Browtober

DAY 1 - Ink -> CONTENT WARNING: Includes mention of drowning.
(MYO-Painted-Satyr-121)

I ran my fingers over the parchment; the grain softly tickled my fingers. My well of abyssal ink sat nearby as I bit my lip in thought. I had no idea what to write next or how to finish off this story, but I knew I wanted some kind of ending that would really make a statement. Everything else out there was too… sappy; too exciting. I wanted something dreary… something that would make my audience feel almost as trapped as I was.
Hmm. I could feel my tail curling as I scratched at that incessant itch by the base of my broken horn. I could've been doing anything else, but instead, I was stopped by choice paralysis…
Wait, that was it! I'd thought of the perfect end for my main character, but a clumsily rushed movement of my hand knocked over my inkwell.
I sighed at what I thought was simple misfortune and a few minutes worth of cleaning, but what I'd initially thought to be a few helping splatters of ink turned into a strange flow. The ink, flowing out of the well, seemed to pool onto the floor as if a small leak had sprung. I watched with curiosity as the liquid escaped with faster velocity with each passing second, quickly realizing it wouldn't stop.
By the time I could stand from my desk, the ink submerged my hooves from view. I could hear the rumble then; the well erupting like a broken pipe as it spewed a black mass all over my office.
The level rose up and up, contained in my room until everything appeared to be lost below the surface. The walls groaned and gave way to a void while a current pulled me to nowhere, leaving me struggling to tread the sudden sea.

Just like that, I was gone.
It almost seemed like couldn't see. Couldn't feel.
What remained of my soul formed on the parchment I had scanned before; my bleak face drawn into the material by what I thought was my hand. All that was left of me sobbed. I only knew I was crying when my tears trickled down my face, darkened by the ink that took over my corporeal form.

END. 361 Words

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DAY 2 - Pumpkins
(MYO-Painted-Satyr-121, MYO-Browbird-354, Browbird-618)

Normally, I wouldn't ever believe that my friend, Boingo, was right about something as seemingly spectacular as a giant pumpkin, but today wasn't one of those days.
Vatos and I were led on what we thought was a wild goose chase in search of a record-breaking gourd, but believe me, if Boingo wants something, he was going to push us on it. I was amazed at how well Vatos was taking our… predicament of getting lost, but I realized a little too late that he was in on things.
He explained that it was "just some silly thing" - spending time with me was one thing, but dragging me through some strange forest wasn't the right place for it at all. I was in the middle of explaining why I, a painted satyr, did not naturally feel a need to connect with the forest and foliage around me when Boingo began to screech about a path lined with pumpkins of varying sizes. While I found it strange, both of my ignorant friends ran off in hopes that it might lead them to some mystical gourd.
Boy, did they prove me wrong.
It was the biggest pumpkin - no, single living agricultural feat I think I'd ever seen.
The thing was neatly the size of a small home as it rest on its side, supported by a thick, cable-like vine. Smaller pumpkins sat in a circle, surrounding the giant thing.
I let out a small shriek when Vatos scared me with his sudden grab of my shoulder, but I think it was safe to say that I was more impressed that Boingo heard about some rumors that were actually correct.

END. 277 Words

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DAY 3 - Fall Carnival
(MYO-Painted-Satyr-121, MYO-Browbird-354, Browbird-618, MYO-Browbird-363)

As the summer swelter loosened its grasp on our realm, flyers for a little pop-up festival began their rotation. Glancing over all the information, it grew apparent that there would be games - with prizes, rides, live performances, and all kinds of food. It was perfect, and there was something in it for all of us.
I thought about it the whole way home… and considering all things, I thought that it would be fun to see Boingo in his element. I really hoped there would be a ferris wheel, or some sort of corn maze, and maybe I could invite Naos along too…

As day turned to night and back, I got everyone on board to go - even Naos seemed interested to meet up with us after a short phone call. I might’ve made an attempt to hide my excitement, but Vatos saw right through me.
When we got to the little entrance stall, the four of us could hear the music drifting from within the fairgrounds. A tall ferris wheel poked out from the treeline, blinking from purple, to orange, and then yellow. Beyond that, food stalls spanned the length of a tennis court or more, and the scent of cinnamon drifted through the air.
Vatos sent Boingo and Naos off so that the two of them could either set up or go off to participate in what the carnival had to offer. Instead of doing more of the same, Vatoc laced his clawed fingers with mine and mentioned something about getting an apple dumpling before going on the ferris wheel, but I think I was more focused on the idea that the two of us would be able to spend some time one-on-one.

END. 285 Words

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DAY 4 - Warmth
(MYO-Painted-Satyr-121, MYO-Browbird-354, Browbird-618, MYO-Browbird-363)

I used to think that there was nothing better than staying inside to write or do some research, but for once, I like being proven wrong. I guess there’s something special about “hot fruit juice” with a little bit of cinnamon, spice, and everything nice. With hot apple cider comes a little bit of enjoyment - it’s a fall favorite for a reason, and I can definitely see why.
Of course, I think things get a little bit better when there’s someone to share it with - shocker, I know. While I love Boingo, I think he’s a little too “high-energy” to really be able to enjoy what I have in mind, and Naos would bring enough pessimism to the table that I don’t think I’m willing to handle… but Vatos…
I really don’t know where to place my feelings about him. One day, this big bird shows up out of nowhere, yet now we share the same living space? Hah, I’d be lying to myself if I said that he makes me feel as warm as this cider… right?
When his footsteps drew closer, I tried to shake myself out of my own head - I wasn’t ready to be thinking about anything like that. Vatos rounded the corner with his new hand-knit sweater on; it was a little big and formless, but we’d both agreed to be more supportive of Boingo’s new hobbies. He flopped down beside me with a mug of his own cider and gave me a wide smile before he playfully blew the steam in my face.
Maybe I was lying to myself.

END. 265 Words