The Empress makes a friend

*Night settles softly over Arcadia, the Great Nexus Tree standing staunch and proud against the darkening sky, a sentinal silhoutte, content in its new surroundings. And adorning one of the branches, bending the limb with a weight that belies its tiny size, is an ornament... a trophy of sorts, or perhaps a warning. Doll-like it sways from its hangings, strung up for months now, a macabre reminder that more powerful creatures, or sciences, than unnaturals exist. And oh, one of those appears now, a tremble in the black fabric of night, an unfolding of the adoring shadows which reach out, stretch, ache...*

*And in a warm breath of velvet air, she is there... amorphorous, aeriform, seeking... the presence smiles as it finds that which it seeks, that lovely little toy dangling from the branch. It hovers near, offering life to the air about her, and the night watches with dark eyes full of adoration, of protectiveness. The Empress drifts closer, wrapping herself around the unfortunate creature forgotten in the strong boughs, like lover's arms around a neck, soft, possessive. And the air shimmers, parts, words that are not words, not sounds, press themselves against the doll's cheek, a soft caress... Alone... they have abandoned you. None have sought you out, perhaps they don't care. But, oh, I care, little one. A very great deal. Sweet R.Un.ner, I have not forgotten you... see, I come to free you, as none of the others have... your so-called comrades The stars dare to peek, smile from their heavens*

*She moves, ribbon-like, swirling, encasing, adoring, touching the unnatural with insubstantial fingers. Have you been shown love? You will be... my love, little one, and you'll show me as such in return, won't you? Yes, I'll see to that... bound, shall we be, you and I... Those stars brave enough to glance turn away, jealous of her attentions. The bough trembles, the figure, so small, condensed, compressed, lifts and suspends in the beating darkness, gently held, fondly observed. You will aid me, my pet. And I will restore you... In a glitter of power, and a soft laugh, the two vanish... the night seems empty, dull, just darkness and stars. The Nexus Tree shudders once and stills*