The circle of grapes were joined end to end around Terri as she crouched upon a bed of leaves spread on the natural wooden floor of her hollow like a green and yellow rug. It wasn't much to look at but it was relatively safe and homely and it kept the steepscrambler off the ground, which was nice and an additional benefit. Despite being back in the world of man, Terri still finds walking on concrete, and upright on two feet, a little unnerving. Even now, she would prefer to scurry around without any shoes on since she felt that her own sense of balance was hampered by footwear, no matter how thin and light.
Concentrate, Terri told herself as she closed her eyes and blocking out the bright colours of her hollow, allowing her more acute hearing and smell to take control. Even this was difficult to achieve some level of focus but it helped enough. Her nostrils took in the scent of the grapes and her naked feet felt the leaves rustle as she adjusted her position. Terri concentrated on the Autumn and Alex's reaction to her instruction, the way he hit the wall and fought through it. She concentrated on the Contracts made by Clay Ariel when she founded the Ashen Court. Finally, her mind wandered but along the correct paths until she was no longer in the here and now.
The ballroom was full of sweet music that glided all around, soaking Terri like a fine mist, coating her skin. The figures around her were no more than silhouettes of shadows and dust, each one wearing a mask that seemed to define their nature, making it easier for Terri the understand them for what they were. When she glanced down at herself, she was more than shadow and dust, instead wearing a pink and red outfit that seemed far to posh for the steepscrambler. Actually, the more she looked, the more she noticed that she had no fur or bushy red tail. Terri was mortal. She lowered the mask she wore and it bore all the traits of the squirrel. How strange, Terri thought. Gliding through the crowds, she danced on delicate feet, perched on heels far too high and swayed as if she was in the tallest branches. It was nice. A mirror made from lead stood before her and as Terri glanced into it, she saw her reflection. Her vibrant orange hair had been curled specifically and she had some jewellery adorning her cheeks, along with more make-up than she would usually been seen dead sporting. The bodice that tightly hugged her petite form was flattering and made her blush as she ran her hands over her curves, spending some time feeling her hips. She never knew she possessed any. Was this how mortals saw her? A movement came from behind her, the fluttering of many masks and figures of shadow and dust. With a long fingernail, she traced her name in the Mirror, accepting the Contract and her place in it, nodding along with the masks.
Terri opened her eyes and sighed, glancing around her. The grapes were completely shrivelled and drained of any liquid, now just sorry looking raisins. The leaves had turned brown and golden. Terri had a bushy tail and no exquisite dress. At least Terri still possessed her hips and stretched them out as she stood, moving with a little more confidence as she grabbed a broom to sweep away the mess.
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