Their first time leaving the facility, and it was on a mission. Cereo was still happy though, to be with his family. Even as the rain beat heavily down on their soft faces, he watched his siblings laugh together. He didn't know how they could do it. It was so cold, he felt as though his bones were freezing inside his body. The smell of brine and dead fish hanging in the air made him feel sick. As the ground swayed and rocked beneath him, he thought of all that water - all around him and stretching for miles below his small feet. He missed the ground. Images of trees and ferns swam in the back of his mind; trying desperately not to be drowned by the all-encompassing sea around him. His wet hair was plastered to his head like a curly, orange mop. Yet still, his siblings grinned and joked together like a real family. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDewzk9cwW4
Cereo was always alone. Well, mostly. Sometimes, he'd be able to steal a few hours of the others' time - but usually, he was stuck with his sister Eirwen. He glanced shyly at her, sitting comfortably in the chair opposite him. She seemed both warm and dry, luxuries Cereo could not afford thanks to his inclination to actually help his other siblings as they prepared for their mission. Eirwen, however, seemed to have no such qualms and sat happily humming with her nose stuck inside a large tome.
He called to her. She didn't hear. Or didn't want to. He tried again.
"Eirwen?" A large scowl was drawn across her face as she raised her piercing blue eyes too look into his.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdnIlLLfOw
"What do you want, Cereo?"
"Well, I just wanted to know what you thought about, you know, the mission. I mean, we've never done one together with all of us. What do you think it means?" Hesitation washed over her face. Surprising him, she folded her book together and placed it on the table with a loud clunk. A cloud of dust from the old wood flew into the air, and Eirwen sneezed violently. After her moment was over, she looked at him with a serious expression. Expecting a belittling remark in response, Cereo lowered his eyes to stare at the book on the table.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQrAqkjRcvT
"Cereo. You're wise beyond your years, has anyone told you that? It's why I don't like you. It's annoying and it gets in the way."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUXbFeaNZJ
"You're only a year older than me!" Cereo yelled, dismayed.
"A year and a half, and besides, that hardly matters when you're basically still a baby. Anyway, didn't you listen to anything they've told us for our entire lives? Your purpose isn't to question, it's to do as you're told."
"If I'm a baby, so are you! You're only seven, it's not fair! Anyway, what I mean is, you're really clever Eirwen. Do you think something bad is going to happen?"
"Why? Do you?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXljEO9kXF
"Well no, but-"
"Then what's the matter? If you can't face not being on land, then you won't be able to travel the world, will you? Isn't that what you want? If you need to distract yourself, why don't you practise your magic or something? I really don't care what you do, just leave me alone. And stop throwing up, it's distracting me from my book."
"You're so mean! You're nice to everyone else, it's not fair. And you know I can't practise my magic, there's no earth here, no plants. What do you expect me to do?"
She looked at him for a moment, the same way she always did - like he was stupid.
"What do you think the boat is made from? Stone?"
After that, it seemed she thought the conversation over as she reached for her book. Exasperated, Cereo gave a loud sigh and put his face in his hands. She was right, of course, but he couldn't use magic so far away from the rocks and the earth. The earth beneath your feet is what connects the world together, it's your link to the trees and the animals everywhere. Clearly, his tutors were wrong. After all, the ocean had fish and even mermaids, right? What did such wet and watery things have to do with the earth? He wished Eirwen would help him - she would know. But, would he even be able to do magic in front her? He might ask Nixie soon; she knew so much about the ocean.
As thoughts of his other family members flowed through his mind, Cereo looked out at them through the small window that showed the deck. His siblings were crowded in a circle, as though something really interesting had landed on the floor between them all. He almost got up to check it out - until the swaying sea stirred his stomach. He tried to stop it, but the disgusting fish dinner he'd forced down his throat hours ago came back up to the surface and into his trusty bucket. He caught Eirwen pointedly rolling her eyes.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0R5KuVgihz
It's so boring here. I hate being seasick. I hate being in the sea. I want to go home, to the forest and the fields, even the Drindde deserts would be better than this place!125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOjDqca1Jj7
It seemed he'd been sulking for hours. It was almost dark outside, and the rain had cleared. He'd found himself staring at the stars. Suddenly, the handle on the door began to turn. Instantly afraid, Cereo reached out, trying to feel his magic. Of course, there was nothing there. This set his heart on rapid-fire and he strained to find the closest sign of earth that he could. He reached out with his consciousness, further and further. A faint wisp of earth-magic could be sensed, far off and to the North. No solid ground between him and that distant shore. But, of course, nothing dangerous was coming through the door either. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazIK0go69o
A face peered through the gap, the boy's short, dark hair already drying and his eyes gleaming. Faro, his brother. A light in the dark night, someone to finally put off the boredom that had been swallowing him. Excitedly, Cereo jumped to his feet, yelling and leaping for his brother.
"Faro!"
Instead of swinging the door open, Faro's eyes widened and he quickly pulled it shut. Cereo - off balance and swaying on sea legs - crashed painfully into it, rebounding off it and struggling to stay on his feet. Strong hands gripped his shoulders and steadied him.
"Sorry, Cereo. You're kind of covered in vomit. Don't get me wrong, it looks good on you, I just don't really think it's my style. I'll admit, though, I didn't think you'd be quite so unsteady. Are you alright?"
His big brother beamed down at him and Cereo smiled weakly back. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ80Im7Ml7Yr
"Yes brother. I'm okay! How is everyone else?"
"Everyone is drying up, but we're getting a little tired. I came to bring you some light, since Eirwen is reading and it's gotten quite dark. How are you holding up in here?" While he spoke, Faro brought out some candles from his pocket. Faro's candles, however, were unique. They were made from white wood, and had no wicks. Instead, they resembled shallow cups or spoons with no handle. Upon seeing them, Cereo's heart began to flutter with excitement. Seeing his face, Faro chuckled. "What colour would you like, little brother?" He knew the answer - his answer was always the same. Faro let him speak anyway.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMZCd3pOLsy
"Green! And brother, could you make them have interesting shapes? I'm so bored in here, and Eirwen is being horrible to me as usual. She told me to practise my magic, but there's no earth or plants here! I've tried to get up to come out to you all, but every time I think about it..." The tips of Faro's fingers began glowing with a green light. Cereo trailed off, entranced and staring at the growing light.
"It's okay, Cereo. Some of us will be coming in soon anyway, I'll send Nix in to put Duna to bed after I leave. She wants to talk with you. Eirwen, we need you outside with us." A green, glowing butterfly shot out of each of his fingertips. Watching them was enchanting. They seemed to dance around the room, playing together and fluttering around the bleak furniture, bringing light to the sad, dark and the cold. Sparks flew off them like raining emeralds as they descended. Faro laid the candles on the table and the butterflies nestled into them like cradles, flapping their wings slowly as though they were stretching out before falling into a deep sleep. Cereo was jealous - of the butterflies, so still and dreaming quietly - and Faro, whose magic was so beautiful. He wished he could have the confidence of his brother.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6msbHz4SkD
"I also brought something for you, brother. I thought you might miss the land while we were away, and when I found it in the storeroom, I thought of you. Now, you must promise to take care of it before you see it."
Cereo looked up eagerly from the butterflies. Before he could respond, Eirwen sighed loudly.
"He's not actually your brother, you know that right? Whatever. I don't have to be here anymore. He's your problem now, Faro." She stood as she spoke, revealing her light blue surcoat that glistened with intricate white patterns, and her dark leather belt that always held her knives. She had two, one on each side of her waist. Every night, she would lay them both beneath her pillow before she slept. Cereo couldn't imagine how uncomfortable they must be. He had to admit, they were very beautiful in a plain sort of fashion. They had bands of leather and darker metals on the hilts. The one time Cereo had seen the blades, he couldn't take his eyes away from them. There was an engraving on them that he couldn't understand - sharp, rune-like letters. He'd always fancied himself more of an archer, anyway.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqzzWoPUCrI
As she closed the door, Cereo noticed his brother looking at him expectantly.
"Faro! You shouldn't have brought me anything. What if it somehow gets lost in the ocean? I mean, I won't let that happen! I will keep both my eyes on it at all times, I swear. What is it?" Impatiently, he leaned towards Faro, who laughed and drew something from behind his back. A large jar, a very large jar, with something moving inside. A tiny dormouse scratched his half-bitten ear behind the glass. Amazed, Cereo reached out his hands. A true creature of the earth! It had been days since he'd seen any sign of one. Beneath its tiny feet was a bed of dirt and moss.
"Faro! But how have you been feeding him? When did he last drink?" Faro smiled.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrrf9mZMck
"You'll take good care of him, then. Here," He handed Cereo one of his wooden candles, "Use it as a bowl for his water. Feed him with berries, crops and nuts from the supplies, he won't need much. In exchange for him, you should come and talk with everyone more often. Maybe then you'll even find the confidence to show us your power! There's no need to be afraid of us, we are your family, little brother."
Cereo found himself speechless. He hadn't known anyone had even taken this much notice of him at all. Many of his siblings picked on him for his weakness, and Faro and the older ones always seemed to have their hands full with the troublemakers.
"Thank you, Faro. And thank you for caring for me. I will take the best care of him forever - I'll name him Buttercup!"
The handle to the door turned again, and a short, very pale girl with dark hair and deep blue eyes strode in, straight towards Cereo, with an excited look on her face.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5Z9EuvhsA
"Reo! I'm so sorry it took me so long, but I made you something! I saw you were feeling sick. I hope this might make it a little better so you can get some sleep tonight!" The excitable girl was Nixie, the alchemy major. She handed him a small vial filled with murky liquid. Suddenly, she jumped back in shock. Her eyes were set on the lump of brown fur that was Buttercup.
"Nix! It's okay, he's a friend. He can't get out of the jar, not yet at any rate. He has to chew through the cloth on top first, see. As long as Cereo keeps it upright, he can't escape." Faro pitched, trying to soothe her before she gave away the secret; if any of the adults found out about Buttercup, they would certainly kill him.
"You know they're going to find out about it, right? Anyway, I don't mind so long as he stays in the jar. But Cereo! The elixir, take it! It will help your nausea."
"My what?"
"You won't be sick anymore, fool! You should drink it as soon as you can so it has time to take effect. I had to wait for the moon, else I would have given it to you sooner. Drink it!"
"Okay, Okay." Cereo took the small vial and gingerly sniffed the concoction inside. It smelled like rotten seaweed and fish guts, and it's almost enough to make him throw up again.
"You're sure this won't poison him, Nix?" Faro asked, concerned.
"Oh, hush. You know I'm better than that! Don't you trust me, Reo?" As one of the few siblings he had that paid him any mind, Nixie did have Cereo's trust - but she was always very eager, and that sometimes caused her to make mistakes. Memories swam to mind of a young Nixie giving him a beautiful golden draught of courage that had scored him a week with their healer - her mother.
With no shortage of hesitation, Cereo brought the cloudy liquid to his lips.
"Don't think about it, Cereo. Just drink it all in one big lot." Advised Faro.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAt6w1jnX8
He counted to three in his head, anticipating the awfulness of the taste spreading through his whole mouth. Faro pinched his nose to stop him from smelling it. Both Cereo and Nixie took a deep breath at the same time, and then he up-ended the vial into his mouth, swallowing so fast that he didn't taste a thing until it was already gone. The aftertaste spread over his anxious tongue. It tasted like freshly baked, if a little salty, bread. He grinned and looked at Nixie, who beamed at him.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0U1PVa0f7I
"Well? How was it?" She pressed.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡITTK3Eh3qW
"It was wonderful, Nix! How long do you think it'll be before I die of poisoning?" She smacked his arm playfully and retorted,125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdRsCBzQ4VU
"Too long! But the elixir should work in less than an hour. You should lay down before then, go to your hammock if you can manage it so you are used to lying down instead of sitting."125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczYKGxBhrS
"Come on, I'll take you now. We'll clean you up a little and you can lean on me."
Another hand on the door, another two siblings entered. This time it was Brooke, carrying Duna.
"Hey, Nixie. You forgot this." Brooke shoved the young child into her twin sister's hands and slammed the door behind her as she left without another word. Cereo barely noticed her brown hair in the wind before she was already gone again. He looked to Nixie, concerned. She was a different girl than the one who had handed him the vial of elixir, downtrodden with a heavy weight on her shoulders.
"Nix, it's okay. Brooke is like that with me too."
"Yeah, but..." Nixie trailed off, the rest of her sentence hidden behind her lips. "Hey, Duna! You look tired, maybe it's time to get you to bed. Cereo is going too, let's all go down together. You can hold my hand and walk with us, right?" Duna nodded and leaped out of Nixie's arms. Her skin was pink and her eyes dark. She was tiny, though she walked nimbly and with a spry step. Cereo had always been shocked by her ability, and often had to remind himself that she was older than she looked - she was Faen, after all, and much smaller than any young human child. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBgpV7uuBf
"Hey Duna! Do you want to see something? It's a gift Faro gave to me. You must promise not to tell anyone, though." The child nodded her midnight-haired head excitedly. Cereo reached for Buttercup atop the table and gently brought him to Duna's eye level. "His name is Buttercup. Do you know what he is?"125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjtb2KX9qgV
"He's a mouse! I thought they were meant to be scary. He's cute!"
"That's right, Duna. Sometimes people think something is scary, when really it's got cute little furry whiskers and only eats nuts and seeds!"
"Yeah, right. That thing is gross." Nixie chimed in.
"I'll admit it was a bit of a nightmare to catch," added Faro, "But it's pretty cute. Come on, let's get you two to bed. Here Duna, watch this!" Faro's butterflies stirred in their candle-beds and began to flutter around again, around Duna's excited pink face and shining black eyes. The crashed together in the air, making a soft whump and vanishing into a thin green mist. Duna giggled and jumped happily. Cereo found himself grinning, and saw the smile spread back onto Nixie's face - though it didn't quite reach her eyes.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8damaGbNjP
As the four of them paraded down to the bedchambers, Faro supported Cereo to the best of his ability. Nixie held Duna's hand and tried to keep her from practically skipping down the stairs. Moonlight shone from the grate in the ceiling, and hushed conversation drifted down. The smell of salt came back, making Cereo blanch a little. The girls said their goodnights and trotted to their side of the cramped gallery. The beds, soft hammocks with a thin blanket on each, were narrowly spaced and difficult to traverse. When they had hijacked the boat, there had been a crew of six men. Their group numbered twelve - eight were Cereo and his siblings, and four were adults sent to help them on their mission. The adults had been spending their time on the upper levels, having been ordered to let the children look after themselves while aboard the large boat. Their only job was to drink merrily and steer the creaky old boat on it's rightful course - with the help of its captain, naturally.
As Cereo had been thinking, Faro had gone away to his hammock and was returning with something in his hands. A green glass bottle filled with a liquid.
"Faro! Is that-"
"No, of course not, you frog. It's just water. Here, take it. Use it to rinse your face and tunic. I don't think you could stand doing it with the saltwater." Cereo took the water gratefully and drank a little before splashing it on his face and chest. As the cold spread through him, Faro began to talk again. "I spoke to the Lady Nox earlier, she said tonight will be our last night at sea. We should be making it to the island in the late afternoon tomorrow. That means you'll need to go downstairs in the morning and collect what scraps you can to feed Buttercup - you must not forget, as we don't know what food we'll find on the island. You should save him some of that water, too. I'll also deal with the bucket you left upstairs. You need to rest."
"Faro, thank you. Truly. I don't know where this has come from, brother, you're usually so busy looking after everyone else. But remember to take care of yourself, too. Maybe you should get some rest."
"I have business with the others," He dismissed shadily.
"Faro?"
"Yes, little brother?"
"Why did they send us all together? You don't think- you don't think they're going to, you know, leave us behind, right?"
"No, Cereo. I'm sure they won't. After all, the Lady Nox is Duna's mother, and Brooke and Nixie's sisters are here too. They won't leave their family."
"The what about the rest of us? What if-"
"Little brother. You're thinking too much. I believe they sent us together to test our teamwork, to see if we should be used as a team or continue doing missions alone or in pairs. Now relax. You're clean, right? Then go to sleep."
"I know you're hiding something, Faro." Faro's eyes widened with shock for a moment, before he gathered his face into an expression of disbelief. "I don't want to know what it is, but you mustn't forget that you need to take care of yourself. The others can look after themselves, even Duna isn't as young as she seems - and we all know how powerful she is."
"Maybe you're right. I might come to bed soon after all. But there is much to discuss yet. Goodnight, little brother."
"Goodnight, Faro." On his way out, Faro clicked his fingers together with a resounding snap, sending out two small balls of light - one green, and one pink. The pink one whizzed over to Duna's hammock, and the green one zoomed up to Cereo as he clambered into his own bed, pulling the blanket tightly around him. He waits for Nixie to leave, and she whispers a soft goodnight to them before heading back upstairs. Soon, Cereo thought, he wouldn't have to stay down here with the baby every time it gets late. He waited for another few minutes and, when nobody came down, he reached carefully down to the floor where that jar containing Buttercup lay. Duna was quiet and on the other side of the galley; it was safe.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGX7n3F2kB
Carefully, he brought the jar closer to the light. The glass was cold in his hands. He reached carefully up to the strip of burlap Faro had tied around the top. He tugged cautiously at the twine tying it, pulling it loose and reaching his fingers tentatively inside. The dormouse is one of the fastest creatures on land. Buttercup, however, didn't seem to mind his presence. His fingertips brushed against the soft moss beneath the creature, and it was as though static spread through him. Though it was weak, it was there. He rejoiced at the feeling, and he pulled his fingers together to create a platform for the soft, furry creature. He began to whisper beneath his breath - loud enough for a mouse to hear.
Hello, friend. Will you talk with me?125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLwuuIZRaRN
Its ears perked up and it raised its head to look at him. He smiled without his teeth.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgKUJxOHfEc
I don't bite, I promise. I want to talk with you. I'm so lonely out here, without the ground beneath my feet. I feel so disconnected from the world. I imagine its the same for you. Let's not be sad anymore, and talk as friends.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ0D3KYKHPo
The dormouse stared at him for a few seconds and looked down at his fingers, then back up to his eyes. He felt its stare piercing his soul, and he let it.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4qVoFTxTYF
A human? Why should I trust you when your kind put me in this prison?125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIeexwp9P2g
Oh, friend, I'm sorry. You see, that was my brother. He saw how lonely I was so he wanted to bring you to me. But I'm trying to free you. It's unwise to keep you in such a place, as many of the people here would kill you as soon as look at you. But I want to protect you, see, so I can have a friend to talk to. And I will take you back to the land with me.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRah9D1wiiP
How do you speak my language, strange little man, but your brother does not?125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY8mH2ar4s9
My magic. I am of the earth and of life. I know all the languages of forests, of birds and bees. It's my nature. Watch.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4BTt7Ulwha
With this, Cereo redirected the small amount of energy circulating between his fingers and the moss, pushing it carefully and slowly into one tiny strand, so as not to scare the fragile mouse. Taller and taller it became, until it poked from the top of the jar. Cautiously, the creature sniffed it and chewed it, knocking it over.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKv4r6K7wFE
My brother is of the light. This green orb is of his creation - that is his nature. My sister, I'm sure you hear her breathing in the corner, she is a fae of the dark. She flexes and fits into the shadows. Each of us eight comes from a different nature, which is why we are here together now. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡERwLVpx0zY
The mouse spent a few more seconds staring into Cereo's eyes. It blinked. And it blinked again. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVar0F2yLCa
Come, friend. Forgive my family for their misgivings. It can't have been pleasant when you were captured, but at least you were safe and cared for. Now you may do your own bidding once again, but I'd like very much if we could talk some more. You may stay under my protection for as long as you like, if that's what you desire.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsaQdhAO3nO
Okay, little human. Let's talk some more. I will trust you as one of the forest folk. But know that I am quick enough to escape you.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3Yfrogk05
There will be no need for escape, friend. You have my solemn promise. I will not disrespect you with lies. Nor should you fear me, little mouse, for as you say I am large but slow - and out here I'm without power.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB8FB6fjQBq
This seemed to settle it for the dormouse, as it placed its hands on his fingertips and climbed onto his palm. It felt as light as air, and Cereo brought it carefully out of the jar. Immediately, it ran from his hand and across his sheets. Hastily, he whispered loudly to it.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVgh2NHKlTe
Be careful, little mouse! We are suspended in the air. A fall from this height could hurt you.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSAGh8kO3xR
Immediately, the mouse changed course and made for the thick string tying the hammock up.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMVrZKapYV
I should warn you, too, friend, that I can't hear you unless we're connected. I touched the moss beneath your feet so I could understand you.
It perched on the string. Cereo could see now that it never wanted to escape, simply to get to a safe distance. Quickly, he plucked the extra-long strand of moss from the jar and extended it like a safety line to the mouse. Carefully and slowly, the mouse reached out and clasped his fingers around it.
Is this better, strange little man?125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDU3NV0WRv
Yes, friend, I hear you now.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsQpTKKY3n
What did you want to talk about?125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9qWVO0vL0M
Well, I- I'm not really sure. Maybe start by telling me your favourite food, so I can get you some in the morning!125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtbPPvuwlTN
I may not be here in the morning, young human.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8SQZfDfKt
Well, we're on a boat in the middle of the ocean, you know. That's why we're rocking back and forth. I'm afraid that, unless you're the world's best swimmer, you are stuck on this boat with me. Even if you will not be my friend, I won't let you die here. I would leave you your favourite food where you can find it, if I would know what it was.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn8w8BEEzZq
There was a long pause, and Buttercup the dormouse stared keenly into Cereo's soul.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbmuCZJyWX
Apples are my favourite - the red ones. And pumpkin seeds. And elderberries or blueberries, or blackberries.
Excellent! Then we shouldn't have any troubles with breakfast. Oh, I almost forgot. You must be thirsty. Can you keep your balance while I lean over to get the water?125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZFOZCM73kT
Can I keep my balance? Are you talking to a regular kitchen mouse? What nerve you humans have!125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzJag2C40uS
I'm sorry if I offended you, I was worried I'd hurt you is all. It can be very concerning being so big and having a friend so small. I couldn't forgive myself if I caused you pain with my clumsiness.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9JZNg9hUNx
Hmph. Just get the water, human, and I'll worry about myself. I also very much like sunflower seeds and corn. 125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLzKgNraPSX
Cereo grinned and let go of the moss strand. He leaned down quietly to get the water and the candle Faro had left him for a bowl. As he rose back up, he half expected the mouse to be on the floor or hanging on by a thread. Instead, it stood on the string expertly, even grasping the moss still in one hand. He tipped the water into the candle quickly, trying to spill as little as possible.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB3yrbqwYnp
Little mouse, you're amazing! You must come closer to get the water, though, and we should try not to spill it on my bed.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS7OcUGM77N
He sat cross-legged, waiting for the mouse to climb onto the blanket on his lap. Carefully, he placed the tiny makeshift bowl between two creases. The mouse took a few steps closer, and then stopped. Then he took a few steps even closer, and stopped. He did this until he was right up on Cereo's knee. Slowly, Cereo reached for the strand of moss still clasped in its fingers.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡISmEFCbRML
I don't fear you any longer, human, but you cannot ignore that it is my nature to be timid. It's not impossible for me to overcome, but it is difficult. It may take time.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyJOXnOMDmT
Alright, little mouse. But you can't be put back in that jar, and it's not safe for you to wander alone. Why don't you stay with me? I will keep you safe, and you can even stay in my warm bed. All I ask in exchange is a companion on this journey.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsReRMxNqb
Stay in your warm bed and be suffocated? Yes, that sounds perfect.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqB0r92Wxh0
You make a fair point, dear mouse. Perhaps if you stayed in the breast pocket of my tunic, it might be more comfortable and safe for you, as it will keep you from the prying eyes of others. I can't hardly crush you then unless I try.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQB3Om3YUm
Yes, unless you try.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnqR84Tkc9
There is a long pause.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAkzOv0ojfE
But I said I would trust you, human. You've shown yourself as a friend of all creatures. And I am still fast enough to escape, should the need arise. I will be your companion, but I'll find somewhere else to sleep for the moment, until I can be sure you won't crush me in the night.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEBU825WiNo
All right, friend. Just be safe. Perhaps I could keep that jar close so you could sleep on the moss bed and still be protected.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ATFrF93sk
A splendid idea, human! I will be lovely and warm and safe in there if you have me in your hammock with you - but please, don't seal me in.125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCv9Iudx71h
Of course not! I've no need of that. I'll keep the jar beneath the blanket and out of sight, but you'll be able to skitter away still, should you need to. Now, drink up. And goodnight, friend!125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorUpuy28Zy
125Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqRMVYfVU5d
![[on hiatus]](https://static2.penana.com/fit-in/40x40/images/users/large/20/79/20798490015bfcd72f82c3f0.77917309-39622.jpeg "[on hiatus]"){kind=small}
