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It was a long day at the Bonemarshes. Escape the Shadows whispered a prayer as she watched over the last giant moth that had yet to emerge from its cocoon. It was hours ago when its brothers and sisters greeted their first day with wings and now the sun was hanging low in the overcast skies. But she waited.

There. Movement.

“Come on, you can do it.” The doe softly coaxed the now wiggling cocoon. It was always a blessing to see them appear. The dark kimeti’s eyes brightened as the moth completed its escape with one more strong wiggle. Then with instinct, it began flexing its green iridescent wings to dry them out. It was one of her favourite moments of being a tamer in the Mothborn: witnessing new life.

It’s been almost four seasons since Escape the Shadows joined the Mothborn. She loved it here. The tribe life kept her busy and she felt content. But she still mostly kept to herself, with her own familiars: Spinning Tales, her spider, and Muddy Bones, her moth, being her only company.

Escape the Shadows looked towards the evening sky. It was about time to gather the day’s cocoons and prepare the nursery for the next brood. “Almost there, Muddy Bones,” she regarded her patient friend, “I have a treat for you when we’re done.” At this, Spinning Tales descended from a nearby tree. “Don’t worry I have something for you as well.” Her spider companion had been with Escape the Shadows for a long time, longer than anyone really. When she made the difficult journey to this place Spinning Tales had been with her, watching her, protecting her. He was always nearby, often just out of sight in the trees overhead. She poked the spider playfully in the abdomen before returning to work. Soon they’d be done for today and be ready to return home. (WC:315)
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@Blinded By Silence

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgleft]Scourge shifted uncomfortably. Even the chittering of Unrest's soft mouth near his ear couldn't calm him. The grey buck had been standing there for far too long, watching her. He ached, wishing to be the cocoon she whispered to, to be the moth that pulled her breath from her chest. But he wasn't. He was only himself, a dull, weak male. He had no bright colors to dazzle her with. No strength to fight for her attention.

And so he stood back and watched. Pathetic. Had he been a bug, he'd have died off ages ago.

Unrest nibbled his ear and he flicked it absently, pushing her away. His moth was right. He was wasting his time here. He had work to do. He was a busy bee, a worker ant. And yet. Maybe if he was lucky he could be dinner for the black mantis that she was.

Scourge closed his eyes for a moment, pushing the thought away. When he opened them, panic flooded his veins. He opened his mouth to say something, anything, but it was too late.

The grey moth fluttered to the doe's shoulder, chittering pleasantly. Oh, the betrayal. He swallowed hard, ready for the sting.

@Pandora Talie

Escape the Shadows made a satisfied hum as she watched the moths happily devour the sweet liquid she poured into their feeding shells. “Grow strong my sweetlings.” She cooed.

Staying with them a short moment longer, the doe went through today’s daily checklist in her head. She was always worried she would fail them, but once she was contented that they were safe and sound it was time to relax for the rest of the evening.

Lifting the nearly empty feeding vessel with her mouth, she carried it over to its storage place. A strand of her hair slipped out of its hold and flopped straight into the remaining sap. “Ugh…” She mumbled, laying the vessel down, and flicked the hair strand back with a toss of her head. The strand rested on her shoulder: a sloppy mess.

There was a rush of motion to her side and everything happened at once.

Escape the Shadows let slip a startled scream as a grey moth landed on her and promptly began ‘cleaning’ her sappy shoulder. Then, of course, Muddy Bones fluttered over to join in, and Spinning Tales, seeing the doe in distress, descended from his hiding spot to save her somehow. In all the commotion she stumbled back, losing her balance. (WC:211)

@Blinded By Silence

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgleft]He didn't remember crossing the clearing. He didn't even realize that he had moved until he felt her warm body bump into his. Instinctually, he braced himself and in the sudden silence, they simply stood, his heart beating so fast he thought it'd burst. Time had stopped entirely. And then, all at once, sped forward.

Once he saw she was stable, he stepped back, eyes lowered.

"I, um..." He cleared his throat, his voice raspy from lack of use, "Sorry."

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft]Then she wasn't falling? Escape the Shadows tipped her head back and locked her golden eyes with her savior. It was Pestilence’s son. She blushed as he spoke. “No need to apologize,” she said, finding her voice. “Thank you for saving me from that nasty fall; I am truly grateful.” She added.

“Your Pestilenc’s son right?” she asked knowing the answer. “I’m sorry I’m horrible with names.” The doe’s eyes averted to the ground. “You would think I would know everyone by now being here almost a full season.” She continued to idly chatter as she shifted her gaze to her moth, Muddy Bones, and their attempt to play with the grey moth. Spinning Tales silently ascended up into the tree canopy above.

@Blinded By Silence

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgleft]He swallowed nervously. He had never been so close to her, to anyone if he could help it. Her scent was better than he could have ever imagined. And he had. He swallowed again, unsticking his words from his throat.

"No. I mean, yes, I am Pestilence's son, but no need to apologize. Heh..." He looked away, heat flooding his face. Idiot, he chided himself, she just said that. Are you just going to repeat everything she says? Are you some kind of weird bird?

He was fully flustered now. He focused on their moths, each fluttering around the other, chittering happily.

"Huh, Unrest doesn't usually play with the other moths." He commented quietly, his eyes flicking back to her, "You're Escape the Shadows," He said, not really a question, "I've been watching your progress. You're very good with the moths."

[imgleft]https://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/imag ... uncert.png[/imgleft]Escape the Shadows watched Muddy Bones and Unrest interact then replied, “Muddy Bones must’ve been a sand dog in another life, always wants to play.” She smiled at that.

“Uh, thank you.” She blushed a little as well, believing that he was recognizing the hard work she was putting into caring for moths. “I really love spending time with them, watching them grow, you know?” Escape the shadows fixed her gooey hair as best she could.

“So does Pestilence’s son have a name?” she asked playfully after realizing he still had not said his name.

@Blinded By Silence