Submission (#325) Approved

Saga lay idly at the side of a small pond in a small town in Bellmoril. The months of heavier miasma prevented distant travel for many elnin and Saga was no exception. She and Tetra hadn’t been able to return back to Tetra’s hometown in Ealei where the fishing was better. So the two kittoms had to keep busy in Bellmoril instead. Saga dipped her paw in the water, watching it ripple every time she poked it. “Stop making ripples!!! You’ll scare the fish.” Tetra whispered urgently at her, a hint of annoyance in the other kittom’s voice. Saga didn’t understand though. “The leaves are falling on the water though. How is that different?” Her words sounded like a challenge towards Tetra as Saga wasn’t the smoothest of kittoms at being subtle or gentle. Her actions were always very honest though if not a bit reckless at times.

Saga lifted her head to look at the colorful forest of warm hues. Reds and oranges and yellows with brown undertones carried through the forests distinct to Bellmoril. Unlike the bright vibrant greens you might see in Faerindell or Ealei it was a nice change of scenery for the two kittoms. To others it might just look like two kittoms getting into mischief but to Saga these moments were precious. She was quite fond of Tetra, though how aware either of the kittoms were of it was another question. Saga just wanted to convey the feelings she didn’t understand well. She had found this pond to share with the other hoping to show her something nice but it ended up not going quite as planned.

“Let's try to fish here!” Saga announced and Tetra nodded. The other kittom had a small pail to gather some fish in to watch. Fishing was probably Tetra’s favorite pastime and Saga who just enjoyed spending time with the other often fished with Tetra. It always seemed to go the same though. Tetra was quick, fluid, and patient in her motions. At times too she even took advantage of the fish feeling from Saga’s paws while the bright green kittom quickly chased fish away with her rash movements. After an hour of Saga splashing around Tetra suggested they take a break for the day. Saga seemed to take the news a bit harder though.

She had really wanted to catch a fish for Tetra to keep, maybe as a pet. Saga’s jaw almost dropped though as Tetra tipped over the pail of three fish that she had caught for herself. If they weren’t fishing for food Tetra always released her catch after observing it. Saga hadn’t expected it since she had never seen Tetra do it before but with that their fishing time spent together was over. Saga sulked as they walked back towards town, her small paws teetering on the cobblestone paths that slowly lined the road as they got closer. “It’s alright you know. You’ll catch a fish next time. Here it’s harder to blend in for us.” Tetra said, looking at her own teal pelt and Saga’s vibrant green one. In a forest full of autumnal hues where green was scarce they really did stand out more. Tetra had misinterpreted why she felt so let down though.

The bright sunlight of the day was waning and Saga still felt like she hadn’t done anything for Tetra. The other kittom fished frequently so if the day Saga caught a fish to gift to Tetra was not today then it felt just like any ordinary one to Saga. They reached the edge of town where a few market stands were still packing up their goods to make room for the stands that would pop up in the evening. Saga’s eyes caught sight of something though as she was listening to Tetra try to cheer her up. It seemed like Tetra hadn’t noticed Saga get distracted yet so Saga shifted their path off to an empty place at the side of the market. “Close your eyes!” She said and while Tetra looked a bit confused initially she was used to Saga’s odd requests. She had no reason to doubt Saga for her intentions were usually good even if the other kittom did make quite the mess of a pond.

Checking that Tetra had closed her eyes Saga scampered off towards a stall. Her eyes big and set on a book with a splendid fish on the cover. The stall owner was about to pick it up when they saw Saga’s gaze firmly set on it. “Is this enough?” She asked dropping a pouch of a few coins before the stall owner. Their expression didn’t waver as they looked over the coins. The sum was quite meager, not even close to what the book was priced at. If the book had any magical techniques in it or properties they wouldn’t have been able to do much but the intensity of Saga’s gaze did break down their resolve to request the book’s full price. Afterall it was hard not to soften up a little to a cute expectant kittom.

“That amount will suffice.” They said, turning to go package it. They paused though for a moment as they saw Tetra sitting across the way, eyes closed waiting for their friend’s return. “Is this a gift?” They asked, curious since the scene was so clear. Saga, glancing one more time over her shoulder to make sure Tetra still wasn’t looking, nodded eagerly in response. The stall keeper let out a chuckle ‘How wholesome.’ They thought. The two kittoms didn’t look like they were from here but the book selection in towns not far from Il'durahn was quite good. Saga might have even been able to find the same book for a cheaper original price if they could have traveled to the larger city. At least that would have been more opportune if the stall owner hadn’t quietly relented.

“One moment then.” They said, setting down the bag with the book in it and wandering over to a neighboring stall. They slipped an extra two packages into the bag alongside the book. “Come back again next time.” They responded, not telling Saga what the other items were. It was a bit suspicious but folk usually kept a watchful eye on kittoms and the stall owner was quite reputable. A few neighboring stalls and carts simply smiled as Saga passed on her way back to Tetra.

“Alright you can open your eyes now. You can open this when we get back to the house.” She announced, quite proud of her handiwork. Tetra couldn’t make out what was in the bag and even Saga was curious what else had been stuck in but surely more gifts would be welcomed. Most of all Saga felt accomplished despite her failed attempt earlier she had been able to do something for Tetra.

When they arrived home Saga set down the bag and Tetra pulled out the book with bewildered eyes. Though it wasn’t the largest book of fish in Eyre it did have a lot of species local to the small bodies of water around Bellmoril. The fish loving kittom instantly prattled on about all the places she wanted to go and quickly Saga felt closer. Someday they would see all these fish and places together, she could be sure of it.

The two kittoms pulled out the other mysterious packages and Saga confessed that while she hadn’t bought them Tetra could still have them. The first one contained a box of fish shaped crackers which Tetra gladly shared, feeling Saga’s hard stare on the treats. The second package popped open revealing a paper lantern fish with a glowing stone you could place inside. The stone was probably from Zevija but the paper on the lantern was surely the handiwork of paper crafters in Bellmoril. Some of the finest writing supplies came from this region so it would be expected that their paper lanterns were quite durable too.

Snuggled up together in front of the book slowly the two kittoms paged through it. Saga had never been that interested in fish until she met Tetra, and it would be a lie to say she wasn’t still more interested in Tetra than the fish, but over time she was a little bit interested. Without even realizing it they would mention different fish that reminded them of qualities the other had and in a way it brought them closer. Pulling a leaf out of Tetra’s fur, Saga’s heart warmed as the other spoke. “Thank you for the wonderful day out.” Tetra smiled before burying her nose back into the book. Saga may not have caught a fish that day but perhaps she caught something else instead.