Starting Over

[Nola]

It was dusk, and a barn owl flew through the sky over the forest and landed on the upper branches of the Tree of Life. It sat there for the better part of an hour, rarely blinking, it's head swiveling every few minutes to survey the area. When everyone had left the area, the owl spread its wings and silently glided to the ground. That was when the owl revealed itself to be much more than just an owl.

A tiny owl flew off the barn owl's back and with a last look around, the owl changed into a young woman. Nola stood still for a second, getting used to the change in perspective and light. The owl's eyes were so much better than her own. Well we made it, Dev, she thought to her owl familiar. Nola thought it fitting that her journey into the world began where her own life began not long ago. She was terrified at what the future would bring- especially the near future. With the exception of a few Vai'aja, and her parents, and the animals of the forest, Nola had never met any other living beings. And now she was on her own to meet who knows who.

Not completely alone, a small voice piped up, don't forget you've got me. Through good or bad. Nola reached her hand up and nuzzled the tiny owl to her cheek. I know, Dev. And that is what has kept me going. Now if I only knew where I was going. She sat with her back against the tree to think, Deving sitting on her shoulder.

[Neve Luna]

Dy'tre's head rose to smell the gentle breeze coming from the pulsing tree of life; every time the sweet smell reached him, visions of meeting his precious Neve played in his head. Chuckling to himself, he stood up and turned to look at the sleeping Vai'aja that he raised without fail. Filled with pride, he turned and headed back to the tree to praise thanks.

As the wind blew again, an unfamiliar scent drifted with it, followed by - food! Grinning an sly lift, Dy'tre crouched low and began stalking this bird-like creature, being extremely careful of his gigantic paws as he approached.

[Nola]

Nola hadn't realized she'd drifted to sleep until she heard a panicked voice in her head Nola, wake up, now! Trouble! Fly, Fly! Deving was hopping up and down on her shoulder, flapping his wings in panic. All his instincts were telling him to fly away from the danger, but he had to protect his Nola.

Nola woke up with a gasp, her heart beating quickly, and jumped to her feet. As she looked around for the danger, she grabbed Deving and shifted, her hands becoming talons. She spread her wings and flew toward the top of the tree, circling so she could see what scared Deving so badly.

[Neve Luna]

Dy'tre ran into the clearing beside the Tree of Life, but to his surprise, nothing was around. Blinking in confusion, he sighed and circled around the great tree before him. It had been such a long time since he had actually came back to the spot he picked up his young, frightened Neve when she was born from a pod that the Tree itself produced.

As he circled around it, he came to the spot where Neve arrived and smiled inside himself; to the left of him, the dry pod lay against the tree, followed by a few others that arrived after her awakening. Purring, Dy'tre rubbed against it gently and lay down beside it, plopping playfully beside Neve's pod and rolling to his back, wiggling in the leaves that had fallen on the forest floor beside it.

"It looks like you found what you were looking for." Dy'tre stopped suddenly and rolled back to his belly and quickly rising to his feet to see Neve standing before him with a big smile. Her tiger lily eyes sparkling down at him with amusement. If Dy'tre could blush he would have.

"Yes," his words were calm and revealing, "but this isn't what I came here for - I came to give thanks to the Tree of Life for warning me about your coming and for choosing me to be your guide."

Neve chuckled softly and knelt beside her Familiar, nuzzling his wet, cold nose with hers. "I give thanks everyday, Dy'tre. I think I do enough for the both of us." Her smile was soft as she stood up and looked toward the top of the tree. Blinking, her sharp eyes focused on a circling owl staring down at them. "Strange..." Neve whispered as she stared up at the Owl.*

[Nola]

As Nola flew around, she released Deving and glided slowly so the tiny owl could catch up with her. When she felt him drop on her back and grab on to her feathers, she spiraled a little lower to the ground so that she could get a better feel for the situation below. What she saw enlightened her. No wonder you were so frightened, Dev. Look at that leopard. It's a good thing you sensed the danger, we could both be goners. Deving hooted softly in agreement as Nola landed on a high branch.

She watched the large, white cat settle onto the forest floor, wondering about it's playful behavior. Nola was surprised to see a woman approach the leopard without fear, that was until she realized the other woman was Vai'aja. She almost fell off her branch when the woman looked right at her. Dev, should I speak to her? Maybe she will give me an idea of where to go. Deving was quiet for a moment, but answered With caution, perhaps. But remember what her familiar is.

Gathering every drop of courage she had, Nola flew to the ground, landing about 20 feet away from the Vai'aja woman and her snow leopard familiar. She shifted and walked slowly toward them, trying to appear as non threatening as possible. Deving nipped at her ear, a familiar sign of affection. The closer Nola walked, she slower she moved, until she was stopped about 10 feet away from the pair.

[Neve Luna]

The snow leopard's ears perked forward as the owl changed to a human before them. "Another Vai'aja." He said softly to Neve as her soft eyes looked upon the girl as she neared them. Connecting to the soil beneath them, she sensed the girls energy and relaxed, realizing she was of no intentional threat.

Placing her hand on Dy'tre's head, she softly smiled at the girl. "Hello there." She giggled as the owl nibbled at the girl's ear.

[Nola]

Nola smiled back at the other Vai'aja, who seemed friendly enough, as she closed the distance between them. "Hello. I'm Fionnula, and this," she said, gesturing toward the tiny owl, "is Deving."

She wasn't sure exactly what she should say, or how much information she should give, so she decided to just keep it simple at first. Hopefully she would get a better idea when the other woman talked. Nola bounced on her toes, uncomfortable.

[Neve Luna]

"Hello there, Deving," she said with a smile, bowing gracefully toward the tiny owl atop Nola's shoulder, "and hello, Nola. It's nice to meet you. I am Neve, or Snow Moon, and this is Dy'tre." Her gentle hand played lightly along the top of the Snow Leopards head and his tail began to sway calmly as she did so. As his name was spoken, the leopard bowed his head to the young Vai'aja before them.

The gentle sound of the wind brought Nola's fragrance to Neve and she smiled at the sweet scent she carried. "You're a young Vai'aja, Nola, how long have you lived by the Tree of Life?"

[Nola]

Nola hesitated. She wasn't sure how much information she should give out to someone she'd just met. But on the other hand, she always trusted her instincts and they told her this woman could be trusted.Trust her. Deving said.

"I came from the tree 5 years ago. I've been living deep in the forest since then, with my adoptive parents." Nola bit her lip to keep her emotions in check. "Their time here has just recently ended. I miss them."

[Neve Luna]

Neve could see the attempt to hide the pain she felt, so she didn't mention it, all she did was nod with understanding. "Life as a Vai'aja is filled with beautiful moments - like a blossoming flower - but then it could be just as sad as seeing the soft petals wilt and fall from it's center."

Dy'tre's tail stopped swaying as he could feel the young Nola's pain, but his eyes never left her. "There is a bonding that we can do," Neve began, motioning slightly to Nola and giving Dy'tre permission to approach her, "that will allow us to talk to eachother's Familiar, if that's what you would like." Never smiled at the tiny owl on Nola's shoulder and Dy'tre stopped a foot in front of Nola.

"As Vai'aja, we are connected to every living being on this planet because we are created from it - we are it. It just takes trust and understanding to become one with eachother as we would with our Mother." Her smile was soft as she tried to think of a way to become friends with Nola - her energy was something comforting to her.