be as you've always been
Epitaph Destruction The ebon wisp was sure he wouldn't stop shaking for the next few seasons. The adrenaline of yet another near death experience had worn off days ago, leaving him a shivering mess of anxiety and flashbacks. Every time he closed his eyes, he could picture the flames as clear as day. Feel the heat of myriad tongues lashing against him, consuming everything he held dear. The immense mountain of a lion with Motif in her grasp, regardless of her status as a friend amongst the pack. He hadn't been thinking straight, he could taste the bile on his tongue again. He didn't want to see another child die. He was resting in the shallows at the head of the rapids, cooling his tender paws in the water and letting it seep into his dark fur. His gaze was vacant, staring blankly into the middle distance as he forced himself through a play by play of the day of the fire. Smoke still hung lightly in the air all around Abaven, heavy still over the Thicket. He hadn't dared venture back to his garden. He wasn't ready to see what had become of it. A brief shiver rolled down the length of his narrow spine, and he was drawn back to reality ever so slowly. There were no flames here, only the gentle lapping of water against his flanks. The distant roar of that same water being thrust into turmoil amongst the raging rapids. His skin was warmed only by the bleak sunlight that filtered through the thin layer of smoke overhead, nothing more. He sighed heavily, renewing the tremble in his limbs. |