It feels like forever since I’ve seen this wooden swing, just on the outskirts of a small fishing town in Thavnair. Aikirees and I sat on it one evening summers ago shortly thereafter saving the Star and, well, existence itself from being unraveled. The calming sound of the waves lapping against the sands with the breeze gently flowing makes the swing a real ideal spot to collect one’s thoughts.
We shared the spot here back then, and just watched the sun plummet into the sea. It was nice. It was what we needed after everything. Can’t recall exactly what we were up to back then, but I’m certain it had something to do with training – most likely honing our skills as Paladins at the time.
That was then, and this is now. Recently returned from Tural once again honing our skills as we continue to grow for the new adventures on the horizon. Arriving first, I took a spot on that old swing. Unsure where Aikirees was, as I hadn’t heard her shadow wolf anywhere close, I just lost myself being reminded of why this old swing was such a wonderful little spot.
Moments later, I hear the thud and familiar sound of heavy paws approaching. It was Aikirees and her shadow wolf getting close, and as she did, she dismissed her wolf that I am convinced still wants to devour me and plops down with the lack of delicateness that Aikirees has become known for since her journey. Not that she was ever the most delicate with things, but it’s certainly more noticeable now. Not that I’m complaining, as it’s part of her charm and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
She sat there for a moment, letting out a growl of a purr having all of the similar senses and reminders come back to her of this old swing. I rested my head against her shoulder, not something I’m still used to being able to do now, to greet her before letting up.
“Training going well?” I asked her, not really exactly sure what to conjure up since we’re together so much.
She smiled and humored me. “Zee yup yup! Helping’sies zee Hippos’sies Riderrrrs is alway’sies zee fun too!”
“They really are, yeppers.” Letting out a chuckle with my reply and a soft smile.
“It’s certainly been a while since we’ve been here, missed this old swing. Glad it made it through everything too.” Aikirees smiled with a small nod, as I just continued.
“Glad to be here again with you, Little One. We’ll have to make sure to come by here from time to time no matter where the road decides to take us next.”
She excitedly replied with her usual ‘Yesh’sies!’ and we just went back to gazing out to the wide open clear blue sea.
“Wonder where the winds will take us next…?” I ponder out loud while enjoying the gentle sea breeze dance across the tufts of my ears. Aikirees furrows her fuzzy brows a moment to the inquiry.
“Well, no matter, when or where it happens, we’ll take it on like we always to.”
She smiles and gently nods again. “Still’sies on your zee mind’sies to, isn’t it sissy’sies.”
Her inquiry comes again from how she looks now.
“Well, it is yes, but I’m not going to bug you about it; you’re still you and always my Little One.”
I returned to resting my head against her shoulder again, and could hear her begin to purr soon after I did.
“We’sies got this, zee Sissy’sies. Whereverrrr we go’sies, we’ll kick’sies zee tail’sies as long as we got’sies all of zee us!”
I nodded while continuing to rest on her shoulder, trying to keep my ears from brushing against her face.
“Yeppers, we do. No matter what. When that journey is all said and done, we’ll come back here once again to this old swing.”
