[h1][i]D[sub]a [/sub]n [sup]i[/sup][sub]e[/sub]l[sup] l[/sup] e   D[sub]a[/sub] [sub] l [/sub]l  [sup]o [/sup] n[/i][/h1]
[@Heartfillia]

A cool breeze blew by, carrying with it a tiny, glowing seed. It swirled and danced on the air, finally settling in a few strands of Dani's golden locks. [i][color=62D0FF][sup]I was...shocked? But I'm ok...[/sup][/color][/i], a mysterious voice seemed to whisper in her ear. Dani stopped in her tracks, heart racing and wide-eyed like a deer in the headlights.

Her mother stumbled but held tight to Dani, using her to keep balance. Dani just stood there, unblinking, with her heart pounding. Her mother put her cool hand to the girl's clammy forehead and felt her cheek and face. [B]"Honey, what's wrong? Are you feeling faint again? Don't be frightened, I'm right here,"[/b] she soothed, stoking her daughter's long hair.

Dani was hardly listening. She stared blankly ahead, lost in thought. [Color=khaki][I]Di-did he hear me? Was... was that him answering back?[/i][/color] Dani wondered frantically. Never had she heard such a deep voice come from a dandelion messenger. They were usually celestial. Angelic. The dandelions must have contacted him on her behalf. But then, did that mean her mind was no longer sacred? Could she trust the dandelions with her thoughts and feelings and secrets? What if she accidentally hurt someone by thinking something she would never say out loud, or what if people found discovered her power...

The next thing she knew, a man with that same deep voice was speaking right in front of her, asking if she was okay. It seemed her hunch was right. She looked him in his amber eyes and at his scarred face for only just a moment before looking away with an embarrassed smile and reddening cheeks. [Color=khaki]"I um, I'm fine, really... "[/color] Dani stammered quietly. It was bad enough to be speaking with somebody she didn't know, and worse that he might figure out she has powers. 
Dani looked down at the dog by his side to distract herself and avoid accidentally sharing her thoughts, but the dog only made her feel more anxious. [Color=khaki][i]Good doggy..good doggy...good doggy...[/i][/color] Dani repeated in her head. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, clearing her mind.

[B]"Oh, just a case of heat exhaustion. A little bit of water and some shade and she'll be right as rain,"[/b] Dani's mother answered for her, patting her on the shoulder. Feeling a little more calm, Dani nodded and drank from her plastic bottle water to help support her mother's explanation, while avoiding eye contact. [I][B]"She's a little shy around strangers,"[/b][/i] her mom explained, leaning in to whisper toward the brown-eyed man, before wobbling back upright. 

[B]"Anyways... my name is Fauna and this is Danielle, William, Destiny, and Abagail. Say hello to the nice gentleman, kids."[/b] Fauna said with a friendly smile, pointing to each child in turn. Abagail crossed her arms and mumbled 'hello', William nodded and said 'hey'. Destiny gave him an energetic wave, 'hi' and a big grin, glancing to and from the man and his dog, but more interested in the dog. Fauna nodded approvingly. [B]"And who do we have the pleasure of meeting?"[/b] she asked. 

[B]"Can I pet your dog? Can I please?"[/b] Destiny suddenly blurted out, reaching for the animal. Danielle grabbed for her sister's shirt sleeve, trying to stop her, but the girl slipped from her grasp.