Adelinda moved quietly, her steps fluid and graceful. Ember eyes danced around the area before her. Washing over the trees that swayed gently in the coolest of breezes. Like bone looming before her, embellished with ivy that touched all. How delicate. How special this place felt.

Adelinda found comfort in such spaces. Decay and vitality danced their intricate waltz as always. Her tail curled and uncurled behind her, swaying softly with each swing of her hips. Her eyes widened with pleasure, a gentle smile painted itself across her face at the sight of the stones. As she neared she tilted her head, were theses runes? She couldn't help but notice the hue of the pools. As if some wonderous woman was here brewing potions and worshipping the deity of her choice.

Would she be so lucky today to encounter her?

One could hope.

Carefully she walked around the bioluminescent pool, inspecting it. Perhaps she could use the water for some of her own craft. The water's glow pulled her in, and for a moment she felt as though the world had fallen silent. It left only the soft gurgle of the spring, the algae swirling below the surface.

Yes, she was meant to be here. Her intuition never misled her. Wherever this land was. Adelinda settled herself near the edge. Her lithe frame calm. Whether she knew it or not her soul had led her to this place, to act as a respite for the hunt of her familiars.

Was it a reminder to slow down? To allow things to come as they did? Adelinda was never one to force life rather than submit and accept it for all its glory and sorrow. Death was an old friend. Here there was no pretense, only the raw and bare truth of existence before her.

The witch closed her eyes, inhaling deeply, grounding herself with the world behind her. She whispered gentle words, drawing the energy of the place into herself. This was a space for reflection. Even now, she heard prophecies whispered in the leaves of the trees. Secrets for her to keep but not to tell.

The world had much to say and much to confide for those who had the patience to listen. Even something as small as a beetle crossing your path held meaning. Unfortunately, many denied their intuition the ear it offered to the ego.

She leaned forward to trace the tip of her paw on the water's edge. Watching the glow ripple outward. This place was sacred. Adelinda exhaled slowly, her gaze turned skyward as if searching the pale canopy for more.


"SPEECH"

Jiro had many reasons to feel as if his brain were flooded with intricacies that he had difficulty untangling. Being born to that of Hattori Hanzo was a smothering unlike most must endure. An expectation to strive, to grow, to be more than enough. Successful, righteous, stoic, and damn near perfect. For Jiro, that was impossible. Yes, he loved his healing, garden tending, and wound caring. He even enjoyed hunting and trap crafting, but unlike his siblings, it wouldn't be good enough. Jiro wasn't serious. He didn't see why life was required to have a gloomy cloud threatening rain over your head every day. Some of his other siblings did see it that way. Maybe it was bred in them. Probably why he was dubbed Jiro. Had his father seen it from the day he was born? That he was destined to be a disappointment?

No matter the reason, the cause, or whatever aligned with the stars above, Jiro felt that pressure. Felt it smothering his very being as he walked. Farther and farther from the bamboo, he began to feel it lift. Though still, it lingered. Following him like a ghost hellbent on staying in this place of existence. Nights plagued with terrors of being cast out, waking up panting and heart racing. Any failure in trapping, any plant that died, a stark reminder that he wasn't Kaizen, Kina, or Takeji. He wasn't any of them. Would never be any of them. All he had going for him was the muscle beneath his tall, bulky frame. At least he could hold his own, for whatever that was worth.

Lost within the cloud of his foggy frustrations, Jiro did not realize he was practically traipsing through a sacred area. It wasn't until the subtle plop of fish breaking the surface of the lightly glowing pond did he look up. His pale grey gaze blinked in surprise a few times as his paws came to a stop, disturbing the fallen leaf litter strewn across the ground. In the background, tall beech trees towered in contrast to the rune-etched stones and shadowy fae that stood at its edge.

Clearing his throat, feeling rather embarrassed, Jiro approached with apprehension. "Apologies," he rumbles, his common tongue better than his siblings by far. He'd never wanted to be pretentious so had dedicated more time to learning both languages. Was that not a good thing, father? His lips pull up in a lopsided smile, friendly and relaxed, even his tail gave a few half-hearted swings. "Been quite lost in thought lately. Can't quite seem to empty this ol' noggin' of mine," Jiro jokes, laughing at himself though it doesn't fit with his expression. There's a disconnect between that smile and the dullness of his gaze.

wc: 459
total: 895 / 1500

There was a sound of someone approaching. Amber eyes flickered away from the fish towards the source. The interruption was unexpected, but she did not bristle at it. Instead, her gaze shifted calmly to the figure approaching. His dark coat was a stark contrast to the bone trees. She took in the looming form of the wolf. For a moment, she observed him in silence. There was no sense of menace; her instincts did not scream danger, and so she would not expect it.

There was tension across his face as he walked over. It took a moment, but he had noticed her presence. Adelinda offered him a warm smile. What she did sense was heaviness, but what was burdening him? His smile did not quite reach his eyes. The witch listened patiently as he spoke, his voice rumbling an apology she did not deserve. Was it sorrow? No, that wasn't quite it. Sorrow was her friend, one she did not see on this man's face.

Frustration?

Whatever it was, it was not her job to pry nor know. Only to offer assistance. Even if small, whatever forces had led her here. Even if it was to just show this man a way to ease his mind, she would be glad to help someone in need.

"There is no need to apologize. You are welcome here as I am. From what I can tell, this is no one's land. Too ancient this place is." Her own smile was gentle, inviting, and without judgment, "I'm sure we are not the only troubled souls to find refuge here."

Adelinda rose to her feet, her movement as fluid as the water in front of her. She stepped closed, "It seems the weight of the world is pressing hard upon you," she said softly, her voice carrying like a calming melody, "Expectations, invisible lines drawn in the sand by others. Family. Duty. They can make even the strongest feel trapped."

Her tail softly swirled in a circle as she thought. She took a deep breath and exhaled, clearing her mind. To communicate clearly.

"Whatever it is that is troubling you, my friend, it does not belong here. Come," she patted the floor next to her with her prehensile tail, "Perhaps I can assist you? Let us take a break from the world together. Let us remember what truly matters. Nature itself. The cycles of life and death are what rule. Not the expectations forced upon us. Not the laws of the land nor the ingenuine formalities and pleasantries expected of us."

She paused, allowing her words to sink in. Her goal was not to talk his ear off. She just wanted to help, so she would cut her speech short, "My name is Adelinda. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name? As long as you are comfortable sharing." She would lower herself back down on her haunches.

"You caught me at the perfect time. Meditation has always helped me in clearing the fog. It reminds me that I am but one part of a vast intricate web. I take peace in knowing how small and insignificant of a role I play. Would you care to join me?"

Her head tilted to the left, and her eyes softened even more as she offered,"Here we can sit in the quiet and focus on the world behind us. The beauty that surrounds us. I do not mind guiding you should you need it." Her long tail curled slightly behind her, a silent gesture of invitation.

"You are welcome here. Your thoughts do not need to be a burden you carry alone."

And with that, she fell silent, offering him a space to speak, decline, or simply sit in the solace of nature with her.

"speech"

coded by NachoMumma