#fenixtj

That gives her pause, and she jogs along watching to see where it goes. Is there disease in the area?

Well, COVID has left it's mark still. But nothing new she knows of

She jogs along, splitting her attention between the chimera and the path and whatever might be on it....

Jogging watching... not in her zone anymore but that's not a bad thing. There's wonder in the creature, and in the nature around her well worth being distracted by. The Chimera sees her attention and flies closer, nestling ahead on a tree and looking at her in turn

She slows, then stops, and she approaches.

"Hail to thee," It says in a flowery language, to her, "Guardian of sacred healing waters . One dream of healing to another"

She stares, not quite gaping; it's amazing, and she's 16..... "Um. Hello." politely "I'm Jess."

"Hail, Jess" It corrects itself, "Thou art known to me, more so even than afore. Doest thou fare well?"

"Yes, very well. Um... how are you?"

"Of certes, mine own drive hath drained me more than once in the last year or so, but I prosper now for the moment. Thou bear the mark of magick temporal. Were thou aware?"

She can't help a sigh. "Yes. I am. It's getting better, though."

"Thou art pushed back along the string of thy life it seems. Better? Worse? Nay, all things are as they should be for the time thou art. However, if thou wishest, I could pluck the spell out of thee early?"

"You could?" her tone is eager, then she pauses "There was another in the spell with me, but she aged. What happens to her if the spell ends early for me?"

"Thou take concern for others. Truly, thou art an honorable sort. It should return her to her original age, as it doth restore thee to thine"

She frowns. "I appreciate the offer, and I want to be my rightful age again, but.... I would need to check with Mitra. She might not want to change."

"Early, that is."

"Thou art kind" it says

"Only seems fair." she responds "Um. Do you... want to come to Fenix?"

"I shall greet thee there later mayhaps if thou wish?"

She nods. "That would be great. It's going to take me a while to get back."

"Then resume thy brisk joy of speed and distance. There is much to delight in it. We shall meet anon"

"I, um, look forward to it." she hesitates a moment, and then bows.

And it bobs it's head and off it goes with great majestic swoops of wing

Jess drinks some water, then runs again. More purpose this time, but not a race. Heading back to the car.

And soon, Jessica is on her way home

(end scene)

Jessica returns to see Mitra waiting for her