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With another feather in your hand, you pause. Vigilant to your surroundings, a rustle, a fleeting shadow and a glint of gold in your periphery capture your attention. |
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Your heart racing, you rush forward, only to be betrayed by the rough terrain. A protruding root launches you onto the forest floor. Ow! That was a bad fall. Just when you are ready to concede defeat, a hand reaches out to you.
The creature helps you to your feet amid a flurry of apologies. They express delight in your shared journey, admitting they might have lost themseves in the thrill of the game. They excitedly ask you if you enjoyed it too. You awkwardly laugh as you admit that the experience was… novel. They accept this as a compliment and rejoice, guiding you back to the area that you passed earlier. |
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“Care for some tea, chickory, or coffee?" the creature asks, "I only have decaf though; caffeine sends my nerves aflutter.”
You both settle at one of the tables where your preferred drink, favorite meal and dessert have been already prepared. You hesitate to touch the food, remembering all the tales of deceptive faerie creatures you’ve heard. But you’re starving after the long chase. Cautiously, you taste the dish and hope for the best. It’s delicious.
Now, finally facing the creature, you’re filled with curiosity. They say that they are happy to answer any of your questions, but ask you to give them your name first. Okay, this one definitely must be a trick. What do you have to lose at this point, though? You’re not even sure you can leave. So you give it. They say that it’s nice to meet you, referring to you by your name. Seems like you can keep it. They introduce themselves in return and answer your questions.
д̴͖͇͉̊̽̉͠р̶͔̰̀̀̕у̸͉̰̻̘̇г̴̧͉̀́̄ͅ /dr’uk/ from Russian, "friend" |
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| Name? | Someone called me д̴͖͇͉̊̽̉͠р̶͔̰̀̀̕у̸͉̰̻̘̇г̴̧͉̀́̄ͅ once and I kind of adopted it. For some reason, they were very amused by this. They even got me a cropped garment with my name on it. |
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| Pronouns? | Ah yes, I know those! I have been introduced to a plethora of beautiful pronouns through my companions. For myself, I fancy ‘они’, ‘they’ and ‘xe’ the most. |
| Age? | I came to be when my Hare Mother gave birth to the first hare litter in the shelter of this forest. My story, though, does not necessarily abide by the rules of linear time. |
| Species? | A cryptid, I suppose? Some friends expresssed that I resemble a wolpertinger. Is it not extraordinary how people have their own words for creatures like me? I have yet to meet another wolpertinger, but I remain hopeful. It is just slightly complicated, considering I cannot really leave this forest. |
| Appearance? | The forest is woven with countless fairytales, each with a different part for me to play. I take the shape that your narrative requires. |
| Occupation? | A living being. I occupy myself with hanging out, playing, creating, offering care, loving, and grieving. |
| Hobbies? | I have a fondness for journaling, singing, going on walks, and collecting objects that are old and well-loved. |
| Favorite? | The Moon. Following the departure of my Hare Mother, the Moon Mother took me under her gentle guardianship. I find great solace in the steady rhythm of her phases, knowing precisely when and where she will rise. |
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| Least favorite? | Goodbyes. The ones that last an eternity. They weigh heavily on my heart. |
| Friends? | Oh, I am blessed with so many friends! Trillions just in this forest. The foxes, the worms, the bushes, the rocks, and many more. And then there is the occasional visitor, like yourself. It is always a pleasure. |
| Online presence? | I have taken quite a shine to the world of the internet. I am curating a Pinterest board and a Spotify playlist, and I even have my own page on Toyhouse. |
 source: @Splig@mastodon.art |
Time passes quickly as you listen to д̴͖͇͉̊̽̉͠р̶͔̰̀̀̕у̸͉̰̻̘̇г̴̧͉̀́̄ͅ’s stories and tell them your own. They seem fascinated by your tales, however mundane they might seem to you, jotting down notes in a book they conjured out of thin air. As the conversation winds down, you ponder asking druk to lead you out of the forest. Is it awkward to just ask? Will they even let you go? д̴͖͇͉̊̽̉͠р̶͔̰̀̀̕у̸͉̰̻̘̇г̴̧͉̀́̄ͅ interrupts your anxious train of thought. |
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“I have enjoyed our time together. But now, I am weary and my anime shows are calling me. Let me guide you out of here.” You breathe out a sigh of relief. They are confused why you seemed so tense but decide not to ask. When you inquire about the anime shows, they share that they are watching “Mushishi” right now. Unsurprising.
You take their hand (if you’re comfortable with that) and follow their lead. You pass their dwelling, the musical spring, the whispering trees. Soon, rays of early morning sunshine are piercing the forest canopy as you finally reach the forest’s edge. д̴͖͇͉̊̽̉͠р̶͔̰̀̀̕у̸͉̰̻̘̇г̴̧͉̀́̄ͅ stops just under the last tree’s shade and presents you a basket filled to the brim with forest berries — their gift for your journey home.
With a smile, д̴͖͇͉̊̽̉͠р̶͔̰̀̀̕у̸͉̰̻̘̇г̴̧͉̀́̄ͅ lists the health benefits of the berries. “Berries are superfoods packed with antioxidants, fiber, and various essential vitamins and minerals. They are low in calories and support heart and brain health. Not to mention, they are delicious.” They assure you that whenever you wish to harvest berries in their forest, you'll find them in abundance. Shyly, they also suggest that you visit them to trade more stories, or maybe watch some anime shows together.
After heartfelt goodbyes and a warm hug (if you’re comfortable), you part ways. When you look back to wave at д̴͖͇͉̊̽̉͠р̶͔̰̀̀̕у̸͉̰̻̘̇г̴̧͉̀́̄ͅ, they are nowhere to be seen. Still, you feel that they are waving back. You eagerly grab handfuls of fresh berries from the basket and notice that д̴͖͇͉̊̽̉͠р̶͔̰̀̀̕у̸͉̰̻̘̇г̴̧͉̀́̄ͅ put something else there, too. There is a heart locket with a lock of their hair, and a quill made from one of their feathers. Weird... but also kind of sweet? Or maybe just weird.
You smile at the mementos about your new friend and head home.