earth and sky both

[leliana]

Leliana has worn the figurative crown for months now—Queen of the Ashes for most of it, although she prefers to not dwell on such heartache—and still, it feels strange to be the one welcoming others in. When she was a girl, she ran through this land with her sister as orphans under their Uncle’s watchful eye. They were wild and free and mostly left alone. To serve as its Queen now is more than she can fathom.

Still, it gives her opportunities such as this and she finds she cannot regret it.

“I will,” she says simply, her gaze flickering to Rae ever so briefly as the red wings by her side shuffle as almost in secret regret. Not that she does not love spending time with her Alpha—she does—but there is something thrilling about the idea of taking to the sky with a partner. She cannot remember the last time that she had flown next to someone other than her sister and the idea exhilarates her.

But, still, she knows it is best to stay earthbound for now and so, instead, she dips her head, her lips curving into the most gentle of smiles as she begins to make her way further inland. She walks in a comfortable silence for a few steps before she breaks it herself, her voice as deep and calm as the rivers most placid point. “There is much to learn about Tephra, but you will find that she adapts to you. Should you simply want a place to rest, she can be that. Should you want to become part of its family, she can be that. And,” her gaze is light when it looks toward Rae, “should you seek purpose in her ranks, there is the opportunity for such things, as well.” Leliana does not dwell on such things though.

She has little desire to recruit and force their ideals on others.

Tephra remained open and proud and strong—for whatever others needed of them.

So Leliana steers the conversation elsewhere, feeling that faint tug of magic in her bones as they walk, flowers beginning to blossom beneath her, leaving a weaving trail of them in her wake.

“This place has roots in the Jungle,” she comments, remembering Rae’s mentioning of it during their first encounter. “One of her founders, Magnus, is a son of the Jungle and he embedded some of its spirit here.”

Leliana never knew the Jungle or the Amazon, but she has heard stories.

How different her life may have been had she been born into her family’s home of vine and root.

How different she may have been.

it's only you and me there until the darkness calls
let's face the dawn together; we'll brave whatever comes

@[Rae] + @[Jakub]