[Tawnleaf] As the season changes... (open)

[Larien Gil'dae]

3rd brightening of Cryxatum, Summer, Era II of the Celestine Mandate
Era XIV Post Fractum, the Second Era of the Regency of Milo L'Evienne.

The crystalline beauty of the Tawnleaf had never failed to astound and delight the young elven woman. There was just something so peaceful, so surreal about it. Its beauty teased the senses... just as its mysteriousness tempted the mind. It was an enigma, just as it was a sanctuary. Within its depths, wrapped in the murmuring silence, Larien felt truly at home. True, there were many memories lingering there in the shadows of the trees, but they were all happy memories. Memories she wished to cherish and hold dear forever. Lazy brightenings spent wandering the paths, learning the groves and clearings with all the intimacy of a lover; flitting beneath the boughs with her cousins Katerynn and Tyav'ondo; riding late into the darkening upon one of her faithful - though rather feisty - mounts...

On that particular brightening as the warmth of summer began to unfold across Syl'rosya, Larien found herself once more within the comforting embrace of the forest, her booted feet falling soundlessly upon the earth. Her long auburn locks had been left loose across her shoulders, cascading gracefully down her back in a scented waterfall of autumn. The tempting breeze curling through the trees teased those locks, sending them flickering behind her as she walked slowly along one of the few paths, her fingers caressing the trunks of the various trees she passed. She had dressed that brightening with comfort being the only thing in mind, having donned the outfit she usually wore when working her two mounts - a pair of simple brown breeches and a white linen shirt that hung open at the neck, revealing her pale throat.

As she progressed through the forest, her steps began to slow until finally, she had come to a complete standstill. Frozen, Larien stood like that for what seemed like an entire candlemark - though it surely had been only a few moments - before slowly lowering her body to the forest floor and leaning back against the nearest tree. The bark was rough against her skin through her thin shirt, though she didn't mind. Tilting her head back, the young woman peered upwards, eerily light green eyes flashing as she followed the line of the tree up and up, all the way to the gnarled boughs stretching forever skywards...