"Time for another story," Death hummed, flicking her ear as one of her mice jumped from her head to the back of Vow's feathered serpent, who was currently draped across the large totoma like a second scaley skin.
"It's my turn again, hmm," Vow glanced down at the two mice currently dancing across her docile familiar's large head. "The Serpent... and The Mouse..."
Long ago in the mountains, there lived a huge feathered serpent. Many were scared of her, for she was a large and fearsome creature at first glance - and no one ever stayed long enough for a second look. Because of this fear, she lived her life alone and rarely saw others. But, one day, something scurried across her path and stayed there.
A mouse. A little mouse shivered and squeaked in front of her. Never had she seen something so tiny.
"Little one," she hissed. "What are you doing this far up the mountain?"
"Lost," the mouse squeaked. "I'm lost and cold."
The feathered serpent, looked down at the shivering creature with curiosity. She had spent so long in solitude that she had almost forgotten what it felt like to connect with another being.
“Why have you not run away?” the feathered serpent asked. Everyone usually screamed and ran at the first sight of her.
“I have nowhere to go,” the mouse replied. “I was picked up by the wind and lost my way. The mountains are too big. I’m all alone now.”
The serpent felt a pang of empathy. She thought about her own loneliness and the times she had wished for a friend. “You are small, little one, but you are brave to wander so far,” she said, lowering her head closer to the mouse. “Come, climb onto my back. I will keep you warm and safe.”
The mouse hesitated for a moment and then cautiously climbed onto the serpent's back, finding a cozy spot among the vibrant feathers. “Thank you,” he squeaked quietly.
“Let's find you a place to rest.”
For the first time in ages, the serpent shook herself out and readied herself for flight. As she glided through the mountains, the mouse clung tightly to her feathers. He had never seen the world from so high up. The valley below was full of life, and for the first time since he ended up on the mountain, he felt a glimmer of hope.
When they reached a small glade surrounded by flowering trees and berry bushes, the serpent settled down, letting the mouse hop off her back. “You can stay here until you find your way home,” she said.
Days turned into weeks, and the mouse made the little glade his new home. He explored the area, gathering seeds and berries, while the serpent watched over him. The two formed an unusual friendship. The mouse would tell stories of his life before the mountain, and the serpent shared tales of the skies and the wonders she had seen upon the mountain.
One day, a storm rolled in and dark clouds gathered overhead. The mouse scurried about, trying to gather his food before the rain fell. The serpent noticed his frantic squeaking and called out, “Come here! You must take shelter!”
But the mouse was too focused on his task to hear her. As the wind began to howl, she unfurled her massive wings and created a protective arch over the mouse. The rain poured down in waves, but beneath her wings, the mouse felt safe and warm.
“Thank you!” he squeaked. “You saved me again!”
“It is what friends do,” she said softly to herself, uncaring of the water and wind that battered her scales.
Eventually, the storm passed, and the sun emerged. The mouse ventured out from beneath the serpent's wings and gently patted her side. “You know... you're not just a big scary serpent,” he said, “You are my friend - my very good friend.”
The serpent laughed, brushing the mouse with the tip of one of her wings. “And you, little one, are my friend, too. Perhaps even my best and only one.”
As time went on, the mouse grew up and explored other parts of the mountain upon the serpent's back. They became a beloved duo, known to the other creatures of the mountain and valley. The fearful tales of the feathered serpent began to fade, replaced by stories of her kindness and the friendship she shared with a tiny mouse.
And so..." Vow smiled, reaching the end of her story. "They proved that even the most unlikely companions can create a beautiful bond." Vow paused to lightly bump Death's side. "What do you think?"
Death hummed thoughtfully, sidestepping a root on the path. "Why didn't she eat the mouse? Don't snakes eat mice?"
Vow laughed. "She was so big, it would be like eating a single blade of grass or one tiny seed! Not worth the effort,"
Her feathered serpent let out a huff of agreement, dislodging one of the mice from her snout with the gust of air.
"Okay, well then my next story is going to be about a cool giant mouse and a tiny snake," Death declared as they continued to walk through the plains, their conversation fading in the distance.