“The motes are drawn to stories.” Undefeated tells the gathered kin. “We think that they are curious in some fashion. There are many guesses at what they might be. Some guess they are the fallen stars from the sky, others think that they are the lingering souls of our ancestors.”

She inclines her head at the others with a subtle little look.

“I think we’ll draw them in closer if you tell me a story about what you think that they are.”

---

This Story Contests asks you, as one of your kin, to spin a tail about what these motes might be, or maybe even about the greater origin of light in the swamp! Your story should be told from the PoV of one of your kin and a minimum of 250 words. This will count as their storytelling req toward Legendary Ascension!

Please use the form below: You can enter this contest up to three times and can use the same kin or different ones!
If you hit word count, this can count as a Legendary Ascension requirement!

Each entry in this RP will also grant you one Glow, a ticket toward the final Glow Raffle!
If you're only entering for Glow, and not for the prizes on offer, simply say so in your preference list.

This contest ends on October 10th at 11:59 PM EST.

It is possible to do this prompt in the ORP and post it over here if you are interested in some interaction while you do it!

THAT'S THE OIRIGIN OF LIGHT!
Kin Name: Light Fury
Preference List: Winter, Bat, Fall, Spring, Frog 2, Frog 1
RP & Story:

In the heart of their mystical swamp, Light Fury sat by the flickering firelight, Undefeated's words hung in the damp air like morning mist. The motes, those shimmering orbs of enigma, beckoned their curious minds. Their dance, an ageless performance, likely intrigued them all.

For what seemed an eternity she finally thought of something, that she hoped, would captivate them all. Clearing her throat, Light Fury leaned forward, her eyes looked towards Undefeated's and then the other's gathered around, and began her tale:

"Once, in the ancient days when our swamp was but a cradle of existence, a lone kin ventured deep into the heart of the marsh. This brave soul was guided by a longing to understand the secrets of our world. With each step, the land grew denser, the air heavier, and the mist thicker.

"As the kin reached the darkest depths, a celestial storm raged above, casting down shards of fallen stars. These stars, aflame with the essence of the heavens, crashed into our swamp, merging with the very earth that birthed us. They became the motes, living fragments of the cosmos, bound to our world.

"The motes, though radiant, carried a touch of sorrow, for they were the remnants of stars that had burnt too brightly and perished. Their twinkling light, like a distant memory, illuminated the paths of our ancestors. They were the ancient souls, the guiding spirits who watched over us.

"And so, when we gaze upon the motes, we see both the history of our land and the wisdom of those who came before. They are the storytellers of our swamp, illuminating our way and kindling the fires of our imagination. As they twirl and weave, we know that the essence of our ancestors resides within, guiding us through the darkened waters of life."

Light Fury took pause, her thoughts racing, feeling the weight of the motes' mystery in her words. She felt the warmed of her mate beside her and glanced at him briefly, watching his face as he was looking at her with listening eyes. Smiling she looked around and the other kin, too, listened intently, their eyes reflecting the flickering motes that surrounded them all.

"Perhaps," She concluded, "the motes are both fallen stars and lingering souls, entwined in a dance of eternity, lighting our way through the ages."

With that, she relaxed, satisfied that she had woven a story worthy of the the motes and wondered if Night Fury would tell a story as well.

THAT'S THE OIRIGIN OF LIGHT!
Kin Name: Night Fury
Preference List: Winter, Bat, Fall, Spring, Frog 2, Frog 1
RP & Story:

Night Fury listened to Undefeateds words and then his mates as she bore a tale of her own. He looked away from the fires light and gazed upon the mesmerizing motes, their ethereal dance weaving patterns in the inky night, He felt a compulsion to share his own interpretation of their enigma.

"Listen closely, my kin," he began, his voice a low, haunting melody, "for I have seen things in the darkness, and I have come up with my own tale in the stillness of this darkness. These motes, they are not mere fallen stars or the echoes of ancestors, but something far older, far grander.

"In the very beginning, when our swamp was naught but a void of obscurity, there existed a colossal, ancient tree. Its roots delved deep into the earth, while its branches reached high into the heavens. This tree, the Heartwood of Creation, was the source of all light in our realm.

"As eons passed, the Heartwood bore luminous fruit, the motes, which were bestowed with the wisdom of the cosmos. Each mote contained a fragment of the tree's boundless knowledge, and they floated down to our swamp as a gift from the celestial realms. They are the embodiments of enlightenment, curiosity, and the desire to illuminate the path of understanding.

"The motes are drawn to our stories, not out of curiosity but out of their yearning to share their wisdom. They crave the tales woven by our kin, for these tales are the threads that bind us to the Heartwood. When we share our stories, the motes gather around, eager to listen and absorb our experiences, our emotions, and our dreams. In return, they share their radiant light, guiding us through the darkness of our existence.

"The motes are not remnants of stars or ancestors, but celestial messengers from the Heartwood itself, sent to nurture our understanding and keep the ancient connection between our swamp and the cosmic realms alive. So, my kin, let us tell our stories, for in doing so, we honor the ancient bond between the Heartwood and our hearts, and we draw the motes closer to us, lighting our way through the this endless darkness."

Smiling over at Light Fury he hoped he had woven a tale that even she was proud to hear.

THAT'S THE OIRIGIN OF LIGHT!
Kin Name: Feed the Need
Preference List: winter, spring, summer, fall, bat. budgies, frog 2, frog 1
RP & Story: Feed the Need had set aside gathering foods, it was hard to do with no light as it was and instead followed the others to tryand find answers to what was going on. Hearing the wise doe talk, explain how the strange lights seemed to be drawn to light he grew thoughtful. When a chance came he stood and began to tell his own story. To help.

"I think." he began slowly. He wasn't used to speaking like this in front of a crowd. Oh sure he ran a booth at the Winter Markets helping those in need, thanking those helping him with his unruly pets and all, but this? This was different. He wasn't feeding anyone. Or...was he? He was. He was feeding their need for information. For answers. For anything that could explain what was happening to them all.

"I think." he repeated more confidently. "That they're wisps of the MotherFather taken shape to help us through this trying time. The MotherFather can't help us directly, so has instead sent these motes to help us indirectly. We have to do a lot of hard work to gather them sure, but what task worth doing is every easy?" as he was speaking he noticed motes floating toward him, and he smiled a little.

"The MotherFathers motes gather because they like to hear our stories, they're entertaining for them. The motes and the MotherFather. I think favor is being shown to us by them gathering, and making it easier for us to collect. After all, those who aren't telling stories are having a much harder time collecting them haven't you noticed?"

He tipped his head a little thoughtfully as one landed on the tip of his nose and he gave a soft laugh. "These little motes have seen all the MotherFather has seen did you know that? And all they see, the MotherFather see's no matter where they are. They're visible reminders the MotherFather is with us, even when they can't directly help us. So we don't give up."

Looking around he saw a few curious looks, some thoughtful some as if he might be crazy. He realized he had told less of a story and more of an idea and he dropped his head in thought. He wasn't the best at speaking in front of others after all, and this was going to take him a moment.

"Once, there was a young buck, he'd barely grown the winter before...and he was being foolish as most young bucks are. This buck he was intent on destroying all he came across when no one was around to see him. No one could figure out who was behind the destruction. Food stores. Shelter. He didn't care. It was too much fun to stop!"

Feed heard grumbles from those around him as he weaved his story, asking how dare the young buck! He continued on. "So after several seasons of this and no answers many got together and asked the MotherFather for help knowing they could be heard no matter where They were. Their answer was motes of light, not too different from the ones we see how. Except they were a little smaller, a little darker. The better to blend in. Looking no different than little bugs that glowed around the swamp, and as the group dispersed so did the motes. As night fell, they all slept. Save for the troublesome buck. The next morning they awoke to no mess, and couldn't figure out what had happened."

He paused letting others make guesses before speaking again. "The buck was so covered in the motes you couldn't see his hide beneath them. They sat there calmly, glowing bright enough to see even in the daylight due to the number of them. They had landed on him as he'd begun and stopped him by lighting him up and making it so he couldn't sneak and hide and cause destruction. Older kin questioned him and he finally admitted it had been him...and as he did the motes rose from him and formed into a vague shape of what seemed to be like a kin, but not quite before they vanished from sight. The MotherFather had helped the kin with the motes to find the culprit, and let the kin know that They were always listening, always watching. After that, the buck apologized, and made amends, and became one of the most upstanding bucks in his area, making up for his destructive ways."

Looking around he could see some smiles now, and he took a breath, letting it out. He'd told a good story he thought. "So, that's what I think these are. The MotherFather telling us we're not alone...and helping as they can." he stepped back to where he'd been before, and lowered himself to the ground again, to wait for the next story.

THAT'S THE OIRIGIN OF LIGHT!
Kin Name: Hang The Moon
Preference List: Just a Glow ticket, please!
RP & Story: Hang The Moon heard the suggestion one of the Helper kin had offered and she'd taken it to heart. Perhaps the motes would be easier to catch if they came willingly without any of those hallucinations that they gave off when startled. It was a much more calm approach and one that she felt like she could take a shot at. But what were they? She pondered as she moved out of the clearing slightly, gathering just at the edge of the light cast by the fires and the small motes that had already been collected. There seemed to be more out here in the semi-darkness and she hoped that her little tale might lure more in.

"What are you?" she asked softly to the few that were floating around her already, drawn in by her quiet voice. "Are you ancestors? Are you stars? Are you sentient?" Her questions when unanswered, so she thought on it a bit more before coming up with an idea.

"Perhaps," she said, her young voice sweet and soft. "Perhaps you are your own species. I'm not sure where you came from...maybe you've been here all along, and now that the sun has gone you are visible. Oh!" A thought dawned on her as she felt a story starting to formulate in her mind.

"Before the beginning," she said, her mind churning with ideas. "Before the world held any life or light, there was darkness just like this. Endless, no moon or sun or stars to see by. It was cold and barren and no life could ever hope to grow here." For a kin so young her words somehow sounded ancient as if this story was a true history that had been passed down rather than one she was making up on the spot. The motes seemed to enjoy it as more gathered around here.

"And then...there was you." Hang The Moon paused to smile at one of the motes hanging closest to her head. "All of you. Filling the sky, coming from nothing into creation. And you saw how empty the world was, and decided that that would not do. So you came together in the sky, forming one big ball of light and energy. The sun." She looked up at the dark sky, her ears drifting back against her head in a moment of uncertainty.

"Not all of you were needed to make the sun, so some became the moon and the stars. And perhaps some of you are still up there, visible when the moment is right. But for now you've all come down here, checking in on your hard work. You caused us all to be here, after all." Looking at the motes fondly again, Hang The Moon hesitantly reached out to boop one with her muzzle. It fluttered slightly away from her but when no more movements came from her it, it returned. Hang The Moon smiled slightly and continued, wrapping up her tale.

"It's only fitting, I suppose. The sun and the moon and the stars are all very high up in the sky and you can't possibly see everything from up there. So once in a while you all come apart again and float down for a visit. And it is our job to gather you all up so you can return to the sky and continue to light our days and nights and help us thrive." She fell silent then, looking around to see how many motes had gathered. Quite a few had, she was surprised to find, and she was happy to stay with her silent audience for a while longer before slowly shifting to walk back into the light of the opening, ready to listen to some of the other kin and their stories.

THAT'S THE OIRIGIN OF LIGHT!
Kin Name: Vigil Keeper
Preference List: Just a Glow ticket, please!
RP & Story: A spectral kin that kept to the shadows heard the request for stories to draw in motes. Vigil Keeper wasn't a kin of many words, but the words he did give were usually quite profound and perhaps a bit too cryptic. Many times his stories and poems left other kin shaking their heads in confusion, not understanding his meaning. This didn't stop Vigil, though. And it certainly wouldn't stop him now.

"Motes," he began, his voice dry and cold like a tomb. "Are souls. Souls of those gone before us, and those that have yet to come." He spoke as if this were fact.

"They float." He paused, drawing in a slow, almost rattling breath. "With us in the in-between. Waiting for their time, or watching now that their time has passed." A few motes did float around him as he spoke, his story seeming to interest them despite his less than pleasant voice. Vigil paused, his bright blue eyes watching as the motes drifted around him in some unseen current.

"They observe. Learning. Readying themselves for their life to come. Absorbing information for their dreams." It was quite an important part of kin culture to have a naming dream, after all. And how did unborn kin know what came if they didn't have anything to go by?

"They judge. Watching. Seeing their children, grandchildren, families make terrible decisions." Surely those that passed before couldn't be pleased with how the world was now. Judgement wasn't something Vigil considered to be a completely bad thing, though he certainly worded it like it was. The motes gave a little shiver as a breeze blew through the trees, shifting them out of their spots.

"Silent sentinels, waiting." He fell silent there, his story ending abruptly and without any real moral or happy ending. But to Vigil, it ended exactly where it needed to.

THAT'S THE OIRIGIN OF LIGHT!
Kin Name: What the Heart Wants
Preference List: winter, spring, fall, bat, frog 2, frog 1, budgies, summer
RP & Story:
What the Heart Wants hadn't given much thought as to what he thought the motes were, so he had to spend a bit of time to think about what he thought they were. He heard others telling their stories, and realized that there was one thing he had thought they could be that no one had said before him. He cleared his throat to begin his story of what he thought they were.

"I believe the motes may be the past wishes of our ancestors. Their past wishes of good things for us now, and now that we are missing the light, these wishes have shown themselves to us to try and help us through this strange time." He paused, uncertain of how he would continue his story. "I believe that the motes came to be because these past wishes were so strong that they lasted all this time, waiting until the time that they were needed by us, and only now did they need to actually become real. They have come to guide us through this."

He looked around to see what others' reactions to his story were, but couldn't make out much from them. "And now that they are here, gathering them up could be making these already strong wishes even stronger. Gathering the motes could be a way of gathering the already great strength of these wishes closer together to try and make them even stronger. To possibly make the wishes strong enough to help us either bring back the light or figure out what we need to do to bring it back."

THAT'S THE OIRIGIN OF LIGHT!
Kin Name: Not A Chance
Preference List: Just a Glow ticket, please!
RP & Story: "Ooh, stories," Not A Chance said with a too-wide grin, his pointed teeth flashing in the firelight. "Love a good story. Not so great at telling them, but I'll give it a whirl!"

Whirl he did, spinning in a tight circle before settling down on the ground so other kin and the motes could gather around and listen. He'd seen other more lauded storytellers settling in so others could stand and lay around them, making a sort of mobile amphitheater so many kin could hear. He wasn't sure he qualified to have that many ears listening to him, but he figured if someone needed to take their minds off the crazy situation they were all in, hey! He'd offer that distraction.

"Long ago," he began, pulling from the many stories he'd heard as a young buck. "There was one, single Mote and one, single Kin. They lived together in relative harmony, the Kin going about their day as they usually did, the Mote floating around and offering some strange companionship and light in the otherwise dark world. One day, however, the Mote floated off and never came back, leaving the Kin in pure darkness."

Not A Chance paused here for dramatic effect, his toothy grin a bit unnerving despite his innocent intentions. He remained silent for a while longer before realizing he was the one telling the story and quickly jumped back into it.

"Oh yeah! And then! Boom!" He gave his head a toss, his antenna wiggling with the movement. "Light! Everywhere! The Kin was startled and was blinded for a few minutes by the onslaught of light, but they were so happy once they could see again that they pranced around, looking for their Mote friend. Now that there was light, they could look for the small speck. However, it became apparent as they searched that the massive light in the sky outshone any hope of finding the tiny dot of light. Discouraged, the Kin settled down to mourn the true loss of their friend."

Deepening his voice, Not A Chance went on. "Then a voice said 'Why are you crying, Kin?'. The Kin looked up, startled, but there was no one there. 'Who's there?' the kin cried out in fear, but a warm sensation settled over their fur, the same warmth that had been present when their Mote friend had been with them. 'Do not fear, Kin. I am here. I am everywhere,' the voice said. The Kin opened their mouth in awe."

"'You are this light?' they asked in wonder, to which they got an affirmative laugh. Delighted that their friend was with them once again, but now everywhere so they would never be apart again, the Kin rose to their hooves and trotted off, delighted that they had been reunited."

Satisfied with his ending, Not A Chance stood up and took a bow, the motes floating around him swirling in the wake of his movements. And then, as a result, Not A Chance proceeded to feel as though he'd shrunk down to the size of a mote himself. Whoops.

THAT'S THE OIRIGIN OF LIGHT!
Kin Name: Sunshine Riptide
Preference List: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer, Frog 1, Budgies, Bat, Frog 2
RP & Story: Sunshine Riptide jumped up when her turn came around. She was eager not just to share her story but because she hoped it would draw motes to her. She liked the sensation of being a tree and wanted to feel that again. Hopefully Undefeated was correct.

Sunny cleared her throat "Ahem. At first..."

-----

At first, I wondered what these motes really are other than little bits of light that is. After all, when you catch one, it usually makes you feel or see something entirely different than what was happening in front of you. But after catching a couple more of them, it all suddenly made sense!

See, there was a time when the MotherFather planted a whole sea of trees. Each tree was massive, as big as mountains and the sky was not the sky but the leaves growing on its branches. When it blossomed, the leaves and flowers would come in all shades, ranging to the bluest of oceans, the greenest of grass, the brownest of sand, the grayest of stone, the whitest of snow, and more! But the fruit that would ripen on the branches wasn't any ordinary fruit, it was bright, brilliant light!

Now, I ask you: When would you be very, very tiny? When you're beside something huge. But when would you be huge? When you're beside something tiny. Just like how you'd be when you're beside familiars and other kin of all species. Where would there be shadows AND light? Where would you find all the four elements earth, water, fire, and air? And where could you find deserts, mountains, plains, caves, and swamps?

The answer, of course is the World. Which means, these motes are seeds for whole new worlds! And the Sun needs to replenish its light through these world-seeds. It's a good thing the MotherFather planted so many of these trees that we'll always have enough to bring back the Sun!

-----

"And that's what I think these motes are."

THAT'S THE ORIGIN OF LIGHT!
Kin Name: Dominant
Preference List: Fall, Summer, Winter, Frog 2, Frog 1
RP & Story:

Dominant sleepily made his way to the alcoves where the Helpers sat, joining Undefeated by her fire. The doe was intimidating and more than a little bit scary to Dominant with her strong personality, but all she wanted right now was a story. He could handle that much. The thing was that ultimately Dom rarely told stories, any sort of creative thinking simply irritating and fatiguing him. Stories always felt like effort for no reward and that sorto f effort was one of his least favourite things. Today though he was willing to make an exception solely because he was in a good mood. Besides, here in this grove he'd have a captive audience, which was more than he usually got. People would have to sit there and listen to him speak, forced to listen to whatever he decided was the reason for the motes in the first place and what they were.

Because he was who he was, he decided to steal a story he'd heard someone else tell once, but which had stuck with him ever since.

He closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath.

"At the start of all things, there was only a darkness. It filled everything and yet it was nothing. Absolute hollow oblivion. It was peaceful, because nothing moved or stirred. It was all potential, all matter, all futures, and it slept. The darkness was a beast which had begun to hibernate long before memory. It slept, it died, and it waited. There was balance, because things were simple and singular, and yet there was disorder because there was no order. It was a good time, beyond time."

He opened his eyes again and looked up at the light starved stars in the sky.

"But nothing good ever lasts. The beast woke up, and its eye was a star. The star was all light, all life. It poured out as though the eye was a hole in the dark, a beacon that flooded the peaceful realm with stuff. The stuff went everywhere, the light spilled in and filled the space, spilled everything and backed the beast into a corner. Another eye appeared, dark and hungry and it pulled in the light, devouring it as fast as the star could produce it. They were evenly matched, one flooding, one destroying, life and death. They circled one another slowly, but always amplifying one another it got faster and faster, they called more eyes, more energy, but every act was countered by its alternate. Light scattered stars in its wake, but the void swallowed so many of them up."

He smirked.

"The dance got faster, and faster and faster, but there could be no winner, no loser. Once again there was balance, every step with its equal. Measured. Boring."

Inclining his head he added.

"But after infinite time, the hungry one deviated from the expected dance. It broke the rules. It stepped left when it should have stepped right. The dance careened off course, they spiralled closer and closer and suddenly BOOM!"

His strong voice, enthusiastic for a change boomed out the sound.

"They crashed. Crashed all together. A crash so big it was unbearable, a crash that spiralled everything they'd made, everything that they were into an uncountable number of bits. Like a lighting struck log, just to pieces, every piece scattered. There was nothing left of the original forces, only an echo of what they were. The little pieces of light lingered, but the hungry thing wanted to eat them up, yearned to eat them still. But no longer matched in a dance, they sought out others to dance for them."

He shrugged.

"The motes are pieces of the first light. The first intrusion onto the darkness."

THAT'S THE OIRIGIN OF LIGHT!
Kin Name: Shank
Preference List:bat
RP & Story: Shank curled around the fire for last minute warmth and motivation as she began to weave her story:

It was common for offspring to leave the nest. You sheltered them through their most fragile state and when they were self sufficient enough to survive for more than a day without your oversight, it was time to unleash them to the great beyond. But everyone has favorites and try as you might, you just can't help how your heart soars with pride and tightens with fear when it comes to that special offspring. And so when it was her time to leave, a slight deviation occurred. If anyone asked, it was time for a change.

Stretching one wing high ahead into the cosmic goop that was the Above Head region, the entity scooped a bit of the swirling sky from here and there, little bits coalescing into one larger mass. And with a sudden downward slash to the ground, pummeled the mass into one nondescript form of rough grey matter. It tested it out and threw it against another rock. Sparks flew.

"Here, take this." And the new offspring bundled off to find new adventures and purpose with the explicit instruction to drag the stone with each step they took. And should assistance ever be needed, strike it harder against the crumbling trail. It will send a sign back to the place of origin. There were no words for what would happen, but they waited until days became weeks in the dark swamp. One fateful day the spark and conflagration happened, and there was no turning back. It was time to see what the offspring encountered and to name it after the favored one, Light.

THAT'S THE OIRIGIN OF LIGHT!
Kin Name: Relic
Preference List:bat
RP & Story: "'I dare you.'

Every story sounds out simple enough- there's a fool and a larger idiot with an idea who fancies themselves a visionary to vastly mixed results. And if they were twins or two who shared the same birthing sac, all rational was fleeting or almost nonexistant. To pass the endless void of living, the two tested their physical prowess with one another. They were the best and the rest were not worthy of their time.

It began with a race to the bottom of the sea. With little fanfare, they slipped underneath the waves and employed different techniques. The first started out hard and fast with the belief that if they used most of their energy getting to their destination, like bubbles they would eventually float to the surface. The other applied a more measured and methodical descent with the emphasis on energy conservation. While swimming came to them naturally, the deeper depths held temperatures cold enough to chill the bone.

What waited for them in the abyss was rough and unremarkable in texture but magnificent in other qualities. The first got there but did not have energy for the ascent. While the bubbles and languid kick of the hips propelled them upward, they were exhausted from their sprint and eventually could not outswim the rapid currents below. The other twin kept a steady pace and when the other was being swept away, were able to save them. Together they ascended the waters and came out with their treasure.

And that is how the origin of light came to be. Through the power of teamwork!"

Relic finished triumphantly while the other kin looked at each other in dismay. Despite the doe's young features, their stories were just as ancient as the MotherFather.

"BORING! GO HOME GRANDMA!" yelled someone from the back. Tough crowd.

THAT'S THE OIRIGIN OF LIGHT!
Kin Name: Voyeur
Preference List:bat
RP & Story: Hermit crabs have small homes and they travel with their homes. No one would ever rob another hermit crab except for a fellow hermit crab in need of a larger place. The life of a crab was solitary and monotonous. They could not fly and their swimming was average though remarkable given the circumstances. They could not scuttle quickly enough to outpace a hurricane, but they managed well enough from most predators. Their hard shell gave them an advantage without much taking away from agility.

This particular crab found a pearl that had washed up from the depths. It was smooth and the shell hard and durable. It glowed. At first the crab did not recognize what it was seeing as there was no other comparison. Still, it scurried forth and hid it in its home. As time passed, more pearls were accumulated and the other creatures took notice and coveted. They inched slowly one by one until they ambushed the crab and robbed it blind of the glowing pearls.

The crab wailed in frustration for its lifeworks was diminished within seconds from the scavenging, opportunistic neighbors. His pleas made it to the ears of the MotherFather who took pity on the small crab. Who knew such a mighty cry of anguish would originate from something so small. And when the MotherFather heard the plight, they took action. What was rare became plentiful and that is the story of how light came to be.

"If you can't play nicely, I'll make it so that everyone has the same thing." And the pearls, while pretty, became useless. But still, the swamp glowed with inner peace for once as the light had a soothing effect on some, gave rise to different set of schedules, and new things could be explored with the light. The future is very bright.

THAT'S THE OIRIGIN OF LIGHT!
Kin Name: Traitor's Heart
Preference List: bat, frog 2, frog 1
RP & Story:

THAT'S THE OIRIGIN OF LIGHT!
Kin Name: Don't Make a Sound
Preference List: bat, birds, frog 2, frog 1
RP & Story:
Hush smiles at the gathered kin. She's told a version of this story once before, but it certainly bears repeating now.

"My father hails from the deep caves, but I and my siblings were born here in the swamp... and when I was still unborn and warmly wrapped in my sac, I dreamed of a darkness not unlike the very one we find ourselves in. I dreamt that sister Darkness, the sister of Light, came in a monstrous form corrupted by jealousy and envy and greed, to swallow all the light. So great was the beast's hunger that neither the Sun, nor the Stars, were enough to sate it. It came upon the land and snuffed out the light of the kin who carried with them her sister's glow. First, the zikwa, who always knew such a day would come so they could not warn the others. Then the children of the swamp who carried the light of the fireflies in their eyes... And then to the plains, chasing after the swift kiokote who were not fast enough. The acha were next, clever with their tricks but not clever enough. Finally to the cold mountains where the brave totoma fought hoof and tooth but could not prevail. I'm the end, when the world was dark and silent and empty, the monster sat upon it, bloated and fat - and slept. One day, the light would return. But only after such a long time that even Darkness grew lonely enough to spit out the smallest sparks of light.

Perhaps this is not sister Darkness, for there is still light. Or perhaps it is simply that there is still time to try to fight. Gather the light. Keep it safe."

Hush's eyes glow brighter as she looks at each of them, her voice solemn. "Be wary of the lightless places."