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OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE!
Kin Name: Strange Creature
Preference List: Lion, Cheetah, Lynx
RP Link or Story:


She was walking through an edifice of crumbling stone, knowing somehow that it belonged to her and she did not belong to it. And that was all she could really remember, although it felt like information was coming back to her. She looked up to find a ceiling swallowed by the darkness. Everything here felt old and claustrophobic, heavy stone draped in heavy tapestries. She wrinkled her nose as she climbed the stairs to a tower, the dank smell of wet wool hounding her every step. She wasn't... precisely the lady of this castle. She was supposed to be, but something else called her, something far more important. Up the spiral stairs she went, knowing that there was something awaiting her- but what?

She passed a wavering mirror, glass slumped and silver beginning to tarnish, and she looked herself up and down. A plain-faced girl stared back at her, ears slightly too big, eyes huge and round. Her skin was tanned with darker freckles all up and down her arms, and she was wearing clothes- clothes she knew that somebody didn't approve of. She got the feeling that somebody, somewhere thought she ought to be wearing silks and brocades, heavy gowns that swept the floor and trailed out behind her- elegant things that displayed the power she held. But she also knew instinctively that something else showed her power- she just wasn't sure what. It certainly wasn't her soft leather boots, with the slight heel that clicked into a stirrup. Nor was it her linen shirt, although she did take some pleasure in the way the bell sleeves moved when she twisted her arms. And it certainly wasn't her pants, with their odd leather patches sewn into the seat and inner thigh. She wore no jewelry, although the vibrant vermillion cape was pretty impressive, with its velvet texture and daring notched cut. It was narrow, following her like a streamer or pennant; not a display of power, then, but a display of flash.

She was powerful, but why? Something told her the answer was at the top of the tower, so up, up she went, carefully navigating the narrow spiral staircase. The stone steps were slippery, and lichen grew in the corners; this castle was older than she could fathom, built on a primordial swamp where the water could seep in, even all the way up here.

At the top of the tower was a small room, with hooks for clothing. A table, a chair. Stiff-bristled brushes, a barrel of a sweet-smelling oil that made her think of biting into a soft tropical fruit and letting the juice dribble down her chin. Another barrel, this one full of dried fish. A ladder on the far wall, reaching up to a trap door in the roof. But what made the room special was the window. Stained glass, finer than anything downstairs. Dust motes danced in its colored light. She waved a hand through it, watching it turn colors- but it was the window's subject matter that made her blood run hot, because she knew now where her force lay, what the power was she wielded. For there she was, depicted in glass, forehead and lips pressed to the snout of a mighty beast, cradling its face in a gentle embrace. The strange creature, all horns and scales, pressed gently into her, signifying an unbreakable bond. Her power was love, and also an enormous fire breathing dragon, which- well, really, the two were one and the same, weren't they? And if she wasn't mistaken, the reason she was up here was that it was time for their morning flight.

A mighty whumph of beating wings, the soft shh-shh-shh sounds of straw and leaf litter and other detritus being blown off the top of the tower by a powerful wind, and the unmistakeable scratching of reptilian claws. Smiling, she climbed the ladder, pushing aside the trap door, ready to greet the sun- and her very best friend.

OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE!
Kin Name: Echoed Chorus
Preference List: Forest Cat, Bone Cat, Water Cat, Sky Cat, Lion, Cheetah, Lynx
RP Link or Story: "Echo! Let's go!"

Echoed Chorus snapped his eyes open and looked around, startled at being spoken to in such a sharp tone. Strange bipedal creatures in bright orange outfits were running onto a huge field with white lines drawn on the grass. There was a large creature - man, his mind suddenly helpfully supplied - motioning for him to join the other people that had jogged onto the football field.

Where were all these strange words coming from? He had no clue. But it made sense in a very odd way. He realized as he began to run that he was also one of these odd bipedal creatures and he was carrying something in his hands. Hands! Somehow this was all very normal and rather than thinking about it too hard, he decided to just go with the flow and see what happened. Inspecting what he was holding as he ran, he found it was a long pole with a colorful orange and purple flag attached to it.

He joined the other people on the field, taking up a position in a line of people bearing flags that were flanked by other people in different orange uniforms with many kinds of instruments in their hands or hanging around their necks and shoulders. He and the others faced a large stadium full of more people all watching them, and it was in that moment Echo realized he was about to perform!

There were three people dressed like himself and the others on the field facing them and clearly they were running this show. They lifted their hands in unison and instruments were lifted, ready to play, while he and the others bearing flags assumed their starting position. Somehow Echo knew he knew this routine and, as the first drum began to roll, he fell into a well-rehearsed dance. Together with the other flag bearers, he moved his banner around in time to the music, tossing it in the air, spinning it around, and making it flash its shiny orange and purple colors to the audience. He found himself at the front of the pack about halfway through, his body going through the motions of tossing the flag high in the air and doing a neat backflip in the time it took to come back down. He caught the flag and spun in a tight circle to flash the flag at the audience who roared their approval in return.

Soon the performance was over. Echo struck the final pose with a grin, his chest heaving with how hard he was breathing from the effort of giving it his all. They took a collective bow, color guard and band alike, before hustling off the field so the cheerleaders could do their routine.

"Awesome flip, Echo! Glad you caught the flag this time," one of the trombone players said with teasing grin, nudging Echo's shoulder. Echo had to laugh, feeling a flush stain his cheeks. Clearly he botched that move more than once before.

"Thanks," he said as he got a few more congratulatory nudges and words of praise. His smile died off slightly as the man who had yelled at him before - the band director - made his way over to Echo. Oh great...now he was going to get a lecture about something he did wrong.

"The flip was good, Echo, but your timing was off during the second set-"

Echo stood before the director acting as if he was listening, his mind going blank as he zoned out. Yup, heard all this before. The noises of the cheerleader's music and the loud voice of the director started to fade out, and as they did so did the football field, the crowds, his teammates...until it was all...just a very bright light...

"Whoa," Echo said, shaking his head as he came back to reality. He staggered back from the stone and looked down at his hooves, wondering for a moment if they'd been something else not too long ago.

"...that was weird."

OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE!
Kin Name: Hang The Moon
Preference List: Forest Cat, Bone Cat, Water Cat, Sky Cat, Lion, Cheetah, Lynx
RP Link or Story: A bright flash from the strange stone made Hang The Moon squint her eyes, trying hard not to be blinded by the brilliant light, and as she blinked the stars from her eyes she found herself in a different place all together. It was like nowhere she'd seen before. There was light all around her but it was a gentle, soft blue rather than the usual warm yellow of the sun. It almost seemed like moonlight, though it wasn't quite as cold as that tended to be.

It seemed as though she was walking among stars, though upon closer inspection they were strands dangling from above that were studded with what looked to be diamonds or other precious stones. They caught the soft light and twinkled, flashing bright and shiny one moment before shifting out of the light enough to simply give a soft glow. Hang The Moon continued to push her way through the strands, delighting in the way the diamonds flashed and sparkled. She then noticed soft music was playing from somewhere, and although she'd never heard music like this before, it was as if she'd known the song her whole life.

"There you are," a voice said from beside her. Startled, Hang The Moon turned to address the other kin, but was surprised to find no one. She held her breath, her naming dream coming to her mind, though there were a few differences. In the naming dream it had been dark and there had been a sense of urgency, of uncertainty. Here she was at peace, she could see easily, and she wasn't afraid. But the disembodied voice remained.

"I've been looking for you." The voice came from her other side and, rather than snapping her head around to look for the source, she let her eyes slide closed instead. With the darkness around her she could feel the presence of the other kin, their form solid in her mind.

"Why?" she asked as she turned her head, her eyes still closed. In the darkness behind her eyelids she could make out the form of a kin, though its shape wasn't defined enough to determine a gender nor a species.

"Because," the voice said with a laugh. "You've been gone for so long. I thought I'd lost you." The emotion in the words was joyful and slightly sad, and Hang The Moon found herself opening her eyes to hopefully see the kin that was speaking to her. No one stood before her, but she could still feel that solid presence. She hesitantly leaned forward and bumped her muzzle gently against the neck of the other kin. Yes, there was definitely someone there.

"I'm sorry...I didn't know I'd been away," she said, her tone holding confusion. The noise the invisible kin made was gentle but dismissive and she was surprised to feel the weight of a head being rested against her neck.

"I know," the stranger said sadly. "But it's okay. I'll keep waiting for you. I always will, you know. No matter how long it takes." Hang The Moon realized this was the same kin from her naming dream. Even though it wasn't the same voice, she knew it belonged to the same kin and that their futures were surely entwined. She leaned against the other heavily, surprised but relieved that they didn't budge under her weight.

"I'll find you," she promised. "I don't know where you are...or who you are. But I will."

"I know you will," the voice returned. "And you will know me when you see me. I'll be waiting."

And with that, the presence was gone. Hang The Moon stood in the strange forest of starlight for some time by herself, pondering the meaning of this strange vision. She didn't feel confused or upset, though. Just...content. Happy. Hopeful. Those were the feelings that stuck with her as the blinding light finally abated and she found herself back in the dark forest. She had a smile on her face as she returned to the present, the vision leaving her quickly but the warm, happy feeling remained.

OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE!
Kin Name: Not A Chance
Preference List: Forest Cat, Bone Cat, Water Cat, Sky Cat, Lion, Cheetah, Lynx
RP Link or Story:Gotta run gotta run gotta run gotta run gotta run-

A loud explosion behind him let Chance know he was in big trouble. The roar that followed let him know he was also in deep trouble. A wave of heat rolled over him just as he turned a corner in the dungeon, and not a moment later fire consumed everything in the spot he'd been moments before turning down that side hallway. He let out a yelp of pain as he felt the heat from the blaze sear his skin, but he kept on going, his prize clutched in his hands.

"All this for a stupid book?" he moaned, hugging the tome tighter to his chest with one arm to free up the other one so he could reach for his pocket. He pulled out a small handful of sand and began to sprinkle it slowly as he ran, a tiny trail left behind him. Once it had run completely from his fingers he whispered a few words in a language that certainly wasn't Common but one he'd never admit to knowing, and where there was once sand now lay a twenty foot long quicksand pit that covered the entire width of the hallway. It wouldn't completely stop the pursuer, but it would definitely slow them down.

"One thousand gold," he repeated to himself as he came to a split in the hallway. He looked frantically for the mark he'd left on the wall beside the proper hallway and, once he found it, tore off into the tunnel. "C'mon Chance, one thousand gold! You can get out of this, you can-"

Another roar echoed through the hallways and Chance knew the creature had found his little trap. Hopefully it would slow it down for as long as he needed to get out of here. He passed by the guards he'd dispatched earlier and found the stairway leading up to freedom. Unfortunately someone was waiting for him there.

"Ha! You thought you could escape the Minotaur?" the figure asked, leering down at Chance who groaned.

"Listen, Mr Monologue, I don't have time to kick your butt again. Just move aside and no one has to get hurt. And by no one, I mean you." As he spoke he reached into his robe and withdrew his wand, pointing it directly at the shadowed figure who raised his hands in mock defeat. Chance knew better than to accept, tensing to dodge the magical attack that would certainly come.

"Oh, I don't think things will play out like they did last time," the man said with a smug tone despite his defenseless position. "In fact, I think you will be the one begging for mercy this time, and I-"

Chance flicked his wrist and a dark blast of magic surged from the tip of his wand, hitting the man directly in the chest. He fell down the stairs in a crumpled heap, allowing Chance to dash up the stairs with a laugh.

"Less talking next time, okay?" he called down to the groaning figure at the bottom of the dungeon stairs. He reached the top and slammed the door shut just as a blinding light surged around him.

"Whoa! What- hey!" he said, turning to face whatever enemy was trying to blind him. But as his vision returned, Chance found himself on all fours staring down at a heart shaped rock that had been unearthed. What the...

OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE!
Kin Name: Shank
Preference List: cheetah, lynx lion
RP Link or Story: PROMPT 1- SHANK GOES TO SCHOOL

The lessons were her first clue something was amiss. She was thrown into the feelings of adolescences. Of growing up and observing the elders because the unspoken rules were clear to others but her. She had to learn. She had to mimic. She was at a disadvantage given her youth, but looking around, she wasn't the only one. Her dream continued.

Shank found herself in a plain hallway with an archway that designated itself as a doorway. She continued her path and pushed aside the curtain of vines. She was greeted with a sea of others, some nodding her way and others looking on with cool appraisal. They called her name, they waved. She felt kinship with them as if she should recognize who they were. She felt her own face respond- her lips tilted with mirth and she beckoned them a practiced "Good morning!"

"Shank!" that came from the left and she turned to see another rush to her side. "I brought a snack for Ankle Biter" said the other voice. The cracker was pushed to something on her shoulder, an obliging beak descending down. It was her Ankle Biter. On her other shoulder came an outraged trill.

"Okay, okay. I didn't forget about you, Wagging Tongues. But you are getting a little cheeky." Another cracker made its way the gryphon that flew behind her other shoulder. She looked up, her black birds nearby in different areas. She wasn't the only one with her own menagerie of animals. The origin of snacks had their own crew of reptiles. Some caiman, some tegu, she recognized a marine iguana and some other sorts. The nearby birds fed, the voice turned to address Shank. A playful push preceded the words.

"Come on, we're going to be late to the lesson. Today we are going over recall and how to form strategic teams."

A bell somewhere chimed, and a sudden impending feeling of fear of tardiness blossomed in her heart. But it was easily squelched. She would get there when she got there. It was hard wrangling birds. Somewhere to the left, she saw another peer struggle with their own throng of wild boars. She didn't relish having to carry those. The boards were easily heavier than her.

Shank found herself smiling again and racing after the swarm of reptiles and her friend.

"Okay, but last one there is a rotten egg." Shank ran with her birds in tow.

OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE!
Kin Name: Shank
Preference List: cheetah, lynx lion
RP Link or Story: PROMPT 2 SHANK IS HYGGE

The rain was softly sprinkling and no thunder or lightning dotted the sky. The water fell in gentle droplets that sloped down her hair and forehead. It wasn't the bad sort. Humidity hadn't set in and it was the liminal space right before dawn. Fireflies hovered around a particular area, drawing her attention.

She peeled back the overarching blades of grass as if she were unwrapping a precious parcel. There, nestled on soft moss and carefully selected twigs was an egg. It was speckled with brown flecks and had the sheen of a healthy egg. Judging from the size, Shank wasn't sure if it was a reptile or bird. Or perhaps even a very small acha. Kiokote eggs were larger. One could hope. She carefully scooped it up and brought it to her home. She lit candles around and shooed in her birds. One glance at her new egg, and the birds clamored to keep the egg warm.

Shank unloaded her warm layers and placed them close to the entrance. She found her way to the bed and looked up at the chimes. The wind flitted through creating music and air flow to chase out the stale air. She was cozy. She snuggled deeper into her fur and beckoned for All Ears and Head Start to come on over. She would never admit it, but the marshfowls were her favorite cuddlers. Nestled together while the rain gained ferocity, she dozed off with soft chimes in the background and shadows caused by the flickering candles. Soon the egg would hatch and that would be a wonderful surprise. Languid and safe, Shank slept as the fog settled around her charming little home.

OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE!
Kin Name:Shank
Preference List: cheetah, lynx lion
RP Link or Story: PROMPT 3: SHANK STRUGGLES DURING MEDIEVAL TIMES

"I'll give you 5 beans for the gryphon."

"No."

"7 beans and no more"

"I'll give you a knuckle sandwich. The gryphon isn't for sale."

"Okay, how about the crane?" At the mention of Rockshock, the spectral Cold Shoulder roused from sleep and glared at the intruding voice. They were a pair and not to be split up.

"No, I need some magical beans and that's it. Surely you could take a different trade? My birds are not for bartering."

"But you have so many" groused the vendor, their feet shuffling in place and kicking up mud.

"These birds are my livelihood. How about some sparkly rocks? I have 10." Shank jangled the pouch for effect, the telltale sign of precious stones clanking against one another. It was a good deal, and all she had. Shank wouldn't be able to eat for 2 days, but the weather was warm and there were foraging paths one could take. Summer was a fine time for berries and if push came to shove, Shank could slice a few mushrooms from trunks to make a fortifying stew with the game that her birds hunted. She would be fine. It wasn't the first, nor would it be the last time Shank and her birds slept under an open sky. But that was for later. She had a deal to reach.

"Make it 12 and you can have the 7 beans."

Shank scowled. She kept two near her armpits for dire measures. How did the vendor know?

"Fine. No more." The magical beans were dumped into her hands with little ceremony and the vendor shuffled off to no doubt swindle the next person. If she started now, she could be home by sunset. Shank and her birds headed toward the meadows of their home. She stopped by to draw some water. With their home in view, the birds flew ahead of her though Wagging Tongues stayed nearby. Shank relaxed. She felt safer with the gryphon's large talons and exacting beak. They had a lot to do before the first frost and the seller promised undue rewards if she planted the magical beans according to the instructions. Shank smiled. Perhaps they wouldn't starve this winter.

OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE!
Kin Name:Shank
Preference List: cheetah, lynx lion
RP Link or Story: PROMPT 4- SHANK IN SPACE

Shank heard the calls to arm blaring before her eyes would cooperate and open. Sleep tugged at her senses and she wanted nothing more than to sink back under the realms of unconsciousness. But duty calls. She sat up with a groan and flung her covers to the side. She got up and went through the motions to be respectable. A hand dragged through her messy tendrils before she secured it into a low bun. She pulled together the vestiges of respectability and went through the archway to the observation deck. There above, the stars filled the view. She found her marked position and slid into the seating. On the left side of the stars near a moon were her birds. Black, sleek, and made of the hardest metal, they were in formation. She was in her own bird, this one the Crow model. It was one of her first to operate and use, and only after imbibing large amounts of alcohol would she admit it was her favorite. It was a surly model and required more maintenance than the rest. Not to mention the materials it took to power this bird to flight. She patted the interior surface fondly. She loved Ankle Biter.

Someone to the right of her handed her water and a sustenance bar. She rolled her neck and shook off the last vestiges of sleep. Her shift just started and it was going to be a long 18 hours. She punched the surface in front of her with more force than necessary and asked for status reports.

They all checked in. Nothing was amiss with the metal birds and their crew. A large boom came from the distance.

"We're under attack" came a commanding voice from Thunder Skull. In front, she saw Wagging Tongues come up from behind to shield the metal owl. This mission would be the death of her.

OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE!
Kin Name: Shank
Preference List: cheetah, lynx lion
RP Link or Story: PROMPT 5: SHANK AND THE BIRDS!

Shank slept and when she dreamed, a nebulous feeling clung to her unconscious state. Shadowed outlines of kin tried to pull her into the yawning void. She dug her hooves in but shew as a small pebble against a cresting typhoon. She succumbed in the end.

Unease filled Shake's stomach. She couldn't shank the feeling that she was being hunted. She looked up at the clear sky. An expanse of blue and soft clouds blanketed the earth. The sun was shining and by all accounts, all should be well. She should be safe, but tension radiated from between her shoulder blades. It was the unmistakable foreboding feeling that the sky was about to fall. The sky obliged and first it was a black speck in the sky. Then it grew larger until the hoard of birds came closer, the predators creating distance with their advantageous speed. Shank ran to the nearest structure. It had walls, a roof, it was safe. They couldn't get to her.

Shank could not be more wrong. She ran for her life before the swarm of black birds could descend on her. The burst through the glass and made themselves at home- a cacophonous entity come home to roost. Artfully arranged souvenirs and items crashed tot the ground in their mayhem. Alcohol spilled to where she was. There was a flame nearby the tobacco just out of reach. She wasn't safe from their vengeful plans. She hid and waited for dawn all while the birds surrounded her. Each rustle of wings and indignant caw served as a reminder of the glacial pace of time. She closed her eyes, lost in the flood of noises and relentless circling of black birds.

OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE!
Kin Name: Heart and Home
Preference List: lion, lynx
RP Link or Story: Mostly Business

OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE!
Kin Name: Intrusive Thought
Preference List: Forest Cat, Bone Cat, Water Cat, Sky Cat, Lion, Cheetah, Lynx
RP Link or Story:Somehow, Tru knew that time had ended and started again. He wasn't quite sure how he knew that, but he did. The knowledge was common and available to all who cared to download it.

The Reset had saved the world. All the worlds, actually. It was a multi-planetary effort to make the Reset work, took all the brilliant minds from each race and species, and the cooperation of everyone in the entire universe. There were some hiccups, of course: some beings may not get their memories back, others may have their personalities scrambled and come out completely different, and of course, there was the risk of death.

"A minor risk," the Chancellor had promised Tru and the other Kin that were gathered. Tru had stood among the others of his kind listening to their leader, his goat-like ears twitching, slit pupils flicking from the old man to the other goat-people gathered. Horns dotted some of the heads of those gathered and Tru sported a nice pair of his own if he did say so himself, a curling pair that wrapped under his ears.

"The numbers have been run and it's less than one in a million," the Chancellor had went on. "So we have agreed to sign with the Coalition to begin the Reset."

And that's when things had gone poorly. The Reset had worked, but the data had been very far off. More creatures had come out with their memories gone, personality altered, and lives taken than anyone had thought. Tru was one of the lucky ones that only couldn't remember the actual Reset but had otherwise kept his memories and personality and, of course, his life. But now he had to deal with the aftermath.

The Chancellor was dead. Half of the Kin were dead, a quarter had their minds altered, and the other quarter had come out unscathed and left to figure out how to continue on. Thankfully there were other races, other species, other worlds that were facing the same trials and tribulations. Tru had volunteered to be on the new Kin council to meet with the others that survived and was currently riding in a ship to the meeting station that was housed on one of the other species main motherships. He had no idea what he was going to do or contribute but he was hopeful that he could be of some assistance.

As long as the other races weren't going to take this as an opportunity to try to take over what remained of the universe...there had been whispers of ill intent, after all. Tru hoped it wouldn't come to that, but the Kin were ready to fight if it came down to it. They'd need allies, though, and if this meeting didn't go well, perhaps they could at least get a few friends out of it.

OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE!
Kin Name: Vigil Keeper
Preference List: Forest Cat, Bone Cat, Water Cat, Sky Cat, Lion, Cheetah, Lynx
RP Link or Story: Darkness.

Well. Near darkness. There was light enough to see shapes moving around him, though colors and distinct features were hidden. Vigil didn't mind, though. He had a love for the darkness and what was within it that was unmatched. He reveled in what was hidden, what was tucked away for eyes to no longer bear witness to.

The walking figures around him were chanting in low, murmured voices, robes whispering over the stone floor on which they stood. Vigil closed his eyes and plunged himself into complete darkness, letting the subtle noises and the scent of damp, old stone fill his senses. The tinkling of bones as hooves bumped their resting place on the ground added a musical quality to the chanting. He walked with them with his eyes shut, their voices enough to keep him walking a straight line.

Finally the group reached their destination. Vigil opened his eyes and let out a soft, wistful sigh as he moved forward to the edge of the tomb. It was a highly ornate white marble structure, sculptures and carvings decorating the gently glowing tomb. Even with minimal light the stone was so perfectly polished it gathered every iota to reflect Vigil's face back at him.

"Oh, sleeping sister," he murmured as he bowed his head, pressing his forehead against the cool marble. "We are here to ask for your guidance. Tell us, mistress of the dead, how we are to proceed." Silence followed. The others that were there with him no longer chanted, their hooves were still, robes silent, bones resting once again.

And then, a light. A blinding, searing light that cast all of the shadow away and a terrible wind accompanied it. All of those gathered were blown away from the tomb, voices crying out in fear and surprise. All that remained was Vigil, holding his ground somehow in the hurricane force winds, squinting against the light, until suddenly he was back in the forest, the glowing stone fading once again.

OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE!
Kin Name: Illuminating
Preference List: Glow raffle only!
RP Link or Story:

Prompt 2 – Patience

It’s autumn.

The maple leaves have turned red, a sea of crimson and orange now covers the mountainside, as each tree puts on its last grand display before winter sets in. Illuminating... no, that isn’t right. She has a different name here.

Hikari.

Yes, that’s better.

That’s who she is.

Why would she even think otherwise?

Hikari is enjoying the view from the opened tatami doors, kept wide to allow the breeze in. She settles into this skin seamlessly, like it’s who she always has been and always will be. Kneeling on woven mats, dressed in a warm kimono of orange and brown, patterned in sun rays and magatama. Her hair is tied loosely against her back, dark brown strands, some escaping to rest errant against her cheek.

Her movements are soft, delicate.

The ink is pitch black, coating the tip of her brush.

The parchment is waiting, one line of the haiku already completed:

Autumn bleeds out red

She carefully lifts the brush, and for a moment she sees scratchings in the earth, straight lines and curves, meaning simple things like ‘warning’ and ‘this way’. Communication of the most basic level. Then her brush dips, glides across the paper in unerring lines.

When she’s done, she sits back and admires her work.

Autumn bleeds out red
Such a beautiful farewell
Winter is coming

A small smile quirks at the corner of her lips.

She replaces the parchment, placing the completed haiku carefully to the side. She places the brush down. Her gaze returns to the mountains, their inspiring beauty. Her heart feels peaceful, her breaths soft and even. The birds are singing outside. Somewhere in the house she can hear faint laughter, an undercurrent of bustling energy. It’s nearly lunchtime. She can just catch a faint whiff of food being prepared.

Sunlight is streaming in through the doorway, lighting the ground.

She leans, reaching, slender fingertips.

She touches the sun.

It’s warm, comforting.

She thinks of Amaterasu and thanks her for gracing them with sunlight.

A soft gentle prayer spoken is under her breath.

Soon the winter sun will come, the weakened rays desperately trying to push through clouds. Bouncing off the snow in a blinding rush. The rare clear days where she can turn her face to the sun and feel it against her cheeks and know spring will return.

Return.

Sorrow cuts through her peace.

It feels as though she has always been waiting, for something, for someone. Always soon, soon, soon but never now.

Slowly she leans back again, resettles. She smoothes the edges of her kimono, tucks some stray hair behind her ear. Kanako will arrive in a moment, to place a tray down of freshly cooked rice and miso, pickles and fried fish.

Before that moment arrives, she takes up the brush once more.

This time her smile has a fond sadness; her brush a little slower but no less perfect.

Until I see you,
straight-backed, smiling, home again,
I think of the sun.

OTHER WORLDS THAN THESE!
Kin Name: Forward by Choice
Preference List: lion, lynx
RP Link or Story: The Last Mile is Always Longest