found our village and a house! What luck. I am going to start unpacking and then make some food. Come and see.”  

Pepe Love is questing! Episode 5/25

Celeste ran around inside the house putting lit candles in the windows and on finding there was wood next to the fireplace she also started a fire. Warmth and some light helped to create a more welcoming atmosphere.

What is taking Belinda so long, she is usually right by my side and I know she was as excited as I was to find a village. Celeste went outside and grabbed the broom handle sticking out of the cart.

“Come along, Belinda, time to help me set up the rest of our belongings and start cooking some food. I have dried mushrooms and I thought mushroom soup and homemade scones would be perfect.”

Pepe Love is questing! Episode 6/25

“BELINDA!” Celeste yelled. What she had grabbed was a broom, but it was not Belinda, it was an ordinary broom, a non-magical, non-precious broom.

“Belinda, where are you?”

Celeste frantically began to toss everything out of the cart. No Belinda.

“Oh no!” wailed Celeste as she began to sob.

Pepe Love is questing! Episode 7/25

A door opened and closed as the neighbour, Karl, a grey bunny rushed out to see what all the commotion was about.

“Are you alright, I heard your yelling from inside my house,” Karl pointed to the house next to Celeste’s.”

“Nnnno! I may never be alright again. Belinda has gone missing.”

“Who is Belinda and when did you last see her?”

Celeste gulped back more tears and tried to organize her thoughts. It would do no good to get into a panic.

“I should introduce myself, I am Celeste and I am the new mouse witch for this village, I have only arrived. Belinda is my friend, she is a special broom given to me by my Great-Grandmother and she is gone. I last saw her…I thought she was in the cart. I have been talking to her, and I never thought it odd when she did not answer, Belinda is quite capable of talking, but she does not always feel the need. I last saw her physically in a forest when we stopped to help a crow, which turned out to be a prank I guess.”

“Pleased to meet you, Celeste, I am Karl, your neighbour, and yes, we need a mouse witch, I am glad you are here, but this is a sad situation to start life in a new town. It sounds suspicious to me,” said Karl. “I think we should go and speak with Pepe Love, they are the librarian for this village and they know a lot of lore and he keeps tabs on all the rumours.

Pepe Love is questing! Episode 8/25

Karl helps Celeste bring in the rest of her belongings.

“I am sorry you are starting life in this village with such unhappiness marring your arrival. It should be a happy time for you and the village. Pepe Love will be able to help us, I think. We won’t stop until we find your Belinda. If you are all set here, let’s head off to Pepe Love’s house.”