Among The Lilacs and Lilies

What would be the chances that Serene would bump into a kind stranger? Or one that was a healer? Or one that was planning to live in the same homeland as she? What would be the chances that all of this would be in one wolf? Branch Wreckage. It was almost unbelievable... almost as if someone else had arranged this meeting. The idea caused her to peer out over the bountiful prairie, lost in a hopeful thought. She returned when he declared her mother's grave would be off limit to his pack. It made her smile wide, knowing that he took this matter so seriously, even for a stranger.

When he asked about the description of her mother's grave, the fawn fae turned and stood promptly, her tail swaying happily behind her. "Yes, she said it was the grandmother willow, one of the first in the wood. It stands out against time." She noted, pleased beyond belief that he knew the tree she was talking about. When Branch moved to ask about the shrine rituals, the sandy woman thought back to the rituals she and her mother used to do, and how best to answer his question. "It's been used for both, and while I always hope to see my mother at the Shrine, for council or support, this time would be different." She looked at the moist ground below her, and scooped some of the grains into her paw.

"When someone close to you dies, and you bury them, you've created a sacred place. The Shrine, to my family, is like a gateway to all sacred places. You must take some of the soil from your sacred grown, and bring it to the Shrine, that way they are connected." She took a deep breath, playing with the dirt. "When you connect the two, it sort of sets that soul free, I guess is the best way to say it. It gives them free range to go visit other loved ones... and sometimes they don't come back." That was truly why she didn't want to visit the shrine, in fear her mother would truly leave her. But was trapping her any better? No, Serene knew what needed to be done.

She glanced back up to Branch with a curious gaze, wondering something about him. She offered a small smile, tilting her head to the side as she spoke. "Would you help me? With the ritual?" It was bold, to invite someone new into such a private ceremony, but Branch seemed trustworthy. He was pure at heart, that she could tell by his motives to build a pack, and he seemed to share much of the same talents and beliefs as she. If he was going to keep her mother's grave safe, he should be at least invited to the ceremony. That was the least she could do.