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The Jack Pines weren't as forthcoming in sign for Summer's end as the Ironwood trees were, as the cylindrical flower clusters of the Ironwood began flitting off branches at even the most gentle push of a breeze. The floral clusters left behind a rare (but oddly pleasing) aroma during their graceful plummet, entitled to the ambience of the Summer Solstice only. Besides the delightful fragrance, the subtle signs of Autumn's omen went unnoticed by Kaitriona. When you lived, consumed, and breathed the life of an outsider, the backdrop of everything became one big blur. She could care less about the special scientific names, the colors, the textures and shapes, even the remedial benefits (foolishly enough).
Kaitriona had been on the run for months now, the count of exact time and days long since forgotten. The focal point of her destination always rested in what the horizon would bring for her and her equine, not stopping to rest permanently for no longer than three nights at the most. Although the Aleutian Islands were thousands of miles away, she still casted a weary glance behind her shoulder every now and then, attentively awaiting a tracker as lonesome as her company to be trailing her like her shadow. Kaitriona and Apache Outlaw were deep within the swath of Arachnea's forest, and for a moment felt her guard drop by the comfort of the tightly packed seclusion of the trees surrounding them both. Faint nickers came from Outlaw, as he wasn't as alleviated to be wandering through dense forest.
Giving a reassuring comb through Outlaw's coarse mane, her motion was a betoken one to the glistening blue waters of Arachnea's southerly lake they suddenly came upon. Emerging from near claustrophobia and prickly branches, Kaitriona chuckled as Outlaw's gait felt a little more lighthearted at the sight of open space. "Easy, easy." Kaitriona murmured gently with a pat, noting the rocky shoreline. Outlaw slowed down his stride, coming to a light stop in feet of crystal clear water. Kaitriona remained perched upon Outlaw for a second, her sapphire gaze scanning the scenery before them. Demounting, her deerskin pack was retrieved to dig out a flask for water. Her Naginata Blade remained strapped to her back, as she came to the shoreline to kneel down and submerge the flask completely. Outlaw took his chance of striding to where the water was ankle deep for him, slurping water generously and submerging his nose. Behind him, his coarse tail which was otherwise lifeless and limp, flicked with mild gusto.
Kaitriona's mind was focused on nothing in particular, letting her mentality temporarily put itself in a daze and her vision zone out elsewhere. Her sapphire gaze focused on nothing significant except the flicker of sunlight across the lake's surface. It was these precious moments that could be fatal for dropping guard, but also relieving for the weary, lone traveler to be in silence solitude. Little did Kaitriona realize she was relatively near a territory border in a matter of scant miles, but the ambience of Arachnea's southerly lake was serene, and remained fully present in the moment of such.
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