Born again to Die another day

A few days had gone by and a pile of bones had laid scattered around the base of the evergreens. From dirtied and old to bleached and white, eventually flesh returned to their ivories as well as though putting together a puzzle.

It took a few days and the process continuously moved at a faster pace. Tendons began to grow muscle, blood poured through the newly formed veins, their rivers still and cold without a heart to pump life into them. Flesh and fur crawled onto its body to form a little female, nearly born in a way unlike any other.

A breath. She sucked in the cold air of the tundra which kick started her heart into rhythm and soon her stiff body felt warm once more. Full of life. Thawing the frost that settled over her during the days it took to form.

From above the flutter of feathers woke the woman up from her slumber. A magpie of black and white that chose to groom itself atop her ribs as she lay on her side. “Ah - good morning little friend.” It looked familiar to her, and she wasn't certain why. “Do you recognize me as well?” Her voice cracked from lack of use, that would fix itself over time she was certain of it. For now, she remained laying while watching her companion preen their feathers while listening to the songs of the forest around them.

So peaceful. Even though she was uncertain how or why she was here. But thankful for life regardless of the confusion it brought.  

---

@Lucian

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Lucian hated coming this far down the mountain, but Sylvan had alerted him of a new treasure she wanted to discover in the taiga east of Risnjak. While the prince hated leaving the sanctuary of his icy domain, he wouldn't ignore his faithful companion. Sylvan had never led him astray, and he missed the bird. She had gone off doing her own thing when the winter set in, leaving him to feel his pain alone. Yet, Lucian wouldn't hold it against his companion. Luc knew she needed to explore her new home.

Lucian kept his eye on the bird above him, watching to see where she decided to land. Sylvan was free to go where she desired and explore the places her heart wanted. She had a freedom Lucian could only dream of. Even with his father's leash gone, he knew he'd never be free.

The prince followed the bird to a thicket near the small lake within the taiga. But what he hadn't expected to see was reclined beneath an evergreen. Sylvan circled the laying woman, her keen eyes zeroed in on the other bird the woman spoke to.

Lucian cleared his throat as he approached, his ears flicking the snow away. "Are you lost?" He asked, not trying to portray himself as a friendly stranger. He had lost the ounce of kindness left within him the day she was taken from him, and nothing had brought it back to him. Sylvan came to perch atop his back, her dark eyes simply watching.

---

skill; outrider

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Lounging in the snow, she could feel the rise of the daylight heat from above. It was morning, judging by the slow shift and rise of the warmth. She had woken up along side with the sun and soon she would have to get up and wander across the lands just as its light would. 

Another bird had come to join them, this one landing away as opposed to on her to preen its feathers as this one had. The magpie, aware of the new company, ruffled its feathers to seem larger and spread its wings across her body to send the message loud and clear. "Don't mess with us", the bird silently declared. Such a strong willed avian. “Maggie, it's okay. Just a new friend coming to see us.” It would have soothed the bird, but another appeared not long after she uttered those same words.

He was a tall handsome man. She drank in his appearance with a pleased smile upon her lips, even if he did come off not very friendly. “On the contrary.” She sighed, rolling onto her belly so she could rise to her feet and greet him properly. Snow falling from a greyscale coat while the magpie moved accordingly to remained perched on his damsel - this time on her back while staring daggers at the two strangers. 

“How can I be lost when I have been found?”

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The woman was an odd one. Too, friendly. What happened to the innate wariness of strangers? The woman smiled at him, though it seemed her companion was not fond of his presence. Not that it truly mattered to the prince. No one's opinion mattered anymore.

The taiga brought a sense of peace to the man; the still-falling snow kept him grounded at the moment. The soft wind in the trees resembled the sounds from his homeland, of the winter storms that gripped the land. But here, there was a difference. It lacked the familiar scent of his family, his friends. But in time, they'll spread like wildfire.

Lucian kept his eyes on the woman, his gaze following the fluidness of her movement as she moved to stand. He must admit, she was a sight to behold. She reminded him of her. Of the one he had longed to give his heart to. Though, in some pathetic way, he had. And she left. She left him to rot in this place.

His ear twitched as Lucian slightly shifted his stance. "I suppose." The man remained aloof; his mind refused to trust her. The woman was too friendly for someone meeting a stranger, someone who could harm her. Either it was a ploy, or she was just too trusting. Lucian hadn't met someone this friendly since his youth; frankly, it was bizarre.


A soft sigh left the man as he glanced at the woman. "What do you call yourself?" Lucian asked, his scowl never leaving his lips. He wished Dunja had come along. His cousin always seemed to be better at speaking.

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skill; outrider/recruiter

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His hardened exterior did not go unnoticed. He was cold, aloof - perhaps she was perceptive; the woman had thought to herself. Perhaps that was her gift? As clouded memories and thoughts slowly lifted the misty veil from themselves, but still there was so much that she had lost about herself and loved ones lost.

Oh stilted legs she was a little wobbly when getting up. Feeling as though her legs had long been asleep and only now after years of slumber did she rise to use muscles who had ate themselves over time. With a drunken appearance she tried to move her toes - no luck. They were frozen still, and only seeing her vision being upright was the only indication that she had stood up at all. 

“So?” She smiled as soft as the snow they stood on. If he was the chill, she was the blanket. “Where are we?” Not bothered by the dizzy lightheaded feeling of her looking around, she was in wonder, in awe of the mountain they stood in the shadows of. “It is quite beautiful.” She breathes a warmth breath, letting her gaze fall upon the handsome prince once more after a quick glance around them. 

With a cautious bow of her head at his request, she pondered the question for a moment. Searching the fog for an answer for the both of them. “I believe... My name is Eleanore.” The bird upon her back crooned in agreement.
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