Engine of Change

another mind, another soul, another body to grow old. it's not complicated. Otem had forgotten the noise. The sound of whatever presence lay dormant in this place until a suitable meal came along. The autumn-girl felt as though she could feel the vibration of its need and want reverberating in her bones. It made her want to crumple into a ball, but simultaneously run away. Caught in the midst of these conflicting feelings, all Otem could do was remain where she was. Without realizing it, she began holding her breath, and as the whining sound grew louder, her wings rose as if to cover her ears and block out the sound. But of course there was no blocking it out. It felt like it was everywhere. The orb at Otem's side pulses brightly, but even so, the darkness  reaches out for Aurelia's belly. Otem thinks that she is whimpering, but can't quite tell as the sound of the shadow turns to a whining sort of yip.  "The baby-"  Otem manages to mumble, but it appears that the shadow has already withdrawn. From what Otem can see, Aurelia looks fine. Her trinkets and feathers all appear to be where they were, unharmed. But then again things are not always as they appear in the Rift. "Are you alright? Did you - did it - " She breaks off, looking around, wondering whether or not Aurelia will get the chance to question the presence, or whether it is truly gone for now. "The baby?"

_{art by Chloe!}