Feer

Autumn - Dusk

With a little jump, she climbs atop the hardwood table. The cloth of the stand flutters in the fresh wind. She looks under, over, around the stand, yet nothing is here, nobody looks over it.
Her ears perk up as someone approaches. 

The old man bears many small toys and wood carved decorations in a great big box. He moves with haste. As he approaches, he spots the fox laying on the table. She jumps down and sits near it as the man closes in. He lets the box down on the table and looks at the fox.

"You were interested in these too?", he asks, out of breath, but happy to have made it in time.
The fox nods as to say no, yet she looks at the figurines with dreamy eyes. 

Kids take no time to come in and look at his figurines and toys. Parents aren't as keen, yet some handmade plates and cups, bracelets and a particularly red ring made of maple convince them to join them too. The man starts to unpack and show the kids all the cute wooden animals.

With small steps the fox slips away from the crowd and moves towards the true village center. Open stone tiles greet her paws, a couple young lads string together light bulbs and tie them between the houses. A group of young gals sit down in a corner braiding each other's hair with great care as one of them makes flower crowns. A small girl sits in another corner looking at them with even greater curiosity.

The fox makes her way towards the small girl with slow steps, yet she is almost in a trance. After getting close enough, the fox sits down, tilts her head in curiosity. As the young gals finish up, the girl now notices the staring fox and gets scared for a second.

"Be not afraid", she whispers softly at the girl that slowly gains her composure back.
"You are so fluffy!", the girl responds in excitement.
"What are you? Where are you from? Can I pet you? Please...please...please!", she continues excited, asking more than the poor fox can respond to.
"You may, gently", the fox responds calmly.

The girl does not hesitate for a second and starts petting the whole back of the fox with long, smooth motions. She remains giggly as she continues to stroke the cheeks of the fox that is as tall as her. After a couple minutes, the girl stops. With small movements she takes a crude flower crown she made from a nearby chair and puts it on the fox's head.

"I made it, I want you to have it... please!", she whispers to the fox.
"Thank you, kit", the fox whispers back, unable to refuse.

With quick steps the girl runs off after the young gals, leaving the fox alone in the square. She doesn't waste any moments and continues in search of a place to lay down for the night.

She finds a flat spot off the ground on some corrugated metal. Curling up, she now has a great view of the square. And in time to see the dance.

Music slowly can be heard as the band of young lads that tied the lights comes back with instruments. The square gathers people from all sides as they come for the last celebration.

The lads are wearing white shirts with simple embroiled patterns alongside cuffed pants and black boots, their dark beards and mustaches get lost in the night. The lasses come wearing embroiled skirts and blouses, each with a different flower crown over their long hair that glistens in the night. As the music starts proper, they get into pairs and start dancing with the other. Whilst the young ones dance with fiery passion in the center, the older couples enjoy the intimate moment on the flanks. The musicians sing with great joy as the villagers continue dancing. 

As the night takes over, the fox watches entranced until she drifts asleep. Neither the loud music or the shaking ground can wake her up now.