A delicate nose peeked around the side of a grizzled Homewood tree and sniffed at the air. Dark blue eyes followed, peering past the craggy bark. Her heart was beating rapidly. Anxiety raked her innards like a wild thing. No, I can't, ugh! She crouched back into the safe darkness of the shade, instantly more secure with the wall of taller grasses blocking her in like a small room. A couple of deep breaths later, she quietly stood ad peeked again around the side of the tree.The small doe was nearly hidden in the grass and hanging mosses at the edge of a sunlit clearing. Her ears flicked forward, catching the chiming giggles of a small group of pretty does sunbathing in the warm grass. One said something and they tittered among themselves. They were enjoying a nice day and were completely engrossed in whatever conversation they were having. The small pale noulicorn watched them with obvious longing and fear in her eyes. One hoof raised, quivered, then settled back in place. Try as she might, she could not summon the nerve to go join them. Upset, she lowered herself to her hiding spot again to talk herself up once more.
It's no big deal. Just casually stroll in. Say hi. Nibble some grass like you planned to come to the meadow the whole time. Maybe they will say hi back? Maybe they will invite you to sit with them! Her brain tried to coerce her into thinking it would be ok. The proverbial angel noulja on her shoulder was then immediately canceled out by the black horned meanie that must live on the other. Oh no silly they will stare, and give each other the LOOK. They will stop talking, hoping you LEAVE. When you don't, they will get up and walk away. You will hear them laughing about you as they leave. They might even be laughing at you already! Sunday trembled, looking down at her folded legs. Why was it so hard to do anything, why did she have to fret and second guess herself... then third guess that, then fourth guess even existing?
After a little more back and forth in her brain, her anxiety started to turn toward frustration with herself. This was just ridiculous, she was a full-grown adult and was just not going to get anywhere in this life huddling in grass nests behind trees like a foal. A noise made her flick her ears, then hunker lower into her nest. The does in the field seemed to have gotten up while she was stuck in inner turmoil and hadn't noticed. They were chatting, she could hear bits of what they were saying now. She dared not move now, they would think her an absolute monster for lurking around spying on them even though she really hadn't meant to. Holding her breath, she sat statue-still.
"...yeah Brightheart is doing it I guess." One of them said as she walked along.
"I'm not surprised, talk about amazinnnnnng!" Another responded, obvious respect in her voice. There were noises of agreement. They were walking right past Sunday's hiding spot, headed to the trail she had taken to get to the meadow.
"I don't know though all this resurrecting... GROSS!!"
"YEAH!" They all chimed in then giggled.
"I will stick to my Faery, we are bonded, and she is SO cute!" Another said with an almost snotty air.
"Whatever they are resurrecting, Brightheart wants new guardians for them, but oh my grandfather what if they are UGLY?" More giggles and sounds of agreement. The voices grew faint and then the group rounded a turn in the path and were gone from sight.
Sunday stayed motionless, not wanting to rustle in case they were still near enough to spot her. What! They are resurrecting a new familiar? It was very exciting in her opinion, though scary too. Most things in life scared poor Sunday. What could it be I wonder? She had never found the courage to really interact with familiars, but was surprised at how haughty that group of does had sounded. The bond with a familiar was very special and sacred, at least that was what she had been raised to believe. A new one, alone and scared in a world with no one around like it though... that spoke to her deeply.
The gold doe stood, shook the grassy bits from her hide, and peeked around. The area was clear, the other girls were long gone. Her mind was much calmer now because she was going on a mission and it felt so right even her own head could not argue. It turned out she did not want to go befriend those does, she realized she may be much better off befriending someone who would value her friendship as much as she valued theirs. A smile brightened her perpetually worried look as she trotted off to see where Brightheart and these new familiars were.
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