A wide ravine where a shallow, gentle river flows. Years of drought and silt deposits have built this area into a fertile delta. The river remains low and dry most of the year, staining its waters brown and creating muddy shores.
Giggles filled the air as the adolescent fox darted through the crunchy grass along the edge of the riverbed, the clattering of pebbles clacking gently as she moved. Held tightly but delicately between her teeth was the string to a brilliantly twinkling paper lantern, the shadows of silent fireflies blinking through the thin blue mesh. The black furred cross fox had decorated herself with her favorite flowers, finally managing to successfully fix a truly beautiful looking daylily into her fur just behind her right ear. She sprung across the thinnest parts of the river, back and forth with all the energy of an overly energetic kit, watching from the corner of her eyes as her lantern rocked about. Her hindpaws splashed occasionally, when she didn't clear a jump all the way, but she didn't mind that - this was just a night to have fun!
The twin-tailed vixen charged forward, taking a leap at a wider part of the river, yelping a little when her paws couldn't get a grip and her claws skittered furiously on the edge of the rocks she had intended to use a quick bound across. She slipped onto the solid bit of land, thankfully not dropping her precious lanter which remained clutched tightly with her teeth even as she slid forward, and her nose bumped into the toes of a being she was pretty sure wasn't there a moment ago.
"Oof!" she squeaked through her teeth, turning her gaze up sheepishly. "Sorry! Didn't see ya there!"
The Monarch had intended to engross herself in study as she walked through their muddy territory. Even as a leader, she still had much to learn. Namely, mastery of her magic and ensuring the Kingdom kept a close bond with Ohr by regular prayer. Although not the prettiest territory, the earthen delta served its purpose to Verdantis as a cooler place than Whitewater to relax in. Through the more egregious parts of summer, one could not be picky for aesthetics when they could having a mud bath. A luxury she could not presently partake in, unfortunately.
When she came across a little fox, trailed by sparks of light which glittered the dark waters, dashing from one end of the river to the other, she could not hold back the small chuckle that bubbled in her chest. Youthful energy put a happiness in her spirit, and it assured her that all is blessed.
However, she became too distracted and gravitated closer to the river. Mercedes did not expect the firey little thing to slip and scramble for land, their nose squishing into her paws. Her reaction is a sharp intake of breath, a reflexive response to the sudden impact Oops! She said, raising a paw with the intention of landing on their back and steadying them. Are you alright? Your lantern?
"Oh, I hope so!" said Dos, scrambling to her paws with sudden worry. She nudged her lanturn worriedly, twisting and turning it about in her paws. Thankfully, there weren't any tears she could see in the thin paper and even more relieving, no firefly corpses being tapping around on the inside. Which was good! She had never intended to hurt the little insects, and the goal had always been to release them when she was done playing - she would've felt absolutely horrible if she'd killed them by accident. She conceded that maybe her mom was right about not running everywhere - or at least being more careful crossing the river. "The lanturn is okay! I don't see any dead fireflies, which is good because I didn't wanna hurt them, they're so cool and - oh!"
Looking up, Dos was suddenly aware of who she was speaking to.
Now, she wasn't what you'd call 'super aware' of all of her superiors. Those lessons were, admittedly, extremely boring to her. It was a miracle that the tales and myths of Ohr held the young kit's attention for any length of time, and that she found flowers pretty and interesting alike. Her mother had tried her hardest and sure, Dos knew a few faces that she was supposed to always be on her best behavior in front of, but there were a lot of names okay? She didn't have a perfect memory! That said... she knew who this face was.
Um, Dos thought to herself, suddenly a little nervous. Is it your highness or your majesty? I should've paid more attention to mama...
"I'm okay Ms Your Highness," the vixen decided. There - that was respectful enough right? "Sorry for bumping into you..."
