<div class="floatright">(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8073552/pathfinder.jpg)</div><br/><em>Awake</em>.<br/><br/>How long had it been, since she'd last awoken? Years, perhaps? Decades - No. Centuries.<br/><br/>It'd been long, long centuries since Alura (https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/8073552/db_00272_db.jpg) had last walked the wood - There'd been no need for her, just the endless calming cycle of growth and change, of never-ending renewal. She'd slept, and dreamt only peaceful dreams...Beneath the cool, placid surface of the eternal lake, her home.<br/><br/>But things were changing. The<em>world</em>was changing.<br/><br/>It'd entered her dreams, bit by bit - Words passed through the trees, the tromp of feet, the distant flicker of fire. Something in the air...<br/><br/>------------------------------<br/><br/>The lake's crystal-clear waters ripple, motes of radiance shimmering in the air - A lissome silhouette taking form, arising from the waters! And what a form it was...<br/><br/>Tall, shapely - luscious curves sheathed in a gauzy gown of blue samite, playing about her like mist - Alura Une materializes; Her midnight tresses spilling down the sleek curve of her back, her bare feet kissing the surface of the lake...Walking on water, as if it was solid ground-! A simple sash fastens her figure-hugging robes in place; deep green eyes opening, s-l-o-w-l-y, as the guardian of the lake takes form.<br/><br/>The cool air caresses her creamy skin - A pale, water-touched aqua, a striking contrast to her crimson lips, her raven-black tresses (so dark they're almost blue). Her long, lovely legs carry her across the surface of the lake, moving with a dancer's easy grace; A flicker of surprise flitting across her elegant features, at the distant plume of smoke!<br/><br/>Things have changed, she realizes. A<em>lot</em>has changed since she's been asleep. There are boats, too, on the lake<em>itself</em>...What could have brought this about? No wonder she's been awakened - There's so much for her to do. Perhaps - Just maybe - her realm is under assault from all sides...<br/><br/>-Which means that it remains for her to reclaim it.<br/><br/>The lovely Dryad draws herself to her full height - The fire, first. She'll slip into the forest, ghosting through the trees...Drawing closer towards the flickering flames, guided unerringly by the plume of smoke! It occurs to her that she may have slept<em>too</em>long...<br/><br/>But no. Now she's awake - It's her task to set right all that might be wrong. Or is it?<br/><br/>Everything feels...Different. Different - And<em>exciting</em>. Or perhaps it's just the relish of being awakened once more, of experiencing the world all over again!