iliana amaranth

She's habitually paradoxical, a parallel perpendicular;

All she had to do was wait this out, simply bide her time like a timid forest creature until the danger passes. The forest was a source of comfort for the woman, she knew it like the back of her own hand. Recognized its trees and very spirit that thrums through her then, the blonde fae had felt comforted by its very pulse, as though it were a living entity. But at night it felt like a new sort of beast, the pale moonlight trying to reach the forest floor, the vivid shadows caused from the skeletal, barren trees, those shadows dancing upon the dead leaves and foliage below. The air tonight was crisp, so much she could see her own breath billowing out like a dragon, and despite that harshness against her sensitive skin, it made her smile. She was certainly no dragon, but the thought amused her so, perhaps gave her borrowed strength while she remained burrowed within that woods embrace. She feels like she is within a fortress behind those titan trees.

Iliana decided it best to avoid the creepy boy she saw just outside the forest's maw, in hopes to avoid an unsavory confrontation. That couple were busy with their camp fire anyways. She had to wait until they were asleep before she began her quest for little shiny pretty trinkets to add to her vast collection. She had so much that they lined the walls of her secret place but there was always a perpetual itch for more. As though she simply couldn't help herself in obtaining those gemstones that sparkling brilliantly in the embrace of sunlight.

Iliana felt lonely out her at night, without the company of Mr. Crow to chatter and tangent about the most random of topics. They never felt random to her. She was whisked away to her own thoughts, hugging herself in that thick warm long coat that she wore to fight off that blistery chill. She felt like a snuggly eskimo, she thought about it, how being in the tundra could very well be an adventure she would like to have. So many new animals, so different in comparison to the ones in Sacrosanct! How her dream was to meet and help every single animal in the world! It was an impossible feat, but the thought made her near gleeful at the thought of it. It cheered up that strange prickle of nerves that stemmed within her. A ghost of a smile finding her lips then, as she peered out into the dark woods, tucking a strand of her pale hair behind those pointed ears. It was a gesture that showed how safe she felt, the woman preferred to keep her ears hidden, masked so she appeared human to those prying eyes. It was safer that way. But here in the forest, she could be anything she wanted. She could dance in that pale moonlight, she could sing and twirl until she felt dizzy. A place where a dreamer could truly thrive.

Maybe she might even meet a creature who needed a little help to help pass the time, or maybe even a wolf. She truly wanted to meet another wolf, they looked so big and majestic and fluffy, she wanted to know how they fared in this frosty chill. She had a lot of painfully useless questions she wanted answers to and surely only a wolf would be able to answer them. If only to settle that previous argument her and Mr. Crow had the day before.

It was then that an icy, disembodied voice reached out to her so suddenly it made the poor girl jump, nearly out of her skin. That voice sounded even colder than the air itself and it perhaps even caused the strings of worry within her soul to be caressed. She turned around with the grace of a dancer, her hair spilling about her face with the sudden sharp movement. It was the creepy boy she saw earlier, the one she decided to wait until he was gone. Surprise danced within her silvery eyes, they caught a glimpse of his own. It was such a shock, gazing into those eerie red eyes that looked even more chilling against his pale face, glimmering in the moonlight. They were like brilliant rubies, the pale moonlight only enhancing them in that very moment. His face was like snow, the shadows of those mangled tree limbs caressed his face, the moon's loving glow only exposing his eyes. "Sorry?' She tipped her head confused a frown brushing across her brow. He began to stalk closer, like a wolf stalks its prey. She backs up almost instinctively, trying to maintain a semblance of distance from this strange approaching boy. Part of her wanted nothing more than to flee, but that would be terribly rude of her.

He then asks her a question and she blinks at him almost sluggishly from her own confusion. His voice sounded a little broken, like he needed some water to help with the dryness. "Broken? Oh no.. I am entirely in one piece." She could hardly help that beaming smile that spread across her lips, a hint of a giggle bubbling to the surface. What a strange boy he was! So unlike the other creatures she had come across.

Then he began to speak of misery! She had absolutely no idea what he was talking about. She could hardly help the chiming gentle laughter that escaped her, as if soon suffocated out from the cold or his very presence she could hardly know for sure. Even as he approached closing the distance so his hand touched her shoulder, sliding down to her arm. It made her feel strange, like she wasn't safe even within the woods she adored so much. "You talk funny." She announced quite happily, but she wasn't so sure about this contact, and she attempts to put more distance between them.

There is a growl on his lips, like a hungry wolf and it made that contentment within her dull, as though darkness planned to snuff out her light all together. "Why would you want to do that? Are you sad?" She asked suddenly concerned for him, maybe that's why he moved all slow and broken like. He was just the saddest little creature ever.

"Its ok if you are.. you know.. Its ok to be sad sometimes. I've felt sad too.. Is that what you mean by misery? You know what helps with being sad? Friends." Maybe that is all this boy needed was a friend. Perhaps that was also her answer for every impossible situation, but she was sure there was some merit to it. "It also helps if you smile.. you should try it.. Its pretty easy when you get the hang of it. You might feel a little less.... angry and a lot more friendly." She chattered happily like she would babble to her raven companion, without a care in the world.

Was her heartbeat a little quicker than its normal thudding pace? Yes, but she was quite certain all this peculiar being needed was a little companionship. Friends were surely the answer to life. Maybe he was just misunderstood, like some of the animals she had met. Like the snake that slithered across the forest floor, or the bears that only wanted a meal. Surely that had to be it and this boy with the ruby eyes had meant her no harm.

barefoot in nightgowns, that's how she dances in the rain;