Treesong

A large part of recovery is growth. With growth may come change; sometimes, changes you never expected. As time went on, Treesong's self confidence grew immensely. She became social - even extroverted - and when she wasn't socializing, she was out exploring all of the Viridian Labyrinth. Sometimes, Treesong was known to be gone for days at a time; and to the surprise of most, Miresh didn't tag along. In truth, Miresh herself was not keen on exploring; it made her too anxious, which she soon learned after Treesong invited her to come along on her expeditions. Treesong was sad at first, but respected Miresh's anxieties fully, and didn't push her to come along after that.

This ended up beneficial for the both of them; instead, Miresh was apprenticing under Councildragon Osteon to hone her skills as a seer, which likewise took much of the time out of her day. Treesong thus could travel farther and for longer periods of time. The rest of the Clan realized they were spending less and less time together. However, neither Treesong nor Miresh seemed to mind; they were busy discovering new parts of themselves as individuals, and agreed that not every moment needed to be together. They would be there for each other when they needed each other.

Treesong's socialization was an emotional refill for the isolation she subjected herself to upon her travels. Earlier in her life, she was alienated from her home, yet now, she was choosing to be alone? It confused not only her friends and family, but herself. Yet in her time alone with the wild jungle surrounding her, she had time to think, retrospect, and introspect. Clanmates have asked her if she felt smothered by her family, or her friends, or even Miresh herself. Treesong insisted no every time, but each inquiry of genuine concern started to affect Treesong's own look at herself. Was she not just exploring, but running away? From whom? Frir? Galaeron? Miresh...?

As she spent more and more time away in the depths of the Shrieking Wilds, Treesong allowed the chirps and chimes of the forest to drown out her thoughts. She sat high in the trees, camouflaged and away from danger. Though she may not return to the same tree with each endeavor out, the ritual was the same: she could clear her mind, and ground herself, without the influence of anyone else affecting her feelings.

...the influence of anyone else? That was quite a specific insinuation. Was she truly running away as she had feared?

Night began to fall; she had been sitting in this tree for hours, without eating or setting up camp. Though typically a responsible adventurer, this time, she was far too focused on her thoughts. She couldn't let this thought go. She had to know what she was feeling. For years, she never knew how to understand her own emotions and desires, and it has left her with conflict and inner turmoil. For once, she just wanted to figure it out by herself...

By herself. Alone, but not isolated: self-determined. It all made sense to her now. She wasn't running away; she was seeking independence.

It wasn't independence from her clan; she loves her home, and could never feel at home anywhere else on Sornieth. The independence she sought was emotional. All her life she has relied on others for validation and guidance, to the point that she couldn't even sort her own emotions out without the help of someone else. But it took this - figuring it out on her own, even if it took all this time - to come to the realization that she was ready to grow. Like the trees she perched on, she knew that recovery wasn't just about time; it was about growing taller and getting stronger as time healed her wounds. And now, her clarity was above the canopy of the forest of her mind. And she felt fantastic.

Adventuring gave her a chance to run her own show, both physically and emotionally. Of course, she realized, it was all a balance; she still loved coming home to her friends and family, getting to catch up and share stories and meals, and having a set place she could call home, but found thrill in navigating the wildlands of the Labyrinth that she couldn't get at Gladehaven alone. Perhaps she could use her skills exploring to lead expeditions, or scout for the Clan...

...but what about Miresh? Treesong was embarrassed to realize that Miresh didn't even cross her mind as she mused on her independence. It hurt to realize, but it led her to a conclusion that she had been running away from. And it was time to stop running away.

This time, when Treesong returned, she and Miresh made sure to schedule time to discuss the situation, and their feelings. Though bittersweet, they both came to the same conclusion: they did care immensely for one another, and they have both helped each other grow, but their relationship was founded on infatuation that faded with time. The spark was still there, but not nearly as strong as when they first met. And though it was hard, they both agreed it would be best to take a break and work on themselves as individuals; it was time for them to do so.

In time, Treesong felt relieved. She didn't feel like she was letting anyone down with her independent activities anymore. She realized, too, that she had become much more emotionally secure; she didn't rely on love to fulfill her, as she once thought she desperately needed. The two of them remained good friends, of course - after all they had been through, how could they not? - but a status as friends was much more fitting than was a status as lovers. And over time, she realized, she was fine now. She had grown into herself, into her own person, and that's what she needed all along.

It may have taken a new home, an experimental tryst, an unexpected son, and an ephemeral relationship, but Treesong realized every experience she has had thus far has made her the dragon she is, and she wouldn't change it for the world. She was finally happy with herself - no matter the color of her eyes, her scales, or her heart.

Of course, an adventurer's journey never ends. It was time for her to begin a new chapter in her life - and this time, she could be the guide. With her new apprentice, HOPE, by her side, she traveled farther than she had ever gone before. Not only was she teaching a fascinating, independent being how to become herself, but she was reminding herself that she was a fascinating and independent dragon as well, and always had it in her from the start. And with that, her next adventure could begin.
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