The days seem to just fly by as Fern putters around the castle, helping her family with what they need when they need it. When she had awoken to a grey, overcast day she realized, with quite a start, that her children will be one with the turn of the next season. Where had the time gone? While she has spent time with them doing necessary things, she hasn’t really taken time to talk about who they are and where they come from. With that revelation, she had resolved to spend more time with her children and that is why, the gray woman is preparing for a special day with her daughter, Elowen.

After the Hallows had eaten breakfast, the gray woman goes to the food stores and packs a large, hearty lunch before returning to the family’s room and picking out two of their plushest furs. Puff, her stoat friend, works with her to help pack her items, adding two bowls and even going out to pick some flowers to use as a center piece. Wrapping the delicate flowers in a think piece of leather, she selects a vase and wraps it as well before adding it to the items. Double checking that she has enough plates and water, the woman nods to herself.

Now that she is satisfied, Fern carefully carries her picnic bundle out into the neighboring land that is known as the God’s Garden. Searching for a perfect spot, she finds one on a dry, stone foundation that rests under the shade of a tree. While the Autumn rains are more frequent now, they seem to be holding off today and she continues to hope that they do not fall. With the spot picked, she lays the furs down, one on top of the other to provide them with some extra padding since they will be on stone.

With the area laid, she retrieves the slender vase Puff had stowed away and sets it in the middle of the furs. With that done, she pulls out two bowls and plates and sets a pair on either side of the centerpiece. Looking it over, Fern gives it an approving nod before looking to companion. With a warm smile, she kindly asks, “Would you mind finding Elowen and asking her to join me?” The stoat grins happily and chirps a, “Sure!” before darting off to find the girl. Taking a deep breath, the woman settles herself on the furs in front of a plate to wait for her daughter.

It is nearing noon and she hopes that Elowen will bring a healthy appetite with her since she brought a lot of food.


"Fern Carpathius"

With each passing day the girl grows stronger, eager as she tackles her day to day tasks. Whether it is cleaning rooms in the Hallows here and there or wrestling with her companion, Ginger, the girl wonders if she should start asking her mother about more fighting lessons. She has the base of defenses within her mind but when it comes to actually attacking she lacks experience. Verbal lessons helped to a degree of course but nothing beat the real thing! But today seemed far too lovely to spend it getting hot and sweaty. Spring had arrived in Auster, and with everything becoming green and vibrant again Elowen wanted to spend the day just enjoying nature around her. She would leave her companions to their own devices as she left for a walk to the grove.

Elowen had spent a lot of time just moving around the bushes, the sweet scent of the berries tempting her to pick a few, though she resisted for the sake of not spoiling her lunch when she went back to the Hallows later. Or so she thinks. Just as Elowen is about to attempt her return to the castle she is approached by a companion she knows all too well. A quick greeting to Puff, and the urge for her to follow, is enough for the femme to change course and leave the lands of the Hallows. She hadn’t left the packlands too often, but she was curious as she trailed after the stoat as to where she was being brought to.

Her bicolored gaze would sweep the landscape as they walked, taking note of a lack of trees but more flowers and plants of different varieties springing up around her. Then she caught sight of her mother, and the set up for the picnic. Elowen’s eyes lit up as she approached Fern, tail wagging back and forth. Was this just for them? Not for her siblings too? “What is all this, mom?” The girl asked, her gaze curiously shifting to her mother. Puff hadn’t hinted at what was going on, though El had asked. The food smelled good, and she could appreciate the setting her mother had chosen for the picnic. This was perfect!

"Elowen Carpathius"