Like A Thousand Stars

"Thank you!" Aerndis chirped as Serene compliment her strong teeth.  Her little chest puffed out with pride. She really liked this woman, she was so nice and good-natured and of course the girl loved being complimented on the talents she most wanted to grow. "You bet! I want to learn all about hunting and exploring. Some day I'll be a well known explorer and I want to learn to hunt so I can take care of myself and help out my mama when I see her again." Aerndis had long silenced doubts that she might not see her mother again. She was confident she would find her family again, she just had to be patient.

"Wanna see if we can catch some?"

Aerndis nodded her head vigorously. "Yea, let's get 'em!" She crouched down low, her ears flat against her head as she watched the insects for a moment before joining Serene in leaping into the air. They shifted and scattered and Aerndis bounded around the lake, slipping through cattails until a triumphant cry erupted from her lungs. "Serene! Serene! I caught one!" She had her paws cupped on the ground where she had pinned one of the weird glow bugs. Her expression suddenly shifted to concern. "It won't burn me will it?"



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