so I blame it on the river hitleah

[Xero]

Oh, it's in my roots—in my veins.
It's in my blood and I stain every heart that I use to heal the pain

One could say that her childhood had been vastly different in comparison. She was one of the oldest children, the eldest girl in their family of sunshine and moonlight. But perhaps she could claim the honor of having been raised within the happiest of times. Gendry had been kidnapped before her. But all was calm within the jungle’s embrace during her time of birth. She had been coddled and prone to exploring throughout her vibrant home beneath the watchful, loving eyes of her parents. But as her family continued to fall apart, her younger siblings did not have the chance to experience that time of bliss that she treasured from so long along.

The fairytale beginning never stayed wonderful for long.

There was always some darkness to come along and ruin one’s happiness.

Momma Luna was gone from this world by her own hand and Momma Sol remained just out of reach with her withdrawn grief. Xero greatly missed her brothers and her little sisters. No one remained within her grasp. She had always been there to help care and watch out for her younger siblings, but now she didn’t have even that to help keep her grounded. Of course, children grew up and flew out of the coop. It was inevitable. Still, she wished that even one of her siblings remained behind to help her pick up the pieces.

Honey brown eyes catch sight of a flashy-looking man making his way towards her. His blue color is quite striking, but Xero was quite familiar with color. Her family was vibrant to begin with (just like the yellow inherited from Momma Sol that colored her forelock) and she had witnessed many interesting shapeshifting throughout her time with them. She was quite unfazed by the unusual by now as it seemed to be the norm within her family.

He is steadfast and confident in his approach, no distractions in his gaze, something to be admired. Her nervousness rises up once again in anticipation of what has to come. Here was what she had been observing all this time. This was where she was going to be making a decision that was going to affect the rest of her life – the jungle was no longer to be her designated home.

She offers him a small smile, a pale reflection compared to her normal warm self.

“Do I really appear to be so lonely?”

Of course, the truth was that she was alone. The support had been dropped from beneath her feet and she was left flailing on paper-thin wings. It was a struggle to breathe in such a high atmosphere and the panic sometimes overtook her during the long fall.

She was ready for the fall to end and she would land back on solid ground once again.

“I’m Xero.”

Xero

Nocturnal x Quark