The world had changed, and so had I. Ah, I was still Kvothe, still myself, but far wiser and more... well, not wary. I could never be wary when the world held so much wonder. However I had learned to be cautious, and learned of my foolishness to leave behind all that I had.

My friends; Aisling, Finn, Rei... did they live? Did my sweet faerie still sing her songs, my proud friend still smile so freely, my beloved bird soar so high? I had been a fool carried away by the restlessness of my heart, and I hadn't regretted my decision until the thaw made the pass I had entered Helovia through impossible to venture past. So, forced away I had wandered long and far, seasons shifting.

Yes, I had changed, and the world with me. The proof lay around me; I was in Helovia, I was sure of it, yet this was a place so strange and unfamiliar it had me giddy. Bells sang as hooves pranced, carrying me forward through the green bamboo, a natural maze that was beautiful to behold. Elodin did not share my view, rather he was impatiently scouting ahead, his long legs carrying him in great bounds that ate up surprising distance between us, even at my brisk walk.

Therefor, it was Elodin who first saw her dancing with wild creatures, and when my own eyes laid upon her, it was a sight that left me frozen for fear of breaking the spell.

Music filled the air as she danced with an otter, both artisans moving with grace and beauty even despite their drastic sizes. Like something from a fae story they wove and spun, and I was certain I had strayed into some faery-mound and lost my soul forever. But the scent of her and otter filled my nostrils with every breath, and I knew this to be no illusion. Their bow to each other, graceful dancers applauding each other's skill, broke the spell binding me so tightly that my chest felt as if a dragon's claw had gripped it and squeezed.

Surrounded by those emerald boughs, alit with the day's gentle light, I do not think Rei had ever looked more beautiful.

"I had feared mine soul caught by the fae, but instead I find mineself bound by an angel's dance." My voice seemed to shatter whatever traces of wonder had bound me, and I took a step forward, my eyes running over her form, making sure she was hale and hearty before they settled upon eyes as warm and rich as the earth.

'Too flowery, chase away with that.' Elodin reserved most of his judgement with my thanks, his crowned head shaking as he turned to examine the otter that had danced with the mare, white-rimmed eyes half-lidded with a sort of arrogant disinterest.

I, however, ignored him, never once daring to take my eyes away from her. I feared if I did, either my hooves or her wings would separate us once more. So many questions sprang to my lips, bit back by my teeth and silence. Was she hale? Who was the otter-dancer? Did she still reside within the desert?

Was I welcome here?

@Rei 

My eyes never left Rei, not even when the otter slipped from her stage to sit at my hooves. Elodin regarded the otter with a narrowed gaze and stepped closer to me, as if in possession.

I, however, was still enraptured by her. I dared not move for fear she would flee, and even the smile I offered was brittle and faint. In truth I was nervous, my heart pulsing in my throat and each breath was as if I had to force it out from beneath a boulder. Then, she moves and it is towards me, and I go still as possible, waiting, not even daring to breathe now.

And then I feel her wings, so silken and soft, cover me, and her body pressed against mine, and I hesitate no longer. Torso thrusts forward as I hook my head around her neck, drawing her closer even as I long for wings to fold about her as she did me, my eyes closed as I breathed in that scent that was all Rei. Then, she speaks. My storyteller. Alas if only she knew how much I was hers! I was slave both to her presence and my own wanderlust, yet one had so far proven the more dominant, at least when I am not near her. However I do not dwell upon that, muscles in my neck tightening as I draw her just the barest bit closer, unwilling to let her go, yet forcing myself to do so as she pulled away. So long... seasons had passed since last we met, and there was naught to blame but my own restlessness.

Damn myself! 

Thrice-damned be the curse that always sent me wandering and roaming!

"I beg thine's forgiveness, mo chroí, I have no excuse save that of mine own folly." Oh sweet Rei, did she know the siren's hold she had upon me? That if she but asked I would find the strength to never again stray? For her, I would stay still. Had she asked of me to remain in place for eternity, I would let flesh become stone and mineself a statue for eons to come. She reaches for me, and I bow my head as she brushed my bells, the silvery notes ringing merrily in the air, and I smile at her words.

Then my gaze goes to the glass and charms within her hair; I had never asked from whence they came, if they belonged to her alone or had been a boon from another, but just the possibility that one had gifted Rei something when I have done naught but heartache sends such scalding jealousy through me that Elodin flinched. I laughed softly to break my silence, before lowering my head to my hooves. It took but a few moments, but soon the bells had been shaken free, and I took them in my lips before stepping towards her. I brush my cheek to hers before clipping the bells to her mane, nudging them with my muzzle to send them tinkling before I pulled back. "Then hear them forever, and think of me should mine hooves stray." I cannot help the mourning... my words felt too much like a farewell for my liking. I could not deny my nature, could not predict the future, thus I could not predict if I should find my body carrying me away again.

"Rei... mo chroí..." What was I to say? I search her face, trying to read her masked expression, to peer into the depths of her soul and seek the answers I felt I would drown without. Should I present myself a fool now, or should I wait and perhaps never get the chance. 

"Do you remember when I spoke of the trouper and his song to the moon?"


@Rei