Alie

Together We're Glowing, Now and Forever

Rumi's not supposed to talk to strangers, but that means strange adults, not kids around her own age, which the girl in the tree definitely is. She's also not sure exactly what to do when someone's crying, but when she's upset, it helps just having someone to sit with her, so she carefully climbs up to sit on the branch next to the girl, digging her claws sharp fingernails into the bark for extra grip. Should she pat her on the shoulder? Offer her a hug? Say something comforting? Tree Girl notices her, of course, and looks down at her with angry, bloodshot eyes. "What do you want?" Or: three girls meet by chance, much earlier than they were supposed to. This turns out to be a good thing for all of them.