Submission (#206) Approved

Nose twitching, shmi stared out from the cooling shadows that surrounded him, bathing him in sweet release from the harshness of the sun and whatever eyes could be lurking.

Hesitantly taking a step out, ears pricked and standing tall he scanned his surroundings. Once he deemed it clear, he scuttled out from his shadowy respite and into the tall grass that would hide him from view.

Rolling around, soft chirps left the little fellow as he frolicked and played in the beautiful lilacs, Pinks, reds, and blues of the painting-esque scene before him.

This was his heaven, his peace of mind away from the other creatures. He snuffled at a few wild lilies curiously, a soft sneeze leaving him when the pollen tickled the back of his throat.

Shaking his head, he leaned back on his hind legs, his long body standing tall and like a gentle reed he swayed along with the breeze that ruffled through his fur and with it brought the scent of sweet flowers with it.

Sighing softly, he leaned back down, gently plucking a few tulips from the little cluster he’d found.

Deciding he’d weave a flower crown, he made his way over to various brightly colored flowers, irises, roses, lilies, bleeding hearts, orchids, carnations, marigolds, he gently plucked them from their roots and sat down to begin his task of weaving them together.

Chirping softly to himself as he began weaving the delicate stems of a few marigolds together, he squeaked when he heard a soft chuckle from behind him. He looked up to see Bite’s companion, Daere standing behind him a few feet away.

“Weaving flower crowns? May I help?” He asked softly, earning a shy nod from Shmi he sat down beside him and started weaving his own crown.

The companionable silence between them put Shmi at ease. Shmi found that he enjoyed Daere’s presence. Daere was quiet and gentle with him and he was just such a calming presence to Shmi.

Shmi glanced up timidly to see that Styx was happily watching the two of them, his usual menacing appearance nowhere to be seen as he settled down for a nap under the gentle sunlight that filtered into Daere’s visor.

Sighing in contentment Shmi continued weaving his crown, soft purple petals of the irises under his paw pads soothing the anxiety he always felt.

And soon just like that, they’d finished their crowns under the gentle breeze of this perfect little field away from everyone.