Sprig wrinkled his nose at James's comment about the Collector. Surely no one could be that bad? And he wondered how in the world a snake could even have a silver tongue. Unless the silver was the snake's gemstone? Wow that sounded bad. That meant the snake probably couldn't even talk! Sprig wondered why James described the Collector that way because it didn't make much sense. "Okay..." James was very intelligent, and his renny too, so Sprig would listen to him. He hoped nothing would ever come up where he needed to go to the Collector who had a silver tongue.

He watched the horse cut the fruit and roll them up. So that's how it was done. No wonder it needed to be solid! Sprig ate the one that James offered him. "Yum!" he licked his lips in delight. It didn't have the same crunch of the fruit itself, but it tasted much richer! "This is really good!" He would have to try making some more of these for his sisters.

@James

James, though tense, managed to smile, and ate his own, staring off across the pond.

"... I'm going to leave soon, Sprig," he said, "To Pegasus. It is where I and Peggy are most comfortable living, and Comet too. We can graze comfortably there since I and Peggy mainly eat grasses and such, and Comet is a plains hunter by nature. If you ever wish to visit, or even to live with us, that is up to you and to Sun as well."

He was quiet for a moment, then continued, "I have a great many things to worry about. People to fight against and more people to protect. Grown up things you need not worry about. I will, of course, visit. And I'll bring things for you and your siblings."

He stared out across the water, the weight of his responsibilities feeling heavier in that moment.

"Be kind, Sprig," he mumbled, "But be smart. I wish you could grow up in a world that is sunshines and rainbows, but that's not reality. The world is cruel but at least you can grow up knowing of it and knowing how to live happily even through it."

James draped a wing over Sprig's back and sighed softly, "But know I love you, my boy."

@Sprig

"You're going to leave?" he looked up at James, sadness in his eyes. Sprig felt incredibly sad that not only was his renny leaving, but that Comet would be leaving too. But the way James said it, it sounded right. "When I grow up will I worry a lot too?" he wondered what in the world the horse could be worrying about. To him, everything seemed perfectly fine. There was yummy food, they lived in a great tree house, and he could play all day with his siblings.

Sprig had not the plainest idea what 'sunshine' was, but then again, James had talked about snakes with silver tongues too and he hadn't seen anything like that either. Perhaps it was because of how experienced the horse was, maybe one day he would be experienced enough to know too. Although honestly, seeing a snake with a silver tongue would be very scary. "Hopefully." James draped his wing over him and his colors started to flash. "You too renny." He flicked his ears, not looking forward at all to the day James would leave. At least he would have Sun and his siblings, right?

@James

James nodded solemnly, "Unlike you and your siblings, our home is where the grass grows endlessly and the forests are short and plentiful."

He touched Sprig's head with his nose and huffed, "I hope not. You don't need to worry about anything."

James looked down at Sprig and smiled gently, "I'll ask Sun if we can bring you all to Pegasus sometime. It's warm and peaceful there, and I'm sure Peggy would love the company."

He ate another fruit roll and gathered up the rest, setting them on a leaf before picking it up in his teeth and talking through them.

"Let's head back," he said, slightly unintelligible.

@Sprig

"Okay." The place that James described sounded like a fun place to visit. It didn't sound like a place he would enjoy living in though, but it sounded nice for a short trip. He monched on a final fruit roll before letting out a small burp, and stood up.

Sprig nodded and headed back to the treehouse. He couldn't wait to talk to his siblings about what he had learned!

"Exit Sprig"

@James

James looked back towards the pond and the coals under the bowl, smiling gently. Yes, this was a nice day.

He used a bit of magic to splash water over the coals, putting them out with a thought. He turned and trotted after Sprig, a satisfied smile on his face.

@Sprig
Exit James