Submitted: 23 April 1999

Raccoon brings a sweet memory

by Thistleberry Mystletoe

Thistleberry waves to a patron leaving the bar, then turns her attention back to the barkeep.

"You know, at times being on the streets of Crossing can be ... less than amenable. I was absolutely flumboxxled the day before yester by the most spirited little raccoon."

Leaning her weight on the bar, the empath nodded her head up and down as if in reaffirmation of what she was saying.

"My spirit was low, as I'd just finished dealing with a rather rude person I had been trying to sell my veil to ... vault payment due you know. And I was just a step or three away from the clerics' guild, when a very young raccoon crossed my path."

The elothean girl smiles softly in memory of the event.

"It nudged me very excitedly, and as I reached down to try and pet it, it gave me a small stone. No, Baresh, it didn't drop it in front of me, my hands were empty one moment and the next moment there was a lovely, shining little crystal in them."

Again the healer nods in emphasis, her amazement clearly showing on her face.

"I tried to take a look at the little rascal, but it scampered out much too quickly, and a mage approached me at about the same time seeking healing. I was so startled by the little animal that I touched my patient, and simply forgot to take his wounds."

Thistle chortles wholeheartedly and grins at the barkeep.

"Well, the tiny one came back, but a moment later. This time I found in my hands a tiny topaz. And again the raccoon scuttled off."

Pondering for a moment the elothean rewraps a bandage that seems to be a bit scruffy.

"Now I don't know any rangers Baresh, and I'm not familiar with raccoons. Whether this little one holds the heart of a ranger or if it's one of the many animals that seem to be finding Crossing a decent place to live, I cannot say. But I will tell you this ..."

She stops for a moment and inhales, gently, her spirit seeming to grow as she speaks, "It was not the stones that lifted my spirits. It was being noticed by the little one for no apparent reason and I've learned a strong lesson from that raccoon."

"I will remember to pass on random kindness and senseless acts of beauty, no matter how my spirit sinks or soars."

With that the empath gave another nod to Baresh, and left a gold coin on the counter. "Give your next customer a drink on me Baresh, and may your health remain strong, your mind powerful."