Feel Invincible

For most, she felt, the circle of life revolved only around those in the living realm--the trees, the animals, the insects that dominated them all. But Kleio had swiftly become aware during her lone ventures that the cycle touched all aspects of the world--her world--all the way down to the dust between her traveled toes. Change was inevitable: just as the mind and/or body of a living creature contorted to fit its surroundings, the land itself changed in response to cold, warmth, and wet. The mess of birth applied not only to the fertile season but to the soggy springtime muck that came with the melt...the snow melt, the peaceful death of winter. When it came down to it, the whole of the world was subject to nature's blessings and curses; there was no escaping it, no ignoring it, only accepting it.

Kleio had accepted what had happened to her sisters, but it was that acceptance that had kept her on her feet and moving ever since the storm that had taken them from her, with the hope that they would soon be returned to her--or her to them. Of course, she kicked herself inwardly over her circumstances, but a large part of her still felt that it was fate (not stupidity) that had driven them apart. Maybe she needed to be reminded of what living alone was like? What new experiences were like?

Pausing in the midst of her stroll, Kleio sighed, tilting her head upward with the flick of an ear to gaze upon the unusual vibrancy of the trees looming overhead. At the same time, a breeze ruffled her blowing coat, taking with it a couple clumps of loose winter fur. Her transformation was nearly complete, with only a few unsightly patches of lengthy pelt left to shed before she was finally free of its insulation.

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