A Mice Person [Nox]

[Mimble]

Mimble never thought himself somemouse who asked for too much. He wanted to live in a warm, dry, comfortable den, just like anything else. He preferred chestnuts over acorns, just like everyone else. He wished that hedgehogs could be a little more hoggy and a little less hedgy – but then again, that desire was of general consensus among hedgehogs as well! And, sure, he could be a little more forgiving in the mating game – but so could around half of the girls he’d been trying to woo. Mimble never asked for anything more than the Spirit of the Forest was willing to give – unless, of course, he was asking on behalf of the greater good, which – obviously – Mimble put over his own needs.

And why, oh why, was it so hard to ask to go through one day peacefully?

Mimble was a blur as he navigated the rolling fields, his tiny paws yanking him through the grass. A winged shadow slid over him, a hellish blanket, the wingspan at least a dozen Mimbles long, the length from beak to tail being perhaps fifteen Mimbles. Maybe longer! Mimble gasped; he thought his heart had been paralyzed, but those intense survival instincts that dominate a mouse’s brain pushed him on, pushed him on, like the motor of a boat.

A harsh, crumbly screech almost bled Mimble’s ears: “YOU’RE GONNA PAY, DO YOU HEAR ME, YOU SQUEAKY PIECE OF OWL PELLET? YOU’RE GONNA PAY!”

Oh, Forest Spirit above! Mimble cried to himself, part plea, part exasperation.

“I – huff – I…owe you…nothing, Gamork!” Mimble managed to call out at his hawkish offender. “I won the cheek pouching game fair and square!”

“Hah! You really think a tiny little thing like you could have beaten my squirrel without bribing a judge or two?”

“He’s not your squirrel! Besides – ugh - it’s wrong to gamble! If anyone else in the court knew…huff…they’d be very disappointed in you!”

“Bah!”

Mimble’s heart stuttered. He threw his head back. Gamork, his brown-red feathers flared, swooped down, his curled talons stretching for the little dormouse. Mimble’s body shook as he unleashed a scream. Just wanting to scare the mouse, Gamork slammed his talons beside the tremulous Mimble, and clacked his beak at him. His scream flying in pitch, Mimble staggered, caught himself before he could trip, and zipped off. Gamork’s piercing laugh urged him faster, and the bird of prey fluttered his wings as he watched the mouse practically fly, satisfaction glinting in his eye.

Mimble ran for what felt like eternity; he never checked the sky, didn’t bother looking behind him. He didn’t stop till he noticed a small hole in the ground, and not particularly caring if it was occupied, threw himself into it. Only then did he bother to lift his eyes up, to give his mind a moment to register the scents he was smelling. So far, only mole – fresh, it seemed, and rather pungent. Mimble put his paws over his nose, and waited. It…seemed clear. He staggered outside. His body felt hot, and his paws may as well have been stones. He thought he should be glad that Gamork had ceased his chase, yet he still couldn’t help but wish that his paws would feel a little livelier.

Suddenly, a hot, wet breath thumped into his back.

“Eep.” Mimble stiffened; his stomach dropped to his toes. He cringed, and slowly, he turned around to look over his shoulder.

Oh, my. How did I miss that?

[♔ Nocturne]

Like an unsung melody
The truth is waiting there for you to find it

The dark furred fox padded through the tall grasses. Most of the blades reached higher into the air than he did, yet crumbled under his weight as pressed onward, every step carrying him closer to an uncertain destination.

He wasn’t even sure why he was here. He had been traveling the forests for some time and had begun traveling away from the light court territory. He was apparently a king now and he had to embrace his new title and establish his territory in the west. Yet here he was, exploring the eastern reaches of the land.

His attention was captured by a large shadowy wingspan overhead. “You have to be kidding me… I have things to do, no time to be eaten right now by some raptor.” He scoffed before ducking down, letting the wind sweep the tall blades of grass over him in hopes of remaining hidden.

The bird shouted something, It was too muffled for Nocturne to understand the words that were spoken, but his tone of voice was enough to make the fox weary. To his advantage, however, the bird did not seem interested in him at all and was after something, or someone else.

Nox slowly lifted his head and watched as the winged silhouette gilded overhead, then swooping down several meters away. The action resulted in a scream from whatever poor creature was being terrorized. He had expected to see the bird take back off to the sky carrying something away in his talons, but it seemed the birds aim had been off. He swore he saw something scurry through the grass too, but it was a blur and was gone in a flash.

Two lavender eyes scanned the sky, but there was no sign of the winged beast. Nox huffed before heading in the direction he thought he saw something. Within minutes he had spotted tiny tracks, which must have belonged to some kind of rodent. Curiously, he began to follow the tracks.

I think - I listen - I speak