you'll never find me gone [open]

The Memorial Garden was like a home away from home. Avalon was so beautiful with flowers and trees everywhere. The Garden in Ilusia was a solace where Rhiannon felt comfortable. It was not unlike her to spend hours at a time among the flora. It eased her and made her feel closer to home.

It was not unusual to find others in the garden as well. Some spread blankets out beneath the trees to read a book. Others dozed off; one girl in particular had caught her attention. Wings that fluttered and twitched ever so slightly; light breathing. There was a girl asleep on a bench, she had noticed, as she walked along a path. A light smile crossed her pink lips. It wouldn't do to catch a cold out here, especially since the weather had turned rather chilly. Her shelter was not too far off, so she made haste out of the garden and into her new home.

When she returned, the girl was still sleeping there. Rhiannon shook her head and settled a blanket over the girl, and then simply... went on her way. Being a good samaritan was something her father had pressed into her mind, especially since she was Royalty. Be kind to your citizens, always be just and fair.

For the remainder of her time in the garden, she spent it sitting in a grove of rose bushes. It was astounding how the ground's keeper could get so many different varieties of roses... Then a raindrop hit her nose. That would not have been much of a surprise given the chilly weather, but the wind picked up very quickly and the rain grew heavier by the second. With a start, Rhiannon jumped to her feet and pulled the hood of her cloak over her head. Was the girl still there? Only a fool would stay out in this weather for much longer.

On her way down the path, her eyes caught a glimpse of what appeared to be the previously sleeping fae, huddled now under the blanket. Was the girl too shocked to move? The rain had come suddenly, but it wasn't a thing to be afraid of. The blanket would provide shelter for now, but the rain would quickly soak through it. Rhiannon made her way to the lone faerie.

She appeared before the girl, her face hidden in her hood. That was the purpose of a cloak to disguise your identity. If it wasn't for the fact that it was ornately decorated, and that the voice that came from beneath was a female, her gender would be entirely unknown. Rhiannon peered at the girl, though the girl might only see darkness. "You need to get out of this rain," she almost commanded, but her voice was too soft to be seen as a threat. "You could get sick. Follow me." With a bit of help from her concealed wings, Rhiannon ran as quickly as she could through the storm. The Gates shouldn't be close yet, but if the girl dawdled any longer, they just might have to climb them.

A quick glance behind her told her that the girl was following. Good, she would have felt terrible to leave a girl all alone in this weather. Rhiannon ran in silence, until the girl had mumbled about the storm. Keen ears barely picked it up through the thunder and rain. "It happened so suddenly. There was no time to prepare."

The gates were in sight. Rhiannon flapped her wings below her cloak just a bit more so that she'd be light on her feet. The mud that splashed around her ankles was very much not welcome, and a bath would be in order for later. However, her main focus was getting this girl to safety.

Once they were out of the Garden, the town of Meridell was only a few minutes away at the pace they were going. Right outside Meridell was an inn and tavern, a place where they might be able to take refuge for at least a little while. Rhiannon couldn't help but look out in the distance. All around them, the sky was dark. Pitch black. An eerie storm, this was...

Rhiannon held the door open for the other girl. After entering, she lead the girl into the dimly lit room of the tavern, taking a seat on a chair. There was someone fiddling with the embers of a fire, attempting to get one lit. Rhiannon stared around the room for a moment, wondering if she should dare to take her hood off. There didn't seem to be anyone that would know her or recognize her, so with a bit of hesitance, she pulled the hood off and shook her blonde ponytail. Crimson eyes flicked over to the other girl. "This will provide shelter until the rain dies down. Are you hungry? Thirsty?"

Rhiannon blinked at the hand held out in front of her. She was certain that what the girl was looking for was a handshake, but it still made her feel a bit hesitant. In Avalon, she was used to bowing politely to those she had struck up conversation with. A handshake was much more personal, what with the contact and all that. Perhaps that's just what residents of Ilusia did. So to indulge in the new culture she had been forced into, she also reached her hand out and gently took the other girl's in her own. "Rhiannon," she said softly before removing her cloak fully. Luckily her clothes beneath weren't too wet, and she could make herself comfortable in the tavern.

With a quick flick of her wrist, she motioned to one of the workers. An order of hot tea and biscuits would soon be coming to their table. Even though Estel had denied her offer for food and drink, it would be there in case she changed her mind. Rhiannon knew that she would like a nice, hot drink to hopefully push the chill away. Even among the chatter of the people in the tavern, the howling wind could still be heard through the shivering window panes. The rain beat against the door and threatened to push it open. She sat up straight against the back of her chair and nodded slightly. "Yes, the weather is very strange. Did you happen to take a look at the moon?"

All it took was that faint spark of an ember to get the fire roaring. The room would be filled with warm, and her belly would be filled with food and warm tea. No matter how weird the weather, this would have to do.

Being a being of the faefolk, magic was easy to learn and even easier to point out. A nod of agreement, and she leaned closer to Estel. "I agree with you. This storm was not nature's doing. The green moon... The sudden torrential downpour. But for what reason?" Why would someone want to cause a storm like this?

"There could be many intentions behind it. It certainly felt deliberate, like someone cast it upon us all. Someone with powerful magic... It is not wise to face those with magic more powerful than your own..." The last bit was muttered just slightly under her breath. She knew a bit of magic, yes, but she would be in no shape to face a powerful warlock that cast the storm over Ilusia. Had it even spread across the whole country? She'd have to keep her wits about her for the next few days to listen and see.

A light smile played on her lips as the girl took a biscuit, despite her previous denial of food. Just as she thought. Most couldn't resist food when placed before them. It was a sudden reminder of how hungry they actually were~ Rhia took a biscuit for herself and nibbled the edge. "Yes, I live in Meridell with my twin sister."