Neverwinter Forest vi. not too cold,

@Vairë (reference)

a smile graced her features but it was thin and bordering on forlorn. how long had they searched? if this place had struck the core of her so, how could it have been for the family she'd lost? 

"i would like that very much," the dove admitted, grinning as her tail swayed against her hocks. 

before she could delve too deeply into the warmth of being welcomed to another village's borders, heph's next words struck her through the heart. 

"vairë?" the word was choked as it escaped, the grin fading as her features splintered into something like grief. she had not worried for the sake of her children's well-being -- she had always known, even when she couldn't remember exact names and places and details and the shape of how her body had curled around the fawn -- that they were in good hands. kukutux had a gift of mothering. moonglow would have kept them safe and loved while she was lost. 

but that did not mean she did not mourn for what could have been. what should have been. 

what was her eldest daughter like? what kind of woman had she grown into? whom had captured the story-weaver's heart? what village would she bring to life? 

none of these answers were in her grasp and none belonged to her. they belonged to kukutux, rightfully. 

still. 

still, lótë felt a keening, a yearning, build in her chest.

"is..is she well? happy?" the words were softer, strained with emotion.