Skill: 「 - 」
Fable || Forward dated
Thread Title: Shrek: 「 Merry Men 」

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Auberon had left the remains of the Sanctum on the eastern coast. It was nice, while it lasted. He recalled them all: Aoife, Belial, Ivandri, Lavender, Willo… they were all blessings from his Queen. As he watched most of them vanish, one by one, all the grim could do was treasure the memories of moments shared with them all. Their absence spurred the desire to travel, uprooting himself from where he once thought his entire life would orbit.

The venture west was long, but beautiful. He’d crossed meadows of tall grasses and a forest of trees that were sure to flower heavily in the warmer months— Auberon loved the Row, but the whole of Mythris was a breathtaking sight. Even as his heart ached for his missing companions, he still managed to find some solace in the world around him. At least Willo was still lingering, he doubted he would ever be able to shake her, and for that he was thankful.

During his walking, a faint floral scent tickled his nose. It smelled like fresh spring blossoms, full and ready to feed the bees. What could have imitated such a warm scent in the dead of winter? Curiosity racked his body until Auberon veered his path towards the scent. He needed to know, there was no helping it.

A few minutes passed, each stride increasing the intensity of the aroma. Eventually, he could see something as he crested a gently sloped hill. The grim’s pace slowed to a stop, eyes blinking a few time to make sure he was seeing it correctly. Large pink trees…? They were gorgeous, but how on earth were they not wilted or barren?

Auberon steadily closed in, his body flinching as he felt a subtle warmth radiating from them. It felt like he was basking in the summer sun, so warm and comforting. Beneath the heavily flowered bough was verdant grass and other foliage. A path was nestled between the trees, and it felt too mystical to ignore, so he began to stroll deeper into the tunnel.

Maybe it was all a dream? That would have made the most sense.

Skill : 「 - 」

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As far as Auberon was aware, this world lacked the magic aspects that his previous one contained. There were no signs of the fae, no signs of his Queen, no signs of his own abilities manifesting, but… these trees. It felt magical, didn’t it? It was at least not “normal” for what he’d learned of Mythris thus far. The grim allowed himself to be lost in thought, humming faintly as his gaze rested on the blossoms that fluttered down akin to flurrying snow. The voice of another stirred his attention back to reality, freeing him from the tangled knot of questions that filled his head.

Stopping in his tracks, azure-purple eyes found their way to the blush colored wolf. Her tone implied she had experienced such a phenomena before—did that mean they were common here? In this world, I have not seen anything quite like it. I dare say this is my first time, with a soft grin curved to his lips, Auberon side stepped to allow space to empty beside him, a silent invitation as he continued his stroll.

Skill : 「 - 」

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Auberon was politely silent, stilling his tongue when he knew it was his turn to listen. This pink tree phenomena was not the only of its kind, as his newest acquaintance had at least one prior run in with them elsewhere. Briefly—distantly—he wondered just how many areas like this one existed throughout the lands and what their purpose was. Did they even have a purpose?

Names of areas—or maybe they were groups?—were mentioned in passing, but it was more than valuable enough to store in his memory. Northfall, to the west and Avon somewhere nearby.

As the pair walked, it was true the grim had felt a pull towards its end, as if a tether tied to his soul was being reeled in. The woman’s words were met with a flick of his ear that was closest to her, then a momentary, side-eyed glance. It called to him, she claimed. It was going to form a path to somewhere, possibly somewhere that he wished to go.

As they walked, Auberon closed his eyes, a thoughtful hum leaving sealed lips. Where would his heart yearn to go? Home was the answer, but which home? The village, the land of his queen, the forest he came from centuries ago? They were all home and they were all deeply entangled in his heart, he would have been happy with any.

I suppose we shall find out where my heart yearns to be, together, he would not dare chase her off. That is, if you are willing to accompany me? Auberon beamed, his tail swishing a few beats the further along they walked. The end was nigh, and curiosity only pushed him along further.

Pink trees were replaced by whimsical willows of green or red vines, beneath their canopies were hundreds of twinkling lights that heavily resembled a swarm of fireflies. Was he truly within Her realm once more? The high noon sun was replaced with the cotton candy swirls of twilight, orange and purple lined clouds floating along without a care.

The land of the fae, he announced, be it to himself or his unexpected companion if she had chosen to stay. It was the last place he was before being transported into Mythris.