Theea
you lose yourself when the wind flows through your hair
you taste freedom as you fill your lungs with air
you taste freedom as you fill your lungs with air
I smile a little at her reassurance, because she’s right—curiosity isn’t a sin. Still, I know myself well enough to know I can be nosy, and sometimes I don’t know when to stop asking questions… or when to shut my mouth. “Thanks for understanding,” I say with a quiet laugh. “I either get myself in trouble without meaning to, or people find it charming. There’s no in-between.”
I drop down onto the moss too, setting my backpack at my side and leaning back on one hand while the other brushes through a patch of short grass, still stubbornly green against the brilliant scatter of autumn leaves. When Maea nods, a little thrill runs through me—she did know Vai! Even if she admits it wasn’t well, I keep the flicker of disappointment tucked away and just smile softly when she says my nonna once healed her. “I’m glad she healed you,” I say simply, sincerely.
Then I brighten right up, nodding enthusiastically. “Oh, yes. I loved living here. It was… magical, like a fairytale.” My grin turns a little sheepish. “I actually started out behind the barrier in the Hollowed Grounds, when I was really little. Then the Greatwood, before my parents sort of—” I make a vague swooshing gesture, “—vanished with me into thin air when things got really heated in Caido. But the Greatwood, I remember it. With a glow around the edges, like it was always lit up.”
I laugh a little, shaking my head. “I love coming back to visit. Even if the last time I did, I got lost in Ludo’s Wood and had to be guided out.”
I catch myself then, clamping my mouth shut and grimacing apologetically. “Sorry. I ramble.”
I drop down onto the moss too, setting my backpack at my side and leaning back on one hand while the other brushes through a patch of short grass, still stubbornly green against the brilliant scatter of autumn leaves. When Maea nods, a little thrill runs through me—she did know Vai! Even if she admits it wasn’t well, I keep the flicker of disappointment tucked away and just smile softly when she says my nonna once healed her. “I’m glad she healed you,” I say simply, sincerely.
Then I brighten right up, nodding enthusiastically. “Oh, yes. I loved living here. It was… magical, like a fairytale.” My grin turns a little sheepish. “I actually started out behind the barrier in the Hollowed Grounds, when I was really little. Then the Greatwood, before my parents sort of—” I make a vague swooshing gesture, “—vanished with me into thin air when things got really heated in Caido. But the Greatwood, I remember it. With a glow around the edges, like it was always lit up.”
I laugh a little, shaking my head. “I love coming back to visit. Even if the last time I did, I got lost in Ludo’s Wood and had to be guided out.”
I catch myself then, clamping my mouth shut and grimacing apologetically. “Sorry. I ramble.”
the time has stopped, your mind has set sail
the road is home, the stars will light the trail
the road is home, the stars will light the trail
