Hushed Willows black in the magic, beauty in the tragic

life wasn't so bad, these days. he'd made trips to visit their neighboring packs, he kept the caches full, and he wiled away his time telling stories and singing songs for anyone who would listen. all in all, it was much like his life on the coast--free, aimless, fun.

still, adi felt something missing, and he didn't know what. he had everything anyone could want, and yet. . .he still wanted. having spent the night on the plains, for once, the next morning he meandered westward, toward the base of the mountains. a small trip would do wonders to clear his head, and maybe in the quiet of solitude, he could tackle whatever was nibbling at him.

he entered a patch of woods they'd passed through on their first journey to dawnlark plains, skirting the edges of a swamp. it was peaceful here, the hanging boughs low, occasionally brushing his cheek like a lover's caress. with a smile, he weaved through the trunks, barely making a sound on the soft earth.

suddenly, movement--a squirrel darted out in front of him and stopped, beady eyes wide with alarm. chuckling in a cheeky fashion, aditya wagged his tail, and sprang after the thing. he did hope it wasn't grayday's pet--but tallulah had vanished moons ago, anyway--but otherwise didn't care, figuring he could go for a snack to sate his appetite before he returned to morningside's territory.

he gave it a merry chase, sailing through the forest, and was hot on its fuzzy tail before he stumbled over what he initially thought was a sleek, smooth boulder, tumbling head over heels into the brush.

"kya hai--" he exclaimed, wheeling around and spitting out dirt and leaves from his mouth, only to have the words die in his throat as he saw coelacanth, who was--who had been, anyway--sleeping peacefully beneath a tree. "oh god, seelie!" he gasped, face horrified. he kept a short distance away, gaping at her and wondering at his foolishness. "god, i'm sorry, i didn't even see you--"

and then he caught her scent, and wanted to die.