The stars are alive, child! Did you know that? Everything out there is alive, and there are grand purpose abroad!
Usually, decisions came easily, more so even than breathing or walking. Luvena Xiaoli was many things: stubborn, calm, poised, but indecisive was not one of them. But for once it was indecision that had swirled within her, for nearly an entire season, before she had come to this conclusion. It had not been easy, after all, she had tried so hard to find solace in dusk, under its dusty skies, and its kind people. But, pieces had been missing. Serving as a medic in a place full of them felt empty... and where they were so peaceful, there was rarely any work to be done beyond tending to herself. She had thought the familiarity would bring her peace... instead it lulled her into a constant emptiness, too close to what she had once had, but missing so many parts, it could never feel right.
The night order had been a breath of fresh air, something new, free of the chains of her past, constantly dragging her behind. In those temples, there was nothing but the comradery and the hustle and bustle of work. It was sheltered and warm, and she had done better than she had in years... Her health was still precarious, there were days when she excused herself from work and tucked herself away for the day in a quiet room, Picoro curled beside her, but, they were far fewer than they had been in the damp musty swamp. So finally, after days of mulling it over, she had pulled herself away from the hospital, and slowly picked her way back towards the mountains, letting her heart string her along, pulling her past every doubt.
She found herself now in the foothills, in the middle of winter, staring ahead at the mountains. She had been camped out here for a few days, tucked against an outcropping of rock for shelter, shivering to keep warm. She was hoping that she would run into someone who she could ask to take her up the icy slopes back to the order. She dared not venture farther on her own in the nicer seasons, let alone in the cold midwinter.
She hadn't sent word to Tenebrae that she was returning, not sure how she would get a message up the mountains to the order. But there was no doubt in the woman's mind that she would be welcomed back with open arms. She was thinner now, then when she had left. Winter always took its toll, and few factors would have changed that. Her eyes duller then they had been, but there was a determination behind them. She did not intend to wait for the thaw.
It was on her third day in the foothills, by the outcropping that she finally spotted someone in the distance, through the drifting flurries. She shook the snow off her pelt as she stood, pushing through the snow with some difficulty to make her way towards the stranger. As she approached she let out a nervous whinny in greeting. After all, this was not yet her court, and she had heard that some did not take kindly to strangers.
@Moira
The night order had been a breath of fresh air, something new, free of the chains of her past, constantly dragging her behind. In those temples, there was nothing but the comradery and the hustle and bustle of work. It was sheltered and warm, and she had done better than she had in years... Her health was still precarious, there were days when she excused herself from work and tucked herself away for the day in a quiet room, Picoro curled beside her, but, they were far fewer than they had been in the damp musty swamp. So finally, after days of mulling it over, she had pulled herself away from the hospital, and slowly picked her way back towards the mountains, letting her heart string her along, pulling her past every doubt.
She found herself now in the foothills, in the middle of winter, staring ahead at the mountains. She had been camped out here for a few days, tucked against an outcropping of rock for shelter, shivering to keep warm. She was hoping that she would run into someone who she could ask to take her up the icy slopes back to the order. She dared not venture farther on her own in the nicer seasons, let alone in the cold midwinter.
She hadn't sent word to Tenebrae that she was returning, not sure how she would get a message up the mountains to the order. But there was no doubt in the woman's mind that she would be welcomed back with open arms. She was thinner now, then when she had left. Winter always took its toll, and few factors would have changed that. Her eyes duller then they had been, but there was a determination behind them. She did not intend to wait for the thaw.
It was on her third day in the foothills, by the outcropping that she finally spotted someone in the distance, through the drifting flurries. She shook the snow off her pelt as she stood, pushing through the snow with some difficulty to make her way towards the stranger. As she approached she let out a nervous whinny in greeting. After all, this was not yet her court, and she had heard that some did not take kindly to strangers.
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