--Safe--

Macsen || Appears 40 || Leader of the Guardians -----Gatekeeper of Arain

[eirlysofembers]

▌█ OPENSTARTER ||

There was an unsettling silence that blanketed the forest. Eirlys, as usual, took comfort in the disconcerting. It seemed as though many in the forest wanted to forget all of the events that plagued them over the past months. On that front, Eirlys found herself more similar to the majority. Instead of looking into the past, however, she had been forced to see into the future. Her dreams showed Mabon’s face over and over again, though it was much different than the many times they had walked side-by-side in their sleep. The dreams had been consistent since the eclipse, but had only increased after the Solstice. 

With this in mind, Eirlys left her cairn with the knowledge that Emrys was not far away should there be need for his presence. She took many forms as she moved through the trees, never finding any semblance of comfort in one form. Part of her wondered if she should head towards the marketplace for something to aid in her sleep, something to suppress her dreams… another part wondered how long she would need to travel in order to stumble in her own exhaustion. The sound of another’s footsteps alongside her caused her to shift back to her human form, only to glance towards them, somewhat addled by the company. 

❝I do not believe it is a mere coincidence that, with the many trails in this forest, you have simply happened upon the same path as myself… Are you following me?❞

[guardian-macsen]

His gaze watched a flitting figure shifting restlessly between each glimpse through a branch, he hazarded a guess that it was Eirlys. Seeing the classic crimson tipped ears for each form, he knew he was looking at one of his own. With some reluctance he took off after them, leisurely at first but soon shifting too to a stag to keep up. 

Coming to a halt beside her, he gave her a long stare before shifting back - thinking back to the last time they had spoken being the run in with a crude reappearance of his brother. Hands up in his defense, he approached her slowly. “Eirlys. We should talk.” Brows pulling together slightly, puzzled, he realized he had cut himself off quicker than he expected, too used to excluding certain topics, “I think you know who about.” 

[guardian-macsen]

goldenaeres:

Shit. Aeres shifted instantly when she saw Macsen. She looked at him with a dignified stature. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been fooling around.” she explained, rambling a bit from being caught by the other Guardian.

“While that is true, I think I will let that one slip. It has been a stressful time after all.” The small hint of a smile did not leave his features. “I need your counsel, Aeres, the past weeks have been troubling for Guardians.”

[soraroux]

✧ OPEN STARTER ✧ Your muse caught doing something that is out of character for them ✧

It was silent by the lake. She was bored. Since the party it seemed like everyone was growing restless. She didn’t know how Gunnar did what he did. He kept everyone in line. He kept everyone under his rule and did so fairly well. Sora had just wanted a break. So she’d gone to the surface. Checked around the lake to make sure she was alone, which she was at the current moment. 

After making sure no one was in earshot, she walked over to the lake’s edge though- not touching it currently, and sat down. She laid back and finally let her voice drift off. It was just a song she had stuck in her head. But before she could sing in a spot where no one could hear. Around the forest there didn’t to be much of a place for it. Even under the lake it seemed somewhat crowded. She just wanted to a few moments of solace. To sing, get the song out of her head and then go on her way.

[guardian-macsen]

Sound carried far. Especially across the lake. He had taken some time to visit the waters, a short moment to himself. Pleasantly, his walk was accompanied with song that travelled with the ebb and flow of the waves that brushed against the pebbles tipped in snow. Momentarily he wanted to sing back but it had been a long time since he had exercised his vocal chords in such a way. Better not embarrass yourself, Guardian.

Coming to a stop by the figure and the source of music he waited patiently till she had finished, watching the flakes fall to the water and dissipate in the depths. “Careful, songbird, you’ll catch your death lying like that in the snow.”

[kolyaivanov-deactivated20211220]

open starter: prompt- being clumsy.

Micah’s not exactly certain what time it is, but it’s late enough that the forest is quiet and the sky is dark, the snow glowing an otherwordly white beneath the light of the moon and stars. He could have cast a warming charm, easy, but something about the crisp air in his lungs and against his skin has him feeling refreshed, his mind cleared of the negativity that’s been haunting it as of late. It’s a welcome feeling, and he’s warm enough thanks to his jacket and, fine, maybe a little alcohol. Not much, just enough to have him pleasantly buzzed, shoulders losing their tension. The only thing that could have made it more perfect was a cigarette.

He should know by now that appreciating or enjoying anything is the quickest way to ruin it. Maybe it’s the dark, maybe it’s the wine, maybe it’s the way he’s distracted staring at the sky instead of watching where he’s walking, maybe it’s just bad luck but next thing Micah knows he’s letting a surprised noise- one that is by no means a squawk- and falling flat on his face.

And not only is it embarassing (because he is decidedly not some toddling infant that hasn’t fully figured out how his damned legs work) it’s cold and wet and his pants are ripped at his knee, which is stinging and definitely dripping blood. He scrambles to his feet as quickly as he can, a disgruntled hmph leaving his mouth as he tugs at his jacket, smoothing out the fabric and adjusting it so that it’s draping the way it’s supposed to be, dusting disgusting, filthy snow off of himself and hissing a string of irritated swears. “Gods curse this primitive fucking forest-” He aimed a kick at the log that had tripped him- “So uncivilized.”

[guardian-macsen]

Trudging through the snow as an elk, breath escaped in nostrils in huge plumes of white, his usual rounds of guarding the cairns quiet and peaceful. For some time he had been listening to the sounds of a second pair of footsteps trampling through the bushels of ice, Macsen had decidedly not moved and chose to graze on what tips of grass there were poking through the moon washed floor. He was not expecting any trouble.

The noise emitted from the man startled him, gaze dragged up from the floor to see a man lying flat on his stomach. Slowly making an approach he could smell a small twinge of alcohol in the air and later the metallic iron in blood. Curious he stopped by the man, staring at his acts of rage towards the forest Macsen loved. A short snort came from the elk as a substitute of laughter.

The Guardian only watched while expletives spilled from his mouth a misdirection of his own clumsiness. “It appears quite the opposite.” The elk mumbled, not entirely loud enough to be heard clearly, lowering his head to the ground he continued to look for what sustenance there was left, unblanketed by snow.

[guardian-macsen]

irisofwolves:

Iris felt no reason to lie to the other Guardian. She laughed, her head thrown back at his gesture to the lights. There really didn’t seem to be a better label for those lights than just vaguely waving a hand in its general direction and shrugging. His following question quickly sobered her though, and she thought about what had transpired during the virus. More specifically, how it had been for her and Jason. The virus has been a blow that they hadn’t been expecting. Cut off from the Pack, fears that were always there suddenly boiling over— how Jason had seemed so tired, so vulnerable. How vulnerable she was. She was glad that of all the wolves, she had stumbled across Jason that day. “Losing the pack bond was tough on some of us, but its better now.”

A race? With a Guardian? She would surely lose, but there was something so exhilarating about the idea. “Who am I to deny the opportunity to race a Guardian?” She rose to her feet, brushing off the grass and dirt. “Shifted, or like this?”

Unsurprised that she would rise to the challenge he pulled himself to his feet too. The Guardian gave a gentle scoff of derision at her question. Where was the fun in running on two legs? Thinking, he hummed quietly despite knowing the answer. In a moment, he had shrunk to a smaller size and was digging himself from the snow in a bundle of fur.

Taking a single look at Iris, he then bounded off through the forest taking off with the wind.

[lildippcrpincs-blog]

The stress was getting to Aeres. She couldn’t take it anymore. So, she decided to take some action and do something about it. She shifted into a cat jumping into the snow. She ran around in circles, tripping over the snow in her way. Rolling around in the snow, her ears detected a noise, not too far away, so she froze in her actions, looking up at the newcomer with large eyes.

[guardian-macsen]

Macsen came to a stop as he heard a gentle shuffling in the snow, a blur of snowy fur zooming past, the telltale signs of crimson tipped on the ears. Arms folded, he moved up to where the feline was enjoying the thick flurries of ice. “Aeres.” he grinned with a curt wave of his hand. “Very cute.”

[guardian-macsen]

Macsen: This year I lost my dear brother, Mabon

Mabon in the distance: Quit telling everyone I'm dead!

Macsen: Sometimes, I can still hear his voice...

[guardian-macsen]

a-tuath:

The winter was different now. Colder, harsher, much more foreboding that previous winters she had had in Arain. If it were not for tradition she would not be outside, sipping champaigne laced with magick and making small talk with the others. Given of course that there have been more than a few talks it seems. Most are from those who would ask her on official reasons, discussions - and the pleasant surprise of both fae and non-fae beings coming up to her with courage and fear in their eyes. It seemed like parties were always an excuse to them to come up to a Queen and talk - and not more than one, dance. Brave souls indeed.

It was after one such dance - in which she politely cheered the young fellow while swaying on her own - that she found herself taking in another drink for the night, another solitary enchanter engaging her in questions and talking about himself. It was like, getting hit on and being bragged at, which was amusing but also quite cliche. It did no harm to talk though, it was a party, she would consider it her gift as she found a way to be deeper into the discussion, gather a couple more magicks into the talk.

During an especially interesting topic did she sudddenly felt goosebumps upon her leg, another fae asked if she was feeling well. Aibell brushed it off as she looked down, a mewl- and then a beautiful feline making its way around her, almost as if marking her as if his own. She let the top of her toes touch the underside of the cat as she looked down, meeting the feline’s gaze, only the happiness that briefly touched her eyes a sign that she would be with him shortly.

Aibell debated if she should make him wait- but decided against it, even with all the alcohol she did not let her pettiness show. It had been quite a while since they had time to give each other. The weight of leadership on both of them took their toll, the meetings, the glimpses, and polite greetings were their only source of intimacy- as intimate as ‘I hope you’re doing well’ could be. 

She took another drink for her, and a bruschetta from a nearby tray as she excused herself and walked towards him, trying to fling in a bit of sultry look, a seductive walk, the basics. Her heart hammered in her chest, it was not that she did not feel anything for him, the friendliness, and even the spark was there - but so many things have happened… maybe it was just how they always were, and it was so easy to fall into that type when with him. Maybe what she was doing was stupid, look at her, falling into this cliche that she laughed at earlier. Her thoughts stopped as she came face to face with him.

“Hello stranger. Enjoying the party?” she asked, raising the bruschetta a polite distance from his mouth. It was a risky move, but if he took with, even with just his fingers, it would settle the knot in her stomach. It felt rusty, trying to flirt, even if it came easy to do. “I’m glad you found yourself coming Macsen, I was very worried for you.” she added bringing into light the fact that despite the tightness in her stomach, the care and worry she felt when he was sick was real, and it terrified her.

Falling so easily back into their old ways, he hummed a quiet note of approval as she approached him. “Certainly better now.” An easy smile broke across his lips, a stirring of old memories brightening his gaze compared to their terse greetings whenever they crossed paths usually. As always it seemed as though they were destined for other things. Eyeing her offer, he brought his gaze to her’s. 

Gently he took her hand in his and he took a bite from the party food. Not bad. Of all the species in the forest he trusted the Fae the most to be able to host a party. Resting a finger on his lips while he chewed, the tone had taken a swift turn to the serious. Worried? Why? A frown pulled his brows together while he considered her words further. What could he have done that would have been a cause for worry?

Thinking back to the time during the virus, the realisation soon hit him that he must have inadvertently called for Aibell during his nightmares. Strong enough for her to hear him. That was certainly not his intentions. For the whole month he was trapped in his own head, the worst place to be. He dragged his own fears out and wound them around himself. They lasted so long at the time he could no longer tell the difference any more. 

Grumbling quietly, he looked elsewhere, mildly ashamed that he caused her any apprehension. “The virus,” he started, wondering if it was an explanation she wanted, “It gave us month long nightmares... The forest was burning and it did not stop.” While he was suspended in his own imagination for so long, the images remained, he did not want to believe this to a be premonition but as with his previous track record it was highly possible. His gaze turned more distant while he stared at the ground. Partially to change the subject but knowing it was bound to return to him, he pushed the conversation back to her wellbeing, taking her hand in his again.

“Did the virus affect you, Aibell?”

[guardian-macsen]

gabriel-enchanted:

Gabriel couldn’t breathe. His eyes kept catching on certain faces, heart breaking into smaller and smaller pieces as he fought the urge to crawl out of his skin. He wanted to be anywhere but here. This wasn’t real. This couldn’t be real. He would never. Micah’d disappeared with a clap on the shoulder and Gabriel feared that his reappearance would just bring more poor doomed souls. So it took him a moment to realize the stag’s presence and then he was even more confused. 

What did the stag have to do with anything?

His hand flew to his mouth, to cover a scream, a sob, or both – he wasn’t sure, but something visceral happened as he watched the snow begin to melt and flowers take their space. Could it be reversed? Could this stag fix this? Gabriel took half a dozen steps closer to where the stag was, trying to figure out how to ask, when an unrecognizable voice sounded from seemingly nowhere.

Stress? The voice thought this meant stress? “I killed them all.” Gabriel whispered. “Stress doesn’t seem like the right word.” He forced himself to kneel, mumbling spells to clean his hands, but they didn’t work, so he had to reach out red-tinged fingers to try and find a pulse. “Can you bring them back? Please?” 

Watching one of the figures simply fade from the dream, the stag shook its head, solemnly. “I cannot.” Macsen responded matter-of-factly, still examining each body on the floor. This was the enchanter’s dream after all. Minor changes to the environment were possible in a dreamwalk but never something so drastic. The extent of his powers in a dream he rarely tested the limits of, perhaps it was possible but even the the Guardian would never try it. Even in his own dreams he would never attempt to bring his brother back. Meddling with matters that were not his own. “That is up to you, enchanter.” 

The snow had largely gone by now, replaced by a meadow of small blooming flowers, cushioning the remainders of the bodies. Pensive, he wandered round once more before he stilled beside the man. “You are afraid of losing them, like you are trying to grasp running water.” 

Shifting, his size shrunk dramatically into a small white otter, this form small enough he climbed the arm of the man and took a seat on his shoulder. “Stressful, isn’t it?” 

[guardian-macsen]

emmareids:

Emma just nodded, she didn’t know all of the guardians by name. Just Macsen because she’d made a point to learn the names and faces of all of the leaders. Glancing over at him only when he spoke. Leading him back the pathway that she had come from. “I was out… researching. Working. Trying to find something to hopefully help the cairns… but I walked into the wrong clearing. And there were humans… Eirlys… she found me before they could get to me and hunted some day. I - I was foolish I suppose… she had one pinned… I thought he was unarmed. I said she should just leave him. Not kill him… and when she wasn’t looking at him he stabbed her… It’s… I’m sorry.” After she started speaking she not only made sure she was leading him the right way but wouldn’t turn her eyes back to him. She felt unbelievably guilty for distracting the guardian woman.

“I see.” Macsen nodded, understanding their predicament, particularly Emma’s troubles. Opinions similar to others in the forest. “You must take care next time, Emma.” Could he blame her? “Humans will not always afford us the same merciful treatment.” It was not her fault, the people from the facility were despicable but in her misplaced morality she had perhaps put Eirlys in danger too. Although he doubted it was not anything Eirlys could not handle herself. “They are... confusing creatures.”

[guardian-macsen]

Having slipped away briefly from his cairn, duties abandoned for his own time. He made his way towards The Forts, first hearing the event long before he had reached it. Music at first, bass, drums, flutes and then finally the murmurs and indistinct chatter of a group of people. The small clearing was bustling. Winding between them, he had slipped briefly into something smaller to get through them all, hopping between a hare to a scurrying mouse, taking care to avoid the stomping and chivalrous footsteps of dancers. 

He passed a recognisable figure, the air of elegance and grace surrounding her. As a snowy white cat, he brushed past her, taking the time to wind around her legs before glancing upwards to try meet her gaze with a quiet mewl. The Guardian soon moved further forward though, deciding it were better to go somewhere less crowded and Aibell could have the chance to dismiss herself from whatever business she might have been a part of. 

Taking a drink, he stood by the edges of the solstice event, surprisingly enjoying the merriment and the cheer. Although not in clothes that he would usually wear and feeling a little out of his element he was unsure if he would stay long, he could not leave a cairn unguarded for long after all. Despite his conflict the event was a welcome change from the norm of Arain. His glance found the Seelie Queen’s again though and he beamed her a gentle smile.

@a-tuath

[guardian-macsen]

irisofwolves:

She leaned back on her hands, her legs sprawled out in front of her as she listened to the Guardian speak. The Guardians were affected by nightmares? Well, that maybe explained why Rhodri had found his way into her dreams, and how their nightmares had intertwined and morphed into something else entirely. But Iris wasn’t quite sure just how much of that Rhodri had told the others, and it wasn’t her place to bring up his fears. “I’m glad that that is over and done with. It was a trying time for many of the Forest’s inhabitants, I’m sure.” 

“And how are you now?” A hand found its way into her hair as she wondered if that was a question people asked often to the Guardians. They seemed so untouchable, so ancient. Did the other magicks deign to interact with them as if they were normal people? Did they treat them with disdain because of the humans? What did the humans think about the Guardians? What did the humans think about them all? Her hand gripped her hair, before she forced her fist to loosen. Those questions could wait for later. Right then, despite the uncertainty of what was to come, Iris felt a certain level of serenity and calmness, and she didn’t want to lose that just yet. And she enjoyed the Guardian’s company.

Some musical laughter escaped him, from the virus now straight to these beams of light, what next? Arain did not let up. “And now we have this.” he gestured to the long pillars of blue. Macsen had spent some time observing them, he had come as close as he could to them, they were strong beams of pure, unfiltered magick, not immediately dangerous. “It was...” The loss of the assistance and generosity of the wisps harmed the forest. “All the werewolves have recovered well, I hope.” 

Shrugging a little he followed up with a sure nod. “Better,” he shortly confirmed, “Worried for the forest but of course, that is no different from how I am usually.” It was his job to worry. Every hour of every day. Even more so as the leader of the Guardians. Coming to a stand, he took in a deep breath, “I need to stretch my legs, how about a race?”

[guardian-macsen]

---MORALS OF A GUARDIAN---

Writing Challenge: Shame

Timeframe: Before and after the eclipse

Mentions: Willow, Eirlys, Rhodri, Emrys

Triggers: Mentions of blood

I stirred awake with a jolt to my spine, it seemed I had shifted through my sleep. My evening started as a hare but ended as a bear. For the past few nights the same dreams plagued my rest, as with any repeated night showings you could never be quite sure whether they had any value or not. It was a short journey, the same one. The moon gripped by shadows, a man surrounded by blue lights, like snuffing out candles their lights go out and he laughs. Hands dripping in thick globs of crimson.

I refused to believe it at first. Why would he go so far? Where had we gone wrong? It can’t be him. In recklessness and disillusionment I ignored the warnings. Arguably the one thing that drew us all closer to fate. The warnings came faster and more vivid each night willing me to do something, so I did. We had never been close except perhaps when we were young obviously a time where things mattered less and the sands ran slower. We played and fought like siblings but it soon became increasingly clear as we aged that our intentions differed greatly.

Eirlys’ questions. Emrys’ contempt. Rhodri’s innocence. I am aware it does no good to withhold information but there is never a good time to tell them. My family.

After the eclipse, others tell me he is gone. Once again, I refuse to believe it but this time with some reluctance. Similar dreams tell me he is alive and I am unsure if it is a relief or a pain. I wonder if I am still mourning or have I let go. Sadly there is never time for either. 

My brother is my shame. I let him almost entirely wipe out a species in Arain, their blood is on my hands as much as his. Guardians. Known to be good, raised to be good. What happened to the brother of the leader? His name threatens my position of power, his actions shake the foundations of what it means to be a Guardian and only I can bare his responsibility. Under all circumstances, I will protect the last wisp and perhaps before I leave I will find a way to return the wisps to Arain. It would do them no justice to forget. 

[guardian-macsen]

irisofwolves:

His shifting had been surprising, to say the least. Iris couldn’t help but watch in interest. He just seemed so majestic when shifting. And Guardians kept their clothes? That was a revelation, and god they were lucky. She shook her idle thoughts from her mind and focused on what Macsen was saying— or rather, what the silence was saying. The silence— it wasn’t a comfortable silence, but rather a troubling silence, a silence filled with uneasy thoughts and ideas as to the meaning of these lights. And the Forest really didn’t need more trouble.

His following idea seemed very plausible, and very interesting. The light did seem similar to the light of the Wisps, from her vague recollections of the glimpses she had gotten prior to the eclipse. But Wisps… Wisps lead people to the Forest. So— “So if the light is reminiscent of the Wisps, then does that mean that it’s purpose is similar to that of the Wisps? You know… to lead people here?” But no. That sounds stupid. It’s just lights. Beautiful lights. Ominous lights. 

She pulled her attention away from the lights. “How am I faring? The sickness has passed, so I feel better than I did a couple of days ago. And you?” Had he been affected by the sickness too?

Stroking the stubble on his chin, he nodded thoughtfully, “Yes. There is always that possibility.” Iris was certainly inquisitive, “They must be visible to all from afar, I would not be surprised if they do end up bringing newcomers.” Did the forest need anymore people? Ideally not. They were already simmering with the humans heating the pot, any more and they would reach boiling. But as always he could not necessarily stop people from entering, he would only guide them when they left. 

“That is good to hear.” he offered a gentle and small smile at her news, appreciating her general air of calm and collectedness compared to the recent panic. “I did not fare so well unfortunately. The illness had me bed-ridden for a month. Although I believe it may have been a blessing that I was not near anyone else. My nightmares would have spread to others.” 

[guardian-macsen]

gabriel-enchanted:

Gabriel had enough consciousness left to realize this was a losing battle and to cast the usual array of disguising and protecting spells before allowing himself to sleep in a public area. If anyone passed by, they’d hopefully just see snow-dusted brush and anything that’d approach intending harm would be subtly deterred. That taken care of, his head slipped back down, arms curling protectively around himself as the forest began to slip away…

And reform.

He came to kneeling in the same clearing, but this time he wasn’t alone. In front of him, close enough to touch, was Micah. Confused, Gabriel opened his mouth to question his brother’s presence and why were they in the clearing, before he caught sight of pure red.

The snow around them was soaked beyond recognition and ringing them was…no. 

No, no, no. 

Gabriel couldn’t look at their faces and tried to raise up, to break the circle, but Micah kept him pinned. Panic started to surge through his body, desperation fusing into his magick, increasing his strength and his unpredictability. 

“Micah, no.” he got out and then he heard a voice that was neither of theirs and he screamed, fighting against the invisible hold, but all he could see was anger, disappointment, and then blood. Ancient words. Disgusting words filled his brain and he belatedly reached out to Avery, to try and use the new connection, to get help, but the buzzing silence must mean he, too, was part of the ring and then everything was light.

Bright, bright, brighter.

He wholeheartedly gave into it, hoping the heat would destroy him, but when it faded, he was no longer pinned to the ground. No…Micah was looking at him in a way he’d never seen before because it was his arm covered in blood, his body adjusting to magick not his own, blending and merging and increasing…

He’d come into his birthright. 

With his circle of tentative friends slain at his feet. 

Macsen observed from the distance the dream growing more vivid to him while the enchanter became more distressed, he slowly came to his feet. Taking the form of a stag he moved closer, cantering closer towards the scene, a misty breath of cold air escaped him seeing the crimson seeping further between the clumps of snow. The nightmare continued to expand, Gabriel’s own alarm at the graphic scenes only fuelling them further. 

Eventually coming to the enchanter’s side he briefly looked away while the light grew blinding, the heat emanating from it washing over him with such realistic sensations, the Guardian having to starkly remind himself that this was a dream. What was left behind was harrowing to see. Brushing gently against the hand of the only man left standing, he moved towards the bodies on the floor. Head bowed in grim respect of them. A dream like this showed great signs of stress. Worries that would not be easily soothed with one dreamwalk but perhaps Macsen could offer some comfort just this once. 

Approaching the bodies, the snow melting at his hooves, he lowered his head towards his fallen friends, a few flowers beginning to sprout and then bloom by his feet. Still in stag form he decided to speak to him without shifting, better to maintain an essence of the impossible so the enchanter may begin to have more control over his own dreams.

“You must be under a lot of stress, enchanter.” Macsen spoke without the stag moving its lips. He slowly wandered round the circle, silently rereading the situation. 

[guardian-macsen]

Blush, Lie to Me, Red Handed

Interesting poem.

Blush: What’s something embarrassing you’ve done in front of a crush or -someone you were trying to impress?

When I first trained to be a Guardian, the first person I guided to the Afterlife was so talkative and engaging I led them in the wrong direction. We ended up traipsing through a lake. I was lucky they were forgiving.

Lie to Me: What’s a time you’ve lied?

I have lied many a time to the people who I guide. They are often nervous to face what comes next. My most proudest moment though was during my recent altercation with Hans. I found his reaction particularly memorable while I told him I foresaw his failure. 

Red Handed: What’s one of your guilty pleasures?

In abstract sense, any time I give to myself is a guilty pleasure. Falling in love, drinking tea... But I suppose a better answer would be walking through the forest bare foot. 

[guardian-macsen]

Why haven't you told anyone about Mabon?

“... Because all I feel is utter shame when I speak about him. How can I reconcile with others when I have not even done so with myself. The time will come soon though. I know it.”