Submission (#7754) Approved

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, it casted long shadows over the oasis, and Yoru and Shiro were still sprawled on a patch of moss, and still damp from their encounter with the playful Glissel. The air smelled sweet, a mixture of warm earth, fresh water, and something faintly floral.

Yoru reached into his small travel bag and pulled out an old, worn book. The leather cover was cracked from age and the gold-leaf letters were chipped, the pages filled with drawings of plants and creatures from across Ahza. He had purchased it in Devara a few days ago and something about this place made him want to explore its pages again.

Shiro, however, was already rolling around in the soft moss. "You brought a book on an adventure? You’re no fun!"

Yoru laughed, flipping through the pages. "Books help you find fun. Look at this." He turned the book toward Shiro, tapping a particular illustration.

It depicted a curious plant; the Whisperbloom. Its petals were drawn in soft, swirling patterns, almost cloud-like, with tiny luminous specks dusting their surface. The text beneath the image described it as a rare flower that only bloomed in undisturbed oases, its petals swaying even without wind.

Shiro squinted at the page, then at Yoru, clearly not impressed.
"That just looks like a fancy puffball. What’s so special about it?"

Yoru sat up, scanning the oasis. “The book says it only grows near the clearest waters, where the air is calm.” His yellow eyes narrowed. "If it’s here, we’ll find it."

This peaked Shiros interest; and he got up. "Ooh! A treasure hunt!"

And soon enough, the two kittoms explored around the oasis, weaving between smooth stones and towering palm trees. The air was heavy and warm beneath the dense foliage and then, finally, hidden in the shadow of a large rock near a small waterfall, he saw it.

A small patch of Whisperblooms swayed gently, though the air was still. Their petals were a soft, misty lavender, each one curling into delicate spirals. Tiny, glowing specks hovered above them like fireflies, flickering rhythmically, as if the flowers were humming silently to themselves. Were they trying to attract pollinators? Prey? Yoru wondered, and got a bit closer. Now he could see that the stems of the plant were pale blue and thin, bending gracefully but never breaking.

Shiros eyes widened and he reached out a paw to touch one. "Whoa! They really do move on their own!" As soon as he did, the flower shivered; not just the petals, but the entire plant, as if it had just giggled.

He squeaked in surprise and tumbled backward. "It’s alive! It laughed at me!"

Yoru lifted an eyebrow and leaned closer. The book had mentioned that Whisperblooms reacted to sound, vibrations, and even the emotions of those nearby. The gentler the presence, the more they swayed, while sudden movements made them still.

“They’re sensitive,” the kittom murmured, extending a single claw and lightly tapping a petal. The flower trembled again, sending a ripple through the entire patch. The glowing specks above them flickered faster, creating tiny flashes of golden light.

Shiro tilted his head. “What do they do? Can you eat them?”

His friend laughed. “Why do you wanna eat everything?” He then shook his head. “The book says they’re used in potions, but aren’t fit for direct consumption. They release a scent that changes depending on how someone feels. If you're happy, they smell like warm honey and vanilla. If you're nervous, they smell like cool rain.”

Shiros tail whipped around with excitement. “Ooh! What do I smell like?”

As he got closer, the Whisperblooms twirled faster, their petals unfurling wider, releasing a scent into the air - sweet, like sun-warmed strawberries and fresh-cut grass.

Yoru smirked. "You smell like trouble."

"That’s the best smell!" Shiro grinned.