There was a little flicker of panic racing through the little girl’s heart. She had not been out so late before, wandering from the safety of the forests. Moms would surely be worried. Solstice hoped they would know that Father’s ever watchful gaze was never too far from her small golden body. Even now she could feel his burning orange eyes watching her though she could not see his giant pale form.

The rabbit who had adopted itself to be her shadow had ventured away from her for most of the day. At first she had ignored its wandering, trusting that it would not go too far. As the sun started to make its way through the sky his insistence on leaving was becoming more aggressive. To the point where he hopped on top of Solstice’s resting body and poked at her ears. Confused, she followed the rodent down whichever path he chose to lead her. Even as the sun started to set again she followed him with an innocent curiosity that never left her puppy face.

All at once by the riverside the rabbit froze in his tracks. Instantly his instincts took over. Quivering he tried to make himself look like a rock. Solstice padded forward, taking her usual protective stance over her friend. Looking around to find what cause him to stop her one glacial and one burning orange eye landed on the stranger’s frozen form.

Her smile was warm and welcome when she stepped forward, tail wagging behind her.

Hello! I am Solstice. Who are you, friend?