The cool air was a refreshing change from the hot, humid, dense, still air that was affecting the area in which he lived for months now. Even at night the air was so humid the air felt still and stale. Taking a deep breath made your lungs gasp from what felt like a very heavy weight settling in your chest.
Closing his eyes, breathing deeply Xenith relaxed. His body shuddered lightly not in fear but relief. The lovely fragrance of the flowers, the soft sound of water trickling and the crunching of the few leaves that had fallen early crunched beneath his hooves as he walked.
He decided to take a leisurely stroll towards the wooded area not far from his home. The feeling when you got close was indescribable. The scents were many but one at the same time, you felt at ease here. Each time he stepped inside the woods, the tall trees welcomed him. The bushes rippled softly in the breeze, the flowers swaying as if in a sacred dance.
Earlier he was speaking to a neighbor who told him about the yearly meteor shower that occurred in this area. Intrigued he asked questions and his neighbor smiled and said "it is a sight to behold; one you must experience yourself" with a swift nod he turned and went back inside his home.
Perplexed Xenith stood there pondering before he turned and began to walk. His thoughts is what drew him here, he wanted to see this meteor shower. His neighbor was an elder, wise but also dense at times. Xenith wasn't sure if he was telling the truth or an embellishment for his amusement to see Xenith's face in awe.
Shaking his head his thoughts began to disappear for a few moments as the sounds, smells and sights caught his attention once more. His mind wandered far as he walked and he hadn't realized how lost in thought he had become until he looked around him and realized he had walked deep into the woods. He was unfamiliar with this area; he panicked for a moment before snapping out of it. He was fine, he had his pack with him. He always carried it in case of emergency, and he was forced into one spot for a few days. Relaxing, taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes for a moment before opening them and looking around again. Usually he could find a "marker" something he knew from his travels and would know where he was and which way to go. Nothing caught his eye as he looked slowly and carefully around.
Sighing to himself he began to walk forward.
The trees seemed to loom over him as in silent vigil and protection of the woods. Their leaves fluttered in the breeze, the air felt cooler but still held the stifling humidity as it moved. The branches of the trees seemed to "creak" among the breezes. He couldn't quite figure out the words in his mind to convey exactly what he was seeing. This area felt different, as if he needed permission to be where he was. This perplexed him greatly. No one had ever told him of an area in these woods that was different from the rest. It could also be him and his imagination. The woods were alive as everything was. The trees did appear as protectors due to their height and size; they towered over all beneath them. The bushes that seemed to be everywhere it was possible an animal was moving silently inside to get to the flowers and berries the bushes grew and that was what made them appear to be "fluttering" to him. The flowers of course swayed as if in dance when the breeze moved across them, it was a beautiful sight to behold.
He needed to get ahold of his thoughts and calm his breathing. His imagination was running away from him, the thoughts just kept coming. He knew he needed to relax. Seeing a small patch of soft grass off to the side beneath a tree he walked over. Removing a soft sheet from his pack he laid it down before he settled on top of it. Suddenly his stomach rumbled, he missed his mealtime. He looked up at the sky and it was getting dark. He must have been lost in thought for longer than he realized. Moving things around in his pack, he took out his food and drink. The water was cold but sweet. He added in some berries. His food was simple fare but filling. He ate slowly, savoring each bite. This area was special he could feel it. Eating his dinner, he put everything back in his pack and pulled out a blanket for him to snuggle under. He was tired and wanted to take a nap
A soft sound jolted him awake. Shaking the sleep out of his eyes and head he looked around. Nothing it was dark to dark. The woods seemed different somehow to him. His pulse began to quicken but he forced himself to remain calm. He stood and cleaned up his sheet and got his pack rearranged before slinging it over his neck and walking off. He wasn't sure which way to go so he continued forward. This area was not familiar to him and he wanted to explore.
As he walked he noticed small things that he could use as markers to guide him back the way he came. A large boulder with a crack, a tree that leans like it's doing a pose for a picture, a row of bushes with large vibrant flowers and berries. He hadn't seen that before on this trail. The fragrance was lovely and the berries looked delicious. He walked over and picked a few to take home to see if anyone knew what type of berries they were and if safe to eat.
His ears twitched due to a sound. He listened and heard the sound of water moving! There must be a lake or pond near where he was. Intrigued he followed the sound, before long he stood before a magnificent lake. In the center was a small "island" that held some bushes and flowers. It looked peaceful. He wished he had a way to get to it, he didn't like to swim. Even though the water looked refreshing he decided against it.
A light caught his attention up ahead. It appeared that the sky behind the lake was aglow with dizzying array of colors! Staring, mouth open he couldn't do anything but stare. He was absolutely amazed! The meteor shower was not a myth told to him by his neighbor it was real. He was witnessing one at that moment. He stood still in complete awe. The colors streaked across the sky as if someone was painting them. He didn't hear anything but sound was not necessary. His eyes were capturing the spectacle and it was gorgeous to witness.
He felt like he was intruding on something sacred. His presence was destroying the sanctity of this event. That feeling grew as if someone or something was watching him, judging him.
As he was debating to stay or go the lights dimmed and were gone. He blinked as if he could bring it back. He realized it was over. He felt calm and honored at the same time. He turned and headed back the way he came, moving with a slower gait and with a new purpose. He had a story to tell his neighbor and to thank him for telling him about the meteor shower.
w/c: 1269
