9/4/2024, 11:19 PM
![[Image: dasj6kh-fcc362f4-4eae-4ea0-ab51-566d0609...VRtQg5FHd0]](https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/dc92adb3-a0c8-44d8-a700-f82686783b80/dasj6kh-fcc362f4-4eae-4ea0-ab51-566d06091b70.png?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7InBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2RjOTJhZGIzLWEwYzgtNDRkOC1hNzAwLWY4MjY4Njc4M2I4MFwvZGFzajZraC1mY2MzNjJmNC00ZWFlLTRlYTAtYWI1MS01NjZkMDYwOTFiNzAucG5nIn1dXSwiYXVkIjpbInVybjpzZXJ2aWNlOmZpbGUuZG93bmxvYWQiXX0.rNDHj-ycuC0jySblHh1U5lqpZDv-L4XVkVRtQg5FHd0)
She's drawn out by the way it has yet to rain that day. There's promise of it in the way the skies are dark with grey clouds and the air still holds the scent of rain, but Kairos doesn't care. Her legs are restless and she wants to move. The furthest she has gone in days is to the garden, to still tend to it and to bring Francis his daily delivery, and though she's not caged, the rain has made it hard to do much as it all but pelted to the ground in vicious pressure. She had been rebellious for some of the days, marching outside despite the way she had been automatically sodden, and had stayed outside out of principle.
Yet today was the first day the rain had let up, and Kairos had all but rushed from her quarters with untampered delight. The ground was sodden, no solid soil in sight as grass held pools of muddy water, and she knew that her plants so badly needed a dry or day to, lest they drown. The mud splashed against her pale ankles but she cared not; freedom awaits.
She had, before she left the castle, went to see if Francis might enjoy some freedom with her, but he had been absent from his rooms and Kairos couldn't spy hide nor hair of him within the ruin walls. He must have decided to take advantage of the lack of rain, too, and the thought made her giggle. Perhaps she might extend her venture just a bit further than usual, and perhaps she might find him a new flower to bring home — one that she did not yet have in her gardens.
Stretching her legs, Kairos' steps held a bounce and a sway both, her chin angled towards the sky as she breathed in the crisp freshness of the earth. Everything was so wet and squishy, and she could feel the way even as light as she was, she sunk into the soaked mud.
Eyes of fire and ice remained glittering with delight at the change of scenery, and they were attentive to new plants that she might find along the way. It was the shout that drew her to a halt and though she had never heard the word leave his mouth, she knew his voice.
Francis?Kairos called out after a moment. The Parthenon drew forward on hurried legs, gaze owlish as she seeks out the sight of him.
It's the wayward ground that catches her attention. Crumpled and broken, sliding down with evidence of mischief. She could see him at the bottom of the landslide, awkwardly pressed against a rock, and sodden and slick with mud.
Francis,the Parthenon said again, tilting her head to the side.
What are you doing down there?Kairos leaned over the slippery edge, testing the strength and solidity of it with her forepaws, and chewed on her inner cheek as she debated trying to slide down.
Francis — Francis did you fall?the redhead asked suddenly, glancing from the ground to him and back, and concern laced her winged features as she inched over the edge.
