RoD Soul: Visions of the Moon

I've tried waiting to start on the Soul images for all the RoDs I owe but I couldn't wait anymore. ; u; Soul is the best of them allll.
Second RoD image for RajanSilverDragon of Nimue!

Import link and name (including ID) of Tokota: Nimue 10996
Rider/Handler: Reese
Link to group note in which HP points have been validated by an administrator: comments.deviantart.com/1/5489…
Previous tasks (in order):

1. Rite One (Courage): RoD Courage: She's Gone
   
2. Rite Two (Navigation): RoD Navigation: Lonely Trail
   
3. Rite Three (Respect): RoD Respect: This Way
   
4. Rite Four (Dedication): RoD Dedication: Ambushed
   
5. Rite Five (Soul): YOU ARE HERE
   

--

            Glittering geodes covered the cave walls, casting colors all around the cavern but none as bright as the ethereal glow that emanated from the Soul Pool. It was an otherworldly feel. Reese wasn’t sure they were in reality or not anymore.

            The space was so silent that their breaths and footsteps echoed loudly around them. This was a sacred place.

            Reese was the first to kneel down near the liquid. It seemed almost wrong to drink from it but it was part of the Rite and they hadn’t come this far to leave now.

            Nimue, however, was less hesitant. She dipped her head low, lapping up a few drinks before stepping away from the liquid as the ripples sent reflections shooting around the Cavern ceiling.

            Reese cupped her hands, sinking them beneath the surface and allowing the liquid to fill the small bowl she created with her hands. Pulling her hands from the water, Reese rose and turned from the pool. She took a sip and waited for the vision to happen – some of the liquid in her hands dripping through the small cracks between her hands.

            They both waited but nothing seemed to be changing. Reese searched for shapes of the animals in anything around her from the geodes to the stalagmites and stalactites to the ripples’ reflections bouncing around above them but still saw nothing. Her shoulders sagged. Had Nimue not been ready after all?

            After another few moments of nothing changing, Reese sighed. “Let’s go, Nimue.” She looked to her Barbary and offered a sympathetic smile as the two turned to begin their trek home. She stared down at the water still cupped in her hands thoughtlessly, watching as it sloshed with her steps.

             As the pathway narrowed, Reese suddenly realized that she no longer heard Nimue walking behind her.

            Reese turned around, alarmed but relaxed seeing her simply standing in one place. The Tokota stood with her legs spread wide as though she were concerned she’d lose balance. 

            “Come on, girl. Let’s go-“ Reese began, walking toward her but she stopped abruptly when Nimue looked at her. Her eyes glowed green with almost a spiritual aura pouring from them. Her whole form began to glow. It felt as though Aippaq was looking through Nimue directly into Reese’s soul.

            The handler looked at the water in her hands and put it to her lips, tilting her head back as she drank what remained. When Reese looked down again she saw what the two had come there for. All the days up until then suddenly felt like nothing as she stared at the embodiment of Nimue’s true self.

            The wolf looked from Reese to Nimue then back again – giving what seemed like a smile.

            They had done it.

(460 words)

--

HP Count:
+3HP (fullbody colored and shaded)
+2HP (complex BG)
+2HP (handler bonus)
+1HP (show bonus. I think? )
+2HP (400 word story)
HP Total: 9HP