The forest blanketed the world in darkness. It was a place of sharp, clear water; of endless cool and soothing wet. Trunks of regal eucalyptus soared to the lofty canopy, and beneath them, lush tree ferns spread their fronds above the mold. Lorikeets drifted bright as flame, and bellbirds made the hollows echo with pure, clean peals of sound. In dark places, platypi crept into streams and echindas snuffled long noses through fallen leaves. Something soft and beautiful slid silently above the ferns, slowly banking through the mists beside the waterfall. Fur rippled as a supple figure sank down beside the stream, and the young Kashran female peered about herself in awe. Her wings-huge orange butterfly wings that sang and flashed with color-folded smoothly at her back. The girl sighed in wonder, lost in the hypnotic beauty of the trees. Framed against the ferns, the Kashran girl had a strange, foxlike figure-round and full of body, with heavy breasts and solid hips. Tall, pointed ears framed a fox's face, and green eyes shone as she turned her muzzle toward the delicious scents of trees and mist. The girl wore a simple skirt and halter made from tanned autumn leaves. Shadarii's fur glowed like orange flame in the subtle forest light, and a long, bushy tail waved gracefully behind her. Curling red hair spilled down Shadarii's shoulders like a rush of liquid fire, and delicate antennae quivered at her brow. Shadarii drew closer to the waterfall, savoring the delicious kiss of mist across her fur. Her face craned toward the swirling trees, and she reached out to touch the presence of their depths, the life that lay behind the shadows. Her antennae shivered to the caress of unseen winds. All about her, Shadarii sensed isha, the underlying soul that shaped the world. She merged into the flow. It radiated from the trees and from the water, it shone like brilliant jewels where the birds sang their songs. Shadarii sank into the currents and felt her spirits drink and heal. She spread out her hands in joy as something vast and powerful stirred behind the falls. An ancient awareness slowly surfaced from the deeps, swelling out to surge toward the enraptured Kashran girl. The Ka spirit rose forth to caress her with its ghostly touch, filling Shadarii's mind with the precious gift of peace. She was welcomed, treasured, and the cool peace of the waterfall opened out to enfold her. Held safe from prying eyes, Shadarii lost herslf in her own private world. The sun was warm, the water sweet, and loneliness could sometimes be a soothing thing. Shadarii let her garments drop and stood gloriously naked in the morning sun, poised upon the water's edge with a dancer's easy grace. She sprang out across the water, her wings flipping wide to swoop her through a lazy, twirling dive. There was a flash of fur, a splash of light. Plant souls streamed down to dance gleefully in Shadarii's wake as the unseen beings of the forest rejoiced around their gentle Kashran friend. Shadarii: The silent one. The girl who had no voice. |