Laedere

But if you close your eyes, does it almost feel like nothing changed at all?

Her mind was reeling. Each limb pushed forward with new strength. To the south! To the south she must go! She had been there once. She had seen it when Africa was still considered Queen of those lands. When Midas was still ruling the Falls, just after Laedere had entered this strange world. It was a slow trek, one that didn't push her limits. One that allowed her mind to search out some kind of answer. The Falls had been taken over, and she served little purpose there - while they all thrived. Though, she had to admit that the order made far more sense - led by those of the masculine sex compared to having a female leader. Aye, that had to be the reason for the downfall. The lack of Midas, of stags in the lands had been part of the issue.

Had she known this was inevitable, she would have fought - but instead she had been off trying to garner new members to replenish the lands wilting numbers. No. It was too late now, she would not dwell. So, she figured it was time to gather a new future, to try and place a home somewhere else, somewhere that she… fit in. For she didn't quite feel accepted in the Falls. In fact, she felt rather out of place - awkward, worthless to their ways. And, just for once, she wanted someone to care about her - to accept her, to love her and offer her a chance to bloom.

Alas, as she steps up to the border, Ardere floated around - doing flips in the air and just (in general) trying to mess with Laedere and keep her mind from drowning in the uncertain, hollowness of her soul at the current moment. Laedere flicks her ears, head shooting up, and offering a snort as she stared in confusion. Since when was the Throat an island? Her body shuffled, wings ruffling - stretching out and then snapping back into place. She couldn't fly, she couldn't get in, she was stuck outside. And, because of that, her heart sank. Would she even be accepted here? It was obvious that this land had to be meant for those with wings… Yet, she had wings. She just no longer had the gift of flight…

Still, she's too afraid to move. She stands there, soul hollow, mind broken, and body obviously not fitting into the mold these creatures had created for this land. But, she couldn't go north, she couldn't go to the land the others had evacuated, and she couldn't stand to live in the lands she had once called home any longer. So she waited. And she hoped. She begged that even with the lack of flight, she would still be allowed refuge in these lands.

So, as the sun began to set, she was a figure in the sand. Her bandage billowing out around her right wing, and Ardere now floating elegantly beside her. It was as if, from the way the sunset wrapped around her frame, that she embodied that of her previous home of Pompeii. But, if one looked closely enough, they could see that she was far from being that…

"Laedere speaking." | Thoughts/others speaking.

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Joining, hopefully, if y'all will let her ;3 And also possibly be used for @[Einarr]'s quest by providing 'acceptance' (an emotional need of children) if Time wishes