Neverwinter Forest Sleep is a river

Fuzzy date on this one, wanted to get it posted before I got distracted again. :P

He'd come to the conclusion that @Miriam was avoiding him. He had a suspicion why, but look, from Mal's perspective nothing was wrong with anything that had happened. Either way, it wasn't good, so he needed to fix it. No more hiding, no, he needed to make sure all was okay. Maybe that belief in itself was a little ignorant on his part, but he was optimistic when it came to things dealing with his pack. It'd all be right in the end.


So, he went looking for her. Whatever the issues were, things were gonna be worked out one way or another. Should be fine, should be easy! Heck, the weather was even playing nice today, should be pretty easy to track her down -- so he detoured past a cache and picked up a hare he'd hidden there the day before. See, he was even bringing a gift, sorta! And if scents weren't lying, Miriam wasn't too far away.

She had been praying for many nights, as hope was soon to be lost. A mistake of lust- the darkness had caught her, and fate had given it's role. She prayed for the forgiveness, and hoped for the Goddess to take away the darkness that held firm within. However the seed was planted, as she could feel it dwell within her stomach, churning for a release. 

Nay', was it a darkness? There was no answer to her prayers, for she could not tell the beings inside were of purity or of the dark ones. Innocent, yes, but does that mean she was too? Dwelling in misfortunate and depression, Miriam was at a lost. She had trouble survivng, being within this Pack and knowing what had happen. She met no one, and kept to herself, especially knowing she was a tainted being. She felt like one, as there was no direction to be given, only constant prayers.

Was that why there was silence from the Goddess?

May her lady please, respond. 

She avoided all, even the one who she felt conflicted. Did he protect her from what could be, or was he the one she should've been wary of? A man from the Horned God... A blessing or a curse? Even when he was near, she was at a lost to do, as a spiritless stare wandered to her own stomach.

Things were more simple if you approached things from Mal's side of the world. There was what was there, what you could touch, and that was about it. There were no multiple layers of things he couldn't understand, just fact and opportunity. He did his job to the best he could understand, and until someone said otherwise, all was well. 

The scent got stronger, so he picked up the pace. Mal juggled the rabbit in his mouth, making it so he could sort of talk around it, Miriam? He'd spotted her up ahead, adjusting his path to come up to her, Can't have you hiding away. Share a meal with me? His tail wagged behind him. See, all positive. He'd set the hare down in front of her -- as long as she didn't like... sprint off into the distance or something.

There was an instinct to flee, but she felt so weak and tired as of late, and carried no energy to do so. All that there was, was focus onto the prayers and rituals she tried to hold on somesort of contact. Alas, there was none, and she felt utter alone. It came to the point even she, wished to call forth toward the Horned God, and ask what to do. She held potential future warriors.. Or Maidens.. But Miriam still did not know, if they were accepted to the Summerlands.

Her head hanged low as he dropped the hare, and looked at it with despair. Perhaps she had grown thinner with worry, wondering what to do with the potential beings. Words felt trapped, she struggled to describe the feelings that transpired within, and only remained of the silent nature. A young lady she was, unable to accept her life sprawled out so out of control from her own power.. Had fate decided this? A night of regret, and a knowing she should've went home.

However.. They were from the Horned God's warrior, yes?

Will it all be fine?

Thoughts spiraling out of control, she was at a lost, staring to hare unrespondsive.

Well, she didn't run, that was good. But she just kind of gawked at the food. Okay, not the response he was expecting there either. After he set the hare down he looked up to her, still bright. Here was Mal, all open and friendly -- what the heck did he do if she just... didn't do anything? Uhhh. He wasn't gonna let that show first.

Well, he'd keep trying. You will join me, right? A head tilt. I would rather like to talk to you. So can we, Miriam, please? He couldn't have her avoiding him, no matter what was going on. She was a member of his pack, she'd hidden from him, and it was a problem that needed to be fixed, no matter what. He nudged the hare towards her with another wag of his tail.

The falls came forth, beautiful crystals falling from her doll-like face. She seemed so lifeless, despite the tears coming forth. How was she to process it all? How was she to talk to him- whome Miriam was not sure to describe anymore. There was feelings of regret, the most important of all, but.. What was these, feelings of disappointment? Betrayel? She dreamed of a maidens life, her first to be taken by a lover, not by the protector. 

Was she destined for him? She felt naught to be- but was her destiny the to be light?

Were they of the light?

Was she of light anymore?

White, starry eyes looked toward the other, void of life, but with a hint of fear and worry.

She did not know what to say, for she felt scared, of what was to come.

Okay. Not what he was expecting, at all. His smile started to fade as she started to cry, his tail stilled as well. What was wrong? He thought they'd been on the same page -- it had all made sense then. So.. What now? What had gone wrong? All he wanted to do now was to talk to her, to heal whatever awkwardness had been created. She wasn't supposed to have this reaction! It made him feel lost.

He very quickly ignored what he'd brought, his expression warping to concern. He took a couple steps towards her, pausing then. What's wrong? Mal may be a fool, but he wanted to make everyone happy. That had been the point of all of it, wasn't it? So here he was, ready to fix whatever issue it was she had. Miriam was in his pack, thus under his care.

Miriam wished to say she felt tainted. Yet, she wasn't sure, it was sole feeling. Her Goddess gave no answer to if she was, or not, driving further down the rabbit hole. She was so lost to what to say.. What to tell him, what to come, all she did was worry of herself. Despite the feelings of hopelessness, she knew there had to be a time to tell the warrior. While she may have fallen, there was still uncertainty if he too, fell forth. Both had been lost to sinful lust, and she had no idea of the other children he sired. Perhaps if she knew, the determination if they were of darkness would be true.

"I'm having children." The spirit whispered softly, crystals still falling and unable to stare at him. There was no exictment, nor' even dread. She continued waterfalls, feeling uncertain on all. There only fear, and worry.

But.. Why was she sad? The whole thing sent his mind reeling -- she had come to him, she had wanted him, she was older and should know what she was getting in to. Why did it make her sad? He'd done everything right as far as he could tell. She'd come to him because she wanted children just like Aibreann, right? He didn't see another logical reason.

He verbally fumbled the start, ears sideways, That isn't what you wanted? I thought --  he lowered his head, changing thought, I just want everyone to be happy. It had seemed like such an easy and obvious thing at the time... Now here he was, yet another regret for someone? This kept happening and he wasn't even trying!

She shook her head; it wasn't what she wanted. In her religion- in her morals, it was believed you have children with only one man. Someone so close to your heart, he was a husband, a lover, a best friend. Not a stranger she simply just met, and was whisked away in a fake display of hope. 

Miriam definitely held regret.

She only wished to have it with someone she loved.

Did the darkness catch hold of her?

Would the Goddess forsake her?

.. She must pray.

With crystal eyes and a shaking body, the girl- the woman, the maiden, a lost wolf, retreated to her newfound den. Where she would prepare, for the motherhood ahead.

He didn't understand. She changed her mind? It was the only thing that made sense with what she said and acted. But there wasn't anything he could really do at this point. He was here, he'd continue to be here. And he'd also continue to be confused.

She turned away, but Mal lingered a little while longer before heading off too, leaving what he'd caught there for her to take when she wished. It wasn't like he was too hungry right now. She probably needed it more.