Submission (#2282) Approved

Siren and Ena had become fast friends over the past few weeks. Together, they had gone on several small explorations, wandered over glen and dale whilst picking flowers merrily, and had thus meandered through Faerindell. More than once, they had packed little lunches, grabbed a cozy blanket or two, and had picnics on the rolling hills. The breeze was cool, and the flowers always nodded gently, unfurling their green leaves under the warmth of the sun. The grass would sometimes be a bit scratchy, and occasionally, Siren and Ena would have their lunches swarmed by hungry ants, but overall, a very pleasant endeavor. Clear blue skies and fluffy white clouds, with pink sakura petals floating by made quite the picturesque view. On one of these little trips they had, Ena unfortunately lost her bracelet. The golden ring had slipped off her paw as they frolicked in the flower fields. She didn’t notice its absence until late that night, as she lay in bed, about to fall asleep. She was a bit anxious about losing it, as it was the only keepsake she had from her mysterious parents.

The next morning, Siren awoke from her sleep to a loud knocking at the door. “Siren! Are you awake?” a timid voice sounded from outside her door.

Blearily, Siren rubbed the sleep away from her eyes. “I am now…”

She sighed a bit, and opened the door. “Ena! What are you doing here so early?” she tilted her head in bewilderment, her bright yellow eyes full of questions. Usually the two friends didn’t meet up together til late morning. Siren was not a morning kittom--she preferred staying up late, and waking up late as well. Ena was a morning kittom but she understood the dark kittom’s preferences well at this point.

“I lost my bracelet…” Ena stared up at the taller kittom, with a very wronged look on her face. Her face was pouting a little, and she looked very cute with that expression.

“The gold one?” Siren was a bit surprised. Ena normally took extreme care with that bracelet, hardly ever taking it off. It was a very sentimental and valuable treasure to her friend. “Where did you lose it?”

“If I knew where, would I be asking you?” Ena sulked a little. Siren couldn’t help but smile inside, as she lightly patted the shorter kittom’s head. 

“The last place you remember having it?” Siren coaxed the little pouty ball of fluff. Ah, Ena was too cute.

Ena huffed a little, “I think I lost it in the flower fields,” she said in a very small voice. The flower fields were, as one could assume, full of flowers. These flowers were of various colors and shapes and sizes. It would be very easy to lose an item in the mosaic of hues and never find it again. Ena’s head hung low, and a sadness washed over her like a wave.

Siren watched the small yellow and white kittom’s emotions play out vividly, and couldn’t help but empathize with her. Siren herself didn’t know much about her own parents. If they had left her with any objects, jewelry, or paraphernalia to remember them by, she would definitely treasure it beyond belief. Losing such a sentimental object would be devastating. 

“Don’t be sad, Ena. We can try looking for it together. Maybe we will be blessed by the gods of fortune and find it.”

“But there are so many bright flowers in that field, not to mention that field is really large. It has over 20 grassy knolls. Don’t you remember? We were going to try and have a picnic on every hill…” there was a hint of a sob of relief in Ena’s voice. Since Siren had offered to look for that bracelet with her, Ena knew her well enough to know that Siren would not change her mind now. Siren was quite logical, and probably already considered the difficult aspects of this mission and accepted the consequences. Even if it would take them months to find that bracelet, as long as it was in the flower fields of Faerindell, Ena knew Siren would find it for her eventually.

Siren smirked a little at Ena, and ruffled her hair gently, “Who am I? You know I’ll never let you down. I promise you, we’re going to find that bracelet of yours. And you know I don’t make promises I can’t keep.” The two kittoms, one dark and one white, looked quite harmonious together, the taller one grinning down at the smaller timid looking kittom.

Ena’s eyes brightened visibly at Siren’s bragging, “You promised!” she shouted with glee. She jumped up and down a bit in a very cute manner, and quickly tugged at Siren’s paw. “Come on, let’s go find it now!”

Siren laughed, and followed the younger excitable kittom along. As they ran out the door, Siren grabbed her knapsack (which had some snacks within)--she knew after searching for a couple of minutes, Ena would be tired and hungry. Better to keep this little one happy and fed.

Within a few minutes of brisk walking, Siren and Ena arrived at the flower fields. In front of them were acres of bold, bright, beautiful flowers. The occasional sakura tree casted some welcome shadows in the bright sunny grasslands. Pink petals floated gently by, blown carelessly by the playful breezes, and the faerie shrouds in the branches above rustled. It was both teeming with life and yet so quiet and peaceful at the same time.

After a couple hours of searching, they were still rather unfruitful in their hunt. Ena looked exhausted, so Siren quickly grabbed a blanket from her knapsack and spread it out on the grass so they could rest comfortably. Ena was a bit surprised, but sat down obediently. Sometimes the grass was a bit itchy...Siren was so thoughtful. Siren wordlessly stuck her paw into her knapsack again and took out a few snacks and juice pouches, handing them over to the small white and yellow kittom.

“Goddess, thank you for your sustenance,” Ena teased, and she eagerly stuck a straw into the juice pouch and started drinking. Siren laughed silently, and took one herself as well. They were situated under one of the many sakura trees and the petals filtered the sunlight beautifully. Siren gazed at Ena affectionately. This little one was such fun to take care of. A glint of light flickered at the side of her eye, and Siren turned her head curiously to see what it was. Lo and behold, it was the bracelet they had been searching for. Siren stood up and walked over to the tree branch, and grabbed the mischievous bracelet that had gone missing. Ena had been a bit surprised when Siren stood up, but was too tired to get up; she just sipped slowly at her juice and blinked at Siren with her big yellow eyes.

Siren walked back over to Ena and dangled the bracelet in front of the smaller kittom’s eyes. “Yours.”

Ena’s eyes lit up, and she grabbed the bracelet, and smiled endearingly at Siren. “Thank you, Siren. You’re the best.”

Siren laughed out loud this time, and sat back down. Together, they finished the snacks and juice pouches. Beautiful scenery, and good company, what more could one ask for?

As they packed up to go home, Ena suddenly startled. “I lost something.”

Siren was taken aback. Again? So soon? “What’d you lose? Where was it last?” she asked, a bit worried for her careless little friend.

Ena shook her head seriously. “You must have stolen it,” her yellow eyes narrowed at Siren, and she glared almost fiercely at Siren. Siren was…very lost. 

“What did I steal?” Siren asked, bewildered.

“My heart,” Ena smirked at Siren, and ran off towards home, leaving Siren alone to deal with the sudden confession.

“...” It was hard to see, but Siren definitely was blushing.