Down and out, and out of luck, we're spinning but the needle's stuck
The mushroom moved. Seated on the crumbling remnant of what might have been a sign post of stone at one time, she had been staring at the sea. Rolling waves crashed around bare feet and soaked the frayed hem of her trousers, so that white lines of salt was left on the rough fabric. A wind tossed her hair into braided cord, pale as the salt and stark in the gloom of night. With only a sliver of moon overhead the landscape lay shrouded in a veil of darkness, where only the brightest of things managed to make an impression.
There was a cluster of mushrooms growing by the base of the stone. Pale caps just bright enough to be visible, attached to the back of a rodent. It moved again. Skittered closer. Closer. Nose trembling, whiskers twitching, as it sniffed at the edges of her coat.
Very slowly, Maea turned her head and looked at the creature. It froze, but when time dragged on and she did not stir again, it crept closer. Closer. Tiny paws scrabbled to catch a hold, and climbed onto her leg. Sneaky, sneaky, it crept further up. Sniffing to see if there was anything interesting in the pocket.
It would inevitably be disappointed. She carried nothing food-worthy on her; but the tiny burglar was sort of cute, so she let it continue its exploration. It was enough company for her, on a night like this.
There was a cluster of mushrooms growing by the base of the stone. Pale caps just bright enough to be visible, attached to the back of a rodent. It moved again. Skittered closer. Closer. Nose trembling, whiskers twitching, as it sniffed at the edges of her coat.
Very slowly, Maea turned her head and looked at the creature. It froze, but when time dragged on and she did not stir again, it crept closer. Closer. Tiny paws scrabbled to catch a hold, and climbed onto her leg. Sneaky, sneaky, it crept further up. Sniffing to see if there was anything interesting in the pocket.
It would inevitably be disappointed. She carried nothing food-worthy on her; but the tiny burglar was sort of cute, so she let it continue its exploration. It was enough company for her, on a night like this.
Maea
