Stumbling Through a Symphony

Takeji worked to level out his breathing before shouldering his way back between the first stalks of bamboo at the maze's outer edge. His morning had been long and largely fruitless, but he would rather leave that burdensome thought behind him. He'd actually hoped the brisk jog back along the coast of the bay would do most of that work for him, but the discontent still nagged him even now. His inner voice grumbled and withered and no amount of exertion seemed to satisfy it.

The weather had been punishing as of late, alternating between driving sleet and a damp, dismal wind blowing off the water. It was already shaping up to be a lean season, and personally Keji didn't see his youth as any excuse not to pull his weight. And sure, he didn't have an aptitude for hunting in the first place but checking tide pool after tide pool and finding nothing of use to bring home to the grove still stung.

He heaved a sigh and let the muted silence of the bamboo center him.

The young male lengthened his stride, walking with purpose even if he didn't necessarily know where his paws were carrying him. Towards a sibling perhaps. Maybe one of them would be up to something useful, and he could duck in on their work instead. The sun may have been hidden behind a thick grey blanket but he knew there were still several good hours left in the day, and he meant to use them wisely.


"Talk" "Listen" Think