Between one moment and the next, everything changed. From time she reawakened on a Leafchange evening, Maea had carried an absence within. A jagged wound that never healed, like a part of her identity had vanished alongside the wisp. Sucking away laughter and fulfillment and draining joy from any situation, it had left her wondering about the point of life, of love, of anything and everything that she tried and failed to fill that void with.
Now, as that small light crossed the threshold, it began to fill up. Like a desert wind filling a footprint with sand, gently as the light of dawn bleached the night away from the shadows, Shii's gentle presence smoothed out the broken and jagged pieces in her. As it came darting towards her, Maea opened her arms wide to receive them. "Shii! You came back! Welcome home – " Zooming around her in dizzying spirals, their joy was one and the same. When the ancient held out her hands, Shii landed upon the palms and flickered subtly, barely audible whispers sighing sweetly as the girl leaned her brow against it. It was the softest touch; like a subtle warmth, or a breath against the skin - and it was enough. More than enough.
"Thank you," she murmured, halfway between laughter and tears as she tilted her head to gaze at Mort. "Can I hug you? This is... I don't have the words." Gratitude was too small a word for what filled her in this moment. Possibly it was love, pure and simple - and it changed everything.
Now, as that small light crossed the threshold, it began to fill up. Like a desert wind filling a footprint with sand, gently as the light of dawn bleached the night away from the shadows, Shii's gentle presence smoothed out the broken and jagged pieces in her. As it came darting towards her, Maea opened her arms wide to receive them. "Shii! You came back! Welcome home – " Zooming around her in dizzying spirals, their joy was one and the same. When the ancient held out her hands, Shii landed upon the palms and flickered subtly, barely audible whispers sighing sweetly as the girl leaned her brow against it. It was the softest touch; like a subtle warmth, or a breath against the skin - and it was enough. More than enough.
"Thank you," she murmured, halfway between laughter and tears as she tilted her head to gaze at Mort. "Can I hug you? This is... I don't have the words." Gratitude was too small a word for what filled her in this moment. Possibly it was love, pure and simple - and it changed everything.
Maea
These words are my own, from my heart flown
