@Xi'nuata
Blue Willow had ventured this far just the other day to help lead the other wolf, whose name she still did not know. She had not stayed long and they had passed the entire journey in silence, something that was perfectly okay with Blue Willow. She had been wondering about the other since, worrying about her, she hoped she was okay. Today she had ventured this far, but for a much different reason.
She had seen the Lake when she had come this way with the other and it had intrigued her. She wanted to search for plants that grew near the lake and perhaps just perhaps try her paw at fishing. She had never been very good at the latter, but she was willing to try.
She dipped her head down and sniffed at the lake, it was still rather cold to jump completely in but she could perhaps lay down near the water and reach a paw in to scoop up a fish. If she was remembering correctly her father had always told her to look for the fish's shadow and that was usually the fish they were farther ahead than you though, something about the water and lighting, she had never really paid attention and now she was berating herself for not doing so. She crawled near the water and watched softly for her chance to try and catch a fish, intent upon her current task.
The days following the treatment of her eye had been restful, more or less. Still she assumed diligent her role as guard to the Vale, only venturing from the borders when the scent of a hunt wafted from just beyond. She kept close to her home if only to make certain no further harm would come to her healing process. While she was able to see from the injured right eye, the flesh was still delicate and in a vulnerable state. Any inkling of this to another not of the Vale, might have seen this as an advantage to exploit. And by all that was good, she could not afford that. Not when so many depended on the strength of the warriors.
However, she tried to hold true to some optimism. Looking to the mountains where she found her solace, she scaled the formidable face with relative ease til she came upon the cusp of the hidden basin; the sizable reserve where the natural water was collected, purified and stored.
But she was not alone in finding it, for the scent of another greeted her upon entrance. Familiarity sparked life into the otherwise tired, dulled eyes, as did concern in seeing the dark pelt. What was this female doing so close to the Vale? The words rested on her lips but would not make a sound, rather they remained on trembling lips, kept inaudible by a fragile sense of calm. Rather than approach right away, the female remained where she was stood upon a sturdy stone. Her eyes, both wide, were trained on the female, not antagonizing but watching to assess her intentions.
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Blue Willow had made sure to stay away from the borders, and she hoped she hadn't crossed them. She did not know how the wolves of the vale would be. She really was just exploring and fishing. Finally, she saw a fish and with a quick pass of her paw she plopped it onto the ground. She gave a small bark of delight, only for it to turn into a bark of dismay as the fish flopped back into the lake water and disappeared from view.
She tilted her head and watched it swim away disappointment evident in her face. She didn't need the fish, she had just wanted to try. She sat debating whether to try again or just continue on home, her exploration complete. She was pretty far from home as it were and she would need to leave before too long to make it back to the plateau in time before the borders were dark.
She watched the female with eyes widely drawn, much as a hawk would watch the happenings of a mouse. The warrior had no intention of startling the woman without cause, yet there was an interest in her gaze both genuine and predatory. Genuine in that she was curious to what led her to the water’s edge… and the latter as she perceived this to be some kind of rest as she prepared for her true purpose. She did not find it a coincidence that the very female that guided her to the mountain was again found not only near but upon its surface. An infiltration mission perhaps. A futile attempt to find the entrance of the Vale before being caught by its natives.
Quietly, Nuata watched as the dark healer struck then reared her catch from the water… only to have it flop back into its slippery home. She was too quick to celebrate rather than assure the creature was dead. A bite to the head would have done it good, but of course the creature was now far from her reach.
“Bite it next time,” she grumbled, effectively breaking the stillness.
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Blue Willow heard the whisper of a voice reach her ears and with a swift turn about she stood facing the other female and she offered a smile. "Hello, I was trying my paw at fishing. I was also hoping to run into you, just to make sure you were okay? Blue Willow did not know the other thought her there to infiltrate her home, she would have never done that anyway.
There had been a time when she would have searched for the opening of the borders of the pack, but not these days. She only would have done so to beg a meal in return for her healing and her stories, well more or less her parents she had been the prop the errand girl, though she had not minded not one bit.
Blue Willow cocked her head and tilted her ears and then realizing she may have passed the borders she spoke again, I didn't pass through your borders did I? If I did I sincerely apologize I was just exploring i was a traveler in begotten days.
Make sure she was okay?
The perplexed expression did not escape the furrow of her brows. More often than not, it was the warrior that ventured outward to see to the wellbeing of those called friends. But this female before her did not yet warrant that title, nor did she believe she held the same kind of regard with the healer. Had it been the elated countenance of the pale Plateau wolf that came to her, she might have been more accepting of this assumed truth. But as of late, the woman’s mind was filled with the doubts of whom to believe. There had been a time when she would have perceived another’s words as truth, but such days were beyond her when there was the pack and its safety to think about.
Never the less, she replied with a grumble of uncertainty; “I am alright.” Then she let her gaze glide across the rigid stones. “You have not crossed into the territory,” Xi’nuata informed her. “The peaks and lake are still free for your travels…”
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Blue Willow noticed the perplexed expression in betwixt the other's brow and she was momentarily taken back. Was it really all the hard to believe that there were others out there who still held a little compassion for their neighbors? This saddened Blue Willow the ways of the healer were long gone, days when her parents could travel and be accepted everywhere just for healing, now everyone beheld it with suspicion and confusion.
Blue Willow relaxed her shoulders that she had not realized were tight and pulled together. "That is very good. I had seen the lake from before and i wanted to come back to explore it for herbs and also to try my paw at fishing. My father tried to teach me to fish years ago. Obviously the lessons did not stick. She frowned in contemplation as she realized how badly she had failed at catching the fish. She then turned her gaze back to the other and she settled on her haunches a more comfortable and neutral position. "Your eye looks much better, your own healer must be very good at their trade.
Fishing was far from one of her fortes, nor did she ever have the desire to explore it unless necessary. To hear genuine interest in the task perked her ears somewhat, but she was adamant to remain visual passive to the woman’s intentions beyond what she deemed interesting. In truth, the warrior was having a difficult time assessing if there was indeed a threat to the healer’s presence. Her own belief to take others at face value were in constant conflict with the perceptions she had come to learn. Lest she be made a fool for surrendering to optimism prematurely, she maintained a hardened eye, however much it irritated her to squint.
“Thank you,” she replied low, politely, though there was a determined depth to her chords that suggested mistrust. And while she had pride in her healer, she could not fully bestow credit to her. “My companion saw that my eye remained clean. Our healer simply checked to make sure there was no infection. Your methods did not call for further remedies.”
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Blue Willow realizing the other was still very nervous around her, again she wondered why she shifted her weight. She forced herself to seem even less opposing, making sure to keep her stature a bit lower, her eyes averted. She was by no means a threat to anyone there today, and she hoped never would she have to be. She was to her core a healer, though she could take care of herself, she did not revel in the task. She just deemed it necessary to know if the occasion should ever arise that she would need to protect herself or others around her.
Blue Willow dipped her head, "You are welcome. It sounds as if your companion is a good one then. Were the other thorns able to come out without trouble? Sometimes thorns can be tricky little things. One time i got thorns all up and down my head it took my mother days to get them out. My parents were healers as well, though my father was a warrior as well. She offered the last part to show she meant no harm and was just trying to be friendly.
Xi’nuata kept a careful eye on the female as she adjusted her posture, watching as she not only shifted her weight but made her appearance more open. It left little to be desired in terms of an opening should conflict arise, offering a sort of ease for the warrior in that the benign intentions of the healer might have been true. Her nostrils flared with an exhale of breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, then gradually she allowed her shoulders to slump to a more relaxed posture. Her eyes remained fixed on the woman, however, they centered more on her crown than the bridge of her muzzle.
“What he could not remove…” she continued just as softly, though she skeptics edge had receded from her voice somewhat. “I pulled myself or washed them away.” Fortunately it had not taken days to remove them. Though she still found the odd broken thorn now and again, but none as paining as the ones once suffered in her eye. “But I see now where you skill comes from,” she remarked to the healer’s lineage. It was not uncommon for skill sets to pass down from generation to generation. If anything it proved that such care had its advantages.
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Blue Willow breathed forth a small sigh of relief as the other became a little more relaxed and much less rigid. She had felt odd to have another be wary around her and think her a threat. It was a feeling she did not like, she did not want to seem threatening to anyone, unless it was warranted and needed. She would be a little more aggressive at her own borders as well. Perhaps it was just the way the female was since they were near the borders of her pack's land.
Blue Willow nodded her head, "I am glad you were able to get them out, though truth be told I really was only concerned with those in your eye. I did not wish you to become blind, it would have been a tragedy. She smiled at the other female happily "Yes my mother and father were great healers and story tellers. They actually would travel through the pack lands offering their healing and their stories in exchange for food, and a place to sleep. I also did this for years, so i learned a lot of different techniques not only from them, but from the other packs we traveled too. Blue Willow was showing her talkative nature, something that she was unsure how the other female would take. Would she get irritated as the large male in her own pack did, or would she relax and talk to her as well.
More and more, the warrior was reminded of the pale wolf by the healer’s loquacious nature. While she found some semblance of comfort in it, it made the female miss her Plateau companion all the more. Their time upon the bluff was short-lived but entertaining. And dare she go as far as to call it ‘fun’. She had never smiled as much as when within his presence, nor did she ever feel as free when standing in his light. Only one exceeded him. And only one ever would.
Xi’nuata listened patiently as the healer shared her tale, growing more comfortable in speaking in both tongue and posture. Attentively her ears came forward as she received the excitable words, painting a picture for herself of a wandering family offering word and healing for food and warmth. An existence she imagined would be hard in between the walk from one pack to another, yet strangely enriching with what could be learned. “Why do you live in the Plateau if more can be found with you traveling between packs?” she inquired.
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Blue Willow was glad to see the other getting more comfortable around her and talking about her family was no hardship, she enjoyed it, in a bittersweet way. It always made her miss her family as she got nostalgic and spoke about them, especially for her father who held a special place in the young woman's heart, as most fathers did in all their daughters.
Blue Willow smiled though it was a sad smile, I live in the plateau, because i long for a family of my own and that existence is becoming scarce. More and more packs are turning the story tellers and the healers away wanting to do it themselves, or their getting more savage and some even try to recruit. It was a hard existence as well there were times when we would go days without eating. As both my parents were not young when they had me. I learned a lot and I enjoyed it, but my heart longed for a stable place to raise my young if I should have any and i was lonely though i had my parents they cautioned me to not speak to many of the packs, do not form attachments as the time between the visits was so far between each other. My parents are still out there traveling. I hope to see them again some day.
Family.
The word held a horrible meaning for the Vale warrior, but for the healer it seemed to be a word of comfort. She spoke fondly of her mother and father, the life they led, even the hardships were not without a light at their end. And then there was her own hope to birth a family of her own. The reason in which she sought a pack in the first place. It was not so different than her own reasons for joining the Vale; purpose, yet found in different intangible things.
“If your bond is strong,” she uttered quietly, “then you will see them again.” Not unlike what she had seen with Anemone, the positive bonds of family never failed to bring the mislaid together. It was only unfortunate that she could not find such solace in the word as they did. And for this, she envied the both of them in silence.
“When you are permitted your young,” she continued. “Will you travel with them as was done with you?” Would she give them the same enrichment as her parents?
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Family meant many things to the gypsy hearted one, but above all else it meant home, love and security. She had been very lucky in her parents, very lucky indeed even her elder brothers were wonderful to have around and their pups and their mates. Yes she could say she loved her family very much and she missed them very much as well. Sometimes the hole that was left from leaving them took a hold and held tightly, but for the most part she could think of them fondly and ease the dull ache that sometimes beat beneath her breast at the thought of them.
Blue Willow smiled and said "Our bond is indeed strong and I hope too, i have nieces and nephews i have not seen since puppyhood i would like to see them again someday. Blue Willow frowned in contemplation as she thought of an answer to the question she had been asked. She was not sure if she would travel with them, if that is what her mate wanted to do though she had to find one first then she would, but she was making bonds in this area, she was not so sure she could leave them now. In a way she understood why her parents had always told her to not gather attachments, if she were to leave it would be like a prick to the heart every time she thought of them, just like it was with her family.
"I do not know if I will do that or not. I have formed some tight bonds here among the plateau and others as well. I will certainly tell them of my travels and my stories. I imagine I will also travel ever so often, but not all the time no I don't think I will. However, if my children if I am ever lucky or fortunate enough to have them decide they want to do this I will not stop them, but rather will give them my blessing.
So much time had passed since she looked upon her own twin brothers, she could not exactly recall their faces nor their likeness. Nieces and nephews… continuations of siblings; would her brothers have fathered pups of their own by now? Both of them sitting a four years now, it would have been surprising if she did not have relations of her own wandering the wild and unknown. But who was to say they had even lived long enough to see their seed to root? Such thoughts had never crossed her mind before, and it was strange that they could become present now.
Grumbling softly, the female shook her head to dismiss the thought then brought her ears forward to return to her listening posture.
“You would give them a choice.” From the many words came a single condensed conclusion she could acknowledge, and with it came surprise. She would not have thought a parent would give their offspring this liberty. It seemed foreign to her, as one that was made to follow the dictations of others. Individual thought and desire were abolished both kindly and forcefully, making her the sheltered thing she had been before finding her paws on the wild earth. That a pup would be granted their freedom simply by desire was… frightening. But it was an outlook she had no intention of contesting. Rather she left it as thus and simply nodded, having heard.
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Alright this mama is going to sleep for now, Thanks we must do this again. :D
Blue Willow heard the slight grumbling under the other's breath and wondered at it. Did she not get along with her family or perhaps she missed them, simply at Blue Willow missed hers. She would not venture to much of a guess as it seemed the female that stood before her kept her emotions close to her breast.
Blue Willow noted the tone of surprise and a small chuckle came forth, but not in anyway was it meant to be condescending or rude. "Yes I would give them a choice. The way I see it if I don't give them the choice, they may leave anyway and then there would be bad feelings and I may never see them again and that is something I could not ever bear, so if they so wish it I will give them my blessing. That way I know that if they should travel and fail, they will be more likely to come back to me than to keep trying out of pure stubbornness and pride. I also know then too if the heavens forbid they should perish before they make it back home, i did not leave them with insults and cruel words in their ears, but love and acceptance. Blue Willow knew she would probably be a push over of a mother, though firm and resolute where she needed to be, she also knew that her children would be the very heart of her soul. She would love them with everything she had in her and more forever and always.
OOC: Of course!!! :D
Love and acceptance. No ill feelings upon their leave, but an openness to return by the blessing given from their mother. It was a romantic sentiment, one the warrior did not fully understand but none the less committed it to memory. The way the healer thought was so… kind, and like the pale wolf, she too unknowingly gave the female something to ponder on.
There were no children in her future yet, but such talk gave her much to think on should she bare them. Only ever had she known that a female’s role was to bear the pups. Never give them choice or bestow upon them love or acceptance. They were but another life for the pack to have and keep. That there was more to it was… astounding.
Xi’nuata had fallen silent as she allowed herself to think. Each word and kind sentiment replayed until it became a part of her memory. She might have inquired further had it not been for the clatter of rock from the mountain; the tell-tale sign that something more walked across the jagged terrain. Enlightening to it, she returned her state of mind to its dutiful role but not without a close word to their conversation. “Blue Willow,” she whispered the name having surfaced it from her memory. “You have given me something to think on… and I thank you for that.” Politely she dipped her muzzle before taking a step back as she turned. “I must return to my duties. Take care with your fishing…”
Then quickly she departed, bounding into the mountains with expert grace til her colors were no longer seen.
[Exit]
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Blue Willow watched the other go until she was gone and she was happy that she had allowed her some things to think on. After the other was well out of her line of vision and the she wolf had pushed herself to her feet she realized with a wry laugh that she had yet again failed to get the mysterious females name. She shook her head and hoped that they would have another day to converse and she could get the females name. She turned on tail and began a loping job back towards her own borders and home.