[ P ] to breathe again

"

H

mm,” the woman hummed, remaining traces of an autumn harvest balancing softly upon her paw, bouncing in rhythm with subtle breaths as she examined them. The final plucked moments, crisping and rotting along the edges, what others with a keener eye have discarded for likely more prime specimens.

“My, I had not suspected I would find such masterful examples of preservation,” she praised, lightly flicking her eyes toward the seller, a small smile parting her lips as though commending their prowess, oblivious. They seemed confused at her readied appraisal, sights shifting between a slight twinge of guilt and opportunity.

Eyes of sea glass blinked a moment, regarding them closely, before focusing once more on what the merchant had announced as a unique commodity for the season. “Happen you be a healer by chance, dear? Only a learned soul would know such a plant’s worth.” They shook their head, gaze removing themselves from the conversation. Laughing would have been an option if it were not so desperate.

Personally, she held no reservations for the capability of sea-faring folk when it came to the cultivation of hardy plants, trade likely their main source of prosperity. Commerce, however, required trust, a sensible unspoken agreement between both parties that goods and services would be equal in value. The war must have been hard for such a lie to pierce the very soul of bartering and look so remorseful for it.

With a delicate roll of her shoulder, the pack she carried slid from the healer-knight's side. Flipping up a pouch nestled in the front of the leather bag, she dislodged a few packets from their resting place, nose gingerly inhaling the contents to confirm their use before offering them to the young man before her. "For the winter to come."

As he accepted the trade and moved to collect his earnings, the woman swiftly brushed the back of her paw against his cheek, noticing the gaunt recess of his muscles as he flinched away. "Keep well in mind that desperation can sow many opportunities, but what will remain once the flood waters recede are the consequences we take to keep ourselves from drowning."

Holding out another packet, Mirah chuckled softly. "Take this tonight, it'll help with the pain." With the dried herbs stowed away, she turned away, looking out over the ocean as its tempest streamed through her silken fur.

It'll start getting colder soon.

@Merrin

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

A market. As Merrin had begun to venture out further from their new home cave, she observed the life of the nearby village. She hadn't made herself known to them yet, simply watching from afar as they moved about their day-to-day activity. It all seemed very quaint, almost carefree. These wolves made a living off the land and they shared what they cultivated with the community. It was lovely to witness from afar as she had and after a time, she decided it was safe enough to begin to immerse herself in it.

At first, the presence of other wolves around her was overwhelming, no matter how small the group. The elder woman's insides twisted and churned with anxiety. Luciel and her had managed to find some semblance of peace here and it felt as though she were walking on shards of glass...one wrong move would be their undoing. She could feel the tension of her muscles causing a light trembling beneath her coat and she focused on keeping her breathing under control.

Vendors would greet her with a smile and it took all the effort in the world to stretch her lips to form the memory of a smile. Merrin only hoped that it didn't appear to be forced. Once her mind wandered and refocused on the many wares of the shop owners, she began to relax, though she remained guarded. A shimmer caught her eye and she was drawn into a stall where many bejeweled sun catchers hung, their chimes tinkling lightly with the soft brush of sea breeze.

In the middle of her awe, a voice from behind her caused her ears to swivel in that opposite direction. She blinked in her own surprise, turning around slowly while lavender orbs scanned the scenery. I know that voice... Merrin gave the shopkeep an absentminded nod of acknowledgement before she allowed her paws to carry her towards the source. When she heard the melodic tone again, he gaze flickered towards it and she caught a glimpse of the radiant flow of golden hair. She could hardly believe her eyes, her breath hitching on the lump of emotion in her throat as she took a few steps closer, calling out to her friend, “Mirah? Mirah Zyphear?"


@Mirah

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven

I

nstinctively, her body paused, a foreign name drawn from the lips of a familiar voice. She spared a moment for her mind to register the abnormality of the moniker being spoken aloud, an ear shifting towards its direction before the rest of her followed suit. The quickening of her heart and the needles in her legs brought to the surface the realization of what she forced to the back of her mind again. The probability of finding them now after so long...

And yet, there she was. Eyes of lilac that had become a comfort to her long ago, the voice trailing in the unsuspected a soft beckon that this was all indeed... real. Materialized. "Merrin," she greeted in return, barely above a whisper. Quickly closing the distance, the golden woman reached out her arms, encasing her in an embrace. "To think such wishes of mine would be answered within a lifetime." Lightly, she draped her head along her shield-sister's shoulder, a soft and airy breath tumbling from her lips. "It has been too long."

@Merrin

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

The moment the Zyphear woman turned to face her, time seemed to stand still. She wondered if she had traveled backward in time as her mind so often forced her to do, reliving a memory of her past. This time, however, it was a pleasant one. She tuned in to the feeling in her paws, expecting them to ache and sting from the continuous trek of her escape from Nalik. The only aching she could feel was that of old age, but Mirah...Mirah was the image of eternal youth. She must have made a mistake. There was no way that it was her dear friend and yet...

There was recognition in those eyes of sea glass and Merrin read her own name upon the lips of the golden wolfess although they were hardly audible. In an instant, the distance between them was bridged and the comfort of the woman's embrace nearly left her clinging to it. Her heart soared and her mouth ran dry at the mere sentiment that someone aside from Luciel and her children had wished to be in her presence.

She peeled herself back from the healer-knight, her mouth moving as her mind attempted to catch up to what she was experiencing. “How...how are you...?" Lavender orbs shimmered as tears of happiness formed and she let out a laugh of disbelief. “I...Mirah, you...you, ehm, you look...you're stunning!" She finally blurted out, feeling warmth spreading across her face as she allowed her gaze to admire the ethereal glow.

If she didn't know any better, she might have assumed her friend to be an angel. It was then that she realized how withered she might be perceived by the goddess of a woman. Her body language suddenly shifted, becoming closed off as a result of her own self-conscious dread. She was keenly aware, that in the past year, she had aged considerably and unfortunately was not given the opportunity to do so gracefully. “Had I known we'd meet again, I might have made myself more presentable...please, excuse my appearance..." She murmured, avoiding Mirah's gaze as she attempted a feeble apology.

@Mirah

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven

A

familiar swell of pride lingered on the sultry curve of her lips as praise danced within her ears. "Of course, my dear," she cooed, knowing well her own worth, briefly placing a paw on her friend's shoulder. "But, one of your caliber should always praise themselves first and foremost before any whom you grace with an audience."

Mirah knew the depths at which Merrin had been shattered. Even though years passed between them, she could recount every sordid detail she'd been privy to, secrets that made her heart ache as the healer-knight observed the woman's self-esteem begin to waver while looking at her.

“Had I known we'd meet again, I might have... made myself more presentable...please, excuse my appearance..." Like a mother, Mirah chastised with a click of her tongue, gently moving her paw to her dear shield-sister's, holding it there. “Perhaps you remember how we met all those years ago along the river." She paused, allowing the memory to settle in between them. “Your paws, shredded, your coat tattered and dirty for the little time in which your life had given you a chance to care for yourself."

With eyes of sea glass, Mirah shifted to peer at her face now. “Then, and now, my opinion is consistent and unchanging, my dear. You are stunning, truly a sight. You simply need a more curated regime to truly make you glow like my humble self."

“Now, to waste our moment of reunion by such thoughts would be a travesty considering they have long since been falsities. Let us venture forth as though we own this day - no less than we deserve - and perhaps you can regale me of your more recent adventures."

@Merrin

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Completely astounded by the words that graced her ears, Merrin was beginning to wonder if Mirah was truly in front of her. L The paw on her shoulder was proof enough. She blinked and when she felt something warm upon her face, she lifted a paw to her cheek to find that tears had slipped from her eyes. “Oh..." She breathed, realizing she hadn't even noticed she'd been crying.

Merrin then gave a soft chicken and sniffled, collecting herself before smiling at her dearest friend. “I'd certainly appreciate whatever tips and tricks you have for your radiance." She admitted bashfully. Lavender orbs wandered to their surroundings before training on Miran again. “There is quite a lot I need to catch you up on. I also would love to hear all about what you've been up to.”




@Mirah

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven