Fairspell Meadow If the heavens ever did speak

@Semira sorry it took a while! It'll be good to see these two together again <3

He sighed as he glanced at the falling sun - fiery beams of light beginning to disappear beyond the horizon. The meadow was a beautiful sight at this time, but the man did not seem to notice as he trudged through it, tail trailing behind him. He kept walking, and walking, just like he had done the moment Ganador disbanded. He missed them, most of them - like Mira. Oh, Mira. He missed her sweet smile, her giggle, her eyes. He hadn't realised how much she meant to him until she was gone, leaving that gaping, empty hole in his chest. He'd hoped for a while, but it had been a whole season since he last saw her. He didn't know what to do with himself. He had contemplated joining a new pack and starting fresh for what seemed like the hundredth time, but honestly it just didn't feel right. 

Not that he was that sad anymore, just confused. Trying to find his path, hoping he might find his place in the world. He had thought he'd found it, but when you're happy life always seems to find a way to destroy that wonderful feeling. Kelina still haunted his mind, taunting him endlessly, but there had been no sight of her unless she had been conjured within his own mind when he slept. Dramatic as it may sound, it was the ugly truth. He regretted some things back in Ganador, like the incident with Cry, but most of those memories had been thought about so often that they held no meaning to him anymore.

On he walked again, until the steady rise of a small hill. Climbing up, Horosk reached the top and peered out at the land around him, the meadow he had no love for. Beautiful as it was, the man simply stared at the ever-fading light from over the tops of distant trees. And for the first time in forever, he smiled. A small one though it was, the smile was not common in the slightest. Along with the breeze ruffling his fur, the man felt for once a feeling he rarely felt - one of freedom. Even if it was just for a fleeting moment, he was perhaps not happy, but at peace. Silence for a few minutes as even the birds quieted, the sun finally finished its descend into the darkness, and he was left again with nothing but emptiness. A sigh fell from his lips but he remained atop the mound, lowering onto his haunches as he plotted where he might travel next.

So happy!

As the thick brush turned into rolling hills of the meadow, bright fall colors appeared to drape the scenery in their glory. Lilac and rosebud clouds floated across the rays of ochre fire that seemed to seep from the edge of the horizon, aptly painting the clouds in their path a lovely shade of red. The warming light turned Semira's pelage to that of a deep copper, her eyes mirroring the sunset she trailed. Tonight, she would follow the sun until it left her too, then she would wait patiently until it decided to rise once more – as she did every night now.

Each delicate step brought her closer to the dark umber and navy of nightfall. Mira's plume hung low behind her - gently swaying in the cold breeze that promised the stars would appear soon. Her breath came out in small puffs of vapor – another reminder of the slow approach of winter. The fae’s eyes slid along the horizon, storing the picturesque image in her mind.

Her amber eyes narrowed as they caught on something different than the grasses and trees.
A silhouette sat on a knoll ahead of her, merely watching the last of the sun as it dipped behind the tree line. She squinted at the figure as they sat down upon their haunches. She did not understand why she became so intrigued, but she wanted to speak to the wolf. She wanted to hear another’s voice, if only for a moment.
Mira’s steps hastened as the finial violet rays of sunlight gave way to the obsidian of night. She neared the wolf as a single star turned into thousands.

That was the moment when she recognized him.

A chuff, more similar to a strangled choking noise, escaped her maw. Merely seconds later, she pounced on him, yipping like a young pup. Mira nearly knocked them off the hilltop in her movements, but eventually found herself able to release him long enough to get out a word, “Horosk?”.

:)

The stars were bright tonight - perhaps the sign of better times to come, but Horosk was not usually one to believe in such things and his opinion had not changed now. The night was dark now, the burning light of the sun already out of sight - the land was plunged into darkness, and yet Horosk had no trouble seeing. The outlines of trees and rocks were visible, the edge of a forest was close, he knew, but that was not his targetted location. Those woods were not appealing in the slightest, rather holding an eerie aura that he decided not to trifle with. A scent pulled him out of his trance - one so sweet and soothing, that for a moment he became lost in his thoughts once again. He dreamt of home, and all those within it, and then he realised. His heart jolted, but he dared not turn around. My mind is playing with me - even my own brain seems to enjoy tormenting me. He would not turn - would not face the reality that nobody was there, it was just those memories washing up to taunt him, mocking him over the things he'd lost. 

The strangled noise that reached his ears, however, was not one he expected. Immediately snapping out of his dreamlike state, the man turned with hackles raised and ears pressed close to his skull. Before he had any time to react, however, a figure launched toward him and he collapsed under the sudden presence of their weight upon his body. Horosk almost growled, struggling, until the weight was removed and he caught a glimpse of their eyes. He knew those eyes. He knew. And his heart raced at a million times per second, each beat like a painful throb in his chest, the rise and fall uneven as he stared in utter disbelief. Her words only confirmed it, and the man was left speechless.

"Mira," He choked out, blinking rapidly as he tried to shake his mind, trying to wash away the image that he was sure was simply an illusion - another trick from his tired eyes. But to no avail, for the figure he saw was most certainly real. And he wasn't sure his heart could take it.

The moment was so pure, Semira barely noticed her own joy. That is, until she noticed the absence of all of her negative emotions. It was like waking up from a particularly bad dream and finding that everything was still the same as it was before the dream occured. Without happiness, everything was bitter; wind was freezing, rain was depressing. The emotion dared her to bring forth different feelings – better feelings.

The happiness, it seemed, was infectious. It caused at tingle all the way down to her paws – much like anxiety, but far more pleasing. It flooded through her like a river into small streams, allowing her a moment of blissful elation where she merely stared in wonder at the wolf before her.

He was truly here. In a random meadow, she had found him.

She watched as the recognition clicked in Horosk’s amber eyes, the eyes she had become so fond of.  A slow smile tilted her maw upwards, a shaky laugh escaping. For a second, she nearly thought she had mistaken a poor stranger for her… her what? She allowed herself only a moment to ponder their relationship. What it was, or even, what it possibly had been. Perhaps he did not want her anymore.

Perhaps the disbelief in his voice implied that she should not be here. Her eyes went upwards towards the heavens – unable to meet his. The fae’s chest heaved a sigh in the form of a slumping movement, her chest collapsing on itself. When her eyes fell downwards she found herself attempting to read exactly what is was running through his mind, to no avail.

“Horosk,” She breathed his name this time, her maw parting slightly. It was heavier than the first time, her voice laden with unspoken questions. She wanted to curl up into his side, simply just to be as close to him as possible. She nearly chuckled at her own impulses. The fae’s muzzle then parted into a small smile, her voice curving into a gentle tease, “Funny seeing you here, stranger.”

He remained motionless for a moment, simply looking at Semira in suprise. After his intitial wave of shock had passed, the man felt a flutter in his heart - a feeling he had not felt very often, nor for quite some time. He blinked at her and then ran full speed ahead, crashing into her and pinning her to the ground. Horosk grinned, pure joy dancing around in his violet eyes. So long it had been, so long since he had seen her - so long since he had felt this happy, this excited to see another day. Before it felt as though he was seeing the world blindly, everything around him dull and colourless, but in that moment he had never seen anything so brightly - so colourfully. And Semira was the focus of this, his gaze meeting hers and sending sparks down his body.

Her voice seemed heavier than when she had first spoken, and he wondered if she was doubtful. He, for a moment, had wondered whether or not she actually wanted to be here, with him - but he shrugged it off, assuming she was simply holding back questions. He would be on the same page as her if that was the case - there was so much he wanted to say, wanted to ask, wanted to do. It felt as though it had been years since they had seen each other, and yet he held his tongue, not wanting to overload her with questions.

"Mira." He returned her own name, after hearing her say his. "Funny seeing you here, too." A laugh, one pure and welcome, escaped from his muzzle and his face lit up, for a moment forgetting that he was still above his... whatever they were, and he met her gaze again, holding it for a moment and savouring the beauty within her eyes, before sheepishly removed his paws from her shoulders, bouncing back and lowering himself onto his haunches, all the while beaming at her. "You have no idea how much I've missed you... especially since Ganador disbanded. I've had nothing to do." He laughed again, covering up the loneliness with a joke - though one that was not a lie in the slightest. "How... how have you been?"

Semira’s words nearly sputtered to a stop as Horosk leapt upon her. The fae fell to the ground, her back pressed against the soil and his paws resting upon her chest. Joy wrote itself across her features, reciprocating the emotions displayed so clearly in Horosk’s own. Her heart raced in her chest. It was a wonder how one’s heart could ache more the closer you get to the object of its affection. As of now it was nearly purring in contentment, yet beating in anticipation.

It had been so long without others, without him, that she had nearly forgotten what is was like to feel such unabashed enjoyment. It was as if the stars shined for him – glowing around him like a halo. Mira peered up at him, realizing just how lonely she had been without him. He had never left her mind – that one stable person in this crazy world. She felt something when gazing up at those two, amaranthine eyes, a feeling so strange it was nearly overwhelming. Like the sudden realization that she was complete, as though her heart danced around in her chest at his mere presence.

It was strange. How one could go from gaining an acquaintance, to becoming friends with them, to becoming nearly besotted with them. She realized he was the only person she could confide in, her only true friend – yet more. He was worth the wait.

He said that endearing little nickname once more and Semira could not contain the word that playfully slipped out. “Parrot,” she murmured through a sly grin. His laughter, or perhaps it was simply the joyful inflection in his tone, triggered a light, musical laugh of her own to slip out. The fae’s laugh was cut short as she noticed him studying her - intensely. She wanted to inquire as to what he was thinking, but thought better of it. Semira lifted a flaxen paw, playfully pawing at his face before he nearly jumped backwards off of her as he seemed to realize their intimate proximity. A low laugh, nearly a hum, rumbled from her chest at his embarrassment.

The dove aptly swept to her own feet, rocking back upon her haunches and curling her plume about herself. Mira’s head inclined to the side, “Oh, you missed me?” She let the vowels play out accordingly, her eyes sparkling. She sensed the slight tone in his voice – the sadness pouring from his heart. She wanted him to be happy. “I’ve been as good as I can be…mostly exploring the Wilds.” She wanted to distract him from that loneliness, if only for as long as it took for her to speak. “I can officially say I have seen every nook and cranny of the Valley.” Cue the mischievous grin, “–annnd what have you been up too?”

Parrot. He laughed again, eyes lit up with amusement and happiness, along with that ever present inquisitiveness - that desire to know more, even if it was something small. The little things were what he held closest to his cracked heart, the ones that filled the gaps - like the way she looked up at him, as if the whole world was contained within his eyes. It made his heart feel tingly and warm, that feeling creeping from his heart and spreading throughout his body, making him feel whole again. As if those damned cracks were never there, simply an illusion he had created within his mind as a barrier - as if those cracks were a representation of his raven sister and her wicked ways. A representation now, as if she was gone. And at this moment it felt like she had never existed. It was only he and Mira, gazing at each other with sparks in their eyes.

Even after they had both pulled away, the fae's own small laugh at his embarrassment making his brows twitch and his mouth curl in another smile that he had not expected. He did not appreciate others laughing at him, but when she did it, it felt like a spell. A magical spell that climbed its way into his own body, bringing her joy with it and plaguing him. It was a curse that he did not run from, rather, toward it, allowing it to reach all corners of his mind until he let out another unanticipated chuckle.

Her words brought him back to his senses, anchoring him back to the ground and yet he still felt as though he was floating. "I'm glad to hear you've been well," he grinned, wagging his agouti tail. Then the question was turned to him, and he faltered for a moment, words escaping him. He, unlike her, had not been doing all that well, but he would not say it to her, would not drag her down with feelings that had long since evaporated the moment he had come into contact with her again. "Nothing really," Horosk shrugged, "Mostly just wandering, hunting, y'know. I can't lie though, it's been so much more boring without you." It was certainly not a lie - though he did not go into the full extent of his feelings, wishing not to dampen the mood of their joyful reunion.

Sorry I took forever! c:

Every time his mouth aquired that slight curl and every time he let a small laugh escape she wanted to bottle up the feeling that fluttered through her chest and keep it forever. She concluded that perhaps she was always mirroring his expressions and emotions, reciprocating them even when they were in large groups. Mira thought back to the pack meetings and other social gatherings, her mind's eye training on his subtle motions that she knew were directed to her. Even amongst others he would focus on her, and only her.

The two of them combined must be a sight - both of them giggling like two young pups entwined in a bout of puppy love. Their greeting enunciated that idea - with them leaping a wrestling like younglings meeting eachother of the first time. She believed that what they had was more, especially when she could only focus on his words even when those two adoring purple eyes gazed at her. He watched her like she had the stars in her paws and rose petels beneath her, and yet she could not help but to enjoy their conversation.

She could not help but to see the pain flicker in is eyes, or the pause in his breath before he spoke. There was something that had been weighing on him while they were apart. Perhaps it was still his disturbing sister, or perhaps it was the loneliness that had stretched their time apart to feel like an eternity. He was such a social creature that she knew that must have left him with nothing to do but ponder on the past. That was possibly the worst thing he could have done, so she knew that was exactly what he did.

His verbal and silent attempts to make her believe his verbal claims were enough to let the concern in her heart pierce her gaze. He even admitted to feeling lonely, which was probably hard for him to admit. Mira's words stayed positive and ever so sarcastic, but there was an underlying tone of concern that she could not help but express. "Well of course, who else would keep you on your toes?" She cracked a small smile, but it quickly faltered into a slight grimace.

He had little belief that she had missed that ghastly flicker of pain that had shadowed his eyes, so he smiled, mouth curling as he focused on the present. She was here, right in front of him, chasing away those demons like an angel sent from above. An angel she was, to him, a fairy from the heavens, able to clear the sky of darkness and his mind alike. The man was not taunted with those monsters that crept inside his brain, those wretched creatures behind his eyes, not when she was around. And such a perplexing thought that was - that you yourself could not chase away your own darkness, but somebody else, someone who had come along much by chance, could. And with such ease. Horosk was intruiged beyond belief - it seemed she did not even have to try, for the very sight of her put his mind at ease.

He noted the concern in her voice as she spoke, and his own violet gaze focused in on her face. He wished for her not to worry about him - her own presence was curing his distress, so for her to show that flicker of unease made his paws shift. He appreciated her attempt at keeping the mood light, and with a strained grin he too continued to contribute to bringing joy to this reuinion, but perhaps he was unsuccessful. He did not focus on it - or, at the very least, he blocked those thoughts from his mind so he could see them no longer. And so, when she grimaced, he did not acknowledge it. Instead he was silent, calculating as his brain worked. After but a few heartbeats, he glanced up at her again. "So... what now?"