Submission (#5174) Approved

Elnin: https://worldofeyre.com/character/ELN2314
Regional Affinity: Faerindell

Second Elnin: https://worldofeyre.com/character/ELN2578
Third Elnin: https://worldofeyre.com/character/MYO-ELN418

Word Count: 916 (+2EC)
Pomu Bonus (+1EC)

Ismeria tiptoed quietly past Rhapsody’s room, carefully avoiding the squeaky floorboards along her path. The quaint cottage they were staying in looked like something out of a fairy tale, but it was in desperate need of some repairs. It would creak and moan with the slightest breeze, and sometimes Ismeria could swear there was something lurking in the attic. She and Rhapsody had checked a few times, and there was nothing but a few trunks full of knickknacks and old clothes packed with moth balls. Nothing scary, and yet…

The burgundy and gold nin sighed. Poor Rhapsody seemed a bit down lately. Ever since he met his pomu, Sneak, the two had been inseparable, pulling pranks and hatching schemes together whenever the opportunity arose. This was his first miasma season since they met, and although Ismeria had tried her best to cheer him on and keep him busy, the months without his pomu were starting to wear him down. Today, he headed straight to bed after dinner, holding onto his pomu lantern like a balloon.

Ismeria reached the kitchen, where she poured herself a glass of milk and grabbed a cookie from the jar on the counter. She placed her snack on the sill of the large, arched window in the adjoining room and pulled herself up to enjoy the view. The sun was just dipping below the horizon, painting the sky pink and purple to match the trees and faerie shrouds that draped down from their branches. Flowering hedges that surrounded the cottage, broken only by the cobblestone path that led to their doorstep. Beyond them, vibrant wildflowers and tall grasses swayed back and forth. A few fallen, blush colored leaves skittered along the stone pathway, tickling the rocks’ smooth surfaces. The wind was starting to pick up.

As she dipped the cookie in the glass and took a bite, Ismeria thought about all the things she would do when she finally met her own pomu. Perhaps they would do crafts together or read. Maybe even write poetry if the inspiration struck. She wondered what their name would be. She had a soft spot for names like Flora or Flynn, but she supposed she would have a better idea once she met the little critter. And for miasma season, she would construct a butterfly-shaped lantern to house their pomu crystal… or maybe a bird… or maybe a gorgeous flower to remember her time here. So many possibilities!

Creeeeeeak… the silence was broken by a loud noise from up above. Ismeria’s ears perked up and her pupils grew wide. No matter how many times she had assured herself that the sounds were just the result of shifting support beams, she couldn’t help but feel unnerved.

Shuffle, shuffle… THUD! The kittom stiffened and the fur stood up along her back. Now thatdidn’t sound like just a normal creak.

Down the hall, she heard the squeak of hinges, and Rhapsody’s voice rang out “Ismeria, are you okay? Did you fall or drop something?”

“I- I’m okay,” her voice wavered, “I think that came from the attic..”

Rhapsody plodded into the living room, preceded by squeaking floorboards and the warm glow of the lamp grasped in his paw. His pomu lantern, shaped like a red, blue and gold lotus flower, bobbed behind him. Ismeria was grateful for the extra light, as twilight had already set in and she hadn’t thought to light the candles.

“It sounds like something must have fallen down up there. Or maybe the window blew open again. We should probably check to be sure.”

Ismeria shook her head, then sighed and nodded. “Yeah… we probably don’t want any critters to get stuck up there…”

Rhapsody led the way back down the hallway. Ismeria couldn’t help but notice how their shadows eerily danced along the walls in the flickering lamplight. After what felt like an eternity, the kittoms reached the entrance to the attic. Rhapsody reached up with his free paw and pulled down the ladder. Cautiously, the nins climbed up and surveyed the space. Everything appeared to be in its usual place.

Ismeria let out a sigh of relief, and the kittoms turned back towards the ladder.

CREEEEEAK! Rhapsody and Ismeria whipped around to see a giant figure looming before them with glowing yellow eyes, a hideous ogre-like face, and a dark cloak draped over its shoulders. It hovered over the ground and made a faint buzzing sound.

Ismeria stood frozen in place, and Rhapsody jumped between her and the creature to protect her, losing his grip on the lamp in the process. The lamp clattered to the ground and released an ember, which landed a few feet away.

“Shoot!” A high-pitched voice sounded from the creature. The cloak and mask dropped away to reveal an adult Faenin who resembled a bee. A bee-shaped pomu lantern hovered behind her, casting a soft glow on the walls. Gracefully, she swooped down and stomped out the ember before it caught the wooden floor on fire.

Rhapsody stared at the stranger, trying to wrap his mind around the situation.

“Got you!” Ismeria chirped behind him. “I finally got you!”

“Wha- what?”

“It was a prank. I know you’ve missed your pranks with Sneak, so Phoebee and I decided to…”

The bee nin buzzed excitedly.

Rhapsody glanced back and forth between the two nins, then burst into hysterical laughter.

Ismeria watched months of built up tension drain from him all at once. This was exactly what he needed. Success!