02-27-2021, 04:46 PM
despite the overwhelming odds, tomorrow came
While we had survived alright here in Taiga, thanks to Memorie’s and my gift of flora revival, I would be a fool to assume things had been any easier anywhere else. There were times, when I would travel to the highest points around Taiga, that I could see little lights in the distance. I know that the light from Nerine is a fire that burns day and night, something I’d heard whispers of, that Popinjay had lit in order to provide comfort and safety to the residents who lived there. I longed for its warmth on my skin, because even though my winter coat had never shed out from the previous winter, it was still colder than normal, given the lack of sunlight to warm the land. In fact, even now, I shiver against the cold breeze that plays gently with the tassels of my mane and tail.
I laugh, derisively, when he asks if it had been a long day. “What day?” I jest. There is no difference between day and night anymore. Sometimes, when the sky was clear and I could see through the trees, I could see the gentle rim of light from behind the moon where the sun hid from sight, but other than that, it was impossible to tell night from day. Despite the contempt I hold for this eternal night, it is refreshing to be in @[Yanhua]’s presence, and his closeness brings a comfort that permeates the darkness that surrounds us.
Though only few words had passed between us about the quest, I had spent a great deal of time thinking about what would need to happen in order for us to find what we needed. I know that what we seek would be some kind of fantastical, giant, glowing mushroom, and while mushrooms are not exactly flora, I had a gift that allowed me to understand the needs that breathe life into them. Memorie had been the first to truly understand the forest and the plants that she had brought back to life, and she had taught me how to listen to them as well. With that gift, I had searched for the key to finding what we desire. So when Yanhua wonders aloud on where we should start, I have a decent answer to give.
“Well, lucky for us, mushrooms don’t need sunlight to grow!” I give him an encouraging smile, though I’m not sure he would be able to see it all that well in the dark. As he reaches out to brush a lock of mane from my eyes, I lean into the touch, grateful for the warmth it provides, physically as well as mentally. “Mushrooms feed on the gift of life within the forest. There are many mushrooms within Taiga, though none that serve our purpose. I do not know what might produce the bioluminescence in certain species of mushrooms, but I think our best course of action would be to search other forests throughout the lands.” I pause briefly, trying to see his eyes in the dark. The glow of his mane illuminates them ever so slightly. “You know these lands better than I. Where do you think we should start?”
There is a moment of silence between us, in which I could tell he was worried. This was not an easy ask. I know that the last time he set out, his journey to begin this quest, things had been a disaster all around. So I am not surprised when he asks if I am sure. I chew on the question for a moment, though I already know my answer. I step closer to him, pressing my chest against his once more, if only to feel the steady rhythm of the heart beating within his chest, reminding me that there is still a life to live. I rest my head against his neck. “Yes,” I finally breathe the single word into his flaxen mane. I am sure. I am more sure than I have ever been in my life. It was time to accept the fact that the sun may never return, and our little family, our growing family, would need something to look forward to.
I laugh, derisively, when he asks if it had been a long day. “What day?” I jest. There is no difference between day and night anymore. Sometimes, when the sky was clear and I could see through the trees, I could see the gentle rim of light from behind the moon where the sun hid from sight, but other than that, it was impossible to tell night from day. Despite the contempt I hold for this eternal night, it is refreshing to be in @[Yanhua]’s presence, and his closeness brings a comfort that permeates the darkness that surrounds us.
Though only few words had passed between us about the quest, I had spent a great deal of time thinking about what would need to happen in order for us to find what we needed. I know that what we seek would be some kind of fantastical, giant, glowing mushroom, and while mushrooms are not exactly flora, I had a gift that allowed me to understand the needs that breathe life into them. Memorie had been the first to truly understand the forest and the plants that she had brought back to life, and she had taught me how to listen to them as well. With that gift, I had searched for the key to finding what we desire. So when Yanhua wonders aloud on where we should start, I have a decent answer to give.
“Well, lucky for us, mushrooms don’t need sunlight to grow!” I give him an encouraging smile, though I’m not sure he would be able to see it all that well in the dark. As he reaches out to brush a lock of mane from my eyes, I lean into the touch, grateful for the warmth it provides, physically as well as mentally. “Mushrooms feed on the gift of life within the forest. There are many mushrooms within Taiga, though none that serve our purpose. I do not know what might produce the bioluminescence in certain species of mushrooms, but I think our best course of action would be to search other forests throughout the lands.” I pause briefly, trying to see his eyes in the dark. The glow of his mane illuminates them ever so slightly. “You know these lands better than I. Where do you think we should start?”
There is a moment of silence between us, in which I could tell he was worried. This was not an easy ask. I know that the last time he set out, his journey to begin this quest, things had been a disaster all around. So I am not surprised when he asks if I am sure. I chew on the question for a moment, though I already know my answer. I step closer to him, pressing my chest against his once more, if only to feel the steady rhythm of the heart beating within his chest, reminding me that there is still a life to live. I rest my head against his neck. “Yes,” I finally breathe the single word into his flaxen mane. I am sure. I am more sure than I have ever been in my life. It was time to accept the fact that the sun may never return, and our little family, our growing family, would need something to look forward to.
borderline
