In the beginning there was Darkness

A tremor disturbs the calm in her soul when the shrine come alive with the presence of the Voice. She found herself breathing deeply of that invigorating scent, like raindrops on dry earth after a shudder... realizing where it came from made her stop quickly, embarrassed and almost guilty at discovering something enjoyable about the monster in all the stories. Maea did not expect to be addressed, and stood back as a motherly voice greeted Wessex like a friend, spoke to Sam like a close confidant... She flinched when electrical eyes fell upon herself, at the pity in the words. Perhaps she ought to be flattered to be noticed at all, grateful and humbled to have received the attention of a higher being and eager to price herself worthy of a second glance. But... someone else had already claimed that spot in her heart. One of the Old Gods, and the implications that they somehow had wronged her made her throat tighten in angry protest. What had they done? What had anyone done? Who's fault was it really that the lived her life in a cage? Who was it who had not been content with being who they were and sought more than nature intended? A perfect hand reached for her, as if to touch, but Maea's inclination to take a step back was interrupted by the world shifting around her. The blur fell away, and Maea gasped as she found there was color, shapes and details around her of a clarity that was almost painful... Then it was all gone, and the 'could have been' rang through her like a slap to the face. Wessex had no idea what she was talkig about. Who was really the judgemental one here? At least Ludo had not discarded her as a hopeless case, a thing beyond redemption. She wasn't sure precisely why the masked one had chosen to hear her, but they had and offered a sliver of hope she would always be grateful for. This? To be given a taste of something she wanted desperately, only to hear it could not be hers and have it taken away again? That was just cruel. "It is written in a language we do not know" she said, lips stiff around the words while her heart raced. Anger was such an unusual feeling for Maea that it took her some time to recognize it in herself, and when she did the young woman tried to quell it. This was not the place... Maea Like morning dew Love will come again to you