bright and endless

Gazing at the stars helped ease the tension in her chest. She traced each constellation she could remember, whispering their names to herself like a calming mantra. Her eyes lingered on the brighter dots in the sky, trying to pinpoint the planets she recognized, though the effort became repetitive. Still, the ritual kept her grounded.

She couldn’t help but wish Fujiko were here. Her sister would have known what to do, how to get home. She would have it all figured out in an instant, and she'd be along for the ride. But Fujiko wasn’t here, and the ache of that absence lingered.

The soft crunch of footsteps broke her concentration. She stiffened, ears flattening instinctively against her head as she turned toward the sound. Was she allowed to be here? The thought struck her as her eyes locked on the approaching figure. His scent reached her first—faint yet oddly familiar. It stirred a memory, something tied to marked borders she’d crossed in her recent travels. Before she could dwell too long, he spoke, his voice cutting through the quiet. As soon as he mentioned the spiders, she perked up.

“Ehh? Kumo???” Ehh? Spiders???

Her eyes widened, and she pulled a paw to her chest, recoiling instinctively. “Kimochi warui!” How disgusting!" she blurted, her voice trembling slightly. Her gaze darted around anxiously, scanning the ground for any sign of the eight-legged creatures. Much to her relief, she didn’t see any.

It took her a moment to register that he had said something else.

“Tojo-kai?” she repeated, tilting her head in confusion. The name was unfamiliar, and she couldn’t quite figure out what it meant. “Sore wa.. anata no kazoku desu ka?” Is that your family? she asked cautiously, her voice softening as her curiosity took over.

When he mentioned a celebration, her nerves gave way to excitement. “Ehhh, Pātī?” she asked, stepping closer without realizing it. Her eyes sparkled with interest, and her tail flicked slightly behind her. “Nani o iwatte imasu ka?" What are you celebrating?

For the first time in a long while, she felt at ease speaking her native tongue. The words flowed naturally, the comfort of familiarity wrapping around her like a warm blanket. He was the first person on her travels who understood her language, and that simple connection made her heart feel lighter.
""