i feel a bad moon rising | territory meeting

[lilliana]

The branches above her head are intertwined like cathedral arches. Few sunbeams can reach the forest floor but those that can drift down in beautiful silence. It casts shadows against the leafy ferns and paints the redwoods in several shades of auburn. The golden rays that reach her down here allow warmth to blossom in her chest as the light embraces her crimson pelt; Taiga, for all its fog and forgotten places, can be an achingly lovely place. Those tall trees might seem imposing to some, the mists impossible to navigate for others but these little coves and knolls, these hidden places that lay in wait have embedded themselves in that dreaming heart of hers.

Lilliana walks through the sun rays and has a rare moment of peace. It isn't unusual for the air to be absent of birdsong. It isn't unusual for the forest to lull her soul as it does now - as the quiet wraps around the trees and the copper woman. It settles with Lilli for company and she doesn't mind. (Taiga and the chestnut mare have long made their peace with each other.)

She could spend her afternoon here easily. The humidity is made bearable by the salt air and there is a loveliness in watching the fog evaporate, as it becomes enveloped by light. Pale shades of silver and gold dance together in ways reminiscent of lingering dreams and Lilliana feels a smile curve against her dark mouth as she looks up - the Taiga is waking.

And then the forest does come to life. A cry rings through her sanctuary and Lilli turns her head to the direction that is has come from. That coming smile turns into a thoughtful line and the expression that dawns could be considered conflicted as thoughts turn over in her mind. (She doesn't want to go.) How easy would it be to stay here and ignore that call? Could she ignore it?

That is an easier question and an even easier answer.
No.

Serenity gives way to disharmony as a battle rages in Lilliana's chest - it tightens in angry protest.

The Diplomat sets herself apart from those that had gathered and settles between two younger evergreens for company. They offer her shady companionship and Lilliana is content to let herself fade in the background; where Lepis and her family stand, they command all her attention anyway.

The Comtesse comes forward and starts to speak, unraveling a new future for Taiga. She announces that Pteron will be the heir for the northern forest which isn't so shocking - dynasties and lineages tied to places, lives that bleed into the soft ground they stand on, is something that is not unknown to her. Her expression is contemplative and her ears prick forward as she continues to listen. Lepis is.. leaving? Her throat is closing and suddenly, the trees creep closer. The two that she stands beneath suddenly feel as if they are looming, ready to cast judgment instead of shadows.

Oh, Gods.

There isn't enough air in her lungs. (They are on fire. They burn in their want for more, in their demand that she needs more space. That she needs to get away.) A deep breath does nothing to alleviate the guilt that pushes against her ribs. Lilliana steps forward but she can't bring herself to look at Lepis; she should, she knows. Protocol and etiquette demand it of her but that vice around her throat threatens to close again.

There is so much happening here, in this moment, that it all blurs together. There is a pulse echoing between her ears - run, run, run - that is incessantly pushing her towards a void that she has succeeded in avoiding until this moment. Aten is speaking. An ear is kept in his direction as Lilliana slips towards where the royals stand, coming close enough that they can hear her. How she is able to find a steady word (how she even formulates a thought is beyond her), she doesn't know. But where Aten leads, she will follow. "Pteron," the Diplomat says with a respectful dip of her head towards him, "I look forward to working with you in serving the Taiga." Lilli smiles graciously and then looks to the pregnant woman at his side, his wife. (Does she serve as their shackle or their protection?) "And welcome Reia."

This is all she can do. The roar is back in her mind and there are only moments before her composure cracks - before everything comes crashing down. Lilliana gives a fleeting look to Lepis - a glance that flashes several emotions. The chestnut mare turns to follow Lethia and her children, ready to do whatever she needs to soften the hard lines she saw forming on the buckskin's face.