grabds

Leave Dahuang? Why? If you were looking for fresher pastures, you only needed to go as far as the river bank.

We kept walking. When there was no path in the hills and rivers, we walked over them by stepping on rocks.

But our baby was separated from us along the way.

So you won't move until you find your calf?

Have you any idea how far Dahuang is from here? How long is that search gonna be?

Look at that dark cloud! It could rain at any moment!

Say something, girl!

How about... how about you two move out of the way and let him pass? I'll stay and help you look for your baby.

No. There is another reason.

Gah!

Why won't the burdenbeast talk? Is he here to look for the baby?

He cannot talk to you yet, for the same reason... a reason that you have not figured out yet.

The young farmer sat down and cocked his head, looking at the dark cloud that was gradually descending, casting a shadow over the trees, road, burdenbeast, stockbeast, and humans.

Are you sleepy? Should we stop here?

No! You're just getting to the good part!

Shh, keep your voice down, the young ones over there are asleep.

You can tell it to me quiet, Grain Buds! What did the lost baby look like?

The doctor who brought me to Rhodes Island said I have eyes like my mother... does the calf look like its parents?

If stockbeasts can talk, their baby can look like anything. It's just a story, no need to care so much.

Well, I DO care!

Shh—do you want to hear what happened next or not? I promise that you'll find out what the calf looks like soon enough.

What are you muttering to yourself over there? I thought you said you could fix this!

I'm working on it. She should be here like, now... let's wait a little longer.

What? That rain isn't waiting for anybody!

Just give me a sec!

I'm sorry. If you don't have a way... I'll have to use my whip.

Wait, she's here! Over there!

A Xian came by the road.

She had a few strands of millet in her hand, and there were a few muddy spots on her pants.

Are you going to the granary?

Yes, Exalted Xian! It's about to rain, and I have to hurry. Look over there...

You mean the dark cloud? Don't worry, it won't rain.

And there's no need to hurry... the road up ahead has collapsed.

Collapsed? How can that be? There shouldn't be any floods in this season.

Which makes it all the more difficult to predict. Perhaps it was already damaged a few years ago by the mountain fissure, and it finally gave way today.

You saved his life by blocking the path.

Moo.

You knew the road ahead would collapse?

Mm-hm.

Is that the other reason?

Partly. He's not the only one we're trying to help.

Yes. Now that you are aware of the danger ahead, it's time for us to go.

Wait! I've figured out the other reason, haven't I? Why doesn't he want to talk to me?

Some words do not need to be said out loud to be understood.

They're going?

As if just realizing something, the farmer grabbed a bunch of grain from his truck and chased after the burdenbeast and stockbeast.

Wait! Thank you! I want you to have this!

*huff* *huff* Wh-Why can't I catch them, even though they're walking so slowly?

Those that are gone will remain beyond your grasp. It is the way of things. There is no need for regret.

Look, the dark cloud is gone, just as I told you.

The dark cloud was indeed gone, and sunlight shined through where it once was.

The young farmer panted with his hands on his knee, but he did not drop a single grain.

Suddenly, there was a sound from the truck. A little beastling poked its head out, then jumped from the cargo bed. It looked just like a dark cloud.

Apparently just woken up, it shook a bunch of straw off itself, having no idea how it got here.

I smell Mommy and Daddy! Where are they?

The young storm cloudbeast ran a few circles around the truck, leaping up and down.

Where's Mommy and Daddy? Where am I?

Are you... Roundie?

You know me? Hey, you look familiar... have I met you before?

Why were you on the truck?

I don't know. I just took a nap in a haystack because the sun was really warm.

When I woke up, Mommy and Daddy were nowhere to be found! But I could smell them!

They were just here! They're not far away! Look!

What's that?

Your mommy and daddy!

Huh?

I... I don't recognize them. I only remember their scent.

How could you not recognize them?

Your eyes are big and round, just like that stockbeast.

I don't remember!

But they do... they said you were quiet and content when you were little, always following close behind them.

They said your legs trembled, but you kept walking forward.

They said that when you sat on their shoulders, you always grabbed lightly with your claws so you wouldn't hurt them.

Th-That's me!

The little storm cloudbeast spun around anxiously, on the verge of tears.

But I haven't seen them in years!

Your mommy and daddy are over there! I'll take you to them!

The storm cloudbeast jumped into Grain Buds's arms. She sniffed and ran towards the burdenbeast and stockbeast under the red clouds.

She ran and yelled—

Wait!

I found your baby!

The silent burdenbeast seemed to hear her, and stopped in its tracks, turning around to wait.

Grain Buds picked up her pace and tried to bring the storm cloudbeast to the burdenbeast.

But she simply could not close the distance with the burdenbeast, no matter how hard she tried.

I-It's no use. You can't catch them.

They're... gone.

But the burdenbeast was just standing there. It never left.

Grain Buds was exhausted and came to a stop, panting heavily. In the sunset, the shadows were stretched long and thin, like lines of ink that never fade.

I will do it.

What?

I will take Roundie to her parents. I will make her recognize them.

A-Are you really a Xian?

There's no such thing as Xians. We're all the same: ordinary people who care with our hearts.

Isn't that so, girl who just happened to pass by?

With our hearts... that's how we hear animals and recognize lost loved ones, right?

In that case, I'll leave Roundie in your hands.

No need to worry. I promise...

You're back! What about the calf?

I left it to the Xian. She'll get Roundie to her mommy and daddy.

Say, can I hitch a ride?