[ AW ] Hush little Butterfly

The Vault stirred in the hush of early waking, the cool breath of stone embracing Elowyn as she opened her eyes. The air was thick with quiet - an ancient kind of stillness, vast and patient. Bioluminescent mushrooms cast their soft glow along the cavern walls, pooling gentle light into the deep places where shadows slept. The scent of earth lingered, damp and rich, laced with something subtler - the whisper of wind carrying the memory of the mountain above.

Her paws pressed against the cavern floor, firm and sure. The labyrinth hummed around her, alive in its silence, filled with whispers of unseen lives moving through its tunnels. She knew them by scent, by sound, by the faint traces they left behind. This was a world of patience, of knowing before acting, of watching before chasing.

She froze - muscles taut, ears pricked. Monarch butterflies, here in the depths, where only the most persistent light dared reach. They drifted through shafts of brightness, their wings delicate against the heavy stone. They did not belong, and yet they were here.

A thought stirred - curiosity, instinct. She stepped forward, silent as the night, tracing their path gracefully. They led her to an opening - a balcony carved by time itself, a place where the Vault met the sky.

And in the hush of the mountain’s breath, she stood, taking in the world beyond the Vault’s embrace.

Notes:: All welcome!

Table @Calatiah, Art @Savveika

Tormentosa

It was one of their off days. The lithe, tall frame of the shopkeep bounded through the Vault. Steps light, a hum in their voice, and a brightness in their aura. They were quite the happy wolf today. Then again... when weren't they a happy wolf? The ember-colored fellow was a ray of sunshine personified.

They have a basket clutched in their maw, it was filled to the brim with various treats for their beloved cow, who was not with them today. Instead, Tor had left her at their home to graze while they went out to the marketplace for a quick grocery run before returning back to their home in the Vault. Normally when they were getting a bunch of items, Sturdy would be there to help carry the load but not today. Today, they only wanted to spoil their sweet cow. They wanted to give her the utmost care and attention!

If only they'd given that attention to where they were going, as well.

"Oh my! Terribly sorry, m'dear! I am an absolute klutz sometimes! I do hope you can forgive me?" The animated wolf barely managed to keep holding onto the basket as they had almost bustled right into someone as they made their way into the Vault. "I've caused no injuries to your person, I hope?" Their eyes and voice were absolutely sincere as they sat back on their haunches and clutched their forepaws together, the absolute picture of apology and sincerity. Their bright eyes roamed over the she-wolf's form, searching for any imperfections that they might have caused. The woman was willowy, small, and cloaked in the finest arctic furs with eyes not too different from their own. They didn't' see anything from visual inspection but one could never be too sure.

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Coding (c) Plymouth

Elowyn did not startle easily. She had long since learned the value of stillness, of allowing a moment to unfold before deciding how to respond. So when the ember-coloured wolf collided with her, spilling their bounty across the stone beneath them, she merely blinked - once, slow, deliberate.

Her gaze swept over them, taking in every detail. They were bright in a way the Vault rarely allowed - fur kissed by hues of flame, streaked with the gentle warmth of candlelight. They were large, yet their energy was light, a bounding presence that filled the space between them without hesitation. And those eyes - green as untouched wilds, carrying sincerity with an openness she was unaccustomed to.

Elowyn tilted her head just slightly, considering them. She did not concern herself with what they were, with names or labels - their presence spoke louder than anything else. They were warm, they were kind, and they were… apologizing.

Her gaze flickered downward to the fallen basket, the scattered treats that had rolled across the uneven ground.

She moved gracefully, lowering herself onto her haunches, reaching out with a forepaw to shift one of the fallen goods back toward its rightful place.

No harm, she murmured, her voice smooth, quiet - contrasting to their own bubbling energy. Her eyes lifted to meet theirs once more, observing how they held themselves, how their concern seemed genuine.

You should watch your step, she added - not unkindly, but simply stating an observation, as if offering advice rather than criticism.

And yet, a glint of something unreadable lingered in her expression as she nudged another item closer to them.

Table @Calatiah, Art @Savveika

Tormentosa

"Oh, that is quite the relief! I'd feel absolutely terrible if I'd injured you in any way, you know? Dreadful business that would be! Absolutely dreadful!" They prattled on and on, their words flowing out effortlessly as they eventually turned their attention from making sure the other wolf wasn't injured to helping pick up their own supplies to place back into the basket.

With the other wolf's words, Tormentosa nodded in agreement. "When you're right, you're right! I am usually much better at not getting myself entangled with others, but I was just off in my own world, you know? I was thinking about this and that and next thing I know, I'm running into poor wolves that are minding their own business! It's really easy to get caught up thinking about other things that you don't pay attention to the current things. Haha!" They caught the item that the other pushed towards them and placed it back into its rightful. "Thank you so kindly, m'dear, helping me pick up my things like this! It's ever so kind!" They were all smiles and bubbly energy, as was their norm. They absolutely loved talking to others.

"I suppose after all this hullabaloo I cold at the very least introduce myself! I am Tormentosa, owner and proprietor of Tormentingly Tasty Teas! I was actually bringing these items back to my beloved business partner! She is quite moo-dy, if she doesn't get her snackies! Hahaha!" Ah, they amused themself so.

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Coding (c) Plymouth

Elowyn listened, though she did not interrupt. She observed the way Tormentosa’s words tumbled out, unburdened, flowing like a river too full to be contained. Their energy was unlike her own - bright, boundless, entirely unapologetic in its joy. It was as if the embers of their coat carried into their spirit, warm and flickering with life.

She nudged one last item into the basket before settling herself, her gaze level. Tormentosa, she echoed, tasting the name, as if deciding whether it suited them. It did.

Their laughter hummed through the space, bouncing off the stone walls, filling the Vault with something lighter than the quiet solitude that usually pressed within. Your friend is lucky, she murmured, not quite smiling, but something softened in her expression. Few are spoiled so thoroughly.

She regarded Tormentosa with thoughtfulness, considered their boundless enthusiasm, their endless chatter. There was something intriguing about them - something utterly unrestrained, entirely opposite to herself.

Elowyn, she offered simply.

No titles, no embellishments. Just a name, carried like a whisper, like the wind that sifted through the cracks in the Vault.

She did not often linger with strangers, but something about Tormentosa was different. It was not unwelcome.

You walk through the Vault like you own it, she mused, tilting her head slightly. Bold, for someone who nearly tripped over their own paws. The words were cool, measured, but there was no true bite to them. If anything, the faint glint in her gaze suggested something close to amusement.

Table @Calatiah, Art @Savveika

Tormentosa

"Isn't she though?" Their eyes practically sparkled. "I do my best to make sure she's absolutely pampered. Just as any dear friend should be!" Entirely omitting the fact that this friend was a cow but hey, who cared about the little details? "It is an absolute pleasure to meet you, Miss Elowyn! If you'll pardon my saying, it might be a good thing that I ran into you today so that we would meet! Hahaha!" Otherwise Tormentosa might have bounced on by without really stopping to say anything.

Elowyn's next words were met with a blink and then a laugh. "Oh, you tease!" They said, waving a paw emphatically. Even if the woman had said her words in anything else but jest, Tormentosa likely would have missed it. They always assumed the best in others. For better or worse. "I'm not sure if I can be anything else but bold! I've been that way my whole life, much to the chagrin of my dear old parents! Imagine, having a loud pup like me bounding around all the time in every which direction talking about all sorts of things. I'm sure I drove them absolutely batty!" They were quite aware of their penchant to talk a lot but was largely unable to control the habit.

Not that they really wanted to. It was uniquely them.

They packed up the last bit of items that had fallen from their basket but didn't move to pick it up, instead, they seemed perfectly happy to keep conversing if the other would have them. "Got any plans for the day, lovey? Did I run into you on your way out to town?"

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Coding (c) Plymouth

Elowyn listened, though she did not interrupt. She observed the way Tormentosa’s words tumbled from their lips, a creature of warmth and brightness - something entirely different from herself. And yet, they remained.

She shifted slightly, considering their question. I did have plans, she admitted, her voice quiet. To study. Her gaze flickered for a moment, returning to what had led her here in the first place - the ancient bones of the Vault, the ruins that whispered of forgotten times. The structure held knowledge, shards of history buried within a labyrinth, waiting for patient eyes such as her own to unravel them.

She had been tracing the worn edges of these tunnels, seeking the stories etched into the stone itself. And then, unexpectedly, she had stumbled upon something else entirely.

Her ears twitched, attention shifting as she noticed what she had momentarily forgotten - the butterflies. Still lingering, still hovering around her, their delicate wings catching the faint light seeping through the fractured walls.

If your enthusiasm extends beyond the likes of tea and cows, you may join me, she offered, simple, sincerely. If nothing else, it would keep you from colliding with anyone else today.

Her head tilted slightly. So your shop - what exactly do you sell?

There was curiosity in the question, though her expression remained all the same. She was unfamiliar with whatever Tormentingly Tasty Teas entailed..

Table @Calatiah, Art @Savveika

Tormentosa

Perhaps a creature more aware of the subtle nuances of conversation might have taken that as a hint to end the conversation, but not Tormentosa. Instead they nodded their head enthusiastically. "Oh! A learned lady! There is ever so much to study, isn't there? I must say, I do enjoy a bit of good reading myself whenever I get the chance! I did also love my studies in school as a pup." They said with a nod.

"Oh my, you appear to be quite the butterfly caller, no? How lovely." They remarked on the butterflies fluttering about the woman. "It is a beautiful sight! All standing there with sunbeams and butterflies all around you!" They wished she could see it. It was like something out of a fairytale, really.

"My enthusiasm extends to many things! Least of all studying, if you'll allow me or accompany me, I'll drop off my basket at my home --it's right up there, you see the one with the cow out back?-- and then we can pop off to go study today! Ooooo! What fun!" They were so very excited! Then again, they became excited by all manner of things. "Well, Ellie, ah, may I call you that, dear? So, in my shop I sell all manner of finely brewed teas! Lavender, mint, chamomile, elderberry, anything at all that you want! I've even got the best milk and honey to flavor it with and pasties of all sorts to accompany it. I do enjoy baking and tea-making, you see. It's my passion! Er, also collecting all sorts of trinkets but that's neither here nor there. Hahaha! And, if teas not your fancy then I'm capable of making flavored water! Just the right thing to take the edge off of the summer heat." And, they would lead the way forward if Elowyn wanted to come with.

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Coding (c) Plymouth

She observed Tormentosa in amusement. Their enthusiasm was unrelenting, spilling forth in waves, colouring the air with unfiltered joy. There was no hesitation in them, no careful weighing of words or restraint - just a creature so wholly immersed in their own brightness that it was impossible not to be drawn into it.

Butterfly caller. She had never thought of herself in such a way, but the idea settled somewhere deep, warming her in a way she didn’t expect. The butterflies still lingered, dancing around her, caught in the shafts of light piercing through the Vault’s stone walls.

Her gaze flickered to where they had gestured - the home with the cow, standing quietly in the distance. It suited them.

She breathed in, thoughtful. Studying was a solitary pursuit. Yet here stood a wolf who had so easily inserted himself into her day without hesitation. And yet, did she mind? No.

Elowyn, she corrected gently, though there was no venom in her words. Shortened names did not suit her.

The mention of tea and pastries intrigued her, though she did not let the curiosity show too plainly. Flavoured water is an amusing contrast, she mused. From complex brews to simplicity itself.

She let the thought settle before tilting her head slightly, as if assessing something unseen.

If you must drop your basket, do it quickly, she said at last, her tone carrying the same quiet resolve she always spoke with. I will not wait long.

And yet, she did not turn away.

Table @Calatiah, Art @Savveika

Tormentosa

"Elowyn, then!" They said, taking into account the woman's correction without a single bit of offense. They liked when others were honest with them as sometimes, they knew they weren't the best at taking hints in their zeal. They knew they sometimes had a tendency to prattle on and on, excitable and happy to conversate about the very joys of life.

"Right you are, m'girl! And most of the times, it's the simple things that make life worth living, don't'cha know!" The simple oft overlooked things. Like a cup of tea or mint-water.

Or meeting and making new friends.

"Righto! I'll be back in two shakes of a cow's tail!" With that, they toddled off at a quickened pace. They could be seen going up to their cow, giving her a pat on the head and carrot from the basket before disappearing into the house.

True to their word, they were in for but a few moments before reappearing, now basket-less. They waved and howled out, "Hulloooooo! I'm on my way back! Don't run off without me! Hahaha!" Of course, this was said with a laugh as they hustled their way back over to the quiet she-wolf. They came abreast of the woman and gave a gallant bow, "Ready when you are, my friend!"

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