i'm a leaf on the wind; bristle

[Gust]

Oh, bother.

Little Gust quivered in the shadow of a big old oak tree whose leaves were turning all orange just like his middle bits, though he was framed in black and the leaves were mostly not. Some had brownish crispy edges, but he was not brown and crispy. His darker edges were soft black baby fuzz, velvety nose and ears and fluffy baby mane and whatnot.

Still, the orange was nice camouflage, even if those crispy bits meant his steps were louder than he would like. If he was careful maybe they wouldn’t be so very loud. And probably it was more important to find Momma than to be quiet, though goodness knew what could happen if he were not quiet. All sorts of scary beasties hiding in the dark could hear the crispy crunch and come running.

Ohhhh just the thought sent shivers down his spine. He peeked slo-o-o-o-owly around the trunk, looking for a round chestnut rump that was nowhere to be seen. But also looking out for big scary teeth or eyes glowing in the shadows or monsters hiding in the fallen leaves or the bushes or oh up in the trees too.

When death didn’t fall on him from above, or leap at him from the shadows, or launch itself up out of a pile of leaves, he took one creeeeeeping step forward, placing his tiny black hoof down as carefully and as quietly as he could manage. And then another. And another. When he paused to look around agai--

AAH! Something touched his butt! He jumped forward, craning his head around to see what had attacked him and getting his legs all tangled up in the process. And as he tumbled to the ground with a crunchy leaf-rustling clattering crash, he realized...it was a leaf.

A leaf had touched his butt.

Not a monster.

Not a slobbering, drooling, ravenous wolf.

Just. A teensy. Little. Leaf.

Oh bother indeed.

pic by paradis photography

[Rustle]

Boyo could maybe use a quote or something...

He tore through the forest at a clompy gallop. Briske was in here somewhere and he was going to find her! He tried to keep his heart playful, but deep down it was eating at him that she wasn't at his side. They were never apart for long, and he could almost feel the distance tugging at them like a force trying to pull magnets apart. Black tuft of a tail flapped behind him, fluffy crest of a mane standing erect like a mohawk as he ran. He was a pale, peachy comet shooting through this sky of falling leaves.

And then he saw her! Orangey and with black hair, just like him! He altered course in a clumsy shuffle of hooves, kicking up rustling leaves in his wake. His head ducked and bobbed with his movement, as though it could make him charge in faster. All too late, he realized... this was definitely not Briske!

Wahahh! Oomph! He plowed into the boy in a tangle of legs, failing to brake soon enough as he slid across the earth with frantically scuttling hooves. Dizzy from impact, he shook his head. Hnng, he groaned in pain. And then his hazel-green eyes focused on him, and he stared. If Briske was just a little darker, maybe if she got a tan, then she might match this guy's coat nearly exactly. He was sad it wasn't her after all, and he'd have to find her still, but he was also curious.

Are you my brother? He tilted his head, then nudged at his shoulder. Hey! Are you my brother! he said a little louder. Just to be sure the kid heard him. Maybe they'd been separated somehow, and only Briske had been at his side when he woke up. They looked similar enough, right? Ohh, all the warmth they could share if there was three of them! And the games! This was turning into a good day! He hoped Briske would find them soon and see their new brother!

[Briske]

From days of youth, til life is done..

This place is really fun, she thinks. Sooo many trees, and with so many trees there are so many leaves on the ground! Some even slowly float down from the boughs. Oh, especially when there's a breeze! Seems to shake them loose. She likes it here, and she knows her other half does too. Lots and lots to play in and the trees would make a perfect hide and seek game. Last time they had tried to play this, it hadn't gone so well. But Bri wants to try again, finding a big trunk to hide behind. Or some brush. Or a pile of leaves. So many options that are perfect!

She finally settles on a spot, and waits. And waits. Eager, she fights the urge to move again. Maybe her chosen spot was too good. Maybe he was having a hard time. Just wait. She hears the faint rustling of leaves, the soft crunch, crunch under rapid footfall. She chews her lip to silence a giggle, her heart leaping with anticipation. She dares to sneak a peak as the steps come closer, golden brown eyes seeking through the thicket. She sees him! Aha, and he doesn't see her! Heehee. She waits, struggling for patience, concentrating on not wiggling. But her peachy colored twin runs right past her. But..

And then he gets excited, the worried grimace quickly replaced by a grin and he takes flight in another direction. But, but! She pouts, poking her head out from the brush, twigs in her mane. But I'm here! Not over there.. She humphs, and dashes out to follow her brother, still attempting to remain behind trees and be all sneaky. And then there is a thump and Rustle shouts! Concerned, she abandons her quiet stalking and kicks into hear toward him.

"Russie?! What... Oh!" Eyes widens in surprise as she comes around another tree and sees him with another boy. A boy who looks SO much like them! Just a little more orangey than her! In fact, they are all three different shades of orange with black hair. How cool! This one is darkest, then it's Bri, with Rus being the lightest. Awesome! Her mind starts to draw the same conclusion as Rus, as her twin pokes at the other boy with his nose and asks if he is their brother. Twice. She laughs, coming to stand beside Rustle and nudging his nose with her own. "Ruuus, let him talk!" Then, turning to the wide-eyed boy with his adorable fuzzy pumpkiny face, she smiles. "Hi, what's your name?" She offers her nose to him, slowly because he looks kinda shy. He really does look like he could be one of them, and the thought of another bubba excites her. Aww, two bubbas. Perfect.

It's one for both, and both for one.