Leaves Falling, Autumn Calling – Part II
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About the Images
Featured in today’s post are the delightful Cluckin’ Cozy Silkie Chickens by Aardvark. These charming little birds are available as a companion, wanderer, or static decor, making them as versatile as they are entertaining. The HUD includes five feather colors and ten texture options for the hats and scarves, which can be toggled on or off to suit your scene. If you choose the companion or wanderer versions, you’ll also enjoy their hilarious clucking sounds that bring the flock to life. You can pick up these Silkies at the current round of Kustom9 through 10 October, and afterward, they’ll be available at the Aardvark mainstore.
Also making an appearance is the Gourd-ious pose by -Extra-, a perfect addition for your autumn photos. The pose is available as a free gift at the Fall Festival, which is open through 28 September. The box includes a mirrored pose, the original mesh pumpkin, and an optional facial expression (not shown here).
Full credits are below the story. Store and event SLurls are available on the Store & Event Links page.
The Story
Serena’s “mischievous idea” turned out to be a detour to the local pumpkin patch. By the time they pulled into the gravel lot, Sage was already laughing. “Of course this was your plan,” she said, eyeing the rows of hay bales, orange gourds, and a painted sign pointing toward the patch.
“Hey, nothing says autumn like pumpkins,” Serena replied with a grin. “Besides, you need one for your apartment. And maybe a few more for pie.”
They wandered down the rows together, crunching leaves and dried grass underfoot as the late-afternoon sun dipped lower in the sky, gilding everything in a warm amber glow. Pumpkins of every shape and size stretched across the field: perfectly round ones, lopsided ones, even a few so large they could have doubled as furniture.
“Sit there,” Serena said suddenly, pointing to a hay bale nestled near the pumpkin piles. She handed Sage a small, perfectly round pumpkin. “Now hold it up like it’s the skull from Hamlet.”
Sage gave her a long-suffering look, but humored her anyway, perching on the bale and raising the pumpkin in mock-serious contemplation. “Alas, poor Yorick,” she intoned dramatically, drawing out the syllables like she was on stage.
Serena laughed so hard she nearly dropped her phone. “Perfect! Hold that pose! I’m getting my camera.” She dashed back to her bag, pulled out her DSLR, and began snapping photos. “Yes, yes, very Shakespearean. Sage the Pumpkin Philosopher. You’re wasted in psychology. Broadway’s calling!”
Sage rolled her eyes, though a smile tugged at her lips. She shifted the pumpkin in her hands, striking increasingly silly poses until Serena could hardly keep the camera steady from laughing. Serena kept shooting: wide shots of Sage on the hay bale, close-ups with the pumpkin tilted dramatically, even a candid where Sage was mid-laugh and the sunlight caught her hair in gold.
Before Sage could fire back with her own joke, a soft clucking sound made them both look down. A round, fluffy silkie chicken waddled up to her feet, its feathers puffed like cotton balls. Even more hilarious, it was wearing a knitted scarf and a tiny hat with a pom-pom bobbing at the top.
“Is that chicken… accessorized?” Sage asked, lowering her pumpkin to stare at the bird.
As if on cue, more silkies appeared, each dressed more absurdly than the last: one in a plaid cap and matching neckerchief, another in what looked suspiciously like camouflage. They strutted confidently through the patch as if they owned the place.
Serena quickly aimed her camera again. “Oh my gosh, this is gold. Pose with your new friends!”
The chickens seemed equally fascinated by the sisters. One hopped up beside Sage on the hay bale, cocking its head curiously as if inspecting her pumpkin. Another circled Serena, pecking at her shoelaces.
“Are they… judging our choices?” Sage asked, holding her pumpkin protectively.
“Probably,” Serena teased. “Better pick a good one, or you’ll get clucked at.” She snapped another photo of Sage with the chicken at her feet.
The scene quickly devolved into giggles as they tried to navigate the patch while dodging the persistent silkies. One particularly bold chicken tugged at the hem of Sage’s jeans until she finally crouched down and scratched its head. “Okay, fine, you win. You’re adorable.”
Serena clicked again, capturing the exact moment Sage bent down, laughter bubbling out of her. “That one’s going on the wall,” she said triumphantly. “Sage, the chicken whisperer.”
They spent the next hour weaving through the patch, comparing pumpkins, laughing at the chickens’ antics, and occasionally having to rescue a pumpkin that one of the silkies decided was theirs. When Serena tried lifting a particularly large gourd, two chickens immediately waddled over, as if to supervise her technique. Naturally, Serena photographed that too.
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By the time the sun melted into shades of pink and purple across the horizon, Serena and Sage had chosen their pumpkins—one plump and round, the other slightly quirky with a twisted stem, perfectly reflecting their personalities. Standing together, pumpkins in hand, they posed for a photo in front of the patch, laughing as another silkie strutted into the frame like it was part of the family.
Sage hugged her pumpkin close as they headed back toward the barn, the glow of string lights twinkling overhead. “I have to admit,” she said softly, “this was the perfect end to the day. I can’t remember the last time I laughed this much.”
Serena slipped her camera strap over her shoulder, her voice warm. “That’s what sisters are for. Coffee, pogo sticks, pumpkin patches… and chickens in scarves.”
Sage laughed again, the sound light and easy. For the first time in a long while, she felt completely at peace. Tomorrow, the weight of school would return, but tonight she carried nothing heavier than a pumpkin.
CREDITS
Serena & Sage’s Clothes, Etc.
See Leaves Falling, Autumn Calling – Part I
Poses
-Extra- Gourd-ious (free gift @ Fall Festival)
-Extra- Hey Pumpkin
Scene
Aardvark Cluckin’ Cozy Silkie Chickens (NEW @ Kustom9)
Little Branch Giant Beech
Focus Poses Pumpkin Patch Farm Market Backdrop
Focus Poses Pumpkin Patch Farm Market Decor
LOVE Cornfield
Konoha Drinker’s Hayfield
Tarte Hay Bale
For items worn regularly, please see About the Characters.
For store SLurls, please visit the Store & Event Links page.
