“Hmph!” Katt let out a sharp hum of satisfaction as she leapt off a large, fallen tree trunk. Glancing back, Poe came into view.
“Come on!” she shouted, turning around to wait for the white, cat-like creature to catch up.
Poe took his time, moseying towards her at a leisurely pace so slow, Katt thought he might have been doing it on purpose. She crossed her arms and glared, shifting her weight to one leg.
After a minute of walking, Poe leapt onto the fallen trunk and sat down, cocking his head innocently at the girl's stern expression. All was silent for a few seconds, save for the chirping birds and other morning noises the forest made, but finally Katt let out a small sigh and bent down to pet the peculiar critter.
“You little butt.” She smiled, stroking the animal’s coarse and icy fur.
Poe emitted his strange chattering noise, which could be translated to the common house cat's purr, then rubbed his head against her hand. It had been a couple of months since Katt and Poe had found each other and in time an incredibly strong bond was created between the two.
Although she wasn’t quite sure what the creature was or where it came from, Katt accepted Poe and loved him unconditionally for what he was, and he reciprocated her feelings. They spent most of their time together, nurturing and building a deep, perpetual connection. During their freetime, the duo enjoyed bumbling about in the forest surrounding their house.
The forest itself was large, running for miles and miles on end. Cozy cottages and humble abodes were sprinkled throughout it, all containing people who were self sufficient with simple lifestyles much like the one Katt had. Most of them were older however, being the younger folk tended to migrate into the small yet bustling town nearby.
Inside the forest tall, dark trees towered above the ground, somewhat densely packed in certain areas. Beams of soft, yellow light shone through a thick canopy, hitting the ground and making shadows stray from the earth. The trunks of the trees were large and mighty, providing safe homes in which the creatures of the forest could thrive.
In Katt's opinion, no town could ever compare to the forest, not even a little. The forest was interesting with all its noises and sights to see, its inhabitants and its hidden magic.
“I don't get it, Poe. Why doesn't anyone else like the forest?” Katt looked around, taking in the beauty surrounding her. She was completing engulfed in the morning air and soaked up every drop of the warm, yellow sunlight that beat down on them.
She closed her eyes and inhaled the cold, crisp air of the forest, “I mean, this is the life!”
Poe let out a chatter of agreement.
“People think the forest is just a bunch of trees, but it's so much more than that.” Katt turned away, “Why can't they understand?”
“Understand what, child?” A strange, melodic voice chirped from behind. Katt spun around to see a small pixie sitting on the fallen trunk beside Poe. Her legs were crossed and her hands were folded politely in her lap as she observed Katt.
Katt stood there, gaping at the beautiful little pixie infront of her. The creature’s ashy blonde hair cascaded down her back in one or two long waves and her pointy, elvish ears poked out. She donned a dingy, green rag that had been cut into the shape of a dress. One might add that it was a dress that fit the pixie nicely and clung to her slim, dainty figure.
Her carriage and attire seemed to suggest that she was of a higher class in what Katt had assumed was something like a ‘pixie society.’ She had seen creatures like this before, though they wore leaves and other natural works of the forest. Furthermore, none were as beautiful or as elegant looking as this one. In fact, the things Katt saw were quite ugly, and only bore certain similarities to the lovely entity sitting before her.
“People don't understand how amazing the forest really is.” Katt replied to the creature without giving it much thought. “They prefer to live in loud and obnoxious cities filled with toxic fumes, murderers and overpriced fruit.”
Katt began to subconsciously pace as she often did, continuing on with her complaint.
“They don't know how serene and quiet the forest is compared to the cities they love so much. They don't know of the harmony and pureness of the forest, only of the sins and wickedness that take place in their cities. Maybe if they knew-”
“The forest isn't always harmonious.” the pixie interrupted, watching Katt thoughtfully through dull, brown eyes.
Katt stopped in her tracks, suddenly aware of the cold draft making its way through the forest. She shivered and watched as the pixie’s hair blew delicately in the breeze. The pixie herself seemed inherently unfazed by the chilly air, despite baring only a rag.
Suddenly, the pocket sized eflin creature shot up to stand on her tiny ballerina feet, her wings making one large batting motion. Poe spooked, having not been ready for the unexpected action, and fell off the trunk.
The pixie bobbed a curtsey and tucked a loose strand of flowing hair behind her ear. “I am Melia, princess of the pixies. It's a pleasure to meet you.”
Katt watched in astonishment, eyes wide and mouth gaping. “I, um,” the girl clamped her mouth shut and scratched the back of her head, “I'm Katt, and the pleasure is all mine.” The pixie only sat, studying her. Katt dipped down into a half-bow and flashed a nervous smile, “Hehe…”
The being that stood at what couldn't be more than four inches tall let a few moments pass by before finally releasing a short, miffed sigh. She plopped back down on the trunk, “As soon as someone finds out I'm a princess, they all do the same exact thing.”
“Oh, I'm sorry.” Katt murmured apologetically.
“No no, it's fine.” Melia replied. “It's not your fault.”
Katt gave a small nod and looked down, pretending to take interest in a decaying leaf on the ground. There were a few seconds of awkward silence and during this time Katt searched her mind for something to say. Anything to stop the growing uncomfort in the atmosphere. She immediately remembered what the pixie had originally said and her head shot up, quick to change the subject.
“What did you mean when you said the forest isn't always harmonious?” Katt queried.
“Um.” the pixie stalled, looking up towards the sky as if it would give her the answer. The part of the forest surrounding them was spread out, with trees growing farther apart than usual. The canopy that hung over most of the forest was almost nonexistent there, allowing for a clear view of the yellowish morning sky above. And frankly, it was a view Melia quite liked.
“To put it simply, we aren't the only ones inhabiting the forest.” the pixie said, her eyes shooting back down from the sky to lock with Katt's.
Katt nodded slowly, “Ok?”
“There are others,” the pixie went on, “trolls, fairies, dwarves, goblins, imps, ogres-”
“Unicorns?” Katt interjected, eyes sparkling.
Melia stopped, “Yes, Katt. Even unicorns.”
Katt froze, the sparkles in her eyes fading quickly, “Wait, how do you know my name?”
“You visit the forest often, and I've seen you and your familiar roaming through the forest on more than one occasion. Usually a loud voice summons you back home.”
“Ah, ok.” Katt said, a feeling of relief coming over her after the pixie provided an explanation.
“So does that mean there's conflict going on in the forest?” Katt added. Sadness was visible in her soft, amber eyes and the pixie saw this. They had said that eyes were the window to the soul, and it was clear to Melia that this girl didn't put up curtains.
“Mhm.” the pixie affirmed. “Particularly between the fairies, the imps and us pixies.”
Katt observed Melia, taking in her and all her beauty, ”I didn't know there was a difference.”
“Yes, just because we are all small and bare wings does not make us the same thing.”
“I didn't know-”
The pixie cut Katt off, “Fairies are magical beings whose job it is to protect the forest, they wield magical abilities and are very noble. Imps are mischievous and enjoy purposely misleading people and messing with them, they wield no powers and have a less than attractive appearance. And finally, us pixies remain in the middle, also wielding no special powers. We enjoy making use of things found in human's houses. We often play tricks on humans we dislike and do favors for the ones we do like.”
“So you're thieves?” Katt pressed.
“We prefer the term borrowers,” The pixie retorted, “and only from the people we dislike.”
“So then, what's the problem?” Katt continued to press on.
“The imps.” Melia answered shortly.
“They usually lurk in the city so they can play their pranks on people, but the humans were getting onto them and brought in some type of hunter so they had to evacuate.”
“Well can't they go back when the hunter leaves?” Katt suggested. “I mean, what's so bad about having them here?”
“Since they have no one to play jokes on, they have began wreaking havoc on the fairies and my pixies. As princess of the pixies I cannot allow that.”
Katt nodded and held her chin, becoming absorbed in thought. There was a pause before the young girl thrust one finger into the air and grinned. “Maybe I can help!”
The pixie cocked her head a bit, “Hm. I've been watching you and have confirmed you are a very reliable human, but how would you do it?”
“I could make the hunter go away.”
“Yes, but is it really that simp-”
“Katt, come on it's time to go to school!” a voice hollered. An echo of the sentence was sent rumbling throughout the forest.
“We'll see.” Katt beamed. “I'll come back tomorrow morning, ok?”
Melia smiled and nodded as the girl ran back through the woods, Poe in toe.
“Katt?” Melia yelled.
“Yeah?” the girl turned around, her eyes sparkling and filled with excitement.
“Your house is that way.” The pixie raised a thumb and pointed behind her.
“Oh.”
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