Mystress' vision was darkened, and a layer of gray frosted everything in view. She was blind. Her hearing became duller and duller, to unkind words until she could hear them no more.
She remembered the voice of the Gods, before she was given a body, before time, in between death and life, limbo and earth, nothing and everything...

"You will not see, you will not speak nor will you hear anything un-pure or evil, until you are tested. Until then, you may hear only the Holy thoughts of others, and their Holy words. You may speak only to them in their minds, and you will speak only of the light and of goodness. And you will not see. You will see only the spirits of the good, and the pure.

It was time.
She was Jyuniper.
And she was Mystress.
But, who is she. And what is she doing here?

"Mystress, Mystress! Are you there? Can you hear me?" Before her a golden light glowed. It was like every metal in the earth, and every firefly that ever flew. It was the color of contentment, of magic, and of the devout. It was Yorres. Mystress found herself on the ground. She stood, and the earth gave-way underneath her, and tilted sickeningly...

"Your eyes." The golden spirit spoke. It was the shape of a deer, and bore the face of Yorres himself, but none of his earthy possesions. No bone, nor muscle, skin, or fur. It was air, golden, shimmering air... It was his spirit... She could see it as clear as day. She could see every spirit and soul that walked the forest ground. And some that could not, trees and rocks whispered their stories in her new, deaf ears. She could hear everything.

"My eyes?" Mystress' knees buckled under her as if she were a newborn fawn. The candles atop her antlers were aflame with white fire.
"They're like flames." The golden Yorres spoke, just then the silence was shattered.

"Of all the curses in the earth woman!!" Mystress' sight came back to her completely, her muscles gained their strength and she stood. The white flames on the candles flickered and died, giving birth to the natural flame. What happened? Loud and careless galloping came racing in, shaking the ground they both stood on. Yorres was no longer a golden aura, but a being. A figure... Mystress let her thoughts pass. "Leave me alone!!"

A scaly, shimmering deer came into view. A long, snakelike tail followed, and feathers proudly presented themselves on a headdress behind his ears. A long skull covered his face, and more loud shrills came from him. Another deer came into view. A doe with a long, elegant face followed the green deer through bush and flower, cackiling wildly, amused at the stag's distress.

Green feathers also presented themselves behind her ears, but not as proudly. Bones were painted upon her dark pelt. "Queze!" she whined. "Come back here and give this charming lady a good kiss!" Mystress snickered. Yorres shook his head plainly, clearly embarrassed for some forest behavior. He'd obviously seen this act before.

From behind the trees, and not too far behind another stag came. His muscles were tense, and his short hair was peppered with dark colors. Massive curled and pointed antlers led the way his strong neck was aimed, and beneath a white mask, came red eyes. Mystress' breath caught in her throat for only and instant, and for a moment her long shaggy hair raised. Seeing the stag had no intention of stopping, and also seeing the two deer that came before him were still, she nearly called out for him to stop, not wanting to see a collision.

The massive stag flicked his neck upward, then lowered it threateningly at the skeleton-painted doe. She had thrown herself out of the way of the great tank before blood spilled. His nostrils were flared, and anger was in his eyes.

"Oh give it a break you great bafoon. You know I'm only messing with him."
"Messing has its time and place for everything, Miss Bones ... and if you keep acting the way you have been, you're going to become bones." The massive stag barked.
"Been there done that. Give it a rest Walter. I've heard your threats before. Lighten up." Her lean body raised itself from the ground in a simple graceful movement. Her tail flicked as she brushed against the great stag's side, and took a small skip to get out of the way of an oncoming kick. Walter stamped his foot in irritation, and turned back to the green deer.

The doe had parked herself next to Mystress, watching Walter who was speaking with Queze, and took in a gentle sigh.
"Men huh?" She looked over to find Mystress with a plain expression. "Well hey there, haven't seen you around too much, wher're you from beautiful?" Mytress dropped her gaze heavily, and blushed. Not sure how to take such a compliment. Yorres cleared his throat sternly. "Well well well!" The doe chirped pleasently. "If it aint the Hocus-Pocus-Master himself!" She dropped a curtsey after taking a few long strides to face him. It wasn't at all exaggerated. She whispered to Mystress. "Isn't he just so handsome?" Mystress dropped another bashful gaze, and situated her position of standing uncomfortably. "Find any good mushrooms lately?"

"Not as of late. Mystress and I were just leaving." Mystress could feel a spark of appreciation for this character of a doe, but seeing as Yorres was not in the mood for games at the moment, Mystress agreed with a single nod. Yorres turned his tail to leave, then the doe spoke.
"Well, I haven't heard a peep out of you missy! You have a name? I don't bite."
"Much!" Called Queze sharply. She smiled smugly without turning to him. Yorres, knowing it was his failed duty for a formal introduction took in a regretful sigh.

"Lady Bones, this is Mystress." The doe lifted her eyebrows and gave Mystress a friendly once-over. "Mystress, Lady Bones." Mystress dropped a swooping bow and smiled.
"Well then, Mystress, looks like I'll have to visit with you another time seeing as your host is so set on taking off." She smiled to Yorres, telling with her eyes it was a joke. "Catch you later beautiful." She bounded with one leap to the larger deer Walter, and Queze the green. Queze's eyes became large, and he took a few more timid steps back.

"I could tell him your secret Queze...." The doe taunted. Queze shook his head, eyes biggger than before. Seeing the reaction of his partner, Walter became flustered.
"Tell me what?"
"No, you pixy!" Queze howled. Lady Bones made a run for it, clearly enjoying the feeling of being chased. For an instant, Mystress envied her. She was so free.

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Weeeeeeeeeee!
This is so much funnn!!!
Sorry I screwed up your colors! If I used gold for Queze, it would look too much like Mystress' and if I used Walty's color, it would look too much like Yorres'. :/