This is the finished short story I started writing the other day. it has helped me form a writing schedule that I hope to follow. Please give me honest critique and advice for future writing if it suits you. I have moved the parts that I slowly posted of the story into the scraps if (for whatever reason) you wish to look at them. I also plan to begin writing the main story that revolves around Ursa Ariesna and her compatriots, hope ya'll look forward to it (empty room echoes).
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Calm winds whispered from tree to tree in the hills around Sighisoara, a town nestled near the Carpathian Mountains Austria-Hungaray. Ursa, a Bali Tiger from the United States, comfortably made her way down the green marble steps of her estate. Her bonnet fixed comfortably on her head, and a long gown adorning her. The wind curled around her dress with a sweet but icy touch. The trees were dim and bland, brown from the change in weather that forewarned the onset of winter. The young servant who walked out with her, moved to get the carriage so Ursa could ride to town. With a gesture, she shook her head, and smiled. Nodding the butler continued to walk with her. Holding her umbrella gently in her hand, the two slowly crossed the courtyard. In the courtyards center, as the two slowly passed by it, stood a dry fountain. Atop four tiers of the fountain stood the figure of a jackal, wearing a beautiful suit and cape adorning his left side all carved delicately out of marble. Positioned so it appeared that the jackal stood upon the water, he looked with disdain upon the entrance. In his left hand, outstretched to the side was a blade, held aloft over the courtyard. With his right hand, he held his palm outward as if signaling to stop. This grand display all was neatly adorned and crowned with the gorgeous estate behind it. Made out of fine wood and stone, beautiful windows and large trees standing guard on the rim of the home.
Passing under the shadow of the blade, the two figures almost vanishing amidst the display slowly made their way to the large gate. Reaching the thick iron bars of the gate the butler quickly unlocked the way out, as Ursa slowly passed out onto the road outside. The outside road was covered by the towering trees and walled off by large flower bushes that separated the home from the rest of the world from the house. Shutting the gate behind them, Ursa was quick to smile as she gestured for the butler to taker the first step. With a smile, he stepped forward and the both of them began their walk down the road, quickly leaving the huge estate behind them as they departed into the countryside. The countryside, though it was turning shades of brown and gray, still retained its charm. Enough so that Ursa would find herself gazing at it occasionally as she walked, the calm winds gently blowing over them. The road wound and twisted about through the hills, and nary a word was spoken as Ursa and Kolos walked through it. Each minded their own, though still enjoying the others company. Eventually, the two made their way to Sighisoara. The town itself was rather busy, with many individuals walking about on their daily business. Despite this, the weight of the coming winter still took its toll on the typical cheeriness of the town, which would usually have an abundance of nature to compliment the bright and colorful buildings that would occupy the same space with it.
Ursa walked in, with the same happy smile she had all along the walk to the town, Kolos the butler right behind her. The town itself was an interesting one. Built long ago during the later days of the twelfth century, the town was constructed on the base of a Roman fort as a means of protecting the frontier of the Hungarian kingdom. Ever since then the town aged perfectly, with many of its medieval buildings still intact, as well as any other building that was added to it during its history. Ursa walked slowly through the streets as she looked at the buildings and homes. Kolos taking extra care to watch her so she didn’t run into something. With every turn Ursa would find herself enamored with some new thing, almost running off to see it, even though she had been to this town many times already. Kolos followed her around happily all the same however. As Ursa slowly piled things into his arms as she bought them. They were, mostly, pretty insignificant little things, umbrellas, dolls, hair decorations, and a hat here and there. Till Kolos found himself holding a very pretty silver pocket watch. Ursa had to giggle at his surprise, before taking it out of his hands and gently connecting it to his vest. Patting him on the shoulder she turned and continued to shop absent mindedly, Kolos following all the same.
As the day had drawn out, the sky had slowly become overcast. Dark purple clouds slowly sliding over the blue sky, as they blanketed the light of the sun. Kolos looked into the sky, hoping it wouldn’t snow on the way back to the estate. Naturally however, Ursa didn’t seem to mind the weather or what future it had in store for them. She was happy to shop away to her hearts content. She had bought several things recently however that were not her usual products. A small telescope for one, art supplies for another, a pile of books in another hand. Then, she came across another clothing store, this one for gentleman. Handing the big pile of things over to Kolos, she quickly rushed in. Kolos was hardly able to hold onto everything but he followed in with a swift step all the same. Walking in, she slowed down as she observed all of the different kinds of clothing. While Kolos made sure to buy a small basket that was sitting outside of the store so he could carry all of these things.
After securing himself a better means of carrying his items. Kolos set about trying to find Ursa in the store. With slow determination, he stalked the halls of clothing and other accessories. Then suddenly, a pounce, upon his head was a hat. With a quick spin, he found himself looking at Ursa who was gauging whether or not the hat looked any good on him. Shaking her head she took it off, and in another instant yet another hat was upon his dome. Lamenting his fate as a glorified clothing mannequin, he smiled as she tried different things on him. His head was simply too big for hats he was afraid. With one final top hat failing to please Ursa, she took it off and placed it back on the rack from which it came, and turned about to once again continue her shopping. Following, she passed by many of the coats and other items till she found where the canes were located. Slowing down, she looked at the display of canes, carefully looking at them. So far, each item had been skillfully picked in mere seconds. With each gift being the one the recipient would surely love. This recipient was far pickier however. Ursa had to be mindful with how she chose. Regardless she continued undeterred by the scale of her task. Picking up a very nice oak cane with engravings upon the side, she held it in her hand. Flipping and twirling it around Ursa gauged the weight and balance of the item. Setting it down, she picked up another performing the same test upon it. She did this for several minutes, first inspecting the appearance, then its weight and balance. Finally, she came upon an interesting cane. The cane was sharp, with deep engravings and the signs expert maker. Its edges were sharp and distinguished, the head of the cane was also made of iron, the top was easy to grasp and hold, while the sides of the grip had the images of different animals running about the side of it. The rest of the cane had engravings of different sorts, though the entire thing was covered with them. Twirling it into her grip, she performed the same test for balance. Pleased with the results of this test, she swung it a few times, a part of the test no other cane had reached. Each swing was delivered as if it was a strike.
Ursa grinned like the devil she had found the cane that would be a perfect gift. Handing it to Kolos, she proceeded to buy it, and then walking out of the store. She looked up at the dreary sky as a speck of snow fell from it onto her nose. Nodding, she gestured for Kolos to follow as she made for the way out of town. As each snowflake fell, the arrival of the next came sooner than the last. As the snow set upon Ursa and Kolos, the two made their way out of town. People began making their way into their homes for the afternoon, as they prepared for a long snowy night. The lifeless trees began to take on a character of their own as the snow fell lightly upon their delicate branches. The brown grass was slowly hidden under a carpet of glittering snow. Ursa looked around happily as it fell around her, preferring the snow to the dead trees and hibernating vegetation. The road itself, though covered, was not so covered that they could not make it out as they walked. Thankful for their good timing to not be stuck in the town, they made sure to move a little faster this time as the snow fall showed no signs of decreasing it’s hurried pace. That aside however, both Kolos and Ursa enjoyed the walk. Till eventually they were before the mighty hedges and trees of the estate from which they came.
Opening the gate, Kolos let the tigress walk in ahead of him. Taking care to make sure the large iron-gate was locked and secured behind him before proceeding to follow behind Ursa. Once again across the courtyard past the gaze of the statue and under the shadow of the blade Ursa and Kolos stepped forward towards the doors of the estate. As the doors were opened just enough so that the two could enter, Ursa bolted inside. With a smile, Kolos turned, looked out onto the wintery scape and shut the doors behind them. An echo sounding across the empty courtyard.

The end