Submission (#2409) Approved

The sun slowly begins to set over the flowery plains of Faerindell. The colorful flowers let their petals flutter at the will of the wind, a breeze that gradually gets warmer as summer approaches. Animals more frequently seek cool places where they can easily quench their thirst. Some like to stay in the shade of cherry trees, some of which still retain their pink color. Others prefer to go directly to soak the paws in a river, a pond, or some puddle of water.

Two kittoms run through the valley, obviously making a very eventful chase. The one in the lead has an immaculate white coat, with some scarlet and gold markings on the body, the eyes of an intense turquoise blue anima. He seems determined to distance his sidekick, a little smaller and younger than the first kittom. With a red coat that seems to glow like a phoenix under the rays of the sun, her scarlet eyes testify to unwavering determination. The little one is determined to catch up with her friend at all costs. The white-haired kittom ended up stopping near a river, his eyes shining.

- Kiara !! I found fish !! Come on we will-

He doesn't have time to say anything as the little one pounces on him, the two falling into the water.

- Cauuuught you Velnar! ~

- Raaah you're unbearable !! We're soaked now !! You're so annoying, Kiara!

Velnar quickly climbs back to the shore, shaking himself and lying down to roll in the warm grass and dry off faster. Kiara, for her part, jumps and plays as crazy in the water, very happy to be able to cool herself for a bit.

- Haaah it feels good, it's all cold! You should get back in the water, we could have fun together!

- Nah thank you, no way, I'm good hanging out in the grass! But don't get carried away by the flow, I won't go get you, Hah!

Kiara continues to play in the water for a bit longer, before her interest is piqued by something stirring near her. Her hunting instincts take over and soon she manages to catch a fish, pulling it out of the water and throwing it at Velnar.

- Eeergh !! Don't throw your junk on me or I'll make you regret it !!

- But no it's not a junk !! Look, it's a fish, I caught it all by myself! ~

Velnar then looks at the fish that is already no longer of this world, with a dubious air.

- Eeeeeh .... What are you going to do with it now?

- Uh, eat it of course ! It will be our evening meal!

Velnar then has an annoyed expression on his face.

- Don't you remember what Vash told us? We must be wary of the creatures we hunt, some could be dangerous and poison us.

Kiara sniffs the fish, inspecting it.

- He doesn't look mean ...

Velnar rolls his eyes, weary.

- Tsss because you know anything about fish, right ? Come on, we will rather try to find someone to help us.

Kiara nods and grabs the fish by the tail, dragging it to the ground. She follows Velnar like her shadow, not leaving him for a moment in fear of getting lost as they rush back into the forest. They walk for a good hour before finding two individuals installed near a water point. A slightly wild-looking kittom seems to be caught up in a very long conversation with a somewhat ... wacky elnin.

- Daim, mah lil' one, this fish ya found, take my word for it, it's a godsend that won't happen everytime boy !

Velnar walks up to them and can't help a smirk as he sees the kittom completely bored by the adult's words. He speaks first, not without his usual delicacy.

- Hey, you two! You seem to know a thing or two about fishes !

Daim takes several steps back, casting a suspicious and haughty look at the two kittoms who have just arrived. Elnin laughs at this gesture and comes to rub Daim's head.

- C'mon Daim, don't be shy! 'specially with kids of your age!

- I'm not a kid, Tendo!

Elnin laughs again. Kiara puts her fish on the ground and looks at the other two with bright, hopeful eyes.

- Hello ! Excuse us sir, do you know what species this fish is? Can we eat it?

The elnin looks mischievously and grabs the fish by the tail, inspecting it by rubbing its chin.

- Mmmh mmmh ... Interesting ...

Velnar's interest is awakened and he too approaches, curious.

- So ? What do you think ? You know what it is ?

- Patience, patience lil' man ! Expertise takes time.

Velnar sighs but takes the opportunity to observe the fish as well. Its scales reflect a bluish color mixed with purple. Some are randomly golden, making the animal even more mysterious. Its fins are very thin, almost like sails, pink colored with some white edges. A cherry tree petal lands on the fish as the wind stirs again, before taking off quietly to join the others. Daim finally came forward with a sigh, visibly annoyed.

- Hey Tendo, could you hurry up ? Do you really know what this species is?

He looks at Velnar then Kiara for a moment before returning his attention to the adult.

- I'm interested as well, I never saw this fish before.

- Oi, oi ! Keep calm you guys! Ah, youth... you're always in a hurry aren't ya ?

Kiara approaches Tendo impatiently, her paws waddling on top of each other. Her ears perfectly straight, she carefully observes the fish in turn.

- Sir Sir ! Do you think it can be eaten ? I'm hungry ! I want it for my dinner!

- Ooooh oh oh ... What a sweet tooth we have here, hey ! Well lil' girl, I'm not sure you can put it in your mouth ! I'm not the expert among experts, but I believe that this beast is a dream fish, and I would strongly advise ya not to try to eat it young girl !

- Oh noooo ....

Kiara then lies down, her ears down with a very sad face when she hears this. Velnar comes to rub his head against hers to comfort her.

- Come on Kiara, it's okay, it's better compared to eating something unclear. You'll see we will both be on it this time and we're going to catch the biggest fish ever !

Tendo laughs again.

- Hahahaha! Ya won't need that, folks ! Take this !

He throws them a fish each, even at Daim, which he had caught during the day. Daim looks offended, but Kiara seems to come to life.

- Can we eat them ?? For real ?!

- Sure young lady ! You have mah word !

Velnar approaches the elnin.

- Thanks for your advices. Next time, we'll bring you a fish that's even bigger than yours, and you'll see this we'll be able to eat it !

Kiara then hops up.

- Yes! We can eat it together!

The two kittoms thank Tendo once again before leaving, their fish in their mouths. Tendo watches them leave with relief, not listening to Daim's protests.

These two little ones were lucky ... The Pteronis vulcanis ... a deadly fish for elnins ... Fortunately they did not stick their fangs in it ...

He looks up at the sun which has almost finished setting over Faerindell, its orange rays still lighting up the place and the falling petals. He vigorously rubs Daim's head without bothering to warn him.

They still have their whole life ahead of them.