Welcome to Gaia! ::

((same acount=oq=lazy booger))

The matriarch of the caravan took the seat with a thanks, and placed her crystal ball upon its delicate golden legs on the table provided.

"Now..." she said, her voice dusty and soft, "what would you like to ask of the meij?"

Valelldia did not burden to suppose, digging into her own mind for answers. Instead, she petitioned the meij, running her hands over the crystal and staring into its depths. As the images solidified, so did her words, flowing from her mouth like a heady, dark cream.

"The marionette you know. This puppet you have seen- but now, puppeted for other than the Fers Queen. This choice, Woodland Choice- he is marionetted. No chance to answer. The choice... is not his. Others beware the choice. Others hold the guilt. Your son, pays the price. And in the direst hour, so shall the Son return... but no longer your son."

--

Lorelei was sleeping, and Vanna was sick and tired of remaining in bed, letting her foot rest. So, wobbly getting up onto her feet, wincing from the sharp pain, she pushed open the door.

The wagons were moored for the night, which was a blessing for the little purple girl. She could crawl as slowly as she needed to. She just needed to figure out where she was going.

She was lonely.

The first wagon that stood out to her was not one of the closest. Pulling herself along the ground, getting her dress and knees dirty, she came up, slowly, to Phoenix Song. Pleased with herself, she struggled to her feet and knocked with her tiny little hand. Then she sat down abruptly on the steps - her foot was aching so badly now. Tears welled up in all three of her wide, golden eyes.

She hoped they were still awake, because she didn't want to crawl back home.

Vanna smiled and cooed a little at Marissa, happy that the woman was awake. This was good!

"Mama sleeeeeeeeeep," she said, simply, pouting. She was learning more words, yes, but she couldn't articulate, or hope to, that Lorelei had been keeping her secluded.

The girl was fine, save for the scratches and bumps on her knees and hands for the crawl along the road. And with her youthful resiliance in place, she didn't seem to mind it at all. She wrapped her arms around Marissa's neck, giving the woman a hug of welcome. "'Issa!"

Vanna looked around the wagon eagerly, peering at things. It was different from Ivy-Twined, but it seemed warmer. More inviting. Ivy-Twined scared her sometimes - at times, it seemed so... so... sad.

And here, well, she could feel sadness, but it was tempered with joy and love, moreso than home. Home had its share, of course, but it was hardly as welcoming.

But one thing bothered her. Somebody was missing.

"... Kale?" she asked, looking around more intently. No, the boy was gone. Where was he? At a sleepover?

She didn't.

She reached out, taking the candle. It was so big compared to her tiny hands, and she held it up, turning it this way and that.

"... no Kale?" she asked, innocently. "Kale back?" Small, small sentences were all she could manage.

But Lorelei had told her that everybody had come back. Everybody. So where was Kale? And why was Marissa calling this candle by his name? She turned curious eyes to her host. "... Cry?"

Vanna stared up at her, mouth gaping. Kale? A candle? But why?

Then she looked down at the Vulpes, hugging it to her chest. "Kale," she murmured, snuggling it up against her cheek for a moment. "Kale." Maybe she thought that repeating his name over and over would bring him back.

"... want Kale," she whispered, sending a panicked look at Marissa. Maybe they should take him to Oqaia. Maybe she knew. She hopped down from her seat amongst the pillows, intent on going to get her friend help.

Instead, she fell straight down to the ground, whimpering. Her foot!

Apparently, she'd reopened the wound. The bandages, dirty from the crawl over, were slowly turning red with fresh blood.