Mari Stood from her seat behind the counter, stretching. It had been a long day, but she still had some flowers left. She took up the miscellaneous blossoms, bunching them together and tying them off with a turquoise ribbon. She bent her head down, into the bouquet and sniffed, smiling at the pleasant fragrance. Mari had always loved plants, especially flowers. Ever since the day her grandmother had told her she would be able to inherit the shop. That day had come about a year ago. She still mourned over the loss of the person she trusted most, but that was a long while ago, and the future was close, she needed to be here and now to see it through.
"Hey, Lilac, wake up. We can go take a walk." Lilac yawned and stretched out, before shaking her silver fur. Turning eagerly to her master as she heard the word 'walk', Lilac began happily yipping and leaping around Mari, who giggled at the her playfulness. After they were both out of the shop, she slid the little bronze key into the lock. Sliding her hand off of the door, she turned and began walking down the cobble street. It was spring, her favorite seasons. All the flowers and trees came back to life, and the forest filled with animals again. It was only after Mari felt something rub against her leg did she realize that they were home.
"Oh, hey there little guy. Sorry, didn't notice you there!" She smiled down at the animal currently jumping around her feet. It was a Chipsqueek, a bouncy little creature, full of energy and curiosity. Bending down, she gave it a pat on the head. It latched onto her sleeve, slowly crawling up until it was sitting on her right shoulder. Mari giggled, its paws tickled her even through the cloth.
"Well, I suppose you would like to come along with us?" The chipsqueek gave a small nod and made an appreciative noise, chewing on a seed. Mari smiled softly, turning around and untying the wagon from Lilac. The wolf bolted, running across the yard before turning and dashing back, skidding to a halt at Mari's feet. "Alright you two, I get it. Let's go."
She passed the rows of flowers, bees darting around, seemingly hyper in comparison to the butterflies gracefully fluttering from flower to flower. The bouquet still rested in her arms, and a single white petal fell slowly to the ground, looking like a feather in the cool green grass that surrounded the worn dirt path leading into the forest. It wasn't a dark or intimidating forest, but instead it gave off a welcoming feel, sunlight flitting in through the leaves and wildlife scattered about. The trio walked in blissful silence until they reached the destination, enjoying the sounds of the forest. They came to a stop just in front of a large oak tree. It rose over the other trees, and Mari had come here since she was a child. Taking a seat next to Lilac by the grand tree, she smiled. Only here could she be totally relaxed. A group of Moppe Moppe ran past, and she had to put a hand on Lilac's head to restrain the wolf from chasing after them to play.