there was an echo, far and faint

Shaking her own coat out, Atreyu settled in next to her new friend and smiled. Her cheeks were sore from laughing and smiling so much in such a long time, but she couldn't help it. Laying herself down, half curled around Ellara as she tucked herself in, Atreyu felt herself growing tired. Her head felt heavy and her eyelids felt as though stones had been attached to them. Bigs curled up on the much larger bodies of the wolves, snuggling into their coats for added warmth against his naked body. Atreyu had made friends before, deep bonds that had been brutally snatched away. To form a new bond that held so much depth in such a short time was new to her, but she didn't fight it.

Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly with her contentment, Atreyu curled more tightly around her friends. She had childhood friends, sure, but she had never really felt this close to anyone before. Maybe it was their shared loss that bonded them, or maybe it was Kiska at work so that she wouldn't feel so alone anymore. Divine intervention seemed possible, especially since her family members had found their way to the ancestors. With warmth and comfort surrounding her, Atreyu felt herself succumb to sleep, not truly remembering when the moment of slumber actually happening. Hopeful dreams filled her spotted head, making her smile in her sleep and curl tightly around Ellara and Bigs.

- exit Atreyu via sleep <3 -