TORIELLE
It's only me who wants to wrap around your dreams
In just the span of a few short weeks, the Deluminian meadow had completely transformed. No longer were there patches of snow and ice, the winter chill did not blow through the cavernous space, instead the grounds were home to lush greenery and the buds of wildflowers. Tents rose like colourful mushrooms from the earth, opening up in semi-organized rows for patrons to browse the vendor stalls in relative order. Even across the edge of the festival space the scent of baked goods was unmistakable, The sounds of children laughing with delight filled the air, and for a moment Torielle felt like she was home.
The mare’s tribe was known for such festivities; artisans peddling their wares and shilling lessons, families coming together to celebrate the news of the year, to dance until the sun rose and dipped across the sky night after night. She had not seen such a gathering of equines in a long time, and while it was not as vast as those of her youth or with the same fervor of the mother tribe, it filled her heart with unbridled joy.
Her timing was impeccable, as it appeared all of the vendors had already made shop and displayed their wares. She had been worried that in her excitement that she’d arrive much too early and spend too much of her time milling about and being a distraction to those trying to accomplish important work. The dappled maiden tried to keep her eyes from wandering the stalls she passed, knowing well that she would be easily distracted and the day would pass by before she even made it to the centerpiece of the festival.
Though the blanket of evening was far away, the towering logs of the bonfire were hard to miss, even unlit. She wondered briefly how they had managed to erect such a structure, and knew that it would light the entire festival once darkness fell. It would be perfect to dance beneath, and her heart raced at the idea. She had not danced in an age- the Sages in her temple had forbidden it, even though it was an important part of her culture. They did not understand how such unrestrained passion could be a pure form of devotion. She pitied them for that, among other things. Her teachers were perhaps the one thing the mare did not miss.
As Torielle neared the site for the bonfire and dance, she spotted the best part of the festival yet. The mare was hard to miss, with her stardust wafting from her body and shimmering in the mid-day sun. The scholar’s heart began to thrum like the wings of a hummingbird at the sight of her friend. They had been growing closer, now that Veil was connected with herself again, with the universe. Though they still held regular lessons, they no longer focused on providing the star tools to communicate, but instead leaned more into storytelling, of sharing their lives and experiences.
The nebula had so many wonderful insights into the workings of the universe, and Torielle hung on every word. There were few souls in Novus she felt like could understand her, what it was like to live a thousand different lifetimes all as unique and full and real as any other that came before it. Veil could. She brought with her an incredible light that warmed the darkness that had started to brew in the antlered woman’s heart. She’d not wanted to admit it, but the mare had started to grow bitter and jaded in her disconnection from her goddess. Veil had reminded her of the magic and wonder in the world, and had even shown her the faces of new gods. If it were not for Veil, there was a distinct possibility that Torielle would have fallen into shadow.
In the light of the spring afternoon, surrounded by familiar sounds and tantalizing scents, the woman could sense no darkness hiding in her heart. Instead, there was only joy at the opportunity to share in this wonderful celebration with her closest friend.
“Veil!” The mare called, her lyrics bright as she pranced over to the glittering figure, bells swaying between antlers and jeweled coins bouncing against copper locks as she approached. “Are you excited? Do you have a vendor you want to visit first?” Her words poured like a bubbling fountain, excitement colouring every syllable.
art by the-day-of-shadow character by scapeh table by sunny
