Gifts

Her eyes shining in the night, Maia placed one foot in front of the other slowly, taking each step with care. Ever since locking gaze with the elk spirit her senses and her mind had come alive with the reality of the forest around her.
 
Everything felt more vibrant and real and known. Some of that vibrancy was fading, but the sense of growing knowledge had not, and while it all wound through her mind even basic tasks like patrolling around the campsite (she'd jumped at the chance to step away from the group for a breather) took on an added difficulty.
 
As exciting as it all was, as much as Maia seemed to be finally coming into her heritage, she still felt a prick of guilt. Ashryn had been upbraided by the Marshal for inactivity during the fairy ring...escapade, but Maia was no less guilty. Perhaps her companions didn't realize what she'd been doing. Between the obelisk in the Old Glade and today, she'd twice acted recklessly, driven by a need to seize the chance for more knowledge. Did they think it was accidental? Her own safety was her concern, but the rest of the group had been at risk this time.
 
She trusted them, of course, but it was still going to be an uncomfortable conversation. Perhaps if--
 
Maia stopped in her tracks. Something was nearby, and coming closer. She turned to her left, just as a slender vixen slipped out of the underbrush, boldly padding forward and staring directly into her eyes. Very unfoxlike behavior. She didn't look sick or wounded, either. But her approach felt right, perfectly natural. Crouching down, Maia reached out to scratch behind the creature's ear, a benison she accepted with grace. "Hello, love." In a flash, a stream of sounds, smells, and images flowed through her mind. The vixen's name, conveyed in an instant when words would take much longer. Another gift from the forest, it seemed. She smiled at her new friend. "Let's get you something to eat."