Darkness crept over the Island, enveloping it in a atmosphere of austerity that was only reserved for the grimmest of morgues. The moon shone bright against the velvet black sky and despite its luminous brilliance, it proved worthless in bringing some sort of solace to the Island's solemnity. Pan was gone, and without him, the small spot of land was doomed to an existence of dejection.
"He's out on another one of his adventures." Chief Big Little Panther murmured under his breath as he stared up at night sky. The usual cloudlessness was gone, replaced with wisps of menacing nimbus. He rubbed his gloved hands, attempting to chafe them back to life with warmth as a cold breeze hit him.
"Yes, he's definitely off the Island."
He was sitting in front of his hut, a small fire building up in front of him, its crackling flames casting dancing shadows on and around him.
"Probably finding another Bird."
He turned to the sudden voice that broke his concentration on his hands and smiled when he realized it was none other than his only daughter.
"Ah, Tiger Lily, sit down my dear child. It's becoming colder now that White Feather is gone. He'll be back soon, I'm sure of it. But in the meantime, won't you share the fire with me?"
His usual hard demeanor could only be softened by his precious adopted daughter. He rarely smiled and when he did, it was within her presence. A small smile crept upon her lips as Tiger Lily took a seat on the dirt floor next to her father, the bitterness in her aura gone.
"Father, do you know where White Feather goes when he leaves?"
He shook his head and in his deep, raspy voice he replied, "White Feather is unpredictable, who knows where his spirit takes him."
She stared into the pit of the fire and pursed her lips. Tiger Lily knew perfectly well where he went, she just wanted clarification. Her father offered her none whatsoever and she thought bitterly to herself what a fool he must be to think that Pan was unpredictable. But she instantly regretted it and knew he only said that to quench her mock curiosity. Despite having the appearance of a sixteen year old, she had the wisdom of someone beyond her years. She, along with the rest of her tribe and the inhabitants of the Island, was ageless. She had witnessed in her hundreds of years of life, Pan bring home numerous amounts of girls, each one pretty and innocent, clinging onto the notion that he loved them. A funny thing Pan's love was, it could be as tepid as the still waters of Mermaid Lagoon or as passionate and fiery as the fire that was slowly beginning to grow in front of her. She noticed that each girl had the same quality among them, they were docile creatures, doing whatever within their power they could to please him. Tiger Lily believed that Pan grew tired of that attribute, but found her confidence in the idea faltering when she felt the blistering cold breezes subside and adopt their usual still warmth. Pan was back, and Tiger Lily and Chief Big Little Panther craned their necks into the night sky to try to find the magical young man flying gracefully through the expanse of midnight blue before them. Surely, they found their beloved Pan treading the air accompanied by three other silhouettes, one of them catching Tiger Lily's attention in particular with their billowing skirt.
"He brought another one. White Feather brought another one." She exclaimed incredulously, almost whining at the sight above her. She ran her calloused hands through her inky black hair, almost exasperated that Pan had brought another one of his Birds.
"Father, may I please retire to my room." She asked quietly, regaining her composure. All this time, the Chief had been poking at fire, merely enjoying what he thought was a bonding experience for him and his daughter; since she had stopped aging physically, he found his time with her fleeting as she became more interested in the world around her. He looked up and the happy features that adorned his leathery face were replaced with that of hurt and confusion.
"What's troubling you my child, Pan is back. All is well now."
"Yes, but it is what he brought back with him that disturbs me."
She haughtily got up and dusted off her buckskin dress.
"Goodnight Father, and may you sleep well."
"As do you, Tiger Lily. Goodnight, daughter."
She walked to her hut calmly, with the air that only a princess of muster. She looked back to watch her father put out the flames, feeling a pang of guilt when she realized he had stayed up longer for her. She shook it off however, when she reached her hut and opened the flap. She collapsed to her knees when she entered, tears threatening to escape earth colored eyes. There was no mistake that Pan had brought what she thought he did. Two boys to add to his troupe of acolytes and one nightdress clad female to satisfy his desire for someone to fawn over him. Tiger Lily felt her throat tighten at the very thought of Pan holding this girl and showering her with his effortless praises.
"Why did he have to bring another Bird."