Renald has a minion!

Apollo the Uillit

At a young curious age, this inquisitive little Orkid ventured off from his pack in search of something. He felt somewhere out there in this vast world would be a place he would feel he had purpose and belonged.

It didn't take long until the little curious critter ran into a little boy out in a large clearing, crying. The little boy named Guillaume had become separated from his family and didn't know what to do. Taking the boy's hand, the small orkid was determined to help him. Thankfully for the pair, the boy's family wasn't too far off. They were able to find them rather quickly thanks to an old nearby oak tree who's roots spread far through the area and was able to whisper directions only the orkid understood. Once Guillaume was reunited with his family, the little boy turned to his new companion and pleaded to his family if he could stay with them. The little orkid seemed to like this arrangement as he smiled and politely bowed.

"If he is to stay with us, we would know your name?" The boy's mother asked softly as she brushed her long golden locks out of her face. Back in his pack the orkid didn't have much of a name, there wasn't much of a need for one. The boy's father seemed the most concerned about the situation, "Is this a good idea?" Mrs. Rénald turned to her husband and hushed him, everything would work out in time.

Guillaume remembered the name of his favourite story book character, "François! Just like the little boy in my bedtime stories!"

'What a truly great name!' The orkid thought as his big purple eyes sparkled with excitement.

The boy's parents couldn't help but laugh as Guillaume and François held hands and danced in a circle.

Years later, you wouldn't think twice about François being a part of the Rénald family. He did his part around the family mansion, he loved looking after all the delightful flower bouquets Madame Rénald used to decorate the house as well as the giant gardens that seemed to go on forever. It was the life! Everyday was a new lesson or adventure to be had, whether it be furthering his skills with communicating with the flora around the property to fighting off those horribly dreadful birds from eating the freshly grown vegetables.

Guillaume's alarm rang and woke both the heavy sleepers from their dreams. The little boy brushed his fingers through his dishevelled hair and stretched before looking over at François who refused to get up. "If I have to get up! You do to!" Guillaume laughed as he gently poked the sleeping orkid to wake him up. François groaned as he covered his face with his long ears and curled into a ball in his bed. "I'm not the one who has to go to school...", he grumbled angrily at Guy in defiance. "I was having such a nice dream too!"

Thinking for a moment, Guy turned to François just after putting on his dress shirt with a smirk on his face. "That's fine by me! That means I get to finish off the last of the peach jam!"

Almost as if Guillaume said a magic word, François was instantly on his feet getting dressed. There was no way he was going to miss out on the Madame's fresh peach jam, they only ever got it when peaches were in season. Both boys diligently got ready for the day before they scrambled to the dining room to have breakfast.

Upon entrance to the dining room they were met by Apollo, the family pet, and the strong aroma of Monsieur Rénald's coffee. Apollo greeted the pair with a soft meow before making himself comfy on the Monsieur's lap as he read the morning paper. Both Guillaume and François took their seats at the table and waited for the maid to serve them breakfast. Breakfast was nothing short of a masterpiece, the chef hoped to brighten Guillaume's day since it was his first day back to school, there was freshly baked baguette toasted with peach jam served with a side of eggs benedict lightly drizzled in hollandaise sauce and freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. François was in heaven, the peach jam was spectacular! So perfectly sweet and warm!

After breakfast was over, Monsieur Rénald had the chauffeur take Guillaume to school. It was now time for François to make his daily tour. "François!" Monsieur called to him, "Be careful out there today, the crows seemed to have returned. They've grown quite fond of the strawberries it seems..." The gentleman sighed at the thought of the ruined strawberry patch. 'HOW DARE THEY! The strawberries of all things!' François hated birds, it made him incredibly angry that they had the nerve to treat themselves to the strawberry patch both he and the madame worked so hard to tend to. "Don't you worry Monsieur! I will take care of them!" Tipping his hat in assurance, François set off towards the gardens.

The roses and lilies greeted François as he passed by, they were always so happy to talk to him. Removing his hat and bowing softly, the small orkid apologized to the beautiful flowers that he had to help the strawberries. Always so polite he was! The roses called to him, they were worried for his safety. Being only 12 inches tall, the birds might think him to be a snack. Perhaps the flowers were right, François thought for a moment as he paced back and forth on the garden path. 'How do I deal with those burdensome birds? There has to be a way!' An idea came to him, "AHA! I think I got it! What do birds hate?" François asked the flowers.

"Scarecrows? Stinky cheese maybe?"

"Shiny things! No wait they like those..."

"Bigger birds?"

The flowers shouted out answers in hopes of getting it right. François smiled, "They're afraid of cats! I'll go get Apollo!" Excitedly he ran off in search of the sleeping beast.

Apollo was rather easy to find, he was sleeping in his usual morning nap location atop a pile of small cushions by the side window in Monsieur's office. Running up to the sleeping creature, François patted him softly on the head to wake him.

Bright eyes shot open as Apollo gurbled from being woken up. The round creature stretched out it's little wings and swayed it's tail while it curiously watched the little master. "Apollo! Do you want to have some fun?" François asked excitedly. Apollo's ears perked up immediately following the part about having fun, it was usually so dull around around the household during the day maybe this would break the monotony. After sensing Apollo's eagerness, François climbed up to the windowsill and pointed over at the crows. "Look! I need your help in getting rid of those pesky birds! They're after Madame's strawberries!"

Peering into the window in the direction François was pointing, Apollo noticed several birds hanging out in the garden. Nudging the small master to get on, the rotund little beast stretched his legs in preparation.

Off they went! In a flash you could see a fluffy white spotted creature dash off with the small master on it's back holding tightly to his hat headed towards the front door. Once outside the chase was on! François waved at the flowers as he flew past them towards the strawberry patch.

A sight to behold as Apollo leapt out at the crows, growling menacingly and bearing his claws. The birds scattered off and flew away in fear that the vicious little beast would get them. "We did it Apollo! Thank you so much!" François exclaimed excitedly as he hugged his furry friend. Apollo purred softly and nuzzled into the small master as he dismounted, happy to have a little bit of fun added to its day.

Proud that he protected the delicious strawberries with a job well done, François and Apollo returned inside to take an afternoon nap.

Profile + coding machined by piers.
Overlay by Chen.
Story by Cyroris.
Profile François art by X88B8.
Pixel by OnigiryStuff.