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Amaranth · 3/4/2026, 5:01 AM

Skill:

[Image: dc4m3i2-87e99cba-7abd-4524-9974-79197204...ovRCBg463c]

For those weeks after the 'incident', Amaranth had felt nothing but the ache of cold within her chest. Without Valeska's light and warmth ... Amaranth withdrew into the shadow of what she had been before. Just a beast, a creature with no purpose, born into a life that she did not deserve — a life she did not even want. She had been a lost soul, delirious and set on the trajectory of tragedy, drowning herself in the illusions that she'd created in her waking dreams.

The wraith would inhale deeply, the strange smoke coating her lungs.

She was a monster, once.

And perhaps she still was.

But did not feel like a monster with Valeska. When they were together, everything was as it should be. The pieces of Amaranth's dark were awakened by Valeska's light as they slid together in the perfect taijitu . It was, and always had been ... destined ...

Entwined.

Valeska collapsed into Amaranth's welcoming embrace, the two merging seamlessly. The sensation lit Amaranth's skin aflame in a way that was ... unusually noticeable. It left a warm glow in the pit of Amaranth's stomach, a consuming sensation that elated her like a drug. She'd missed it so much — she needed it. This. Valeska. All of their collective imperfections (which were just perfections to Amaranth), all of Valeska's tears, all of her weights and her worries. All of her.

"Only you. It has only ever been you."

In this life. And the last. And the next. And the rest.

The crackle of the flame accentuated their embrace as Amaranth swam in the sickly sweet scent of the flame mixed with the grounded smells of pine and snow. And then, they would pull back, blinking toward one another within the basking glow of strange pink light.

Valeska shared her truths, and Amaranth would share hers, too ... fueled, perhaps, by the smell of roses.

And I am sorry. I acted rashly. I was ... afraid. Amaranth would frown, flattening her ears. Afraid of the only thing that chilled her to the bone — losing Valeska. She'd been so afraid that she risked their own relationship in what she thought would save Valeska's very life — and more importantly, her soul.

The world was cruel.

"Oh. I am so tired, Amara."

Tired. Oh, so was she. The spirits quaked, the world twisted. Their souls were exhausted.

Amaranth would raise a paw, gently lifting Valeska's lilted muzzle. Me too, she hummed, her voice nearly a whisper that trickled through the dappled snowfall. Amythyst would meet gold, all the love she held displayed fully now as the wraith smiled and moved her muzzle toward Valeska's to offer her a gentle kiss.

What if we ran away together? And Amaranth, so normally stoic, would release a soft, chiming laugh. Her voice held a strange, dreamy quality as the high of the smoke (and the high of Valeska) contaminated her brain.

Welcome Back!

Greetings Stranger!

Howling River

the golden wraith