Sun Mote Copse The Art of the Dinner Date

The occasional tremor became no more than background noise in Sugar's life. She went about her business day to day, which primarily involved growing and learning. She was an apprentice now, formally training in the art of naturalism, specifically the field of botany. She was still a long ways away from becoming a journeyman, much less a master, but she made a point to seek knowledge and hopefully learn something new each and every day.

Today, she was focused on the way the trees seemed to be changing throughout the copse. The formerly green, healthy leaves were beginning to change color. Many had detached and fallen to the ground, where they formed a crunchy carpet. Those scattered on the ground were brown, dry and shriveled, whereas the ones still attached to the boughs ranged from their usual green to a rich yellow, striking orange and even blood red.

While she meandered around with her neck craned, observing the signs of the changing seasons without being aware of what any of it meant, Sugar wandered across the Sovereign's path. When she lowered her beady black eyes, Sugar realized her neck ached. She rotated it, moaning in satisfaction at several audible pops, then focused her attention on Wraen. A smile touched her lips as she approached the leader, tail low and wagging.

"Hi, Wraen," the youth greeted, eyes lifting slightly beyond the Sovereign's shoulder. "Do you know why all the leaves are changing colors and falling off the trees?"