Identity Crisis

[Philomel]

No sooner had she begun to think of him than the creature himself ran from the darkness of the forest surrounding them. Like a well-made arrow from a curvaceous bow he rushed from the deep shadows, golden eyes gleaming. Steadily he ran, a joy in his step and a great beat in his heart. His mouth was open, and a pink tongue lolled out of it as he raced over to the women drinking tea in the lighter part of the wood.

But he did not head for Philomel. Instead, his direction, as he came closer, became clear. A gasp came up into Lillith's mouth as she saw the small form hurry, tense for a moment - then launch right at her lap. He let out an excited yap, and became as a dog might, burying his nose into her side and begging for attention.

Hello again, he snuffled.

Philomel let out a merry laugh. "He is pleased to see you," she said happily. "Very much so."

Lillith smiled to her, "And it is good to see him too. You both."

The faun let out a relaxed sigh, her eyes going back to her beloved fox. For a while, all she did was look at him before she nodded and looked back to the piece of paper that they had all left on the table. It sat like a void of destiny, desiring for them to hear its beckoning call and fight this creature. This creature of legend who sounded more thayne than another other beast Philomel had ever heard of. But Lillith and Ruby would know more about that.

Eventually Philomel stood, and nodded. "I think we have a direction, then, ladies," she announced. "If we go north, I have a ship. Unless one of you has an ability to create a portal somewhere else ... that is far?"

She looked to Lillith as she leant down and scooped her arms underneath Veridian. The fox huffed but let her pick him up and hug him tight to her chest. Settling into her arms he looked at the two ladies with large eyes, as Philomel thought.

"Lillith, I seem to remember we took a portal to Salvar?"

There was a small pause as the sisters looked to one another. Philomel, however, went on without waiting to hear their answer. A thought crossed her mind and she was suddenly going with it.

"Actually ... earth elemental? I have recently been confirmed as a priestess of my goddess - not that I was not before, but now it is official. Perhaps ... perhaps we may use her aid."

She bit her lip as her body, for the first time, began to enliven with excitement.

"Oh my. I actually ... feel happy."