Lion Head Mesa So much (for) stardust

The Gilded Sea was far behind her, and the world beyond stretched on and on like the promise of forever. Melody Dayspring Medeiros was a year old today, and entirely alone in the world.

By her own choice, no less! She did not regret it. Even now the prickling burn of betrayal tainted all her thoughts of home. Staying had not been an option, despite promises that things would be different now. That she wouldn't have to live in the shame of secrecy. Shame was all she could feel now, though; shame and hurt and so much desperate longing for a childhood that never could have been.

So she picked the first place she came across and howled at the border, feeling reckless and defiant when in truth she was neither. Melody was only lost, and looking for a guiding light.