Life and Death

Happy Birthday

Even if you know what's coming, you're never prepared for how it feels. -Natalie Standiford



Mira could hear the birds chirping long before she wanted to fully regain consciousness. Her eyes were heavy and she barely had the strength to flutter them open when Daunte swooped down like a beautiful Knight delivering her breakfast for the morning. Seeing the fruits laid up in his arms, Mira awakened completely and sauntered over to Daunte to grab her keep.

"Good morning, Sunshine." His grin reached from ear to ear, causing the butterflies in her stomach to dance.

"Good morning." She said through a mouthfull of Oranges.

"Where have you been so bright and early?" He took his pick of the cut and stashed the rest safely inside his satchel for later.

"Just doing some chores 'fore sleeping beauty awakens." Mira blushed and turned her head coughing at Daunte's compliment.

"Oh, Jeez Mira are you okay?" He quickly hopped over to her pulling her shoulders so that she would face him. Their faces only inches from one another.

"Mira?" Daunte looked questioningly at her only to recieve chunks of oranges flying all over his face. His closeness had only made her more nervous and she couldn't help herself. Her feelings were showing more and more every day. Before he could say or do anything else, Mira dashed ferociously to a pond she had seen yesterday and knealt down at the waters edge to look at her reflection.

"I am just a mess, no?" She said aloud to no one in particular.

Yes, you are indeed a giant mess.

Mira's head jerked up. She looked cautiously around for the intruder that spoke but saw no one.

You are rather funny, but I suppose no one has readied you for my presence, no?

Mira looked around, again. Making sure that no one was around the watering hole she sat at.

"I am a mess that is going crazy." She splashed water into her face and waited for the surface to settle. She looked back at her reflection and then realized.

Daunte nealt beside her and washed the residual orange pieces off of his face.

"Well I can't say I deserved that, but I'll let it slide since its your birthday." He smirked at her trying to make sure no orange juice was left on his face.

"Do you feel any different?" He stood up and helped Mira to her feet. She stood and thought about the voice she had heard just moments ago.

"Do you hear a voice in your head?" She c****d her head and stared questioningly at Daunte, expecting him to think she was crazy.

He furrowed his eyebrows and shook his head.

"Noo... Unless you're just talking about my inner voice? Like when I talk to myself?" Mira plopped herself back onto the ground and buried her head into her hands.

"No, it was like someone was talking to me inside of my head."

I am talking inside of your head. You could just ask me you know.

Mira's head jerked up and her eyes went wide.

"Daunte someone is talking inside of my head!" Daunte plopped down in front of her and watched with a confused look.

So, who are you then? Mira questioned the voice, excited because she will finally get to know what her blessing is.

I am your Wolf, your other half. My name is Raim.

Mira sat quietly, processing the information. She was a poor orphan girl, but she did have some schooling and her love of reading really did her some good. She remembered reading stories of people being blessed with animal counter parts, animal bodies that they could transform into. She wondered if this was the same.

Yes, it is the same. It is called shifting. Though I warn you, it can be pretty painful the first time. Raim sounded level headed and mature. She didn't sound young at all. And the sound of shifting didn't sound very appeasing either, but Mira would have to do it at some point.

Can we do it now? Mira just wanted to get this done and over with, especially if it would be painful.

No, we must wait for tonight, for the cover of darkness.

Mira stood up, a little disappointed but shrugged it away. She stood up and looked at Daunte.

"I won't be able to try out my blessing until tonight." He stood up and faced her smiling.

"Well in the meantime we can go explore Sommilier! Should we check out the library? Maybe you can do some research on what your blessing may be called?" Mira's excitement burst and her mounth turned up into a toothy grin. She has always loved reading and they have been wanting to do research on Daunte's blessing as well. They just haven't had the time.