Submission (#7054) Approved

edits requested are bolded!

have you guys seen the tiktok where people draw their friends, and its just the most cursed image imaginable? we call that, ~inspiration~

+2 for 970 words
+1 for Pomu
+1 for horrible pet rock Pomu

+regional ap
[10EC total]

Dawn begins later in Faerindell, something that Lanhe finds himself grateful for as the days go by. His journey into the blooming land was relatively simple, but he was still exhausted from traveling without the assistance of his Pomu to shuttle things in and out of his shadow. This is something that Lanhe is not proud to admit he misses. Despite the sun deciding the day will start a little bit later than other areas, the citizens of Faerindell are not so keen to sleep in while the day is just beginning. Perhaps it is because so many of the people that inhabit the lands have some ties to farm work, but by the time Lanhe is starting to stir there's already the noise of those hustling and bustling in their day-to-day tasks. This does help to lessen the loneliness that creeps in late at night when he's settling in for rest. He's always been amazed at the foliage in Faerindell, compared to the places he has visited. Just outside his bedroom window, large trees bloom with soft pink blossoms, and climbing purple wisteria clusters can be found creeping up some stone building nearby.  

However, this morning starts a bit differently. At first, Lanhe thinks that he must have woken up earlier than planned, judging by how dark and gloomy the outside appears. But there's an odd sense of foreboding that has him curiously looking out his window into the city. He's surprised, at first, to find a large number of people already out, but he soon realizes that he didn't sleep in...but rather the sunlight has been obstructed by a growing mass of swirling clouds that seemingly formed overnight. The tree outside his window was also swaying ominously, pink petals begin to softly fall and twist around in the wind. Lanhe can't remember the last time he'd been caught unaware in a storm--perhaps it was during his brief stint in Azha? Shaking himself from his thoughts, Lanhe starts to get changed into his everyday attire and grabs his pouch of elecite coins that he's been carrying with him on his journey. Bounding down the steps, he reaches the door and strides outside.

"Whoa there! You shouldn't be outside, there's a big storm coming y'know?"

He's only a few steps away from his starting place before he's confronted by Bell, a friendly adventurer that Lanhe had met early on in his journey into Faerindell. Bell is buzzing with energy as she ushers Lanhe back home, despite his insistence that he would be just fine weathering the storm like he's had others in the past. Bell, however, is having none of his nonsense and drags him back home. The yellow and brown Elnin seemed insistent on making sure that all of the people in the village were aware of the upcoming storm, and her blue eyes were full of energy.

"No complaints! Besides, I have an important project you get to work on while you're in there. Your pomu hasn't come back out yet, have they?"

Without time to protest, a rock is shoved in Lanhe's hand before the door slams behind him. He's left a little bit dumbfounded, Bell's words of instruction ringing in his head.

("Decorate it to pass the time! And make sure to take care of it~" Bell seemed excited about the concept, but Lanhe just felt flustered with all the attention.)

He rolled the rock around curiously in the palm of his paw, a bit impressed at how smooth the surface was. Perhaps this type of thing is common? Is there a black market in Silveil that somehow only sells rocks on demand? He scoffs to himself about the idea, such a foolish idea should be reserved for somebody else to think of. Not him. While Lanhe is in the midst of his thoughts, the rumble of thunder causes his attention to break and turn to the window. His ears flatten against his head at the scene outside, with petals swirling furiously in the wind and tree branches creaking in strain versus the wind. Maybe Bell was right about him not being safe outdoors just yet...

A few hours later, during the middle of the storm, Lanhe carefully paints a face on his rock. He draws his Pomu from memory, although he's not quite certain the face is just right...and were Peng's claws always that color? Ah...he's really not a great artist at all upon further examination. He scratches his head in thought as he stares at his masterpiece (or lack thereof), mentally willing the rock to communicate with him in the absence of his actual Pomu. When he (understandably) gets no response, he sighs and lowers his head to the floor, a bit dejected and a little sullen. The storm outside is still raging and the sound of nature has taken over entirely from the normal hustle and bustle of the town. The rain shifts often from coming down lightly, to a sudden and torrential downpour, making it hard to feel lulled into a peaceful sleep.

Even still, Lanhe still finds his eyes closing steadily. He doesn't try to think too much about how he's holding the Pomu-painted rock closely to his chest...and just as he's about to finally drift off and dream his way towards a better tomorrow, a familiar sound catches his attention.

"Kkkrrrrah!"

Lanhe's eyes open in shock. His Pomu, Peng, sits just on the edge of his shadow, stretching out in a lazy manner. Peng even has the audacity to yawn! As though he's just been taking a leisurely nap as normal. Lanhe scrambles to stand, feet knocking away the pet rock clumsily. The rock skitters its way over to Peng, who picks it up and stares at it curiously. There's an awkward moment of silence. Lanhe standing. Peng looking at the pet rock. The pet rock looking (squinting) back at Peng. The storm outside rages on. Finally, Peng lowers the rock to look at Lanhe, the latter laughing awkwardly at the offended face Peng is giving him.

"Grrrak!!!!!"

"Hey!! Stop that!! Get off of me!!"

Looking back, rainy days are always better spent with friends and a horribly drawn pet rock of them.