[ P ] Good Enough

Everything is torn in the river deep

Departing her very first lecture, Nimue was left with much to ponder. Although it was basic, it was slightly overwhelming. Not the so much the content as it was her disbelief that she was physically seated among the other students. It was difficult to even stay present, her mind wandering backward into the timeline she could've swore she closed the door to. Yet...there she was, a mere child being drilled to be a subservient noble worthy of marriage to elevate her family name.

All of those years, spent numbing herself to the expectations of her father and her grandparents...when she could have been here. Learning, growing, blossoming. Instead she wilted and withered...just as her mother had...and they had every intention to kill what part of her mother she had in her. Little did they know, that was her entire being. Nimue wore the features of her father, but she was her mother's daughter through and through.

After the class had ended, she broke from the group, needing to find a place where she could simply breathe her own air for a moment. Even stepping away from the rest of the students she felt as though she were suffocating and by her own doing no less.

It was as though she were facing the shadowed version of herself that threatened and cursed her, telling her she was only worth what someone would offer for her. Gritting her teeth, she closed her eyes and tried to shake the thoughts from her mind and when she opened them once more her head was turned by a colorful array out of the corner of her eye.

From afar it appeared to be a garden of sorts and she stared out curiously, before she made her approach. Upon closer inspection, there were herbs growing here and nearby a bountiful grouping of vibrant flowers.

The crimson shade of the poppies drew her and she let out a shaky sigh. Though she was not as familiar with plant biology or usage...she had a vast knowledge on the symbolism and this particular flower struck her deeply with its significance.

Remembrance...

@Nephele

"Go to the water so very near,
the river will be your eyes and ears."

code by claerie ~ art by ashon

THREAD TITLE MUSE

Work. Work. Work. Nephele was never afflicted with an abundance of time. Every minute counted and her patients needed her. When she wasn't attending to them she was learning at the college, or being a mother and wife. Her life was blessed and full of purpose. Now she saved lives, people depended on her. Things she'd never thought possible for a blind woman. The self sabotaging voice that told she'd never be good enough had been exorcised from her mind. She hadn't heard a whisper from it in over a year and if it did creep back in it would find her much less receptive to its toxicity.

A moment of quiet passed through the clinic and she decided to take a break from her duties. The cottage door creaked open with a slight push from a small dainty paw and she took in a much needed breath of fresh air. If Callister could see her now would he be proud? Life had taken them in different paths of life, but she would always love her brother. He had given her hope when all seemed lost. Without him she would never have fled that awful place. She would have become another sacrifice.

Quietly she settled herself and tucked her legs beneath her atop a cushion of dandelions. Kylar might lecture her later for crushing them, but they were so soft. She couldn't resist.

A stranger's scent mingled with the sweet scent of flowers. Her nose twitched, head tilting and twisting around to find out if someone was nearby or had just passed through. Oh! I'm sorry Are you waiting for treatment? she asked, hoping the stranger didn't think she was rude for ignoring her.

Art by Ashon

Everything is torn in the river deep

Lightly startled by the voice, she turned her head in the direction it came from. Nimue blinked, staring at the woman resting on a soft pallet of dandelions. She must have really been absorbed in her own thoughts. How had she not noticed she was laying there? Her lips parted and nothing but hot air came from her mouth at first while her deep blue eyes scanned the woman, still rather slow to register her presence.

Clearing her throat and shaking her head, she faltered in her speech, which was not typical for the well-spoken woman. "Ah...I, uhm...no, I'm...I'm not in need of any treatment." Her brows furrowed, noticing that female's eyes were shut, but she certainly had her attention trained in Nimue's direction. She was silent within a moment of curiosity before she quickly spoke up again, "Thank you, though..."

She looked around, now seeing a run down cottage in this immediate area. Her focus had been so absolutely settled on the blooms of the garden that she'd failed to realize it might have belonged to someone. Nimue began to take a couple of paw steps backward in retreat and she glanced apologetically at the comfortably lounging wolfess. "I do apologize...I had no intention of intruding on your home."

@Nephele

"Go to the water so very near,
the river will be your eyes and ears."

code by claerie ~ art by ashon

Nephele stretched out her fore paws, spreading out her toes in a luxurious stretch. Oh it felt so good to be outside in the sunshine amongst the flowers. Her face was the image of serenity, completely unperturbed by the visitor’s presence in her garden. The worry of the other woman was met with an understanding nod. Nephele was not the type of person to shake a broom and yell at others to scram from her property. She preferred open doors and welcome signs. Company was always a pleasure for the little nurse especially when it was unexpected. Not at all. Haven’s doors are always open for visitors, she assured her with a gentle smile. And the garden too. I’m sure Kylar won’t mind you admiring our flowers, she giggled, guessing that she was close to the garden by the direction of her voice.

Her wife had put a lot of effort into growing them and Nephele had tried to help out when she could, keeping them watered and talking to them when she had time. I’m Nephele Fritz, she introduced herself, extending a dainty white paw in greeting. It was awkward since she couldn’t see where her visitor was, but she was trying her best to make her feel comfortable.

Art by Ashon

Everything is torn in the river deep

"Haven..." Nimue repeated in a murmured voice, casting a glance over to the cottage as halted in her retreat, gently placing a lifted forepaw down slowly. Her gaze slowly traveled back to the reclined stranger. An odd sense of comfort flooded her as she was gifted a smile and even a giggle.

Her eyes flickered over the garden and she began to relax, her lips starting to betray a small smile of their own. When an introduction was given, Nim returned her attention to the woman and tentatively glided across the distance between them. "Nephele..." She repeated, once more committing the names to memory. "...a lovely name."

She lifted one of her own paws to delicately tap the side of Nephele's extended one as she offered her name as well. "Nimue O'Saoirse." Seating herself, she wrapped her tail close to her body. "I'm a new student of the College, so I beg you to forgive my ignorance."

@Nephele

"Go to the water so very near,
the river will be your eyes and ears."

code by claerie ~ art by ashon

Her brow twitched, expression settling into one of warm softness. Unexpected company was always a boon especially when Haven's beds were empty. Nephele was quite the social butterfly despite her sheltered upbringing. Now that she was free she seized all of life's pleasures instead of shying away from them. A family run clinic. All our medicine is grown right here in the garden, she proudly informed her new companion about Haven. Next to her family it was the best thing she had built together with her wife.

A lovely name, Her lips curled into a happy grin, one that grew wide enough to hurt her cheeks. Paw touched paw in greeting and her tail tumped carelessly against the carefully cultivated flowers. Oops. Hopefully she hadn't damaged anything. That's wonderful! Have you chosen a field of study yet? she asked, excited to meet a new student. She wondered if she'd attended one of Kylar's lectures yet. Neph was biassed, but Professor Fritz was her favourite.

I study medicine part time. You can never know too much, Nephele mused. It seemed that there was always something new to learn about the canine body and mind. Or the practical uses of herbs. She knew enough to teach, but she preferred studying to teaching. Being a parent was enough for her

Art by Ashon

Everything is torn in the river deep

Nimue glanced back over to the garden and to the cottage, putting two and two together as Nephele exclaimed. She could feel the pride radiating from the other woman as she revealed the truth behind the name 'Haven'. And she certainly had every right to feel it, for the many blooms and flourishing leaves were bountiful. "Ah, well I can tell the love you've poured into cultivating it." Nim was truly impressed by the presentation as well as the abundance. It was no wonder the flowers had lured her in from afar.

There was a hesitation when asked about her field of study. It was a thought that had not even crossed her mind seeing as the many avenues were chalked full with the weight of her past. "I...well, no." She frowned, not even having made time to determine what all the College had to offer. Nimue only knew that she wanted to learn more, to know it all. "I haven't quite narrowed down my options yet, I suppose."

The study of medicine, however, piqued her interest. The Art of Healing...of course, why hadn't she thought of that before! She'd mastered energy work at such a young age, it would only make sense to also combine herbal remedies to build on her pre-existing skill. A holistic approach to Reiki could be vastly more beneficial. "You know, that does sound like something I'd be fully interested in after all. If I were to make medicine my focused subject, would you be interested in having a partner to study with? Perhaps you could even teach me a thing or two about your work and about Haven."

@Nephele

"Go to the water so very near,
the river will be your eyes and ears."

code by claerie ~ art by ashon

Nephele’s paws tapped a little dance, both flattered and a little embarrassed by Nimue’s praise. It was nice that even if she couldn't, people could enjoy the beauty of the garden she tended to with Kylar. I can’t take all the credit. My wife, Kylar has a real green paw, she told her, unable to hold back the pride in her voice for how talented her beloved was. And our pups. They’ve helped with the planting, once again she was a doting wife and mother, beaming about her family’s gardening talents. It was a passion that most of them shared, working with nature and the earth. Medicine was something she hoped they would share as well. Maybe once Willow finished her studies she would choose to work at the clinic.

That would be lovely. You’re always welcome to help out at the clinic too if you like, Nephele suggested, knowing that first hand experience was always a good thing when working towards a career. Then I could show you what I do, she added, a hopeful expression settling on her soft features. It wasn’t often that she met another interested in studying medicine. The few that she did know were often busy with their own work and it was rare she got to share her passion.

Art by Ashon

Everything is torn in the river deep

The younger girl honed in immediately on the words 'wife' and 'pups, and her expression softened. Gentle deep blue eyes roaming the other woman who danced on her paws happily receiving praise. You deserve such happiness. Nim thought with a pleasant smile, picturing the other with a family surrounding her.

"Ah, so it's a family affair." She let a small chuckle move past her lips before fading into a sigh. "I'm glad to come to know someone who is thriving from the joy of a live fulfilled. It's a rarity nowadays. You are certainly fortunate." Nimue's words were absolutely genuine, even if in the back of her mind her wish for something similar itched. There was a dream, there had always been a dream, yet it was forever out of reach. It brought her hope, to discover a soul in this world who truly lived a life she could only desire.

"I'd be honored to have the opportunity." Nimue dipped her head in gratitude. She was a learner who reaped benefits from experiences rather than lectures or books. This meeting was definitely something unexpected and very much needed. "Thank you, Nephele."

@Nephele

"Go to the water so very near,
the river will be your eyes and ears."

code by claerie ~ art by ashon

Nephele giggled gleefully when Nimue mentioned the words family affair. The Fritz family were quite notable in Melrose and she was quite proud of what they had achieved together. Kylar as a professor and she as a nurse and both as mothers. She had much to be thankful for when it came to life’s blessings. You’ll meet a few more Fritzs before you’re done with your studies. My daughter, Willow, is a student too and my wife Kylar is Professor Fritz, she offered their names to Nimue so that she might have some familiar faces and hopefully friends to look forward to.

I’d appreciate an extra set of paws around. There’s always work to be done , she hummed thoughtfully, taking a moment to sniff at the flowers surrounding them with a serene smile. I can show you around if you like Nephele suggested, flashing Nimue a quick smile before nodding back at where the cottage was. She waited a moment for her new friend to follow and headed inside Haven. It was a cosy little room with several nooks where she stored her herbs away and rows of nests where her patients could sleep.

Fade to exit via tour

Art by Ashon