Submission (#1687) Approved

Deep within the blooming trees and fluttering petals, a single Elinin nestled within the vivid colors of the forest. Bubbling waters rushed by almost playfully in the river nearby, the sparkling water beckoning her to be tempted to go in. However, she stood proudly, head leaned back to face the warm sun rays that washed over her face, her eyes closed in thought. It was here that she could always think the best, far from the bustling city of the region that brimmed with new people coming and going everyday. Tora enjoyed her peace and quiet and gave her a sense of home being upon the brush and towering trees that glittered with fresh blooms. 

Her silver striped coat was a flurry of fresh snow in the pastel landscape but somehow she seemed a part of it, like a guarding statue. Opening her vivid yellow eyes slowly, she smiled to herself and stretched with a yawn, swiping at her ear and uncurling her extremely long tail from being wrapped about her. It was always so peaceful out here and she was always grateful whenever she could get away but she knew it was nearly time for some of her most annoying kits to come bounding through her woods. 

Taking a few sturdy and silent steps to the river, she peeked at her reflection only briefly, giving herself a toothy grin of appreciation. Dipping her head down, she slipped her head through the loop of her adventure bag and stood up straight, taking a glance towards the forest road. Already she could hear the wheels of a caravan and a few more Elinin speaking among themselves. Soft spoken by the sounds of it which meant Tora had no interest in conversing. No, she knew this caravan had one of the few kittoms she actually was interested in. 

Using long legs, she strolled through sweet smelling grass and between tree trunks, ignoring the conversation as she got closer and saw the familiar wooden caravans. Her eyes swept the party of Elinin, horns glinting light as she passed between sunspots and shade. Eventually, she sat on the side of the road, giving a scoof at the Elinin who nodded her way. The furred male only shook his head and kept moving, Tora more interested in the back of his caravan than him and his companions. 

Once she saw the purple and teal kittom perched on the back, she gave a smile and leapt forward, laughing at the small kit that rolled to the side in surprise. “Tora!” she yelled, catching her paws on solid footing. “The very one. How was your trip?” she asked, a paw patting the top of the younger one heads, fluffing the multi colored fur there. “It was fun I guess.” Venus retorted, giggling from under the paw that held her. Though she slipped away from her Tora didn’t seem to mind as she lazily let her tail drape over the edge of the cart and she leaned back a bit, nearly looking like she was sitting in a chair. With a yawn from the Elining, she started digging through her puch. “I saved something for you from my adventure kid.” 

“Not like I want it, tch.” the young kit turned her head away, side glancing at the bag with interest without wanting to admit it. “Sure you don’t, I can keep it, I don’t really mind. It would be your loss.” she taunted the little one beside her with that signature toothy grin, Venus swishing her tail in agitation but there was a small tug of a smile at the edge of her muzzle. “It’s mine, gimmie.” she finally settled on wanting the object the other produced from the leather bag, the teal and purple feathers blowing in the breeze that dangled from it. “A dream catcher?” the youngest asked, leaning forward to look at the beds that intertwined in the pretty white thread. It sparkled in the sunlight as they passed through patches of light and she happily grabbed it in her paws, marveling down at it. Tora could only smile at the little Venus. She had no kits of her own and Venus was so weary at first because of her hometown but she had to admit--seeing the little one happy almost made talking to people to see her worth it. 

Leaving her to it, she gazed up at the petals falling down from above, glad to see the region blooming as usual. It was peaceful here, and she slipped her eyes shut, knowing they would all be meeting up soon enough under the blooming trees of Sybella’s home--just a bit longer.