"Green Dragon, do you copy?"

"I copy."

"What's the situation?"

"It used to be better."

"Please, clarify."

"I've lost my shoe."

"Ohh. That's not good. Please retrieve it immediately."

"I'm trying, but it's hard."

"I know. I wish I could help."

"You help, by being here."

"If I could, I would blush, friend. So, where did you lose your shoe?"

"In space."

"Space? Is this 'the dark place'?"

"No, no, no. Once again, it's not 'the dark place'"

"You know how scared I am of 'the dark place' or anything that resembles it."

"You're prejudiced. You need to overcome your fears one day, space is beautiful."

"But it's dark."

"That's why we bring flashlights. You can't see its wonders If you focus on how it 'is' instead of how it 'can be'."

"...and you can't find your shoes this way, I guess."

"Hihihi, that's why I love you."

"What? You're again using this word. You know how I despise it."

"You shouldn't despise something because you don't understand its meaning! Hihihihi!"

"Oh, yes. Laugh again. Why can't you just tell me what exactly it means, like you did for all the other words?"

"Because it's a secret!"

"Eh. Forget it, let's focus on your shoe. Was it the blue one?"

"They all are blue."

"I mean, the one that looks the bluest, the one that you always lose."

"Dear. Once again. There's no such thing as the bluest shoe. They're all blue."

"Yet, they've all different names, aquamarine... sapphire... azure... except that one. It's also your dearest shoe... and you 'love' blue... so it has to be the bluest shoe. Wouldn't it be logical?"

"Oh, hihihihi... you and the logic. How lovely."

Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

"Hmm. Okay, okay... I get it. Let's stop the bickering. Blue shoe. Where it could be?"

"Maybe it's behind the square trees."

"No, blue doesn't go well with green. Try elsewhere. What is beneath you?"

"Orange triangles."

"Don't! DON'T TASTE THEM!"

"Mmmm. Delicious."

"Oh, no. Your tummy will hurt again."

"I know, I'm sorry, I couldn't resist it."

"Green Dragon, I need you to keep your attention on what I say, do you copy?"

"I do. Crunch... crunch..."

"..."

"I'm... sorry..."

"Now, there'll be a lot more triangles on your body for the next month. You know that green doesn't go well with orange."

"I know... I know... but why does it taste so well, then?"

"I don't know. Please, turn your head around and tell me, what is behind you?"

"Home..."

"Good. You're not lost. It's only your shoe."

"Joking in moments like that... when I'm about to cry."

"I'm not joking. I'm assessing the situation. What is above you?"

"Twirling purple twirls."

"Good! Your shoe might be there! Try looking there."

"I can't reach them."

"You can fly, silly."

"No, it's not that. They're too far."

"That's inconceivable, but I trust you. We'll try elsewhere. What is in front of you?"

"Oh... my shoe, but... there is a monster. It's holding it... and smiling. I don't like it."

"Don't go any closer!!! Retreat!"

"But my shoe! I can't leave it there!"

"Forget about the shoe. You're more important."

"The monster... it speaks to me... it wants to give me the shoe."

"Don't listen to these vile whispers! It's a trap."

"I won't! I won't!!! Tell me what to do, I'm so afraid!"

"Tell it to leave the shoe on the ground, then leave."

"..."

"Is everything alright? You're awkwardly silent... Green Dragon, are you there!? Are you!? Please answer! Oh, no... don't tell me the monster got you... please, don't leave me! PLEASE!"

"I'm okay."

"Is the monster there?"

"It's gone."

"It might be hiding behind the trees, please return to home, immediately. Forget about the shoe."

"I've got my shoe."

"What?"

"I think the monster turned sad when I asked it to do what you requested, then it left the shoe alone."

"Is the shoe intact? Did the monster do anything weird to it?"

"Oh, I don't know. It looked normal. It's already on my third foot..."

"Green Dragon, please, next time, let me inspect the shoe before you wear it."

"Sorry, I couldn't help myself. It's my favorite shoe."

"Eh, I know... just, return home. I'm missing you."

"I will... but I'm afraid there might be more monsters in space."

"Oh, tell me what color they are! I will tell you which road is safe."

"Monsters are weird. They're neither pink nor pale nor orange. Their color is something in between... and their entire bodies are hidden under black clothes."

"Oh, that's an ugly color. If it's what they're using to hide their ugly parts, I can't possibly conceive what might be underneath..."

"Me too... it's scary. I don't want to see it."

"Next time you see a monster, close your eyes. If it can't feed on your fears, it'll go away."

"Mhm. Understood. Hey... I smell sweet milk."

"That's me. I'm preparing the cookies too! Follow the smell, that's your safe road home!"