frosty leaves crunch quietly under your paws as you follow firefly-lit paths through the dark forest. the air is quiet, trees missing that familiar birdsong you got so used to back home. the insects buzz their own song to make up for it, but you still feel on edge... especially, when the fireflies lead you towards a clearing full of frantic mumbling.xxxxx✦ "hello...?" your voice comes cautious, not quite trusting whoever's in the shadows.
a rustle and a soft light leads you to a tan cat, digging around in the bushes with a firefly jar in the grass next to them. they lift their head, soft black eyes widening at the sight of a stranger. when they speak, they sound just as uncertain.
xxxxx✦ "uh, hi..? sorry, um, I'm not.. able to talk, i'm looking for my friends," they mutter, as they stick their head back into the bushes.
day 4 wrote:well, the firefly jar didn't help much with finding birds, but as the sky gets darker and darker you're still glad you found it. you almost lose your way trying to visit turtledove today-- but you're determined, because you have good news! well... better news than you had yesterday, anyway.
fortunately, turtledove seems to have gotten a lot more firefly jars during your absence yesterday. you find them sitting next to one, quietly preening through a small bird's gray and white feathers with gentle claws. their head snaps up at the sound of pawsteps, but they actually relax at the sight of you. something you didn't know could happen.
xxxxx✦ "traveler," they sigh, paws continuing their steady motion, "hi! i'm glad you're able to find your way in the dark, i..."
you interrupt them, too eager to keep in your tale of finding the sun, and their eyes go wide.
xxxxx✦ "you... actually found them? a-and they told you to go away?!" they squeak. when you nod, their head comes to rest on the top of the bird's back as if to prevent it from flying away again. "oh, no... well, um.. thank you for trying..."
at least they seem to cope better in the dark with their birds around.
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