[imgright]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/image ... uncert.png[/imgright]
The world wakes around her—the crunch of leaves and a low squeak—prying into the absence of thought. Stirring, she frowns at her surroundings and then stills as the sight and smell of blood invade her senses. Panic strikes like a cobra and she wars—who has silently and expertly injured her, no, who has she killed—until her eyes, so like a rabbit’s, fall upon a swan.

She has never seen such a creature as this. It is black—inky depths hiding flecks of pulsing red that peek through—in a way that even night is not. The swan seems to glow. Instead of dark, beady eyes… Indescribable. They are not white; they are hope.

Its eyes are piercing and innocent. Shame bubbles up, a brook that pulses into an ocean, as she takes in the animal. It knows what a monster she is. (She doesn’t want to be.) She breaks eye contact, swallows the lump in her throat, but refuses to break. She can be better. She can. (She hasn’t yet, not really.) But first she has to try.

In dulcet tones—too sweet and not at all her—she tries to put the animal at ease as she rises to her hooves. She needs to see what’s wrong to help. Wants to avoid the guilt that twists her stomach into knots at its bright eyes. (I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.)

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 10-sided dice: 5 Total: 5 (1-10)

The swan is not content to let her see its injury. (Of course.) She takes a step back and turns her eyes to her surroundings. There are plants near and while she has no idea what swans eat, she wanders over to inspect the options.

She thinks they eat vegetation and spinach, rather tasteless, surely counts. Carefully she tears small pieces away from the broad leaves before returning to where she had stood before. She drops the greenery to the small bit of clean ground and waits.

Slowly it comes forward and inspects the offering. The creature eats it, seemingly happy. However, before she can even bend her neck, it backs away.

The doe’s mouth tenses.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 30/30
Current Trust: 12
Section notes: -----

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 10-sided dice: 3 Total: 3 (1-10)

Perhaps it would care for clean water, she thinks. It’s an effort ([color=]more than it’s worth) that does not pay off. Instead of moving forward it snaps its beak at her menacingly. She bows her head, lightly rebuked, and grits her teeth.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 30/30
Current Trust: 10
Section notes: -----

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 10-sided dice: 7 Total: 7 (1-10)

Many birds eat insects, she remembers witnessing. She does not wish to revert back to the spinach, for fear of offending it further, so she searches until she finds a spider’s web. The builder is quite visible and thinking nothing of it, she snaps her teeth around its tiny body.

In her haste, she receives a bite to the lip, and has to clamp her mouth shut to keep from cursing. It is lucky it is not a venomous one, she thinks, as she offers it to the bird. At least it seems to appreciate her attempt. Just not long enough for her to see what’s wrong. (Damn.)

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 28/30
Current Trust: 12
Section notes: -----

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 10-sided dice: 4 Total: 4 (1-10)

This time she does resort to more spinach but it does no better than the first go around. At least the creature isn’t offended.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 28/30
Current Trust: 14
Section notes: -----

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 10-sided dice: 1 Total: 1 (1-10)

The root of a potato is squawked at and she sighs. One step forward, two steps back.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 28/30
Current Trust: 12
Section notes: -----

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 10-sided dice: 7 Total: 7 (1-10)

She digs deeper in the vegetation and comes up with a mouthful of roots. Not to mention a snout peppered with thorns. (Fucking roses.)

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 26/30
Current Trust: 14
Section notes: -----

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 10-sided dice: 9 Total: 9 (1-10)

Teeth scrape off a hunk of potato skin. She offers it to the swan, reluctant to stoke its ire, and is surprised when it seems to stay settled. Carefully, she lowers herself to take in the creature fully.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 26/30
Current Trust: 15
Section notes: -----

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 8-sided dice: 2 Total: 2 (1-8)

She noses in too confidently, too quickly, and the bird shuffles itself into a fluff of feathers. (Stupid.)

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 26/30
Current Trust: 14
Section notes: 0 Clues Acquired

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 8-sided dice: 4 Total: 4 (1-8)

Reigning herself in, she sits. She does not move nor talk. It’s a façade of calm but it seems to soothe the swan.

In slow movements, the doe is able to get quite close to the swan. And yet she sees nothing that tells her what is wrong.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 26/30
Current Trust: 16
Section notes: 0 Clues Acquired

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 8-sided dice: 7 Total: 7 (1-8)

Gently, she begins to nudge the bird’s wings. Rather than find any evidence, she finds only that the swan is arching its neck more. Affection—wait does it think she’s flirting?—shines from its eyes and she’s left feeling very confused.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 26/30
Current Trust: 19
Section notes: 0 Clues Acquired

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 8-sided dice: 3 Total: 3 (1-8)

The swan seems content to stay still, eyes refocused on the potato skin, but this allows her nothing but the same view she has had.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 26/30
Current Trust: 20
Section notes: 0 Clues Acquired

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 8-sided dice: 2 Total: 2 (1-8)

Impatient, she uses her nose to try and nudge one of the swan’s wings up. It shrieks at the touch and the doe pulls herself back.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 26/30
Current Trust: 19
Section notes: 0 Clues Acquired

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 8-sided dice: 8 Total: 8 (1-8)

Retreading, she finds that there is a brown patch smudging into the bird’s chest feathers. Which means the main injury must be on the swan’s side. At least now she has an idea of where to look.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 26/30
Current Trust: 18
Section notes: 1 Clues Acquired

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 8-sided dice: 4 Total: 4 (1-8)

Resting, thinking, she settles. She doesn’t want to force the creature to show the wound and so she waits. It has to move at some point, shift to reveal what it is that is wrong.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 26/30
Current Trust: 20
Section notes: 1 Clues Acquired

anemosagkelos rolled 1 8-sided dice: 2 Total: 2 (1-8)

Of course the moment it does seem to shift, she nearly hits it in the head with her chin. The bird is not pleased and she tamps down on the urge to stomp or sob.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 26/30
Current Trust: 19
Section notes: 1 Clues Acquired

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 8-sided dice: 8 Total: 8 (1-8)

The swan stands and as the doe’s eyes rake over it, she notices a slice on the creature’s leg. Just above its webbed foot is a cut that bleeds. She knows it isn't the worst of the injury but it tells her more than she knew a moment ago.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 26/30
Current Trust: 18
Section notes: 2 Clues Acquired

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 8-sided dice: 4 Total: 4 (1-8)

Awhile of stillness seems to placate the swan as it doesn’t move further.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 26/30
Current Trust: 20
Section notes: 2 Clues Acquired

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 8-sided dice: 1 Total: 1 (1-8)

Needing to cool her head, she rises and steps back. The swan remains where it is but its wings seem to rise. With its wings slightly raised, she can easily see the large gash in its side. The wound is quite long and she winces at the jaggedness of the flesh. Something did a number on it. And she hopes that something is not coming back.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 26/30
Current Trust: 20
Section notes: 3 Clues Acquired

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 4-sided dice: 3 Total: 3 (1-4)

Something comes. Whether it is the predator come to try again or another, she knows not. The air itself seems to still and she pulls herself up to stand over top the swan. But even she is not ready for the sight that greets her.

The shape is that of a kin and yet when it steps into the light it is nothing but scale and spines. A crocodile in skin and while that is alarming enough it is the face that scares her. For it is her own masked in darkness and mouth caked in blood. But she has never fled when she should have and she's not about to start now.

The doe charges forward and rears, front hooves connecting harshly with the enemy's skull. It's not enough but it's a start.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 24/30
Current Trust: 20
Section notes: 7/10 Intruder HP

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 4-sided dice: 1 Total: 1 (1-4)

The next kick is a mere flesh wound as her hoof connects with the villain's mouth. It's sharp teeth skim her leg and she winces as she falls back to regroup.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 22/30
Current Trust: 20
Section notes: 6/10 Intruder HP

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 4-sided dice: 3 Total: 3 (1-4)

She bull rushes the foe, seeming to startle it enough that she is able to kick it directly in the chest. It folds briefly and then rises up, intent to end her.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 20/30
Current Trust: 20
Section notes: 3/10 Intruder HP

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 8-sided dice: 5 Total: 5 (1-8)

The not-her-kin charges forward unexpectedly and she stumbles, falling to her knees as it looms over her. Unwillingly to give up, she does the only thing she can. She bites fiercely at its leg, teeth clamping down until a shriek that shakes the entire land emits from the creature.

Reeling back, she watches as the enemy falls. Its body seems to melt into the earth and as she turns away to take in the swan's safety, the only thing that remains in a piece of crocodile hide. She leaves it alone.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 17/30
Current Trust: 20
Section notes: -2/10 Intruder HP

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 20-sided dice: 7 Total: 7 (1-20)

It isn't safe here. Not for the swan. Not even for her. But she knows a place--her own place, safely kept secret--that they can find sanctuary in.

An ache flares up and homesickness fills her to the brim. She needs to see, to be in, her garden. And while she has yet to reveal it to anyone, she now believes the swan will find it beautiful, too.

"We have to go," she tells the swan and heaves a sigh of relief as it rises. In slow steps they begin.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 17/30
Current Trust: 20
Section notes: 5/20 Distance Traveled

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 20-sided dice: 4 Total: 4 (1-20)

She isn't surprised when the swan seems to lag. It does have a slight leg wound. But she can't let them dawdle.

"I know it hurts. Trust me, I know. But we have to get somewhere safe."

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 17/30
Current Trust: 23
Section notes: 5/20 Distance Traveled

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 20-sided dice: 17 Total: 17 (1-20)

In her haste she takes a wrong turn and just barely manages not to be seen by a snake that is large enough to swallow two kin whole. She takes careful steps backwards and ends up losing half the distance covered. But at least they're both alive.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 17/30
Current Trust: 23
Section notes: 2/20 Distance Traveled

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 20-sided dice: 14 Total: 14 (1-20)

When it becomes clear the swan is too tired to move its leg, she lies down and coaxes the creature onto her back. It means she has to be more gentle in her gait but they move faster all the same.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 17/30
Current Trust: 26
Section notes: 7/20 Distance Traveled

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 20-sided dice: 13 Total: 13 (1-20)

The pace picks up as she grows accustomed to the gentle weight on her back. It's almost comforting. She hums lightly as she walks, almost content.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 17/30
Current Trust: 29
Section notes: 12/20 Distance Traveled

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 20-sided dice: 9 Total: 9 (1-20)

She can't describe the sound but it's not hostile. A smile curves on her lips as she realizes the swan is trying to sing with her. In this way they travel farther and she knows they are almost there.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 17/30
Current Trust: 32
Section notes: 17/20 Distance Traveled

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 20-sided dice: 3 Total: 3 (1-20)

Just like that, the animal becomes restless and she has to stop. She turns to speak to the swan, voice trying to remain calm.

"We're almost there and then you can rest. And it's beautiful there. So beautiful and safe. No one knows about it but me. It's a haven and you'll be safe there."

The swan seems to nod and the doe heaves a sigh of relief.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 17/30
Current Trust: 35
Section notes: 17/20 Distance Traveled

anemosagkelos rolled 1 20-sided dice: 7 Total: 7 (1-20)

And like that, they arrived.

The doe walked through the tall grass that she'd planted four years ago. It was a barrier that blocked sight into this glade she had cultivated. Emerging from the grass was no less than walking into a dream.

Alive with plants it was in full bloom. The air was fragrant with the smell of flowers and she trekked carefully through on one of the paths she'd forged years ago. Like a mother, she checked on her handiwork until she made it to the perfect apple tree that was the center of it all.

It was paradise. And now she would know the swan was safe. There was someone she had to find...

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 17/30
Current Trust: 35
Section notes: 22/20 Distance Traveled
(Full description of Atone's glade can be found here.)

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 4-sided dice: 4 Total: 4 (1-4)

She knows where she has to go. She knows who it is that will know what to do. Around her the world blurs as she sets off. Here and now, her mind starts to turn. (How do I know... Have we ever met...) But the more she thinks the less it matters. She knows, that's what is important.

It is a cave that she finds. A purple totoma stands in its mouth. The fur between her shoulder rises up, a mohawk forming down her back as her hackles rise in irritation. (Don't trust him. Don't make deals with the devil.) Rather than grimace, she lets a smile, wide and cocky, mask her distaste.

"Where is it?"

The totoma laughs, cajoles and twitters like a loon, "Ah ah, dearie, is that ever how things work?"

And no, never in her life is that how things work. Except for today. For neither has a thing. He is broken and she is too far out of his orbit. He talks of a pond where water glimmers with the power to heal and all of the plants near it are imbued with that same gift. She thanks him and goes.

But if getting the answer was easy, it makes sense that the pond is surrounded by thick brambles that twist and turn into a wall that cannot be rounded. She must go through. And fury rises up because why is it always a battle. With a scream, she raises a hoof and stomps down on the closest thorny tendril.

It hurts like hell but the tendril breaks and a small fissure appears.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 16/30
Current Trust: 35
Section notes: 16/20 Barrier's Defense

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 4-sided dice: 3 Total: 3 (1-4)

Another kick and while it is not as powerful as her first, it does the job. She hisses as the thorns poke at her but ventures further in regardless.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 15/30
Current Trust: 35
Section notes: 13/20 Barrier's Defense

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 4-sided dice: 3 Total: 3 (1-4)

Again, a crash of hooves against plant. The sharp edges are no match for the softer body of the barrier. But damn if the thorns don't prick and prod and poke.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 14/30
Current Trust: 35
Section notes: 10/20 Barrier's Defense

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 8-sided dice: 7 Total: 7 (1-8)

A stray vine falls down and encircles her throat. In her haste to get free, she bites at it. Teeth clamp down not just on the thin plant but also tear into the brambles. It hurts like hell but the grip severs a large section and connections break. She's almost there.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 12/30
Current Trust: 35
Section notes: 3/20 Barrier's Defense

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 4-sided dice: 2 Total: 2 (1-4)

Rearing she crashes down on the wall. It crumbles at her touch except for one formidable section. But she doesn't back down. Never has. And she knows the next attack will be the last.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 11/30
Current Trust: 35
Section notes: 1/20 Barrier's Defense

---

anemosagkelos rolled 1 4-sided dice: 4 Total: 4 (1-4)

All of her weight slams into the briars and they disintegrate.

The pond glimmers silver and blue in the light from the sun. Around it is a variety of plants that seem to sparkle. She steps forward, almost expecting something else to arise but nothing does. With care she picks through the plants, taking samples and lying them into an easy to carry bouquet.

Near the edge of the water lies a, no longer needed, turtle shell. It takes some time but she manages to fill it with water and thread a strong cord of vine through the openings so that she can carry it back.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 10/30
Current Trust: 35
Section notes: -3/20 Barrier's Defense

---

anemosagkelos rolled 2 10-sided dice: 2, 10 Total: 12 (2-20)

Arriving back at her glade, the doe sees that the swan has found a comfortable patch of shade. She places her findings nearby and begins to get to work. A paste of some sort will be needed to help the gouged wound to help.

Using a little water and stomping the bud of one of the flowers, she begins to mix the solution. It's harder work than one thinks causing her to take a step back. The mixture is still loose but the swan seems to appreciate it.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 10/30
Current Trust: 37
Section notes: 2/30 Progress

---

anemosagkelos rolled 2 10-sided dice: 9, 8 Total: 17 (2-20)

Before she can continue, she decides that some fallen bark from the tree may help. Unfortunately it is behind the swan and the creature is affronted by her attempt to gather the shavings.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 10/30
Current Trust: 35
Section notes: 11/30 Progress

---

anemosagkelos rolled 2 10-sided dice: 1, 1 Total: 2 (2-20)

Bark added in the paste begins to thicken. This appeases the creature and it seems to settle, no longer thinking she's going to harm it. She continues working, unsure if she's really making progress or not.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 10/30
Current Trust: 38
Section notes: 12/30 Progress

---

anemosagkelos rolled 2 10-sided dice: 7, 9 Total: 16 (2-20)

In her concentration she leaves the swan to entertain itself. Oddly enough that seems to please it. She can hear it making the same content sounds from the journey.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 10/30
Current Trust: 39
Section notes: 19/30 Progress

---

anemosagkelos rolled 2 10-sided dice: 10, 7 Total: 17 (2-20)

The paste is almost complete and the swan seems to preen at her work. There's something about it that makes tears work into her eyes but she blinks them back. She'll be done in a moment.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 10/30
Current Trust: 42
Section notes: 29/30 Progress

---

anemosagkelos rolled 2 10-sided dice: 4, 7 Total: 11 (2-20)

Finally it is done. She worries for a moment over how to apply it but the swan seems to understand. It rolls onto its side, vulnerable and trusting.

Carefully she applies the paste to the wound. It doesn't take long but she still takes her time. When she is done she falls to her lie on her stomach and the swan rights itself. It is nose to beak that the two fall asleep.

OOC Footnote wrote: Current HP: 10/30
Current Trust: 45
Section notes: 33/30 Progress

---

Atone wakes, a fog over her mind and a heaviness in her limbs. She is not in her glade nor is the swan with her. And she is startled by the sadness that floods over and into her.

Around her there are a variety of creatures who seem content to leave her be. And yet they come closer as if impressed with her in some way. She drops her chin to the ground and sighs.