Redhawk Caldera u r b a n i

She was caught in that strange middle period, in-between child and mother. Both and neither, at once. When Ani came to her in embrace, she clutched the girl tight, her tears running freely. Memories of her childhood and of her potential motherhood rose up together, and. . .

Thanks, Ani, she managed in a choked whisper, murmuring the words into the girl's ruff. But let's talk about the leaves again. Aren't they pretty?

Lilitu sniffled hard, blinking to cast away the tears, and pulled back, bending to lift a crimson leaf and twirl it between her teeth at the stem. She laughed and let it fall, watching its descent to the ground.

Anything to banish her failure.

Isn't it pretty, lately?