Chatterbox: Inkwell

Reveal

~ 

A red panda lazily opened its eyes, waking from its midday nap. It lept from its tree branch and onto the ground. A yellow flower caught his eye- a day lily. He nosed it and the flower seemed to bop his snout in indignation. Amused, he batted it between his paws. The pollen of the flower burst into the air, causing the animal to back away, sneezing. When it cleared, a girl was standing in the place of the flower. She planted her hands on her hips. "There. I hope you're happy with yourself." The red panda stood on it's hind legs and began to grow, transforming into a boy. 

"I was bored," he said, shrugging. "And you were yellow!" He noted her bright dress. "You still are."

She sighed, leaning against the tree. "I used to be a journalist you know."

"I know," he said, shoving his hands into his hoodie pockets. "You would fade into the background, observing in the shadows, and then when the papers came out, you were bold and colorful."

"Yep. And for a while, inspiration kept coming. It was always sneaking up on me. I was an unsuspecting storyteller!" 

He laughed. "Remember when I was new? I was shiny and bright, like the power stone that channeled my kryften. Jaden Selesky was my name."

She smiled. "You attempted to mask yourself, but you just ended up reflecting your thoughts all over the pages."

"Hey! Don't pretend like you've never tried to be anonymous."

The girl's smile grew wistful. "Oh yes. I was Min of the Mountain, with a faithful Wind by my side."

"And you were CoolUser#357," he added.

"Oh yes," she said. "I'm still trying to work out the kinks in that story. Minecraft was my soul back then."  

The boy smirked. "What was that other one? Madame... Coco?"

She giggled. "No! Madame Charlottle! Headmistress of KNIGHTS Academy!" 

He grinned. "Right. While you were a teacher, I was a learner. I studied the art of writing, becoming the CB's very own Apprentice." 

The girl hmmed. "And now we have new names." 

"We needed a change." 

She titled her head thoughtfully. "That's what we keep telling ourselves." She paused. "It probably won't be long before we need another one."

He plopped himself into the grass. "Well, we'll keep everyone updated."

The wind blew a swirl of leaves, obscuring their vision. When the leaves settled, a yellow day lily was at the foot of the tree and a red panda was nosing it.

~ 

Thank you everyone for supporting us through all of our name changes and personality fluxuations! No matter what we call ourselves, our true essence stays the same!  This has been a message from red tailed panda and Spring Flower!