Somehow, the pair had gotten turned around. She had followed the river, as she'd been doing for the past few days - but there! She spotted it, a creature of beastly proportions, a limp in its step and a trail of crimson shadowing its every move. She pursued, following an ancient instinct ingrained in her core. Loinnir knew of her intentions - salivating at the very thought of such a meal - not Lumiya, the ever Dedicated. Too focused was she upon snagging its life, not yet enjoying fantasies about idealistic results.

In the cloud of adrenaline, the young girl had only eye for her prey - the rest of her surroundings were lost to her. The only peepers searching the horizon were those of Loinnir, perched 'pun her cloak of woodsmoke.

Nearly half an hour into her stalking did the beast collapse 'pon the cliffs. The rookie hunter knew it had scented her, and despite this it had given up. She halted just a moment, teeth finding lips in anticipation and guilt. She needed this meal, too long had she survived on scraps alone - her journey leaving little time to establish a clan. Too many times had her emotions led her to a path where she would suffer and no one would prosper. The beast was dead the moment it had gotten the slash 'cross its belly and the limp in its step - to end its life now was a mercy, not a sin.

That is how she justified her creep along the escarpment, her approach careful in nature yet her gaze one of lust. The beast looked 'pon her features, its beady eyes drilling into her soul. It knew it was dead, therefore the look it gave her was not one pleading for life but for a painless end. You can rest now. She told, voice soft and filled with quivers. The teeth that had been biting her lips found their way 'round its neck and that really was the least of it.

Loinnir hooted, a mellow sound but one that demanded her attention. Crimson now painted her lips, dripping down her delicate features and mixing with her silver chalice fur. If yesterday she resembled an angel, perhaps today one could say she looked more ghoulish. Her mismatched gaze found the emerald gleam of a man draped in mahogany, wearing a sable saddle lined with frost. Her gaze inviting, she chirped; Are you hungry? I'm afraid there is too much for just the two of us.

Never before, she thought, had one stalked her the same she'd done to prey out of interest. Her past had been filled with judgement and beliefs she was lesser than those 'round her - she did not agree with those claims, but it made believing in her own person a little harder. So far, the cruelest had been the ones who'd been claiming they were unsurpassable - that they were per excellence, and if that defined greatness she wanted no part of it.

Questions lingered on her tongue, but she was too gleeful to have company 'pon this lone, winter day. She felt peccant 'pon thinking it, for a companion lingered near at every moment; Loinnir had not left her side since she'd come across him, but he was not great at conversation. She used him more to free herself of thoughts, though his earnest looks did give her the belief he was listening to every word that left her lips. This male was much the same - older, wiser most likely. He towered over her, yet she felt untroubled. His mannerisms seemed to stem from a place of consideration and benevolence, even as he refused the gift she offered him.

I was afraid - that I'd scare it into a tumbling. Her expression turned bashful, ashen ears draping like a cloak 'ver her scalp. It was apparent she was not used to compliments. Loinnir hooted once more before hopping off her back, pecking at the carcass impatiently with his back turned towards their follower. His wings were spread wide to protect their riches, yet leaving much of it exposed still. The sprite chuckled at this display of dominance from such a teeny bird.

I'm Lumiya - this impertinent creature is Loinnir. She usually never felt this giddy, it made her serene voice crack with chuckles now and again. Her mismatched gaze then grew expectant, hoping to get a name in return.

The nymph had grown up with a mother who was accompanied by a raven; perhaps it was in her genes to create such bonds with their feathered friends as well. She'd never thought of it as odd as she believed in harmony the way others believed in dawn and dusk. It had become second nature for the painted lady, but it became apparent that not everyone saw the world through her eyes. Was her view that unique? Is that why she'd been abandoned?

Conner was the name given - she stored it in a compartment in the back of her mind, not minding his spluttering nor his surprise. No need to apologize. She commented with a saccharine smile, but Loinnir was having none of it. He vocalized his impatience, chirping low mumblings. He'd never acted in such a way before, perhaps he saw the large male as a threat. Lumi appreciated his concern, but was perfectly capable of caring for her own - the bird must've forgotten that he owed his life to her, not the other way around. That is what she truly thought, but her lips were sealed, for such things shouldn't be said aloud.

Not exactly - we're wanderers. She answered his question with enthusiasm. I came across him on my journey through the mountains - though he will not admit it; I saved his life. She felt good not belonging somewhere. After moons of trying her very best to fit in, she now held the world in her soft grip. She could go wherever she wanted, trotting where others might not dare. And you, sir? You smell of crowd, do they live nearby?

Honor, something the girl did not realize she possessed. She acted not because of others, but a force she felt within, propelling her down a path of nobility and selflessness. Doing the right thing, expressing yourself through more than words, was one of the few thing that could liberate their kind from endless suffering. She didn't understand those who fought and cried, those who killed - died, but she understood herself. She knew of her flaws, knew her rules and knew the nature around her - like Faerie Queen.

Mercy bears richer fruits. She commented, speaking her truth. If she'd left Loinnir 'pon the mountain to pass, she would not have gained such a wondrous travel companion - just like with their slain beast 'pon these cliffs, if they'd not ended it they wouldn't have gotten the meal they were in need of. There was no lesser evil, just the more righteous - using that excuse meant one hadn't thought about their options more thoroughly, a mental block usually caused by pride. However, could she fault those with pride for having it — beat herself down for not possessing it?

She followed his gaze to the Flatlands down below. Even from here, the wilds seemed so vast. I see... She mused, frowning ever so slightly due to the somber tone in which he spoke his next words. It must be wonderful there - if you long for it so dearly, — tell me, what draws you to that place?

Even if the little fae wanted to fight, there was little chance of her beating anyone. She had a mean bite like any other wolf, excepting the ones lacking teeth, but her physical strength was very much lacking. Her light frame required little effort to move around, so she was a good dancer and small game hunter instead with a mind like no other.

She frowned again. Aren't we all? Was her sweetened response, said in an empathetic tone. So very few of us know what we're meant to be doing, I've found it better to leave it up to fate — I do as I please and see where I land. Though this trick didn't work for everyone as lost as the copper male and the little fae.

'doing as you please', in the wrong mind, meant lazing about or going against nature, both of which Lumiya wasn't planning on doing. She meant it more in the sense that, she would act on her ideas of righteousness and go after her dreams and ambitions instead of letting them pass by. The russet male luckily knew what she meant and she smiled as he mused about it.

East - 'ver the mountains and into the Taiga. She answered with a small sweep of her muzzle, a gesture to the mountains she was planning on conquering. She glanced to the carcass again then, deciding it really was too much for the two of them. Feel free to send someone for the collection of this meal once we're gone - I'd hate for it to go to waste. To this Loinnir stuck up his beak, offended that his caretaker thought he could not finish the entire beast on his own.