Submission (#3261) Approved

It's almost as if the weight of the world was dropped from his shoulders, and now Citron could finally let out a breath of relief. Don't get him wrong, he adores his family more than anything, but his desire to explore every nook and cranny in Eyre, to become a well-renowned adventurer written about in numerous books that dominated Bellmoril bookstores for young kits such as himself to indulge in. All of this was possible due to the interference of Basil, the man who quelled the anxiety ridden in his own parents and reassured that Citron would be well taken care of in his exploration. The adult hummed a tune to himself as he adjusted the tiller and changed directions of the sailboat with this cute frosted design on the mainsail, the kittom resting with his arms behind his back and eyes closed. The sea water was a delight to smell, and eventually that scent disappeared entirely the closer they approached Strynhalde. Temperature, sea life, general atmosphere... It was a lot more blue in comparison to anything he's seen before, but he can't resist peeking over to come face-to-face with crystal clear waters and schools of trout swimming in tandem with one another. This was what he missed the first time around as a stowaway, the beauty in something so simple as nature beneath them. The Strynhali remain unchanged, eyes only looking out for any unforseen obstacles in the water. Citron found himself slowly gravitating towards the back, eyebrows raised at the gentle tug and redirection in order to change course. It's almost as if Basil has a knack for knowing exactly how he feels, because the adult's vision drops down to look the curious kit in the eye and offer a friendly smile.

"I take it you're interested, maybe in how it works?"

"That's... Exactly it, how did you know that?"

"I have kids of my own, you know... You're not too hard to figure out", a paw rests on the adolescent's shoulder, gingerly squeezing with that fatherly affection that anyone would appreciate. The adult speaks once more, "Anyways... What I'm handling here is the tiller, it's what controls the rudder beneath us and dictates which direction we'll be going in."

These explanations had been going on a little over thirty minutes, and while Citron still held curiousity, it was best that they pick up on the conversation later. Docking his sailboat and pulling off the sail, Basil leads Citron back over towards his residence, through the frosted forest and many dancing lights that were strung across numerous folks' homes. Deciding to offer his gracious host some help, the door is unlocked and Basil is able to fold and neatly tuck the sail into a drawer. He calls out for his daughter, grinning when a set of golden eyes peer from over the counter in sheer adoration. They sure were a perfect little family, it almost made the other feel awkward for intruding on such a tender moment like this. The cite of the other kittom has Eos beaming, first raising both eyebrows in disbelief at her father, and then redirecting that smile his way.

She was far too kind, nothing like him. 

Color him surprised, though, when she offers to give him a proper tour of the town. Eos was far too chipper for him, and he'd give her a piece of her mind but... He relents, staring up at Basil for some sort of assistance, but he only ushers the young boy into his daughter's care. Internally groaning, a shiver runs up Citron's spine the moment the cool air is blown past his fur and Eos sheepishly chuckles before disappearing to bring along some form of cover for the two of them. Nothing special, just two standard shawls lined with wool to trap in warmth. He's prepared to go, but stops short when he realizes that he's the one leading, and not Eos... The native that offered to give him a tour. Whipping around to glare at the girl, he's confused at the bugged-out look in her eyes as she stares at the floor in front of him. Green eyes lower to catch sight of what she's obviously gawking at, and the puff of black makes him snort out a laugh.

"Girlie, are you afraid of a dust bunny or something? C'mon, I thought you said you'd give me a tour, what happened to that?"

It was funny until it moved, and then he shrieked.

Falling flat on his bum and scooting as far as he possibly could, Citron raises a paw to gesture to whatever that creature was.

"What is that thing? Where did it come from?!"

He stares with anxiety, not once taking his sight away from the little familiar. Eos on the other hand draws near, sniffing at the creature as it flops on its back and snores loudly. It was so odd, dark and round, but with matching horns like Citron over there. Not a moment passes, and the girl already has it scooped in her paws exclaiming.

"Citron, this is your pomu!! This is incredible, we gotta tell Da, we just got to!!"

So much for that tour, huh? The Palu'an grumbles under his breath, but follows after the other kittom practically bouncing with each step as the little critter rested on her back.

His disinterest makes Basil snicker, summoning his own familiar from the depths of his shadow, and the creature pulls out a single wheat stem.

"This is your friend for life, Citron," The adult announces, "Treat him with kindness, he'll always have your back just as you should have his. Pomu's are very important little creatures in our lives, they help us out tremendously and are notorious for storing practially anything in our shadows. Just say the word, and they've got it." A nudge to the critter and it drops the strand of wheat and slinks back into the comfort of the abyss. Eos was rather invested, with her body coiled around Citron's sleeping friend. Seems like it was a sloth, and he can't tell if that was a good or bad thing.

Oh well, better get used to it.