It felt as though it had been a lifetime ago since Hanako had last set paws in this place. And though nothing had outwardly changed...it felt so different, like she was looking at this place through a dark and dreary lens. Sapped out the sense of happiness and adventure she'd once found in this place, all the questions that sprung to her mind were tinted with melancholy. What ifs and why's span around in her head, enough to make her dizzy as she padded her way up the stairs. The shattered glass reflected the stars, their potential so far out of reach as she eyed the branching paths the corridors took. Somewhere down the line, had she made the wrong choice? It often felt that way these days, that it was one bad thing after the other. If only she could turn back time and relive the day she had spent here, when everything was so free and easy, a life worth living with smiles and friendship. What little she had often escaped her, slipped through her grasp and was not eager to return. She remembered having hobbies and interests, a desire to see and do more, to better herself in the ways that suited her best. But it all felt stale, her heart had turned to stone long ago and try as she might she couldn't really figure out what point had been the beginning of the end.

Maybe when Meadow had left?

They had pranced down these halls, bright-eyed and excitable. Now her gaze felt dull, icy and cold and her gait was slow, careful as she took care not to stand on the shattered glass. No one had really appreciated her company in the same way since, they always wanted something and asked for more in return, but never Meadow. As friends, they had just sort of...been, you know? They didn't expect anything nor feel disappointed when nothing came of it.

It felt as though the tide was rising all around her, guilt and regret lapping at her limbs. She glanced down at her paws, half expecting to see the ocean roll in and sweep her away, but it did not and the air was still. The waves far away on the beach, dancing back and forth, never approaching or stepping out of their lane. Maybe she should have followed that line of thought, hadn't reached for what was out of her grasp for good reason. Again it was too late and in the dead of night there was little she could do but wish wish and wish.

The quiet here was starting to be too much, too oppressive and ironically, loud. And so as she ambled her way down the halls she found herself humming, a soft and lilting tune that naturally was supposed to be performed with two wolves, not one. Meadow's voice would have filled the gaps perfectly, matched Hanako's high pitch as she gently wooed, pretending the echoes that bounced off the walls were her friend humming in turn.

More than anything she wanted to know what her friend would have thought of her life as it was. Of her children, her fiancé and how he treated her with such disdain. What advice would she have offered? Or would Hanako never had needed it in the first place? Her humming faltered, her breath hitching as she paused in place. The shadows seemed awfully long in this corridor, encroaching and unwelcome in a place that held such fond memories. What other lands might they have explored if their time hadn't been cut short, if Meadow hadn't had to leave...

She shook her head and tried to chase those thoughts away, focused on humming once more, wishing her friend would somehow round the corner and join her again. And what a reunion would it be, all smiles and gleaming eyes. So much time had passed and they had so much to talk about, did she have a family of her own? Had things gone her way, right and good as she deserved? Hanako would be mad if they had not, might even stomp her paw and glare up a storm. That's how much she felt about it.

"Please join me if you can." She asked the darkness, a little embarrassed she had to sink this low. "Just this once."

But then again she hadn't been pelted by dolls and hadn't thrown up on herself either-yet-so how bad could things get? Worse, probably. She wasn't known for being lucky, even her (not) children couldn't escape the curse that seemed to run through her veins. And maybe that's what she deserved, to be made a mockery of, to be left alone at the end of all things. She sighed softly and titled her head up to watch the ceiling, eyed the cracked gaps that allowed a scant glimpse of the stars.

The magic that has allowed the ghosts to wander among the living feels as if it is coming to an end and sadness tugs at the dead Meadow’s heart. She is wandering the halls of the castle where her daughter lives, trying to enjoy what time she has left among them while remaining invisible to the living wolves that roam around, when a call reaches her ears. Ears perk up as she recognizes the voice and wills herself to be where her friend calls from.

The koi marked form of Hanako comes into view as her paws touch the ground of the building she is in and Meadow wills her form to flicker into existence. With a great, beaming smile, the dead wolf happily calls out, “Hanako!” while bounding up to the beautiful wolf, her ethereal tail wagging so fast that it blurs behind her. Meadow has many regrets about how she left and, truthfully, does not blame anyone if they hate her. But, right now, all she can think about is the fun that the pair had shared and the dead wolf does the most unladylike thing and dips down into a play bow.

With all the joy thrumming through her and the excitement of seeing her friend alive has her feeling like a pup. Plus, Meadow cannot believe that Hanako remembered her and actually called out for the dead wolf! How awesome is that?!



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Hanako flinched, but soon found herself beaming so wide her lips ached. She was really here but how come-oh. She didn't understand how this had come to be, or even how she just knew, but the realisation that Meadow was no longer amongst the living as she should be made her heart seize in her chest. Of course she was happy to see her, to take in the sight of her tail wagging so fast and earnest like that. But what had happened, why had she...gone? Trying to shake off the mounting sense of grief, she pushed forward to meet in the middle. This was a good thing, surely, her friend was back, even if only for a little while.

"Meadow! I didn't think- I missed you!" And it was like the clocks had turned back. She dipped down into a playbow as well, bum wiggling as her eyes went all squinty at the sides. She slapped at the ground, initiating play before she twirled on the spot and dashed down the hallway, laughter spilling over her lips as she peered over her shoulder. Hoping, praying her friend would make chase.

Happiness pours off Meadow as she approaches Hanako, dipping into a play bow and laughing along with her friend. The koi marked wolf states she missed her and the earthen ghost says, “I missed you too! You look amazing!” Then the play bow is returned and Meadow’s entire ghostly body wiggles, ethereal paws dancing across the ground and, when Hana turns around to race down the hallway, Meadow is right behind her.

She adds her own laughter to the air, bouncing off the walls and mixing with her friend’s. Meadow chases after Hanako, giving a joyful bark as they race through corridors. As they go, she calls out to her friend, saying, “Hana! How is life? You know, I almost forgot how are beautiful you are!” Another laugh falls from her lips as she says, “Nah! I could never forget how beautiful you are!”

Not needing to take in oxygen is great as she is able to chase her friend and hold a conversation at the same time. Man, death can be good!



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Her paws pittered against the ancient stone as her ears tilted forward to listen to Meadow's sweet words. She hadn't changed at all, a fact that both saddened and gladdened her. Hanako knew her body had changed, not always for the better over the years, especially after having a litter of children. The phrase saggy tits came to mind and almost made her falter in her steps, but she was quick to shove that line of thought aside. This was a happy moment, no need to ruin it.

"You can talk. You look more like a goddess than a ghost!" And it was true, she wasn't just being nice. The paleness of her coat made her look like she was a part of the moon, soft and etheral, like she belonged in the night sky. Not here on earth where it was dark and bad things lurked in the shadows. "I-oh you know, same old. My kids are either a lot taller or shorter than me." She laughed, breathless as she careened around a corner. Only to skid to a stop when she realised she'd hit a dead end. Breathing heavy she peered over ger shoulder. "It's You're my best friend, you know that? Even now. I'm...not very popular these days."

Joy fills the air around the friends and Meadow happily laughs at Hanako’s assessment of her. A goddess? Her? Nah, she was never the ‘goddess’ type. Still, she laughs and giggles, ethereal paws carrying her forward without disturbing the ground. She listens as the koi marked wolf speaks of her children and the dead wolf immediately chimes in, saying, “Oh wow! I bet they are all as pretty as you! I have a daughter! She lives down in Auster.”

Hanako rounds a corner, skidding to stop and breathing heavily while the ghostly Meadow appears behind her, trotting up and touch her shoulder lightly while her emerald eyes sparkle as she says, “Tag!” But the joy of the moment is short lived as Hana shares that she isn’t popular and the ghost’s brows knit together in confusion. What has she missed in Hana’s life that would make her so unhappy?

Softly, she says, “You’re my best friend too, Hanako. I… I’m sorry I didn’t say goodbye but I thought about you a lot. I mean, who could ever forget you!” Another, bright grin appears as she moves to the side of the hallway, lifting a paw to beckon her friend out of the corner and invites her to join the dead woman on a stroll.

As they begin to move, she softly says, “What is going on? Who do I need to haunt?” The last question is spoken with a smirk but there is a serious glint in her eyes as Meadow darts a glance to her friend. The ghost means it; she would help her friend in any way she can! Including saying some… not so nice words to whoever made Hanako unhappy.



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"It's not your fault. No one dies on purpose right?"  She forced a laugh, doing her best to ignore the swell in her throat. Still it made her feel a lot better to know that she still had Meadow and Sedna, that they hadn't turned on her like the rest of the world had seemed to. In a lot of cases she'd brought it on herself of course but... It was time for honesty, to be frank with the one person who might not throw her to the wolves for it. "I made some mistakes, just sat back and said nothing when I needed to speak up for what I wanted. Now everyone thinks I'm a liar or an attention seeker."

But Meadow didn't think that, surely.

"It's okay though. We don't know how much time you have here, it'd be better spent with your family and friends. I bet your daughter was so happy to see you, I should introduce myself someday huh?"

Meadow watches Hanako, noticing the sadness that seems to hang heavily around her slender frame. Ethereal ears perk forward, a frown tugging at her ghostly lips as her friend speaks. It does not go unnoticed that the koi marked woman tries to gloss over the things bothering her by talking about the dead woman’s daughter but she allows her friend a moment of respite. A bright smile appears as her emerald gaze flashes with joy and she says, “Oh yes! You should meet Fern! She would love you. Tell her about all the fun we had!”

A warm giggle bubbles out as she adds, “She is in the pack known as the Hallows.” Another warm smile is given before Meadow allows a more serious expression to settle over her features and says, “You know, life is about learning from our mistakes. That is what makes life worth living. If you don’t try to do better then you aren’t growing.” Looking at Hanako, the earthen woman offers her a smile as she says, “I know you Hanako. You are strong, beautiful, and worthy of every good thing that comes into your life.”

Searching Hana’s face, Meadow tries to think of the right way to word what she wants to convey and allows a comfortable pause to fall between them. Lifting an ethereal paw, the dead woman wills it to feel more solid as she gently places it on Hanako’s shoulder. Softly, she says, “Prove them wrong Hana. Be the wolf I know you are. Be the beautiful woman I know you are.”

Her ghostly paw falls back to the ground and she offers a warm smile to her friend as she adds, “By the way, when I say you are beautiful, I don’t just mean you’re pretty on the outside. Hanako, you are bright, shining spirit. Inside and out. You radiate true beauty wherever you go. Don’t let others take that away from you. Don’t give them that power.” A soft smile is given to her friend as Meadow hopes that Hana understands what she is trying to say.



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