To Liri, the line between elder and novice was never concrete. Some days she still felt the same as when she was first attuned – as if she was naught but a single snowflake amidst a raging blizzard. It was only when the aches of old age began to nip at her heels that she accepted her fate. She may have been an elder, a mentor, or just any other old, deranged druid, but she refused to become like her predecessors. 
     Every step was a burden and every breath a struggle. She desperately leant upon her mother for support, hardly able to stand on her own. Sister Snow had made up her mind a long time ago as the seventh tenant of the Sage Way echoed in her mind. She could still hear her grandmother’s voice firmly lecturing.

“Where life goes, so too should you.”

 

     The Lynx was Liri’s everything, one of the last things that still bound her to this tattered mortal coil. It mattered not if the Great Stag humored their request. If she couldn’t follow her partner right now, she would find a way to pass to the eternal forest on her own terms. To forsake the natural cycle was a failure of a druid’s duties. She could only ever delay the inevitable, so why bother to run any longer?

“If we wish to welcome the new, we first must accept the death of the old.”
 

     She gave one final glance over her shoulder, tears only now beginning to gather in her eyes. One final lingering, observant gaze cast about all of those that bore witness to her death. There was a cruel irony to it, watching snow melt in the dead of winter. Turning back to the Lynx, she gave the faintest dip of her head. Their fingers intertwined, Liri keeping a tight hold for support as she hobbled forth.

     She had never thought herself capable of walking so willingly to her end. Death scared the elder more than anything else. There was no screaming, crying, or lashing out in refusal of her fate – only a resolute acceptance that this was not the end, but rather a new beginning. As she stared down the blinding light of the fae realm, she couldn’t help but murmur a final few words to her partner. Voice laden with an eerie sense of calm, kept it quiet enough that only Tailesin and the deities above could hear. 

 

“I sure hope you’re willing to spend another eternity with me, leyuan.”

 

      Amidst the ethereal portal she could see the familiar faces of old brothers and sisters peering out. Finally, alongside Lynx, Sister Snow was welcomed home. No longer did she have to bear the persistent ache of her transience. Winter ending only meant that flowers would soon bloom.

It was a peaceful awakening that Tailesin, The Lynx Druid, had from her mindscape. Although the endless night had its grasp upon the skies the elder druid still smiled, glancing down at her partner for a few moments before rising to standing. She took the time to wander her home one last time. Her tired gaze glanced around, many personal items having been packed up just in case the Vale had to move but she enjoyed the happy memories nevertheless.

She couldn’t help herself but wonder how her family would be once she faded fully but deep down, she knew that they would be strong. The Lynx had done her part. Fought countless battles and against all odds, was able to rest finally in peace. A surprise for the warrior but a welcome one.

The Lynx spoke with many people that day. Some new and some older faces also appeared, all to say goodbye. Word apparently spread quickly. While it was a curious situation for the woman she welcomed it with her usual socially awkward manner.

Family soon enough appeared as well and with them she shared the heartfelt moments with joy and some tears - even if the old Lynx would deny the crying part.

Though soon enough the time for her came. She gathered up with her family, friends and allies that she had made along the way - while it wasn’t everyone she knew it was enough. The Stag Prince called out to her, to the place of a previous sacrifice of a druid by the name of Tanilia.

Tearful farewells were given, begging escaped the lips of some while others kept quiet, though finally the two elder druids clasped hands before walking forwards and towards the fae ring - upon doing so they vanished from sight.

And then…darkness. For the first time in a countless amount of years true peace filled the form of the elder druid, the rage that she held onto for so long had melted away. The call for rest was finally achieved. Her eyes flutter open granting her the sight of the canopy of leaves above her, pushing herself to a seated position, she took a moment to take in her surroundings. The realization of where exactly she was quickly set in. The Eternal forest. She had been in this realm twice before. Once with the gifts to say goodbye to a dear friend and then physically to awaken Taynei’hiylu from her slumber so that she might aid the Druii during the inferi invasion of Arcas.

The sound of snapping branches caught her attention. She looked to her right and saw the silhouetted forms of two halflings and one of a kharajyr, one of the halflings is accompanied by a large brown boar while the other held a shepherd's crook.

The Lynx Druid’s lips tugged into a genuine warm and happy smile before an overjoyed laugh escaped from her, looking over to Liri who had joined her through it all. In sickness, health and now a peaceful end. The Lynx had achieved the very thing she sought out.

Finally, she was home.

Sometime after her passing, letters were sent out to certain people, some with items being sent with them.

 

[OOC]

Well there we have it. The end of my very first actual character on this server, from starting her at 10 up until 378. It’s been a good long run. Thank you to everyone who made her story as interesting as it has been. Time for a new adventure!

“You will always be something great, my young eagle, my sunshine, my beautiful ome’ii…”

"Haelun used to always say those words to meh. I never thought I would ‘ear them end. It was like a musical symphony I thought would last forever. But, simply, time moves on. I sit and wonder often why I ‘ad been the ome to survive in this treacherous world, protect its balance with meh own life."

The quite grown druidess spoke softly to herself as she rested herself near her beloved petalled tree, watching the azure petals land near within her wild mane. Her pupils illuminated with the deep tones of ichor as she kept her hands within the ground, blossoms sprouting out as she smiled ever so softly.

"I know ye’ would be proud of meh Haelun, I did wot ye’ could never complete. I did this for ye’, are ye’ proud within the skies with our Thunderbird. I even brought back a part of our culture Haelun, but, it is not enough. I am a curse. Those around mhe seem to wither away oh so quickly, what ‘ave I done to deserve this Haelun? Mal’onn ‘as passed, many of our family members have perished, my beloved, it never ends."

The Inferno slowly brought her gaze to her side where her mothers wedding dagger had rested, what a beautiful piece. The druidess remembers being told of the person who have given this to her mother on her special day with Ehrendil, she loved it. The young mali took grasp of the dagger as she inspected it carefully and sighed quietly.

"I know it is not good to end this way Haelun, I know. I wish our souls would meet once more, but, ye’ do not reside where I shall go. I believe my service has come to worlds end. May I be free with the birds, in the name of the Aspects and Nemglan, ahernan for my opportunities as yer servant to the lands…"

And with that, Nailo begun to inch the dagger within. A soft smile glew upon her face as she soon laid to rest on the ground of her tree. The cycle continues as she joins the nature around. As she looks up at the petals of her tree one last time she remember the sweet moments with her family…

Maruthir, her grandfather. How could she forget the one who cared for her even since she was so young. He was like a father to her. Nailo wanted to be just like him, the best druid in her eyes. She regretted not being around as much, but she loved him with her life and would do anything for him. Then her grandmother Zyn’ira, she came so late but was someone who she sought as a mother. As much as Nailo hated to say that, she knew it was true.

Ehrendil. Her true hero. He spoke so much sense and logic into the young druidess’s mind, he cared deeply for her if she was his own. Nailo loved him as a brother, even if they were not blood. The time where he was Brother Monarch, what a true celebration, even after his unattunement, she stil called him Brother Monarch. May he continue to be the best…

Before she could think of anything else, her eyes became weary as she the ichor mist slowly began to fade as the druidess let her eyes shut for eternal sleep. Soon enough, she shall be at peace with the rest of her people, in the lands of the druids.

Items of The Inferno would be sent out to its new owners.

“For those who remain.”

Created 13th of Snow’s Maiden, Year 79 of the Second Year
By Spring Druid Amaryllis Magnolia Oakenarrow
~
For Interacting with this Singing Tree, please follow this guide below

You must be at the tree in order to access this forum post. If you do not have an index knowing all the information within the Singing Tree is meta-gaming. Screenshots of interactions without an index may be requested by an ST for proof of proper roleplay.

For more information please contact Oriaros in game.

List of Memories:

Singing Tree Red Lines
 

General Red Lines
 

-=-

“Ouch!”

The elven child hissed as a splinter wedged itself between her bare toes, her soles not used to walking the rough path ahead of her. She had always stuck to the soft moss of her forest, never wandering too far into the mountainous terrain. However, she was ten now, and that meant, in her mind, that she was ready for a new challenge. No matter how much her feet bleed, she would make it to the top of this mountain!

The redhead brushed her unruly hair from her sage green gaze, accidentally wiping some dirt on her face in the process, before stealing her resolve to keep going. The girl had only taken one more step before she heard a desperate cry in the wounds, high pitched and terrified. The lari knew that sound, it was the sound of prey before being killed for dinner, but this time it sounded so much younger, and so much more scared. 

She changed course and went off her current path through a dense part of her forest, one that only her mother would go through while she stayed home. Thorns caught on her freckled skin and wolves howled in the distance, but the girl kept going, curiosity willing her to find what had made that noise. Louder and louder it got as she kept going, as did the howling of the wolves and rustling amongst the bushes until finally she found the source. Just among some berry bushes lay an injured kit, it’s leg seemingly broken, and it was all alone.

Aww, where’s your momma?

The girl cooed as the baby fox bared its teeth, nipping at the elf in fear. She paid no mind however, as she scooped the skinny animal up in her arms and held it close to her chest.

“Don’t be scared, I’m not gonna hurt ya. Can’t say the same for the wolves though.”

The movement of said wolves’ quick feet were starting to close in, and even as the fox cried and clawed in protest, the child ran off with it in her arms, all the way back home.

“Haelun! Look what I got!”

The sound of groaning and the shuffling of books sounded from within the small cottage, a darker skinned woman sticking her head from out of her nook.

“What now Mavis...I thought I told you to play outside!”

“I did play outside haelun, and look what I found!”

“Great, a pet, and a sick one at that. Let the wolves feed on it, child, it won’t last long anyway.”

“Yes it will! I’m going to heal her! And she’s not a pet, she’s my friend!”

“Animals aren’t friends Mavis! Now put it out before it makes a mess!”

“FINE”

The child shouted as she turned and slammed the door on her mother, stomping off into a little cave where she liked to play. Frustrated tears streamed down her cheeks as she settled in her nest, setting the kit beside her as she began to wash it’s leg with her bowl of water.

“Don’t listen to haelun, she’s a meanie. I’m going to take care of you and we’re going to be friends! So don’t worry, you’ll make it, and I’m going to call you Lune! You can call me Mavis.”

Mavis healed the kit and raised it in her cave, playing and enjoying the fox’s company for several months until winter came, and the vulpine grew sick. No matter how hard she tried, the child was unable to heal the fox now, and it died only after a year of being rescued. The child carried the dead fox into her mother’s cottage once again, the woman looking up at the animal in her arms with the same expression as before.

“See? What did I tell you? It wasn’t going to make it.”

“B-But I f-fixed her...and she was d-doing fine..”

“Go bury it and get over it, Mavis.”

“Everything dies.”

…

“Everything dies.”

She repeated those words as she kneeled before her husband's grave, a hand on her growing stomach. The Grove had grown quiet over the years, and the Fox had grown used to it’s silence. For no matter how quiet it got, no matter how many of her friends, family, and children moved on, she always had him. She always had her other half.

Not anymore.

He had died, just like her sick friend. Just like the human Haense-man from her monster hunting days. Just the ferret loving druid she had first befriended. Just like the woman who had continued raising her in that wood elven village, and taught her most of what she knew today.

And now, the silence had become unbearable.

Using her scythe to come to a stand, and with two other staves and a pack on her back, the lari walked over to the bulletin board underneath the towering tree. She took out the note she had rewritten several times, crumbled as it hadn’t been so neatly tucked in her pocket, and pinned it to the board next to the drawing of a fox she had made. A whistle then followed for her companions, each vulpine wearing a golden circlet around its neck, and each receiving a letter before running off to their locations. They would find her again in the wilderness.

A heavy sigh left her chapped lips as she looked back over the Grove, at her home in the distance, and the pool that poured down below. She allowed herself one last option, before closing her eyes and turning towards the gate.

“Don’t forget me.”

And then she ran, and was gone.

-=-

Hey guys! Thank you so much for the all wonderful rp you have given me on this character. I’ve been playing her since I first joined the server, about a year and a half ago, and I think it’s time I put her away for now. However, she is not completely going away as you will notice I said this was a semi-shelf! What I mean by that is that I’m still going to hop on her to teach her students, interact with her seed/children, and whenever someone messages me on discord that they wish to send her a bird! She will still be reachable while on her journey, and will return for rp when asked! I just will not be playing her as my main anymore or hoping on just to walk around and do casual rp. I will only hop on her when there is a set purpose for such. I will bring her back in the future when I feel the time is right!

Thank you all for everything

<3

The Amber druid would look at the explosion before him - the explosion coming to him as it disintegrated all in its wake. He would lean upon his staff as it came towards him, no fear or anger within his visage. Though what was left was sadness within his tone as his death was to come. “Aspects protect Sonna.” he would say softly before being overtaken by the blast, the druid turned to nothing but dust.

“Uncle, why do the druids try to fight us? They are weak and know nothing of how this world works.” As Zolvan Elverhilin spoke he would be in the black armour of the Sons of Malin, looking to his Uncle Valandos before him.

“They are fools, a plague. We shall destroy them Zolvan, we shall bring them to destruction along with their homes in the trees.” Valandos would respond, the Sons entering their golden age within Helena.

For years that man, a Herald of Azdromoth, fought alongside the Azdrazi, Sons, and other Mali under the banner Pale of Aldemar. He fought undead, paladins, druids, and watched his daughter Katari fall wounded to the undead - For decades he served the sons, spying within Aegrothond and Siramenor till the Sons fell, betrayed by the Empire till they were disbanded and hunted as criminals. 

The Elverhilin ran and hid in the very place he once planned to destroy, he once planned to slaughter. Slowly he hid his nature, he hid his disgust for his own kin so he would blend in with them, becoming one of them. His nature came to change, he came to like his kin, seeing the lies of his Uncle - coming to love nature and the Aspects. 

He spoke to the Druii he once hated, those he once wished to kill, yet they helped him see the reason the balance must be kept, see the path ahead of him - although he did not know it.

“Remove these tattoos - I am no longer a follower of the Titan and wish to hold them no more. I am not worthy of any gifts bestowed.” That man would say to the Azdrazi within Haelun’or, speaking up towards the two who watched him from the stairs.

“Very well.” that draconic creature uttered back as the deed was to be done, the man once more becoming free of bonds, free to pursue his own destiny.

The Elverhilin would return to Siramenor, a smile on his face as he came to enjoy his freedom, he came to learn more of the Aspects, of the Mani, of the past of his Kin. Fighting within the Inferi war he fought alongside some of his fellow ‘ame, helping fight the demonic creatures till they were pushed from Arcas, going to Almaris. 

Within Almaris were the happiest years of the Elverhilin’s life. He met there the one he would come to love, the only one he felt he could truly trust - Sonna Vuln’miruel. He would come to date her, wishing for her to soon be his wife. During his time with her he would come to join the Druidic order under his mentor Quillian, joining the Ichorians as the Amber druid. Sonna had once said to him she would only marry him if he were to become a druid - and now that time had come. A single decade came before he proposed to her, making her his wife only a few decades later. 

“I shall always love you, till my death comes and I am brought into the arms of the Aspects.” The Amber Druid would utter out to Sonna as he gave her the blade Fisuloem on their wedding - a sword he had made himself so he may show his love for her.

“And I shall love you, forever and always.” That Fox would say back to him with a soft smile as he gave him a pendant with her aura.. A soft, playful fox humming within the song of nature.

How he loved that pendant.. No matter where Sonna was he could feel her aura beside him, singing a soft and playful tune within the voices of nature. For decades he would spend time with his wife, enjoying the freedom he had as he did his duties for the Aspects. Every look at her was pure joy, and soon they would have a child together, Sulcelia. 

The child was his world, just as Sonna was - he loved them both more than words could describe - finally having a true family in the Vuln’miruels. His Step-son Amaesil, his Druidic Brother Becclain, Druidic Sister Sera, and his adopted daughter Ophelia. Happiness being what he felt the most as he saw his Step-son get with a wonderful young Mali woman.

Those years of joy would then come to an end. After a failed coup upon Elvenesse that Zolvan helped watch fall, he would come once more to the defense of the balance when Tahlia sent him a letter.

“Zolvan, I know you may hate me - but an urgent matter has come up and I need your help. Please come to Ando as quickly as you can. It is for the balance.” that letter would read, Zolvan raising his staff once more, the balance being defended was all he cared for. Before he left he placed his beloved pendant in an envelope, sending a letter to his wife, asking to speak to her on his return - a gift he planned to give her. As he sent the bird off he wondered why, why he put the pendant in there - perhaps a feeling of dread? Maybe some sixth sense that something was to come. Yet he cared not, moving off to do his duty.

“You have courage for calling me Tahlia. What is it you need?” that Druid would call as he reached the steps of Ando. He would listen to them as they spoke of a Voidal tear, his only thought ‘It must be destroyed’ - unaware of the consequences.

Being thrown to the ground by the voidal knight he would watch as some odd homunculus would rush towards the tear, exploding in a blast of boom steel. Zolvan would watch in astonishment as the Yellow king screamed out “You fools! You’ve damned hundreds, I was going to save this city!”. That scream came too late - the explosion coming towards those who destroyed it. Zolvan, having had no idea what he was walking into now about to face his end.

The Amber druid would look at the explosion before him - the explosion coming to him as it disintegrated all in its wake. He would lean upon his staff as it came towards him, no fear or anger within his visage. Though what was left was sadness within his tone as his death was to come. “Aspects protect Sonna.” he would say softly before being overtaken by the blast, the druid turned to nothing but dust.

Passing

It had been thirty years since her passing. A span of years which would’ve marked a major part of her life before was now made meaningless within the realm of the Aspects with its regions of seasons and day until night. 

Unlike many of her Brothers and Sisters when she’d been alive, time was not a luxury she could afford. Had she not come into the Forest of her own will she’d be 151 now, but that couldn’t have happened for a halfling like her. Not unless she’d made the choice like her friends before her to live on not as a halfling, but as a tree. It was not entirely unappealing, but she knew that to live like that had its own costs too. Besides, there were still duties to be done even in death. 

There were many things that she had feared in life, but dying was not one of them. She knew of the balance and what it required. She knew of the open arms of the Grandmother Spider. She knew of the forest that awaited her, and her past kin within it. Death was not the end, it was simply the next step forward.

She took the step when Taynei’hiylu made it peacefully possible. Her small body, never strong to begin with, had begun to fail her already. Her limbs ached, her eyes grew weaker, her once endless energy was being replaced with fatigue. Still, it was on her own strength that she came forward to take that step. She moved on without fear of what was to come.

The Forest

In her life, she had never been worshipful of the Aspects. They were ones to admire, ones to respect, and ones to follow, but she felt no need to worship them. Though it was Cerridwen she felt the most natural kinship too, she did not play favourites. It was that mindset which led her to wander within the domains with equal favour. 

She began in the Dayward Lands which were so full of light, colours, sounds and strange creatures she had never seen in her life before. She listened to the music of Satyroi and Cervitoi, watched the featherfolk soaring through the sky, and found herself moving again with the speed and energy of her youth.

To the Twilight Bound she came next. She smiled upon the Imps with their small size but sharp minds. Sometimes she spied the silvery white of a Unicorn, but she did not approach them. Satisfied with her fortune, she had no need of their blessing and simply saw them as friends to keep an eye out for.

Last came the Nightfall Domain. A home of death and danger, but so beautiful as well. Though unafraid she was not careless as she travelled through it, showing her respect for the Aspect and her children there. For some time she travelled with the Zhuanth, watching how they fulfilled their own role among this wild domain. Walking with them she would come to the ones soon to die. In their final moments, those to pass would do so with the blessing and comfort of this Souldbound Servant.

Even in this death though her duties were not entirely done, but that was something she’d come to accept too and now had come to embrace. In her life she had done what she could, but so often had she been limited by her own abilities and knowledge. She saw how her older Brothers and Sisters grew burdened with greater responsibilities which they took and were worn down by. Though she had wished to help, there was little she could do beyond what she already did. To be simply a small, but welcome presence in the lives of others.

When such others met their times and passed into the Forest, they needed their rest and she saw that. Her duties were not over, in this place, at this time, she could help those others to be at peace. They had long since earned their rest.

So now she had her mission. The duties were not frequent, but those that did present themselves would have her to complete. When the newly passed would arrive, she was soon there. A friendly face to put them at their ease and welcome them to the Forest. Whether she had known them in her life was of little consequence. For a fellow Brother or Sister in need she would always be there.

Memories

In a moment of peace, she now thought of those who still lived and which she had left behind those thirty years ago. Looking back upon the memories she had of her dear friends and family. She remembered how when she was lost and alone, she was welcomed into the Grove and later into the Order and Family she’d become a part of. As she rested, so many things came back to her.

    Little Amaryllis, already taller than herself, but so young and eager to become a Dedicant and walk the path of a Druid. One that grew to be a dear friend and Sister. Or how she’d watched Kasfer and Za arm wrestling, with the unfortunate result of Kasfer’s arm exploding into pieces of wood. Layla and Miklaeil who had helped her learn about the Order. Ithuriel who she had thought of as a friend even if she hadn’t shared her feelings. The moot at which she heard of the Ram Druid Jeremiah, who in part then inspired her to become a Druid too.

    With Kasfer as her Guide then she’d start along that path. She thought of Viene, her sister dedicant who would be attuned on the same day as she was. Later came what would become her grand task. The voidal bear which attacked the halfling village of Brandybrook, now that was a day when she'd been afraid. Even so she had stayed, she couldn’t allow it to endanger the others and the nature around it as long as she could act. She hadn’t been the one who had slain it, but she played her part in keeping others safe.

 As a Druid, she was helped by many and she always tried to help them back. She thought of Dwyn who had helped her make her home there. A cozy place which she made welcoming to others. She found good friends among her Brothers and Sisters such as Kasfer, Harold, Amaryllis, Tailesin, Liri, Ithuriel, Nivndil, Cherry, Elenora, Hareven, Dwyn, Viene, Nenar and more. She might not have known them all the best, but there were so many people which she cared for and loved all the same. The Brothers and Sisters she had stood beside as they fought against the voidal tears that threatened Arcas. 

She thought of Harold who had been with her then a Djinn toyed with the people of Brandybrook. Nenar who had stood against a musical menace that shook the earth and made trees shudder with pain. Nivndil who she had walked with to a meeting she’d not been called to, but herself would be the one that told them the plan which would close one tear with the others soon to follow without her.

 Not just the Druids, she thought of the family that she’d been born to as well. The Mother and Father who had loved and raised her. A little brother who she loved even if they’d not seen each other often. There were countless aunts, uncles, and cousins which came in droves for every wedding and party or any other excuse to gather and ear, drink, and be merry. She still loved them all, and missed them all too. Though she would never meet the spirits of her Mother and Father, she wondered curiously if someday she would meet the spirit of a halfling who’d be in awe at meeting their distant cousin so far from home.

 There had been so much fun with the fine festivals too. So many from far and wide came to attend. Those there sharing in fun and friendship whether they were family, friend or stranger. Often enough it had been as fun to prepare for such festivities with her friends. It still amused her too just how frequent her stall would sell out swiftly, when any fellow Druid only had to ask to have her products shared for free. The money meant little to her as she used it simply to make things easier and so often gave it away or used it to buy gifts.

 In her later years, she had feared that she failed in her duties. With her mind and body weak as they were she could not stand with her fellow Druids against the later Tear and then the Inferi after. So too had she been unsuccessful in her time as a Guide. Even so, she’d been fortunate that her family still had loved and cared for her. She had been quite surprised when Hareven had nominated her as a Hierophant, then even more surprisingly she’d been voted to be accepted as one. It was quite funny and bittersweet she’d thought to herself. While being both the youngest and the newest of them, she was the next of them to die after that. 

Alas, all things come to an end and rightfully so. All the better when such endings had a purpose. So now the halfling stood. She rose onto her feet and stood with her crook in hand as she looked out across the fields and forests before her which were brimming with life. There was work to be done, and a life to live even after death.

She wondered then what her friends and family were still up to. She hoped they were all well and happy, and that when she saw them again that they would have had good lives. When their lives came to an end, hopefully at peace, she’d be there to meet them. To welcome them to the Forest. Whether to show them around, to simply let them rest and be at peace, or anything in between. She wondered then how they remembered her, if they thought of her still as she thought of them now. Oh well, she might not know now, but she had all the time in the world to wait to see them again and share time with them all once more.

In life, she hadn’t thought herself to be a great figure. Nor did she think of herself as one in death. She had never wanted or tried to be one.

There was no legacy to last for centuries. Her name would not be spoken of with great reverence to pass down from parent to child or teacher to student.

Yet that didn’t matter either. 

Her life had been one of simple satisfaction. She strived not for herself, but for the good of others.

Marie was certain that it had been a life worth living.

OOC closure (read and respond!):

Obligatory art dump:

T H E   F O O L

“The Fool represents a person who is about to set off on a journey. They are often pictured on a high cliff, ready to step into the unknown. They make no plans, nor give thought to possible complications along the way. Always happy to be trying something different, they blindly set out where others may fear treading.” -Soul Tarot

♫♫♫

Welcome to wonderland, we’ve got it all,

Decades and decades of voices. Why won’t they stop?

I just want one moment of silence, please. Please.

What did she say?

The silence hurts. It all went silent. Why did I want it to stop? Please come back.

They stopped for a moment, but then they whispered. It was like the hushed gossip of a ballroom. They were talking about us. About her. About me?

What did she say? 

Oh. It's over.

Oh.

What did I say?

It's so hushed. The quiet thrum hurts like the silence.

They don't want me to hear. I won't listen anyway.

What did I say?

Welcome to wonderland, look where you’re at,

Briala never believed she would get married. She watched her birth father be torn apart by her mother's death, then watched her adoptive father go between women. Then she watched her mother become heartbroken when her first husband left.

But she had truly loved Ciliren. She still did. She wanted to marry Ciliren. She was warned, and so was Cili. They were happy on Arcas.

Would it have been different if they hadn't gotten married? Would it have ended sooner? Lasted longer?

It was Briala's fault. She couldn't be there for Ciliren. Ciliren needed someone who could support her, not someone who needed support.

Everyone that leaves has a heavy heart,

One two three four five six seven eight nine ten.

One foot in front of the other. Stay calm.

Keep going. Move.

One two three four five six seven nine eight.

It's all blurry. Where is Haelun?

My eyes burn. Why?

One three two four five eight six seven.

I've made it. I'm okay.

I'm okay. Pip, I promise I'm okay.

One two five four three two one.

Wait, that's not how it goes. I can't think.

I'm fine, Pip.

Holding your hand under sapphire skies,

Briala ran for her hiding spot, Pip’s favorite place. It was a cave dug into the side of the mountain, just big enough for a person. Pip, Briala’s elderly fennec fox companion, was curled up there. She enjoyed speaking to Pip, as he cared deeply for her. She had saved his life.

He asked her what was wrong, why she was crying. She kept telling him she was fine. She had to be fine for Ele. Ele. What would they tell Ele?

“Pip, I want to go.”

Briala had wanted to leave for so long, but she had stayed for Ciliren and Ele. She couldn’t leave her daughter. She needed to be there for her. But she couldn’t stay. Not right now.

Dancing through a dream underneath the stars,

The voices are calling now. They never stop.

They know I want to leave.

What will I say?

I love you more than anything else in the world.

I love you I love you I love you I love you I love you.

Do you forgive me?

I want you to come with me. I can’t take you away from your mother.

You can visit? You can come see me. Yes, come see me. I can’t come see you.

Do you forgive me?

You will always be mine and Ciliren’s daughter. Please allow space for Valmuel while I am gone.

Please. He loves you so much. He is a good man.

You forgive me. There is nothing to forgive?

I love you. I love you. I love you.

You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, Elesul.

Not sure if anything's real or a dream,

Briala and Ciliren told Elesul of the divorce. Did she understand fully? Likely not.

What mattered was that they loved her and she loved them. And then, Briala told them that she would be leaving. Ele could visit. Briala couldn’t stay right now.

Unsure if it was the stress of those few days, Briala opted not to tell them how she had been feeling. Thinking. Her mind had been jumbled since her attunement. It got worse by the day.

Thinking clearly was hard. She counted to keep calm. How did it go?

One two three four six five —  no. That was wrong.

She got ahead of herself, even in counting. The counting kept her from crying.

She didn’t want to cry in front of Ele. She had to be strong for her. Ciliren was always strong.

Briala left the two to talk while she penned her note to the Order. She couldn’t face them. They would whisper like the others. They’d been whispering for a time. Or was that the voices? She couldn’t tell.

If this was a dream, then at least I’ve got

Memories for when morning comes,

[!] A note would be pinned to the bulletin board for the Mother Circle to see.

“Brothers and Sisters,

I regret to inform you that I will be departing for an indefinite amount of time. I want to surround myself in nature and meditate for some time. Elesul, my daughter, knows where I will be. If I am desperately needed simply ask her to contact me.

This was a hard decision for me to make, but I believe it will be best for everyone. Over the course of this year, I will  be preparing for my journey and saying my goodbyes. Seek me out if you wish to see me before I leave.

-Briala, Sister Forget-Me-Not”

Now that I must leave with a heavy heart.
Oh, Wonderland, I love.

the Giant Sprinkle (ferret) moves her head to the goblin and nuzzles to comfort the fallen druid. "well... your right, time for the prank war to begin!" tales would hopefully be told of the weasle mani wetting themselves as they slept due to a goblin putting their paw in a large cup of water or the giant wooden woopie cussion that bolmorra might have sat on only time will tell and Vex has plenty of it now. "How many pranks and cannons can i make in a eternity?" she asked as the buisness of ferrets of all sizes, giant to small roamed dayward.

Urza upon Reciving something from Taynei:

Druids Stay tunned for my next one, i aint leaving the grove quite yet :D