Submission (#932) Approved

Word Count: 1235
EC Rewards:
6 EC (Completion)
2 EC (1200 word bonus)
Total: 8 EC

Originally submitted for LG-012 on accident due to Site vs. DA numbering discrepancy

      Shortly after the end of the Starfall Faire, one could fly over Eyre and see Elnin working the fields, shopping in the markets, and otherwise being busy bees. As the kittoms watched all the adult Elnin around them working, they began to think of their own future jobs. After all, there were so many jobs available and each kittom could find several that would suit their own interests and strengths. But, the greater spectrum of jobs isn’t why I’m telling this story. This story is about one kittom in particular and his own desires for a job.

     We first see our hero being woken up by his surrogate mother, Valista. She isn’t an Elnin, but she entered the land of Eyre a few years ago and has settled down since. She says her species is one that travels across dimensions, so it was easy for her to get here. Our hero has taken to sleeping in, much to the frustration of Valista, and she hurries him through breakfast.

     “You’re going to be late you know. I told you to wake up earlier. I have to do fall cleaning and get all the summer pollen out of the house so I arranged for you to play with a visiting kittom. She’s one of the faenin kittoms that came back, so I expect you to be nice. She’s been through a lot.”

     “Ok, mom. I’ll be sure to play nice. I wanna explore the market again and see if they have any more of the fancy fruit. Can I take some money so I can buy some for us?” A sweet smile and big green eyes appeared out from under a mess of hair.

     “Oh, you know I can’t say no to you, Ulfie. I’ll grab some for you” Valista ruffled the already messy hair and turned to the high cupboard where she kept extra money for treats. “Make sure you get change, I’m giving you a bit more than normal since there’s two of you.”

     “Thanks! Don’t worry. I’m pretty responsible. Can I go now?” Practically bouncing off the walls, he was excited to go out and explore with a new friend.

     “Fix your hair first. It's a mess and I don’t want you going out like that. Some nin already think that I’m not a great fit to be taking care of a kittom. I don’t want to give them anything to complain about.” She smoothed his hair back down into a cute tuft and then nudged him toward the door.

     “I love you! Byyyyyyyyyeeeee….whooooaooooa” He yelled as he ran, then rolled down the hill that his house sat on. As he rolled down the hill, he glimpsed a blur of brown, cream and green at the bottom. He wasn’t quite sure what it was, but he was going to find out soon. “Loooooook OooooUUUttt!!”

CRASH!

     Turns out that the blur he saw was a kittom. A very small, winged kittom. She had very pretty eyes, but he could only just barely see them, because he was still upside down, and she was sitting there looking very shocked at this ball of pink fluff that had run into her.

     “Hi! I’m Lyulf! You can call me Ly if you want. But not Ulfie, cause Valista calls me that and I don’t like it.” He made no effort to get up. He was comfy.

     “Hi...Are you gonna get off my tail? It kinda hurts now.” As Lyulf stood up, the faenin continued “I’m Hannah-lulu… But everyone calls me Lulu. You’re who I get to hang out with today right?”

    “Yeah! I wanna take you to the market. They’re supposed to be getting a new stock of this really fancy fruit. Valista gave me enough money to get both of us one. I mean, if you want. ” He started bounding down the path to the village. “It’s a bit far, but if you run it doesn’t take long.”

    He turned back, expecting to see Lulu catching up to him, but she was not there. When he turned back around, he jumped seeing her hovering in front of him. “How did you---”

    “The wings aren’t decorative. I can really fly! And fast too. But I’ll slow down so you can show me the way.” The two of them continued down the path, quickly becoming friends.

 

    The market is one of Lyulf’s favorite places to go. Fresh scents filled the air, and the hustle and bustle of shoppers, merchants, and animals rang out. Lyulf sniffed the air, looking for the delectable scent of dragon fruit. He weaved through the streets, Lulu hot on his heels. As he saw the stand holding the pink and green fruit, he skidded to a stop.

    “Here it is!” He gestured grandly toward the stand. “The best fruit stand in Bellmoril!”

    “It’s just dragon fruit? I mean, it’s good, but it’s nothing special...” Lulu looks very confused at the pile of dragon fruit before her.

    “Oh it’s not normal dragon fruit. It’s imported and grown with magic. Since Elnin can’t use magic ourselves, it’s really expensive. Some of them change flavors as you eat them, some change the color of your mouth, some even send off little sparks in your mouth!!” Lyulf began bouncing up and down. “He only comes here once a year and has a small stock. By ask only. See the bucket under there? There’s only 20 total. And we’ll get two of them.”

    “Whooooaaaaa that’s so cool! Then let’s get them!” The two ran up to the vendor, eyes beaming and asked him for two dragon fruit. He reached to grab two from the counter when Lyulf spoke up.

    “The secret variant, please. We can pay for it.” He shoves the money on the counter. The vendor raises his eyebrows and counts the money. After confirming the amount, he reaches under the table and grabs two dragon fruit.

    The two kittoms take the fruit and run back through the market. After arriving at a field, Lyulf takes the fruit and cuts it.

    “I wish Elnin could use magic. It would be so cool to be able to grow food like this and have it whenever I want.” Lyulf bit into the flesh of dragon fruit as he spoke. “I want to learn about why Elnin can’t use magic and try to fix it. I’ve already read a lot of books on it. When I grow up, I want to go to Bellmoril’s capital Il’durahn to study. If I can figure out why we can’t use magic, then maybe I can figure out a way to allow us to bypass that and learn it.”

    He laughed, a somewhat sad smile breaking his face. “I know it’s not likely, but I want to try as hard as I can so every Elnin who wants to study magic can.”

    “I think that’s really cool! You know, Elnin might not be able to do magic because they’ve only tried methods made for other species. You might be the one to crack it!” Lulu patted him consolingly on the back.

    “I know that. So I can’t give up, just because it’s hard. I’ll keep studying until I’m an adult and then I’ll study magical theory. And when I do, I’ll grow all the magic dragon fruit I can eat!” The two kittoms laughed and finished eating, before running down the hill chasing fireflies.