Blessed, cursed or simply gifted...? (Kitty)

[fog]

1. Waiting


Green, deep, dark... the last rays of the sun filtered through the branches, their light barely reaching the forest soil as the tree trunks were immensely tall. Coils of mist slowly started to enwrap their tops, sensually widing around them like a magician’s smoke and creating a curtain that would later on prevent any visual contact with the stars. The organic smell rising up in waves like a miasma, was a mixture of composting leaves and branches snapped and crashed down centuries ago, rotting in silence under a carpet of moss.





Three figures slowly and silently sought their way through this cathedral of nature, around huge roots twisted like monstrous snakes, until finally reaching the next small glade... the peace only disturbed by crackling sounds when they stepped on the rare crispy grass spots.
The largest of the three suddenly raised his hand and they stopped.


“What is it?” a female voice whispered.

The large person, a male, shrugged,” A feeling, …” the head under the green hood turning and looking at the smallest of the three.
He kneeled down and laid his hand on the shoulder of the child. “Now we are going to be extra quiet, you did great so far, but now its very important.”

Two big eyes from under a small hood looked back and a little head nodded. “Yes, daddy...”

“Thats my little girl,” he patted her cheek and offered a short but warm smile before rising and talking to the female,” You stay with her, I’m gonna look what is ahead.” He glanced at the little one,” I’ll be right back, I promise.”

The woman, her head also covered under a hood nodded and took place behind the child, one hand protective over the little chest, the other reaching out for the handle of her blade.

Both stood there quietly, listening to the sounds of the first nocturnal creatures and ignoring the enthusiastic but also bloodthirsty insects.

A shout, a scream sounded in the distance, echoing in every direction.

The woman froze a moment, her hand clenching and her fingers grabbing the child’s clothes before taking some steps backwards, and finally making them fall back in the relative protection of the forest behind them.

More shouts and screams filled the air and there was absolutely no doubt her husband was in great danger.

Torn between protecting her child and saving her husband, she made a decision. Quickly she kneeled down in front of the child and lowered her own hood, revealing a rather young face and long white hair. “Alright, we are going to play a little game now. I’m going to make you invisible and you have to stay here. Then I’ll call daddy and ask him to try and find you, okay?”

The little child nodded and said,” Is... is daddy okay?”

“I’m going to get him right now....” she said, just before mumbling a mystical word making the child disappear from her sight. “Stay put... don’t go with anyone and as always... never tell them your name.”

The child nodded, but that was not to be seen by the woman who after a short pensive look took off in the direction of the earlier shouts.

Not much later one big scream filled the air and after that everything was pretty much silent again.


The child peeked from behind the tree where her mother had left her, but didn’t move from her spot. “Only mommy knows where she can find me, but first daddy must try...” she nodded to herself before sitting down on a big root, opening her mother’s backpack and taking out an apple...

[fog]

2. Found


During mornings in forests like these, even after some fresh snowfall, it takes a bit time before the soil is lit enough to wake up the local wildlife. Still, there are always early birds, and not all of them have wings.


A large brown but rather slender creature with a bushy tail and large eyes moved rapidly, circling an enormous tree and traveling downwards. It were its large claws gripping the dark tree bark that made it capable of performing such an vertiginous descent.
On occasion the creature stopped, using its excellent sense of vision to scan its habitat, not only to look out for predators, but also...

Suddenly it continued its journey downwards, but this time almost in a straight line as if it had spotted something of utmost importance. And yes indeed, its eyes were locked on a green spherical object. The creature sniffed and stopped, its big eyes blinked a moment before shifting between the object and something else just below him.
Slowly it moved down a bit but froze when this ‘something else’ stirred.


The sleeping girl, with her head resting on a backpack and against the trunk, yawned just before her eyes cracked open, only... to meet the gaze of a creature just three feet above her.
Both blinked a moment.

Then she screamed loudly, only the way like little girls can do, her face in fear and clearly startled, … certainly after those bad dreams in which dreadful creatures had come to drag her parents away from her.
With unseen haste and more rapidly than its descent could ever have been, the large squirrel fled upwards over the bark disappearing in the tree tops only in a matter of seconds, wisely concluding that that nice looking apple on the girl’s lap was just not worth the risk.


A few moments later three slender and rather short figures stepped out of the bush, all wearing green-brown forest clothing and their faces partially covered by hoods.
The little girl saw them immediately and with big eyes she pressed herself against the trunk, her little hand looking for the knife in her mother’s backpack as the left one stepped closer and kneeled not far from her.

“Leave me alone !!!” she yelled.

Before the kneeling figure could say anything back, suddenly a huge white cat-like creature showed up from behind the other two and jumped on the one kneeling.

The little girl blinked and almost screamed again as she saw how that person was knocked down.
The one smacked down laughed though, just before saying something to the ‘cat’ with a crystal clear and almost musical sounding voice... the voice of a young woman.

She caressed the cat’s head and sat up again just before sliding her hood a bit backwards, revealing a pair of elongated pointed ears and a very beautiful face. Long white blond hair fell down over the young woman’s shoulders. To the little girl she looked fourteen, that was if the young woman would have been human.





Rubbing the ‘cat’ behind its ears, the young elf turned her attention to the little girl again and spoke in common, though not quite well.
” You is not fear, … who is you?” Her voice sounded very friendly.

The little girl, whose head was still covered under a hood, and clearly still a bit shaken up from both encounters, bit her lip. Don’t go with anyone... never tell your name, her mother’s voice in her head sounded.
It had been more than two nights now, and her daddy hadn’t found her yet. Neither had her mommy. She was starting to get thirsty and the apple, now laying in the dirt of the forest soil, was her last. The little girl lowered her hood too.

To the three elves the face of a human child was revealed, and she couldn’t have been much older than five. But even more striking were the little girl’s hairs... dirty yes, but indisputably white.

The little girl looked briefly from the young elf to the white ‘cat’ and back, and as if she had just concluded that she wasn’t going to be eaten, she answered,” I'm... Kitty...”

The young elf’s lips curved into a friendly smile as she extended her arm, offering her slender elegantly formed hand to the little girl,” Me is Neesha, ...you come?”

[fog]

3. Home


Spring. The luscious green canopy let the morning sunlight filter through in fingers of emerald greenish light. Chirping birds high up in the trees sang their most beautiful song like troubadours calling out for those whom they adored. The sweet scent of flowers and other young vegetation was easily to be perceived in the crisp air of this ancient forest.

A slender human girl with long white hair started to cross a rather broad and sturdy wooden hangbridge connecting two important parts of the elven village built high up against the massive trunks of thousand year old trees.
Right in the middle of the bridge she halted. It was almost five years now and still this was one of the most breathtaking sights, beckoning her each time to look. Every day she passed there, enjoying the view as if she saw it for the first time.

She was looking at a big open spot in the forest surrounded by immense trees. From this perspective the center of the village was visible. On several levels around the trunks she could see the comfy and airy elven buildings, mainly constructed out of wood, rope and growing vegetation. They were designed so that they looked as being a part of each tree. Some were provided with circular terraces and paths, while in several places elegant arched bridges connected these platforms with one another.

Kitty could see how elves found their way to other levels over small wooden paths, pendulum stairs and simple elevators, all on their way to their daily activities. Down, on the forest floor, the first were taking place. A group of young archers checking their gear and preparing for their training deep in the woods, elven children playing and running around till their teachers arrived, a few craftsmen starting to gather their materials for a long day of diligent work, merchants making their first business deals...





The girl continued her journey downwards now, briefly inclining her head to any passing elf, and stopping for a small conversation when required. It was sometimes so hard for her to adapt to the elves’ life rhythm.
And sometimes it was so difficult to comprehend! She was always so eager to learn and try things, and the ones raising her weren’t really lazy but why did it always seem like she needed to have so much patience? Like right now, she was on her way to her first archery lessons but it seemed to take ages to get there!

Sure, she wasn’t the only human in town, and those that had tried to explain to her said humans just evolve much faster than elves. Humans feel the passing of seasons in their blood, while elves rather feel the passing of decades. For instance, it takes more years for an elf to reach emotional maturity than for what any human could possibly ever live.
One time she even found herself being accused of inhaling too much air, and adding too much energy to a certain action.
Time seemed rather unimportant to elves.

And... there was another thing... it could take months, even years before most elves in this remote community considered one as a friend, but once they did, it was generally for life.
Thus far Kitty had had less real friends than one hand could count.
When she just arrived there was this elven child named Alya with whom she played for a year or two... but right now Kitty had already ‘outgrown’ her. Sure, they were still friends, but Kitty’s interests and therefore her activities had evolved.
Another one was Vanya, a tall elven girl whose mental age was comparable with Kitty’s current. They had been friends for two years now and showed common interest into this archery thingie. As a matter of fact, Kitty was looking forward to spending the day with her friend while learning stuff.
And her third and final current friend was Neesha, one of the girls who had found her five years before and often visited her to take Kitty for a walk, and talk about daily things. A few more years and she would ‘catch up’ with her...

The girl sighed, of course no one really proved to be unfriendly to her, and her foster parents had accepted her as their own daughter. Almost. With her foster mom things were really good, and as soon as she had a degree in archery, Enessa had promised to take her out hunting. And not only that, the elegant elven lady showed her a few secrets of the elven kitchen and even tried to innitiate her in the basics of magic... the last one without success though.
Her foster dad, that was a different story. Sure, he would stand up for her when she got herself into some trouble, he would defend her when someone ever bothered her, he might even give his life for her... but they weren’t close. It was Enessa who simply gave Kitty the love she needed.

She stopped on another bridge, the distant gaze on her face probably telling any passing elves the girl’s brain was drifting away.
It seemed it all began to fade, how her real parents looked like, how they were, the things she had experienced as a little child...all these memories seemed so fragile, a few seemed to stick, but others simply... vanished.

Kitty quickly dried an eye and moved on...

[fog]

4. Shadow Hunt


Late afternoon, somewhere near a path in the middle of a dense emerald forest, bathing in a hauntingly greenish light, two slender figures dressed in dark green coats crouched down while holding their breath.





In their hands, each of them carried a magnificent longbow crafted from different woods to increase its effectiveness in every possible way. Handsculpted white symbols decorated the full length of each bow while the ends were a bit curved and slightly flexibel, adding speed and a smooth pulling draw.
A breathtaking weapon like this in the hands of a person skilled enough to handle it, would after years of training and experience provide its user with a tool of accurate lethality.


One of two figures nocked an arrow, the bow pointing towards the ground and the shaft of the arrow resting on the wrist holding the weapon. The three black fletching feathers were orientated so that a single vane was pointing away from the bow. Two slender fingers and a thumb were lightly holding the arrow on the string.
A moment later the bow was slowly moving upwards, the string being stretched simultanously, and the head of the long slender arrow silently rising and brought into position.


The other person lowered her hood, and a beautiful young woman with long pointed ears was revealed. Raven black tresses rolled down over her shoulders, contributing to a sultry and intense look. The irises of the slightly slanted eyes had a deep blue color and seemed to supervise the other person’s doings. Her skin couldn’t have formed a bigger contrast with her hair, pale with a weak blue-green shine caused by the current light under the dense forest canopy.
Her lips curved into a smile, making her almost look like a pixie, with wonderful, warm dimpels in her cheeks.


“Wait…” she said with a soft voice to the archer.

The hooded figure in front of her turned her head slightly to indicate she was listening but her eyes remained locked on the target.

The elf whispered,“ I know that we don’t share the same physiology, but you have enough talent to acquire some of our abilities. Perhaps I can teach you something new today.”

The hooded figure relaxed her bow arm a little and fully turned on her heels until she faced the moon elf behind her.

“This may take a while to learn, so take your time but pay attention.”

The hooded figure put her bow down and lowered her hood, revealing a young human girl of about twelve years old. She had long white straight hair, tied up in a pony tail. Her face was rather slim and the skin lightly tanned.
Kitty only nodded, like always not saying much during the hunt just like how it was taught her.

Her eyes were locked on the elf who was backing up now… and suddenly… the girl blinked as the elf had disappeared.

“... I’m still here, Kitty ...” A whisper sounded somewhere on her left, yet very close.

Kitty’s lips parted and closed again. Ilnin was now the first Shadowhuntress she observed doing this so close.


As for herself she had learned how to move through the forest, lightning fast assessing each surface before setting foot on it, retaining her balance in motion and adapting to whatever obstacle she crossed.
If a situation proved to be too difficult, like for instance when it was not fully possible to absorb the step while moving, she had learned how to manipulate or even use ambient noise in order to remain undetected. Moving silently was easy when enough time was given, and it sure had been a challenge to perform it at a higher pace.
The young girl was also fully aware of the subtle, rhythmic qualities of breath and body, and how that could be used to focus even further in optimizing her movements but also to keep her mind alert.


But what Ilnin just did was of a wholly different nature. And before she knew it, she heard the gurgling sound of a trachea releasing it's air through the blood.
Kitty quickly turned around and saw the elf standing next to the body of the deer they had been tracking down.

[fog]

5. First butterflies

Late spring was really the best time of the year, the warmth of the sun was increasing by the day while the air still smelled fresh. Butterflies swarmed around everywhere, and if they landed on a shoulder it’d be seen as a token of luck.
Not far from them they could hear the laughter of elven children sliding down smooth branches on leaves the size of tiny sleds. Screaming and laughing they plunged into the water of a nearby creek.





Up in an ancient willow tree rustling in the breeze by the water whilst the wind gently swept across the meadows, a wonderous scene was about to take place.
The two elven girls giggled just before their lips met, soon diving into what looked like a more deeper kiss. With big eyes the white haired human girl witnessed how those thin lips merged with each other and how the girls slowly started to tilt their heads. She scratched the back of her neck nervously when she saw how their hands started to brush over each other’s arms.


Even though she more or less knew how elves in this community thought about love and mating… it was still weird to witness her two friends kissing with each other. The one on the left was Neesha, the girl who had found her now more than seven years ago. The other was Neesha’s current lovemate.
Until a certain age, it was rather common here to have a lovemate of either sex, and sometimes even to have more than one simultanously.
These ‘bonds’ seemed to take place mostly during the elves’s youth, which gave them plenty of time to explore and experiment with the concept of love since the time needed to reach maturity even outlasted the lifespan of a normal human being.

Around the age of hundred, hundred and twenty, most of the elves in her community found a person who was close to him or her. They actually then choose a partner and usually then someone of the opposite sex.
That bond made them lifemates and they were loyal to each other, meaning they engaged themselves to that partner, especially emotionally. Although still free in their sexuality, lifemates not often go that path as even among elves jealousy wasn’t unfamiliar.

Kitty however was under no illusion who she was. She was human and for her things were just evolving more rapidly, and thus this explained her curiosity. She wondered if she could do it… could kiss someone, either boy or girl. For now her gut told her she was only into boys as that still seemed or rather felt the most natural. Or maybe it was because of growing up around here, and realising that a steady relation in the end consisted of two partners of the opposite gender.


Neesha and her girlfriend’s lips slowly parted and both girls looked at Kitty.

“You is try?” Neesha said with a smile in broken common,” Me or Lina?”


It certainly was tempting, here high up in the trees, hidden between the green and away from other curious eyes. The now thirteen year old Kitty had no idea how the elves looked at her and how much they would grant her when it came to things like this. She felt how her heart started to bounce against her chest, and how her stomach was going crazy for a second… while she wondered how it would be when her lips would connect with one of them. She flushed visibly by the thought of that, and then shook her head slowly.
No, ... this was something she would do with someone who felt special. Perhaps... with the son of the village leader. She felt a flutter in her stomach now when thinking of him. How would he…


Then she realised the two other girls were still looking at her.

“Maybe later…” was all she said before looking away, and still flushing...
Perhaps she should feel blessed just because they proposed it?

[Layla0340]

Very nice!

[fog]

6. A peculiar friend


Kitty licked the blood of her chapped lips, in an attempt to clean and moisten them. After examining the entrance to the cave nearby and listening intensly to the surrounding area, she put the ropes holding her to the test. It was hard to free herself, but when the drow tied the rope around her chest, she had been smart enough to take a deep breath in order to expand her lungs as much as possible and thus creating a loose spot for later.
Easy enough, were it not for the fact that the dark skins had also tied her wrists and her ankles together after she got tied up against the pine tree.


Suddenly she felt how the earth under her feet started to tremble, and immediately the white haired girl ceased her attempts to escape. ‘Rock’ was back.
Only the gods knew why they eventually left her here as soon as the first light of dawn appeared in the East. Just before they abandoned her and went for that cave, one of them had summoned some kind of warden, and left it here to guard her. ‘It’… indeed.
Rock wasn’t just a being but an incarnation of the earthly elements that composed existence… dirt, stones, and probably some metal. And he was huge!


Kitty caught sight of ‘it’ and remained very silent. At first she had been scared, convinced they were going to feed her to it or something, but soon it appeared Rock was only there to guard her. She had no idea why though. Until the dark skins came back?
Kitty shook her head. It didn’t make sense since they just could have taken her with them, back to their subterranean homes in the Underdark, a sunless realm of which she only had heard few stories. According to those it was a sinister, dark and immense world consisting of muddling dungeons and caves occupied by the mostly deadly creatures one could imagine, many of them even a lot worse than her creepy captors!


As Rock came near, something that could pass for a head turned with a grinding and stone crushing sound in her direction and two dead eyes, each nothing more than a deep hole in the gigantic heap of mud offered her an empty gaze.
Kitty shivered because its lack of real eyes, and it made her feel uncertain yet also wonder whether the creature really saw her or sensed her in another, perhaps unique way. She had no illusions though that this creature would let her escape and somehow she also assumed Harry would be a lot faster than she’d ascribe to him… no… it!
It would be a mistake taking Harry for an intelligent creature.


Rock started another round, and thus far Kitty had discovered a pattern in it. Now would be another chance to free herself.
With a single finger the fourteen year old girl tried to untie the ropes around her wrists. She wriggled in an attempt to free her hands a bit so that her left hand would have more room and her finger could go push the rope end a bit back. But it just felt like it wasn’t going fast enough. For a moment she wondered if the creature could notice small differences in her ropes, position of her hands and her pose.


“Psshhh… you need helps?” a tiny voice whispered.

Kitty looked around and tried to trace the source of the voice. It had sounded so near. Then she looked down left from her feet.

A tiny girl looked up at her and waved up with a mini hand. The fey couldn’t have been taller than her boots. She was incredible beautiful and had a flawless sunkissed skin with a hint of woodland green. The wings were a bit dragon-like and Kitty counted four of them. Her hair was raven black and tied up in two tiny ponytails. Her dress was dark green and the fabric was so cut it left a fair share of bare leg.





“Euhm… hi?” Kitty whispered,” Can you help me??”

The fey glanced a moment in the direction where Rock left and then looked back up with bright and intelligent eyes,” Sure! I’ll be right back.”

With the sound of a bee the little fey took off and to Kitty it seemed she went after the huge elemental. She pricked her ears up but could only perceive how the buzzing faded and made way for the natural sounds of the forest.


About ten minutes later the fey hadn’t returned yet. But then it struck her! Now was about the time Rock would do so as well. She focussed but didn’t feel the slightest of trembling. Perhaps…

“Hi!”

There she was again, down at her feet.
“Hey… that thing…?”

The tiny fey nodded rapidly,” It is uuuhhmmm…” she tapped her chin,” Sleepies! Yes! That’s it, sleepsie sleep!”

A sigh of relief escaped the white haired girl’s lips,” Thanks… now I can free myself up.”

“Okies! My hands are too little, but maybies I can helps!”

Kitty nodded and only minutes later she was free.
“Come, lets go away from here,” Kitty said pointing at the cave entrance,” Evil dark skins may lurk in there.”


The fey’s wings started to produce that buzzing sound again and soon she flew after the young human girl who ran through the forest.
For an hour or two Kitty barely said anything as she just kept running to get as far away as possible from that cave.
Finally she had to stop since she was simple exhausted, and thirsty.

As if the fey had read her thoughts, she said,” Nearby is a rivers… that way!”

Kitty sighed and got up again, nodding, but too tired to say anything back. Her mouth was too dry, her throat too sore for that.
After another small hour weaving through the trees in these to Kitty unknown parts of the forest, she broke free of a dense patch of needle leafs and suddenly rolled down an embankment only to end up with her legs in the water of the river below.
A nervous giggle escaped her lips and quickly she started to drink, using her hands as a cup.

“You was thirsties!” the little fey smiled at Kitty who wiped of her lips with the back of her hand.

“Hey… thank you, miss…”

The fey giggled,” No name no name!”
Kitty raised a brow, but the fey only said,” Friends?”

Kitty smiled,” Of course! And if there is ever anything I can help you with…”

The fey landed and took a seat on the human girl’s lap, her eyes looking down.

“Hey? What is it?”

“I was looking for my families when I founds you… looking for weeks now.”

“Weeks? Something happened?”

The fey nodded,” Is long stories, but… me must go now, find thems. There is village that way,” she pointed eastward.

“Hey, wait now… I can help you.”

The fey look up at the girl, eyes hopeful,” You can? Hows??”

Kitty smiled,” I’m trained as a tracker by the elves.”

A bright smile appeared on the fey’s little face,” Yes yes!! Need a trackeries!”

“Humm, but first I need to get back to my village and let my foster parents know I’m alright.”

“Ohhh… I understands…” the fey sighed.

Kitty frowned,” … or… well, no. I’ll help you first. Tell me everything you know, but mind you.”

“Yes??”

“I am not going back in the direction of those caves.”

The fey fiercely shook her head,” Thinks it was bad direction anyways! But now with a trackeries!”

Kitty nodded and smiled,” Yes, I will help you, little friend…”

[fog]

7. Between sun and shadows


The elf smiled a bit at her foster daughter,” Are you certain you ate enough, my dear?” Enessa glanced at the half empty plate on the other side of the table,” Even a child eats more.”


The fourteen year old human girl with pretty long white hair rolled her eyes and nodded,” Yea mom… don’t worry.” Swiftly and with well-coordinated leaps as if she were an elf too, Kitty disappeared through the door opening and found herself a few seconds later balancing on a long thick branch, sticking out like a long limb and forming a connection with the towering tree next to theirs. Despite being a lightweight, tiny twigs crunched under her feet while she crossed this natural bridge. Out here in the open, between the towers of the forest, Kitty felt insignificant but also absolutely free, the view of the enchanting place around her beckoning her heart and soul.





The exquisiteness of the dawn’s light poured in the shape of long, slender fingers, lancing through the lush green canopy, and all together forming a loom of light filtering down in seams of gold, left even the eldest of elves breathless. Bit by bit, the glory of the marvellous forest was slowly revealed as well as the serenity in which this community lived and had developed their habitat.
Kitty continued her journey without fear of heights and jumped off on the other side. She was just in time to catch her friend Neesha coming out of her home.

The young elf raised her arm and waved,” Hey! You is coming?”

“Aye aye, what are we going to do?”

Neesha pointed in the direction of the dense forest,” We is going see the waterfalls, see to catch fish.”

“Oh! Shall I get my bow?!”

Neesha nodded,” Me waits here.”

Kitty smiled at the prospect of another splendid day. She really loved to hunt, and all the more with Neesha who slowly was becoming a better friend than she had ever imagined.
She leaped back on the branch and commenced the crossing.


Neesha watched how the human girl, just as fast and agile as an elf made her way back, a longbow and a well-filled quiver over her shoulder. It was amazing how Kitty could be mistaken for one of her kind, especially when observing her from a distance.

“All set!” the white-haired girl beamed a smile, betraying total happiness.

And that was just one of the many things why Neesha liked her so much. Kitty’s smile was just contagious. Anyone who passed this girl when she was in a mood like this, would have a hard time in not returning a smile. Just like her...
Neesha smiled warm upon her friend and moved an arm around her,”Come, I show you how we catch fish with arrow.”

But the moment Neesha’s arm touched Kitty, the young girl sank to her knees and collapsed.

“KITTY !!!”

...

Three hours later the cleric left the room to meet up with the gathered and concerned elves.
Enessa got up from her couch,” And, how is she?”

Neesha inched a bit closer, still a bit shaken up.

The cleric shook his head a little,” For the moment she is stable. But…” his voice faded.

“But…?” Enessa whispered.

Neesha took another step, hoping to catch the news about her friend.

The cleric looked from Enessa to Neesha and back before laying his hand on her shoulder,” I am truly sorry but I cannot help her.”

Enessa swallowed but remained calm,” How do you mean?”

The other elves gathered now all pricked their ears and a few frowned, looking at their respected healer. What was that supposed to mean?

The elf took a deep, inaudible breath,” I'm afraid she is dying.”

Enessa slapped her hand before her lips and almost fainted, were it not for Neesha to hold her steady.

Tears pooled in her eyes,” What what… “ her lips shivering.

The village healer lifted his hands,” Not yet, but she slowly will.”

“But, but you have to help her!”

“I’m afraid it’s beyond my power. Her inner body seems to have a medical anomaly. And it’s natural. I tried to heal it, but it only restores to its original state… which is unfortunately the state with the anomaly.”

Enessa gasped,” What… what kind of anomaly? Can it be repl…”

The healer shook his head and said softly in a regretful tone,” … it’s her heart…”

...

[fog]

8. Sunday bloody sunday


What they didn’t knew was that Kitty in the days after, picked up the news about her condition yet hid it to everyone.
She recalled how she got out of bed and just before she opened the second door towards the patio of her foster parent’s house, she heard them talk.

Only dressed in a white flowing lightweight nightgown made off the finest elven silk, Kitty sank to her knees just behind the door with her hands folded over her chest. Her skin which was already pale, turned even more white. Her first thought was that they were wrong.Yet... she could feel it, the pain on her inside. Then she realised they hadn’t told her, at least not yet.
But why? Because they had no idea how to respond to her, or because they would no longer feel comfortable next to her? She who already belonged to a short-lived race, and was now about to die?

She recalled how a strange feeling like a wave went through her head. Was nobody about to tell her what was going to happen? And more importantly, was there nothing that could be done for her? Were they just going to abandon her to her fate? Why weren’t they looking for solutions? Why did they just sat there and talked about her end, like she was already gone?



The white-haired girl shook her head to herself. Strange how she could be in control like this. Strange how she was able to handle herself, knowing her time in this world was close to an end.
She adjusted the sheets a bit and glanced outside.

It was a nice summer’s day, a sunday…
She could see between those leaves the sky was probably as clear as a cloudless diamond, bright and shiny, and where the rays of the sun bounced on forever.
No horizon… no depth…

Kitty sighed. How she wished she was out there, dancing on those majestic branches, passing from the shades into the light, finding absolute silence whenever she wanted, and complete control over every single move she made. She would be free out there, and she would be as long as she could escape…
This body… why did it had to let her down? Tears pooled in her eyes but she fought them back. She tried to look away from the window but she simply couldn’t,... the airy opening beckoning. She knew she probably would die right away if she would go now. But perhaps it was better to die when she was still on her feet, rather than slowly to lanquish here in this stupid bed.


“Hi?” a soft voice whispered.

Kitty’s head snapped to her right, away from the window only to see the fey who once helped her was hovering next to her bed but seemingly without using her wings. And with who she had become friends after...

The fey smiled upon her and whispered,”Hey, where you beens? Didn’t sees my friend in the forest a while now.”

Kitty didn’t say anything but her expression was enough to make the fey land on her belly, the touch and weight comparable to a little cat. The tiny feets pressed gently on the blanket and the fey took a seat, her eyes curiously on her.

“Hey… you don’t looks so good. Sick?”

A tear found its escape and dropped on Kitty’s cheek.

The little fey blinked with her tiny eyes and walked over Kitty’s chest towards her face,” Whats is it?”

Kitty slowly shook her head though bluffing was not really her greatest skill. She closed her eyes and could feel a mini hand stroking her cheek.

“I’ms your friends, tell me?”

Kitty let out a muffled sigh and said,” I don’t think I’ll ever return to the forest…”

She heard the fey’s surprise,” Why nots? You don likes? Or, you going aways?”

Kitty nodded a bit,” Yes,... going away…,” not able to hide the sadness in her voice.

The fey tried to open one of the girl’s eyes,” Then me comes with you…”

She opened her eyes and looked at her little friend, a weak smile and a few tears as answer,” That is so very sweet of you but I am afraid that will be no option…”

The fey crossed her arms and tapped with her tiny foot on Kitty’s chest,” Me goes where I want.”

Kitty’s voice was barely audible,” So sweet… but no… I’m… I’m….” she simply couldn’t get the words over her lips.

Then it seemed to dawn on the fey and she looked genuinely worried at the human girl. She moved closer and embraced the girl’s face,” No… donts tell me…” The fey closed her eyes and mumbled a few words in an odd language sounding like softly droning water waves mingled with the buzzing of a swarm hornets. The words seemed smooth but Kitty didn’t understand a thing. When she opened her eyes she looked at Kitty in horror but then quickly shook her little head.

“You musts comes with me, not too late… comes comes…”, the fey tried to remove the blanket, pulling like hell but barely getting movement in it.

Kitty blinked,” Help me, how??”

“Comes, not here, no times… will help you get betters…” the fey almost begged.

“But but…” Kitty looked at the window a moment, longing… and then made a decision. Why not? She pushed away the blankets and slipped out the bed, ignoring the pain in her chest and muscles. And even before she hit the closet to grab her clothes she was exhausted.
How the hell was she supposted to make it out there??

With the fey buzzing around her ears and urging her to speed up, Kitty managed to get into her forest outfit. Panting heavily after, she held up her hand as the other sought support. “Now … just give me … a minute…”

The fey, now obviously noticing Kitty really needed to catch her breath, nodded but kept nervously buzzing around… from the girl to the window and back.

Kitty closed her eyes a moment and then took a deep breath, likewise to those one takes just before diving into deep water. Freedom would come after this, help was promised. She only hoped she’d make it to wherever the fey would be leading her.

“All set… but slowly…”

The fey tilted her head and then mumbled a few more words in that same strange language and suddenly Kitty couldn’t see her arms anymore. It was strange cause she could still sense them and feel her hands when she brought them together. Luckily and with the minimum training she had in this, she realised the fey had just turned her invisible.
Before she could ask why, the fey flew out through the window, knowing that this was Kitty’s usual ‘escape route’.

“Now comes… this way…”


A few hours passed and it was already getting darker here in the deeper woods. Kitty had to move slowly but was still surprised how far they got, away from the village. Again, she was never able to catch enough breath for another why question.

At some point the fey made her climb down on what would have been a very easy part for Kitty if she’d been healthy. Now it was difficult, yet still doable.

“Alrights… Zjarrr,” the fey mumbled and with that word a small campfire erupted from the soil. She motioned Kitty to take a seat right before landing on the girl’s lap. Everything was quiet next to a few last evening birds finishing their hymns to their lovers. Soon the moon would hit the sky and nocturnal insects would take the place of their daytime kin.

“Me wants help you, cure…” she touched Kitty’s chest. “Is heart yes?”

The girl nodded slowly and looked a bit curious, but hope was in her eyes. She had no idea how her little friend could help her, but having hope felt good.

“Alrights… needs to know your name…”

“Kitty… you know my…” but then it struck her what the fey asked. She blinked and started to shake her head.

“Your reals name… True name… Kitty…”

The human girl was still shaking her head slowly,” I can’t… my parents forbid me to give it to anyone. Not even my foster parents know it. No one knows it!”

“I needs change somethings in your bodies… and makes it stays so. Can’t if not knowing your True name.”

Kitty had no idea why it had been so important as she never ever had talked to anyone about it before. She only knew her parents had told her over and over and over again to never ever give her True name away.
She swallowed,” I can’t… you ask too much of me… there must be another way…”

The fey shook her head,” Yours True name is connected with yours essence and thats connected with yours body. Magics can helps you change and be strongs… more strongs.” The fey sounded genuinely sad,” Its be that or dies…” Her little eyes looked in Kitty’s,” Dons wants you dies… you my friend…”


Kitty sighed… what was more worth to her this moment? Her parents who forbade her this, now so long ago, the memory not more than a few words sounding in a distance. She even forgot how they looked like. Well, almost…
Or… dying… and saying goodbye to this life, this freedom, this way of enjoying everything else that existed around to her. Would they forget her? Or would they remember who she was?
She looked back at the fey who was clearly hoping to get permission to save her friend’s life.


“Alright then… what happens next?”

The fey shook her head,” Tells me your True name, you gets mine. And thens small ritual.”

Kitty nodded and took a deep breath. She couldn’t believe she was about to say the name that had been given by her parents so long ago. She realised when they were in company they would just call her girl, or honey, or sweety, darling… Now her name was about to leave her lips, how strange would it sound to hear it once more after such long time.

“My True name is… Lumitia Icingdale…”

The fey smiled and whispered,”... Lumitia…” Right after saying Kitty’s true name she witnessed how the girl’s grey-white irises lit up in the twilight of the little campfire, emitting a soft light for only a second.

She walked up and touched ‘Kitty’s’ cheek with her hand as she tiptoed,” I am Fauna…”

“Fauna…” the girl whispered back just before she felt the fey's lips on hers. It was weird but not unpleasant. She closed her eyes as the kiss lingered, but she also felt the weight the fey produced on her lap was increasing… and the kiss was getting warmer. She opened her eyes when she suddenly felt arms around her and saw how the fey had grown. She still looked the same, but was now about her own size. Perhaps a bit taller…





Kitty blinked and broke the kiss,”... F… Fauna??”

The fey smiled a very beautiful smile,” Lumitia… now I can help you.”

“How did you…”

Fauna waved dismissively,” Later, dear girl… first let us fix you up.”

Kitty noticed Fauna also talked different, and her level of common had increased tremendously.

Fauna took out a small knife,” I only need a bit of blood, yours and mine… then you will be all good. Alright?”

Kitty’s eyes widenend,” You are going to stab me??!”

Fauna chuckled softly, a clear and sparkling sound,” I would never hurt you, my friend, cause I love you.” She gave another kiss on Kitty’s lips, this time more tender.

Kitty could feel her heart jump...

[fog]

9. Newborn


“Kitty? ………….. Kitty?”

A voice, a distant voice sounded at the outer rim of her being. Yet she rather remained in her shell, cocooning. It was comfortable in here and the voices attempting to reach her when her consciousness surfaced were simply ignored. It wouldn’t be different this time.

But that was reckoned without her best friend...

Two hands took a hold of the sheet she was lying on... and suddenly pulled.

She felt how her body was tossed around in the air and she became aware of her flight just in time before ungently smacking with her butt on the wooden floor. The pain was intense enough though to break the cocoon and to bring her a moment to the world of the wakeful. A short cry escaped her lips.
Her eyes flew open just before she had to squeeze them together really tight to prevent bright light from penetrating the pupils.

“Neesha! Have you lost your mind?!” an admonishing and familiar voice sounded.

“Hah, me got Kitty up, no?” another, now young voice said slightly irritated.

She felt two arms going under her armpits and a pull which seemed an attempt to get her up. It didn’t work since her body wasn’t willing to cooperate despite the fact her mind was in a state of wakeness.

“Me help too…” she heard, followed by a sigh.

This time some extra force was added to the pull and she sensed how she was placed on the bed by two people, each holding an arm.

“There there. Now… are you awake, Kitty? Do you know where you are?” A hand cupped her chin.

A command was send from her mind to her lips and tongue which… seemingly refused to respond.

She heard the young voice again, somewhere between concern and disapproval,” It same again, but not sure if act.” The words spoken were in broken common while the other had been fluid elven.

She sensed how she was moved further on the bed again before somebody gently laid her down and let her head sink slowly into a soft, warm pillow.
Yes,... this is what she needed. Why didn’t they just leave her alone?

It seemed they wouldn’t...


A wooden object bumped against her lips,” Sleep, rest all you want, if you only get better, my dear girl. But you will eat…”
She perceived the transition from a clear and encouraging female voice to a concerned murmur,” Please, you have to… it’s been three days…”

Now that sounded almost like begging. She decided to meet the person’s request by sending another command to her lips which ended up in a visible shiver to any outsiders.

“Yes, Kitty… be a good girl. You can do it… open up, nice and easy. It… it’s your favorit meal.”

Was that a sob sounding right through it? Were they crying? For her? Why? She was happy, no? It was warm, comfortable, peaceful… here in her own little sanctuary.

Perhaps... perhaps she should let them know? Perhaps she should let them know how it eased the pain she was currently feeling? How her blood felt as if it was on fire and coursed rapidly through her veins, making her flesh feel like it was ready to explode from the inside. Didn’t they know if she returned she wouldn’t be able to shut off the scorching heat?

Her lips, moist now because of the flavored vapor from the food on the spoon, stirred again. The other took it wrong and saw it as an effort to take the food while she only wanted to say something.

“Yes… that’s it… a little bit more…. aaannd….”

The spoon was shoved in her mouth with some slight force. The taste of the substance was as good as the scent had been when it lingered under her nosetrils a moment earlier. The food was creamy and crunchy at the same time, flavorsome and close to heavenly. But she couldn’t address it. Names of tastes and scents connected to ingredients fled from her mind.

Instead of attempting to utter a word, she now started to suck on the spoon… like a baby… exploring something new and pleasant.

“Is.. is Kitty eating?” the young voice sounded with some disbelief.

“Yes, it seems and I think she can hear us now. Or at least understand us maybe.”

“Hah, you see, should slapped her butt.”

“Neesha! Behave!”

A teenish giggle sounded right before she sensed how someone took place near her other side. A slender, soft hand brushed over her forehead and she heard the young female whispering near her ear,” Me is Nie, and me is your friend.”

And that triggered a series of memories... losing her real parents in those dark woods, the magnificent elves finding her pressed against that tree trunk, her life and growing up in the forest, dancing on the branches, the soft moss under her bare feet, the shadow games and the thrilling hunts with the bow… and … and… there were friends… one in particular… and it wasn’t Neesha.


Fauna. Almost she said it out loud but then thanked her foster mother and the spoon in her own mouth preventing her from sharing that name.
The fey meant something to her, a lot. But why? Oh yes, she saved her from a monster and from the dark skins. Right?

She heard how the young female resumed whispering.
“Me is found you in forest. You fell from tree I think but broke nothing. You is ok? Feel pain?” A hand was placed on her chest.

“Let it, Neesha… not now. We check it later.”

Pain… it… was still burning… but also fading a little. As if the food worked soothing and healing. Or? She reached out for her body again and innerly winced at a still present hotness. She crawled back inside her shell and decide to wait it out once more.

To the ones on the outside the sucking on the spoon suddenly ceased.

A distant voice sounded,” She sleep?”

Another,” Seems… well, at least she ate -something-. One spoon today, two tomorrow.” Hope clearly sounded in that voice.

The spoon was removed without the lips from where it emerged asking for more…



After curling up her sheltered selfness turned it’s gaze to see what was outside without the need for any optic images. Was it gone? She focused and peered with her mind’s eye into the distance.

No… it wasn’t…

From all around her a red glow started to loom up and eyed threatening. Her imaginary fingers started to tremble and her mind felt uneasy. But in here she was safe.

The glow ignited into flames which started to claw all around her, hungrily licking at the invisible walls of her cocoon. At first it was hard to tell what they consumed to fuel their wrath, but she had seen it.

It… wouldn’t take long anymore, but first…

The flames retreated for a moment and commenced a hypnotising dance, sensually like a belly dancer moving around Kitty’s shell and showing her her most seductive moves. They grew hot but couldn’t burn her.
Then,... the fire sparked and like ocean waves they rampaged their way towards the walls of her sanctuary once again. Greedy fingers crawled all the way up and for a moment it felt as if the fire roared for joy when it was able to engulf her, albeit not touch her. Just by the absence of ash she could tell this wasn’t a regular fire.

Once more the inferno retreated and now they were there,... black silhouettes standing in the middle of the flames and waving wildly with their arms. She couldn’t hear them cry but she knew they did because the see-through holes in their heads at the level were a mouth was supposed to be. She shivered and waited, knowing it was coming to an end after one last appearance.

In front of her orange and yellow flames started to merge and slowly another single silhouette materialized out of them.
She didn’t see the smile but somehow sensed it. “One day you will be mine, Lumitia…” a sexy attractive voice sounded.

The 'belly dancer' had finally shown herself...

[fog]

10. Heart of the forest


Her eyes never left her target as she reached back for an arrow from her quiver. She sharpened the rest of her senses and attempted to take note of everything that could interfere with this shot. Was this boar just alone or…? As she knocked the long, slender arrow, it’s flight path had already been defined. Between these rustling branches in front of her, over that trapezoidal rock and near that stump into the boar’s head standing in the mud pool.
Inhaling on the draw she started to pull the string back all the way past her ear, and increased the tension building up in her arm that would give the arrow its desired speed and force. She raised her bow and with it the arrowhead to meet its path before letting out half of her breath. As she anchored and settled on her target, Kitty held her breath from there. It would be a distant shot.
And then suddenly she squeezed the shot off. The string snapped forward with at least twice the strength of a fist fighter’s punch. Kitty’s posture didn’t change a bit in order not to affect the arrow during its launch.

The arrow trusted forward, pierced a leaf and accelerated even further on its way down. As it struck and entered the boar’s head, Kitty perceived a crack sound and saw how the arrow had snapped on probably a thick part of the creature’s skull.
Quickly she reached for another arrow as the creature was down but not dead yet… and it would be very angry if it got up again. She aimed and quickly released a second arrow which with a thud sound penetrated the flesh of its belly. There, that would do it.
She hung the longbow over her shoulder and climbed down from the tree. Each time she inhaled, it seemed being emphasized by a soft sound of air being sucked between her lips. As she started to make her way over to her catch, the sun began to shine through the branches once more and the symphony of birds high up in the tree tops increased as if meant to welcome the golden light.


With the graceful, supple movements of a cat, Kitty made her way between trees and roots incredibly old and twisted, the sound of a little cascading stream in the distance. The soil under her feet was carpeted with the first autumn leaves. A few smaller creatures quickly hurried themselves away in a small flower field where worker bees gathered the last nectar to feed their communities. Winter was on the way but to Kitty this clean oxygen-filled environment and the magnitude of living things all around her sort of energized her somehow. The vibrancy of life she felt flowing around her and through her resonated. It was like new strength had been injected into her once broken body. She felt a new sense of joy by having been able to pick up her life again.


Kitty still had no idea what happened. All she remembered is that she had been close to death with a heart that was about to give up one day. Somehow it got restored and she just felt like before. Perhaps when they found her, they also had been able to cure her after all? She could ask them but in her opinion they should start and tell her things first. Up to now, no one has ever mentioned something to her about the earlier condition with her heart. She had only known by coincidence, eavesdropping on it actually. Why they kept that behind? Kitty rubbed her chin. She had no idea, but she was happy to be alive and out again. And besides, it was now months ago.


By the time she approached the boar, the fourteen year old girl noticed how hard she had missed the forest. This… this was her heart and this is why she was blessed.

[fog]

11. The first… the last?


Until yesterday none of the elven boys had ever taken interest in her. Not in the way like a teenage girl would favor. It was not that the fifteen year old Kitty wasn't pretty since she actually was a beautiful girl, her long white hair offering her an exotic look for a human. But it probably was her limited lifespan which scared them off. She would age and die rapidly compared to them, and any elf who was her mate would find himself left behind ... heart broken. And thus Kitty was hardly… actually never asked for a walk... or a dance. The consequence of a mortal living among elves. But that wouldn't stop her from trying!

She combed her long white hair and smiled at her reflection in the mirror. Tonight she would go to a celebration of their community and there would be food and dance! Kitty took a hold of an entangled tress and with her head tilted gently started to work on it. There would be a boy present who got dumped by his love mate not so long ago. For a while now Kitty had had an eye on him but never showed it, let alone made her move. Yesterday however during archery lessons she had offered him a lovely smile after he praised one of her shots. And he had winked at her! Her heart fluttered by the memory...

Re'kan was the son of the community leader and though he had the appearance of an eighteen year old boy, he was more than a century and close to what was considered around here emotional adulthood. Kitty knew he also had a lot of influence and if she and him got together she suddenly would have a lot of friends extra. Not that it mattered as all she had eye for was that handsome face. Why she hoped they would have a shot? First of all, they wouldn't be the only human-elf couple and it was a concept that was generally accepted. Secondly, if they would become life mates and she got old, she would allow him to seek a love mate. By the time she died it would be much easier for him to move on. And finally, that exchange at the archery lesson told her his interest in her was genuine! He was one of the very few if not the only one. And... he would be her first. Her cheeks flushed by the thought of that.


She let out a wishful sigh and turned left and right before the mirror, absently flattening out the fabric of what she considered to be a lovely gown. Tonight more than ever, she would become one of them. Dance, act, talk, walk... you name it, she could do it. And she would make sure to stay close to Re'kan. With her mind set on the boy, Kitty started to make her way down and headed towards the lights from where also soft music sounded.
When Kitty reached the open spot she saw immediately she was late. But that was also accompanied with a nice side effect. People actually saw her! Heads turned in her direction and several smiled kindly at the human girl arriving in their midst. With a demeanor that appeared modest, Kitty blushed and held her hand up in order to greet them and looked around.

The banquet prepared at the left side eyed very inviting. Three long tables were positioned in one line and set with all sorts of food and cake in generous amounts. There was a parade of roasts and even fish of all kinds. Pottages were considered as special treats and next to them Kitty perceived all sorts of bread, cheese and colorful vegetables. Much of this had been imported just for this special occasion and it all looked very intoxicating,... but Kitty knew better. This elven community in the High Forest daily lived by simple standards and besides when a ceremony was arranged for two people who became life mates, this was the only time things got this decadent.

Just when she was about to make her way to the food and hoping to steal some wine, she saw him. And he saw her since he waved at her! She blushed a little and waved back. Then she witnessed him saying something to his friends before parting ways with them and walking to her. Several heads, especially female turned once more in her and his direction and seemed keenly interested in what was about to unfold in that encounter. Kitty didn’t notice since she only had eye for the boy approaching her. The need of getting something to eat was simply forgotten and as he moved closer she suddenly blushed harder as she realised her own smile was probably wide and all too obvious! Her forehead and cheeks felt like they were glowing. Sensing palpitations in her throat and neck it was as if her heart had just moved up.
His smile however was contagious and she just kept smiling until he stopped in front of her.

“Kitty… glad you could make it. Would you like to join me?” Re’kan said while offering his hand to her.

Gods, even his voice was attractive! Her own hand trembled lightly as she allowed him to take it. This would be hard to stay physically, emotionally and mentally sound. She replied shyly,” Hi, and… sure?”

The what appeared to be a gentleman led her to the table with food and together with her he started fill a plate with little bits of everything. Kitty peeked curiously at him. She bet he already ate but because she otherwise would be one of the last youngsters with food, he had chosen to join her. Was he trying to make her feel at ease? Cute…

She followed him to the other side where she joined some of his friends, most of them couples. Practically everyone knew everyone around here so introductions weren’t really needed. Though she eyed a bit shy in their presence as it were people with whom she had never talked a lot before. But they were kind to her and she could tell Re’kan was popular in their midst. And so was she now, apparantly.
The evening went smoothly and by the end of it Kitty had talked a lot and even danced. More important, it all happened in company of Re’kan who had offered her his undivided attention.


After the music started to fade, Kitty found herself walking next to the boy of her dreams who had convinced her of bringing her home following a detour. The moment they entered the shadows of the forest, she sensed how his hand sought for hers. Her heart started to bounce heavily against her chest as she took his and entwined her fingers with his. If he understood well, he would know she was busy claiming him and had no intention of letting him go after.

And then he made her stop.

“Kitty…” he smiled as his other hand reached for her hip.

“Yeah?” she replied while trying to look innocent.

“I hope you don’t mind me saying you are extremely beautiful and sweet.”

On her cheeks that rosy glow appeared again but she said,” And you are the most handsome boy I have ever seen…”

He chuckled softly and pulled her close, taking her in his arms,” Not a boy, sweet Kitty.. a man. And you are a woman… unless you haven’t noticed yet.”

She giggled nervously and looked up at his eyes… then his lips. And before she knew it she just kissed him frontally, determined to experience her dream.

His lips came back down on her, somewhat greedy on these young, inexperienced but enthusiastic lips. For the first time in her life Kitty felt what it meant to be kissed deeply. Her lips parted and she allowed his warmth to melt with hers.

A few moments later they reluctantly broke the kiss and looked in each others eyes. Her heart just fluttered as he smiled.

“Hmm… sweet. Let’s go a little bit deeper in the forest…”

Kitty peeked over his shoulder in the darkness and looked back at him,” Uhmm… okay…,” she said, putting her trust in him.


They walked for at least five minutes, his superb vision guiding them both. The immense stillness of nature surrounding them was relaxing. Many sounds were to be heard but they couldn’t be disturbed. A breeze sprung up and whistled through the stately trunks and the leaves of the huge trees rustled in unison. Even the shrill cries of the cicadas were a part of what felt like an intimate peace all around.
And no one would disturb the couple, not here. Unless they got very unlucky of being spotted by one of the rangers guarding the village.

Re’kan stopped and turned to her. Without further words he started to kiss her more passionately. Never ever before in her life had she experienced anything like this and her knees almost grew weak. Soon his kisses covered more terrain than just her lips as he started to plant them on her chin, her neck, her shoulder…

Suddenly she sensed how his fingers fiddled with the little straps of her dress on her back. With her hands on his upper arms Kitty pushed him gently away. She lowered her head shyly and whispered,” No… not… not yet.”

She wasn’t ready for this although she could sense her feminine instincts -and- needs awakening. On one hand she wasn’t able yet to surrender her body, yet on the other hand there was a terrible, fleshly curiosity active. Kitty looked at him. IF she would do it, it would be with him, but just not now.

Re’kan raised a brow but didn’t let her go,” You have to be kidding me… am I the first?”

Kitty’s face became decorated by what felt at least ten shades of red and pink. She bit her lip and offered a vague rapid nod.

Re’kan bared his teeth in one of the widest grins Kitty had ever seen of him. He leaned closer and whispered in her ear,” If you let me take you now, you and me will be mates until death do us part…”

Kitty shivered against his chest. Had he read her thoughts? Did he sensed she had been musing over having a partner? He would be hers? But only if she… if she lifted her skirts for him? She swallowed as that was not was not what she had in mind. She wanted it to be romantic, a young man courting her and finally asking her to…

Kitty shook her head to him,” No Re’kan… not like this.” She attempted to free herself from him but noticed he increased the force of his embrace.

“Kitty…,” he said with a mellifluous, well-educated voice,”... hey, I meant well. You are just so… irresistible.”

More red than this she simply couldn’t get, and more closer to him she also didn’t wanted to be. At least for now. She needed to think, to get her mind clear. His touch and his voice still made her head spinning, yet his proposal made her wary.

Once again she attempted to free herself from his embrace. But he didn’t let her go. On the contrary… his fingers had just untied a few of the straps holding her dress together.

Her eyes slitting she said with a low voice,” Let me go… or else…”

“Kitty, calm down… just let me show you…”

But he didn’t manage to get much further than that as Kitty lifted her knee and kicked him where every boy was sensitive. His pride being bruised made him bend over and he couldn’t do anything else but to let go off Kitty who confused hurried back to the village. It was dark but her senses had been trained and she knew the way.

Never ever would she let a man get close like this! Now she knew how they were. Charming, attentive until you were within their grasp and then they wanted to take you!

She felt as if she had been cursed. Tears welled up in her eyes as she realised she couldn’t tell anyone about this. Yet she made a few decisions. Re’kan was the first and the last, at least for a long while. And she would leave this community within the year. Though she would visit her foster parents and her few friends from time to time, she wouldn’t stay. Perhaps one day... if she after all had a partner, human like her, she might consider to return and settle again on a more permanent basis.

[fog]

12. A forest, a haven


Kitty only had to look up at the trees with their sprawling branches stretching over the entire perimeter of this glade, and understood all too well she would never be able to fully resist the beckoning, relative silence of the High Forest. Her heartbeat quickened at the thought of one day maybe venturing deep into its tangled heart again...

The girl who was slowly turning into a lovely young lady now, closed her eyes and leaned her head a bit to the side, her long white hair brushing over her left shoulder. Yes, to her ears it was like a deep and yet calm, profound ballad with the fading luscious birdsongs, the soothing, barily audible buzz of blue dragonflies performing their rituals, the majestic swaying trees and the leaves rustling in the wind as gentle acoustic background notes.

The exquisiteness of the sunset’s light lanced through the lush, green foliage, a finger of supernal brightness kissing her face and seemingly chasing down even the shadows in her head. Though... without fully banishing the gloom that surrounded her. Something had changed within her and her confidence showed a crack. But right now it didn’t seem to matter that much as her decision was final.

No matter how serene this place was, no matter the influence a forest like this had on her… she had to turn her back to it for a while. Reason? Her parents for not believing her when she told them what Re’kan had almost done to her. Yeah sure, she understood all too well they had to be careful with accusations because of Re’kan’s status. But did that have to mean they almost didn’t seem to believe her? Just because she hadn’t been bruised and gotten out untouched? And they suggested she maybe have gotten it all wrong? Each time she considered to bring it up again she wondered what would be next. Perhaps them telling that it was her mistake. And thus each time she had remained silent about it.

She shook her head to herself. No, the only big mistake she had made thus far was to stay for another year. Waiting to see if something would happen with what she had told. Never had she received any apologies, not from Re’kan or his father, nor from her own foster parents. Yes, she still loved them much, and so did they. But eventually they had had to let her go. She was almost eighteen and fully capable of standing on her own two feet. Unlike elves... who needed a bit more time for that.





Kitty lifted herself out of the water and dried herself, not in the least feeling uncomfortable with her body at a display. After all, she was still far from away from any civilization and all alone. Over a few weeks she would arrive in Neverwinter and follow a first lead she had on the origins of her real parents. It only had just been a dream though, but if she was planning on exploring anyways, she might as well stop by there as well.

Drying her ears she looked around, her heart aching in her chest. One day she would back…


As Kitty mused about how a human city would be like, through a bush a pair of twinkling red eyes observed the girl dressing up.


By the time the pool looked like a polished mirror of silver, the glade was deserted again...

[fog]

13. The Companion


Seven years before Baldur’s Gate…


Standing on a steep slope, Kitty peered over the vast land. In the distance she discerned a faint glow that had to be a city. Neverwinter..., she finally made it… well, almost. She glanced behind her at the treeline which formed the transition between forest and woodlands. Then she looked back below in front of her at the low-density forest which appeared to have many open habitats with plenty of sunshine and limited shadows. Trees were on that side of the slope the dominant plant form and several individual canopy trees nestled among the flowering grounds.

Kitty descended the natural vantage point, feeling a bit alien in these to her new regions, and uneasy to leave the shelter she always had known. Of course it wasn’t the first time she found herself outside a forest as she had crossed more than one plain or road in order to get here. But now it would be more permanent. And it would be her first time in a city of her own kind. She shook her head as she resumed her journey between the flowers, her fingers gently wavering over the petals and sending some bees off to seek more quiet resorts. She was no elf, she never had been one…
But the moment that thought hit her mind, she felt a sting in her heart. What she was thinking wasn’t entirely true…


“Kitsy !! Kitsy !!” a high pitched voice sounded behind her.

The moment Kitty turned over to see who produced that so familiar voice, something soft slammed into her face and she sensed how her head was being hugged.

“Fauna !! There you are !!” Kitty giggled as she carefully hugged her tiny friend with her slender fingers. “I missed you! Where have you been in the past months??”

“Families, been families! But… Kitsy Kitsy…!” The little fey pulled herself out of the hug and start to buzz nervously around Kitty’s head. “But where Kitsy goes? Forest that way, High Forest behinds thats even,” Fauna said sounding upset while pointing vigorously at the dark green behind them.

“Ah… it’s uhm… a bit complicated… but a few things I already told you, girl,” Kitty said soft.

Fauna stopped buzzing around and hovered in front of Kitty’s face, her own expression saddening,” They dids not listen?”

Kitty shrugged and turned around to look in the direction of Neverwinter. She sensed how Fauna landed on her shoulder, maintining her balance easily on the wide shoulder piece. She glanced at the fey and whispered,” What is it, my little friend?”

“Kitsy… Fauna wants to come, buts…” she paused a moment.

“Come? Come with me?” Kitty smiled some,” But what?”

“Fauna can’ts be in cities. Peoples takes takes takes her.”

Kitty nodded,” Yes, maybe, but you could hide, no? After all, you are small.” She giggled,” Perhaps within my inside pocket?”

Fauna giggled along and brushed with her tiny hand over Kitty’s ear. Then she shook her head,” No, but Kitsy likes forest yes?”

The young human woman nodded.

“Kitsy cans come theres see Fauna then?”

Kitty widened her eyes a bit and smiled,” Yes, we can do that! Perfect!”

The fey hugged Kitty’s head again,” And… Kitsy not maybe always sees Fauna, but Fauna may sees Kitsy.”

“Oh, you going to spy on me now are you?” She smiled warmly and didn’t even attempted to have her own name corrected. Fauna called her like this now since a few years.

The fey set off from Kitty’s shoulder and flew forth and back. “Kitsy wants Fauna stays and spies?”

Kitty laughed and nodded,” Sure hun, just come with me. But uhm… you won’t miss your family?”

Fauna's eyes twinkled and she tilted her little head,” Yes... but Kitsy also is families…”

And that warmed Kitty’s heart even more. She peered a moment in the distance and then looked back at Fauna. “Let us pitch camp here. Then we can discuss how we all do this before approaching the city and the land around it.”


That evening the two friends made it themselves comfortable. Soon a small fire was lit at their camp site near some rocks, and Kitty made them both some nice tea produced from herbs she had come across. They talked about how the past months had been, retrieved some old memories together and before Kitty even realised, they had fallen asleep.




A few hours later…

Fauna opened her eyes, and looked left and right before slowly detaching herself from the human female. She got up and stretched her arms and legs. A long-lasting yawn escaped her tiny lips soundlessly before she turned back to look at Kitty.

“Will be wits you, Kitsy… for sure…,” she whispered as she snapped her fingers.

Suddenly the little fey’s body started to glow a bit. Next it turned into a low reddish light without flames before becoming incandescent for a short moment. And then, the light was gone, just like that. An attractive humanoid woman had taken Fauna’s place.

She kneeled next to Kitty and leaned in… her voluptuous lips brushing over the seemingly lifeless girl’s cheek. Arriving near her ear she whispered,” Now is the time. Let me in… Lumitia... ”


Lumitia? Let me in. It’s me… you know me...

Something stirred in the back of her mind, as if someone was nudging the imaginary walls she had built so long ago. It’s been a long while since the last time it happened. The fact it did however defied any kind of logic and for a moment she wondered if she had been cursed somewhere along the line. It was nothing however she had wished to discuss with her foster parents or any other of her friends as they might have declared her insane. Then it struck her… her name.

Lumitia? Are you awake?

Her conscious sensed how the heart rate in her body rocketed and she was struck by so much fear that it felt as if her soul would literally jump out of its shell. She barely managed to maintain control over her reactions and prayed she wasn’t caught on the fact she was aware. However, she was on the brink of moving into a state of hyperventilation and had to impose her will to have her brain sending out messages to every corner of her body in order to calm down.

Lumitia Icingdale… !! It hit her like thunder.

A flash of light, an explosion running through her entire being, a shock beyond any imagination. Spots were sparkling around her conscious and it felt like she was being lifted up and forcefully smacked against the dome of her inner sanctuary. Slowly the hull of her being was torn apart, like a ship being ripped open by a submerged rock of some barrier reef.
Pierced her defences were, layer by layer intruded from the outside. Down came the carefully constructed walls, away was the cover of the shadows she had created.

The next moment she was dropped..., but the expected crash never came.

Instead she found herself being cuddled by a warm presence and discerned a shape in her mind’s eye.





My Lumitia…

M… Mommy?


A local, gentle wind arose and rustled the leaves of trees nearby. Autumn’s scent was spread unnoticed.
The woman’s body leaning over the sleeping Kitty started to glow once again. Dim light particles escaped from her body and started to dance around the pair.


By the time the light spectacle faded… the young lady who had been raised by elves in the High Forest, appeared to be alone again…

[fog]

14. Neverwinter


Kitty marvelled.

The picturesque city had stolen her heart on the very first day of her stay. The thousands of flowers all over the magnificent gardens were enough in itself to make her feel joyful and happy. To her, flowers were often used as a gesture of showing one’s feelings for their loved ones, and maybe just because of that it made this place -very- attractive to her. Being in such a wonderful setting just triggered smiles, and she smiled at… like everybody. The sweet scent was even capable of cutting right through the wonderful briney smell coming off from the cool breeze blowing from the ocean to the land. The red and yellow tulips were like frozen flames, mint green jade vines with their claw shaped flowers bloomed along the walls of the charming little cottages, and the mixture of pink roses, small white chrysanthemums and dozens of other unfamiliar flowers -reminding her of a painter’s palette- had a transitory evocation of summer coming to her…

And there was more... yellow and white lilies floating on little enchanting ponds, charmingly little trees blossoming pink colors and reflecting in the water, and carefully placed rocks rich with thousands of tiny purple flowers.





The gardens here were truly beautiful, and a stroll through these streets made her feel very peaceful and at one with the splendours and spirit of nature. Below the Dolphin bridge on which she was standing a silent white stream cascaded nonchalantly over the rocky riverbed. Through the entire city the water tumbled down in series of little, gentle waterfalls, making the Neverwinter River tinkling in a laughing sort of way. It was music to her ears, and for a moment she was in complete harmony with her decision of leaving the High Forest. She mused a bit longer while leaning on the railing of the spectacular bridge before she made her way towards the city’s harbour.

Kitty noticed an increasing traffic as she neared the port. The earlier silence back at the side streets and alleyways was now replaced with horse hooves and rolling wagon wheels producing a lot of noise on a cobblestone surface. Although these smooth round stones harvested in riverbeds were probably considerably stronger and better for the people transporting stuff, Kitty wouldn’t want trade places with the wagon drivers whose poor bodies were shaken all over by driving over this bumpy road. Just looking at them had her stomach turned upside down.

Instead she strolled next to the road and just followed the people, seeing where this was all going. Then she raised her head and sniffed the air as a broad range of smells reached her nosetrils, most of them identifiable. Fresh herbs, farmer’s cheese, warm bread, roast chicken, smoked fish and lots of other things filled the air. She smiled softly and as she cornered the final building she saw there was a market going on indeed. In a way it appeared a bit like the markets held in her hometown back in the forest. Small market stalls were spread across the harbor wall and street, selling food, clothing, shoes, kitchen stuff, working tools and more.

There was this pleasant buzz produced by the hundreds of people visiting this place, there was the excitement of vendors praising their goods, and of course that overwhelming smell of good stuff. There seemed so many products, so lots of choice, so many faces.
In short, a supersaturation of the human senses and she simply got carried away by all of it. For a moment she wondered if all these people knew each other as well, just like the elves did in her hometown.


Kitty continued strolling along the stalls, and at some point the smell of fresh fruit and vegetables caught her attention. She stopped and her eyes roamed over the food on a display.

“Hey, pretty miss!” a voice behind the goods sounded.

“Huh??” Kitty looked up and saw a young merchant with a grin from ear to ear.

“Catch!” and with that he tossed a green spherical object at her.

There was nothing wrong with her reflexes and she plucked the object from the air easily before it could hit her chest. She opened her hand and examined it. It had a flawless green surface and was almost perfectly round. She arched a brow as she identified the object as an apple and looked up in surprise at the merchant.

He winked at her,” A merchant knows his customers!”