A story about Fuyu and Arcanna having a discussion about love over tea!

This is a submission for contest she was having! I hope she enjoys!

Fuyu ©
Arcana ©
Story © and

---

Today was interesting many years ago. Someone came to see me. She carried a question, one that would usually be asked of an older sister. For this reason I found it flattering then, that she would ask me about love. Ah love, the puzzle to everyone, mortal or deity. Desired, chased, and hardly ever what people expect when they catch it. It’s…oh how did he say it? Like a dog chasing a car? Yes that was it.

I’m not condemning the pursuit, mind you. It is natural to want the adoration of another, the respect of an equal, or the embrace of caring arms. But those things are foreign to me, at least at a personal level. And perhaps that is why she came to me and not Aphrodite or Hathor. For while in the regards of personal love I was at a loss, I love the universe itself with all my being…

I was sitting in the garden, having lavender chamomile tea after my morning meditation when I felt a presence.

Arcanna, Sister? A word please?

Turning I was greeted by the smiling face of a certain Snow Leopard I had not seen in ages. Her body seemed tired, but her eyes seemed bright. She was wrapped in ice blue robes and I wasn't sure if she had traded her dark blue ones for them permanently or, if it was just something for the occasion.

Fuyu? Is that you? I stood and took up my staff with my right hand before walking towards the Snow Goddess. It is you! Dear me it has been so long!

We embraced in a hug, a hug that close sisters share. I have missed you too!

Fuyu looked as beautiful as ever and many of our brother's and sister's were jealous of her beauty. As I stepped back from the embrace however, I caught a slight disturbance in her aura, a dark shadow that hung over her face even as we stood in the noonday sun. I knew it was probably what she came to talk to me about so I waited patiently. I had learned my lesson long ago not to pry. I offered a seat.

Settling down and pouring her some tea, I nodded to give her the table. I lifted my cup and sipped at it, knowing that she would begin when she was ready. Her eyes drifted down to the ground, as if looking through the cup.

Arcanna I... She stopped and looked back over her shoulder, like she thought about just getting up and walking away. Then at me again. Then the clear surface of the steaming tea. I need some advice. About love. She raised her eyes back up to mine. I nodded.

Well, there's this...certain someone and I'm thinking about mating with him but... She trailed off and for a moment the only sound was the rustle of wind in the grass. She let out a rattling sigh. But I fear he is only willing to do so because it is his obligation. We...don't talk much except right after joining. There's something...enchanting about his touch as I lay there in his arms. It makes me feel...at home, I guess that’s a good way to put it, and...I want that feeling all the time. At the same time, I feel as though I will never have that...that I will be unhappy. She looked at me with an ear cocked back to the side. Is that wrong of me?

No dear, that is what love is. The want to have that perfect moment with someone special. I stirred my tea, staring into its glassy surface as I tried to find the words. Love is a labor, an effort to survive the dull moments in the name of those brief moments of happiness. And it is a balance, a careful stride that treads a line between obsession and ambivalence. Most of all however, it is a journey not a place.

I do not quite understand what it is you are saying.

If you love a person, and if all you can ever do is walk with them, then at least you aren't alone.

She clicked her tongue and then laughed. I think I understand him, and love, a little more now. She slid the whicker seat back and nodded to me as she stood. Thank you, really.

It is what I do, dear Sister.

After that she began to walk away, her form morphing from its upright stance, her front arms becoming front legs. As the Snow Goddess walked off she began to vanish in a swirl of flakes, no doubt back to her own place. I hoped then, as I do now, that things go well for her. She's had seven children with 'him' since that talk, so I must have said something right.

Or perhaps it was just all in hear heart already. I will never know myself. I could ask her I suppose...