4/30/2025, 6:40 PM
It was uncharacteristic of Aurelia to follow anyone, preferring to take the lead herself, but now she trailed behind Solulfur like a curious child with bright eyes and a deep interest in anything and everything her companion cared to show her. This was a rare opportunity to catch a glimpse into the other woman's shrouded past, a history she often seemed to avoid as if tasting something bitter.
Aurelia realized she didn't have anything similar to offer. All of her ties, all of her time had been spent in the Vale - or various iterations of it, if one counted the world she'd been dropped in from - but ultimately they were all the same. Tall, vast mountains encircling a haven for her family and packmates, sheltered and protected through the years from both the harshest storms and adventure at large.
Father had been protective - stifling. She understood why, now that she'd grown older and gained valuable perspective, but fleetingly she wondered how she might have turned out if she had been afforded looser boundaries. Tiberii had rebelled against them outright, running away one fated night to embark on a righteous mission to seek the missing - but Aurelia held no such defiance, whatever the cause.
Father had been Chieftain, and his word was as good as any law.
Now she was in a position of freedom, even something akin to leadership as the resident Wisdom, and up until this point she still squandered the opportunities it afforded her.
Today was the first time she had ventured somewhere new and not turned back.
Solulfur led the way, entering the cold stone cave ahead with unusual confidence and perhaps even a glimmer of excitement. Aurelia fought the urge to smile. It looked good on her, she thought.
The Black Sun slowed as she began her tour of the cavern, and Aurelia marveled at the many generations that had found their beginnings here. It was with a start that Aurelia realized she hadn't known much of Tiberius' origins - or Olive's - and felt a strange disappointment that she could offer nothing of like value to Solulfur or her curiosity.
Aurelia simply came from the Vale, and that was the start and end of it.
The Shakti-Vaes hesitated, then continued.
Aurelia realized she didn't have anything similar to offer. All of her ties, all of her time had been spent in the Vale - or various iterations of it, if one counted the world she'd been dropped in from - but ultimately they were all the same. Tall, vast mountains encircling a haven for her family and packmates, sheltered and protected through the years from both the harshest storms and adventure at large.
Father had been protective - stifling. She understood why, now that she'd grown older and gained valuable perspective, but fleetingly she wondered how she might have turned out if she had been afforded looser boundaries. Tiberii had rebelled against them outright, running away one fated night to embark on a righteous mission to seek the missing - but Aurelia held no such defiance, whatever the cause.
Father had been Chieftain, and his word was as good as any law.
Now she was in a position of freedom, even something akin to leadership as the resident Wisdom, and up until this point she still squandered the opportunities it afforded her.
Today was the first time she had ventured somewhere new and not turned back.
Solulfur led the way, entering the cold stone cave ahead with unusual confidence and perhaps even a glimmer of excitement. Aurelia fought the urge to smile. It looked good on her, she thought.
The Black Sun slowed as she began her tour of the cavern, and Aurelia marveled at the many generations that had found their beginnings here. It was with a start that Aurelia realized she hadn't known much of Tiberius' origins - or Olive's - and felt a strange disappointment that she could offer nothing of like value to Solulfur or her curiosity.
Aurelia simply came from the Vale, and that was the start and end of it.
What was it like?she asked, stepping up to the woman's side.
Tell me - tell me the good things. And the bad things. Tell me -
The Shakti-Vaes hesitated, then continued.
Everything you can. I want to know. To be here, with you - to imagine what it was like.
![[Image: AureliaSignature.gif]](https://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/AureliaSignature.gif)
