The Willowbed

Things Are Looking Better

I still didn't grasp the full situation. I had no clue where I was, or how I even got here, but I guess I couldn't do anything about it anymore. Everything happened so fast.. I was left, stranded in the forest, and a little bit later, I'm in some other world? 

"Would you mind telling me a little about what happened, if you're comfortable?" Akuno softly spoke, looking at me with docile and welcoming eyes. "..." I staid quiet. I didn't necessarily think she was evil, but I didn't trust her, either. "Sorry, if you don't trust me yet. I mean no harm, I promise. I'm here to help you but I understand if you don't want to really talk to me about that kind of stuff. I was just curious.." Akuno reassured me. Hmph, maybe she really does have pure intentions, but I'd rather wait to say anything else. I thought, staring at the floor as we continued down the other side of the hill.

"Welcome, Palette, to my humble abode!" Akuno cheerfully grinned as she pointed to camp-looking home, overgrown with plants as a collection of tents and a mossy hut lay in the center of a grassy plain, covered with colorful wildflowers to pair. Palette hopped down to the front of the overgrown residence. "There are a few others here, but one is out doing some work. She'll return by dusk." Akuno exclaimed as she advanced into the hut. I bent down and walked inside as well.

A scruffy, scrawny husky-dog perked his ears up in alarm. "Hi.." I said with ginger as I nervously eyed the other dog. He had a fluffy-white pelt with pearly lavender eyes and weird grey scars running throughout his muzzle. "This is Neph. He's mute, and cannot make any sound. He's a bit irritable toward new people, but I'm sure you'd make good friends with him!" Akuno smiled, petting Neph as they both looked back at me. "Okay.." I nodded, before I noticed a small creature lunging from the corner and into view, initially inconspicuous in the shadows. They appeared to be a fawn-goat kind of animal, with dandelion-colored accents on their fur. The small animal had wings tucked by their sides, and a small, stubby tail. "Who's that?" I asked, starting to tremble. "Her name is Heidi. She's.. well, I'm not sure what species she is, but I'm guessing she's a hybrid of some sort, or she is disfigured. But, either way, she's very sweet. I'm sure you'd get along with her, too!" Akuno smiled, walking over to pick up Heidi and bring her over to Neph and I. 

"Let's get you patched up now." Akuno rasped as she made her way to a wooden cabinet and opened it up, grabbing some hand-woven clothes, natural ailments, among other things. She put them on the floor beside me and went outside to grab a wooden bowl of aquifer water.