Without having gone to the Grandfather Tree with any set hope in mind, Keevah had spent a time lingering around the grand oak, contemplating the gift that it had granted it her. Fungal. She hadn't been taken aback or anything by this revelation. What did the road ahead look like for her? Keevah had ideas of what gaining ranks in Botanic, Vivify, Atmos, and Solar looked like, what abilities that came with growing in skill. Only way to know for certain would be to try out her new gifts. She wanted to know and understand her gift before appearing before her grandmother. It was proper daytime now and, while it was pleasant up on the rise of the grandfather tree, the wasteland of the barrens would be a less welcoming place to traverse. Before leaving, Keevah had found a small tuberous white root, a root from that mystical oak. She wolfed it down, partially for the hydration it would give her, but also to see what boost it'd give her. The doe felt better and started out across the barrens towards Homewood, not at an especially quick clip.
Best to give her gift a try. In spite of the baking heat, Keevah followed the ghost of a scent on the wind. She knew she was getting closer. Carrion birds circled in shrinking arcs in the air ahead. They kept their distance as she closed the space between herself and the inert shape of a small apparently burrowing critter. It was definitely dead. The sun would dry it out if there was anything left from the birds. Glancing at the passing shadows that still circled about her, Keevah glanced skyward. "Forgive the intrusion, but I must try this..."
Refocusing on the tiny dead creature before her, she sighed and closed her eyes. Drawing deep, the doe lowered her head. A deep purple glowing orb formed at the tip of her horn then descended, breaking into smaller motes of light, to fade into the inert little critter. She stepped back and watched keenly for any changes. It was subtle at first. Gossamer fine thread-like filaments cropped up along the planes and curves along the rodent's body before fuzzy green-white mold began to spread out from these source fibers. Huh! Well okay! Speeding the decomp on its way, ushering the dead once more into nourishing Vykeli. The once circling carrion birds settled in a nearby skeletal tree to observe the proceedings. "Sorry..." She turned and resumed her return trek toward Homewood.
Keevah continued to muse on her gift, resolving herself to further experimentation back home. Ideally, away from her grandmother's ever plotting and planning presence. She'd have to practice with her gift in the bog or in the ruins, perhaps in farther flung pockets of Homewood in smaller scale experiments. It was a useful thing. She didn't mind. The young doe was of two minds on whether or not she looked forward to seeing her grandmother's reaction to learning her gift. Would she feel better if her granddam was surprised at the news? Honestly, she felt like it'd be more disconcerting if her grandmother appeared to already know or as if she expected the outcome. Without a doubt the elder doe could be off putting. Keevah didn't have the same aspirations towards a dynasty. The thought of her mate being selected and groomed specifically for her did not sit well. She didn't want that. It wasn't strange to want to find love on your own or for love to find you in its own time. Yes, hers was a lineage of dedicated, skilled nouls, but her own parents had given sheltered her from the worst of her grandmother's machinations. After their passing, her protection was gone and she was swept up under her grandmother's wing and more openly into her plans.
Before she knew, the silhouette of Homewood grew on the horizon. Hm. After all of this, her trip out to Grandfather Tree, experimenting with her new gifts, the return trip in the burning heat, Keevah decided that she'd go to her den first thing. Rest was in order, maybe more reflection. In all likelihood, her grandmother would probably get word of her arriving back home and would either send someone to get the news from her or potentially make note of the time and chide her for not immediately seeking her out when she did make her way to her. Keevah wasn't going to worry about it. She was too beat to fret so. She'd deal with her grandmother's ire if the elder doe decided to get after her. The familiar cooler, more moist breezes carried out to greet her as she drew in close. Keevah sighed with a little smile. Yeah, rest was the top priority. Every other thing could wait.
[WC: 800]
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