The afternoon air was breezy and shook the trees branches this way and that as if a conductors was leading a musical piece. The sky was filled with big blue black clouds with patches of sun peeking through now and then. It had been raining off and on all day in the Homewoods but the sun had allowed the creatures in the woods to move around before the rain started again. The breeze had a bit to it as it wiped in and out of the den Betty Bay and Chenoa laid in for the night. A shiver ran through Betty's body form top to bottom which woke her form her peaceful dreams. "It was a shame really, the dream had been a good one." Betty thought as her mind came awake, though the more awaking her mind did the hard it was for her to remember the dream. It had been two weeks since Betty Bay and Chenoa had returned form the barrens. They had both been to see their families in that time. Chenoa's mother was very sad when she had learned that her daughter would not be staying. But Chenoa's father was very proud and pleased to see her making her way in the adventurous world. "Do not let anything hold you back form you destiny Che. And please visit often." He leans in to whisper to his daughter "If for no other reason then to stop your mother form worrying and making me crazy." They both chuckled at that. It was sweet to see how close the Jack hop family was but Betty knew it would not be the same for her and her family.
It was a different type of reunion for Betty Bay. Her family was glad to see she had finally taken a familiar, even though she tried to explain that she had not taken the jack hop in anyway. He father spook to her about doing her part for the Homewood and how she needed to go out into the world to being doing the things the Great Tree expected her to do. Her mother stood watchful as always, silent and watchful like a tree growing and age with time but never reviling its secrets. Her mother always stood there and said nothing though her thoughts where clearly written on her face most of the time. Sure Betty new she was loved but it would have been nice if her mother had said something as Betty left. Her family did not send her off with anything cute or loving like "Come home soon." or "Do not be a stranger." No they just said good buy and back to their tasks of completing the Great Trees purpose for them.
"Well that was..." Chenoa stopped at a lost for words as they left Betty's home land. "It was normal." Betty finished for her new friend. "Really? I mean they were...they were so cold and distant." A puzzled dumb founded look was plastered on Chenoa's face and if Betty was not so hurt she might have laughed at the jack hop. " They love me they just do not know how to say it." Betty tried to explain to herself more then Chenoa. They walked in silence for a time not really knowing what to say to each other. Their families where so different and how can a life time of hurt, for Betty, be fixed with a few kind words. Chenoa now had a better understanding on why the Great Tree had gifted Betty with vivify though. Really, it made perfect since. This kind loving noul needed love and healing and what better way to find that then to heal other creatures of their pain.
At one point Betty stopped and nibbled on a small white root. Chenoa did not recognize the root but Betty did not seem to mind it. "If she needs to eat her feelings that fine for now." Chenoa thought has they walked on after Betty finished eating the root.
As the day continued the sun hide more and more behind the blue black rain clouds. Though the rain itself did not seem to come on more constantly. As Chenoa and Betty lay under a fallen tree to hide out form the rain for a time, something in the air came to life. "What the heck?" Chenoa said aloud. "I have now idea but I feel it to." They both looked around in wonder trying to figure out what it was that had the air so charged.
In the distances, at first, there was a reddish swirl in the sky blowing through the branches and leaves of the trees. Both Betty and Chenoa's eyes were fixed on the mist as it can closer and closer. As if being pulled to it Betty stepped out into the rain. The red mist, that looked much like the mist form the Grandfather Tree, descended down onto Betty and filled her with the same warm complete feeling as she had when she had first received her gift.
Chenoa watched in aww as Betty was filled with the mist she had only ever seen at the Great Tree. "Wow" Betty said as she came back to the shelter of the tree to wait out the rain. She was now dripping wet but her hair was still in a bread so she would dry soon. "What just happened?" Chenoa asked in shock and aww. " I think I was just blessed with another gift." Betty said in her own shocked voice. "What gift?" "No idea but I'm sure it will revel itself to me in time." Betty lay there with a since of comfort still left form the mist. "I must be doing something right." She thought as she lay there. "After all the Great Tree sent me another gift." Betty had now idea that the mist had anything to do with the small white root she had eaten earlier. But maybe that was better for her not to know.
The rain stopped for a time and Betty and Chenoa where on the move again. "So this day is just a dragging on. Isn't it?" Chenoa asked in a dreary tried of it way. "Yes it is." Betty answered and no sooner where the word out of her mouth when her mind grow dark and yet bright at the small time. The world around her fell always into until there was only the creatures of the Homewood filled her mind. They looked like misty see throw shapes of themselves in the darkness of her mind. In moment her mind moved forward like someone racing through the night, then came to a complete stop by a small baby bird that had fallen form its nest. "Oh no." Betty said without words.
"Hello..." an familiar voice said "Hello!?! Are you ok Betty?" It was Chenoa calling Betty back to Vykeli. "What the...?" she said with a shack of her head as her mind cleared and came award of the Homewood she was physical in. "We need to help him." Betty said as if that explained it all. Racing off in the direction of the bird, Betty knew right where to go. Chenoa must have censed that Betty was about to bolt because she was right on Betty's tail. It was not long before they both came upon the bird. The poor thing had clearly fallen out of it nest but did not seem to be hurt in anyway. "Aww you poor little guy." Betty said as she approached the bird. "Ooohhhh. I see." Chenoa said has she stopped a little ways off to catch her breath form the sprint they had just ran. "Well you just need help back into your nest don't you little one." Betty talked to the bird in a baby voice Chenoa had never heard before. With a giggle Chenoa hopped over the baby bird and picked up the cute thing, then she hopped up onto Betty's back and then up her head and carefully placed the bird back into its nest just in time before the rain started again.
Night was beginning to fall and now that the rain had started again both Betty and Chenoa where very ready to find a dry place to sleep. Much to their pleasure and surprise there was a large wayward pine just behind the tree the baby bird had fall out of. "This will work for tonight." Betty said as she made her way under the large long arms of the tree. It was warm and dry under there and the pine needles made a great cozy nest for them to sleep on. Sleep came fast for them both that night even as the rain drummed the ground around them. They had been through a lot this day and who knew what the next day would bring.
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