Floating Key
It had been difficult reaching the small island paradise, but the nymph stands triumphantly on its shores, absolutely drenched, chewing thoughtfully on some exaggeratedly succulent piece of fruit she had found. Briny rivulets unfurl over her silvery mantle like crystalline ribbons, clinging to the subtle curves of her body until they fall unbidden onto the tepid sand. For once, the sun presents her fair countenance to the corrupt land over which she presided, blessing the creatures that dwell beneath her with blissful warmth and effusive optimism. Although she is made of rain and born of storms, Lothíriel is not exempt from feeling particularly nice on a sunny day, especially when her life feels so awry. Even Thingol is content, his wings spread luxuriously over the back of his bonded as he sunbathes. The sunlight glints off his feathers like delicate mother-of-pearl, reflecting pastel pinks and blues and yellows. The roan girl pauses her snacking, violet gaze flicking inland towards the island's lush tropical forest. It feels less unsettling here; elsewhere, she can feel the weight of a hundred hungry eyes on her, but this paradise was splendid, all sunny shores and happy singing birds.
When she is finished with her fruit, her cloven hooves take her to the ocean's lip, where its frothy fingers caress the pale sand. For the first time in what seems like forever, a little smile creeps onto the flower girl's face when she beholds the ocean, a gentle sea-breeze tousling her fair mane. Water washes over her cleft toes, glittering in the sunlight as it continually withdraws and returns. The raven gathers his wings and leaps off her back, gliding gracefully into the clear azure skies. She watches her bonded glide over the water, admiring his alabaster feathers. They had come so far from where they had begun and witnessed so much together—he is the moon to her evening stars; a quiet, constant radiance in her life where all else fell into darkness.
Awakening from her reverie, Lothíriel's eyes turn towards the sand and surf beneath her hooves. A bright blue crab scuttles her way, and ignoring her better judgment, she dips her nose to get a better look at it, cautious of its little pincers. It is unlike any crustacean she has seen before, fluorescent green markings scattered over its baby blue shell. Thick fur lines its six fine legs, small gemlike growths stuck on the end of each hair. It waves its claws threateningly towards her when the girl dares to move even closer, darting towards her with surprising speed. She reels backwards onto her haunches, splashing into the cool seawater and far away from the crab. After a few tense moments pass, her eyes crinkle with amusement at the sheer thought of the absurd scene she had made, laughter spilling out of her smiling mouth. The crab had been no bigger than a quarter, and yet it had frightened her as if it had been the size of a bear! In a fit of wild youthful glee, the nymph leaps into deeper water, paddling blithely beneath the radiant sun, utterly oblivious to anyone who might be observing her.
When she is finished with her fruit, her cloven hooves take her to the ocean's lip, where its frothy fingers caress the pale sand. For the first time in what seems like forever, a little smile creeps onto the flower girl's face when she beholds the ocean, a gentle sea-breeze tousling her fair mane. Water washes over her cleft toes, glittering in the sunlight as it continually withdraws and returns. The raven gathers his wings and leaps off her back, gliding gracefully into the clear azure skies. She watches her bonded glide over the water, admiring his alabaster feathers. They had come so far from where they had begun and witnessed so much together—he is the moon to her evening stars; a quiet, constant radiance in her life where all else fell into darkness.
Awakening from her reverie, Lothíriel's eyes turn towards the sand and surf beneath her hooves. A bright blue crab scuttles her way, and ignoring her better judgment, she dips her nose to get a better look at it, cautious of its little pincers. It is unlike any crustacean she has seen before, fluorescent green markings scattered over its baby blue shell. Thick fur lines its six fine legs, small gemlike growths stuck on the end of each hair. It waves its claws threateningly towards her when the girl dares to move even closer, darting towards her with surprising speed. She reels backwards onto her haunches, splashing into the cool seawater and far away from the crab. After a few tense moments pass, her eyes crinkle with amusement at the sheer thought of the absurd scene she had made, laughter spilling out of her smiling mouth. The crab had been no bigger than a quarter, and yet it had frightened her as if it had been the size of a bear! In a fit of wild youthful glee, the nymph leaps into deeper water, paddling blithely beneath the radiant sun, utterly oblivious to anyone who might be observing her.
how the rose in your heart you hold
for @Raistlyn
but anyone else is welcome to join!
