Date; March third. This fortnight the rains seem to have stopped.

Masked under the cover of night, she moved along the slush. Moonlight fell across her back, accompanied by thousands of stars, as an eerie chill crept up her spine. Alone in the dark, she felt a wild sense of danger, mingling with determination. Her destination was uncharted, but she liked it better this way. When she had stolen away from the den Lachesis had been asleep, but she wouldn't be long. Hopefully he wouldn't even know. The journey began on a whim, with sleeplessness clutching her throat. It was too hard to breathe in the den with the stale scent of Anastasia choking her.

Sunflower eyes barely caught the frozen pool buried beneath the heavy snow. It was enough to pique her interest, and pull her off course. It was beautiful, even covered in ice. She would have to remember to pay the small pond a visit when the weather would permit it to flow. Her pale form halted, staring into the frozen water. Tiny lights reflected in it's depths, forcing her eyes towards the sky. It was still there, her constellation. The twinkling stars did not age, as she did. They were everlasting, a permanent fixture among thousands of others. Yet, she was moons older. There would come a day when her paws were too weak to make the trek outside of the den. She would shrivel away with no one to remember her.

Death was an incredibly horrifying experience, yet there was something comforting in the unknown. There could only be so much suffering before her body finally gave in, and then it would be over. Her pain gone. Maybe then she would find Shade, and Ana. The light form of her mother would meet her on the journey towards the darkness. Would she be proud of her only daughter when that time came? The thought made her shiver.

A sigh left her lips, as sunflower eyes remained fixed on the bright lights. Another year had gone, and she was no longer a yearling. The creamy fae had quietly made the transition into the adult ranks without telling a soul. It wasn't a time for celebration, and besides, no one here knew the day of her birth. Even she had almost forgotten. It wasn't a special day, no one would surprise her with a frozen rabbit, or a half eaten bird. Life would continue on in the same monotonous way it always had. She wouldn't challenge for a higher rank, or go out of her way to do anything adventurous. 'This must be what growing older is all about.' Wonder was meant for cubs, and she was no longer a child.

A quick realization had her questioning whether this day would hold any significance, as it seemed the rain finally let up. Settling back on her haunches, she decided she might stay here until the sun would rise. As a private birthday present she would listen to the aubade. Only then would she return to the den she shared with Lachesis, and life would go on. However, she secretly wished that the water would stay away until darkness came again.

@Karpos - The best birthday surprise ever! <3

A whisper on the wind fell straight into her heart. Karpos' soft voice fell around her, as if the stars themselves had descended. She almost didn't turn around, for fear that it was all in her head. How could he find her out here, a million miles away from where she had last seen him? Golden eyes locked on to the silhouette of her nephew, and she could feel the prickling of tears behind her eyes. For once, she didn't even want to question her sanity. If this was a hallucination, then she would be happy to drink it up, and deal with the consequences later. After all, this was the best birthday present she'd ever received.
"Karp?" The name already tasted foreign on her lips. She hadn't said it in far too long, fearing that if she did, she'd have to deal with the loss once again.

He was a perfect reflection of his father now, growing into his height, and filling out. It was hard to imagine that he was once so small. Taking a step forward, she took in his scent. Pitch Pine Trail no longer clung to his coat, as it had been masked by scents nameless to her. Of course he would know each perfume, and whom they belonged to. Surprisingly enough, she took comfort in this, hoping it was a sign that he was happy wherever that pack had taken him.

Then his voice danced across the air between them once more. Her heart broke with the realization that she would not be able to lie to him. Deciding to start with the easiest, she began, watching his face for a reaction. "I haven't been able to spend much time with Aeo, but I think he's doing well." His scent lined the camp, and borders. He was there, and safe. However, it wasn't Aeo that she feared for.
"Lach.." It was too hard to speak of him, knowing full well how much the loss of Ana had effected him.
"Some days are better than others." His recovery had to be taken a day at a time, there were nights when it was as if he was reliving it in his sleep, and with a constant reminder like that... A sigh left her lips.
"Your mum, she's still out there somewhere." Subconsciously, her eyes found their way to the mountains separating east from west.

She did not miss the light smile forming on his lips as she spoke. Her nephew was almost fully grown now, able to be mistaken for an adult. Where had the time gone? It was a loaded question, one not meant to be explored now. After all, Karpos was here, and she wanted to make the most of their time.

"We've missed you too Karp." It wasn't the same without a dark pair of cubs running around the boarders, but the pair aspect was yet another topic that need not be explored. Had he even seen his sister since the fall of Pitch Pine?

Confusion creased her brows as she thought back. Of course there was nothing to speak on. She rarely left the borders anymore, stowed away in the den with Lach more often than not. "I'm afraid I haven't, but I will keep an eye out." Then she realized his mistake. Her. So there was a lady out there that he was worried over? A gentle smile crept it's way onto her lips. "Is she important to you?" This girl must have been the reason he'd chosen the pack on the mountain. It warmed her heart to know that somehow in this messed up world, he might have found a small bit of happiness.

Her features softened against the moonlight. Shadows played off of them both, and for an instant they were in the Fen once more. Everything was right, and nothing was broken. In a different time, that could have been true, but no more. They were all separated now, Ace, Adsila, Ana, everyone. Their well being unknown to her. They might all hate her, and for what it was worth, she probably hated herself.

The light tones of her nephew brought the fae back into reality. Here where they were divided by opposing packs, but she didn't care. To hell with all of them if they thought family ties were no more important than those to your pack. If Maksim were to disapprove, than she would take his wrath. His admission had been unexpected, as the seriousness of it all dripped from his tongue. What must it be like to find love? To know with all your heart and soul that you've found the one. Even through so much heartache, it seemed Karpos truly had found a reason. A purpose to live in a dying world, to go on regardless of their losses.
"If you love her, truly, and she feels the same, then you will find her Karp; And when you do, promise me you'll never let her go." For it would be harder than anything else. Somehow she knew that it would break him, if he never saw her face again. She couldn't bare to think on it though, her nephew holed up in the den for weeks, years even. Mourning the loss of the one most important to him. Just like Lachesis. There was no panacea for a broken heart.

Only time would tell what was in store for the young pair, but Capella had a pretty good feeling that whatever it may be, Karpos was there for the ride.
"Good." With a soft thud her haunches settled on the ground beneath them.

Only after he had spoken did she remember the significance of this day; Or insignificance rather. Why was she so far from home? Karpos clearly had motive for being out of his den on this night, but she didn't. The world was a dangerous place, even more so when one left their borders. Pack lands were almost always the safest place to be, yet here she was, out in the open. How could she begin to tell Karpos that the den was stuffy, full to the brim with memories of his mother. The very air in there was enough to suffocate you, and she just had to get away. Lachesis had been particularly finicky that night as well, pushing her away as he had so many times before. It wasn't his fault, nor did she blame him, but it was nice to get away. The atmosphere out here was nicer, it cleared her head allowing the gears in her mind to turn once more.

"I..." She began, unsure at first. Worrying her nephew wouldn't do any good.
"I was born on this day, exactly two years ago." Finishing lamely, she allowed her gaze to peer through the trees toward the night sky. Capella was still shining, brighter than ever. Still, the pale fae owed him an explanation. He was no longer the tiny cub that had frolicked around the birthing den, but almost an adult.
"Sometimes, the den isn't the nicest place to be."