Post by Curiosity on Oct 4, 2011 8:28:25 GMT -5
Winter in the forest isn't quite as harsh and cold as it is atop the mountain, but at least there Arroyo had family around to help keep her warm and comfortable. The young female has sought shelter within the enclosed cavern hidden behind the the waterfall's base - it may be dark and damp, but at least it provides some cover from the howling wind and falling snow outside. Even still, the adolescent's slender body shivers from the cold, and she curls up into a tight ball in an attempt to keep herself as warm as possible, letting the sound of the rushing water lull her into a light doze.
Some time passes, and the mist filling the cavern suddenly shimmers, the fog seeming to ripple in a brief wave as though stirred by a breeze. Arroyo blinks, trying to determine whether she's still awake or has fallen into a dream. The wavering image doesn't dissipate, however, instead beginning to shift into an even clearer form before the young female's eyes - an image that nearly reflects her own, aside from the fact that it's standing upright while she's laying down.
"Arroyo."
Could this...could this be it? What she's been searching and waiting for all this time? "Great Mother...I am honored," Arroyo humbly murmurs, pushing herself up onto her paws to more formally face the apparition. "What will you have of me?"
The spirit of Paoro chuckles, the sound hushed by the crashing roar of the falling water, yet still clearly audible to Arroyo's ears. "Nothing, my child. This is your journey - it is what you make of it."
Arroyo's amber eyes flit about somewhat anxiously, as though still seeking out whatever it is she's been looking for all this time, and worried that the first Matron will look down upon her for not having found it yet. "But...I was sent to find something...and I don't know what it is."
Another chuckle that echoes emptily off the cavern's walls. "But you have still discovered many things, have you not? Things both within yourself and without... Your journey does not end here, Arroyo. Your whole life is a journey, every day bringing something new for you to find." The ethereal cougar's maw spreads into a knowing smile. "Do not worry, my child. You will make a fine matron. But do not forget that even a strong-minded matron needs a strong-willed chieftain to stand beside her." Perhaps the elder spirit is aware that the young adolescent has indeed already found something while out on her own - or perhaps, that something found her.
With that, the illusory form begins to flicker, fading away into the fine mist once more as quickly as it appeared, and leaving Arroyo with many more things for her ever-thoughtful mind to ponder over further.
Some time passes, and the mist filling the cavern suddenly shimmers, the fog seeming to ripple in a brief wave as though stirred by a breeze. Arroyo blinks, trying to determine whether she's still awake or has fallen into a dream. The wavering image doesn't dissipate, however, instead beginning to shift into an even clearer form before the young female's eyes - an image that nearly reflects her own, aside from the fact that it's standing upright while she's laying down.
"Arroyo."
Could this...could this be it? What she's been searching and waiting for all this time? "Great Mother...I am honored," Arroyo humbly murmurs, pushing herself up onto her paws to more formally face the apparition. "What will you have of me?"
The spirit of Paoro chuckles, the sound hushed by the crashing roar of the falling water, yet still clearly audible to Arroyo's ears. "Nothing, my child. This is your journey - it is what you make of it."
Arroyo's amber eyes flit about somewhat anxiously, as though still seeking out whatever it is she's been looking for all this time, and worried that the first Matron will look down upon her for not having found it yet. "But...I was sent to find something...and I don't know what it is."
Another chuckle that echoes emptily off the cavern's walls. "But you have still discovered many things, have you not? Things both within yourself and without... Your journey does not end here, Arroyo. Your whole life is a journey, every day bringing something new for you to find." The ethereal cougar's maw spreads into a knowing smile. "Do not worry, my child. You will make a fine matron. But do not forget that even a strong-minded matron needs a strong-willed chieftain to stand beside her." Perhaps the elder spirit is aware that the young adolescent has indeed already found something while out on her own - or perhaps, that something found her.
With that, the illusory form begins to flicker, fading away into the fine mist once more as quickly as it appeared, and leaving Arroyo with many more things for her ever-thoughtful mind to ponder over further.