As the monster toppled like a rockslide, I watched with amazed, bi-colored eyes.

Many of my allies left the battlefield behind, some of us wondering what that monster had been. Others, probably sure we did not want to find out. I, however, had noticed in my flight above the horrible damage done to the earth below. The small grasses which had fought their way through the snows had been trashed by the foul acid within the creature's bloodstream.

It is on heavy wings that I lower myself the foot of the mountains leading to the Heaven Fields. On the first day of Birdsong, the mountains mourned the destruction of the earth instead of welcoming it with a beautiful song. Even in the dead of night, I knew. I could feel the trees, the shrubs, the struggling flowers weeping. More importantly, I felt the strong beat of a heart capable of answering the tears and the prayers which were searching for my father. He may be unable to heal their scars at the moment, but I certainly could.

Landing upon solid, earthy hooves of bronze, I walk toward the mass of the former mountain. Its eyes prodded out, its trees torn asunder, the monster looked nothing more than an unholy pile of rocks and sludge. The earth at it the bottom of its hideous display torn, battered, burned.

As I stepped closer, however, life began to pour into the area like a fresh breath of air. The poison was eked out of the grass and the soil by the hardworking earth, turned by some divine magic into needed water and nutrients for the earth. The burns caused by the exploding plasma sun begin to disappear, the scarring like a forgotten memory as mosses surround the trees and rocks at the base of this mountain. The boulders of the once great monster had gashed open pits which begin to show the buddings of future flowers.

Spring had arrived, and I, Hototo, had brought it in my wake.
I would make mother proud.
I would not let my father down.

With a silent nod, I take a moment to appreciate the work of this gift I had been given, noting with a placcid smile how the air felt strangely warmer. The first day of Birdsong was here.
The night would end soon.


[ Set immediately preceding the RE monster attack. Open for anyone. <3 ]

Soft hoofbeats stir behind me, and I turn my head cautiously to view the figure of a mare, pale in appearance. Her tendrils of silver are long and flowing, coat an almost serene white even in this darkness. Even her eyes were so light, so clean. It was then I realized as she spoke she was not locking on to my gaze. Blind? I think, though I had never encountered the malady before. Mother would certainly know if she were here. I smile at her, the kind words, the thankful tones with which she spoke.

I know, however, that I am not the heart of the earth, but my father is. My father is the earth, the grass and the waters which feed all life here. He is the heartbeat of this world. He is life. I am simply his progeny, trying to fill in the massive void left in his absence. I know that, if father had been here, he likely would have healed the damaged earth much like I had. He would have saved this beautiful terrain from the rot that comes without sunlight in the presence of acid. He would have saved the world. I can only try.

"You have me confused with someone else, ma'am," I say modestly, trying to shrug off the inherent compliment of her words. "I am just fulfilling my duty."

A second body, much more springy and young, rushes into the scene with all the grace a yearling can hold. His dark face reminds me of mother, though I am uncertain why, and I find myself smiling like a goof at him as well. His words make a more solemn expression return to my young eyes, and I nod. "My gift," I say, vocals deep and baritone, even in my young age. "I have always been good with plants." I almost laugh, but refrain, keeping the joy of my little joke to myself until someone else would giggle. I doubt they would; I am not really known for my humor.

"My name is Hototo," the spry voice is open, willing to give my title easily. Even after meeting with shadow skeleton in the deep forest, I have not learned the meaning or value of keeping your name a mystery. "And you, ma'am and little mister?"