Long Time No See

Lots of things had changed. Solveiga had left for a while, exploring new places and taking some time to be alone with herself and decide what she wanted out of this life. Without any family, and with friends far away, she was forced to take a good look at herself and think about who she wanted to be. All her life she had let others make decisions for her, because she didn't trust herself to make the right choice. But now she trusted herself. And in turn, she trusted the world less.

The changes that had taken place in Solveiga were a balance of good and bad, depending on how one looked at them. She was more confident. More certain of every step she took. She held her head a little higher and her once soft, timid voice was much stronger. She had used her time away to study her trade independently, and had learned plenty of new things. In short, she had become a wiser and more independent individual.

But those traits that had once made her so endearing: the way she left her heart open and vulnerable, the way she tucked her tail when she got nervous, the quietness and innocence in those baby blue eyes. The innocence and vulnerability were still there, in a strictly physical sense. But emotionally, Solveiga had hardened herself. She didn't want to go through the pain and grief she experienced ever again. She came to the conclusion that if she made herself tougher, less open and less vulnerable, then she would be less likely to get hurt again. It was a difficult change to go through, because it felt so unnatural at first. But she got used to it. And now everyone else would get used to it too.

The petite woman walked through the lands of the west, eventually hoping to find Celestial again. She wanted to check in, and if it felt right to return, she would. In her mouth she carried a little bundle fashioned out of a big, waxy leaf. Inside it were a few rare herbs she had collected from the various places she had gone. She had found that she liked to carry her herbs with her this way, all folded up in a big waxy leaf. The only problem with this method of transport was having the pungent herbs right below her nose. They often hindered her sense of smell and, today, nearly caused her to stumble right over a territory line at the edge of the emerald valley. There hadn't been a pack here last time she had passed through. Intrigued, Solveiga set down her bundle and stepped away from it a bit to allow her nose to clear. Then she got a little closer to the border of the territory, trying to see if she could identify any familiar scents. And right away, she did. Faite had her own pack? Since when?

The little woman couldn't help but smile. It was a pleasant surprise. Maybe Faite was nearby, and the two could catch up! Tilting her head to the sky, Solveiga let out a short song, requesting an audience with the Kalin herself.