A Creature or Two

words: 515

characters: 3047

muses: Aris, Mushy, Woodland Skullie (short mention)

In the heart of the mystic forest, where the trees whispered secrets to the wind, Aris Bright Card moved carefully. His steps were light, his form slipping effortlessly between the shadows as he ventured deeper into the forest. He had heard whispers of a small, glowing creature living among the dense foliage, and his curiosity had led him here.

As he reached a thicket of vibrant, color-shifting plants, a soft glow caught his attention. Nestled beneath the broad leaves of a flowering bush, a small creature rested, its light casting a gentle green glow on the surrounding area. Aris knelt down, careful not to disturb the quiet peace of the moment.

“Hello there,” he whispered, his voice soft and reassuring. “I’m Aris. I didn’t mean to intrude—I just wanted to see you.”

Mushy, the glowing creature, stirred at the sound of Aris’s voice. His eyes opened, revealing a curious gaze that flicked over the tall figure before him. Though Mushy was wary, the gentle tone and calm demeanor of Aris seemed to ease his caution.

Aris sat down cross-legged a few feet away, keeping his movements slow and non-threatening. “I’ve heard about you. They say you’re quite the explorer in this forest.”

Mushy tilted his head, his glowing form pulsing softly. He stepped a little closer, his vine of leaves coiling slightly, as if contemplating whether to trust this new presence.

“I’m not here to harm you,” Aris said with a smile. “In fact, I’d love to learn more about you. You seem like you know all the best spots in this forest.”

Mushy took a cautious step forward, his vine reaching out tentatively. Aris extended his hand, allowing Mushy to brush his vine against his fingers. The was brief, but it seemed enough to establish a tentative connection.

Aris chuckled softly. “See? I’m a friend. You like shiny things, don’t you?” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, polished stone that caught the faint light of Mushy’s glow. “Here, a little gift.”

Mushy’s eyes widened as he accepted the stone, holding it close and examining its reflective surface.

“You’ve got a good eye,” Aris said, watching Mushy ire the stone. “Bet you’ve found all sorts of treasures around here.”

Mushy’s glow brightened slightly as a bird chirped in the sky, his small form brimming with excitement. The two sat in companionable silence for a while, Aris content to watch Mushy explore his new shiny prize.

Suddenly, Mushy’s glow dimmed, and his movements became tense. Aris followed Mushy’s gaze to the edge of the clearing, where a Woodland Skullie—a creature made of twisted wood and moss—had appeared, its eyes glowing faintly in the dim light.

Mushy twitched a warning, clutching the stone tightly before darting back into the underbrush, his glow fading into the dense foliage. Aris rose to his feet, watching as the small creature disappeared into the safety of the forest.

“I’ll see you again,” Aris murmured, a promise carried on the breeze as he turned and melted into the shadows once more, leaving the forest to its inhabitants.

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Sorry if I mischaracterized any characters involved! There was only so much information to work with but I hope it ended up alright! :D

I hope this event gets a lot more participants since the au itself is full of cute critters!