Moonlight Nocturne

"... he saved me first." She smiles shyly up at Winter, trying to pick Red up so she can go lean on the railing with her. "... you're not just saying it to make me feel better?"

 

"No. I don't do empty platitudes."

 

Elena darts in to hug her around the waist.

 

Winter ruffles her hair. "One thing you can do... is think like one of us. Defy defeat, and do not let it hold you back even when you fail. Keep moving."

 

Elena beams up at her. "... I will. I have to find Peter, I can't give up."

 

"That's the spirit." Winter squeezes her shoulder.

 

"... do you really live here? It's awesome."

 

Winter laughs. "Yes, sometimes. I still roam around."

 

"... it sounds cool." Like, really cool.

Elena falls silent for a little while, looking up at the sky.

"... can we go hunt something?"

 

"Nothing to hunt, right now."

 

"... rabbits?" she offers hopefully.

 

"....with your teeth?" Winter teases gently.

 

"... I have a knife!" Elena says indignantly, drawing it to demonstrate.

 

"Yes, but can you run as quickly as a rabbit?"

 

"... I can try," she says, frowning.

 

"We'll see, then." Winter smiles.

 

Elena beams up at her. "Now?"

 

"...not yet. It's dark. The chance that you might fall and break your ankle if you try to run through the woods is much higher right now."

 

"... Oh." She sighs. "Okay. I guess that makes sense. I'm not used to forests yet."

 

"Do you have school in the morning?"