Snippets and Stories: (WtI) Passing Through

Shyloris lives a quiet quaint life, seeking solace in the flourishing of those around her and taking comfort in seeing the burgeoning of plants.

The walls were lined with her meticulously groomed creations. The bonsais were quite relaxing to look at.

Perhaps it's because she herself lacks Life, that she so tenderly cares for others, that they might burgeon and hold against the trials of Time.

For one such as her who would face little by way of struggles when it came to persisting through the Times, the burdens of Life and its resilience is bordered on fixation.

It was fascinating for her.

The  passion, the desperation.

It hurt to watch, to know she was above that.

Not by choice, mind, but those who lived in fear of Death would forever stand apart.

It wasn't like she wanted to die either.

Putting it that way seemed far too drastic. Neither was she ungrateful for what circumstances bestowed upon her.

But it also meant a profound loneliness of watching others grow, age, and eventually leave. They would pass and leave to a far off place, over the stars.

The brunette had watched them all through to the end. It was a long torturous departure that oft still ended with much left unsaid.

It was the most, and the least she could do to simply be by their  side.

She could never convey how much she treasured her Time with them, her love, and the heartache when at last they fell into their final rest.

As she whispered a chant from the scriptures that bade them safe passage, that they may finally be reunited with their beloveds, family and friends alike.

Forever in a place she would never reach.

For never could she cross that path.

Would never walk the bridge that those in passing would.

She longed to see them again, to feel the warm embrace of kindred spirits, of the Family she had so abruptly lost when the barrier had been erected.

The wards of the Veil were a terrifying place to be lost in.

"If you're ever lost, stay where you are. We'll always find you."

But not this Time.

She couldn't recall their faces, nor the loving voices that called out to her meek child self.

Shyloris was a curious yet shy child, and obedient.

But when the wards came up and they were separated, she knew even her parents, her strong father and mother who knew everything and were the strongest and smartest in the small world she knew, could not reach her.

This was one problem pappy couldn't resolve no matter what or how he tried, papa who could conjure up fire, and walk on water. That mum, who was so brave and strong, and collected, had for the first Time ever, seemed so genuinely frightened as she called out for her child, outstretched hand grasping desperately for her own small one.

Shyloris jerked up as a sharp cold lapped at her  cheek. The small clear center of the frosted surface told  her she'd touched the cold glass pane of the window.

Must have fallen asleep.

With a sigh she grasped for her mug, contents no longer steaming.

Taking a deep draught, she felt the delicate taste of the herbal mix on her palate.

Careful fingers wove wires to pull down the branches of the potted plant in front of her.

She snipped at the branches carefully. some would smooth over, others to form burly knots, yet all the same, pleasing to the eye.