Back to the Future
It was the year 2020, the fifth year of the Epoch Era, and the Chocolate family were going about their day as usual. Teri was at the stove while Frasier chatted to her from the sofa and Coco and Crème were playing upstairs. The Chocolate family were perhaps the most well-known family in the whole of Sylvania and Freya in particular was somewhat of a celebrity and enjoyed her place in the spotlight.
That morning she’d set off with her brother Coco for a walk when they came across something they’d never seen before; an old swing. “How strange,” mused Coco, “I’ve sure I’ve never seen this before.” Filled with curiosity, Freya ran her paw over the frame. “It doesn’t feel anything like our Epoch swings,” she said deep in thought. “You don’t think….” she started before trailing off in further thought. Coco’s gaze snapped from the swing to his sister. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” he asked nervously. “It depends what you’re thinking,” Freya answered, excitement in her voice. “Do you think this could really be from the Tomy Times?” Coco said out loud what they were both thinking. Their knowledge of the Tomy Times was limited; it was touched on briefly in their school history lessons but there were very few artefacts surviving and a lot was still unknown. |
However the thought that occupied both their minds was the rumour that some Tomy artefacts had the power to transport you back in time to the year they were made. Freya’s eyes gleamed with excitement but Coco looked worried.
“Do you think the rumour is true?” Freya asked excitedly. “I’m not sure,” Coco replied doubtfully, “But I wouldn’t put it to the test. Some things are best left unexplored and unknown. We know so little about the Tomy Times; it could be dangerous.” Freya didn’t look at all put off so Coco added, “Even if the Tomy Times are perfectly safe, time travel always comes with the potential danger of changing the course of history forever.” But Freya was paying her brother no attention; she was already sitting in the swing, pushing off with her feet to get started. She rose up in the air and when she swung back her brother was gone. The rumour was true; she was in the Tomy Times. |
Freya looked around feeling both excited and nervous. She wanted to see the history of Sylvania but was worried that things might have been a bit wild in the olden times! She set off down a path and soon saw the top of a house come into view. “Here goes,” she thought, time to see how Sylvanians used to live.
The Babblebrooks were having a normal day. Pearl had been causing chaos in the kitchen and Crystal was patiently trying to sort out her mother-in-law’s mess. The rest of the family tried to hide around the house and Breezy had decided escape was the best course of action. She stepped out and was surprised to see an unfamiliar rabbit gazing up at their home.
“Hello,” she called out, “Can I help you?” Freya turned and gazed at Breezy lost for words. What was this grey rabbit wearing, was this the fashion back in the Tomy Times? She was so busy being horrified she didn’t reply to Breezy’s question so the friendly grey rabbit tried again.
“Are you new to Sylvania? We hadn’t had any reports of a new family being produced. That is so exciting but it looks like the creators have made a mistake, they’ve put you in a big sister’s dress when you obviously aren’t. Only Ivy and Summer wear dresses like that.”
“I am Freya,” she announced dramatically, expecting Breezy to immediately feel embarrassed at not recognising the most famous of all Sylvanians.
“Oh, ok, that’s a nice name, where are the rest of your family?” Breezy enquired. Freya was lost for words, back in the Epoch Era everyone knew who she was. She was like Sylvanian royalty and all the girls admired her and wanted to be as popular as she was (or so she thought!). She decided to temporarily ignore the fact that this rabbit hadn’t recognised her and instead started asking questions.
“So what is this place?” she pointed to the large building “It looks so old fashioned and very beige.”
“Oh this is the Deluxe Family House but we just call it the Big House. My family live here.”
“It’s very plain,” remarked Freya in a disparaging tone, “But I suppose there are other grander homes around here?” Breezy considered for a moment,
“Not really, this is one of the biggest, but to be honest all our homes are quite similar, beige wood effect walls, red roofs, comfortable and homey.”
The Babblebrooks were having a normal day. Pearl had been causing chaos in the kitchen and Crystal was patiently trying to sort out her mother-in-law’s mess. The rest of the family tried to hide around the house and Breezy had decided escape was the best course of action. She stepped out and was surprised to see an unfamiliar rabbit gazing up at their home.
“Hello,” she called out, “Can I help you?” Freya turned and gazed at Breezy lost for words. What was this grey rabbit wearing, was this the fashion back in the Tomy Times? She was so busy being horrified she didn’t reply to Breezy’s question so the friendly grey rabbit tried again.
“Are you new to Sylvania? We hadn’t had any reports of a new family being produced. That is so exciting but it looks like the creators have made a mistake, they’ve put you in a big sister’s dress when you obviously aren’t. Only Ivy and Summer wear dresses like that.”
“I am Freya,” she announced dramatically, expecting Breezy to immediately feel embarrassed at not recognising the most famous of all Sylvanians.
“Oh, ok, that’s a nice name, where are the rest of your family?” Breezy enquired. Freya was lost for words, back in the Epoch Era everyone knew who she was. She was like Sylvanian royalty and all the girls admired her and wanted to be as popular as she was (or so she thought!). She decided to temporarily ignore the fact that this rabbit hadn’t recognised her and instead started asking questions.
“So what is this place?” she pointed to the large building “It looks so old fashioned and very beige.”
“Oh this is the Deluxe Family House but we just call it the Big House. My family live here.”
“It’s very plain,” remarked Freya in a disparaging tone, “But I suppose there are other grander homes around here?” Breezy considered for a moment,
“Not really, this is one of the biggest, but to be honest all our homes are quite similar, beige wood effect walls, red roofs, comfortable and homey.”
Freya felt horror well up inside her. She closed her eyes and an image of Beechwood Hall with its many rooms, magnificent kitchen, balcony and other grand features rose in her mind. That was her idea of a grand home, a proper Epoch home. These Tomy Times really weren’t up to standard. She had failed to appreciate how well the Big House fitted in to its surroundings. How comfortable it was and how happy the Babblebrooks were living there. It was a proper family home that was loved and enjoyed.
Breezy was completely oblivious to her companion’s thoughts; she assumed that Freya’s silence was due to being new so decided to be welcoming and show her around a bit.
“I’m off to the bakery to buy some more flour for Mother Crystal. Grandmother Pearl used up all the flour baking….well none of us really know what she was trying to bake because all we saw was a burnt mess. We love her, but really she is the worst baker in Sylvania. Mother Crystal, however is the best baker, if I get her some flour, I think she’ll bake us a yummy cake for tea.” Freya’s ears pricked up at hearing the word bakery. Maybe this place wasn’t so bad after all. Perhaps there’d be a Freya bread cake like the ones she got at the Brick Oven Bakery. Maybe these Tomy Times weren’t so bad after all. She could eat some treats and maybe meet some other more sophisticated creatures than this grey rabbit, whose name she had still not bothered to ask.
Breezy led Freya through the woods in the direction of the bakery chattering along in a friendly fashion, trying hard to be welcoming but struggling to like this new rabbit who barely replied to all her questions and remarks. They finally reached a small beige building and Breezy paused.
“Here we are,” she announced.
“What do you mean?” stuttered Freya looking at the plain building, “I thought we were going to the bakery?”
“This is the bakery,” laughed Breezy pointing to the sign on the roof. “It’s one of our only shops and we love to come here and smell the fresh bread.” Freya glanced in the bakery windows looking with disgust at the simple loaves of bread, croissants and donuts. Again she closed her eyes and thought back to home. Where were the elaborately shaped and decorated delicacies and pastries she was used to? She completely failed to appreciate that often the simple things in life are the best.
“Don’t you have any bread made in the shape of houses, cars and me?” Freya asked appalled.
“Why would there be bread in the shape of you?” asked Breezy laughingly.
“Because I am Freya. I’m everywhere. They’ve put me on pencil cases, key rings, magazines. Anything you can think of, they’ve put me on it. And that includes bread cakes!” she harrumphed. Breezy just shrugged with confusion. Why would anyone feel the need to have bread made like their face!
Breezy was completely oblivious to her companion’s thoughts; she assumed that Freya’s silence was due to being new so decided to be welcoming and show her around a bit.
“I’m off to the bakery to buy some more flour for Mother Crystal. Grandmother Pearl used up all the flour baking….well none of us really know what she was trying to bake because all we saw was a burnt mess. We love her, but really she is the worst baker in Sylvania. Mother Crystal, however is the best baker, if I get her some flour, I think she’ll bake us a yummy cake for tea.” Freya’s ears pricked up at hearing the word bakery. Maybe this place wasn’t so bad after all. Perhaps there’d be a Freya bread cake like the ones she got at the Brick Oven Bakery. Maybe these Tomy Times weren’t so bad after all. She could eat some treats and maybe meet some other more sophisticated creatures than this grey rabbit, whose name she had still not bothered to ask.
Breezy led Freya through the woods in the direction of the bakery chattering along in a friendly fashion, trying hard to be welcoming but struggling to like this new rabbit who barely replied to all her questions and remarks. They finally reached a small beige building and Breezy paused.
“Here we are,” she announced.
“What do you mean?” stuttered Freya looking at the plain building, “I thought we were going to the bakery?”
“This is the bakery,” laughed Breezy pointing to the sign on the roof. “It’s one of our only shops and we love to come here and smell the fresh bread.” Freya glanced in the bakery windows looking with disgust at the simple loaves of bread, croissants and donuts. Again she closed her eyes and thought back to home. Where were the elaborately shaped and decorated delicacies and pastries she was used to? She completely failed to appreciate that often the simple things in life are the best.
“Don’t you have any bread made in the shape of houses, cars and me?” Freya asked appalled.
“Why would there be bread in the shape of you?” asked Breezy laughingly.
“Because I am Freya. I’m everywhere. They’ve put me on pencil cases, key rings, magazines. Anything you can think of, they’ve put me on it. And that includes bread cakes!” she harrumphed. Breezy just shrugged with confusion. Why would anyone feel the need to have bread made like their face!
Freya was so lost in her disparaging thoughts she didn’t see that two squirrels had exited the shop and were deep in conversation with her guide. She only came back to the present when she heard the grey rabbit say her name and realised she was being introduced to some other Sylvanians. She turned with her biggest and brightest smile of condescension and announced,
“Yes it is I, Freya, the face of Sylvania!” Instead of awe, all she saw were two very puzzled expressions. The brother and sister looked at each other, sharing an amused glance over this self-important newcomer.
“Right, well, welcome to Sylvania, I’m Barnaby and this is Bluebell. Our parents run the bakery, Breezy said you wanted to come and get something to eat.” Freya felt momentarily confused, who was Breezy; what an odd name. She then realised that it must be the grey rabbit in the scruffy blue dress.
“Oh, no actually I’m really not hungry,” replied Freya despite the slight rumble of her tummy. She wasn’t going to eat anything from here, who knew how old it might be!
“I’m actually just interested in a bit more of the history of this place.” Bluebell gave her a big smile, “Oh well in that case come along with us, we’re off to collect Acorn from nursery. Mrs Timbertop runs it and she is definitely the person to talk to if you want more details about Sylvania.”
The name Timbertop seemed vaguely familiar to Freya. Had it been mentioned in one of their very brief history lessons on the Tomy Times? Maybe if she went to see her she would get some proper information about this Sylvania.
She was so focused on her own thoughts she barely acknowledged Breezy’s friendly wave goodbye. For her part, Breezy was relieved to be rid of this new, stuck up rabbit and hoped that Mr Treefellow wouldn’t make her sit next to her in class!
As they wandered along another woodland path Barnaby and Bluebell chattered on about how wonderful the nursery was, they had such fond memories of being there and told Freya how lovely Mrs Timbertop was and how well she looked after all the babies. Gradually Freya began to feel more optimistic, this nursery certainly sounded wonderful, she couldn’t wait to see it. They rounded a corner and saw a simple beige building.
“Here we are,” announced Barnaby, “The best place for all our little ones.” Once again Freya’s dreams of luxury were dashed. She wrinkled up her nose and looked around in disgust. For the third time that day she closed her eyes and thought of the magnificent castle nursery back home with it’s wonderful pastel pinks, blues and yellows and it’s turrets, slide and swing. She failed to see the joy on Iris’ face as she rocked wildly on the horse; she didn’t notice the wonderful friendship between Ricky and Hugh and she didn’t feel the calm and loving atmosphere that made the babies feel safe and secure.
“Yes it is I, Freya, the face of Sylvania!” Instead of awe, all she saw were two very puzzled expressions. The brother and sister looked at each other, sharing an amused glance over this self-important newcomer.
“Right, well, welcome to Sylvania, I’m Barnaby and this is Bluebell. Our parents run the bakery, Breezy said you wanted to come and get something to eat.” Freya felt momentarily confused, who was Breezy; what an odd name. She then realised that it must be the grey rabbit in the scruffy blue dress.
“Oh, no actually I’m really not hungry,” replied Freya despite the slight rumble of her tummy. She wasn’t going to eat anything from here, who knew how old it might be!
“I’m actually just interested in a bit more of the history of this place.” Bluebell gave her a big smile, “Oh well in that case come along with us, we’re off to collect Acorn from nursery. Mrs Timbertop runs it and she is definitely the person to talk to if you want more details about Sylvania.”
The name Timbertop seemed vaguely familiar to Freya. Had it been mentioned in one of their very brief history lessons on the Tomy Times? Maybe if she went to see her she would get some proper information about this Sylvania.
She was so focused on her own thoughts she barely acknowledged Breezy’s friendly wave goodbye. For her part, Breezy was relieved to be rid of this new, stuck up rabbit and hoped that Mr Treefellow wouldn’t make her sit next to her in class!
As they wandered along another woodland path Barnaby and Bluebell chattered on about how wonderful the nursery was, they had such fond memories of being there and told Freya how lovely Mrs Timbertop was and how well she looked after all the babies. Gradually Freya began to feel more optimistic, this nursery certainly sounded wonderful, she couldn’t wait to see it. They rounded a corner and saw a simple beige building.
“Here we are,” announced Barnaby, “The best place for all our little ones.” Once again Freya’s dreams of luxury were dashed. She wrinkled up her nose and looked around in disgust. For the third time that day she closed her eyes and thought of the magnificent castle nursery back home with it’s wonderful pastel pinks, blues and yellows and it’s turrets, slide and swing. She failed to see the joy on Iris’ face as she rocked wildly on the horse; she didn’t notice the wonderful friendship between Ricky and Hugh and she didn’t feel the calm and loving atmosphere that made the babies feel safe and secure.
Rose Timbertop brought Acorn out to Barnaby and Bluebell. As she had a chat with them she couldn’t help but compare their happy faces to the look of discontent on their companion’s face. She wondered who this newcomer was and hoped she could help her. As Barnaby and Bluebell disappeared she turned to the sulky rabbit and asked if she would like to accompany her to her friends the Waters; she wanted to check on the babies Bucky and Bubble as they hadn’t managed to come to nursery that day. Freya reluctantly agreed.
Freya felt slightly intimidated as she followed along after Rose; why did Tomy bears have to be so big! As they walked, Rose asked Freya who she was and where she came from. Once again Freya swallowed her frustration that no-one knew who she was and tried to explain that where she came from in the Epoch Era, she was the most famous Sylvanian there was. Rose just smiled kindly but didn’t look too impressed. Sulkily, Freya traipsed after Rose as she explained that in the Tomy Times, all Sylanians were equally celebrated and valued.
Before long they’d arrived at the Waters’ treehouse and Rose introduced Freya to Nancy and Misty. “From the sublime to the ridiculous!” thought Freya comparing the size of Rose and Nancy. Despite her sulky expression, Misty was very excited to meet her and asked if she’s like to come up to the treehouse for a play. Reluctantly, Freya agreed thinking how unexciting this treehouse looked compared to the one back home with its long slide, rope pulley and gloriously pink swing. She failed to notice that Misty didn’t need anything fun or fancy to be kind, friendly and pleasant company. As the girls chatted (well Misty chatted and Freya occasionally replied sullenly), Rose and Nancy had a catch up about the babies who had been helping their father that day with his latest building project.
Freya felt slightly intimidated as she followed along after Rose; why did Tomy bears have to be so big! As they walked, Rose asked Freya who she was and where she came from. Once again Freya swallowed her frustration that no-one knew who she was and tried to explain that where she came from in the Epoch Era, she was the most famous Sylvanian there was. Rose just smiled kindly but didn’t look too impressed. Sulkily, Freya traipsed after Rose as she explained that in the Tomy Times, all Sylanians were equally celebrated and valued.
Before long they’d arrived at the Waters’ treehouse and Rose introduced Freya to Nancy and Misty. “From the sublime to the ridiculous!” thought Freya comparing the size of Rose and Nancy. Despite her sulky expression, Misty was very excited to meet her and asked if she’s like to come up to the treehouse for a play. Reluctantly, Freya agreed thinking how unexciting this treehouse looked compared to the one back home with its long slide, rope pulley and gloriously pink swing. She failed to notice that Misty didn’t need anything fun or fancy to be kind, friendly and pleasant company. As the girls chatted (well Misty chatted and Freya occasionally replied sullenly), Rose and Nancy had a catch up about the babies who had been helping their father that day with his latest building project.
It wasn’t long before the rest of the Waters family arrived home. By this time, Freya noticed that Misty was holding something.
“What’s that?” she asked.
“Oh I just did a sketch of you while we were talking. Do you like it?” Misty asked brightly. Freya was about to say yes when she noticed what she was wearing in the picture. Horrified, she realised that Misty had drawn her wearing a Tomy dress.
“Why have you drawn me like that?” she replied moodily.
“Sorry, I guess I wasn’t thinking. We all wear these dresses so it’s just what I’m used to drawing. I think the Tomy look suits you,” explained Misty.
“Well, I don’t!” snapped Freya, “In fact,” she continued, “I think I’ve had enough of the Tomy Times. There’s not a pastel colour in sight, everywhere is so beige and small and yet the bears are so big, the clothes are strange, the food is limited and nobody knows who I am! I’m going home. It’s time to go back to the future!” And with that, she raced down the ladder and found her way back to the swing leaving the Waters and Rose worrying about the future of Sylvania if Freya was anything to go by.
With a huge sense of relief, Freya climbed onto the swing that had brought her to the Tomy Times. Coco had been right to warn her, although it hadn’t turned out to be dangerous, it had been alarming to discover what Sylvania used to be like. “Thank goodness it’s not like this anymore” thought Freya, “Just one swing and I’ll be back to the future.”
Up she swung and as she came down, she leapt off in excitement.
“I’m home!” she yelled, running in the direction of home. But as she got closer she began to experience a feeling of dread; something didn’t feel right. And then she saw it. Her house. Except it wasn’t her house. It was like Breezy Babblebrook’s house; only smaller. “What’s that doing there?” she thought, “Where’s my house gone?”
“What’s that?” she asked.
“Oh I just did a sketch of you while we were talking. Do you like it?” Misty asked brightly. Freya was about to say yes when she noticed what she was wearing in the picture. Horrified, she realised that Misty had drawn her wearing a Tomy dress.
“Why have you drawn me like that?” she replied moodily.
“Sorry, I guess I wasn’t thinking. We all wear these dresses so it’s just what I’m used to drawing. I think the Tomy look suits you,” explained Misty.
“Well, I don’t!” snapped Freya, “In fact,” she continued, “I think I’ve had enough of the Tomy Times. There’s not a pastel colour in sight, everywhere is so beige and small and yet the bears are so big, the clothes are strange, the food is limited and nobody knows who I am! I’m going home. It’s time to go back to the future!” And with that, she raced down the ladder and found her way back to the swing leaving the Waters and Rose worrying about the future of Sylvania if Freya was anything to go by.
With a huge sense of relief, Freya climbed onto the swing that had brought her to the Tomy Times. Coco had been right to warn her, although it hadn’t turned out to be dangerous, it had been alarming to discover what Sylvania used to be like. “Thank goodness it’s not like this anymore” thought Freya, “Just one swing and I’ll be back to the future.”
Up she swung and as she came down, she leapt off in excitement.
“I’m home!” she yelled, running in the direction of home. But as she got closer she began to experience a feeling of dread; something didn’t feel right. And then she saw it. Her house. Except it wasn’t her house. It was like Breezy Babblebrook’s house; only smaller. “What’s that doing there?” she thought, “Where’s my house gone?”
With great trepidation she opened the door. Her mother was at the stove cooking, her father was lounging on the sofa and she could hear Coco and Crème playing upstairs.
“What are you doing in here?” she asked, dreading the answer. “What do you mean dear?” replied her mother “We live here, this is our home.” It was then that Freya noticed her parents’ clothes. “And why are you wearing clothes like that, they’re like Tomy clothes?” cried a horrified Freya, although she was beginning to see what must have happened. “Freya, what do you mean, these are normal clothes. You’re wearing Tomy clothes too.” He paused as Freya glanced down and found to her despair that she was indeed wearing the strange odd style of dress she had mentally mocked all day. Then came the confirmation that she was dreading. “Freya, we are Tomy rabbits, always have been.” Coco’s warning rang in her ears “Time travel always comes with the potential danger of changing the course of history forever” But how could her little visit have done this she wondered. |
Then she remembered Misty’s picture. Hardly daring to ask but needing to know, Freya said in a voice that was barely audible,
“And how is it that we came to be made?”
“You must know that Freya. The story goes that a little girl sent a tiny drawing of a rabbit that she’d found, into the Tomy designers and they liked it so much they created a new family- us!” her mother explained. Freya groaned. Because of her visit to the Tomy Times, her family had been created decades too early. Now she was stuck in the Tomy Times. Grappling with this new reality and the enormity of what she’d done, Freya asked hopefully,
“But are we still the most popular family and am I the most famous Sylvanian?” Her parents looked confused.
“Well like any new family there was a bit of fuss when we were first released but we’re no more famous than any of the other families.” And with that, Freya’s world fell apart. Life could not get any worse than this.
But then there was a knock on the door. “That’ll be our next door neighbour, Rose Timbertop. Since that shop opened in London, she has become quite a celebrity, one could almost say that she is the most the famous figure in Sylvania.”
Freya just screamed “Nooooooooooooooooooooo!”
“And how is it that we came to be made?”
“You must know that Freya. The story goes that a little girl sent a tiny drawing of a rabbit that she’d found, into the Tomy designers and they liked it so much they created a new family- us!” her mother explained. Freya groaned. Because of her visit to the Tomy Times, her family had been created decades too early. Now she was stuck in the Tomy Times. Grappling with this new reality and the enormity of what she’d done, Freya asked hopefully,
“But are we still the most popular family and am I the most famous Sylvanian?” Her parents looked confused.
“Well like any new family there was a bit of fuss when we were first released but we’re no more famous than any of the other families.” And with that, Freya’s world fell apart. Life could not get any worse than this.
But then there was a knock on the door. “That’ll be our next door neighbour, Rose Timbertop. Since that shop opened in London, she has become quite a celebrity, one could almost say that she is the most the famous figure in Sylvania.”
Freya just screamed “Nooooooooooooooooooooo!”