Imagi-Nethat

A bit of light shone through the trees ahead, though this time it was not a flash similar to someone carrying a lantern, but rather the steady beam of an open space. Jenrai’s steps quickened, and beside her, Atilo did the same. This forest was eerie, and the promise of it ending was all the encouragement the two niravar needed to almost break into a run. At this time, Jenrai could not say why they were still following the trail- clearly whoever made it did not need help, as Atilo had originally proposed. Perhaps it was curiosity. Why would someone leave the festival and wander way out here? Was there a disused shrine? Were they hiding something? But if so, why the hooved animal? At that moment, the trees ended abruptly at a cliff. Jenrai and Atilo scrambled to stop before they tumbled over the edge of the mountain. At first it seemed as though the tracks had led right off, but as they sat panting, Jenrai noticed the thin bridge that led to the next mountain over. It was

Jenrai trailed after Atilo, head down. The other niravar’s energy seemed endless as they explored the festival, wandering from booth to exhibition to activity. Jenrai found herself exhausted, drifting further back from where she had practically been in Atilo’s shadow. She really just wanted to find something to eat and then take a nap, but Atilo had asked to see the closest shrine, and she had begrudgingly pointed them in the right direction. Now the sounds of the festivities were beginning to fade as they crossed a bridge to another mountaintop, the landscape immediately growing more wild, though the path was just as well-worn. There were a number of trails leading into the forest, some small, almost unnoticeable, and others large, very recently traveled by large groups. Jenrai could see the gathering point for the Sundown Stroll, and gazed at it wistfully as they passed. She had wanted to get a nap in so she could be ready for the stroll. As important as the spirits were

Atilo meandered along the pathways crisscrossing the top of the mountain, her new shadow following close behind. It was a beautiful day, almost painfully sunny, with the air fresh and clean. Cubs and children alike sprinted about, shouting, while adults carried crates and bundles of bright-colored fabric. The mood was jovial, unrestrained. The niravar Atilo had traveled to Nokohii Crest with had been quiet, almost sullen, for most of the trip, but even Jenrai could not help but perk up at the prospect of good food and playful events. When Atilo had requested an Enforcer for protection after what happened last summer, they had hardly expected to be paired with someone like Jenrai. The niravar seemed like she hardly cared about Atilo, never asking about them, only answering questions with the bare minimum, and when she did choose to speak, it was often something discouraging. Atilo was glad she didn’t accompany them on official duties, they hardly wanted Jenrai’s dour presence

Another day, Eduard found Daratrine drifting among the rundown stalls of the market. The snow had let up at last, though the sky had not grown any lighter. The various temporary carts and permanent stalls were scattered around the open square, Ianfire’s manse looming out of the fog in the distance. Eduard shivered. Despite being clearly occupied, the market had the sense of a haunting. The dull eyes of the merchants stared at him like baleful ghosts, and the wind whistled and howled like an unseen enemy. Scraps of cloth fluttered, distracting. Daratrine stood in the middle of it all, gazing at something, and the air fell still around her. If she had come here to shop, she must have already finished. Eduard had no tail to raise in greeting when he saw her, so instead he dipped his head as he approached. Daratrine’s own tail twitched in acknowledgement, but did not rise. He wondered if he’d done something to annoy her. As he came closer, he made out what she was looking at: