That just reminds me, I have a mirror in my storage, don't I? Tails gave one to me when she first made this outfit for me. I should use it to see what I look like now.
...As expected, I still can't easily see with the mirror when it's dark at night, but I can see myself clearly enough. Yeah! The silver colours definitely fit me better than the red colours, I think!
(You know, can't you just use your magic to make some light? So it's easier to see?)
(Ah... You're right, Tails...)
Why didn't I think of that? It'll certainly be easier to see, but... I think I've already seen enough of the reflection to know my appearance. Let's just put the mirror away in the storage again.
(By the way, where did you get this mirror? I forgot to ask when you first gave it to me.)
(I just found it randomly in this forest about a month ago, when I was making your shrine maiden outfit. It's nothing special.)
(Eh? That convenient?)
Normally I'd have no issues with that, but... One month ago? Isn't that around the time when groups of humans were spotted wandering deep into this forest? I have a feeling that, this mirror is related to that somehow...
I still don't know what that incident is about, either. They just suddenly started getting close to where the Silverwolves, White Foxes, and I live. I think it's been settled, since Fluffy is back to accompany me during night.
Well, whatever the humans are up to, it doesn't concern me. As long as they stop getting close to us, it's fine.
----------
(So, Mimin, back to what we were talking about.)
(Ah, yes, Fluffy? What were we talking about?)
I'm sitting with my back straight, fluffing up my tail because it feels nice to the touch. My fingers feel nice from the fur, and my tail feels nice from being fluffed up, so it's a complete win situation for me!
My tail isn't as fluffy, or good to touch as Tails', but I'm doing this so that I can get that to happen. My tail will become fluffy, eventually!
Anyway, what was I talking about with Fluffy again?
(About you entering Lindis when you turn eight years old?)
(Ah, right.)
(Papa fox said that you'll understand something in the future, right? I can tell you about what that is, if you want.)
(Eh? The thing that I'll understand in the future?)
(Yes. If I explain it to you, you'll understand now. You're a smart child, after all.)
(Then, please go on, Fluffy.)
This may or may not be related to why Papa fox doesn't allow me to enter Lindis, so I want to know.
(Firstly, it's about the people of Lindis. You don't understand what they're like.)
(What do you mean by that, Fluffy?)
(You don't understand them. You don't know what things they're capable of doing, or their way of living, and so on. You may end up in danger, for some unknown reason, in some way or another. Therefore, it's natural to not let you enter Lindis when you can't guarantee that you can protect yourself.)
...Eh? What? I'm slightly confused but... Is that why I need to get stronger? To convince everyone that I can stay safe in Lindis?
(Secondly, it's about you entering Lindis alone. You must have wondered why we keep on talking as if you're entering Lindis by yourself.)
(Yes...)
(The truth is, Papa and Mama wolf can't enter Lindis with you, and there's no way they can. They said they'll find a way to enter Lindis with you when you turn eight years old, but that's just to keep you happy.)
(Eh? There's no way?)
(You would understand that too, if you just spent the time to think through it a little bit.)
But... I don't want to enter Lindis alone... I can't imagine myself being seperated from everyone, in an unknown and unfamiliar place. It's different from hunting alone in this forest, because I'm familiar with this forest.
It's scary...
(If that's the case, then I can't enter Lindis either... I don't want to be seperated from everyone. I'm afraid of it.)
I can't do it. It's scary...
(Well, there's probably an alternative to accompanying you, though.)
(...What is it, Fluffy?)
(It's not the same as being next to you, but we can just maintain communication with telepathy. It'll feel like we're constantly talking to each other like normal, right?)
It's not as comforting when they're not next to me, but being able to hear their voices should still be enough, right?
Yeah! Cheer up, Mimin! It's not as scary if I can still talk using telepathy!
(Yes! That may work!)
(If that's the case, then get stronger before you turn eight years old. That way, we can send you off to explore Lindis for a day, without worrying about you. We'll still be talking using telepathy to help you, of course.)
(Yes! Then, it's a promise!)
Ah, my tail is trying to move around too much again. Calm down, tail, I'm still not done trying to make you fluffier!
Before I turn eight years old, I'll be prepared to enter Lindis. Then, I'll be able to stay calm by using telepathy to talk to everyone, when I enter alone. I can do this!