TWWM: Autumn Event (Introduction)

And so it begins. 

Since Kai was transformed long ago, many moons have come and gone, leaving behind hot summers, breezy springs, blustery winters, and beautiful autumns. Through all of the changing seasons, Kai keeps to himself. But today, he is joined by two others, called by the same feeling of freedom and passion to one specific spot. This is the dark and dilapidated staircase of branches, leading up to an old falling apart gazebo on the old hill. They've all been there before, and they've all had many memories from this one spot. Yet they have never encountered one another before, and so for the the three creatures, this is an unexpected encounter. When Kai makes his way to the gazebo, he doesn't realize the other two creatures at first. Like him, they are esk, ghosts, and memories of a past life. Kai is a massive creature, and he towers over the two smaller esk, his size only enhanced by the large tree on his back. As for the other two, these are Moki and Button. Moki is an irritable creature, small and squat, with red poison ivy crawling along his back. The final esk, Button, is fidgety and joyful, with a bundle of mushrooms at his neck. The three have never crossed paths and they do not speak. They sit in silence for an agonizingly long time. Gradually, rain begins to pour down, slow at first, but becoming heavy and fast. "What brings you here?" Kai asks. It is within the limits of his own boundary, and though he is not easily upset Kai feels slightly jealous that others know of what he considers to be his own personal property, especially with his arrival being due to what he sees as an important call, certainly something magical and personal. "I felt like I needed to be here, and so I came," says Moki gruffly, not wanting to engage with the others. He too thought that this spot belonged to him, and had not been discovered by any but himself. Button chimes in "My feet brought me here. I often follow my feet. They like to take me places." The others fall silent again, at the end of the smallest one's odd words. Kai watches, and observes his surroundings, as he often does, yet he notices many things he often does not. To one side of him, there is a delicate spider's web, intricately and beautifully woven. Now it is wet, beaded with droplets of water which somehow make it even more beautiful to Kai. Kai notes with some level of curiosity that he doesn't feel the usual twinge of mischief that he usually feels. He always has a small desire to commit an act of trickery, yet as the autumn winds blow through him and the droplets of rain land on his fur, his entire mind and body are devoid of any sort of malicious feeling. He feels empty, and yet completely full and content, as he so often does not. He notes as the plump acorns fall from the nearby trees, seeds for new saplings, which will take many years to grow and become strong. Kai thinks about how he will be there to witness their growth, and see how they change and grow, year through year. He thinks about how they will grow new trees as well. Kai even thinks about when he was first transformed, many dark nights and days all muddled together. The feeling of being lost and having no purpose. The horrible feeling of memories being missing where they should be. His thoughts are broken when suddenly, Button lets out a gasp "Look! They're here!" Kai and Moki are confused, they were not aware that any more visitors would be arriving. Yet when they look, they see not another esk, but beautiful lights, shimmering and dancing, almost seeming to laugh in the rain. Some autumn leaves fall around them, and they glimmer even brighter than before. Button laughs, reaching out to try and pet them. The lights seem to chuckle as well, yet they escape his paws and swirl away. On any other day, Moki may have scoffed at them, calling them tawdry, or attention seeking. But today, like Kai, he is only filled with feelings of contemplation, and magic. He looks at the sight before him with awe, admiring the light's bright colors providing brightness in the dark day. Suddenly, the lights seem to form a trail forwards. To anyone else, there is no clear indication that it is a trail, yet the three esk know deep within themselves that it is an invitation to follow them down a winding path further into the untamed forest. They all rise, coming to a silent agreement and warily, they travel along behind the lights into the autumn night.