She moved silently over the soft, undisturbed soil of the Grapevine Cathedral. The once proud stand of oak and maple trees was now a shadow of its former glory, suffocated by a mass of grapevine so thick that only the barest amount of sunlight could pierce through the veil. The vines draped over the canopy like a cathedral's arching roof, casting an ethereal gloom over the forest floor below.

She paused at the edge of the dense growth, her pink gaze scanning the filtered light that managed to seep through the tangled vines. Each drop of sunlight was a fleeting promise of warmth in an otherwise cold and quiet world. The air was oppressively still, the silence was a stark contrast to the inner turmoil going on within her heart.

Her thoughts were heavy, laden with the recent memories of Mélisande. She thought foolishly that the two would be together until the end of her days, but here she was. Her heart broken, leaving her adrift in a sea of sorrow. Seeking solace, she had wandered to this place, hoping that the serene, almost sacred atmosphere would provide some peace.

She ventured deeper into the cathedral, Ellara's mind drifted through the painful recollections, her emotions raw and unfiltered. She needed a reprieve, a moment to gather her shattered pieces. She let herself go next to the trunk of a veiled maple tree, her eyes closing as she sobbed wholly in a place where she thought she was alone.

Ellara "Ella" Praetor

CODE BY SIN

Giving birth to a slew of big boys and one little girl had taken a lot out of Bowen. She'd lost a lot of blood and had been bedridden for quite a while. Now she was tasked with regaining her strength and the muscle that she'd lost. That was how she found herself out in the cathedral. The best way to get herself back to pre-pup shape was long distance running. Bowen was a fast little thing and, prior to her pregnancy, she could run all day.

Deciding that it was time for a little break and a drink, the caramel and cream fae slowed to a stop. With maw parted and tongue out in a pant, Bowen turned her face up towards a sunspot in the thick foliage. It was then, in the silence, that she heard the far off sound of sobbing. Instant concern struck the woman and she took a quick drink from a nearby stream before moving through the shadowy grove to find the owner of the sobbing.

Caramel ears shifted this way and that, leading Bowen closer, the sound of cries growing louder. Rounding a thick maple, verdant eyes landed upon the form of an earthen fae, her face contorted in anguish. Sobs wracked her body as she leaned against the tree for strength.

Perhaps it was the mothering hormones still raging rampant within her, but Bowen couldn't leave the young woman like that. The kind little fae moved forward, making soft, soothing hushing sounds before drawing the stranger into a gentle, caring embrace. "You're okay," Bowen promised in her sweet, whisperish tones. Whether or not the fae wanted such comfort didn't cross Bo's mind. Instead, she simply wanted to soothe and make everything better for the young wolf.

"Bowen"

Ellara's body trembled with each sob, the weight of her emotions pressing down on her like the heavy vines that suffocated the very trees around her. She had come to the Grapevine Cathedral seeking solitude, a place to let her grief flow freely without judgment. But now, in the depths of her sorrow, she felt a warm, comforting presence close by.

The gentle, soothing sounds from Bowen reached her ears, but Ellara was slow to register them. When Bowen's embrace enveloped her, Ellara stiffened at first, not accustomed to such immediate and tender contact. But the soft, whispering words of reassurance began to melt the ice around her heart.

For a moment, she remained rigid, her mind a whirlwind of pain and confusion; the memories of her lost love, the emptiness that gnawed at her sol, clashed with the unexpected kindness now offered to her. Bowe's touch was a lifeline, pulling her from the abyss of her despair.

Her sobs quieted, though her body still shuddered with the remnants of her anguish. She buried her face in Bowen's fur, her tears wetting her caramel and cream coat. "I-- I'm sorry. I-- I don't know what to do," she whispered, her voice broken and barely audible. The vulnerability in her words was raw, exposing the depth of what she felt. "It... hurts so much.. I don't know how to make it stop."

She then clung to Bowen, her need to not be alone flaring as she sought solace in her presence. She feared being alone truly, feared the emptiness that would once again return after this brief comfort was gone. She held herself together to be so strong and bright for others.. but here.. when she was alone.. this was when her reality would surface. She trembled again against Bowen's fur, holding on to her as if to beg her not to leave her in this moment; Bowen's kindness was the only thing keeping Ellara from drowning.

Ellara "Ella" Praetor

CODE BY SIN