September 15, 2023, 05:57 PM
In the blurred days that followed the wolf's attack on Candle, @Sari was a constant. The priestess remembered little but the sound of her voice, the gentle touch of her paws. Her days eased into a gentle lull, and Candle began to heal. The hatred in her heart began to lighten and fade.
But as Candle recovered, her beloved leader weakened. In subtle ways at first, yet she noticed immediately all the same. She took on more of her own care in an effort to ease the burden, and as her healing came to its close, found herself bringing meals to S'ari and seeing that she slept comfortably. Then it was medicine; then it was a sick den and regular check-ins, and informing @Koa and @Zoug of S'ari's sickness, and arranging S'ari's care with an ease that surprised even Candle.
And then it was the gentle warmth of realization, finding truth in her heart: that she had come to love the Mediator. That she would have done anything for her.
So when she found S'ari in sorrow, questioning who would tend The Tribe in her absence, it seemed only natural; it seemed only right that she step forward, willing to shoulder any burden for the woman she loved. A shivering breath slipped from her, and with all of her resolve, she spoke.
A gentle nose to S'ari's shoulder, and she hoped that it would say all she could not.
Later she would find the others, @Meridian and @Kusuma too, and tell them of these words exchanged with S'ari. Their leader would return to them.
Until then, Candle would protect all that they held dear.
But as Candle recovered, her beloved leader weakened. In subtle ways at first, yet she noticed immediately all the same. She took on more of her own care in an effort to ease the burden, and as her healing came to its close, found herself bringing meals to S'ari and seeing that she slept comfortably. Then it was medicine; then it was a sick den and regular check-ins, and informing @Koa and @Zoug of S'ari's sickness, and arranging S'ari's care with an ease that surprised even Candle.
And then it was the gentle warmth of realization, finding truth in her heart: that she had come to love the Mediator. That she would have done anything for her.
So when she found S'ari in sorrow, questioning who would tend The Tribe in her absence, it seemed only natural; it seemed only right that she step forward, willing to shoulder any burden for the woman she loved. A shivering breath slipped from her, and with all of her resolve, she spoke.
Candle will.
A gentle nose to S'ari's shoulder, and she hoped that it would say all she could not.
Later she would find the others, @Meridian and @Kusuma too, and tell them of these words exchanged with S'ari. Their leader would return to them.
Until then, Candle would protect all that they held dear.