Bright Eyes, Chapped Lips

It was all very exciting being out in the world. She always made sure to loop back to check in with her mother and siblings, but it was never really for long. Now that the shrine was behind her, and she had the freedom to really explore this great world that He created, she planned to seize the opportunity before they found a new place to settle.

She had seen trees that meshed together into a staircase, a deep and boggy swamp, and all the lands that stretched between. Growing up sheltered in the bamboo boughs, she never would have thought so much variety existed out there, just waiting to be seen.

Her kite flew ahead, circling over something ahead. She caught a whiff of water ahead and parted her lips, tongue sticking to the roof of her mouth for just a minute. Modesty offered her companion a smile, knowing he would catch it with his very keen eyesight. He always did look out for her, that one.

Fresh scents of other animals wafted to her as well, but she didn’t pay them much mind. She hadn’t really been taught to worry about strangers, and hadn’t had enough negative experiences to feel any fear yet either. Just a deep, burning curiosity.

She sated her thirst and then raised her head, scanning the surrounding area for any sign of movement. Weird, she thought to herself. She could have sworn that scent was a really fresh one. Maybe if she called out? Her tail began to wave before the words even left her lips. “Hello? Is someone out there?”

“Speech”