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Beginning, middle, end… there was always something shifting, moving, fissuring and exploding in time with her heartbeat. Away from the Falls Essetia found reprieve from whatever entities haunted her waking thoughts. Images, both soothing and frightful, often moved the mare from sense and sent her wayward, spiraling down through the boughs of unease and ignorance. Her life had been pleasant enough since returning to Helovia, bountiful at that. But it did not settle her; if anything it only proved to disarm her and fetter her to the past she fought so hard to purge.
Essetia had yet to travel to fields so well regarded by friends and family. But with a spirited Romul in tow, the pair set foot to task. Chorded muscle opened wide above the greening expanse of earth and both equine and wolf faded from sight of their humble home and into the wilds just beyond. With each mile come and gone, Essetia began to relax. Her legs were no longer tense and heavy and her cloudy eyes were given light. At times she missed the freedom of choice, of survival at its highest peak… she missed life without responsibility.
Becoming Sleuth had done wonderful things for both Essetia and Romul but it had robbed them of the life they knew. She did not regret her return, but everything had changed, becoming foreign and strange.
Upon reaching the Heavenly Fields, the pair slowed to a lazy, placid walk. Essetia would drop her head from time to time to nibble contentedly at the long grasses. Romul wandered ahead, his nose never truly leaving the path in favor of scenting out fellow beast. He had yet to come across another wolven companion, but his hopes were not yet dashed on such opportunities.
The wildflowers were in full bloom now as Birdsong flourished throughout Helovia. They grew up around Essetia’s hooves, dotting the emerald sea with various spring colors. Red was the most prominent of all the hues painted into the landscape and when Essetia came upon a particularly large-faced blossom, she bent to grasp it between black lips. Hurriedly, the mare picked her way after Romul only to stoop alongside him to tuck the bud behind one white, wolfish ear. He huffed slightly before carrying on, glancing back once to fix the mare with a heavy stare.
Essetia only smiled in return.
Just as Romul weaved off to the left, a resounding thud pounded in just behind Essetia. She whirled around on long, thick legs to find another in attendance. The mare was winged, a pale sister unfamiliar to the big bay, but certainly not one of threatening nature. “Hello!” Essetia called, her lips parted with a small, jovial smile. Romul came bounding back to his bonded, tongue lapping heavily from between glistening teeth. He too appeared quite jubilant in spite of his callous nature.
The day had only just begun and with the sun beaming down upon the three, Essetia hoped it would only breed euphoria for each in turn. | |
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