I wasn’t expecting to be travelling with a companion today. When I left my shelter to search for food, I was really hoping to be left alone. But of course, someone had to come and run into me, because we can’t have nice things here.
I was foraging around the woods, picking up berries and mushrooms, hunting the occasional squirrel rat or two, when I heard a commotion. Footsteps and yelling, maybe about twenty yards from where I was, coming closer. I immediately recognised the voices of several royal guards. I didn’t know if they were coming for me or not, but I wasn’t willing to risk being caught now, not when I had just managed to go low profile after years on the run. I dove into a nearby ditch, hiding in the foliage and holding my breath, waiting for the group to pass. Then something landed on top of me. Or rather, someone.
As the person landed on my back, I let out a rather undignified grunt. I whipped around to see who had just accosted me. I had to hold my hand over my mouth to stop a laugh. My mystery attacker was someone that looked to be a child. They had unkempt red and black hair that sat over their eyes, and they looked up at me with what I can only describe as an expression of pure, bewildered frustration. Clearly, they weren’t expecting to run into anyone either, and they did not look happy about it. They scoffed at me, and this time I couldn’t hold back my laugh. They hurried to press a tiny hand to my lips to silence me. I decided I had finished mocking the tiny child that had landed on me and went quiet as we waited for the guards to pass us.
As soon as we were sure that the rabble had passed by and gone for good, we both clambered out from our suddenly cramped hiding spot. As I stood on the forest floor and stretched my back, I turned to my unexpected companion, who was struggling to climb out from the ditch.
“So what did you do.”
They looked up at me, puzzled, before slipping back down to the bottom of the ditch. After watching them sit dejectedly for a minute or two, I decided to be helpful and lift them out. As I hooked my hands under their armpits to pick them up, they let out an indignant squeak and tried to push me off.
“Look, I’m trying to help you. Just sit still and let me lift you.”
“I don’t need your help.”
I blinked at the quiet voice, standing up straight and looking down at them.
“You sure? You seemed to be struggling there short stack.”
“Do not mock me.”
And with that, the tiny assailant stood. I watched in amazement as a pair of small, golden wings unfurled from their back. They lifted off the ground and flew up to land next to me.
“I told you I didn’t need your help.”
Still too stunned to speak, I just nodded at them. I’m sure my jaw was on the floor by this point. They scoffed at me and folded back their wings, then began walking away. After another moment of stupefied spacing out, I shook myself back awake and ran after the stranger.
“Hey hey wait! Where do you think you’re going? You just show up out of nowhere, bring the fuzz with you then jump on my head and now what? You’re just gonna disappear?”
They didn’t even turn to face me as they replied.
“Yes. I’m busy. Leave me alone.”
“Not even a sorry?”
“Why should I.”
“Uh - Because you fucking jumped on me?”
At that, they turned to face me once more, their face betraying the annoyance they felt.
“I’m sorry I hurt you when I landed on your thick skull. There. Now leave me be. I’m busy.”
“Busy doing what?”
“None of your business”
And they turned away and began walking once more. Ever the stubborn mule, I followed in silence. They looked to me but didn’t say anything. I took the time to get a proper look at them. Now that we were both standing side by side, I could see just how small they really were compared to me. The top of their head barely came up to my navel. From the top of their head, two long, black antennae stood, swaying gently with each step. Barely visible through the mess of hair, I spotted two pointed ears, drooping ever so slightly. From my vantage point way above them, I could easily see their wings where they were folded against their back. With how close I was, I could see how the transparent, gauzy limbs caught each little speck of light that fought its way through the thick canopy, casting a golden glow on the forest floor behind them.
At some point during my observations, they seemed to notice that I was looking at them, and they stopped in their tracks, turning to face me once more.
“What are you doing.”
“Huh?”
“I asked what you were doing, you deaf moron.”
“Oh uh. I was just um... Looking at you”
“Why.”
I stood for a second, mouth opening and shutting as I tried to think of a response, but nothing came to mind. The person scoffed and continued walking.
“Shut your mouth. You look like a fish.”
I’m not sure why, but I felt compelled to do as I was told.
