Sunlight filtered through grey clouds overhead. Delicate paw steps carried the mutt along the edges of a beautiful river. Clutched softly in between dark lips was a bright stone that glimmered in the same color as Coelacanth's eyes. He thought it to be a perfect gift for his stunning and dark sister. He had trailed a bird across the valley to obtain the rock. Amoxtli had never felt more rewarded to have obtained a treasure. The bird had flown through pack territory, leaving him to pick up a cold trail where he imagined it would be. The wolfdog chased for three days before he had found the stone gleaming from the sands along the river. He had scooped it up in his mouth and carried it down the stretch of bank for as long as he could. Oxtli's tail flagged behind him as he trekked. His bright tangerine gaze was alight with a dancing happiness.
The Tervuren trotted carefully, heading northbound and for the sea. He was certain that his dark-furred sibling would be stationed there. The two were awfully fond of the water. He had not seen her in some time and his heart ached to be reunited with the blue-eyed girl. Each step that he drew closer to the sea was a step closer to finding his sibling. Without her, Amoxtli did not quite feel at home. He had missed the feathery touch of her nose against his ears and cheek. He had missed hunting for treasure in the sands and hiding their finds away for a later time. Without her, he had felt lost.
Slowing his pace as the hybrid caught wind of markings, his ears darted forward and he searched the nearby area for signs of a patrol. Amoxtli was not likely to cross through pack territory, but he knew that he was close and that he needed to watch his step before proceeding. Deciding that it would be a good time to stop, the mutt trotted to the edge of the water and placed the stone in the dirt, fearful to leave it for even a moment too long; knowing that it might disappear. He bent his neck and drank deep from the water, relishing in the chill that slipped down the back of his throat.
The wilds had changed so very much since Oxtli had last been there. Now, of course, they were blanketed in a fresh pelt of snow that seemed to stretch out as far as his tangerine gaze could see. He liked the peaceful aura that it lent the world, but he did miss the calidity of the sun. The world seemed as though it was holding its breath for the coming of spring and the torrid rays that would follow in summer. The wolfdog, too, was waiting with baited breath. Spring and summer would bring the warmth that he missed dearly, and he would feel the cool relief of the ocean on the hottest days. For the time being, his daydreams would make due.
A call rose overhead, and Amoxtli lifted his drizzling muzzle from the water to peer curiously at where the noise had come from. A familiar figure caught his eye and his body transformed. Each limb quivered excitedly. His tail swung in rapid circles behind him, causing his rump to rotate in a comic fashion. Catori! All this while, the Tervuren had searched aimlessly for his ink-coated sister, but he never anticipated that he would stumble across his cousin – certainly not in the wilds.
Wiggling from top to bottom, the dark-faced boy parted his lips and attempted to release a cry of delight. It slithered from the back of his throat like a faded whisper. This did nothing to dampen his spirits. Amoxtli had lived a majority of his life without a voice of his own. The fiery light that danced in his eyes was expression enough. The rapid swinging of his tail was a sure sign; he was delighted beyond belief to see Catori there.
The familial bonds that connected the Corten wolves were stronger than most. No matter the space that stretched between them, Amoxtli never imagined himself feeling any amount of hostility toward his family. The truth was that he was so overwhelmed by the sight of the ginger-collared woman, he could hardly hold his wiggling frame still. Each wag of his tail sent his rear spiraling in a different direction until it appeared that his torso was being whipped back and forth by the sheer force of it. When she finally found a spot to nestle her skull beneath his chin, Amoxtli showered the crown of her head in kisses and whispered whimpers. His cold nose pressed to her head repeatedly as she combed through the thick tufts of his coat.
Catori expressed her disbelief in a soft voice. The wolfdog's ears fell to his head and he attempted to push his frame closer to her body in a motion of comfort. He could not imagine that he would find her there, either. He had been certain that most of the family had remained in their home – preferring the islands over the thick and lush Teekon Wilds. It did not make him any less grateful to have found her. When Catori inquired about Seelie, the boy pulled himself back a bit and frowned. He shook his head, wondering if his cousin would have any word on his inky sister and her whereabouts.
Catori's confidence in finding his sister brought a pattering to his heart. The wolfdog was worried about her, and he knew that if she was safe, he would feel far more at ease. His chest felt as though it was being pulled in far too many directions for him to follow. His twin was out there and he missed her with every inch of his body. Amoxtli only wanted to see the cool ocean blue of her gaze and to breathe in the saline of her coat. It had been long enough since he had seen her, and he was eager... eager to brush his muzzle against the feathers of her coat and the wisps at the tips of her ears. More than this, he longed to feel her heart beating wildly against his own. A soft sigh fell from his lips as the Tervuren glanced down the river. Instinct told him that it would lead to the sea and that Coelacanth would be there, but he was happy to be with Catori again.
At the mention of his sister dancing along the sandbar, Oxtli smiled and wagged his tail wildly so that his rear rotated in a circle behind him. He glanced behind him, as if she would be there, but found that only his tail was swinging there, dancing in place of her. It was nothing in comparison to the dark female's presence, and his heart felt a pang of longing in her absence. Catori then mentioned her husband and a few young. To this, Amoxtli fixed her with a stare so full of glee that it would have been impossible to miss. Regardless of the fact that he had no voice to share his stories, his gaze danced with a joy so deep, it would beg her to take him. Please, Catori... I would love to meet your family, he thought.
To solidify this, the Tervuren spun around in a circle and lowered his torso to the earth, tail flagging at his rear. He pushed himself toward her and nuzzled beneath her chin with a whispered whine. He wanted nothing more than to see the life that she had created for herself and to breathe in the air of her home and her children. Amoxtli could not imagine that anything would have been more divine than to witness Catori with those that she loved dearest. Perhaps, it would alleviate some of the pain that he felt for the loss of his sister – at least until he was reunited with her.