TW: mention of d3ath and tragedy Ampulla belonged to the Chiaroscuro tribe, in a distant and mysterious northern forest. There, she had family, friends, and the beginnings of romance. But the winters grew harsher each year. The Chiaroscuro tribe hadn't been alone long ago; only the other tribes had all perished over the course of the increasingly long and cold winters. But the Chiaroscuro tribe was the most resilient. For six years now, they had been the only ones left. They couldn't go anywhere else; where would they go? They didn't know the rest of the world, didn't know if it was kinder. And one day, they all sensed a blizzard in the air. Blizzards came often, but this one would be worse than any. So Ampulla had an idea. She told them all to bury themselves under the snow, in the earth below. Warm and safe. She even blamed herself for not having thought of it sooner. But her tribe balked. They didn't know how long the storm would last, how long they would have to stay there without water, without food, without anything. Nothing but fear and waiting. So they refused. Even Candle, her love. So, as the storm arrived, she dragged her little sister, Firefly, into the hole she had painstakingly dug. She was the only one she could take against her will. The only one she could save. They waited a long time, so long. They heard the cries, the terrible cries. They no longer knew. Where up and down were, how long the storm had lasted and would last, how many cats had died, or even if there were any survivors. Ampulla thought of Candle, but now, mostly, she thought of Firefly, the trembling little ball of fur, huddled against her. Ampulla kept her warm, gave her melted snow to drink, and above all, she hoped. She hoped with all her heart. And then, Ampulla fell asleep. When she awoke, the ball of fur was gone. The storm and the screams had stopped. She went outside. It was the most heartbreaking sight she had ever seen. If there had been bodies, it would have been horrific. But she would have known. She would have seen. She could have stopped hoping. For she knew that hoping would only cause her pain. Hope for Firefly, yes. Hope for Candle, never. Ampulla set off. She never returned. Now she wanders the world, from dusk till dawn, desperately searching for her sister and not daring to hope for her lost love.
Art and backstory by me. Design by @-Crystalline Note: this is an entry. Ampulla does not belong to me. DTAEs project:
