Juno.

With dull eyes did the woman glance over the scrap of paper, her gaze pausing momentarily at ever 'snake' she read. o' snake...o'snake...the snake within...o'snake... Over and over did such words replay in her mind, eyes widening, heart beating faster, breathing becoming more difficult. Snakes slithering up her body, hissing in her ears, mouth widening to showcase sharp fangs, such digging deep into flesh and ripping her apart.. No, it is not true. Only I can see it, so therefore it's not true. Her hand grazed over the rune that have been inscribed on her days before. It's not true. It's not true, It's not true... Or was it?

Only a couple days prior, on the 24th of The Amber Cold, deep within a cold cave were similar cries heard. Just five days prior to little Yulnayl, a little fox was born.

-=- “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

Die

Wide eyes, tear stained cheeks, dry lips, mouth hung agape Unable to move, unable to speak, unable to look away as the city began to crumble and fall. As her husband fought underneath, and died. She felt his passing, the voices of Nature carrying their sorrow to her as she was pulled away from the city’s destruction. It was all she could feel as she ran to the cold walls of the Vale in search of her mother. And as soon as it hit her, everything was different, everything went by in a blur. There was no color, no sound. Food had no taste, textures had no feel. Days on days without eating, without sleeping. The sun was no longer warm, the feel of her mothers’ embrace no longer comforting. How does one live without their other half, how can there be a ying without a yang, how can there be tides with no moon. How can she exist without him. She keeps going for the sake of her children, for her duty, but she is only part of what she was before, a fraction of her soul is what remains. She will never forget, she will never be whole again.

The Fox read over the missive with a perked brow and thoughtful hum, sitting amongst the fire in her foxhole. "So the monks choose to spare you? I see. Hopefully you have you have learned your lesson, and won't be going after a mother's cubs again." At that, the red-headed mali panned to the decaying head on the wall, Tahorran marks painted across it's pale cheeks. "Oh dear Tahlia, don't make me hunt you again."

[!] A grandmother somewhere has a heart attack.

A silver fox ran to her mother and gave her the note, Sonna reading it over amongst the snowy hills. Her expression was unchanging as she read it over with a thoughtful hum, producing a meat treat for the vulpine as she sat by a tree to write her own note to the lone eagle.

Tucked away within the confines of her shop did the thill hear about the paper from passing customers, perking a brow as she read over the letter handed to her. A degree of interest crossed her stoic features as she folded and tucked the missive into her corset, starting back down the stairs to the entrance of the bookstore. "How interesting, I wonder what mayilun will say...Perhaps I should pay a visit to the silver city."

Sonna took the letter from the hooded figure with a curious look, checking it over before carefully opening it. Upon reading the words, a sorrowful sigh escaped the red head's lips, a couple tears shedding down her cheeks and dropping onto the paper below. "Rhathalas...Awaiti, and now Tanyl...oh how I miss you all. Rest well, brother...thank you." The Fox Druid then pocketed the letter and put on her coat, making her way towards Norland..

Yeah what he said

Have never used it, and I agree with making Transfig one slot

I really hope this gets accepted, this genuinely excites me. Awesome work

Accompanying Song “Realise.. that the wind does not ripple through your hair, or against your skin. There is only the wind. The soil is not cool against your toes, it is not soft against your legs.. there is only soil.. You are not Sonna, the Fox Druid.. you merely.. are.” “I merely am..” “Let go..” In a flourish of emerald green and bright golden light, their souls left behind their mortal bodies and transcended realms, all for a daughter to be reunited with her mother and for sisters to smile at each other once again. Grandmother guided the young fox through the eternal pines, hands brushing against ferns in all too familiar terrain, until finally they found her, sitting as if she had been waiting for them all along. “H-Haelun..?” Hesitantly, daughter called out to mother, reached out to her, unsure if this was real, unsure of what to say or do. She was met with open arms, and the Fox ran to them, sobbing golden tears as she clung to her mother’s soul. “I’ve thought about you all every day since I got here.” Amongst tears then spewed proclamations of love and apologies, regret at their last conversation and how much she wished it could be different; how much the Fox wished she had gotten to say goodbye. “I was never angry with you, my child. I was only afraid. I worried you would walk down a path I once followed. A path of anger, full of fury and rage. I never wanted that path for you.” Oh how I walked down that path, and for how long I did such, blinded by grief and rage that I took out on whoever I encountered down such. I am so sad, so angry.. “I’m proud of the person you’ve become, Sonna. You are far from the person I met all those years ago, in our village. You’ve done beautifully.” How can I deserve such praise, what have I done to warrant such. I am undeserving, I’ve done nothing. “I’m so lost haelun.. I don’t know what I’m doing or what to believe.. I’m so tired and sad, I don’t know if I’ve done the right thing, or if I ever will.” I am nothing. “Nor did I in my life, my dear. All I could do was my best. But I was never alone. I had others to help me, to guide me. To strengthen me. And to pick me up when I fell down.” But is my best good enough, will it ever be enough? What do I do if it's not? “This is so hard..” “It was never easy. And to tell you that it gets easier would make me a liar. But I can tell you not to bear these burdens alone. Your greatest strength. Any one person’s greatest strength is in our bonds with others. That is what carried me forward. That is why I lived as long as I did. Lean on others. Let them strengthen you. And when they themselves are weak, raise them up as well.” Minutes turned to hour as the three spoke and cried, holding onto each other for as long as they could before their worldly duties pulled them back to their realm. “Our time is close..” No, I can’t, not yet. There’s so much more I need to tell her. So much more I need to apologize for. “Everything is going to be okay, Sonna. I’m not going anywhere. One day, we will be reunited here. We’ll have tea, and I’ll show you all the wonderful places to see in this realm. You’re strong. Both of you. Stronger than I, in many ways. You’ll find your way.” No, that’s not true. I’m not strong, not even close to stronger than you. Please. “It’s time to go.” I don’t want to go, I don’t want to leave. Please, don’t leave me again.. “I love you, haelun..” “I love you, more than the sun loves the green grass, my dear. That will never change.” “She’ll be here suika, here when it’s time for us to join her.” I can’t.. “I am proud of them all. Every last one of them. Tell them I miss them. I love you both, so very much. Take your time, my beloved family.” “I’ll tell Abelas I saw the both of you today.” But I must.. The Fox repeated the names of everyone waiting for her at home; husband and son guarding her body, children waiting for her at home, family happily going about. She could not, and would not leave them, no matter how hard it was to leave her. And so the two left the Fae and returned to their mortal bodies, too exhausted and too full of sorrow to stand. Sonna was lifted and carried to bed by her dutiful husband and son, forever comforting her in times of need. And she fell asleep, reminiscing on Awaiti’s message to give to everyone. “I recall my last message in my final will to be something along the lines of...anyone can lead. But that much is not as important now, I think. To those that would listen to me, to the echo of my spirit, I would urge them, above all else, be kind to one another. Be forgiving. Help one another, and look beyond our weaknesses and flaws. For if there is one thing I’ve learned, here in this place, it is that no grudge is worth taking to the grave.” “Love each other. Wholly, unconditionally.” “That is what I wish to be remembered by.” I will never forget.

Reserved

Lit

The Elyra read the letter over and over again, studying each sentence as if some hidden meaning or joke would pop out at her. But there was no joke, no invisible ink, nothing; Revas was dead. Verendus slowly sunk to the bottom of the ground, the buildings of Veritas seemingly spinning around her. Who...Who do I have left? Why...Why are they all leaving..? The half-elf clutched the letter along with the vial of ashes she worn around her neck, curling up into a small ball in the dust. I only have three left..

A Mother prays for her son’s safety! (Have fun Zill!)

Blood, so much blood. Her son's body lifeless on the ground. The Hound standing over it. Her husband holding her back. No...no! NOOO! The Fox Mother awoke from her nightmare with a jolt, cold sweat causing her clothes to stick to her body as she searched around in the dark for her son. And he was there, sleeping besides her, seemingly also struggling with some nightmare. Her husband lay on the other side of Amaesil, also suffering from a restless sleep. He's alive. He's alive and with me. Sonna gently ran a hand threw her son's hair, looking at the clipped ear. Never again, please, don't do this to me again..

Fox hybrid you say??!! 👀 +1

I'll miss you buddy, thanks for everything. <3

Accompanying Song - The First Season She came from the South, walking through the redwoods until she reached the place that she had been several times before; the woods where she had become what she is now, and returned to for comfort from time to time. She carried nothing with her and barely wore anything, just some furs to cover the essentials. She soon arrived at her own burrow, except this time, she found it full. A new family of foxes had moved into the hole beneath one of the trees; a few couples and newborn pups. The Acolyte snickered as the foxes first looked to her in fear and then confusion, but the druid did not explain as she was committed to her task; survive in the wild for a year with no gifts or aids. She moved to the next tree, digging out her own little home with her bare hands while the family of vulpine watched suspiciously from a distance. The Priestess paid no mind, giving them the space they needed as she continued with her task. The air was warm and smelled of sweet nectar, flowers of every color filling the lush scenery. Animals were frequent, and babies even more so. She continued to watch from afar, spotting a mother fox scolding her little ones for playing too rough. The woman longed for her own children as she watched, though her rough exterior softened and a small smile donned her features as she watched the pups play. The years had not been kind to her recently, but in moments like these, she couldn’t help but forget the hardships and anger that seemed to be all consuming. She couldn't help but wonder to herself Is this peace? The Second Season It wasn't long until the days grew longer and the sun more ablaze, the pups growing older as they went out to hunt for themselves. Once the season started to change, she headed out to the East for a week, trekking until she found a wheat field. The grain was not quite ripe yet, but it would be there soon, the darkening green turning more golden with each passing day. She sat herself before a tree beside the field, pulling out a sharp rock she had found not too long ago. Carefully she carved an image into the redwood, watching the bark give way to a lighter interior as she spent hours on her design. Her fingers were cramping by the time she was satisfied, looking at the image of an antlered man wielding a spear she had created. The Acolyte kneeled before the design, closing her eyes as she murmured a soft prayer. O’ Father, Guide Mother’s birth into harvest, So that Grandmother may guide such into death. Blessed Be. When she returned back to her home, the druid was pleasantly surprised to see that the family of vulpine had grown more accustomed to her presence, the kits who were now older even allowing her to eat with them. The chirping of crickets filled the hot night air as they all settled down to eat their meal, some of the younger fighting over the last mouse. The adults simply made their way back to their dens, seemingly fed up with their childrens’ antics. The Priestess was full so she split up what she had left amongst them, ceasing their petty squabble. She sat back on her palms as she watched them devour the meal, releasing a soft hum as her shoulders gently relaxed. Is this peace? The Third Season The plentiful harvest came and went along with the scorching days, so the elfess headed North as the wind began to chill and the lush greenery turned shades of amber and gold. She continued her walk until she came across an apple orchard that still seemed to have a couple red fruit left on it’s branches. The Acolyte approached one of the trees and picked such a fruit, feeling the mushy texture of one that had been uneaten for too long. And so she sat herself before the tree and pulled her carving tool out once again, creating her image until her fingers burned. She kneeled before the image of the spider she had created, murmuring a prayer similar to the one she had spoken in the wheat field. O’ Grandmother, Guide Father’s harvest into death, So that Mother may guide such into birth. Blessed Be. When she returned to her home once again, she was met with a tragedy. The pups who were now full adults were crying out, seemingly mourning. She gently pushed into her old home then, seeing the laid body of their mother. The fox mother had grown old, and had died while the freckled lady was off on her trip. The foxes allowed the elf to comfort them as she then scooped up the body of their departed and laid her to rest. The druid wished she could speak to them, try and soothe them with gentle words, though her actions would have to be enough. That night, the foxes joined her in her den, curling beside her as the bitter cold only grew stronger. The foxes found strength in her and in each other during these troubled times, a notion that caused another smile from the druid. Is this peace? The Fourth Season The leaves that danced like fire then turned brown and fell to the ground as it only grew colder and dry; the days growing shorter. As soon as the first snowflake was sighted, she got to her feet once again and headed West, hiking through the bitter cold until she reached a blackspot in the already dreary scene. These trees weren’t just leafless, but they were scorched black, completely dead and crumbling away. It seemed like some sort of forest fire had hit this section, most of the trees barely even standing and only half the height. She bent over and dug through the snow, humming with a smile as she saw the acorn buried below. And so she kneeled before one of the burnt trees, taking out her rock and getting to work. She knelt before her image of a lady wearing a cloak of leaves, murmuring her final prayer. O’ Mother. Guide Grandmother’s death into birth, So that Father may guide such into harvest. Blessed Be. She decided to spend that night amongst the scorched earth, the foxes growing more and more independent as they matured with age. The way the animals had persevered through loss and how this forest would soon do the same struck a chord within her, resulting in a couple icy tears to run down her smiling face. Is this peace? The Final Day The snow began to thaw and give way to those beautiful flowers once again. The once kits had grown and found lovers of their own, giving way to a new litter that would soon continue the cycle the elf had witnessed. Perhaps it was time she continued with the cycle as well. She had let unbalance control her for too long, not allowing herself to flow through life as nature does. There will always be death and misfortune, always struggle and hardship. This is what gives way to love and success. This is what gives way to peace. A year and a day had passed since she first arrived, and now she began to start on her way back south again. The foxes gathered as she started to leave, seemingly confused on where she was going and why she was leaving. The druid merely looked back to the vulpine and smiled as her form began to change, bones creaking and skin tearing as she became their mirror image. The Fox chirped to her kin before bounding off into the redwoods, She laughed and smiled all the way, overjoyed to soon return to her own family waiting for her at home. This is peace.

The Fox gasped as she read the notice, the grip on her scythe tightening before she turned to run. My baby, my first. Where are you my snow fox? The Mother didn’t know what to think, but she knew one thing, she would hold her daughter and remind her how much she is loved before she left. That was at least one thing she could do.

"H-He.. We were together, but your haelun disowned him for it.. And then I ended it so she wouldn't kill him." "He killed himself, Veren." Everything came to a halting stop as those words left her cousin's lips, who might've even been her sister-in-law one day. Her feet refused to move, and she was unable to open her mouth as golden eyes gaped at the table ahead of her. The Asul'onn House that usually felt warm and inviting instantly grew cold and dark. Ringing assaulted Verendus' ears and a screen flew over her eyes; she was barely able to feel the arms that wrapped around her, and the words next spoken to her. "I-I'm so sorry, Veren.." Everything was crashing around her as it started to sink in, memories of her childhood with her older brother filling her mind's eye. The scarf he had given her weighed heavily around her waist now, and the lunarite knuckles in her pack seemed to be searing through the fabric into her back; she was now painfully aware of everything she currently carried that he had given her, all the items and lessons. She remembered crushing bugs with him outside the Haense palace, learning how to steal right out of peoples' pockets. When she wasn't with her parents, she was with Amthalion, happily following him around and hanging on him every chance she could. Where did it all go wrong? "Where is he." The half-elf finally spoke up. It couldn't be true, she would have to see for her own eyes. Maybe this is some trick, there's no way her older brother was dead. Not the smart, strong Amthalion that she knew. The one that was always protecting her and holding her hand. She was directed to the mantle, where atop lay an ornate urn, the name Amthalion scribed on the top. A shaky gasp escaped her now trembling lips. This was real. "He loved you very much." Then why did he leave me. Verendus ground her teeth to keep herself from saying the words out loud, her body beginning to violently shake as the anger set in. She was enraged; at her mother, at her brother, and at herself. Why did I leave? Why did I go off hunting for all those years? This is my fault. If I had stayed, if I had been here.. "Do.. Do you want some of the ashes?" She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small corked bottle on a chain, something she had been saving to fill with the blood of her greatest hunt, whatever and whenever that may be. She wanted to be able to carry the pride of that kill with her always, but now she would much rather carry her brother. The woman silently handed the necklace to Revas, her mass of curls hiding her face. Her cousin filled the bottle and handed it back to Verendus, who promptly placed it around her neck. Her rough and scared hand took the bottle in her hold, looking it over with a faraway gaze. Big brother. The next events and words said went by in a blur. The half-elf was given a pair of knuckles, an odd feeling and haze oozing from them, and a pair of eyeballs floating in bath of salt water. Another pair of knuckles to go with the one's her brother had crafted for her as a child, and his own golden eyes; the same eyes she had. Staring into them was almost comforting, almost. "You can stay in his room.." She was slowly led to the bedroom that used to be her brother's and she was then left alone. I'm...alone. Her pack fell to the ground and Verendus soon followed, fists pounding against the ground and gut retching sobs escaping her chapped lips. She hadn't cried since she was a child, it had been at least two decades. Maybe that's why so many tears poured out of her, definitely years worth as the carpet underneath became soaked in them. She sobbed until her eyes were swollen shut, pounded the ground until her fists were red, and screamed until her voice gave out. And then there was nothing left of her. Verendus Verrana Elyra crawled into Amthalion Wick's old bed and soon passed out atop it, falling into an empty, dreamless sleep.

@Goon @RaiderBlue The letter arrived with various stains on it and written in horribly messy writing. Barely even legible unless you were used to reading the half-elf's handwriting. 5th of the Amber Cold Year 23 of the Second Age "Dear Papa, I hope everything is going well for you wherever the **** you are. I swear if you come back injured, I'm gonna add my own scars to ya! Things are going well here, though Veritas doesn't really have many people in it. I ran into Astrid who is letting me stay in a room in her home in Haense! I actually kind of like Haense, they always have interesting items in the store. Unfortunately I used up all my mina to buy her some nice wine as a thank you gift. I'm not really doing much else besides hanging out in Haense and such, staying out of trouble of course. Tell that brat Nickolai I said he better not be replacing me! I'll have to kick his ass when he comes back. It's been awhile since I've seen you two, so I'm excited to see what you look like! Though I'm sure you're still bald and the kid is still scrawny. All jokes of course, don't have a heart attack old man! Anyway, you better stay safe and come back in one piece!" The tone of the letter seemed to suddenly shift as a line was skipped, starting a new paragraph as new, clear stains smeared the dried ink. "Amthalion is dead. Come back alive, both of you. Verendus Verrana Elyra"