Beard Full of Happiness

Suddenly, from a huge closed room located in the secret basement of the Plantar house, a deep bass voice rang out, which echoed off the empty walls and gray slabs. Anne, Polly and Sprigg were pretty scared by this, but what was said next made them tremble even more

–How did you get into my base?! Who are you–... Wait, isn't that... Bushy, is that you?

These words were uttered with such love and such care, with such melancholy and such happiness. It seemed that a long-lost family member had returned to the owner of this voice, and not just anyone, but his soul and heart.

Gradually, the sound of footsteps began to intensify. At first, this rumble was small, because judging by the number of steps taken, the room was large enough to accommodate a large creature. With another thump, the three children shrank more and more. The rough voice and the trembling of the ground beneath them from the creature's footsteps bound them with fear of the unknown. It could have been anything: from the living vegetable monster they saw today, or some evil spirit that took over the corpse, or maybe a zombie! But Anne's thoughts were elsewhere, even though she couldn't move.

Why did someone call her a "Bushy"? At home, she is sometimes called: "Bush", "Shaggy", and even nicknamed her "Moss". Of course, this was allowed only to friends and acquaintances, but even then, over time, they stopped talking about it. All except one person. Her grandfather.

His name was Alexander Raev, and Anne was sure that she could not find a better person for the role of grandfather. He always had all sorts of goodies, the doors were always open to visitors, and he never missed the opportunity to spend time with his grandchildren, he had such a soft and pure heart, as if there was enough love in him for everyone.

And the funny thing about it is that he's not even a blood relative.

Grandpa Alex, as they called him, was an old friend of the Boonchuy family, and if Anne's memory serves her right, it was he who introduced her family and the families of Sasha and Marcy. By a happy coincidence, it turns out that the grandfather was also a friend of their families.

So, her friendship with Marcie and Sasha was destiny, Anne smiled to herself.

Sometimes Grandpa Alex would let them spend the night at his house so they could have their bachelorette party. Sometimes he drove them in his car to shopping malls and parks to have fun. All that wat to strengthen the bonds of friendship between them.

His words was: «Word Family and a real family, they are different things. Although blood ties mean kinship, they are not always pure.»

Ann didn't really try to understand these words because she was fine. Lovely family and wonderful friends, but recently she managed to understand her grandfather's phrase. And the bottom line is that she could also become part of the Plantar family. It's a pity that she had to be here to understand such a simple meaning of such wise saying.

But one day after school, deciding to go to her grandfather, terrible news was brought to her. Alexander died. Her parents only hinted and tried to explain it differently, but she wasn't that green and conceive the concepts of death. She asked directly, "Is he gone?" and they just nodded their heads sadly.

The worst day of her life. The funeral, her bitter tears and a huge emotional abyss... She didn't leave her room for three days, crying and longing for her grandfather. She will no longer hear his kind voice, his fascinating stories, will not be able to walk with him and walk in parks, will never be able to see his kind smile again. It was painful for Ann to remember all this.

And now, when the owner of this voice called her a "Bushy", these memories hit her head like a column, from which her trembling in her body only became stronger. It is the memory of grandpa that she has the best, but they also hurt the most...

And finally the owner of the voice appeared in all its glory.

This is the biggest thing she has seen in her life, of course from the category of living, even elephants next to this giant seemed small. The whole body is covered with dark green scales, with two large horns on the head. A huge beard, which by the way is not well-groomed, but hair... It was not just hair, but a real mane, falling down to the back.

There was a large scar on the eye, but not deep enough to take away the function of the eyeball itself. The claws on the paws were huge and could clearly cut through wood, but it rather converged to the fact that they were not cut. There were no boots on his feet, but only a clean and huge paw... in slippers.

Yes, you were not mistaken, he was wearing slippers. And behind dragged a huge tail on which there were several scars, some even showed the inner skin. So at first glance it seemed that he had woken up from a long sleep and definitely did not want to crush them, so they imagined

– Aaaaa It speaks! –Sprig umped back a few meters and dragged Polly and Anne along with him. But unfortunately, he could not delay older girl

It's not just about the distinguishing size of the frog and the human, but also the resistance itself from Anne. She didn't budge. As if she was chained to the ground itself, even some spell had made her freeze in place, or simple horror of this giant.

Sprig could not understand what was wrong with her, because as long as he had known her, she had never been scared or trembled. She never stood in a stupor from the unknown and threat. She always aspired to adventure, to fun, wanted to explore something new.

They are so similar to each other. Consider them as adventurers, adventurists, or just kids who cruising for bruising. it hasn't even been two months yet passed since their acquaintance, they already been through so much! She became his best friend... to be honest, also first one too. Cherishing this friendship, Sprig Plantar do whatever it takes for Anne, even though he will be hurt, even though he will be scared.

Lowering Polly to the floor, and rushing to help, he did not notice the curious look of his sister, she was tapping her head with one fin, and holding on to the mace with the other (and where did THAT come from? ), while stretching out the sound "mmm~", supposedly remembering something.

He ran to the earth girl to help, making a jump, then going on a run. When he reached her, he jumped on her shoulders, and tried to pull her along, using the uneven distribution of weight due to him. But even so, he couldn't move it. Sprig frowned, fixing his head to her eyes, he wanted to ask what was the matter, but he couldn't, because he saw her face. The next thing he heard was her trembling voice:

— I-I do not know who you are, but... w-why did you call me that? – goosebumps went through her body, and small drops of tears made themselves felt in the corners of her eyes

The huge creature definitely felt something. And as if pierced by a sharp spear, it fell to its knees, raising a lot of dust under it, and even throwing the two of them a few centimeters because of the force of the blow. The creature lowered its head, enough so that its eyes were directed at them. His gaze met Ann's. With his loud voice, he let out a very nervous laugh, his voice also trembled. Ann caught a glimpse that this "Lizard" was not averse to shedding tears. His body was shaking as much as Ann's own. He slowly and hesitantly wiped the tears from his face with his hand and turned to the girl. 

– My name is Alexander Raev, a simple old man who lived alone. Living his days as a hermit. Who forget what means love and caring, until I met Bunchoy's, Wu's and the Waybrights. They became my relatives, became my family. Together with them, I told a lot, felt new, felt alive again. They were like children to me, like the sons and daughters I never had. And how indescribable was my happiness when the news of my becoming a grandfather came to me. The day when the three of you were brought to my house as babies was the best day of my life. I jumped, I cried, I didn't stop rejoicing. I couldn't stop enjoying this delight. Back then, after seeing you, I found true happiness in my life, my tadypoles.– tears welled up on the face of the already named Alexander, the water clouded his vision, but that didn't stop him to see, that his littleg randdaughter was ready to cry.

His sharp ears caught her soft whimpering, her lips trembled, and her legs began to lose their strength. « I always called you "tadypoles" simply there was no other way to call you, because you absorbed the very beauty of the world. You, Anne Boonchuy, are my Bushy, and one of my light that guided me in this world, and thanks to which I remained the way I am, my dear granddaughter, whom I have always desired. » –  in the end, he spread his arms wide for a long-awaited hug. Whose embrace he had been waiting for a long, long, long time. 

– Grandpa... – having lowered this dam of tears, Ann slowly entered Alexander's arms. The whimpering intensified, tears flowed, and a slight smile appeared on his face. 

***

And while this tearful reunion was approaching, Polly went deep into thinking. This old man reminded her too much of someone, but she couldn't remember. It's clear that his name is Alexander, but Polly definitely knew another Alexander. So, so, so...

« Polly, what are you doing?» – Sprig appeared next to her

« Me? Nothing special... Does this old dude look familiar to you?» Polly raised an eyebrow, turning to her brother. She suddenly came up with an idea, and she reached for something.

« When you said that, indeed he is... Where did you get that? » Sprig asked, seeing how she took the book out of nowhere. Not just a book, but a diary of one of their ancestors,  a great warrior from the Plantar family, a wonderful farmer and a kind frog! Whose name he forgot. 

« Hold on second. » she quickly turn page after page, wanting to find the exact chapter or paragraph confirming her arguments. If her memory does not change, then she saw not only the text about a certain Alexander, but also the attached photo.

«Here, I found this! Come on, look at this!»

Handing the diary to her brother, she jumped up to the scaly giant with the words: « I can't believe it! »

Sprigg was amused by this, and then he buried himself in the book. Immediately he drew attention to the inserted photograph, which depicted a certain horned amphibian (as it seemed to him) of colossal size, dressed in bulky armor, in his hands he had a shield, and behind his back a decent-sized sword, the length of which was almost twice the height of his master. The sword was also incredibly wide, as if it could take down centuries-old trees with one swing of this metal beast. 

Sprig looked at Alexander again, and then back at the photo. Then again and again. The thought flew into his head about their possible blood connection, but after a second he noticed one small stroke. The one on the diary and the one in front of him had the same scar on his eye. and another one on his tail. Both shared another trait, and that was the scars on the tail. 

Well, at least he pinpoint that it was Alexander in the picture. He wasn't really a fan of reading all sorts of books, so he jumped to everyone else.