Turning around, she crossed the small room to her bed, where her lies backpack half-packed. She wasn't exactly sure what to bring with her "It's finally the day." She says to herself as she looks out of her bedroom window. The stars shimmer like a sea of distant gems, their quiet brilliance untouched by the world below. A few more hours, and the sun will break the night.

  She runs her fingers through loose strands of her hair, the motion absentminded. Beyond the twinkling sky, lies the path she will soon travel-the very same path, that her crush chose, years ago.

  She stands up and untches the window, letting the cool night air wash over her as she takes a deep breath. She leans forwards, pressing her arms against the windowsill, inhaling the crisp scent of the sleeping vilge. Would she miss it? The familiar creak of the floorboards, the soft hum of crickets outside, the rustling leaves, of animals and other creatures moving through the forest her vilge was built in.

  No. She had long since decided. She couldn't stay here, she knew Aria wouldn't return. Since this was going to be her first real journey outside of the vilge since she arrived here. She couldn't really remember what the world was like outside of the vilge. Her older brother had told her stories, about what life was like growing up with her birth parents, but she couldn't remember much of it herself.

  She had already packed everything she thought might be important for the journey ahead. Things like an extra set of clothing, a bnket, a couple of sweet snacks for the road ahead, as well as her most prized possession, her fox plushie. She was also sure, that she packed her favorite rock too.

  A sudden knock at the door snaps her attention away. Her ears twitch slightly, as she looks towards the door curiously. "Huh? Who could that be?" She ponders aloud, her voice filled with a mixture of intrigue and confusion. She begins to make her way towards the door, her small frame moving with an energy that's hard to contain.

  As she opens it, a familiar figure stands in the dim candlelight of the hallway. Her adopted mother, Tahkii, gazes at her with warm, knowing eyes. Strands of silver-gray hair slip from her loose braid, framing a face weathered with time, yet still gentle. Her deep brown skin catches the soft glow of the ntern in her hand, highlighting the fine lines of a life well-lived.

  "You're still awake Ruby," her mother says knowingly, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

  She hesitates, gripping the doorframe. "Yeah... I couldn't sleep." She admits.

  Her mother chuckles softly. "I didn't think you would." Tahkii steps inside without needing an invitation, her presence filling the small space with the quiet comfort of home. Her gaze drifts over the half-packed bag on the bed, the little fox plushie resting on top.

  For a moment, Tahkii says nothing. Then, she reaches into the folds of her shawl, and pulls out a small bundle wrapped in cloth.

  "I thought you might need this." She pces it gently on the bed.

  Ruby's face lightens up with eager anticipation, as she sits beside her bag. She has no idea what it could be, but she knows it must be something special. Inside, nestled in the soft folds of fabric, is a shiny silver neckce-a single sparkling red gemstone set in its center. The light catches it just right, making it shimmer like a tiny sunburst.

  Ruby's eyes widen as her gaze is fixed on the neckce. A gasp of delight escapes her as she reaches out to touch it. Her fingers gently glide over the smooth surface of the gem.

  "Ooh..." She whispers, her voice trembling with excitement. "It's.... It's beautiful!" Her eyes light up, her face breaking into a huge smile. She picks up the neckce, holding it delicately in her hands, admiring it in wonder.

  A soft sigh escapes Tahkii as she watches Ruby's excitement. Her lips curl into a smile, but there's something thoughtful in her expression.

  "I hoped you'd think so," she says gently, her fingers brushing over the gem as Ruby holds it.

  For a moment, she just watches Ruby-memorizing the sparkle in her green eyes, the way she radiates joy. Then, her smile deepens, though her voice carries a hint of something unspoken.

  "That neckce, I had made for you, shortly after I found you and your siblings." she says, her tone more quiet now. "Keep it close, and let it always remind you that you have a pce here to come back to."

  Tahkii steps forward, steady hands taking the neckce and fastening it carefully around Ruby's neck. "Ruby, you should try to get at least a little sleep before dawn. There aren't too many pces you can safely rest in the forest."

  Ruby looks down at the neckce, her fingers tracing the smooth gemstone as delicately as the flutter of a butterfly's wings-as if she's scared to break something so precious. "It's really mine?" Ruby asks, her mismatched green eyes flicking up to meet Tahkii's. Her voice is still filled with pure delight, like she still can't believe it.

  Tahkii chuckles softly. "Of course, little one. It always has been."

  Ruby beams, and throws her arms around Tahkii in a sudden sight hug. "Thank you! I promise I'll take really good care of it!"

  Tahkii's breath hitches for just a moment before she rexes into the embrace, one hand smoothing down Ruby's hair. "I know you will."

  As Ruby pulls back, her fingers linger on the neckce one st time before she flops onto her bed, stretching her arms out with a dramatic sigh. "Okay, Okay, I'll try to sleep! But it's like, really hard when I'm so excited!"

  Tahkii shakes her head with amusement, tucking a stray bnket around Ruby. "Just close your eye and rest, Ruby. The sun will be up before you know it."

  Ruby nods sleepily, still pying with the gemstone between her fingers as her eyes grow heavy.

  Ruby's eyes flutter open, and for a moment, she blinks at the wooden ceiling above her, still lost in the haze of sleep.

  Then it hits her.

  She shoots upright, excitement jolting through her like lightning. Today's the day!

  Practically leaping out of bed, she scrambles to grab her bag, barely taking the time to adjust her wrinkled tunic. The neckce around her neck catches the morning light, the red gemstone glimmering as if it shares in her excitement.

  With an eager bounce in her step, she rushes out of her room, nearly tripping over her own feet in the process.

  The scent of freshly baked bread and herbs drifts through the house, and as she steps into the common room, she finds most of her family already gathered-her older brother Onyx, hunched over a bowl, her sister Emerald is too busy reading a book to pay too much attention as Ruby enters. Tahkii and Ruby's older sister Moonstone are standing in the kitchen, chatting to each other while keeping an eye out over the rest of the room.

  As Ruby enters the common room, her face lights up with excitement as her energy radiates through the room.

  "Hey, guys!" she excims, her voice filled with excitement. "Guess what? I'm off on an adventure!" Ruby skips towards them, her ruby red hair bouncing with each step. "I'm so, like, super excited!" She can barely contain her energy, as her fluffy red fox tail wags behind her.

  She gnces around, noticing the absence of Topaz. "But, like, where's Topaz?"

  Moonstone sighs, not even looking up from the vegetables she's chopping. "Still in bed, probably. "

  Ruby gasps loudly, her ears twitching in disbelief. "What?! She's still asleep?!"

  Onyx chuckles, barely gncing up from his bowl. "Guess she doesn't care about your super exciting adventure as much as you do."

  Ruby puffs up, pcing her hands on her hips. "That's so rude! I gotta fix this!"

  Without another word, she spins on her heel, and races down the hall, her fluffy tail swishing behind her. She practically throws herself at Topaz's door, shoving it open without hesitation.

  "TOOOOPAAAAAZZ!! WAKE UP!!" she yells dramatically, unching herself onto the bed.

  Topaz groans, her slumber abruptly disturbed. She rubs her eyes, and sits up, gring at Ruby with a mix of annoyance and curiosity. "Ruby." Topaz sighs, her voice tinged with irritation. "Is there any reason why you're barging into my room at this ungodly hour, or did you just feel the uncontrolble urge to interrupt my beauty sleep."

  Ruby looks her sister's bedroom, while paying no attention to her sister's comments. Ruby notices various shiny things on Topaz's dresser, and begins to touch and feel them.

  "Stop touching things!" Topaz snaps, her voice as sharp as a whip. "This is my personal space, Ruby. Do you have any respect for my boundaries at all?"

  Ruby finds the shiny things she saw from across the room, and begins to go through her sister's jewelry box.

  Topaz looks as Ruby gets into her jewelry box. "My precious accessories," she says, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "I swear, Ruby, if you even dare touch those again..."

  Ruby lifts a silver bracelet, holding it up to the light "Oooooh, this is sooo pretty! Maybe I should take this on my adventure! It'll look good on me!"

  Topaz jumps out of bed, and lunges at Ruby. "Ruby, I swear-"

  Ruby yanks the box away at the st second, grinning mischievously. "Whaaaat? I'm just looking!"

  Topaz's anger fres as Ruby tauntingly holds the bracelet out of reach. "That bracelet is precious to me, Ruby! You have no right to just waltz in here, and take whatever you please."

  As Ruby revels in her triumph, Topaz's anger simmers beneath a yer of forced composure. "Ruby, you've done this before," she says through gritted teeth. "How many times do I have to tell you to keep your hands off my things."

  Ruby's face falls, as a pout appears on her lips. She crosses her arms, feigning indifference. "I was just like, borrowing it. I was gonna give it back! Eventually..."

  "Eventually?!" Topaz says in frustration. Her frustration boils over, and she clenches her fists. "And what's your definition of eventually? When you've already lost track of it, or decided to keep it for yourself? That bracelet is not for you to borrow, Ruby. It's a memento, and it has significance to me."

  Ruby's eyes drop to the floor, her expression turning sheepish. She rubs the back of her neck, avoiding Topaz's gaze. "It-it just... I liked it, okay? I didn't mean to offend you..." Ruby says with her voice filled with guilt, while fidgeting with a strand of her hair. "I guess I didn't think it mattered to you that much. I'm sorry Topaz..."

  Topaz's anger softens a bit, but her irritation still lingers. "Apology accepted." Topaz sighs, the tension easing somewhat. She reaches forward, gently taking the bracelet back from Ruby's hands.

  "Just be more careful about this kind of thing" Topaz says, her voice softer now. "Not everything is just a toy, Ruby."

  Ruby nods quickly. "I got it! I got it! No more taking your stuff!... Without asking first."

  Topaz rolls her eyes, but a small smile tugs at the corner of her lips. "Close enough." she says while gesturing to the door. "Now, go on. For whatever adventure you seem to have pnned."

  Ruby perks up immediately, all guilt forgotten in an instance. "Oh yeah! I gotta go!!!"

  Ruby_Foxgirl