Crystal Children

there are no markings on her country roads no signs that show the way back home For a moment, Otem felt jealous of the fact that there was a chance that Maude's mother was still alive. That possibility felt so tangible to the autumn-child who felt as though she had lost everything that she couldn't see it for what it was: a curse. How terrible it must be to not know if you should grieve, or keep looking? Otem was already struggling with the obligation of grief (how much longer should she be sad? Was it okay to be happy once in a while? When was the hurt supposed to stop?), but for Maude, she probably had those exact questions and more. Like, should she keep searching for her mother? Otem smiles as Maude takes a breath, glad that the antlered girl wasn't planning on elaborating. Her words flowed from her lips, carried by a rather pretty melody. Otem strained to catch the words, becoming easily distracted by Maude's voice and the way it moved up and down like a breeze. The ram-horned filly braced herself for the next verse, wondering if it would be about her grandfather, when Maude suddenly stopped and giggled slightly. Otem tried to hide her disappointment as her friend explained how she hadn't actually gotten to the Earth's verse yet. It made her want to start crying again, but instead she forced herself to exhale a shaky breath and smile. "That was really, really good. And I like it how it is. Although..maybe the Sun God would like to have a more thins about him in his verse." Otem shrugged her narrow shoulders. "But I don't know. I didn't ever meet him. Do you think you'll finish it? Even though we're here, and they're..gone?"

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