Heart strings

Findings

       It was a joy for them to experiment, for them to learn, they knew that they were extremely intelligent, that was until it came to feelings, they knew that it was obvious that they didn't have much experience with it and only now was coming around to it. They continue to work and research things in their lab, researching that parasite known as Strabby, but their research on this came to be unfruitful, anytime they put it under any form of heat it turned to mush and that one sample they had didn't appear to be enough, they knew Gramble possibly had more info on it because he spent all that time taking care of the things. Floofty didn't want to face him, not yet at least, they couldn't cut the string but they figured there has to make her do something else to prevent him finding out this.

       They sat there, lost in thought thinking over anything, everything they could do, they realize they're starting to stress out over such little things, especially that they aren't known as the one to stress out over things and that it's most likely mass hysteria. They picked up one of the books they had on their desk. It was about psychology and one of the sections in the book contained information about love, they sit there and read. Nothing, nothing to explain the logic behind soulmates or love or any of this, it says about how grumps fall in love, connection and spending a lot of time together. Floofty couldn't understand, why would they be brought into this? Who's the one picking the soulmates? Floofty sat there thinking, staring at the pages, they had so many questions left unanswered, and for all of their knowledge they're never going to find out the answers to those questions. They closed the book with a soft thud, their paw tracing the cover as they continue to think. They were conditioned to think, not feel, which up until this moment was fine for them.

     They knew feeling was quite important, emotions were a fundamental part of life, but they always believed that the more mushy thoughts bogged one down. Floofty opened up the book wants more, their eyes scanning the pages. The book said things about how love can cause euphoria, releasing hormones like dopamine, oxytocin, and phenethylamine, all associated with love, happiness, or moods in general. Floofty continue to read, at least trying to understand, Floofty hadn't even realized that they were subconsciously doing what Snorpy told them to. The book explained that love couldn't be fully explained because of the complexity of the emotion, so no matter how hard they try this book couldn't tell them the answers they truly wanted because it physically wasn't possible.

     Floofty continued to sit and think there for a couple more minutes before getting up and deciding to just observe other grumpuses and the connections between them. Floofty almost found it sickening watching, what they believed to be, the ignorance of others. Floofty chose the best way to watch this is via taking a walk around the park close by that multiple of their students say they go to for dates, and off Floofty went, taking the book with them as they walked out the door. They briskly walked until they arrived at the park where they continue to walk until they sat down on a bench and began reading again. It wasn't a big public park, benches were sparsely scattered along the stone paved path, it was quite a scenic sight to see. Floofty continued reading as they watched grumps walk by, some together as a family, some together as a couple, some alone. The red strings connecting the grumps in the couples, some of the grumps who were alone seem to be following the string, other who were alone were just enjoying their evening, not minding at all, those ones were the ones Floofty agreed with. 

     For the first time since all of this soulmate malarkey had started, they had finally gotten to relax, they found it to be quite peaceful to just sit outside and read a book, the breeze was light and calm, the trees swayed with breeze ever so slightly. Even though they knew that rereading what they read when they were back home thinking isn't going to help them find the answers, they still did, almost as a last ditch effort to try to understand any of this. They closed the book and sat it on their lap, they just watched the grumps go by, the glowing string didn't appear to move with the wind, it appeared to almost phase through some things, but not all as if only passing through things that are necessary to be passed through, to be a guide, that's not the strange part. The stranger part was that it almost seemed less pulled on than the days before, the only time Floofty saw it almost seemed loose was at the party, where it fell to the ground instead of stay taut, and based on their assumptions this means Gramble, their soulmate, is getting closer. They closed the book as soon as it started to get dark out, the never really ever took time to look at the sunset, but they started to head home they're walking stayed at a brisk pace. 

    Along that path, they saw how the string appeared to be less and less taut and almost went completely slack, Floofty knew Gramble was going to look for his soulmate, which in this case was them, but they didn't think that he would have started the search this quickly, slowly, they look away from their paw and up to see him standing before them and they tried to keep their composure, "Greetings, it appears we interact again." The two just stand there for a couple of seconds as both bask in the awkwardness of the situation. "I'm assuming you desire an elaboration." Floofty's voice stayed calculated and consistent, not showing any sign of waver, unlike Gramble's. "No, I'm just asking why you had to run away like that!" "That would still be an explanation. My recent behaviors have been caused by a multitude of reasons but because of your fragile emotions and cowardice I would not be able to proceed with my work if I had not left. I shall return to my domicile where I can ensure my solitude which I came here for." Floofty sighs deeply as the stand to leave, keeping the book close to them. As they walk Gramble calls out to them but by the point he was saying stuff they needed to know they were already out of earshot. "Please don't leave, not again." With one last plea he also began to walk back home. The weight of the day falling heavy on both of them as they go back to contemplating over this whole concept of soulmates. One believing it can only bring heartbreak even if they're trying to let grumps in, the other too deep in their own world to see outside of it even if they try to get better. Both go to sleep with a lingering feeling that tomorrow is going to be a new day, but nothing is really new if it's the same thing over and over again.