Flickering embers of sunlight lanced through the scattered remnants of an exhausted storm, the long raging toil between torrential rains and searing warmth finally relenting in favor of the season's radiant sun. Its conflict concluded, the gilded titan reclined unto the horizon, the autumnal hues of eveningtide washing out across the heavens. Distant mountain peaks reached upwards to embrace the setting sphere as it drifted once more unto its nocturnal rest, the first few stars of the impending nightfall glimmering in the seams betwixt the fragmenting clouds.
Far blow, in the sprawling expanse of Novusgrad, creatures of all ages raced and chattered throughout the city's central courtyard. Citizens and city guards joined forces in the dauntless deployment of heavy tables and sparkling lanterns, setting the stage for an evening’s festivities. The crisp, clean scent of rain-kissed lawns mingled with the savoury aroma of fresh baked pastries, waitresses from the nearby tavern dodging rambunctious children as they ferried delicacies out onto the now-waiting dining arrangement.
Near the Druid Hall, “Ambassador” Judith Hopps stood alongside a chest of simple treats and trinkets, doling out prizes to those children who returned bearing the much-desired Emerald Eggs of the Spring Day celebration. Wives and husbands, travelers and laborers, young and old - all descended upon the scene to set aside their burdens and relax amidst a symphony of good food and company. Even a few passing adventurers, their vibrant gear and livery standing out amidst the rest, reclined within the city square, conversing with the locals and comparing exploits amongst each other.
Yet, apart from the mounting celebration and revelry, a single creature remained distant and deflated. A lone fox child, his chin resting against a cobblestone fence, looked out over the courtyard below, ears depressed against his head in a sordid reflection of his own current mood.
A young hare maid nearly ran past him, arms busily stuffing treats into her apron pockets, before she noticed the fox and tossed him a cheery wave. “Hey, Aven!”
A lone paw raised itself half-heartedly in response. “Hey, Nenna.”
The young hare strode over, tucking the last of her treats away and licking some stray frosting off her fingertip. “Aren’t you gonna join the hunt?”
“Nah. All the good eggs have been found already. Only ones left are in hidden in crazy places.”
“Well, that’s what you get for sleeping in, silly.”
Aven scuffed at the ground with a footpaw. "S'not fair. I was up all night helping Mum get all the eggs painted and ready in case the storm broke. Needed sleep." He went silent, watching as the other children ran along with their prizes and baubles.
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Sensing the dour turn of mood, yet determined to raise her cohort’s spirits, Nenna hopped up onto the fence beside him.
“What about the golden egg? Nobody’s found that yet!”
Aven snorted briefly. “Pfft. No one knows where that is. Not even Hopps. Heard her say so.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Even the adventurers couldn't find it. Might just be lost.”
"Well…" The hare's eyes went into a devious squint as she glanced sideways at her compatriot. "You just gonna give uuup?" And she waggled her fluffy tail back and forth.
"Stop it."
"Stop whaaat?"
"The thing with the tail."
"The whaaat?" And the tail waggled about teasingly.
Aven took a swipe at the offending instrument, with Nenna attempting a hasty retreat. Both went down in a jumble of limbs, the fox's protests mixing with the hare's laughter.
"Hey now, what’s all this?"
The two tussling children paused and looked up, to see the bemused face of Judith Hopps peering down at them over the fence. They swiftly untangled from each other, Nenna dusting grass off her apron while Aven brushed bits of earth off his ears.
"You two behaving?"
"Yes ma'am."
"Yes'm."
"Mm." Judith regarded the pair with brief suspicion, before shaking her head with a faint smile and turning back towards the courtyard.
With the inspecting adult appeased, the pair relaxed again, collapsing back into the grass like a pair of unwound springs. They lay in silence for a moment, letting the pastel skies subsume the sudden tension - before, abruptly, on some spontaneous whim, the fox bounced back up. "Hey, Hopps!"
Judith looked over her shoulder in time to see Aven jab a determined finger towards her.
"Just you wait. I'll find the best egg!"
With an intrigued yet uncomprehending smile and nod, Judith acknowledged the proclamation, before striding back to her duties at the Druid Hall. Nenna looked up at her compatriot inquisitively. “What was that all about?”
Aven reclined back against the fence, the infancies of a scheme glimmering in his eyes. “Well, you know the Emerald Eggs we hunt every year?”
Nenna stood up, wiping a few stray stalks from her attire. “Mhm?”
Aven gestured out towards the courtyard and the open city gates beyond. “They’re just painted eggs from the fowltrice farm by the wall, and I still have all the decorating supplies from last night waiting back home.”
Nenna raised an eyebrow. “So you’re gonna sneak out to the farm, snatch your own egg, and paint it up for Hopps?”
“Pfft, no.” Aven squinted with a newfound resolve. “I’d said we’d find the best egg. We’re gonna go snatch one from somewhere else. Someplace no one has ever gone before!”
“Wait - we?”
Aven grabbed Nenna’s paw, pulling her away from the courtyard, towards the many structures deeper in the city. “Yeah! Come on! It’ll be like an adventure!”
A moment’s hesitation flickered across Nenna’s features, before the spark in Aven’s eyes caught in her own, and the pair found themselves running along with laughing vigour.