Sunbug lazed in the sun, soaking up all the rays she could. By now her fur was hot to the touch, and she was a little drunk on the warmth. Nothing felt quite as good as bathing in all that Vykeli had to offer. Many had already retreated to the shade, but she reveled in it. She was dozing in and out of awareness when a flurry of hooves stamped by right at her head. She startled awake, gasping. A young buck barely kept upright as he tripped around to shout an apology. "Oh no! I'm so sorry!"
Bleary, Sunbug tried to focus. "It's okay, I'm fine. Where are you off to in such a hurry?"
The buck danced in place impatiently, looking flighty. "To Brightheart's grove! She's resurrecting new familiars today! I want to be one of the first to get one!"
Sunbug blinked and realized the buck was carrying a long, awkward looking piece of ivy. She shouldn't judge, but she was a little concerned for whatever bond that would represent. "What familiar is she resurrecting?"
"No one knows! I don't know if she's decided yet!" Every word was a panick-y shout. "Listen, I don't want to be late I really have to go!" He hustled off, not allowing her time to say goodbye or thank you.
Manners were lost on some, she supposed.
She got to her feet, wobbly from too much snoozing. If there was going to be a new familiar, she didn't want to miss out either. But she was so unprepared. She didn't know what plant she would choose. What was meaningful to her? What would be meaningful to her new familiar? How could she know if she didn't even know who she'd be with?
She huffed, a little frustrated. Nothing would get accomplished if she just stood there. She didn't think she had any plants back home to offer, so that meant she had to go explore Homewood and decide. With an plan in place, she headed deeper into the forest.
The first few plants she came across were...disappointing. A small strawberry flower with singed petals. A droopy trillium, looking sad on a rocky hillside. A violet that had clearly been trampled (She thought back to the buck for a second. Maybe he hadn't been paying attention to where he was going?). None of those were a good enough gift for a new companion. They'd be a downright insult!
She did pause to consider a beautiful hydrangea bush. The little bulbs of flowers made her smile and feel calm. But then she got overwhelmed. Did she take the whole ball of flowers for the bonding ceremony? Just one flower? One flower wasn't very impressive. But the whole ball might be too many. Anxious about choosing the wrong thing, she left it behind.
She contemplated a sturdy but short witch hazel tree next. She could take a branch for the bonding. Witch hazel had amazing healing properties, flowered in the adverse conditions of fall, and was unique among all the trees. It could be a wonderful plant to create a bond from. But the more she stared at its gnarled branches and odd form, the more concerned she was. She didn't want her bond to be ugly and twisted.
Was she putting too much thought into this? Maybe. But she wanted it to be perfect! This was a bond forever! It was special. She had to do it right.
As she continued walking she eventually stumbled into a beautiful, well lit opening. And there was her answer. Standing proudly in the glimmering heat was and entire field of golden sunflowers. The were beautiful, tall, and proud. She knew that they always faced the sun, and she could relate intrinsically. This was her plant.
She gently plucked the prettiest one she could find at the base and quickly hurried off in the direction of Brightheart's grove. She hoped she hadn't taken too long. What if that clumsy buck had taken the last familiar and there were no more?
But when she arrived there were still noul milling about, excitedly chittering. She approached Brightheart nervously. She'd never spoken with the ascended before, but she knew that this was someone very powerful and revered. She had to be respectful.
"Brightheart, I have brought a plant that I think best represents me and what I would want from a bond. I would love to protect and care for whomever you resurrect, if I can. I am young but I am bright and motivated. Please help me bond."
She placed her lovely golden sunflower before Brightheart and stood back slightly so she could be the judge. Sunbug tried to look worthy and proud and capable. She wasn't sure if she hit any of those marks, but at the very least she was earnest.
wc: 804
