please stay, for this fear will not die - any

[Noori]

Most days, most days stay the sole same
Please stay, for this fear it will not die
Down low, down amongst the thorn rows
Weeds grow, through the lilies and the vines

Once upon a time, she hadn’t believed in change. When the world stood dauntingly above her, little Noori thought of the world as stubborn. Scorch will never love me began her every morning until it became almost a prayer. Kaida will never forgive me, and no man will ever love me were soon added to the list, a list of absolute certainties. The list grew so long that over time, her spirit broke. The negative thoughts crushed her psyche, and she became the sun-freckled red head with too-wide brown eyes and a tendency to panic at every opportunity.

Many events transpired since those thin, unhealthy days. A few came to mind if she bid them; but primarily, Winter changed everything. Her time gallivanting through the Season’s alternate universe shone new light upon her terribly dismal life. At first, only her body changed (oh, how regular she used to be), and her mental health did not improve. As the seasons changed around her and she found friendship in Kora, however, even that changed.

And perhaps now, as she stands confidently with no trace of her prior self, she believes a little more in the power of change.

She captivates him, the glow of her eyes inviting him ever closer, though he moves not. He studies her intently, causing the mare to smile softly. She’s used to the attention – indeed, three suitors in one season is proof enough of this. Yet as his nostrils flare and commit her scent to memory, she allows that perhaps the flutter within her is not one of hunger.

He steps closer, and the flutter intensifies. Perhaps this is why she withdraws, though she does not pause to analyze her decision. And as Ramiel’s eyes clear of infatuation, Noori’s heart calms. Romance has been her life up to this point, and however tempted she is to reel this lovely catch in, she finds their simple conversions far more satisfying.

“My own family has distanced themselves from me,” She murmurs gently, lowering her proud gaze. “To find another one here would be a gift.” Raising her eyes, she’s startled by what she sees. “Oh—“ Stuttering at not only the sight of his thin appearance but the warmth in the man’s beautiful smile, an utterly genuine one of her own gathers and bursts upon her alabaster lips. She flinches when something floats slowly past her eyes, only to encircle her delicate muzzle and fall back to the earth. Tearing her gaze away from the stone, she stares into Ramiel’s eyes, no longer concerned with his physique.

“So you’re like me,” She murmurs. ”Who… Who found you?” She pauses, smiles, and tilts her head. “Winter found me.”

noori