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" Twice, I'm certain you wouldn't mind going off to retrieve some more lumber in this weather, correct? "
𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
Twotime trudged through the squelching muck of the forest floor, tail tucked into their jacket to keep it warm, the rain flowing down above them much calmer than when they first left the commune.
they sighed, somewhat frustrated but mostly just exhausted. They had spent the entire day doing the best they could for the elders of their village! they cleaned up after breakfast, helped prepare the altar for morning, afternoon and evening sermon, helped a fellow villager tidy her cabin, had said hello and given a piece of chicken to just about every cat in the village (although they always did that) and they didn't even open their mouth once and freak some random villager out with their "delusional" ranting!
and yet here they are, walking through the forest in the muck and rain to get wood, just about the most useless job to get! could no one in this village notice their worth? Elder Amarah hadn't even spared them a glance when he sent them off on this errand!
they even had to wear these huge bulky boots because of the rain and they could barely walk in them! not to mention just in general how uncomfortable shoes are!
although in light of the situation, Aspen has lended them his witches hat to try and keep them as dry as possible. bless his soul for he's probably the best person in this village.
they smacked themself. how could they ever insult their fellow believers?
they simply sighed again and shook their head, the rain had long stopped and now the chirping of little songbirds finally danced through the branches.
twotime had always been enamored by birds. perhaps their Interest came close to Aspens obsession with plants but they doubted anyone could love an earthly being more than Aspen loved plants.
they smiled at the many many memories of Aspens plant ranting. sometimes they talked about birds to him the same way he informed them of different flowers.
suddenly they snap themselves out of their thoughts as they approached a clearing. this is where the wood chopping area was located. gosh why was this so far away from the commune? and so deep into the forest?
taking their gloved hands out of their pockets ( which did nothing to warm them anyway) they leaned down to pick up a conveniently placed hatchet which was leaned up against the trunk of a tree.
grasping the handle as tightly as possible they hauled it over their shoulder, with very visible struggle. they definitely weren't built for this, why was it always their job to come out here and chop wood when they could barely even hold the axe?
walking over to a tree stump sat in the middle of the clearing, they shakily take a cylindrical chunk of wood and place it on the stump, trying their best to balance the axe on their shoulder with just one hand.
after the wood was set in place they took both hands and again grasped the handle of the axe as tight as possible and tried lifting it over their head.
as per usual the axe was far too heavy for them and fell back down with a thud, the blade getting stuck in the chunk of wood before they could muster the strength to strike the axe down on it properly.
with a groan they tried pulling the axe out but it just brought the chunk of wood with it, lodged deep in the blade.
Twotime wasn't one to get angry but this spawn-forsaken job just riled them up far too much. and reminded them of their poor physical strength. they felt their tail, stuck inside their jacket, trying to rattle, similar to a rattlesnake, involuntary movement that just proved further how angry they were.
after trying desperately to hit the axe off the stump to get the chunk out they decided to just give up, especially because they couldn't put in enough strength to hit the axe off the stump aggressively enough to satisfy their frustration.
they clenched their jaw and with as big of a swing as they could, chucked the axe away, it really didn't go far and just thudded on the ground.
they fisted their hands and hunched down on the floor, angry tears treating to spill from their eyes and raised their hands to their hair. upon realizing they shoved their arms under their legs and sat on their knees. biting their tongue as hard as they could.
Aspen had asked them not to pull out their hair when they were upset and had explained to them how it wasn't a good idea to.
after a minute of loathing in their own disappointment they stood back up, grabbing 3 smaller chunks of unchopped wood and shoving them aggressively into their satchel bag. part of them prayed they didn't get into trouble for not bringing back enough wood.
as they followed back along the path that brought them here they kicked off stones into the bushes. eventually the frustration died down a good bit, but it honestly wasn't really all that good of a thing because now the guilt and shame can kick in.
why couldn't they be good enough to do something as simple as chop wood?
another stone kicked off to the side smacked into a tree.
why couldn't they be useful enough to be given a job better than this?
a larger stone struck with the front of their boot and flying off into the bushes.
why did none of the other villagers ever pay them any mind? ever notice their hard work?
a stomp of their boot and another stone sent hurdling through leaves.
why did Elder Amarah bring them to this village all those years ago just to forget about them and dismiss them everyday?
with a surge of anger they yanked a stone off the ground and threw it through the air, some branches broke on impact and slowed it's momentum, the stone landed suddenly with a thud and...a squawk? a very fearful squawk.
Twotime was suddenly snapped out of their frustrations upon hearing the sound.
slowly they plodded through the thin foliage in the direction they had thrown the stone. soon enough they spotted it and crouched down to investigate.
a bundle of brown and beige ruffled up feathers sat a ways away from the stone, looking very unhappy.
Twotime, almost Immediately identified it as a sparrow, their face lit up as they looked at the little thing
their face then fell at the realization the stone might've hurt the poor bird.
as slowly as they could they reached over to the sparrow, which had begun squawking and flapping angrily at their outstretched hand, hopefully a good sign that it was trying to defend itself.
they crawled a little closer, hand still reaching for it and lifted one of its wings. they wanted to see if it was broken but they didn't really know how to tell exactly...
after thinking for a moment they came up with a bright idea, Aspen was assigned as the medic of the village, surely he would know what a broken bone felt like?
perfect! they just had to take the sparrow to Aspen and he could help them!
quickly they went to pick up the sparrow but they were rightfully pecked on the finger. it didn't really hurt, they were used to worse bites from particularly angry cats but still it brought them to reality.
they have to be more careful with the little bird.
so, slowly they unwrapped the scarf from around their neck and tried folding it up it a way where they could bundle the sparrow into it.
after quite a while of just trying to fold the damn scarf they come to the conclusion.. maybe this is why Aspen is usually one to fold the laundry- whatever. they can just pick the sparrow up with the scarf instead.
as gently as they could, they lifted the angry little sparrow with the scarf and curled it around the bird as much as possible to keep it warm.
their own body heat probably wouldn't help that much considering they might as well be cold-blooded but hey it was better than nothing! and they got to snuggle a little sparrow!
they stood up, sparrow pressed to their chest and padded down the path again, much happier than when before they had found the bird.
𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
Twotime was walking down the path of the village to where the housing cabins resided, their own cabin was here but they were looking for someone else's.
specifically Aspen's since they had just looked in the infirmary, the greenhouse and even the medical storage room but they still couldn't find him!
so here they are, a much calmer sparrow snuggled up against them, a few strange looks and a very happily wagging tail.
after a few more minutes of walking, Aspen's cabin came into sight, it was dark out by now but they could clearly make out the light from the windows and the many assortment of potted and hanging plants on the porch.
Twotime walked up the two steps to the porch and knocked on the door, stepping back just slightly and looking down in admiration to the sparrow they coddled against them.
They heard a click from the other side of the door and looked up as it opened to reveal a very happy looking Aspen.
" Oh- Twotime! I didn't expect you to be back yet-! "
he was suddenly cut off as a bird was basically shoved into his face
Twotime gave him 0 explanation as they stood there with a stupidly giddy smile on their face.
" Twotime- " Aspen just sighed but a small amused smile was still apparent " dear, you know you can't just steal random birds from the woods, c'mon let's say bye to this guy "
he stood out from the doorway but just as he was about to close the door behind him twotime perked up.
" But he's hurt Aspen! we have to help him.."
Twotime looked up at him with pleading eyes and a pouty face, Aspen was just relieved to know they hadn't climbed a tree again and unceremoniously taken the poor thing from it's nest.
He led Twotime back inside and went rummaging through a cabinet for bandages or really just any materials that could be useful. Twotime chose to go sit on the couch and continue to hold the little sparrow, stoking their finger over his fluffy, feathery head.
their tail, which had been free for a while from being trapped in their jacket, swayed behind them as they were filled with joy from just looking at the cute little bird.
Aspen walked back over, bandages and a small cardboard box in hand.
" Can I see him Timey? " He asked, voice low as to not startle the bird. twotime slowly handed the bundle of feathers over to Aspen and watched him inspect the sparrow, unraveling some of their scarf to see better.
" He doesn't look to be bleeding so there's no need for the bandages, how about we keep him here overnight and see how he is in the morning? " Aspen concluded after looking over the sparrow one last time.
" are his wings broken? I didn't know how to check.. "
Twotime looked down at the sparrow, expression somber.
" No I don't think so, I'd say he just fell from his perch and went into shock." Aspen reassured "something must've spooked him for him to fall though "
Twotime pursed their lips together, the rock they threw must have scared the poor sparrow... at least they didn't hit it!
" you take him back okay? I'll get some tea towels for the box to make him more comfy. " Aspen handed the sparrow back over to Twotime and walked over the kitchen.
As twotime took the sparrow back their tail coiled around themself, curling unfront of the little bird protectively as they snuggled him to their chest once again.
After a few moments Aspen returned with a few towels in hand, sitting back at his original spot and lining the box with them, they then extended the box to Twotime who hesitantly placed the sparrow in.
" you want your scarf back? " Aspen asked as they set the box down Infront of them and twotime.
" ...he can keep it. " they murmured as they watched the sparrow curl up in its new makeshift nest.
" You hungry? want a snack before we have to go to bed maybe? " Aspen looked over to them again, his words were clear but Twotime knew the real question he was asking and it made them bite the inside of their cheek to not smile.
" some strawberries..? " Twotime suggested before adding; " and yes, I'd love to stay over tonight Aspen. " they couldn't stop the smile this time as Aspen's entire features brightened up, the both of them had been having sleepovers since they were little and it was the most endearing thing to Twotime to know Aspen was still nervous to ask.
he nodded as he stood up to go back to the kitchen and get a bowl of strawberries, twotime could practically feel the giddiness radiating off of him and their tail wagged behind them, smacking against the couch cushions.
they looked back to the little sparrow, every part of them wanted to reach down to pat it's little head again but they knew the poor thing needed it's sleep.
they heard footsteps walk over and before they could look, a bowl was presented to them from over the back of the couch, they looked up to Aspen who had half a strawberry clutched between his teeth.
giggling, they took the bowl and picked the biggest strawberry to take a crunch out of, Aspen had bitten into his own strawberry and after walking around the couch, sat down to properly enjoy it.
he was careful of the box containing the sparrow, watching the peaceful sleeping bird before looking up to be met with Twotime practically ravanging their strawberries, looking like some kind of rabid animal as the red juice from the berries smudged against their mouth.
Aspen had to bring a hand to his mouth to muffle his laughing but upon being given a confused and slightly offended look from poor Twotime he couldn't hold his laughter in anymore.
𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
after Twotime had finished their strawberries (and cleaned their mouth) the two had changed into pajamas and were both sitting on Aspen's bed, the box with the sleepy sparrow was set on twotimes lap as they both tried to figure out where to put it.
Aspen had suggested to leave it on the couch but Twotime was insistent that the sparrow had to be in the same room as the both of them.
eventually they both decided to set the box on Aspen's desk. he also draped a small blanket over the top to keep the inside extra dark.
" see Timey? he's all nice and snug now. " he turned to Twotime who took one last long look at the box before they were satisfied, nodding and walking back over to Aspen's bed and crawling under the purple blanket.
Aspen smiled tiredly as he too walked over and lifted the blanket to join them.
" comfy? " he asked, being met with a nod from Twotime. he turned over and reached to his nightstand to turn off the lamp and pulled the blanket over his shoulder, settling into bed.
Aspen heard a little yawn from from behind him before a weight snuggled up against his back, the thumping of a certain someone's tail wagging against the bed was heard. he smiled and stayed as still as possible as Twotime got comfortable cuddling up to him, soothed to sleep by the warmth and the relief of rest after so much exhaustion.
𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
Aspen was awoken by the warm rays of sun reaching through the window and blinding him immediately as he opened his eyes. he squinted before sitting up to escape the light, looking over he noticed Twotime sitting at his desk and looking into the cardboard box.
he yawned as he stood and walked over, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. as he reached Twotime he leaned down and practically fell over them, wrapping his arms around their shoulders to support his weight better as he rested his head on theirs.
Twotime yelped quietly as they were suddenly used as a means to stop their poor partner from falling over while he rested.
" hehe- Aspen if you're really so tired you can return to bed " they murmured to him, lifting their hand to the cardboard box and petting the sparrow on the head, who was now awake and looking up at them with presumably confusion " I can take care of this little friend "
Aspen, very groggily lifted his head to look down at the Sparrow, he yawned again and stood upright " I'll go back to bed later... we have to bring him home" his voice was heavy with sleep but Twotime could still understand him, their tail drooped and Aspen knew exactly why.
" Twotime. the sparrow isn't a pet. we have to bring him back home to the forest " Aspen tried to make his voice more firm but he reckoned it didn't really work all that well.
" but... Sebastian likes me! " Twotime retorted. oh and of course they've named the damn bird. Aspen sighed
" Well "Sebastian" would like his home in the forest a lot more Timey "
Twotime looked heartbroken to need to part with their new friend but with a sigh they stood up to go get changed into suitable outside clothes, making sure to look extra sad so Aspen would be very very guilty.
𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧𖡼.𖤣𖥧
The two had gotten dressed and were both walking through the forest together, it was considerably more dry than yesterday so the sparrow- ahem... Sebastian The Sparrow would be able to find his home easier without all the rain and muck and wetness.
Aspen was the one holding the box, mostly because he didn't trust Twotime to ever let it go if they had it, he loves them really but they can be so stubborn if they put their mind to something and seeing them sad just breaks his heart more than he would ever dare to admit.
" do you think this is around where you found him? " Aspen asked as he came to a stop, looking down to
Twotime who was eagerly fussing over Sebastian in his little box. after a moment they realized they were being talked to and looked up.
" I think so! " they said and stepped back as Aspen crouched down to lower the box and put it on the ground, as he did so he gently took the scarf from the box and stood.
after a few moments Sebastian made a little chirping noise and the fluttering of wings was heard as he flew off into the trees.
Aspen smiled before looking over to Twotime who seemed a bit sad but still happy to see Sebastian was okay and healthy as he flew off.
" Don't worry Timey, I'm sure he's very thankful for your help " Aspen reassured them as he went to pick the box up and walk back home, checking behind him to make sure Twotime was following.
Twotimes tail wagged a little happier as they followed after Aspen, they slowed to walk in step with him and reached to grab his hand which Aspen gladly grabbed back.
" Aspen, are you sure we can't get a bird friend? '
" very positive Timey, you already have plenty of cat friends right? "
Twotime sighed, perhaps just watching the birds would have to be enough.