Morning Routines

Marker Mother Goat stretched her arms above her head as golden sunlight poured through the tall windows of Marker Fortress. Her light cream fur caught the morning glow, and her small curved horns gleamed as she yawned.

"Another beautiful day in Craft Room City," she said, padding across the wooden floor in her sturdy boots. Her blue-and-black dress swished gently, and her red cape hung neatly on a hook by her walk-in closet.

She picked up her giant glowing magic marker from the nightstand. Its familiar weight felt reassuring in her gloved hands. The marker pulsed with a soft, warm light that always made her smile.

Through her window, she could see the city waking up. Humanoid deer hurried along the sidewalks with coffee cups. A sheep couple walked their small dog past the fountain in the town square.

Marker Mother Goat pulled on her red cape and hood. Something felt different about today, though she couldn't quite put her finger on what it was.

The Silent Rainbow

Marker Mother Goat stepped outside Marker Fortress and immediately noticed something wrong. The morning air felt too quiet.

"Good morning, Marker Mother Goat!" called out Penny, a humanoid sheep with fluffy white wool who ran the art supply shop on Main Street. But Penny's usual cheerful wave seemed forced.

"Morning, Penny! How are things at the shop?"

Penny's ears drooped. "Terrible! Every single crayon in my store has stopped working. The children came in for supplies for tomorrow's big art festival, but nothing makes marks anymore."

Marker Mother Goat pulled out her giant glowing marker and tested it on a nearby fence. Perfect purple lines appeared instantly.

"That's strange. My marker works fine."

"It's not just my shop," said a voice behind them. A humanoid deer with brown fur jogged up, his antlers catching the sunlight. "I'm Dale from the school. Every crayon, colored pencil, and paint in the entire city has gone blank. The art festival is tomorrow, and we have hundreds of children expecting to create masterpieces."

Marker Mother Goat felt her stomach sink. Without colors, Craft Room City's biggest celebration would be ruined.