the sun would be setting soon, prehaps within the next huor or so. the colors cast off against the sky are of brilliance this eve; reds, oranges and pinks illuminate the place i have come to. i watch the scene unfold quietly, as if one has taken a paintbrush to the skies and has left the view for only me to gaze at longingly. i am reminded of the fea sunsets i was allowed to watch with papa, unpon the ship as we sailed freely. there was just something about the freedom of the seas, untameable, though many have tried and failed. i sigh lightly, slender sunkist fingers reaching out to weave their way into the rusty fur of my familiar. vie turns to stare at me, those chocolate orbs bringing more memories. there is worry within them, worry for my sake. i offer a gentle smile, plush lips turning upward slightly to grant relief. she doesn't believe me, her small tongue slipping out to gently lick my arm once before she lies beside me.

it is quiet, so very quiet here as the birds and the creatures begin to nestle into their beds. "Roo?" my head snaps to the left, eyes narrowing into the tree line as vie mirrors my movements. my heart pounds with adrenaline, the shock of hearing such a soft cry within the still quiet of the lands causing me to become instantly alert. i am wanted now, the price for my head unknown and all for stealing a few measely fruits. i lift from my indian style seating and lower into an almost animalistic crouch. i rest there, body tense and rigid as i await to see the flashing movements of whoever's voice rang out in the dim light of the falling day. it had been a female's voice, practically choked out as she called out a name. so there must be two of them, two of those that obviously have no idea i am here yet. i move forward, slowly, quietly and vie slides ahead of me, her stealth outweighing mine by a landslide as she moves towards the cover of a tree. i follow her, pressing my back against it as i control my uneven breathing. my right hand rests upon my dagger lightly, heart beat slowing as i steady myself.

"You're not my daughter!" i shake at this sudden outburst that is now followed by laughter. the way she screams these words, it is as if she thows her very heart out onto the ground, already dead, already broken. "Tsk, tsk, such temper, mother!" so there were two of them and obviously, these two were not a threat to me. vie is my eyes, her head tilting slightly as tail curls around her slender legs. she is confused, not threatened and i take this time to glance around the tree. wisps of black fall into my gaze but i am used to it, my eyes peering at a woman that is seated by a log, her very shoulders shaking as she sobs. i exhale lightly, no threat here but confusion is obviously written plainly across my face. i watch her for a moment, knowing full and well i should leave right then and there. i do not though, instead i stand from where i was seated behind a tree, rising to appear before her. my right hand remains upon my dagger, eyes roaming along her broken form to see if this is some sort of trick. i may be heartless, but i am not cruel. this female was hurting, and it just so happened that i could relate.

" stai bene? (you alright?)" possibly the stupidest thing i could have asked her, for it was obvious in this situation that she wasn't alright at all.