Goldenscale removed her head from her wings and laid it on the branch in front of her. "But Daddy's gone and Mom said she will never be able to truly enjoy the festival again, even with me." she said as she looked at Ahnah with sad eyes.

"Sometimes loosing someone can stain one's perseption of an event. Mayumi had alway keept herself locked away in her home during the festivals until Frost came along. Her first true experience with the festival was with him. Now that he's gone, she probably feels the carefree atmosphere nring her pain since the first time she felt it was with Frost," she said,"Even the happiest of memories can bring pain so soon after loosing a loved one. She will move on eventually, but for now it is too early.""

"But Mom has spent so much time mourning..." she said, sniffling

"That's probably why it's so rough on her this time around. The first time she actually get to enjoy herself and family, and her mate dies the day after. It must have hit her like a mountain being thrown at her. I can't say for sure since I don't know how her mind works, but she's probably rooted the feeling of pain and loss with that of happness and pleasure," she said, wrapping her tail around the branch she was on, "With how things have been going, he only chance at becoming emotionally normal again would be her eggs and the lives within them."

"I can sense it in her from here, that you stand as a strong but fragile pillar of hope for her. She fears that when you leave for your journey, you wont come back," she said, fallowing Goldenscale, "Even though she knows of your abilities and connection with nature, she's afraid you'll never return."

"She's afraid soething will happen to you to prevent you from coming back. Her fear does have a reasonable basis. There's so many dangers out there, and there's no telling what you may come up against," she said, "As a mother, she'll always worry, it's just something mothers do.".

"I guess so, but when I remember all the people I left behind, it makes me strong. As long as I know there are others who need me, I will always come back. I have to maintain my loyalty to my forest too." she said.

"We all need each other in this world, and that's what gives us the fight to live," she said, nuzzling into Goldenscale's neck, "We depend on others to help us through the hard times, no matter how much we deny it."

"And I'm glad to have you and Tieral. You two have given me both love and understanding respectfully. Both are things my father never showed, but if it wasn't for him I would never have met you or Tieral," she said, starting to purr herself, "You two have done more for me than I can ever tell."

"Then I would have it no other way. Why don't we head to your house, Tieral and Alekai must be getting worried about you," she said, returning the gesture before sitting down and wrapping her tail around her feet, "I would like to spend a little more time with you alone, but last Tieral saw you, Mayumi was running off with your injured body. He was pretty worried about you then, but decided that Mayumi knew what she was doing and went to wait for you at your house."