∘₊✧───• THE AUTUMN HORN •───✧₊∘

[solos]

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An entry for; [Goobie/Gob 150]
Winner may keep art of the character itself, not the dividers or story
All goobies not owned by me I got permission to use in this entry by their owners!
[Juno] [Adalaine] [Devin] [Pups] [Dahlia] [Carmen] [Solane] [Blythe] [Iggy] [Aramis] [Snapdragon] [Rhea] [Howl] [Bumble] [Skippy] [Juniper]

CW; Slight social anxiety warning , Feast [Food]
Word count; 4,759 ✦ Character count; 29,507

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[solos]

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╭──────────────────.★..─╮
*sept 23 2014*
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Cheers erupted from the crowd joined around the unlit bonfire set in the center of town as the horn marking the start of autumn was sounded by the higher-ups of Brookstowne. "With this horn, today will start us off in the autumn season! Now would be the time to start gathering supplies and other various gifts you may want to give the one named Augusta. The harvest moon will fall on the night of next Friday, the 30th of September. Our other major celebration going on this season is the beloved Halloween fest, which as you know, other villages will be coming together this year, the fest will be set up here. I'm hoping this year's celebrations are the best we have ever held! I wish you all luck on your travels while gathering things for our festival celebrating Augusta's arrival here in town." Juno cheerfully announced to the villagers who stood upon him. With his speech coming to a close, everyone disbanded to start collecting supplies in nearby villages, towns, and even forests.

Later that night... everyone was gathered around the now-lit bonfire, expressing various ideas for the upcoming festival. "I could put some feather decorations on the string lights! We could even make some lanterns that could even be lit by fireflies!" Devin announced among the group of goobies huddled around the fire. "Ooh! Great idea, I could bake various loaves of bread and other baked goods with some crops from local farmers! Would anyone like to help?" One goobie responded to Devin from towards the back of the group, prompting a few others, especially the goos, to give a yes to helping them out.

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[solos]

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╭──────────────────.★..─╮
*sept 24 2014*
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"Hey y'all!" Adalaine announced as she drove up with her tractor, prompting everyone to walk over and greet her. "Ms. Adalaine!!" Pups said in a booming tone, excited to see one of his favorite people again at the festival. "Hey bud, i've missed you!" Adalaine says to the brown and red goobie hugging her. Adalaine was in town to deliver crops aswell as to bring everyone to her farm to harvest some more crops, such as corn and pumpkins, aswell as to build some crafts!

Once Adalaine got settled into the home she was staying at, everyone wanted to head on over to her farm to partake in some pre-festival daytime activities.

"Ready everyone?" Adalaine questioned the group just as she finished securing all of the little goos in her hay-lined trailer being pulled by her maroon-colored tractor. Once the group announced a collective agreeance, they set off on their little ride on over to Adalaine's farm!

The ride over to the farm was peaceful and full of laughter, goos telling goos jokes, some sat together listening to music and even a few keeping to themselves drawing and reading! Adalaine occasionally looked in her rear-view mirror and silently smiled to herself at the sight of the goos having a joyful time in the back of her buggy. Some goos she had seen the previous years, and some were new to her, one thing Adalaine had always looked forward to seeing every year. When the group pulled up to the farm lands they pulled into a non-familiar farm, they even went through 2 elegant iron gates... It looks like... A fruit farm! Adalaine pulled up close to some raspberry bushes, a couple oohs and aahs coming from some curious goos. Adalaine then halted to a stop as a brown colored goobie and purple colored goobie came out from their farmhouse waving together at the group. One by one the goobies unloaded from the trailer ready to explore the farm supplied with fruits, everyone jumping with joy at just being in a new enviroment. "Hey Skippy and Juniper! Got some fruits to supply?" Adalaine asked the goobie the group would soon find to love. "You know it! I see you got a lot of helpers today!" Skippy replied while walking over to Adalaine and the group stood behind her. "Yup, everyone here is super helpful! We should get finished up here pretty quickly. What kind of fruit pies would you recommend for the fall festival?" Adalaine questioned. "Hmm... How about we get your group to decide?" Juniper fired back, which when Adalaine turned around she saw multiple individuals behind her full of excitement, nodding at a fast rate. "It's decided then!" Adalaine announced with a giggle while turning back around to face the duo.

The group ventured over to the fruit fields and orchards, where they then had to decide on which fruit pies they should make for the festival. "Apple!" "No-no blueberry!" "I think cherry!" A couple goos all shouted out at once. "Settle down everyone, we can make multiple!" Adalaine said through giggles, to which the group erupted with cheers. "Let's all split into groups then we can pick all the fruits we'd like!" Adalaine then split the group into groups of 8, each group with a goobie to look over all of the goos to help out if they need any. The group collectively decided to make apple, blueberry, cherry, and pear pies! The groups then formed and each group went to their respective fields.

After some time the groups had enough fruits to make all of the pies they need! The grown goobies all carried the baskets and crates of the fruits to the trailers designated for carrying all of the fruits. "Got whatcha need?" Skippy questioned which the group then erupted with a yes, followed by some giggles, laughing about how in unison they were. The situation then made Adalaine and Skippy laugh along with them. "What do you guys say to Mr. Skippy and Ms. Juniper for giving us all of these yummy fruits?" Aramis, one of the grown goobies who tagged along said, which the group then all said a big thank you to Skippy for the kind donation. "It's no problem, really, I can't wait to taste your delicious pies!" Skippy said with a wide, toothy grin. The group then said their goodbyes as it was getting late, seeing as some goos were starting to yawn and fall asleep on eachother. After the group loaded back up into the trailer being pulled by Adalaine's red-tinted tractor, they were on their way to Adalaine's farm to head to sleep, so they could get up bright and early to pick some crops from her farm up.

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*one sleep later…*
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“Rise and shine kiddos! Sleep well?” Adalaine asked the group that had wandered in the kitchen with excitement. Some wiping their eyes and yawning, made it visible that this was early for them to wake up. Some of them said they slept well with excitement, whereas others just stayed quiet. “Well I can sure see who are morning people and who aren’t!” Devin joked, earning a few giggles from the other grown goobies. “How about we get you guys some breakfast to help you all wake up? Sound like a good plan?” Adalaine asked the group, the majority of the group nodding in agreeance.

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*a little while later…*
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Once everyone had finished, Dahlia and Carmen picked up everyone’s dishes to clean while everyone went back upstairs to get dressed and ready for the day.

Once everyone was finished getting ready, everyone met outside ready for the harvest. “Alright everyone, today we will be harvesting pumpkins, corn, sweet potatoes, and some squash! Just like yesterday, we will be harvesting in groups… But! We will be harvesting the pumpkins together.” Adalaine announced to the now lively group. “How about you guys split into 3 groups? 1 for corn harvesting, 1 for sweet potatoes, and the other for harvesting the squash!” Devin asked of the group, to which they split evenly. “Perfect! I will be taking the corn group to the fields…” Adalaine started, soon to be followed by Aramis. “I will be taking a group to the sweet potatoes!” She then turned to Devin, noting that it’s her turn to speak “-And I will be taking the squash group to the squash section!” Devin finished. The groups then said goodbye for now, splitting up to harvest some crops.

A little while later, the groups rejoined seeing as they had harvested all of the corn, squash, and sweet potatoes they needed. “Okay, I think we got enough of everything! … Now who’s ready for some pumpkins?” Adalaine asked, ramping up in speed and volume towards the end of the sentence to get the group hyped for the pumpkin patch.

The walk on over to the pumpkin patch was filled with laughter and joy, which radiated from everyone in the vicinity. Everyone had a little pep-in-their-step, eager to get to the fields and pick their perfect pumpkins. Once arriving to the field, Adalaine halts the group to a stop. “Alright everyone! Now first we do have to go over some rules…” the announcement producing some sighs from the young goos.. “Hush guys!! Let Ms. Adalaine speak so we can go pick out our pumpkins!!” Pups argued, earning a giggle out of Adalaine. “Thank you Pups, As I was saying.. Please do make sure you walk and not run on the field, don’t want you guys tripping over any vines!” The rest of the rules were the typical rules given, no arguing over which pumpkin is yours, to wait your turn, and to not put your paws on anyone. As Adalaine finished, she, Devin, and Aramis watched as the group scattered out onto the field looking at all of the possible options.

“I see y’all got some nice pumpkins of all shapes ‘n sizes!” Dahlia says while walking up to the fields with Carmen to which the group collectively smiled, expressing their joy. The goos didn’t know why they were getting pumpkins quite yet, but in reality they were getting pumpkins to turn into jack-o-lanterns for the festival! “Think you guys are ready to head back to the village?” Carmen asked. Some goos seemed a little homesick, whereas others seemed like they wanted to stay for weeks, but in reality it was time to head back to start baking.

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[solos]

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╭──────────────────.★..─╮
*sept 25 2014*
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“It’s quite peaceful to not have so many little ones running around, isn’t it?” Juno asked Harper to which he nodded, about to say something but they got cut off by a distant laughter.. “Well, I hope you enjoyed it while it lasted!” Harper joked, getting up to go greet the group that was coming back from crop collecting journey. “Have a fun time guys?” Solane asked the group, the group erupting with a collective “yes”.

Carmen and Dahlia then lead all of the goos inside the community house to settle everyone down in time for dinner. In the meantime, everyone else then unloaded all of the crops and stored them in the community pantry. Once all of the goobies were finished unpacking and sorting all of the fruits and veggies, they headed inside to join everyone else and to have dinner before sleeping.

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*a few sleeps later…*
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In the past few days, Brookstowne has smelt like, what one would say paradise smells like. In those days, multiple desserts of various flavors were made, many goos helping to prepare the ingredients. Decorations were starting to be put up, as well as gifts being collected! Young goos were crafting various little beaded accessories as well as helping the adults weave baskets to place various fruits in. Pies were made, flowers were picked, and lights were strung, it was all going to plan!

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╭──────────────────.★..─╮
*sept 23 2014*
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*yawn* “Maybe today..?” August thought to herself while fully waking herself up and getting up out of her season’s makeshift cot made of leaves and straw from nearby farms.

As August was preparing little dishes for the woodland animals that stay near her, her stomach then dropped.. she heard it… It was official, the horn had been sounded. August knew she had a couple of days to mentally prepare herself for the festival. She was always full of mixed emotions every festival season, filled with anxiety for what was to come. Everyone surely thought it was easy to just attend a party once a year, but no, not to August Rue. She had never had a bad experience at any of the festivals but the lack of interaction throughout the year to then having everyone wanting to talk to her was too overwhelming for her.. She knew she couldn’t let everyone down by not showing up, she knew she would hate herself for doing so… Rue then looked down from the cliff-side edge at the village she would see herself back at in the coming week..

[click the image for an enlarged view]

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╭──────────────────.★..─╮
*sept 30 2014*
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It was now the morning of Friday, the 30th of September, meaning it was the first day of the festival! The townsfolk have been franticly running around the past couple of days making sure no time was wasted. The town for the past week has smelt of various baked goods, crops collected from local farms, and even fresh wood! The village was decorated with party streamers, jack-o-lanterns carved by the young goos, and tables were decked-out with autumn themed tablecloths woven by various goobies from other nearby villages. The gift table was in the works of being set up, the table in which later that evening would be overstuffed with gifts for the gob of the harvest moon.

It was now officially night meaning, Augusta Rue could show up any minute! The young goos were impatiently asking eachother when she’d show, only to be let down with an “I’m not sure” or “Soon” answer, when in reality, Augusta Rue was still preparing herself for her arrival.

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[solos]

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╭──────────────────.★..─╮
*August’s POV*
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The nervous gob was pacing back and fourth, the woodland creatures following her movements with their eyes. “What if I don’t show up? Surely I can skip a year! I’m not even ready yet!” August rambled to the various red squirrels and deer stood infront of her. “What do you guys think?” August pondered to the woodland creatures watching her nervous breakdown unfold. “Oh it’s no use, I don’t know why i’m even ranting to you guys, it’s not like I would get a reply.” August said, abruptly sitting down to end her sentence. A fawn wandered over to August, comb in mouth, signaling to get ready for the journey. *Sigh* “I guess you’re right… I’ll get over it, i’m sure it’ll be fine…” August huffed out, as she carefully grabbed the comb out of the little fawn’s mouth. August began brushing her snow-white locks, finally making some progress on this overcast night. The bright moon was shining through the clouds blanketing the night sky, the light shimmering off of the nearby stream.

Once Augusta said her goodbyes to the animals that keep her company, she was off on her journey to the festival. She hopped over the occasional stream, ducked under the low-hanging branches, and stopped every now-and-then to take a breath and to look at the moon glimmering in the deep night sky.

‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆. ✧˚₊‧⋆‧

A few gasps escaped the mouths of some villagers at Augusta’s arrival, some wanted to run up to the gob stood infront of them, whereas some actually did run up to the gob, sending her into a slight panic. The fast moving goos running up to her prompted her to step back a bit, as to not be bumped into. She knew she had to atleast seem like she was thankful for the annual festival, when in reality she truly was thankful for the thought, except from the actual needs to show up. She knew they meant no harm, I mean… who really would know that a flipping gob was anxious around meeting others? Had they thought that she was different than them? August’s thoughts quickly got interrupted by some young goos running up, holding up a hand-crafted banner labelled with “Welcome Ms. Augusta Rue!” with some small autumn themed stickers scattered around the large page. “Thank you darlings.. Thank you for hosting this, i’m excited to see what y’all have in-store for me this year.” August managed to say, ending her sentence with a wide smile. “Come with us!! W-we want t-to show you our punkins!!” A young goo stuttered out, leading the way to the first area of jack-o-lanterns carved by the goos of the surrounding villages.

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[solos]

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Some tunes are playing… Listen in?

♫♪.ılılıll|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|̲̅̅=̲̅̅|̲̅̅●̲̅̅|llılılı.♫♪
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[solos]

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╭──────────────────.★..─╮
*The Start of the Festivities…*
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“These all look beautifully darlings… Did you all pick the pumpkins yourself?” August asks the group touring her around each and every carved pumpkin. The group erupted with loud yes’, August giving them a quick small smile in return. “How about you kiddies go and freshen up a little bit?” Carmen cuts in, the group being filled of mixed emotions, some understanding and starting to wander off, and some wanting to see to show the gob around. “C’mon Iggy!! Let’s go!” Blythe says while pulling her older brother towards their home. With that, the young goos were now all in their homes or staying a distance away from August, a break she very much needed.

‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆. ✧˚₊‧⋆‧

“Welcome back Augusta Rue!” Aramis cheered as she walked up to the group, one goobie out of them all more excited than the others to see them. “Thank you, all of the decorations are absolutely stunning..” August says through a smile. After a small comfortable silence, Devin speaks up. “Hey Aramis! Have a safe travel over?” “Yeah! It was nice, Snapdragon made sure to keep us all entertained with their jokes!” Aramis giggled out, Devin smiley wide with a slight red tint to her face. “How about we show you around our village before we dine?” Solane questioned. “Of course, I’ll go anywhere you’d like to show me!” August says projecting her voice. After that, they were off showing August around the village many call home.

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[solos]

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╭──────────────────.★..─╮
*The Feast...*
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Everyone gathered in the cityhall, preparing for their dinner to be served, awaiting what dishes would be there. Once everyone had arrived, everyone sat at a long wooden table, sitting around people they love. August was sat at one head of the table, whereas Juno was sat at the other end. August felt a little uneasy as everyone was having a joy-filled time, chatting with the others sat around them. Once the foods were brought out, everyone grabbed what portion they wanted of everything. Everyone then dug in, craving the foods sat infront of them on their plates. August found herself more often poking at her food rather than enjoying it, occasionally taking a bite as to show others that she was indeed eating. She didn’t have troubles with eating, she just wasn’t used to eating infront of others who weren’t her woodland friends. Carmen, who was sat beside August took note to her eating habits. Once a couple goobies sat around the two of them got up, Carmen then decided to chat with August. “Everything ok Miss?” the question caught the uneasy gob off-guard, her words evident of such case. “I- uh..” Carmen furrowed her brows, wondering if there was something wrong with the meal. “Is there something wrong with the dishes..?” Carmen asked, worried she messed something up with the recipes. “Oh! No-no I just..” August paused, Carmen sitting there waiting for a response. “I don’t really dine with anyone.. Especially without..” August paused again, a little embarrassed to continue. “Without the woodland animals.. They all keep me company..” She finished, Carmen understanding the unfamiliarity of this experience for her. “Let me see what I can do for ‘ya!” Carmen exclaimed, running off to Juno before August could say a word.

Soon everyone was back sitting at the table in their seats enjoying the environment they found to love. August smiled to herself, she finding joy out of seeing others enjoying themselves. August looked around the table and saw that Carmen, Devin, and Aramis were still missing.. “Where could they have gone?” August thought to herself, slightly brushing it off.

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*KNOCK* *KNOCK* A little while later, the group hears a knock at the door. Who could that be? The group collectively pondered, their question to be answered in the coming seconds. The door cracked open a little, a cardinal flying through the crack and soaring above the table, landing on the back of August’s chair. Then, some monarch butterflies flew in! What’s going on? Eventually, there were birds of all sorts, foxes, deer, and a raccoon sat around August when it clicked for everyone! They must’ve came for Augusta Rue! After all of the animals poured into the dining hall, Carmen, Devin, Aramis, and 2 new goobies walked into the establishment. August happy to see all of the animals she loved dearly made her light up instantly, insanely grateful for the group that put this together. August, who was feeling uneasy not being around those who she treasured, was now lively having them around her. With that, everyone finished their meals and went outside to enjoy eachother’s presence for the remainder of the night.

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[solos]

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╭──────────────────.★..─╮
*The Night Comes to a Close*
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“-and on the way here, Bumble made sure to point out everything he saw that was even just a little bit abnormal to what we have back home!” Aramis exclaimed. Everyone was now sitting around the bonfire as the cold night breeze swept from the autumn air, music playing softly in the background. Everyone was sharing what they’d done in the past year, a year since the last autumn festival. Some goos and goobies were toasting marshmallows, while a few were cuddling around the warmth of the flame. August took notice of the 2 brown goobies, Devin and Aramis, next to each other, Aramis laying on Devin’s lap while she was stroking her hair. The sight of the happy pair made August smile to herself. As the night drew to a close, young goos were falling asleep, cuddled up around the fire with their friends and families. Time passed quicker than it felt, August having the time of her life that evening.

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[solos]

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╭──────────────────.★..─╮
*'Til Next Year*
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The party has slowly died down, young goos and their families turning in for the night, all worn out from the party. The remaining goobs proceeded to promptly clean up the party as to not have to take it all down in the morning. Everyone then said their goodbyes as they finished cleaning up and were turning in for the night and heading home to their own villages. Devin and Aramis shared one last moment, Aramis giving Devin’s cheek a small peck before leaving with her group. “Write me?” Aramis asks Devin, “Y-yeah! I will for sure!” Devin stutters out, her face red from the goobie leaving with her group.

"Thank you for joining us tonight, it's an honor!" Juno praised August,"It's no problem! I love what you guys do around here, every party just keeps on getting better and better as the years go on..." August replied with a smile, her comment placing a smile upon the faces of the other present goobies.

‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆. ✧˚₊‧⋆‧

Devin was not yet tired so she sat by the fire clearing her head from all of the chaos of running around the past couple days. Everyone except from her had turned in for the night an hour ago, although, she did not feel alone... Was she being watched? She thought to herself, no she couldn't be.. Until she heard a twig break from behind her... Devin quickly turned around expecting the worst yet what or who she saw was a pleasant surprise...

[click for enlarged gif]

‧⋆ ✧˚₊‧⋆. ✧˚₊‧⋆‧

AUGUST

Oh did I startle you? Sorry hun, I didn't mean to...

Realizing it was only just August, Devin let out the breath she hadn't realized she had been holding.

DEVIN

No you're okay! What are you still doing here? I thought you went back to your home?

AUGUST

I was going to but... I like the calmness of the empty yet warm village y'know?

DEVIN

Yeah I totally get that, that's why I was out here.

Devin's sentence ended with her words combining with a light chuckle.
There was silence for a brief moment, although it was comfortable silence.

DEVIN

I take it that you enjoyed the festival?

August proceeds to answer with a frantic nod

AUGUST

Oh yes! I look forward to these every year, they keep on getting better and better! I'm sure the animals will also enjoy the gifts they've been given, heh.

Devin smiled as the sentence rolled off of August’s tongue, the sentence full of genuine thoughts of hers.

AUGUST

What’s on your mind darlin’?

Devin then snapped back into reality.

DEVIN

Oh uhh..

AUGUST

You two are cute together, I hope you get to see each other soon.

August finished her sentence with a lighthearted smile.

DEVIN

Oh um.. Thank you..

Devin blushed at the thought of what the future entailed for the duo.

AUGUST

You two really seemed to hit it off tonight.

DEVIN

Yeah! We chatted a lot while we were out with Carmen, Rhea, and Howl..

August smiled at the utter joy Devin was expressing before her very eyes
Devin then began to tell the gob about the conversations they had on their mini trip

DEVIN

But yea.. I do really like her..

AUGUST

From how she said goodbye, I think the feelings are mutual...

The two then shared a giggle at the remembrance of the interaction.

DEVIN

Okay maybe you’re right… I’ll have to write to her soon to see if she’d like to meet up soon..

AUGUST

I encourage you to do it! Update me on your guys’ status next I see you?

DEVIN

Yeah of course!

The duo then shared a smile, excited about what’s to come

DEVIN

I think I may head in for the night.. It’s getting a bit late..

AUGUST

Ah true! I think the animals are a bit sleepy..

They then looked over to the group of animals laying together in a pile around the still-lit fire.

DEVIN

Alrighty.. It was lovely talking with you August, thank you.

AUGUST

Of course, and no thank you! This was really nice.. I’d love to do it again sometime!

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With that, August woke up a few of the animals to help bring them back to their humble abode, and then they were off. Devin watched as August walked off into the forested hills heading back home, filled with joy over their private conversation, hoping it would repeat the next year.

August's initial thoughts now seemed a little silly to her, having that small conversation with Devin really made her night even more special.. Maybe as the years go on, she'll get more excited for these little festivals celebrating the autumn season.. But who knows, only time will tell..

FIN
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