by Vivika » Tue Sep 01, 2020 9:34 am
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The waters dissolved, fading to thin air. Vibrant corals replaced for the emerald greens of the forest. Her tail was replaced for paws~ four of them. A gift from the mist, after being chosen to guide the land creatures as she’d done with the aquatics. At any moment, she could trade her tail for paws, and paws for a tail. One of the perks for guiding both realms.
She sorted through the herbs at her side, resting a paw on a dark leaf. Perhaps this would work to soothe the odd listlessness of that dolphin...
“Evain.”
She blinked as a silver tom approached, green gaze steady on hers. Her worries eased as she met his gaze, the troubles of the aquatics, fading to the back of her mind. “No Evie, today?” she teased. “Marcelus, how could you?” She cleared her throat, cheeks warming. “I wasn’t expecting you today. Is your clan well?”
“My apologies, guardian.” He smiled, one side of his muzzle tugging upwards. “Evie, yes. Are you busy? I could return later--”
“No! I mean… you had something in-mind?”
He laughed softly, leading her deeper in the forest. “Do you hear them?”
She paused. Overhead, birds sat perched in trees that towered above. They chirped a lilting melody, highs and lows catching in sync, each to a tune of its own. A song from the heart. One she couldn’t understand, yet stirred something within. She strained to decipher it, to make sense of those whistles and chirps.
It was too soon. It’d take moons to learn their tongue to translate. But perhaps... that made it special-- the mystery woven through the song.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Lovely isn’t it? I come here to distract myself sometimes. From the clan--not that I don’t like them. They’re family. Just… all that responsibility you know?” He paused for a beat, then two. He shifted awkwardly. “I’ve kept you long enough. We should--”
“Wait! I understand. I just didn’t expect… ” To be understood. The aquatics were family, but they didn’t understand. Not like this. They didn’t shoulder the burden of responsibility, couldn’t understand the weight on her shoulders. She cleared her throat, “Well, uh, I appreciate the company. I… like your company.”
The corner of his muzzle tugged upwards. Funny, how the simplest of gestures said so much. She leaned close, resting a shoulder against his. The embrace after was the safest she’d ever felt.