Alysanne

It wasn’t so much little by little that the guilt had been weighing on her, more of a constant source since she had made the decision. It had felt so easy, so seamless, that transition - obviously she would do whatever it took to make her friend happy. Had it been right and would he actually be happy? Did he believe her when they nestled up together and she whispered that she loved him too?

Because she did. That was the reason why she had done all this, why she had given him a family, because she loved her dear friend, her oldest friend.

There was a twist in her stomach every time she looked at their daughter, remembering the lies that had given birth to such a beautiful baby girl. Naerys was perfect. She had wanted to be a mother again for so long - and now she had both of her children here with her. Things were finally smoothed over with Arty, would he hate her again if he knew?

It felt like each day that passed, the idea of sharing this burden with someone was more tempting. Could she find someone to help soothe her worries, that could help her figure out whether she had made a good or bad decision? Was that selfish of her? Self-conceited, seeking the approval of someone else to justify her actions.

Hemlock tried to console her however he could, sticking close to her now and only leaving to hunt when he absolutely had to - usually when she was with her family or someone that he trusted. Even Miykael could be counted on for that - he would never let anything happen to her - but the thoughts she had while she thought Naerys had died had alarmed him. Thoughts of taking her own life, thoughts of dying along with her child, they had not left the little owl’s mind.

The pair - Alysanne with Hemlock perched on her head keeping an eye out - were wandering around the Edge. She wanted to go stand on the cliffs, to feel the breeze of the ocean cool her hot skin, but Hemlock wouldn't hear of it. So they stuck to the shade of the pines, the soft sunlight of the early morning dappling the grass with spots of gold whenever the branches did not block it out.

She wasn't entirely sure she knew what she was looking for - a distraction maybe? It would be good to come across someone, a friend. She never seemed to lack the desire to be with her friends lately.

for @[Evangeline]