Eight glistening, cautious black eyes scrutinised the unexpected visitors from their vantage point overhead, though little other than blurred movement and dim, dark silhouettes could be truly made out by the near blind arachnid; all the same, the unfamiliar voice of the male and the stench of his companions easily betrayed their presence. Warily she tied and fastened the threads left loose after her sister’s sudden sewing task, using rough trunk bark and the vastly spread, spindly tips of both new and dead kindling as sturdy tethering points - a task that would undoubtedly take hours longer than it had to unravel. As she worked, snippets of the occurring conversation - or the filly’s mental impression about it at least - offered further clarity on the situation unfolding beneath; his appearance in their beloved web-nest and that of his unspoken followers (deer-folk, she understood partially, and with only very mild interest).

A bright and sudden avian trill rose from a neighbouring tree and the spider vanished swiftly into the sanctuary of a tightly curled leaf.

Immediately distracted by her sister’s flash of panic - electric white energy stunning her mind, Zahra’s soft gaze turned towards and narrowed upon the silvery drapes above. The theory of anything so small and frail like a bird, hardly seemed intimidating (perhaps a snake instead might proven reason for pause), so the young girl soon found her attention returning to their painted company. She was undeniably touched by Ashamin’s thoughtful remark, and her naive smile broadened still further. Pale-golden eyes dipped proudly by the blanketing sarong, but they lingered not, instead dancing back to greet the  marvellous suggestion that other weavers existed in Helovia. “There are?” she queried eagerly, too quickly and in turn interrupting; naturally imagining a veil of fantastically glittering web all adorned with tiny spiders much like her own sister. Readily she shared the idea with Ilham, turning her nose upwards once more for the quickest of moments. The puny creature, who had by then reappeared, hummed busily in response, curious perhaps, but her inherent lifestyle preference was easily more reserved; reclusive, without vain competition.

The stallion’s next few comments were answered by a thoughtful, warm smile, and Zahra unintentionally, childishly of course, overlooked their basic intention. That seemed the problem with a rather introverted manner of living - she lacked social skill, emotional understanding and evidently, had not the ability to read between the lines. She might have mentioned then that she was good also (she knew no better in truth), but Ashamin’s gentle tone broke that train of thought. Presently she glanced by both Lochan, and smaller Rakt, as though for some sign which might validate their horned brother’s suggestion; then with baited breath she considered her beloved sisters. Again rose the idea of crafters like herself, and she trembled with both excitement, and a rising fear of so many other unknowns. By then, Hanna had arrived by her slender right leg, and her warmth in the cool of the shadow-world was a comfort.  

Snow… was all the intelligent mind below uttered - the kitsune remembered well the fate of Zahra’s mother, the well-masked reason for the yearling’s dislike.

Lips tenderly nibbled at the fuzzy yellow tips of the canine’s ears. The girl was so intrigued by Ashamin’s generosity - by the notion of a home, like never she’d had before - that she was almost prepared to accept his invitation without any real regard for either of her siblings, or their approval. “We are a family,” she gestured slowly, acknowledging the powerful bond between the unlikely trio - realistically, that between Zahra and each of her companions individually. Little did the spider or kitsune at that stage care for each other. Then she mumbled more for her sake than his, “that won’t change…” Surely Hanna and Ilham were aware of that. Nevertheless, a moment of silence was spent trying to convey that thought before she drew a long, hesitant breath.

“Yes Asha. I would!”

do you live for the summer or spring?
because you don't feel like winter to me
you came through this town like a breeze
do you live for the summer or spring?