Felis
***
Background story by Crescent Star - winter festival contest:
One early morning, an adventurous Souris with a compass and courage decided to explore the Amazonia forest. Stepping into the shelter of the forest was like stepping into another world. Everything was dark at first, as if the light could not penetrate the canopy of leaves, and the bright loud world was suddenly hushed in this cooler place. Slowly his eyes began to adjust to the lower light level and he noticed that he could still hear birdsong and insects thriving, it was all just so much more localized and therefore quieter. He consulted his compass, and began moving deeper into the forest. The trees towered above him like giants, and shadows flitted around him, some were obvious, birds flying between branches, others were softer, calculated, aware. He could feel eyes on him but he kept moving forward.
He was so focused on showing no fear that he didn't see the tree root that had raised above ground level just in front of him. His foot caught, he pitched forward, his momentum forcing him into a downward spiral, he tucked his head down and shifted his shoulder to hit the ground in a roll, and rolled down a small ledge of eroded soil, which was exposing the rest of the trees roots that he had tripped on. He came to a stop a few feet away, scaring something out of the underbrush. The creatures scattered and raced up nearby tree trunks, all but one. One had fled directly into a tangle of vines and was even more panicked, racing around hissing and spitting and leaping in a futile attempt to get untangled.
The adventurer sat shocked for a moment, watching this little feline creature. The creature did another round of frantic maneuvers, only succeeding in getting more tangled before it finally stopped fighting, and began mournfully yowling to it's kin for help. The Souris felt those eyes more intensely as he slowly stood. "Hey," he called softly to the trapped critter, "hey there, hi little one, I'm not going to hurt you. Stay calm, I'm going to help you, okay?" He spoke softly, in gentle tones as he slowly made his way to the partially suspended creature. "Now don't you worry," he said as he began to unwind the vines and untangle the frightened creature. "I've gotten my antlers tangled several times, you know. Sometimes we just can't help but get caught in things." He continued in his gentle tone, keeping the creature in a state of exhausted calm as he worked the vines. Soon enough, it was free. It flattened itself along the ground, and slowly, eyes on the Souris the whole time, who remained still, it slunk around him and bolted off into the underbrush.
The Souris let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding and smiled. Consulting his compass he again moved forward, deeper into the forest. He explored for a few hours before deciding to turn back. He still felt those eyes on him but he wasn't concerned anymore. As he neared the treeline, and could see the brighter world on the other side, a shadow fell across his path. He looked up and immediately fell to his knees in reverence, bowing his head to the Forest Spirit floating above him. "Forgive me, Spirit, I meant no harm here." He squeaked. The Forest Spirit laughed, it was a sound like the twittering of birds mixed with a babbling brook, and it lightened the mood of the entire area. "I can see into the hearts of those who enter my domain, and you have nothing to fear from me. I watched you help my little Felis. They are my small hunters, and companions. They have been whispering to me that they would like to come home with you, as they, too, like to explore." The Forest Spirit stated.
His fear melted away and he stood and bowed to the forest spirit. "If the Felis would like to join me, it would be my honor to travel with them for as long as they see fit." He replied. The Forest Spirit winked, and whispered; "Good answer." and disappeared into the shadows. Dozens upon dozens of small feline faces began to emerge from the darkness and crowd around our adventurer. "So, you are all Felis, huh? I supposed that name means Favored by the Spirits huh? Well, we can all go to my home tonight, and tomorrow we will set off for new lands and new experiences. Sound good?" He asked. He was met with pleasant sounding mews. "Okay then, follow me." He said, leading the way out.
Over the next few years our Souris with his herd of Felis would travel the world. Always losing a few Felis here or there, as they found places they wanted to stay in. Like a warm lap or caravan full of hanging bottles to bat at. That is how we came to have the companions of the Forest Spirit as our own companions.
Pet by Weretigress.
One early morning, an adventurous Souris with a compass and courage decided to explore the Amazonia forest. Stepping into the shelter of the forest was like stepping into another world. Everything was dark at first, as if the light could not penetrate the canopy of leaves, and the bright loud world was suddenly hushed in this cooler place. Slowly his eyes began to adjust to the lower light level and he noticed that he could still hear birdsong and insects thriving, it was all just so much more localized and therefore quieter. He consulted his compass, and began moving deeper into the forest. The trees towered above him like giants, and shadows flitted around him, some were obvious, birds flying between branches, others were softer, calculated, aware. He could feel eyes on him but he kept moving forward.
He was so focused on showing no fear that he didn't see the tree root that had raised above ground level just in front of him. His foot caught, he pitched forward, his momentum forcing him into a downward spiral, he tucked his head down and shifted his shoulder to hit the ground in a roll, and rolled down a small ledge of eroded soil, which was exposing the rest of the trees roots that he had tripped on. He came to a stop a few feet away, scaring something out of the underbrush. The creatures scattered and raced up nearby tree trunks, all but one. One had fled directly into a tangle of vines and was even more panicked, racing around hissing and spitting and leaping in a futile attempt to get untangled.
The adventurer sat shocked for a moment, watching this little feline creature. The creature did another round of frantic maneuvers, only succeeding in getting more tangled before it finally stopped fighting, and began mournfully yowling to it's kin for help. The Souris felt those eyes more intensely as he slowly stood. "Hey," he called softly to the trapped critter, "hey there, hi little one, I'm not going to hurt you. Stay calm, I'm going to help you, okay?" He spoke softly, in gentle tones as he slowly made his way to the partially suspended creature. "Now don't you worry," he said as he began to unwind the vines and untangle the frightened creature. "I've gotten my antlers tangled several times, you know. Sometimes we just can't help but get caught in things." He continued in his gentle tone, keeping the creature in a state of exhausted calm as he worked the vines. Soon enough, it was free. It flattened itself along the ground, and slowly, eyes on the Souris the whole time, who remained still, it slunk around him and bolted off into the underbrush.
The Souris let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding and smiled. Consulting his compass he again moved forward, deeper into the forest. He explored for a few hours before deciding to turn back. He still felt those eyes on him but he wasn't concerned anymore. As he neared the treeline, and could see the brighter world on the other side, a shadow fell across his path. He looked up and immediately fell to his knees in reverence, bowing his head to the Forest Spirit floating above him. "Forgive me, Spirit, I meant no harm here." He squeaked. The Forest Spirit laughed, it was a sound like the twittering of birds mixed with a babbling brook, and it lightened the mood of the entire area. "I can see into the hearts of those who enter my domain, and you have nothing to fear from me. I watched you help my little Felis. They are my small hunters, and companions. They have been whispering to me that they would like to come home with you, as they, too, like to explore." The Forest Spirit stated.
His fear melted away and he stood and bowed to the forest spirit. "If the Felis would like to join me, it would be my honor to travel with them for as long as they see fit." He replied. The Forest Spirit winked, and whispered; "Good answer." and disappeared into the shadows. Dozens upon dozens of small feline faces began to emerge from the darkness and crowd around our adventurer. "So, you are all Felis, huh? I supposed that name means Favored by the Spirits huh? Well, we can all go to my home tonight, and tomorrow we will set off for new lands and new experiences. Sound good?" He asked. He was met with pleasant sounding mews. "Okay then, follow me." He said, leading the way out.
Over the next few years our Souris with his herd of Felis would travel the world. Always losing a few Felis here or there, as they found places they wanted to stay in. Like a warm lap or caravan full of hanging bottles to bat at. That is how we came to have the companions of the Forest Spirit as our own companions.
Pet by Weretigress.