A man is hidden in a peculiar forest untouched by humans, where the animals and plant-life thrive. He keeps a watchful eye to make sure the peace isn't disturbed when one day, a young woman is found venturing his world. He is unsure what to make of...
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"Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to me." My voice though soft was carried on by the soft winds as I ducked under branches in my path, hauling my first catch from my newly made traps, a decent-sized raccoon. I felt incredibly sad after killing it but a woman's gotta eat, and I promised Owen I would stay as long as possible. Fishing has been slim these past few days, but luckily, something stumbled across my traps. As for the tune, I didn't sing it with any cheer. A birthday was always a passing day for me. Still, it would be nice to have a cake or something. I'm really starting to miss sweets.
Once I'm back at the cave, I try my hand at skinning the creature to the best of my ability, still humming to get me through it without focusing too much on the blood or guts as I prepared to cook it. Maybe I can make some soup with the bones? Do raccoons even taste good? Well, I guess I'll find out. Softly, I sigh when a soft whistle reaches my ears from outside, causing me to smile and perk my head up.
'He's playing his flute again. I wonder how long he's been watching me this time?' Unexpectedly, the song shifted to match the one I was singing earlier. I couldn't help chuckling and shaking my head. Guess that answers my question. After a few minutes, Owen drops down from the branches, his mask strapped to the top of his head to keep it out of his face, and greeted me with a smile as he entered the cave. Smiling back, I get up from the dirt.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, your majesty?" I ask exaggeratedly with a bow, holding back my giggles as he tilts his head greatly with an amused grin.
"Is today really your birthday?" He questions as he turns his neck upright. Dusting off, I stand straight as well.
"Yep. As of today, I'm officially twenty years of age. Now, if only someone could convey to my mother that I'm not nine." Huffing, I planted my hands on my hips before ruffling my hair only to realize my hands were still bloody. "Shit." Cringing, I pull my hand away and sigh. "It's bath time, I guess, but I have to finish cooking before that." Sitting back down, I return to my dinner, trying to figure out what I could toss into this soup mixture. Some mushrooms, of course. I managed to find a patch of green onions that I harvested some time ago also. That'll be perfect! Picking up my chopping block and knife, I get to it with the Owl King hovering over my shoulder, observing.
"You're working very hard."
"I've kept busy all day." Suddenly, he sat down beside me with his knees to his chest and his hands placed atop them.
"How come you haven't told me it was your birthday?"
"To be honest with you, I didn't even think you knew what that was."
