Ree.

“Who are you?”

The friendly stranger, now named Lena, speaks to her in quiet, personable tones of inquiry. Ree’s previous caution, her nervous inspection of the bay unicorn and her ivory companion, is decreased significantly. Hazel eyes, like the faded green of a summer field, peer merrily back at the honey-amber gaze of her new found acquaintance, and she ruminates of the lady’s question for a moment, finding that if she were to really delve her heart into the discovery of who she was, she would be even more lost than she already is. She is built of wind and sunlight, fleeting and evanescent, a warm ray of daylight’s undeniable radiance against life’s shadows and darkness. Yet Ree cannot find solidarity, remains lost amongst the doubts and fears her lack of confidence has created. It is a stronghold in her mind, holding hostage any remains of assurance or poise, crafting from anxiety and angst the flighty creature that now stands before Lena within the thistle meadow of indigo flowers.

“I am Ree,”She dips her own petite head in formal greeting, mirroring the pretty unicorn’s actions with impish grace, “It is lovely to meet you both, Lena and Imogen.”

She enjoys the melodic ring of their names, sweet and sacchrine, as the sound of her voice breaks the stillness of the air that often accompanies the moments between exchanges in a conversation. She is cordial, polite, a smile of childish innocence causing the corners of her velvet lips to curl ever so slightly, respectfully reserved and courteous. Ree allows her attention to accompany the movement of the fox kit through the green grasses, multiple tails waving wildly in avid enjoyment, and the bay mare lowers her head and takes a few timid steps forward, investigating the erratic, excited movements of the small creature. She glances to Lena once more, glee of the most sincere, honest sort alight across the expressions of her refined façade. She reaches out to the kitsune with a gentle rush of warm breath, taller blades of grass brushing soft cheeks as she lowers her head, plush muzzle welcomingly outstretched. There was something about the small, fragile Imogen that called to Ree, a familiarity she could not shake, and she envied the carefree way the kit frolicked amongst its company, uncaring and unafraid. She longed for the same freedom.

Lena’s voice, musical and smooth, draws Ree’s attention away from Imogen, and she turns her eyes in the same direction as the unicorn, spotting a second stranger in the distance. Eyes narrowed in innocent curiosity, Ree watches the figure as she stands unmoving beneath the shade of a large tree, and she sees the bird that swoops down out of the warm blue skies as it hunts, flying back to the mare once its meal is caught. Her inherently friendly nature hopes that the stranger will accept Lena’s invitation to join them, for she craved company more than anything. For so long she had spent her time alone, in quiet contemplation of life’s many mysteries and hidden secrets. Though she feared the world, and the dangers within it, she still yearned to experience those that were good, the virtuous and the noble, the kind and compassionate. Drawing closer to Lena, captivated like a moth to the flame, she glances between the pearlescent fox kit at their feet, and the winged visitor that lingers in the shadow of the mighty oak.