Delaeni had strayed farther than planned, her feet treading lightly as she ventured deeper into the thriving garden. The vibrant colors of the flowers dazzled her, their intoxicating scent enveloping her with each step. She couldn't help but pause and admire the intricate patterns and delicate nature of each blossom, feeling like she had stepped into a secret paradise. Though her ultimate goal was to find Azoula, her companion, she found herself getting lost in the garden's splendor and losing track of time. The gentle rustle of leaves and hum of insects added to the tranquil atmosphere, making it difficult for Delaeni to tear herself away from this ethereal haven.

As the last rays of the setting sun touched the horizon, a burst of radiance filled the sky. Tinges of orange and pink melded together, creating a breathtaking canvas above Delaeni's head. She couldn't help but look up, her eyes transfixed by the unfolding spectacle. The sky was alive with an otherworldly light, green and pink ribbons gracefully dancing across its expanse. It was like nothing Delaeni had ever seen before. She had heard stories of the northern lights, but they paled in comparison to the real thing. Ignoring everything else around her, Delaeni found a cozy spot among the fragrant flowers and settled in to fully take in the mesmerizing display. The lights seemed to be performing just for her, their movements hypnotic and enchanting.

As the night deepened, the lights continued their dance, creating an ever-changing masterpiece above. Delaeni couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and magic wash over her as she watched the colors shift and blend, painting intricate patterns that seemed to tell a story only she could decipher. The garden felt transformed under the ethereal glow of the northern lights, turning into a fairytale land for one enchanted moment. As the seconds turned into minutes, and the hour began to pass, the lights seemed to grow in brightness and saturation, their hues becoming even more intense and lively. Delaeni couldn't help but stare in wonder at the aurora borealis as it swirled and twirled above her, its magnificence surpassing her wildest dreams. A sense of tranquility overcame her as she basked in the display, all her troubles fading into insignificance in the presence of such breathtaking natural splendor.

385 / 1500 word

"Delaeni Terblanche"

Where oh where, had her little dog gone? Tsk. She hadn’t expected Delaeni to wander off on her own, and without Mila for the matter - she’d been the one who wanted the girl to travel with them, after all - so this behavior, it was odd to say the least. Did the dog have something up her sleeve? No, Laney wasn’t devious enough to be so conniving- naive yes, but there was no ill will inside of the girl. So perhaps, the answer to Azoula’s musings was simple- she’d wandered off and gotten lost. And so, after waiting a few hours for Laney to return, the tigress took matters into her own paws and went out looking for her.

Tracking into a thick, luscious jungle that was tightly packed with an array of foliage and wildlife, Azoula caught wind of Laney’s scent. It was fairly fresh, meaning she’d passed through the area recently. With the sun quickly setting beneath the horizon, time was of the essence- she didn’t want Laney out in the dark alone, trying to fend for herself. And so, Azoula picked up the pace, combing through the gulley for any sign of her companion. The canvas of orange and pink morphed above her, as it turned into something she considered quite rare, given how far south she was. An aurora of emerald, amethyst, and azure danced in the heavens, illuminating the jungle in an ethereal, otherworldly glow. It was quite beautiful.

As the night progressed, an hour having passed since her arrival, the illumination of the northern lights grew in saturation, encompassing the full moon in an array of bright colors. It almost felt like daylight to her- which was a bit cumbersome, because she saw better in the pitch black of the night. Still, she successfully honed in on her target- coming around a bend in the foliage, finding Delaeni sitting within field of fragrant flowers. Approaching her on silent paws, she comes up beside the girl and plops down beside her in an exaggerated fashion- acting like her journey has left her utterly exhausted. “Gone a little far this time, haven’t we?” She throws a large forelimb over the girl, pulling her in close and encompassing Laney with her bulk. Like a kid clinging to their dolly. “And you’ve left Mila all alone- my, what a bad girl you’ve been.”  The tone in her voice was playful, and yet, there was a serious undercurrent- one that warned Laney, to never do this again.

Allowing the weight of her words to sink into the dogs mind, and scouring the dog’s body for any injuries or abnormalities. Azoula finally feels content with her condition, and turns her attention to the night sky. Studying it in silence, her tail flicking wildly behind her body to show the deep rumination lulling in her mind. She wonders why the northern lights could be seen in the south, and why the moon appeared brighter than normal. Perhaps it was a gesture from the universe- instructing Azoula to return to the north, where the lights usually dazzled in the sky. She wondered then, if she followed this gesture, if she would find the group of Saxe youngsters she’d been looking for.  

"Speech"

925/1500

As the vibrant aurora lights began to come into their own, Delaeni could feel a strange sensation pulsing through her. It was as if she was suddenly connected to the cosmos, a beacon of energy dancing with the stars in an intoxicating ballet. Her veins hummed with electric energy, her skin tingling as if touched by celestial hands. The dazzling spectacle above seemed to mirror her internal symphony, swirling and twirling in perfect harmony with her heartbeat. She couldn't help but wag her tail involuntarily, caught up in the mesmerizing dance of light and sound- her silk fur brushing against the rich, damp earth beneath. It was like being immersed in a cosmic dream, where reality melted away into a kaleidoscope of vivid colors and ethereal music. The closer she got, the more awestruck she became by the magnificent spectacle before her. The vibrant colors and intricate details of the world around her entranced her, drawing her in like a moth to a flame.

Delaeni’s heart leapt into her throat as the familiar tigress suddenly appeared, her piercing volcanic gaze causing her to gasp in surprise. She could feel her own pulse racing and her breath catching in her chest, but the feeling of Azoula's ground grip kept her from completely jumping out of her skin. "I-I'm sorry, Azoula," she stammered, immediately feeling guilty for any inconvenience she may have caused. "I got lost ... a-and the sky was just so beautiful." Her explanation tumbled out in a rush, but the words felt hollow and inadequate. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on her chest, until she could barely breathe. The only respite came when Azoula's gaze drifted upward to the dancing night sky. In an effort to calm her nerves, she dug her nails deep into the late-season grass, feeling the cool earth beneath her fingertips. Her heart raced as she tried again to speak. "What does it mean, Azoula?" Her voice trembled with fear and awe. Why were they witnessing such a magnificent display this far south in the territories?

1265 / 1500 word

"Delaeni Terblanche"

Even though Delaeni was quick to apologize for her wrongdoings, Azoula didn’t shake the serious expression on her face. She wanted the weight of Laney’s mistake to bear down on the girl, the tigress’ disappointment acting as a catalyst- she needed a tighter grip on the reins, more control if she were going to keep Laney away from the salacious men of the Saxe brood. A low rumble resonated within her, a sound akin to a growl but it wasn’t aggressive- more like,  possessive and domineering.

Shifting her attention to the sky, Azoula becomes lost in the beautiful array of vibrant colors, patterns forming within the cosmic entity making it seem like the heavens were dancing just for them. Pulling Laney in a bit closer, she’s holding her pretty tightly now- the rise and fall of their ribs aligning, bringing on a wave of satisfaction.

When Laney asked what the oddity meant, Azoula fell silent for a bit- mulling over the possibilities in her mind, comparing them to what she’d been taught about the heavens and the cosmos. “I’ve never seen this before. Being creatures of the earth, we know little of the cosmos and its wonders” She admits.“But I’ve heard of rumors.” Still looking up at the sky, she’s captivated by the patterns and how it seems to pulsate beneath the stars. “There are beliefs that the heavens have storms like our world does- metaphorical wars between entities of the cosmos, which changes our weather patterns, the size of the moon, and the warmth of the sun. It could explain why the northern lights can be seen in the south.” Flicking her tail and falling silent. She wasn’t sure if that knowledge was truthful- it was merely something she’d heard in her studies.

Turning to Laney, she eyes the girl intensely- the corners of her lips pulling back into a sly smile, one that reveals her massive canines. “There are also spiritual beliefs- the idea of the universe speaking to us, providing guidance to align ourselves with our fate. But its up to us to interpret, which can make it unreliable.”  Her mind went back to her previous thought- that perhaps this was a sign for them to return to the north, where their Saxe brood might be lying in wait.

"Speech"

1647/1500