8/25/2025, 2:25 AM
The scent of others approaching wafted gently along the acrid air, coloring its foul bitterness with notes of peony - undoubtedly Dalmatia - and the unmistakable musk that so often accompanied Azrael. They lingered like ghosts at the edge of her peripheral, shapes draped in muted hues that never quite came into focus, for Aurelia could not yet tear her eyes away from Solvi's den.
The motion of Solulfur's tail sweeping over her own would have sent an electric thrill up her spine in any other situation; here, however, it was the closest thing to comfort she had felt in a long time. It carried - warmth.
As Azrael hovered and Dalmatia turned to depart, Aurelia turned at last to look at the pair and called out.
It was up to the other two whether they came to join them, but Solulfur soldiered on with the naked truth rumbling from her lips in a low tone that perhaps reached only Aurelia's sharply-pointed ears. Her left ear swiveled to better hear it, lest the words dissipate before they could be understood. She did not turn her head.
At this she bowed her head as the ghost of a smile tweaked her lips.
Gently, slowly, Aurelia leaned into her companion's dark shoulder with a pressure that belied a great, terrible need, touch-starved and aloof as she was in her everyday life. The gesture might have meant little to anyone else; for her, this was sanctuary.
The motion of Solulfur's tail sweeping over her own would have sent an electric thrill up her spine in any other situation; here, however, it was the closest thing to comfort she had felt in a long time. It carried - warmth.
As Azrael hovered and Dalmatia turned to depart, Aurelia turned at last to look at the pair and called out.
You can join us,she said, probably likely to send a ripple of surprise through the group. It was unlike her to enjoy the company of multiple packmates at once, much less invite it; but this felt like a vigil that should be shared by any who had cared for the golden sylph.
There is room, and Solvi always liked a - a crowd. She would want her friends here.
It was up to the other two whether they came to join them, but Solulfur soldiered on with the naked truth rumbling from her lips in a low tone that perhaps reached only Aurelia's sharply-pointed ears. Her left ear swiveled to better hear it, lest the words dissipate before they could be understood. She did not turn her head.
Nor did I,the Shakti-Vaes responded sullenly, inadvertently matching Solulfur's quiet whisper. It was a heavy exchange, almost sacred as they peeled back the armor to reveal their vulnerable, beating cores. Then, louder:
I once called her a weak flower.
At this she bowed her head as the ghost of a smile tweaked her lips.
She took it as a compliment, somehow. I shall never forget it.
Gently, slowly, Aurelia leaned into her companion's dark shoulder with a pressure that belied a great, terrible need, touch-starved and aloof as she was in her everyday life. The gesture might have meant little to anyone else; for her, this was sanctuary.
![[Image: AureliaSignature.gif]](https://sig.grumpybumpers.com/host/AureliaSignature.gif)
