cause you were made from stars to live a life you’d never love

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The stars were different here, a fact that hasn't struck Penthesileia until she finally settled down for the night and turned her gaze upward, allowing her senses to soak in the vastness above. It was a revelation that crept up on her—unassuming at first—but then unfurling like the petals of a blossoming flower in morning light as she became immersed in the celestial display going on above her. The sky was a kaleidoscope of swirling colors, with streaks of deep indigo mingling with hints of emerald and violet, all punctuated by bright, twinkling lights that danced like spirits in the night. Even the night sky above her silent cottage wasn’t as magnificent and clear as this is. 

Staring up at the radiant moon—its surface aglow, casting a silver sheen that brushed gently against her fur—Bunny felt a soothing rush of tranquility wash over her as all her worries eased from her mind. The moon hung like a guardian in the night, illuminating the countless tiny stars that adorned the velvety expanse above. Although the enormity of it all was daunting, there was a comfort in the realization of her smallness, as if the universe was waiting for her tale to unfold.

Lying on her back, cradled by the soft earth beneath her and swaying prairie grass, Bunny found solace in the stillness of the night after a day of long travel. Memories of verses and stanzas rose like smoke in her mind, and one particular poem floated to the surface, delicate as the night air. “A habitation marvelously planned, for life to occupy in love and rest…” The words flowed from her lips in a soft, rhythmic whisper, like a lullaby sung to the stars. Though the rest of the poem eluded her, those lines had always resonated deep within, sparking a flicker of contemplation. What did it mean to occupy such a space, to exist within a plan so grand and intricate? Even now, under this otherworldly sky, Bunny felt that familiar tug of curiosity, a yearning to uncover the secrets woven into her surroundings and perhaps, by extension, the secrets of her place among those in this new world.

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The day had finally come to its end in the valley, the sky slowly darkening to allow the stars to paint the dark canvas. Cal's eyes searched for a familiar constellation, one that had always guided him back home but ended up with nothing. The stars here weren't the ones from there, no matter how much they looked like it. It just continued to prove that he was a long way away from home, and in some ways, he was growing to accept that.

There was no law after him, no bounties. Hell, not even Pinkertons were after him for once. For the first time in a long time, Callahan felt free. He could roam where he pleased with the pressing reminder that he needed to come back to camp to fulfill his duty. He could enjoy his times in the meadow, perhaps with a certain lady who had decided to join him. On that thought, the cowboy decided to talk to Penthesileia about his plans for the gang.

Callahan went off a little ways from the area he'd decided to pick as the gang's hideout, safe within the vast meadows. As he looked around for signs of the woman, the whisper of a breeze brought a familiar voice to his ears. Ah, so she had stayed close. Cal followed the sound to a patch of grass, Bunny's familiar scent swirling around him. “Is that you, Miss Bunny?” Cal called softly, not wanting to intrude on the lady's lone time. Though he made sure he was within range to protect her, he knew better than to show up unannounced.

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misc skill ; stargazer

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She was absorbed watching the marvel playing out before her to notice Callahan approach. At least until his southern drawl caressed the shells of her ears. She twitched momentarily, craning her head in the direction his voice came from. He was obscured by the tall grass shielding her from view and for a moment she wondered just what he was doing until it hit her. A small smile formed on her lips as she playfully rolled her eyes to herself. A silly man indeed. “It is,” she replied, her voice a soft murmur carried on the night air. “Are you going to join me, or are you content to remain a shadow amidst the brush?”

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callahan stayed still for a beat, unsure whether to approach or remain rooted in place. he weren’t sure he was intruding on her, or if something else kept him from joining her.

with a soft exhale, callahan did a quick scan of the area, eyes searching for motion in the dark before allowing himself to relax. at her invitation to join her, the outlaw took small steps towards her nestled form. “i didn’t want to intrude.” he murmured as he lowered himself beside her, keeping a respectable space between them. he weren’t a gentleman, but bunny deserved one and he’d do his best to try and act like one. “you found quite the stargazin’ place.”

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misc skill ; stargazer

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She waited patiently for Callahan to decide just what exactly he was going to do, content as she was to just remain taking in the beauty of the galaxy above her without edging the poor man on. He would come when he wished for it, otherwise, why else would he have taken the time out of his night to come find her? The soft crunch of grass shifting beneath his paws and the sudden warmth of his presence despite the space between them was answer enough.

“You are more than welcome by my side,” she offered sweetly with a closed eye smile to pair with her softly spoken words. “I was just watching the stars and thinking of poetry.” She shifted until she was sprawled on her side, propped up on her elbow to look at the man beside her. The accidental closing of the distance between them, a mere consequence of her comfortable sprawl, wasn’t something she had meant to intentionally do. She was blissfully unaware what her careless shuffling might trigger within the poor man beside her as she animatedly leaned forward. “Back on the homestead I had a journal—more of a scrapbook, really—of poetry that I absolutely adored. I might have also used the poor thing to press flowers and other plants alongside my botanical drawings between the pages.” Her originally soft tone grew more lively the more she talked about her beloved scrapbook of a journal. She missed the book, but she had read it enough times, turned the pages with her fingers enough times, and felt the worn and well loved, supple leather between her hands enough times to know everything by heart.

“I think one of my favorite poems would be some of Edgar Allen Poe’s works—’all that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream’.” She sighed out dreamily, a sagging of her shoulders accompanying her words. “Makes you wonder just what he was trying to say, don’t you think?” Bright sage green eyes gleamed in the night. Then she flushed in embarrassment, ears pinning backwards as she bashfully smiled. “Sorry, I’m sure you came out here for some peace and quiet. Not to listen to me ramble on about poetry of all things.”

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“I just didn't want to assume.” Cal murmured as he kept his eyes on the stars above. for being a vicious enforcer in his past, Cal sure was nervous in the moment. At her following words, he let his gaze trail back to her. “You know, I never was one for poetry. Too dumb to know what they was tryin' to say.” He stiffened when she came closer, the distance he created gone in seconds. The moonlight highlighted her soft features, making her fur look like it had a subtle glow to it. Penthesileia looked like a dream, and the thought made his chest tighten. Cause that's what this was, a dream. His mother would be rollin' in her grave if she were to see the way he looked at the woman. It weren't proper behavior—to be lookin' at her, thinkin' of her as often as Cal did.

Callahan only smiled as she became more animated as she spoke of her journal. “I had a journal too back then. Filled it with sketches of the things I'd find when I was out campin'. Flowers, animals, even had a sketch of Reed in there.” His smile turned wistful at the thought of the boy. If Cal remembered right, it was a sketch of Reed's first time fishin' with him. Even though he refused to acknowledge it, he did miss him.

“We never learned 'bout him, but Levi made sure we read Twain.” Cal chuckled at the memory of him tryin' to get the younger members of the gang to read his favorite books. “But I did wonder what the poets wanted to say. Everythin' was a message, even if I weren't smart enough to understand.” He blinked, features softened as he leaned closer. “I like hearin' you talk about the things you like, darlin'.”

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misc skill ; stargazer

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