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Elle paused at the edge of the Hollow, one hand against the telling bark of an old tree. She could just see Lonan, through the branches...and without a sound, she stood for a moment to comtemplate him. He looked like the ghost of an exotic shadow, splashed in contrast upon the bright scene.

Kudzu shifted slightly in his sling against her waist, trying to peer over the edge. Why had they stopped? The babe was enjoying their walk, surrounded by the smell of the fresh blooms and green leaves. The slight wind rustled his verdant hair quietly, a petal from his temple catching upon the breeze.

Against Elle's other hip, a large willow basket rested. A multitude of blossoms filled it, newly picked and all ready to seed. They'd be perfect for weaving crowns, and she had a handful of snowdrops already set aside for Lonan.

Not only Lonan...other colors, and other guests expected. Her stomach filled with warm excitement, mellow and rich. It was times such as these, she realized, that were the brightest in life. Content, Elle stepped forward and made her way toward Drac...though her eyes stayed longest upon Lonan.

"Enough for almost a dozen. What do you think?" Giving the basket a bounce, and the baby in the process, Elle fluffed the blossoms for the lady of the house. Kudzu simply gurgled, spotting a flash of silver, and reached for Drac with one open hand.

Leaning forward to give Drac a brief kiss on the cheek, Elle handed Kudzu over gratefully. The babe settled against her with a quiet noise, gazing up at the branch with wide and pale eyes. What was this now?! He glanced for a moment at Elle's retreating form...his caretaker was easy to spot in her simple white shift.

Setting the basket in the grass, Elle stepped up to Lonan....bare foot as always. The flowers could wait, greetings were best done with both arms. "Thanks for having us. I brought something to help decorate." Tucking one white bloom at the base of his right wing as she slipped her arms around him, Elle offered him a full length hug.

"Something on your mind?" A small bottle hung from a ribbon about her waist, swinging as she slipped back slowly from the hug. He certainly didn't look mopey to Elle...in fact, his face was a warm and welcome sight, as was the brightly gilded Hollow.

Little fingers questing along the branch, Kudzu peered at it serenely. Healthy, a distant part of him noted. Healthy was good. Stretching in the sun for a moment, the babe pushed one fist against his mouth as he yawned. This was a good place!

Smiling at the mute acceptance she felt vaguely surround Lonan, Elle stayed close. It was so comfortable in his arms. If there wasn't so much to be done, she'd risk Lonan's pale skin with a nap in the sun...or perhaps that was Kudzu's wish, pure and drifting. Either way, it wasn't a bad idea.

Always time for that another day. Today was special. Finding Lonan's hand with her own, Elle let their fingers entwine. "How are you? Ah, and Devi...?" It had been so long since she'd seen the young centaur...it would be good to see him home safe.

Kudzu stared up at the canopy overhead, eyes wide and spell bound. What a lovely place to rest! A light, keening noise of contentment left him...like a quiet kettle cooling once again upon the stove. Dappled sunlight caught in the facets of his varied skin, and sent bright blue rainbows across the skin of the solid tree.

Elle stiffened a bit, though more in surprise than startlement. One hand still entwined with Lonan's, she turned with a ready smile...healthy pink high in her cheeks. Her friend had changed, indeed...the creature that stood before her faded the memory of him into a colt. He was magnificent, and at peace.

"Devmani." Giving Lonan's hand one more promising squeeze, she slipped from him long enough to face her old friend. She had changed as well, since their last meeting...her character had deepened in every expression and curve from her slight and green youth. The same was true of Devi, and she held back no longer. "Your tale has grown as surely as you have. It's good to see you, and I can't wait for a quiet evening for us all to share. Lonan mentioned you have your own abode, now?"

Rising onto her toes, as tall as she could stretch, Elle raised her arms towards her old friend's shoulders for a long awaited embrace. Even as she did, her eyes moved just beyond him into the trees...with hope of a glimpse, and a ready smile just in case, for the sweet Stag that used to shadow him so dearly.

Catching her breath as the ground fell away briefly beneath her feet, wrapping her arms tighter, Elle settled back to the grass laughing after the welcome hug. She was a creature of the earth, of cluttered comfort and snug security...something that Devi's energy had always thrown into sharp contrast. Nodding at his words of the Stag, Elle stepped backwards into Lonan's circle once again.

"Soon, then. I'll look this evening for you and yours!" Elle watched as Devi closed the distance to Kudzu, turning to face Lonan with the full glow of her unseen smile.

"As for his story, I'm sure it will. As will be ours." With that, Elle rose a bit to press her lips gently to the corner of Lonan's mouth...not wishing to cause him embarrassment before his family, but unwilling to resist at least a simple kiss.

Across the way, she could hear Kudzu suddenly chime in with a giggle, and Elle settled back to her heels with a laugh. She didn't know if it was the kiss or the visit from Devi that so tickled him, but a happy baby was a beautiful thing.

"Ah, leisure is hard to resist on a day like this. I'll start weaving the crowns...will you join me, or do you have another task?"

Strolling beside her companion, Elle settled down to the grass next to the basket, and patted the seat by her. "The plait is simple, but I hope you aren't prone to allergies!" Pulling color sorted bunches from the basket, Elle arranged them next to Lonan.

"These, the purple ones...then the blue, then the white!" After each was mentioned, Elle offered him a sniff...brushing petals playfully across his cheek. After the delicate white blossoms had been introduced, Elle shifted position...settling against Lonan in the circle of his arms, her back resting comfortably against his chest.

Like this, she settled her hands lightly over his, and demonstrated a simple plait. "After every other crossing, get a new stem and work it in! Ah, it's coming along already." Letting her hands settle along his forearms, Elle watched for a while. She found herself in the most comfortable seat in the house.

Tilting her head back against his shoulder, Elle glanced up into Lonan's pale eyes...contemplating him for several long moments. "Lonan? The others may be arriving soon...there's something of you I'd like to know. Will my affection for Asra make you uncomfortable?"

Her hand smoothed back down his arm as she interrupted his weaving, sliding her fingers between his. Gently, she opened the tie she always felt between them...listening for heartfelt sentiment, but never pushing beyond what Lonan's inner voice offered. It was rare Elle opened as such, but it was an important question, and a more than important answer.

Elle coaxed his hands back into the weave as they spoke, repeating the soothing gestures with him. The garland was turning out beautifully...Lonan had a deft hand. "Unless I'm mistaken, you've never taken Drac or Devi as a lover." Though her words could be taken as humorous, Elle didn't sound as though she were teasing. The world was a wide and complex place, and it was not hers to judge.

"My heart speaks for both of you, and I count myself blessed to have found such beautiful souls in such a short stay. My path with Asra is ever a bright crossroads...one that I will not shy from, even as you and I walk our path together. Unless...you ask it of me." The crown was nearly finished. Elle showed him the simple steps to close the weave and unite the ring, and let it settle in her lap as she tilted to more fully face him. "In my mind, love is meant to be shared...but dedication is something that does not arrive like a blossom on the wind, and leave just as easily. So it is with Asra, yet I hope it will never be such between you and I. My path is only complete as long as you walk it with me."

As much as she wished to brush her lips against Lonan's pale cheek, Elle simply sat...content in his arms. This was Lonan's choice, and no distractions were needed. There was nothing hurtful in her words, or so she hoped...just the truth, as she saw it. Asra was a creature of passion, and that passion cast him dancing where Elle felt no need to follow. This was where her heart had settled.