The day was young and the tide washed out to sea, pushing away from the sand and leaving a myriad of treasures laying upon the golden sand. It was Pan’s favorite time of day, when he could be alone with his thoughts and left to his lonesome at the sea. For a social creature, this might seem odd… but there was something so peaceful to the child about walking along the breaking tide with nothing but the washing sound of waves against his feet and the quiet chitter of sandpipers to distract him from collecting his prizes. In the morning, the sun was breaking low and bright against the horizon, painting the world with a wash of pastel pinks and muted golds, and Pan knew it would be another perfect day. If only he could stay on the shore forever, pushing away his need for duties and politics in the herd, and just simply existing as the child he was born to be.
He sighs through his smile, passing over sea debris in favor of more curious things – a human button from some coat long washed ashore, half buried in the murky sand; a curious rock that seemed the shape of a small bird (though this was really more his imagination than anything else). They went into his satchel and jingled against the rest of his treasures as he wandered deeper and deeper into the land surrounded by the sea.
The water was cold against his legs, making him feel so alive, and he shivered a bit, but does not turn from the waves. For just as Pan understood that Autumn had come to Novus, he knew that next would be the winter… and that soon enough, the days of pale sunlight and quiet wonder along the shore would have to be shelved in favor of the coming storms and snows. It wasn’t that Pan disliked the winter (for the cold had its own wonders and beauty, if he really thought about it), but he much preferred the longer days and brighter summer memories. If he had his way, the fair-weathered child would stay in a place that was warm and tropical (like his Neverland), forever.
His thoughts died out as the sun glinted mysteriously on a shell, so different from the others. It sat upon a large stone, worn smooth by the tide, and immediately Pan was drawn toward it like a moth to a flame. Of course, he had no way of knowing that the small and delicate shell was put here for him to find expressly – and especially had no way of knowing that it was Oriens who had placed it in his path… but he knew that it was something wonderful – something special. He had a number of unique pieces in his collection, but immediately Pan knew this shell would be his most prized, and he carefully made his way to the rock, staring at it for a moment before reaching down to carefully collect it between his silken lips.
The moment he touched it, there was a strange sensation which ran through him. In that moment, Pan had never felt more alive, and the rush of youth crept through him. His eyes grew brighter – wider and more aware. The fur on his body seemed to stand on end, and he shivered with a new wave of excitement and wonder. Surely, the shell must have magical powers. He decided that to be the case, even as he wrapped its delicate shape in a swath of kelp that lay near it on the sand. Collecting the kelp-wrapped treasure, he laid it gingerly in his satchel, deciding at once that he needed to find somewhere safer to store his new-found prize. Looking around, Pan was pleased to note that he was still alone and that no one had witnessed his wondrous find, and made the mental note to tell his BFF Flora everything, the next time they met.
He sighs through his smile, passing over sea debris in favor of more curious things – a human button from some coat long washed ashore, half buried in the murky sand; a curious rock that seemed the shape of a small bird (though this was really more his imagination than anything else). They went into his satchel and jingled against the rest of his treasures as he wandered deeper and deeper into the land surrounded by the sea.
The water was cold against his legs, making him feel so alive, and he shivered a bit, but does not turn from the waves. For just as Pan understood that Autumn had come to Novus, he knew that next would be the winter… and that soon enough, the days of pale sunlight and quiet wonder along the shore would have to be shelved in favor of the coming storms and snows. It wasn’t that Pan disliked the winter (for the cold had its own wonders and beauty, if he really thought about it), but he much preferred the longer days and brighter summer memories. If he had his way, the fair-weathered child would stay in a place that was warm and tropical (like his Neverland), forever.
His thoughts died out as the sun glinted mysteriously on a shell, so different from the others. It sat upon a large stone, worn smooth by the tide, and immediately Pan was drawn toward it like a moth to a flame. Of course, he had no way of knowing that the small and delicate shell was put here for him to find expressly – and especially had no way of knowing that it was Oriens who had placed it in his path… but he knew that it was something wonderful – something special. He had a number of unique pieces in his collection, but immediately Pan knew this shell would be his most prized, and he carefully made his way to the rock, staring at it for a moment before reaching down to carefully collect it between his silken lips.
The moment he touched it, there was a strange sensation which ran through him. In that moment, Pan had never felt more alive, and the rush of youth crept through him. His eyes grew brighter – wider and more aware. The fur on his body seemed to stand on end, and he shivered with a new wave of excitement and wonder. Surely, the shell must have magical powers. He decided that to be the case, even as he wrapped its delicate shape in a swath of kelp that lay near it on the sand. Collecting the kelp-wrapped treasure, he laid it gingerly in his satchel, deciding at once that he needed to find somewhere safer to store his new-found prize. Looking around, Pan was pleased to note that he was still alone and that no one had witnessed his wondrous find, and made the mental note to tell his BFF Flora everything, the next time they met.
Pan
Dawn Court
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