Crimson Revenge - Payback in Blood. Part 6

Mengtao, Cazora and Saberhagen had entered the forest and its dark, dank fog.  Cazora reached into her pack, pulling out two pairs of goggles.  These weren't just any goggles.  These were enchanted vision goggles, built by Cazora herself.  Not many knew she was a brilliant engineer and a skilled enchantress of items.  She handed one pair to Mengtao and put on her own.  Pressing a few calibration buttons and turning the nobs until she could see very well.  She turned to Mengtao,  gently tugged his face down and calibrated his goggles.

"Better?" she asked him.

"Um..."  He stammered as he realized he had been staring at Cazora's chest during the calibrating. He began looking around. "Yes.  Much better!" he hoped she hadn't noticed his ungentlemanly eye gaze. The last thing he wanted to do was treat her as anything but the breath-taking creature she was.  A person that he respected immensely.

Cazora continued on, seemingly unaware of the wandering eyes.  She knelt down by Saberhagen and whispered to him.

"Sabey. Can you see in here?" she asked.  The large feline made a a short purr sound to acknowledge he could see very well. "Excellent." Caz whispered as she straightened up.  She looked over her shoulder to Mengtao who quickly began scanning the forest. Cazora smirked knowingly.  "Are we ready to continue?" she asked.

"Mmhmm" Meng nodded, grinning. "Lead the way, General Cazora." he gestured politely.

"That's General Cazora Starfall to you,  Commander." she teased. Meng grinned widely.

Cazora drew her golden bow,  'Wing Fury'. As she held it,  the two wings of the design began to flutter their feathers, as if they were alive.  Caz readied an arrow from her magic, never empty, quiver. The arrow she took was replaced instantly with another.

The trio made their way through the forest.  It was a twisted mess of roots, dead looking trees,  ugly mushroom and spore plants squirting their noxious clouds into the air.  The air was thick and musty.  The smell was of decaying and rotting plant matter, mildew,  and something else they just couldn't place. With the goggles on, the forest took on creepy purple and green hues. There were cockroaches, ants and insects scurrying around, their bodies mutated and grotesque.  Some had extra appendages, others had pulsating pustules all over their exoskeletons.

Cazora wrinkled her nose in disgust as she accidentally stepped on a particularly large and pus filled larva.  It's squishy squirt sounds echoed into the forest loudly.

Mengtao looked at Caz with horror and disgust on his face.  He was not a fan of bugs... or pus. Cazora raised her boot up and a thick string of pus dangled. Meng gagged loudly,  covering his mouth and nose and clenched his eyes shut.  "That's so disgusting!" he gasped.

"Ugh!" Caz frowned as she scraped her boot on a nearby tree root. "This place and all that dwell within are tainted." she said, scraping.

Saberhagen snuffed the air.  Saberhagen's heckles raised and he growled.  They were being watched by many eyes...

Cazora looked up from her scraping and saw several pairs of glowing eyes blinking at them. Several growls rumbled from the forest around them that were not Saberhagen.  Mengtao pulled his bo staff from his back and took his stance.  "Incoming." he whispered.

A large werewolf emerged from behind a gnarled tree and lunged at Meng with teeth and claws as two others crawled menacingly toward Caz, snarling and slavering.  Meng ducked gracefully, flattening his body, extending his leg and kicking the werewolf squarely in it's gut as it sailed over him.  It yelped in surprise and thudded heavily against a tree.  Cazora swiftly released two arrows in such swift succession, her arm was a blur as it loosed and reloaded.  The two werewolves that had been crawling toward her were snarling as they clutched at arrows sticking from their eye sockets, before falling limply on the ground.

Another werewolf jumped out of the trees to her left, but she turned right, shooting more arrows at new werewolves advancing.  Saberhagen appeared behind the werewolf, pouncing on the back of it's neck, breaking through the skin with his long pointed fangs.  The sound of a loud bony crunch emitted from the werewolf who slumped to the ground, his neck broken.  Saberhagen released the dead werewolf as he shimmered and disappeared once again.

The werewolf that had fallen against the tree, was getting ready for another lunge. Meng twirled in the air, kicking the werewolf multiple times in the jaw before landing and taking his stance again.  The werewolf didn't get back up.  Mentao rolled forward like a furry ball, knocking down a couple of werewolves as they emerged from hiding to attack.  They fell over flailing clumsily as Meng stood and turned swiftly, bo staff in hand, to knock them over the heads. Whack! Whack!

Cazora was showering arrows at the other glowing eyes in the forest.  Each arrow produced an angry scream or growl.  Meanwhile Saberhagen was slinking around, pouncing on the enemies from behind to snap their necks.  A few moments later, Meng, Caz and Saberhagen stood together in a circle of furry bodies, panting from the effort.  Nothing moved.  The other eyes had disappeared, fleeing into the trees.

"I guess they bit off more than  they could chew." Caz laughed and finished wiping the bug goo off her boot onto a dead werewolf.

"Indeed." Meng agreed, smiling, as he picked up his pack, re-slinging it onto his back.

Saberhagen was visible and nonchalantly licking blood off his paws.  Cazora patted him on the head.  Stepping over the circle of bodies, she led the way onward once more.

***********************************

Ravvyn had awakened from her sleep to find herself drooling a bit onto Joliset's fur.  Joliset was still asleep in her giant Dire Bear form and snoring loudly.  Ravvyn wiped her mouth, embarrassed.  She hadn't slept like that since she was a mere infant.  The fog was still very dense, but she could tell it was daytime from the slightly brighter hue above.  She stood, brushing off dirt and moss from sleeping on the ancient cobblestone covered ground.

After awhile she decided to awaken Joliset, so they could continue on their journey out of this evil place.  She patted Joliset, "Time to awaken."

But Joliset did not stir.

"Time to awaken, Joliset."  Ravvyn said as she shook the bear.

Still nothing.

Ravvyn was now worried.  "Joliset!  Wake up! Joliset!  Joliset!"  She shook and patted the great bear, opening it's eyelids to look at it's eyes.

Joliset stirred weakly.  Snuffed her bear nose, then tried to get up.  She seemed very disoriented to Ravvyn.  "Change into your humanoid form, Joliset.  Can you do that?"  Ravvyn asked, clearly concerned.  Slowly, the cloud surrounded Joliset as she changed into her humanoid form.  She lay limply in Ravvyn's arms.

Ravvyn gasped as she saw the claw marks on Joliset from the evil spirits the night before.  They had changed color and were now obviously infected or poisoned as the wounds pulsated with long dark veins radiating outward from the wound.  "You have been infected."  Ravvyn said to Joliset who fluttered her eyes and groaned, breathing in small wisps.

"Can you use your Earth Magics to heal yourself?" Ravvyn asked. Joliset moved her mouth weakly, trying to asnwer.  Ravvyn leaned in closer to hear what she was trying to say.

"D.... dy...ing."  Joliset said.

"No!!  You can't die!  We...  There must be something I can do."  Ravvyn stammered.

"H....old... me..."  Joliset managed, as she began to swirl into one last cloud.  Ravvyn clutched at Joliset's body and began to cry.  Her hands were closing together in the cloud until they clasped each other.  The cloud dissipated and she held something very small and light in her hands.

She sobbed at the loss of the only person who had ever shown her kindness in this life.  Even though they had only known each other for a short while, she had felt connected.  Like a sisterhood.  Tears dripped down her face as she looked down, slowly opening her hands.  She held a small acorn with a white stem. "Ussta... abbil.." she sobbed.  ('My friend', in Drow.)


(To be continued...)

**I do not own the art posted on this page.  All rights and such go to their perspective owners.  I am merely a fan of their work.

Crimson Revenge - Payback in Blood part 5

Rennoewen stood at the edge of the Whispering Woods staring expectantly where she had sent out her flame trail over 3 days ago. The East wind had kicked up as a large storm of dark and ominous clouds made their way toward the camp. She had sent Joliset a couple of days ago. She only hoped Joliset and Ravvyn were both okay and would arrive soon. The wind fluttered Rennowen's cloak and robes gracefully, her hair flowing around her as she stood as still as a statue.

Cazora came to stand beside Rennoewen, "You can't make them appear there, no matter how hard you stare, my Queen." Cazora joked, attempting to settle Rennoewen's frayed nerves. Cazora noticed that Rennoewen had stood here nearly the entire day, only taking a short break every few hours.  Cazora knew Rennoewen was a worrier.  Her kindness, caring, and generosity was part of what made her such a great leader.  The people of the realm knew their queen truly cared about them and that she did much to maintain the health and happiness of her people.

The trail of light emerged brightly from the forest, snaking it's way to Rennoewen's staff.  As the trail ended and burned out at the top of her staff, Rennoewen stared hopefully and expectantly at the place where Joliset and Ravvyn would emerge any second now.  As time ticked by, her face lost its hope,instead turning to dismay.

"Oh dear...," she mumbled disappointedly after a half hour went by.

Cazora straightened up, adjusted her bow on her shoulder, "Saberhagen and I shall go find them, and lead them back, my Queen."

Cazora knelt on one knee before Rennoewen, one closed fist over her heart, head bowed, "My bow, my life,  are yours."

Rennoewen smiled and placed her hand upon Cazora's ebony-haired head.  "Do not go, only you two,"  she nodded at the empty shimmering space at Cazora's side where Saberhagen stood, invisible. "Take Mengtao as well."

Cazora looked up with surprise and grinned shyly.  Rennoewen smiled back, knowingly.  Cazora bowed her head respectfully, then took her leave to find Mengtao. Large paw prints appeared in the grass behind her as she led the way. Rennoewen turned back to stare at the forest, worry painted on her face.

The melodious sound of a smooth male voice rang out as Cazora made her way through the camp of tents. She and Saberhagen came to a stop at a large yellow and blue tent.  A large white and black, furry bear with humanoid features was practicing the ancient art of unarmed combat in a small dirt patch beside the tent.  His movements were smooth, precise, graceful. As he ended his routine, Mengtao, the Pandaren monk twitched an ear, turned to grin at Cazora.

"Greetings!  Of what do I owe the honor of your visit?" he asked one fist against his flat palm, head bowed slightly.  Cazora smirked as she walked toward Mengtao.

"Oh. Well..." she stood before him.  He was at least a foot taller than she. She fluttered her eyelashes as she gazed up at him. "I am in need of your assistance, Commander Mengtao. "

Mengtao smiled even wider, "Ah, I see.  Let us discuss it, shall we?" He politely gestured toward his tent with one open paw/hand.

"Indeed." Cazora stated seriously, taking a moment to glance around at who might be listening. None of the other parties seemed to have noticed the interaction at all.  All were engrossed in their own activities at the moment.  Lavineen, a blonde, female, blood elf paladin,was cooking over a campfire.  Ziggle the goblin was playing with her pet frog, Wibbit. Hawke, the large Viking warrior, was practicing his one handed sword and shield moves loudly and with much gusto. Szintra, the male blood elf shadow priest, was fussing over his hair in a gilded mirror. Chopa, the greatest tank and most unlucky orc, was laughing loudly with a group of other guild members somewhere in the camp. Crimson Revenge was a guild of the most skilled fighters, magic users and healers in the entire realm. 

Cazora walked over to the yellow and blue tent as if she were on official business. Once inside, Mengtao closed the tent flap then turned around to be tackled in Caz's passionate embrace.

"Oh Mengmeng! I missed you." she whispered breathlessly and kissed his face.

Mengtao chuckled happily.  He made a low rumble sound in his chest as he held her close to him and returned her kisses.  "As have I, missed you." he spoke softly and lovingly as he held her face in his warm, furry paws.

"Do you really need my help? Or was that merely an excuse to see me?" he asked playfully.

"Both, actually." she said as she stood back to hold his hands.

"Ah.  So, we are to venture into the Whispering Forest then, in search of our guild  mates?" Mengtao loved the thrill of adventure.

"Yes." Cazora wished it was not such a dire mission, so they could spend one last, comfortable night together. Instead, they had a dangerous mission from which they might never return.

"I will gather my supplies then." he turned and began to load a large pack.  Cazora made a disappointed face, then turned to leave. But before she could open the tent flap, Mengtao grabbed her, swept her up in his great furry, bear arms, and kissed her. She grinned up at him. After he placed her back down, she smirked delightfully, then left to get her own supplies ready.

Saberhagen sat outside, springing to his feet and sprinting after Cazora as she made her way to their tent. He knew they were about to enter that evil forest and he grumbled his dissent.

"I know, Sabey. I don't want to venture in there any more than you do, but we have a duty to our guild and our queen." Cazora spoke as they entered the tent and she began to pack.

Saberhagen appeared then,  snuffed his nose disapprovingly.  Then licked his lips, stretched and plunked himself down on the floor and grumbled again.

Cazora looked at him shocked. "Don't make me take Gara instead of you..."

Saberhagen sat up at the mention of Gara, the spirit wolfs name. He flattened his ears sadly, then made a soft kitten like-mew. He didn't want to be left behind.  So he submitted, rolling over on his belly and stretching his legs out toward Caz, playfully clawing at her cloak hem.

"Mmmhmmm. That's what I thought." Caz grinned as she pretended to be irritated and slap his paw away.

A short while later,  Cazora, Saberhagen,  and Mengtao were ready to go.  The guild members and Rennoewen wished them good luck as they waved goodbye.  Cazora looked at Mengtao and they exchanged an excited grin,  then stepped into the Whispering Woods. Saberhagen was ahead of them scouting in his invisible form.

'Joliset and Ravvyn were as good as found,'  Cazora thought confidently to herself.

(to be continued... )

The art on this page is not mine, nor do I claim them. All rights go to their owner and creator.  

I. ~ Poetry

I am the broken plate

You threw upon the floor

I am the door jam

As you busted down the door. 

I am the promise 

You won't love me anymore 

I am nothing. 

I am the pain

As you scream into my face

I am the water on the floor

Displaced. 

I am the promise 

You will walk out of the door

I am everything. 

I am the mirror

Broken razor shards

I'm the losing hand

When you play cards. 

I am the promise 

You will walk out of the door. 

I am. 

I am the thousand

Lies you scream

I am the failure

In your hopes and goals and dreams

I am the crowd

When you make an awful scene

I am the promise

you will walk out of the door. 

I. 

Ode to Choppa

There is a mighty strong orc
Who was delivered by 100 stork
Born with a great axe in his hands
He became the best tank in all the lands

But...

There was only one hitch
He tumbled into every ditch
For though he was knighted
He was also far sighted

Choppa, so tall, his voice a low rumble
A kind-hearted soul,  yet so kind and humble
He went to the mines to mine ore for a bit
But he dropped down a bottomless pit

One time,  as I followed behind the old fellow
Choppa promised I could work the bellows
On our way to the forge
We ended up in a gorge

And this story's not done at fall 1 or fall 8
I could tell you a fall for each calendar date
Choppa fell down each cliff,  each crevasse, and each pit
He fell down each mountain,  each trolley, and each lift

He's tripped down each step of every stair
You often can see him fall passed through the air
One thing I find most endearing of all
 Is that after each tumble, each plummet, each fall
Choppa always gets up and dusts off with a grin
Turns to his friends and says, "Let's do dat again!"

Crimson Revenge... Payback in Blood. Part 4

Joliset bounded through the woods as fast as she could, chasing the flame trail and trying not to dump her passenger.  Ravvyn held on with a tightly as branches tore at her armor, cloak and hair. A a mob of angry beasts scurried behind them.  Joliset was fast in deer form... but Ravvyn wondered how good was her stamina compared with the werewolves and dire wolves following closely behind them?

The woods began to thin and then Joliset's hoof beats began to click on an ancient cobblestone road.  They had come upon an ancient city.  The light changed as the darkness of the trees disappeared and the fog remained.  The air around them felt lighter.  The ruins of grand mansions and temples faded in and out of the fog and there came a wind that whistled and moaned.  Ravvyn sat up to look around her, checking behind to see where the beasts were.  There was no sign of them. Ravvyn's skin prickled and the hair on her neck raised.  What was so bad that it could turn evil creatures away?

Joliset the deer was panting heavily.  She slowed and glanced behind her.  Seeing nothing behind them, she slowed to a trot and then to a slowed walk.  Ravvyn slid down off of the white deer as a cloud engulfed it and changed into humanoid form.   Ravvyn awkwardly let go of Joliset's neck.  Joliset merely turned around and smiled kindly.

"We are not safe yet, but we can rest for a bit before we continue on." Joliset spoke as she rested on an old wall, still trying to catch her breath.  Ravvyn nodded and remained standing, scanning the area for trouble.  Then her heart sank when she realized the fire trail was gone.  She knew without a doubt there was no way Joliset knew the way out.  The Whispering Woods had a way of making travelers walk around in circles until they perished. Usually, it was because they were eaten by any number of horrible creatures that dwelled within these woods.

Ravvyn narrowed her eyes at Joliset, "How will we find our way out of here now?", she asked.  Joliset merely smiled and produced some food from a small pack.  She silently offered Ravvyn a sandwich.  Ravvyn was starving, so she took it and began eating, her white eyebrows furrowed with worry and suspicion.  Joliset drank from a water pouch, then offered it to Ravvyn who drank greedily.  As they finished eating and drinking, the day was turning into night.  The ruins began to darken once again and the air smelled strongly of wet earth and something else Ravvyn could not quite put her finger on.

The whispers of the long dead was so powerful now.  It was making Ravvyn's skin prickle with goosebumps and the hair on her neck stand up.  She felt they were being watched, but couldn't see, hear or smell anything. One glance over at Joliset and Ravvyn knew that she felt the same.  They were not alone.

Joliset sniffed at the air, then growled a low rumble that didn't seem to match her beautiful features. Her magical lightning cloud covered her and then there was a massive dire bear in her place.  It's shoulders as tall as Ravvyn stood there with a white streak down its back and wearing all of Joliset's ear piercings and necklaces.  The dire bear growled at a specific place in the dark fog.  Joliset spoke in a deep growly voice, "Get on my back, quickly and hold on!"  That was all it took for Ravvyn to hop on.  As she glanced at the spot Joliset was staring at, she saw blue, iridescent light materializing before them. A spirit of the dead had arisen from it's resting place. It glared directly at the pair of intruders and screeched in anger as it raised it's claw-like ghost hands, it's hair flying around it as if by some otherworldly wind.  It was an ancient high elf female, but she was twisted by some evil force now.  She was not a high elf anymore... her mouth opening unnaturally wide as if to swallow them whole. Rows of needle sharp fangs lined her maw, ready to chew up their souls. Her elaborate gown was torn into rags that fluttered in the spirit wind with her hair. She would have been splendid to behold back in her time.  Now, as a twisted spirit,  she was frightening beyond belief.

Ravvyn broke out in a cold sweat as she held Joliset's bear fur in a death grip.  Joliset growled menacingly at the ghost, as more and more spirits began to materialize around them.  Many different high elf males and females who were now twisted evil spirits surrounded them.  Their once-beautiful features warped into the stuff of nightmares.  

The first spirit swiped it's claws at them as it screeched.  Joliset was scratched and blood was leaking from the wound.  She growled in pain, reared up and swiped her giant paw at the evil spirit.  The razer-sharp dire bear claws sliced the ghost in half, ripping the tattered gown as well.  The ghost stared at her stomach then went out like the flame of a candle, disappearing from her tortured existence.  This only infuriated the other spirits, causing them to advance faster, claws and teeth ready to strike the duo.

As Joliset reared up again, Ravvyn rolled nimbly off, disappearing into the dark fog.  Joliset the dire bear growled with all her might, standing on hind legs.  As the evil spirits came within striking distance the bear swiped with it's claws striking two enemies at once.  Another spirit approaching from her flank was chomped in half and thrown by her enormous fangs.  Joliset was getting sliced by the spirit claws. She searched around her, looking for Ravvyn, dreading she had been abandoned when Ravvyn appeared from thin air behind one ghost and decapitated him, disappearing after he went out.  Ravvyn then appeared behind a screaming spirit about to strike Joliset from behind. She chopped off it's head in one smooth motion, and disappeared once again.  

That night, every spirit in those ruins found their release from purgatory to the plane of existence that awaited them next. All at the hands (and paws) of Ravvyn and Joliset.  When they felt as if the danger was passed, Ravvyn curled up next to Joliset, the warm and furry, dire bear as they both fell asleep exhausted, a bit bloody and sore.

[to be continued]

*Disclaimer I do not claim any of the artwork in this story as my own.  All rights go to their perspective owners/creators.  I am a huge fan and if you are too, visit their pages and let them know.  :)

Meet me by the willow tree ~ poetry

Meet me by the willow tree
Hold my hand and let's be free
I don't know what the future brings
But I need you, not fancy things

Kiss my lips with your eyes closed
While I stand on tippy toes
Hold me close, don't let me go
Cause I need you, I love you so

Meet me by the willow tree
Hold my hand and let's be free
I don't know what the future holds
I need you, not some fancy clothes

Dancing under pale moonlight
Staying close, you hold me tight
I cry because I'll miss you, my dear
You kiss my lips and wipe my tears

So, meet me by the willow tree
Hold my hand and let's be free
Though not together, we're not apart
Cause babe, I carry you in my heart.

© Renny Hall

Crimson Revenge... Payback in Blood. Part 3

Ravvyn was growing tired as she walked through the Whispering Woods.  She couldn't afford to make a mistake now. Even though the orange light led her to her destination and safety, the light had also garnered a lot of unwanted attention.  At the edge of the light, following her in the shadows, was a horde of hungry creatures.  She could hear them growling, slavering and scratching as they followed along behind her.
Nervousness returned and she decided to hold her axes ready as she walked.  Her eyes darted from side to side and she glanced behind her every now and then catching glimpses of glowing eyes.  She wished she had wings to fly out of here.

____________________________________________________

The stormcrow perched upon a bough that was low and visible. It's lustrous eyes glowing like the moon in the darkness.  Small crackles of lightning ran through the stormcrow's feathers, lighting the darkness of the Whispering Woods.  The stormcrow fluffed it's feathers as it sat and waited patiently.  Any moment now...

A few moments later a glowing orange light traced it's way on the ground toward the stormcrow.  Behind the flames walked an exhausted and scared looking dark elf female... and behind her... a large group of nightmare creatures waiting to get her, should she leave the protection of the light.

"Caaw CAWW!"  said the stormcrow, attempting to get itself noticed.  "Caww Caww Cawwww!"

Ravvyn squinted to see past the bright flames.  Some sort of bird was perched in a tree and squawking at her.  Ravvyn was exhausted so when the crow's wings flashed with lightning she passed it off as a hallucination.  Until the bird flew to the ground by the light trail.  The trail stopped and held it's place, burning brighter than before.  Ravvyn stood, axes at the ready, checking all around her for the beasts that were following her while trying to keep a wary eye on the stormcrow.

The crow took a few steps toward Ravvyn, turning it's head to look at her and study her.  It stopped a few feet away then it started to flash and crackle with lightning. Storm clouds spread out from it's jet blueish-black feathers.  Then a storm enveloped the crow and expanded upward.  When the storm ended seconds later, there stood a night elf woman of remarkable beauty.  She wore robes of blueish-black feathers that crackled with lightning and a purple and blue cloak.  Her shoulders had more crackling feathers.  To Ravvyn she looked like a light being called an angel.  Her hair was pure white, just like ravvyn's, but very long and shiny.  Feathers and beautiful leaves wove through her hair.

The night elf smiled kindly and spoke, "Do not be alarmed." she said in a melodic, smooth voice.  "My name is Joliset and I am here to help you."

Ravvyn just stared suspiciously.  Beasts growled, hissed and scratched around them. A few fights were breaking out among the creatures, as they competed for the closest spots to the prey, in the shadows.

"Rennoewen and Cazora have sent me here to help you Ravvyn.  I am from the guild." Joliset gracefully waved her arms.  Leaves began to swirl around and the ground around them began to glow a luminescent green. Ravvyn instantly felt amazing! She was feeling well rested, strong and the healthiest she had ever felt.  Her eyes widened and she looked at Joliset who smiled kindly and continued to wave her arms and cast spells.  A storm began to brew. Dark roiling clouds formed at the edges of the light and thunder bellowed loudly as lightning snaked through the blackest clouds.  Wind howled and hail pelted outward, striking the creatures in waiting.  Several ran away frightened.  Others were pelted with fist sized hail chunks.  You could hear screeching and yelping.  The winds blew so strongly that the trees began to bend and bow. Joliset released the storm and it pushed outward knocking all of the creatures away.  Then Joliset was covered in the crackling clouds again, disappearing into them.  Then there stood a pure white deer in the spot where Joliset was moments before.  "Hop on my back Ravvyn! Let's get out of here before those hungry things recover!" the deer said in Joliset's voice.

Ravvyn didn't hesitate, she lept onto the deer's back and held onto the fur.  The flame trail started moving much faster this time.  The deer began sprinting and leaping after it quickly.  Joliset the deer leaped gracefully through all of the obstacles as it followed the trail of flame.  Ravvyn was grinning so widely.  Actually... that was the first time Ravvyn had ever smiled in her life.  Her heart was leaping with excitement and joy.  What other new and wondrous things would she find out there in the world?!  She was looking forward to exploring and finding out.