It's wild like the river It's warm like the sun

Ophie was just...around. Existing, treading water with her head barely afloat. It was fine, Ophie felt too guilty to ask for more. She was alive and had plenty of food in her belly, too much some might argue, which was far more than be said for some. Speaking to her sisters the other day had helped a little, filled in the void with scoops of sand and flattened out with a few reassuring pats. There was a lot for her to be grateful for, so much so that she knew she shouldn't cling on so tightly to the past but it was her safety blanket. What stopped her from crying herself to sleep every night, from forgetting what should have been.

Her ears tipped forward when she heard the call, hidden amongst the grass with dried strands sticking out of her mud-caked coat. It wasn't often that her Father called everyone together, least of all that Ophie actually considered heeding the call. She knew it was terrible, that she ought to try to be more involved, to be a present member of the family but-ugh. Doubts and reservations riddled her like weeds. It wasn't that she didn't care but at the same time there was a sour feeling of not wanting to get better, as if she didn't deserve to improve. Like ultimately this was her lot in life, take it or leave it.

She drudged along, moving to the meeting spot with a drag in her steps. There was no doubt some news afoot, big and important but Ophie found it hard to work up any sense of interest or curiosity. Being the forth on the scene, she supposed it was better to be late than not turn up at all. She sunk down onto her haunches, her legs already aching a little from the journey. It was silly to say since her state was self-inflicted and all, but she missed the days when she'd race up and down the beach. Flinging bits of seaweed about, only to wear them like makeshift wigs.

Instead, she was met with the sight of her mother. Skinny and frail, her gaze glassy with things better left unseen but very much alive. Not torn apart or burned to a crisp.

"Oh." Was all she said. Statue still, in a state of shock.

Her stomach churned and tears began to prick at her eyes. This was good, wonderfully precious good news, so why did she feel so shaken?