Chapter Text
Chapter 1: Stroll of Summer
Fresh green grass crunched under foot from the synchronized steps of two adventurous youngsters. The bright summer sun shined with restraint, the air cooled by the shade of the trees encircling the sky, a partially cloudy sky, and a slight breeze.
The older of the two was a young reindeer. They were a touch on the tall size for their age, being 15. Their outfit was in stark contrast to the weather, as their chocolatey brown fur was cloaked in a dark coloured shirt (decorated with a band logo) and a knee-length skirt. A backpack was slung nonchalantly across their shoulders. Their eyes were framed with a thin layer of eyeshadow, with the right eye obscured by their silky black hair, which swooped in a partial bang across their face, tapering off at their shoulders.
The younger of the two was a human. An oddity for their community, they were 12, a bit over a head shorter than their friend. Their brown hair was neatly snipped into a bob, with a clean set of bangs obscuring their stark red eyes. They were also dressed in a manner that was unusual for the summer: a black undershirt paired with a green and cream sweater, and long slacks that bunched slightly at the ankles.
They were Dess and Kris. The teen and the 'tween, practically inseparable. Their parents, good friends, had tried to match their pairs of children up by age, but their personalities were not conducive to this.
“Kris,” the reindeer said, breaking the quiet ambiance of grass underfoot, “we’re kinda similar, aren't we?”
“Could you elaborate?”
“Well, you sure like going on nature walks more than Noelle does. I don't want to sound mean or anything, but she's a bit of a recluse compared to you.”
Kris thought about her. Noelle Holiday. When they were younger, Kris' mother had scheduled many playdates between them. However, the outcome would usually be the same. Noelle, feeling shy, would cling to her mother's leg, while Dess would eagerly come out to catch up with the town’s only human. After the first few times, their mother had told them that she was worried they weren't making many friends their age. They had felt that was really more of a problem for Noelle.
“Yeah, I guess you could say that.”
“Also, you kinda remind me of when I was younger.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I was about your age when I came out to my parents. At first, they were a little confused, but they eventually started to understand it.”
Kris smiled. They had introduced Kris to the idea of being Non-binary. Before that, Kris had been a little girl who never really felt right. They felt like some sort of thespian, never able to truly let the curtains close. But about a year ago, Dess had given them the revelation of what they needed.
“I’m really grateful that you helped me come out. I don't know if I would have been able to do it without you.”
“Hey, I'm just glad you're feeling more comfy in your own skin now. That's what really matters.”
They gave Kris a playful jab to the shoulder.
“It's funny, y’know? We're almost like two copies of the same person.”
“That's a weird thing to say.”
Dess brushed their hair out of their eyes.
“Fair.”
Suddenly, the two of them stopped. Dess pointed their finger at a red door, slightly covered with withered vines, carved into a small hill.
“Hey Kris. Wanna check the mystery door?”
Kris grinned. The ‘mystery door’ had become a sort of game between them. Every time they took a nature walk, Dess would ask them if they wanted to check the door, and they would agree. Then, they would check the handle, discover that it wouldn't budge, and continue on.
Dess walked over to the door, their hooves slowly making a clicking cadence as they moved off of the grass and onto the stone floor in front of the door. They grasped the handle with one hand.
“Oh look. I wonder what's going to happen,” They sarcastically remarked.
The handle swung down, and the door opened inwards with ease. A cool breeze drifted out of the dark opening.
“H-huh? Its open?” Dess said, their facial features curling into a confused scowl. Their expression neutralized, and slowly turned into a smug grin.
“Kris. We gotta see what's in here.”
“Agreed.”
And with that, the two of them entered the door.