Change is inevitable. A lesson the doe had been taught from an remarkably young age. As a child, as a youngster, as a mother and as a lover. In a way the lesson had practically been beaten into her, though whether it was the universe or choices of others she could not say. Instead one danced on the threads of the spiderweb and hoped to not be consumed. By now she had danced out of the dangerous grip many times, though a few close calls, she was incredibly familiar with the song. The change to her living circumstances was welcome.
Now, however, in the clutch of the black night, the candle in Tilney’s lantern almost melted to a stub, she wished she was more familiar with her now changed circumstance. Winding through the maze of similar looking trees. Ahead her trusted guide, Wynter, paused and studied the side tress. Lithely coming to a stop, the doe breathed deep. As her lungs expanded she breathed in calm, exhaled her worry. Somewhere was the entrance to the court, she just needed to figure out where the forest began to thin. From there she would be able to run her way back to the brick structure.
A summery breeze kissed her warm skin. A comforting scent mixed with the smells, though she could not place it. Earthy, a hint of musk and pine. It danced around her, tantalising, the memory of where she’d knew the scent from. Knowing if she were to reach it would treat even further. Instead she allowed it to fill her until the scent passed. It faded slowly, as did the warmth blossoming in her chest.
The present was less inviting and returning to it was somewhat unpleasant. Like a thief in the night, any sense of direction had been firmly snatched from her. It stole away comfort and even lessened the warmth of the summer night. Languishing with uncertainty the doe turned to the griffin. "Gwil-." Soft musical tones filled the now still night air. Sweeping her wings and taking to her territory the doe remained alone. In the dwindling light she turned her gentle gaze to the waning crescent. Shimmering and shifting around the glow of the moon, the clouds moved along with the ripples of change. A moment of change. Peace fluttering on the breeze of a summer night. A change of direction. Alone in the streets of her new home.
A ripple down her back, a twitch of her ear. The odd sound of another’s movement but not Wynter’s. Alone but not lonesome the vixen resumed her aimless wondering. Careful steps through the dark forest awaiting the return of her bonded. Once Wynter found the way she would settle for the night. Alone with only the ghosts of the past to warm her through the night. Her mind often restored to those ghosts. The danced around in her mind filling her with longing…sometimes with warmth…but they always filled the empty places. Luminescent threads that tugged at anything buried deep beneath the surface. Opening the secrets that long ago where buried.
@Willfur
