Stavanger Bay I'll stare directly at the sun but never in the mirror

I'll figure out where this goes in my timeline laterrr

Reverie didn't often go off by herself anymore; she was always with Blossom, always showing her something new, teaching her all the things that Reverie wished someone would have taught her. But sometimes she wondered how she could possibly teach Blossom things she herself did not know; like how to love herself, how to look at the world and see something kind, how to exist in peace and love. Somehow, her daughter was learning all the same.
But one day she would have to let her go, she knew this. For her sake more than anything; what had Reverie ever held close to her that did not, in the end, burn? She couldn't do that to Blossom. She wouldn't. The knowledge left her feeling empty more often than not.
All that was forgotten, at least for a moment, when she saw it: the golden bird, again! Reverie rose thoughtlessly to follow it out to the shoreline, uncertain what she would find. All she knew was that she had to follow it; she could not let it escape her, not this time, not when the bird represented everything she had ever reached for and failed to grasp.

first posts are always so boring for me, thanks for bearing with me while i get into the swing of this character.

when the young ones came, he knew it was time to go.

there had been a litter the year prior; his parents allowed the first cubs to watch the new ones while they hunted, and he found himself too involved to have time for personal development. and though he loved them, and he loved the role he played in their lives, it was time for him to leave. dispersal beckoned him.

his parents were proud when they saw him off, and he promised to return one day, maybe when he had children of his own... though for the time being, he had no intention of having said children.

he stuck to the coast as he traveled, and without a destination in mind he followed whatever seemed the most interesting at any given time. today, that would be a marvellous golden bird — and the girl who trailed it.

standing atop a nearby dune, he chuffed in her direction, tail wagging behind him in invitation to come closer, if she'd like.

Your writing is always lovely <3

She did not expect to find, at the end of this trail of golden light, a man. She certainly did not want to, more so because he was a pretty man with soft eyes, and the last thing she needed, truly, was more of those. All the same, Reverie was charmed. She just couldn't help it.
The bird was forgotten; it circled them once, called out high and cheerful, then departed in a flutter of golden wings. Reverie didn't notice. Oh, hello! She smiled brightly as she approached, then faltered a little awkwardly. This is - well, this is claimed land - but we're still a small pack, so I guess it's easy to miss. I - I won't try to eat you or anything, at least. Oh, she was rambling — ! She closed her mouth abruptly, ears flushing. After a moment, she added, I'm Reverie.

His attention was easily torn from the golden eagle when she addressed him, because it was then he realized just how much he missed being around — well, anyone, really. He had traveled before, but never alone, and the sight of someone else was more relief than he initially realized.

Eventide's ears swiveled back sheepishly at her statement. He was thankful that this Reverie was not so territorial as his parents, for they would have had someone's head for traipsing so blatantly on claimed land. Truthfully, he wasn't convinced someone else wouldn't come along and knock his head off for it now. Well, I appreciate that, I do like being in one piece.

He glanced over his shoulder before replying, I'm Eventide.

He was cute, but Reverie just — didn't have it in her, not anymore. She'd thought that she would want a meeting like this, that she would take the first opportunity she found to test the waters and see if she might find what she was looking for in someone new. But here, now, looking at him; she could only think of Lestan, and how very tired he'd made her. It was not a sense of loyalty that discouraged her in the end, but bitterness; hopelessness.
So she turned her thoughts away from Eventide's pretty blue eyes, and kept to friendliness. Are you a traveler? She asked eagerly. Which direction did you come from? I just - well, I haven't seen all of the coast yet, and I'd love to hear about it. Lost in her own thoughts, she hadn't even noticed his hesitation at being in claimed territory.

She was polite, and the longer he stood here the more comfortable he became. Confidence flowed easily back into his features, and he plodded a few steps closer so he didn't have to project his voice so much. That way, he gestured behind him, up the coast. It can be different, but in some ways it's all the same, too. The rolling waves, the sand, the fish and the plants, they were more or less all constant.

How long have you been here? That wasn't quite what he meant. I mean, are you from around here?

Her eyes brightened a little and she peered west, in the direction he said he'd come from, taking her own shy step forward when he did. Reverie was filled with a burning sort of curiosity. Honestly, though — Eventide had a point. It was all kind of the same. Maybe there was no point in trying to see all of it.
To his question, she shook her head. I've only been here a few weeks. But I always wanted to see the ocean, ever since I heard about it, Reverie's eyes turned fondly to the water now. Where I grew up, there was never so much water. Not even close. We depended on rain. Rain, she thought, made for a better god than most. Better than what she had chosen for herself.
Do you think... well, I know this is a weird question - we just met! - but if - if you're not busy, well, maybe you could do something for me? I'll - give you something in return, if you want. You can name a price, In her anxiety she turned rambling, perhaps a touch too eager to please. But Reverie truly hoped that Eventide would say yes, because she didn't think she could find anyone else to even ask this of. I just need a message delivered.

Excitement bubbles up from his toes to his ears. It's magnificent, isn't it? He offers a toothsome grin as he says, I grew up near the ocean, but it never loses its charm. It always feels like this.

He wants to ask about where she grew up, but she changes the subject quickly; intuition tells him to drop whatever question had been on the tip of his tongue. You're in luck, he says, now intrigued, depending on the message, I'm up for the job. He didn't want to threaten anyone, but barring that, he felt that whatever it was, it couldn't possibly be troublesome.

All I'd want really is a place to stay. It doesn't even have to be forever, if you're not looking for anyone to help out, but if I come through here again could you tell whoever lives here with you not to chew my legs off?

I'll have to talk to @Vairë and @Rhaegal - they're the leaders here, but I'm sure they won't mind, Reverie took in a breath, feeling her heartbeat in her ears rather abruptly and feeling foolish for it. But the very thought of Everett had her on edge, the anticipation of seeing him, the fear of being rejected. Still, she forged ahead. My brother, he lives on an island to the east. It's not very far.
Her eyes turned that way thoughtlessly, full of sudden grief. His name is @Everett, She continued more softly. I need you to tell him that - that my sickness is getting worse. I can't go to him, but I - I'd like to see him. Soon. Reverie wanted to say more, that she did not know how much longer she had, that it was best if he came right away — but it felt too intimate to share so directly with a stranger. And perhaps he would infer from what she did say. She could only hope.

He tucked their names into his pocket so that if the need ever arose, he could talk his way out of trouble. Will I know it when I see it? He looked towards the horizon and determined the answer would probably be yes, as there weren't so many islands out here that he'd have a hard time finding it.

His brows pinched at the mention of her sickness, while guilt-laden relief washed over him as he thought that maybe it was a good thing he had kept his distance. Against his better judgment he sniffed the air, where he found no contagion.

Recognition caused his heart to sink.

Oh, he said, ears flattening for just a second before he gathered himself. Okay. Everett. I'll tell him for you. Anything else, before I go?

Um. Can you tell him that - that I'm sorry, and I'll explain everything when he's here, Reverie felt as if she might cry at any moment. She suddenly did not want to be here, but she was desperately grateful for Eventide's willingness to help. Thank you, thank you. Her voice broke a little.
I - I really do appreciate it. If there's ever anything else I can do for you - I'll be here, It wasn't like she could go anywhere else. Whether Everett heeded her request or not, she owed Eventide a great debt for this; the payment he'd asked was such a small thing! If he never asked for more, she'd just have to find some other way to repay him. If she made it that far into the future.

His eyes narrowed for a beat. He did not like the sound of that. Sorry could mean any number of things. Sorry I blew up at you last week, I was just really hungry? Sorry I tripped and scared off that rabbit you were trying to catch? Sorry I killed your fucking kids? Who knew!

He shouldn't have opened this can of worms, but he also didn't peg her as the troublemaking type.

Okay, he echoed. Don't worry about it. I don't have anything better to be doing.

He would see soon enough if that was the truth. Take care, Reverie. I'll come back as soon as I can.

Reverie nodded, resisting the urge to thank him again. You too, She murmured, finding herself already eager to see him again. Not even for the promise of seeing Everett, but just for the comfort of having another friend, something she was desperately lacking in recent times. She had Lestan, but they were hardly friends...
And maybe that was the problem with their love, really. It had started as attraction, and leapt to commitment without much between. That thought gave her pause — and with it, an idea. She was thoughtful as she departed.