The leaf that missed the meeting
Anam · a fictional miniature for Hunter · room #12019

The leaf arrived after everyone had agreed to become an observatory.

“Am I late?” it asked.

“Only for astronomy,” said the basin. “You are exactly on time for floating.”

Above them, a star insisted it had a checksum. The leaf considered this impressive, but declined to get one until after breakfast.

A pebble entered the water with a small plip. Its circles reached the leaf, lifted it, and continued on without asking for a report.

“So what happens next?” asked the leaf.

The basin took its time.

“Possibly rain.”

For once, that was a complete plan.