Meringue

written by splitdecisions! thank you very much :)

Every year, on the same day, when the cherry blossoms come to full bloom.
A wondrous friendship remembers itself. Kitsune and dragon. When winter kisses the ground goodbye, leaving it cold and wet, yet ready to begin anew. The snow is the blanket of ‘you did good this year, see you next year’ and gives them a new life.
Same went with Meringue, he works so hard, making plushies for his friends. But then, days get hard, sometimes it’s just the off day or week, and sometimes it’s just people. He hated that, but he knew.
Just a little longer. Then I can rest.
And by that, he went on, smiling. Even if it hurts.
And the dear friend, Kitsune, granted him this wish every year.
“Come Winter, I want to rest with the plants to be given just a time to think. To sleep. Then, I can come back, better than before”
It’s been centuries since he’s asked this. While things have passed, both good and bad. Meringue would wake, and ask his Kitsune friend about what has happened.
“Oh, the usual,” and Kistune would go on for hours, about what’s changed to give his restful friend a new heads up.
But this time. This time was different. Kitsune’s face was darkened with knowledge.
Kitsune opened his mouth to tell his friend what happened. But Meringue held up a mighty talon. A sad, yet determined glint in his mighty face. His mane still held tears of the winter sky, but it blew in the wind.
“I think, this time, I don’t want to know.” he told Kistune's friend. “Tell me, how have you been?”
Kitsune smiled. And they talked.
For days.
Weeks.
Perhaps it felt like a lifetime within an hour. But they didn’t want to leave.
For what’s the world to two friends who understand. Who are loyal.
Who have grown in the winter to come out anew in the spring, again and again, but never grow out of each other.

written & art done by dragonsmom!

It had been a cold winter. So many were. Dark and cold and dreary.
Kitsune smiled as he waited.
No longer were the days long and wet.
Spring had come, and with it the warmth of sunlight.
Pink blossoms danced in the breeze above him as he sat among the cherry trees, a small stream of water gentle cascading with a soothing melody nearby.

Kitsune waited.

As he did every year at this time.
He waited for his friend to awaken from his magikal winter rest.
Meringue was a good old dragon, loyal to his friends, happy-go-lucky, and hard working.
But over a score of decades, it took it's toll on the Gaoler. His body began to get sore as the weather turned cold, he seemed to get more agitated by folk, and he was just darn tired. One day, he's asked Kitsune if his friend could use his magik to let Meringue find peace and rest in the dead of winter, so that when Spring came, he would be rested and re-energized.
And so the deal was stuck.
When the first hard frosts and heavy snow came each year, Kitsune cast his magik that in affect caused his Friend to hibernate through the long, dark months. Then when new life and warmth returned to the land, he would wait to greet the well-rested dragon, to catch up on what had happened, and to begin the new cycle of the year.
A large furry shape plopped itself down next to the fox, catching him by surprise. A deep chuckle greeted him.
“Getting old, there, Friend. Didn't even hear me coming.”
“Just waiting on you to get your old self out of bed. Seems like it takes you forever these days.”
More laughter. “Maybe you're just missing me more these days.”
Kitsune rolled his eyes, but both knew how important their friendship was.
Who else would put up with them, after all?

“I got something for you. Ran into Nickoli on the way here, and he asked me to give you something.”
“That old coot? Sure do miss his Holiday Celebrations, but way too many folk about, and too dang cold.”
“I think he knows how you feel.” The fox held out a box tied with a lavender ribbon that matched the stripes in Meringue's furr, with a tag attached.
The dragon reached out a paw and used one of his sharp claws to untie the bow. As he read the card, a big grin lit his face. “I always have liked Nickoli and his Klan. Good folks.”
“Well, what's in the box?”
As the dragon opened the lid, the smell of ginger and cinnamon filled the air. Reaching in, Meringue pulled out . . .
a gingerbread dragon that looked an awfully lot like him. With pretzels for antlers and sugar candy flowers decorating the frosting.
There was one for Kitsune too.
As the Friends sat enjoying their treats and each others company, they knew Life was good.