"I concede the point," Jigano admitted cheerfully, glad for the pleasant company in spite of the bitter cold. "Not really 'on' fire at all. More illusion than real flame. But the leaves were solid to the touch, even if the blossom wasn't. I do hope at least one survived for further study..." The lorekeeper trailed off as they rounded the bend, sucking in a sharp breath at the beauty that greeted them. He'd seen it before, under starlight, but it had been from a different angle, with different eyes.
From where he now stood, and in the sunlight that filtered through the clouds, the enchanting Glade had been transformed into a truly magical place, glittering and shining. Fluffy banks of snow covered the lower parts of the trees but was shallower towards its center, as if the snow had fallen only lightly there, and the passing of paws and hooves and boots had packed it down more firmly. It looked safe enough to walk on, but perhaps a bit slick. "Indeed," he murmured quietly, in complete agreement with Isla's proclamation. He took a tentative step into the still scene, and as he did a bright blue bird burst from an evergreen bush across the clearing, trilling a liquid song on its wake.
The bard jumped a little, startled by the explosion of movement, but as soon as he realized what had surprised him he couldn't contain his laughter at his overreaction. Spinning nimbly in spite of the snow he let his cloak twirl around him before ending in a bow to Isla, blue eyes sparkling fit to match the ice-coated branches around them. "Does the lady dance?" His grin was part mischief, part challenge as he invited her to join him in the winter wonderland.
From where he now stood, and in the sunlight that filtered through the clouds, the enchanting Glade had been transformed into a truly magical place, glittering and shining. Fluffy banks of snow covered the lower parts of the trees but was shallower towards its center, as if the snow had fallen only lightly there, and the passing of paws and hooves and boots had packed it down more firmly. It looked safe enough to walk on, but perhaps a bit slick. "Indeed," he murmured quietly, in complete agreement with Isla's proclamation. He took a tentative step into the still scene, and as he did a bright blue bird burst from an evergreen bush across the clearing, trilling a liquid song on its wake.
The bard jumped a little, startled by the explosion of movement, but as soon as he realized what had surprised him he couldn't contain his laughter at his overreaction. Spinning nimbly in spite of the snow he let his cloak twirl around him before ending in a bow to Isla, blue eyes sparkling fit to match the ice-coated branches around them. "Does the lady dance?" His grin was part mischief, part challenge as he invited her to join him in the winter wonderland.
