Grouse Thicket yet sometimes that light seems more real to me than anything

there was something that shifted inside of the young boy when his offering was not shot down but encouraged by the girl across from him. deku had never really been involved in the type of friendship where this was possible. all his youth had been spent fearfully dreading the day that orochi no longer found interest in him. it was almost a miracle to have stumbled upon someone who was interested in the stories that he had created and could provide a wealth of her own knowledge. she had a way to offer him a glimpse into a world that he’d never been a part of before. for deku, that was invaluable.
 
once he had been cleared for takeoff, the boy reclined back onto his haunches and donned the mien of a professional storyteller. you see, deku had been practicing his ability to spin a yarn during his time alone. he had told stories to the grass and the leaves. he had even shared a few with passing insects. any chance that he had, the starchaser took it. so, when he had the opportunity to share his tales with a participant who could actually enjoy them, he felt a warmth spread through his limbs.
 
“once upon a time there was a wolf who walked on very tall legs. this wolf was called mino,” the boy began in a voice that suggested his story was worth the buildup. “mino did not like to fight like his sister ori did. he was better at discovering! while ori defeated enemies in scary battles, mino had found out how to learn the land around him. mino could remember every detail about where he had been, from the first rock to the last bug that he saw,” deku went on to explain the strengths of the wanderer.
 
taking a deep breath, the starchaser leaned a few inches toward weejay. he found it pleasant that she smelled just like the flowers that he was sure she tended to. for a boy whose head was so firmly rooted in the heavens, it was almost remarkable to find someone who was as grounded as she was.
 
“one day, there was a terrible disaster that hurt the earth. everything that was once okay had been destroyed. many wolves were left without a home. in this time, mino became like a guiding light. he helped whoever he could cross the earth. he became a leader, showing lost wolves the way to safety before they were harmed.” it was here that the dual-colored child looked up to the grey and blue skies above them. the trees were far too thick there. deku almost wished that they were somewhere open and dark so that he could point out the star to her specifically. it would have helped if he could place the shimmering light from just memory.
 
“after mino died, his spirit carried on into the stars. if you’re ever lost in the dark, you can look up and see mino shining down for you to follow… and he will always lead you to safety,” the starchaser finished, suddenly bashful at having rambled off his made-up tale to this girl. the boy’s silver gaze darted from the earth to her features, waiting to see if she would say something.