she was only a girl, she was only something holy, transcendent. the trees were so still in her presence, as if they could not dare to stir; shadows did not even drift across the moon's pale face. the sky shimmered and became translucent - the stars, the depth of the universe visible to her roaming eyes, counting up innumerable lights. more than she could hold or stuff into the pockets of her skirt. catching her breath, veronique stepped off the ground and flung herself, arms outstretched and forehead leaning into the breeze, into ever- increasing space.