Himesaki

Himesaki tripped over a root, landing face-first in a patch of moss with a cheerful “Oof!” This was the fifth time today. Patrolling the quietest edge of The Heart of the Forest was, in theory, a great honor meant to protect Aki’s domain. In practice, it was mostly Himesaki trying not to get lost. When a grim-faced poacher finally did appear, Himesaki gasped, not in fear, but in excitement. They had a visitor! The poacher raised a weapon. Himesaki raised a fork and offered a piece of the cake from their head. Confused, the intruder lowered their weapon. An hour later, they were teaching Himesaki a shanty, a half-eaten slice of cake in their hand, all thoughts of rare pelts forgotten. They left at sundown, deeply unsettled and smelling faintly of frosting.