Talyssa was vaguely aware of the kiss on her cheek before her mother momentarily departed. However, the instructions that she had been left were taken to heart. Pick your favorite one. How could you just have one favorite? She loved them all for one reason or another. But if she had to choose just one, she would go with a smooth, orange one. Not the largest one in the bunch, not the smallest. Honestly, there wasn't anything too special about it, but she thought that they could make it special by carving it. After all the internal debate, Talyssa attempted to roll her chosen canvas off to the side a couple of times. It was much heavier than it looked. And just as she was trying to do so, she felt the presence of her mother return. A few seconds later, she heard her voice. "Thanks!" The girl proudly acknowledged the praise she was given, as she withdrew from trying to force the pumpkin away from the others. Finally peeling her pale blue gaze off her prize, her attention shifted to Briar, and she was kind of surprised by all the stuff Momma had brought back. Lyssie wanted to ask what it was all for but knew that it would all be explained in time.
Talyssa was always so amazed at how adults were able to make such quick work of tasks that were really difficult for her. She watched as Briar rolled the pumpkin with ease and a long way too. But she didn't have much time to dwell on it, because the pumpkin carving lesson had already begun. She watched with intent as Briar explained they had to make an opening, and that she would do the cutting for safety. "Okay!" Her voice never wavering in its enthusiastic tone. She learned better by watching the first time anyways. Talyssa was so impressed watching her mother cut through the top of the gourd. She did it so easily.
As soon as the top hole had been cut, the fawn-spotted fae was very eager to see what was inside. As Briar tipped it in her direction, she was surprised at what was inside. While the outside may be smooth, the inside was far from it. It was a stringy mess, with little white seeds scattered throughout. When the next part was explained to her, she looked up in shock and amusement. "Yeah, I'll try." She responded timidly. Cautiously, she stuck a paw into the open pumpkin, the warmth and humidity noticeably different on the inside. But when the slimy strands squished between her toes, she also couldn't help but wrinkle her nose. "Eeewww!" She giggled while raking a fistful of it out and plopping it down in one of the bowls that had been set aside. "Why is it so nasty!?" She said in more of a squeal of delight than anything else. Yes, it was nasty. But not nasty enough to make her want to stop.
Eventually, she had the pumpkin emptied. When she was done, she was deeply satisfied by the now clean looking inside. All the innards laying in a heap within the contents of the bowls. Her white paw was stained orange now, but that was okay. She was sure it would come off at bath time. But there was no time to think about that now. There was still work to be done! When Momma went to reposition her, she slid into the intended position willingly. Gently resting a paw near Briar's to help guide. Whatever design you want. It only took her a moment to pinpoint exactly what they should do. "Let's give him a happy face!" Talyssa declared, watching very closely as Briar did the carving.
Professor
Fleet-footed
