Larksong Grotto white fog

where at first she did not speak, now her mother tongue bounced off the walls of the grotto in a looming echo.

o Father Sin, light of day,
thank you for what you have given me.
another day that i may rinse my feet in Your water,
another day that i may touch Your soil.

oblivious to her observer, lousine continued.

i promise to be a humble servant.
i promise to nourish you, to love you, to protect you.
i promise to never turn my claw unless i must for survival.

o Mother Selardi, listening ever closely,
show yourself to me tonight,
and i shall dance beneath you.

the sound of footsteps brought silence forth yet again. lousine looked up, eyes round as saucers, lips slacked. a man — not one she knew. how long had he been watching her?

surprise morphs into wonder. a small smile etched itself upon her face. do you want to join me?