Valiance had seen Rue start to the head out of the Edge. Alas, he hadn't caught it in time to also alert Resplendence. You see, Res had told a few others to watch. She had needed sleep, and she had needed to mentor a few of the other nurses as well (to accomplish her doctor duties in other words). As soon as he had gathered her attention, though, she had stopped what she was doing (which she couldn't remember now, it wasn't as important as the fact that her daughter was wandering off alone) and ran off after her.

Too much distance lingered between the two, though. And, with Res's exhausted, post-labor frame, she did not have the same endurance she used to have. Valiance stayed ahead, keeping an eye on the darting, pale frame, and offering directions for Resplendence to follow. However, by the time that she was nearly caught up with Rue darkness was beginning to fall. Not only that, but the forest was hiding what little was left of this light.

Maroon glitter spread out across the forest floor - leaving a trail of where she had went - and her heart pounded. No glow was emitted from her glitter. It wasn't possible with the heart wrenching fear of losing her child again. In her head ran pleas in the form of prayers. Don't let the wolves take her. Don't let the wolves claim her like the others. Don't make me lose another child! She screams in her head only to have all of the noises STOP with the sound of branches cracking. DON'T TAKE HER! She begs, scrambling forward as Valiance starts to duck in and out of the trees - desperate for a glance of pale pink and white.

It was only when the screams, actual screams took root in Res' ear that she shot forth again. Valiance and Res both careening in the direction of the screams to find their baby curled up near a tree with her body trembling and hiccuping sobs wracking what little was left of her sanity. Legs were covering her face and Res could only stand and thank the Gods above that her child was alive and not physically wounded. Then, there was a small curse for whomever was supposed to be in charge of her child.

She inches in closer, murmuring sweet nothings to let her baby know that it was only her momma approaching. "My sweet flower. Ruta-Rue. Momma's here," she sings - fighting back the terror that had taken over her frame as she drops to her knees in front of Rue and tries to pull the little one against her barrel. See, if the young one could hear her heartbeat, and concentrate on that she could calm down. "Momma's not leaving. You're not alone." she whispers, gently running her maw over her baby's hair as Valiance spread out across their baby's back, covering her in his wings and feathers.

Rue was theirs. No one would touch her - not right now, not yet.

Resplendence

Grace is just a weakness; or so I've been told