"They came over again..." I can't help but mumble. A small group of children keeps coming up the hill and playing with Dream. Now...he barely has any time for me... It's been about a month since the villagers moved in, and this experience has been... exquisite...

Perhaps it's just me, but no monster has yet to approach me. They all flock to my brother, Dream. Why? I glance down the hill once more, my eyes stopping at a certain fox with two tails.

"He's doing it again..." I comment as the fox pokes at the river with a stick. What is he even doing down there? I've noticed that he doesn't really get along with the other monsters. Why?

Maybe I was staring too long, but we accidentally made eye contact. I quickly look away, trying to ignore my flustered emotions at having been caught staring. But I am pulled from my thoughts by a familiar emotion quickly making its way uphill. It's the same emotion as that bunny...what was her name? Oh right, Aubrey. Why does she give me such a dangerous feeling?

Looks like she's going to play with Dream too, obviously. As I sigh, wondering what to do today to relieve my boredom, a shadow overcasts me. I look up to see it's Aubrey. She's smiling at me. What is she doing here? No one, except Dream, is allowed near the tree.

"I suggest you back away miss. You're not allowed near the tree." I command.

"Oh, sorry about that. I just wanted to ask if you wanted to play with us. You seem lonely, sitting here all day long."

I raise my non-existent eyebrow. Even if I wanted to join, I cannot leave the tree unguarded. It's my job, my purpose. Even if I don't understand why.

"I'm sorry, but no. Perhaps some other time?" I suggested. Her emotions flicked for a split second. I didn't understand what it meant, but it made me feel uncomfortable.

"That's too bad...was really hoping for you to join in our little game of tag. Well, in that case, goodbye."

Aubrey quickly walks away toward the group of children. Although I don't understand. Why would an adult want to play with them? From what I've seen, the adults should be building the village and the children would play. Perhaps she just wanted to watch over the children, like how a parent should.

"Mom...I hope Dream will play with me soon." I mumble to the tree. Deep down, for some reason, I wanted to call this tree 'mom'. Even if I don't know what it means. But it feels soothing, calling this tree mom.

I'm pulled from my thoughts at the sound of tinkering. Looking down the hill, I can see the fox hitting some sort of pole with a hammer. He bends the pole, creating an L shape. What is he up to? He starts to dig in his bag, pulling out some string and other weird trinkets. I watch with curious eyes as he builds a fishing rod. I didn't even know that the river had poles.

He digs into the ground and inserts the fishing rod, securing it. After that, he just sits there. Waiting. He didn't even put bait on the string. What is he trying to catch?

I'm not sure how much time passed, but the rod started to shake. The fox quickly grabs the rod and starts to reel in whatever was caught. I'm surprised when he pulls out some sort of fabric. How dirty is that river? He seems satisfied with what he caught because he gives out a big smile.

I stared, wishing to join him. But...I cannot leave the tree. Then, someone approaches the fox. It appears to be one of the children. Another bunny monster. He must have said something rude because the fox started to frown.

Suddenly, the fox is pushed into the water. I stare in shock as the bunny leaves, laughing. The fox just sits there, wet. His emotions waver between neutrality and acceptance. No instance of sadness or anger. That is until he walks out of the river. Only then did his emotions change to sadness.

The fox packs up his stuff. Not bothering to dry himself off. I frown, why did that bunny push him? He doesn't seem to be a bad monster. But I shouldn't jump to conclusions. Maybe that is just how villagers greet each other.

And once again, we made eye contact. But this time, it's the fox who looks away from me. He starts to walk away and towards the village...I hope he's okay...

_____

I now understand why no one wanted to approach me. They all hate me.

I find myself groaning in pain. One of the children threw a rock at my head. I look up to see the same bunny child glaring at me with a smirk. His followers just stand there, grinning. What did I do wrong?

"Why do you even exist? No one wants your negativity. You're nothing but a virus spreading despair and hatred. It's because of you that conflict exists." The bunny monster states. The others nod, agreeing with his statement. I'd call Dream to take care of them, but a child offered to bring him to see the village. I now regret letting him go.

Before I could counter back, something is thrown at the bunny. It hits his head, causing him to fumble backward. I turned to look and see it was the fox. He glares at the bunny with anger.

"Leave him alone! It isn't his fault! And you know that!" The fox shouts. I don't understand...