_________________________________________________________________ Conversing with Laeta was always a nice time. The other small dark-coated girl seemed to be a light in the dark for anyone who needed it. Distracted by the conversation and thrum of the rest of the Hallows approaching, she wasn't alerted to the approach of Avantika until Mack lifted his head and nudged at her thigh. His bright eyes looked up to Audra as she glanced down to him before both of them turned to watch the long-legged gingerbread and slate girl come closer. Through the hurt and uncertainty that riddled her bones, she couldn't help but smile up at her love. The way her heart skipped when Tika drew close and whispered 'hey' made her forget everything else. She wasn't a dramatic sort, didn't want to ruin or take away from why everyone was out here celebrating tonight. That conversation could wait until tomorrow. "Hello," Audra murmured back as her lips turned up into a softer smile. Before she could say or do anything else, Tamsyn had wandered to give Tika a motherly smile and wander off. Frozen for a moment, Audra glanced over to Laeta. "We should m-make some time to stroll the gardens s-soon," her voice is quiet and happy as she smiles at Laeta, "p-please excuse us though," Audra reached out a paw to lightly touch Laeta's shoulder before standing to look back at Tika. "Let us move o-over here," her chin nods over to a spot around the towering pile of a soon-to-be bonfire where no one else stood. With Mack in tow, Audra led Tika over to the spot to sit down right as Artorias began addressing everyone. Listening to his speech, she watched their Aegis with a sense of pride. He really did care for all of them as if they were a really big family. It made her feel proud to be a part of the Hallows. As the bonfire came to life, crackling and spitting with great ferocity, Audra watched it for a few moments until the flames towered over them. Though she wasn't one to drink, it sounded nice to help deal with what was to come. Leaning over so she could rest her face against Tika's shoulder, Audra let out a heavy sigh. So much had gone on in their lives since they'd met and not all of it had been good. "I miss you," she whispered quietly as she turned her chin up to look at Tika with her missing eye pressed to Tika's fur so that only the one good one could be seen. There was so much she wanted to say, could say, but now wasn't the time for it. She didn't want to ruin a night that was meant for remembering others. "Can we forget about it all for tonight and have fun like we used to?" Her voice is quiet as her body sinks in closer to Tika. Before the Long Night, before the raid, back when they had just met and only cared about having fun and being with each other. _________________________________________________________________ A  U  D  R  A

Jane Adravendi

The always enthusiastic female almost didnt want to go to the festival as alot of changes and emotions were invading her heart, seeing her father and mother(eska) leave, hurted her but not because of them but because she wasn't able to say goodbye. She would respect their wish but id didn't mean it would be any better to feel like she failed them, specially Eska who she havent talked in months, wondering if she did something wrong or if she had scared her away in the end. Whatever she reasons she felt bad towards herself, the usual self doubt had increased and she didnt wish to disappoint more. She finally made it out of her room, somber eyes, but a fake smile forming on her ash lips. She sat down away from the rest, not feeling like herself.

Ears flat and distant eyes, what was wrong with her?

Speech

Despite everything, Audra still smiled when Avantika approached. Her heart melted, and she wondered how she could ever even think of depriving herself of seeing her love's smile. It only took a moment for Audra to stop talking with Laeta and turn to her. A flash of guilt struck her. What had she done to deserve this perfect girl? Running off on patrols to cure her own anxieties --sometimes not properly speaking to her for days at a time?

She barely noticed Tamsyn. All of her attention was on her girlfriend right now. She promised herself and she promised Audra: this would be a good party and just that. She would not let herself even think about what could be happening on the border. Nothing was happening. If anything did happen, she would be out there after to fix whatever went wrong. It would all be fine, even if she took a little break to hang out with her Audra.

She followed Audra to sit down. Art began speaking. Technically she was a season older than her adoptive siblings, but she had no reason to mind being included in their birthday. It was better to pretend that she was their biological litter-mate, and they were old enough that the one season difference didn't seem to mean very much anymore. Art lit the bonfire and released them to the festivities.

Audra rested her face against Avantika's shoulder and spoke up to her. She burned in shame to hear her say, 'I miss you'. That was her fault. She was trying so hard to be a good Templar, but she never could figure out how to be a good girlfriend too. "I miss you too. Of course we can." She was determined to make this work.

"Speech"

Fern sits near the back of the crowd, eyes scanning the faces of the wolves that appear. Worry tugs her lips downward as the time passes the start grows closer. Then he appears… from behind her. She jumps slightly as the he bumps her shoulder, grinning like a mad woman as he rubs his knobbed head across her chest. It appears that the ‘Deer Dad’s Blessing’ Rudyard had gotten after the Long Night is working. Rudy had been laid low by headaches and, when Gwyn had looked him over, found there was two small bulbs of budding antlers. Since then, the headaches had lessened but the areas had grown itchy and the motley boy often rubbed his head against her to scratch his head. Fern’s tail thuds against the ground as he nods to his family members but slows as he suggests they go to the front. Nodding, the nervous girl stands and walks with Rudy to where his family waits, sitting down to lean slightly into his side. Ocean-hued eyes look to Artorias, the wooden training sword poking up over her shoulder as she settles in to listen to the Aegis. She smiles as Art talks and when he speaks about it being a special celebration for the siblings, she gives Rudy’s shoulder a playful nudge. The speech draws to a close and she watches as Artorias lights a torch, pausing for moment before igniting the bonfire. With that, the celebration kicks off, wolves moving into clusters to talk or gather food. Turning to Rudyard she says, “Why don’t you get us some wine and food? I’ll catch up with you soon.” Fern offers Rudyard a smile and gentle kiss before turning toward the bonfire and moves over to the pile of candles and torches. Taking a long, thin stick of wood, the gray girl ignites the end with the bonfire. Eyes watch the flickering flame for a moment, pulling up the happy memories of her childhood, of Meadow and her missing young brother. Tears build as she touches the flame to a candle, careful to add the stick to the bonfire before turning her attention back to the candle. Shrugging off the bag that hangs around her neck, Fern pulls out the small square of cloth that holds the pressed sunflower. Gently, she pulls off the top layer before placing the sunflower at the base of the lite candle. Looking at Meadow’s favorite flower, the tears finally spill down her cheeks. Softly, Fern says, “I miss you mom. I’ll see you again one day.” Eyes turn to look over at the motley boy she is building her life with. Casting one last look at the candle and sunflower, she says, “But not today. I love you mom.” With that she wipes the errant tears away, picks up her bag and moves to where Rudy is, giving him another kiss before anything else. "Fern Lark" | "Puff"