literature

gross muck + lantern light

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Literature Text

Darkling Vale creeps into Tang as she creeps into it. The ground is marshy on her nubby paws, squelching with muck, so unlike the deserts she's gotten used to that she pulls a disgusted face with every step. Holding her tail high proves exceptionally difficult-- before too long she is muddy, slipping in swampy water, groaning every time she gets her belly wet. She's sure her fur will be matted. Overhead, Tang spots... something go by. Something orange, bright under the moon, not unlike Tang's own fur. "Hello?" Her small voice echoes strangely against the mud and the roots of the trees. As much as she hates to admit it, Tang is a little afraid. This is the sort of place where monsters hide, enormous beasts that can eat a Mogi in one gulp. "Don't test me!" The tremble in her shout is audible and she huffs at it. She isn't weak. She's not scared! No, not at all, this place will not intimidate her.

The moon lights Tang's way, dancing orange lights tracing the corner of her eye. She can never see them dead on. It's ominous. Tang turns around over and over, looking angrily for the thing that keeps eluding her. "Hey!" she barks, to no avail. "You're messing with the wrong Mogi!" Deeper and deeper into the Vale she goes, soggy, unwillingly afraid, stalked by orange. It's an interesting place, she thinks, if a little terrifying. There are things to be found here. "Now, now," she mumbles to herself, looking around. "Now now now! I know there must be treasure around here somewhere. Mysterious paths don't just open up for nothing!" But Tang is lost, confused by her go around with the glowing lights. The moon has moved. Where is she?

A sharp cold wind blusters Tang's fur and she holds her head high against it. She's Free, she is, and there's glory to be found here somewhere. A little fear, a pawful of annoying orange lights, a lost path? None of those are going to stop her from what she wants to find. Even if she doesn't know quite what she wants to find.

Tang shivers to her core while she walks. She passed that tree awhile ago, probably. It's all kind of a mushy dark blur. The orange lights are hypnotizing, dragging Tang into some sort of trancelike state as the moon keeps moving. Something hoots far away that snaps her out of it. She turns to the sound and comes face to face with a ball of fire. Or, kind of a ball. It has a little face, two eyes, a strange coalescing mouth. It bobs in place, leaving a flickering impression as it moves.

"What are you supposed to be, then?" Tang noses forward inquisitively, but the little flame edges backward. "Shy! Come on, I'm not going to hurt you! Much. You'd make a good light for a fuse. You like confusing Mogi that come your way?" The orb makes a soft crackling noise, its form flaring for a moment. "Yes, yes of course! Mischievous little bugger! Cute, I guess. Something to keep in a bottle, mayhaps? No, no, don't go away, I won't put you in a bottle. Come now. Why are you following me?" It still just shifts and licks the air, soft and warm to edge away Tang's cold and fear. "Hah! I'm just too bright! Orange like you! I'm not your parent," she shakes her head, but the light floats closer to her for a moment. She goes cross-eyed staring at it. "Hm?"

It darts off.

"Hey!" Tang is stupefied for a moment, all her fur bristling out as she watches the wisp go. It takes her only a second to decided what to do. "Oh no you don't! You can't follow me all this way and run!" And she bolts after it, bounding through the mud and water.
part 2 of tang's adventure in darkling vale! whole little series going into this area, i think.

trove here

tang is making use (slash in the process of taming) her living flame

wordcount: 650

:iconmogiland:
© 2016 - 2024 Limesparrow
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The-Book-of-Aether's avatar
Oh wow I love how you're writing about Tang taming the Companion! (the extra roll was successful too!)
Merits by Moginomicon  2 merits have been awarded to this Mogi for their adventure!

Here are the spoils that Tang found:
Pumpkin Seeds by Moginomicon Antler Fragment by Moginomicon

The description of the item(s) are attached to the item image. We'll be adding those to your Trove momentarily!
-VeilDust