Submission (#857) Approved

(605 words)

Winter, Mia, and a sleepy Pan exited a Inn in the tree tops of a city in Ealei. The sky was getting dark but the wooden pathways above the mangrove were lit up by a mysterious light source falling from the sky. Winter found herself holding onto Mia for reassurance, her inner kittom getting the better of her. Mia and Pan went around calming locals that were frightened by the lights and asking around for information about them. It took awhile before they came across an elderly Nin that was willing to speak more than a few fearful or awestruck words to them.

“Hello Sir” Mia said cheerfully. “Would you by chance know what is going on?” Mia made an exaggerated gesture towards some of the starstruck locals “I take it this isn’t normal for this area?”

The old Nin took a look at Winter and Pan before speaking. “No, never seen anything like this” and then the elderly nin brushed off a few lights that had settled on the nin’s shawl. “Awful annoying this is and I can’t even talk to my ol’ pomu about it”. He grumbled.

Mia smiled and shook out her own hair “I wish others would remain as calm as you about this” she said and took a quick glance at Winter and waved goodbye.

Mia, Pan, and a now calm Winter wandered around the town making sure everyone who was scared was ok. On their walk-through town Winter caught sight of a pair of eyes hiding underneath a bush of leaves and went off on her own to greet them.

“Hey there friend” Winter said trying to sound reassuring and confident like Mia. “The lights are nothing to be afraid of.”

The kit locked her eyes on Winter and stuttered “How do you know!?”. Sounding both skeptical and hopeful at the same time.

Winter smiled at the kit and brushed off the lights that had fallen on her head. “See they don’t hurt!” Winter said gleefully and picked up one in her hands, “See?”.

The kittom slowly left the safety of the bush and took the light from Winter’s hands. “huh…” the kittom said confused. “Why are these falling?” the kit asked.

Before Winter could respond her and the kit were approached by two older nins, Pan, and Mia.

“Oh thank goodness” one nin exclaimed and hugged the kit Winter had found. “Where ever did you run off to?” and then the couple and the kit quickly made their way off of the streets.

Mia smiled at Winter “Good job finding the kid. Let’s call it a night”

Winter looked around and noticed that a large majority of the town had calmed down and cleared off for bed. “Ok” Winter said smiling back.

Pan patted Winter’s head and Mia’s shoulder and yawned, “What a fun little unwanted adventure”.

They took their time making their way back to the Inn, making sure to check on anyone they saw still out. Once they arrived Pan promptly bolted for bed and fell asleep immediately. Mia and Winter took their time getting the residual lights off of themselves and getting comfy in their own respective cots.

“Why do you think all these weird things are happening Mia?” Winter asked.

“I don’t know” Mia said looking thoughtfully “but I am sure someone is figuring it out” and gave winter a reassuring smile.
“I hope so” Winter replied and snuggled into her blankets waiting for sleep to come but her mind was buzzing with thoughts of the lights glaring into the room and her missing pomu. After many hours of restless turning she fell asleep.