for 'Nuata!
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Larch grunted, shaking her head in an attempt to relieve the faint buzzing in her ears. It was more of a nuisance than anything - an unfortunate and frustrating side-effect of having one's ears filled with snow for an hour or so. At least she had the feeling back in her limbs now. She hadn't enjoyed the feeling of powerless numbness, being trapped beneath the snow until her faction leader had found her.
Now she had to turn her thoughts away from the temporary prison of snow and ice; Larch chose to focus only on the moment when sunlight had re-entered her world. Emerging from the avalanche's grip was the closest she would ever come to being reborn, and she had to do something with this new life; this second chance.
Still, moving through the trees was a struggle, with debris and other forms of life hindering the prospective warrior's progress. It wasn't good enough to be able to fight when she was fit - she needed to know how to defend herself now, in this state, with these handicaps.
Larch grimaced as her hind leg caught on the twisted stalks of undergrowth - the limb was usable, but it still hurt when things came into contact with it. The grimacing, too, was painful, thanks to the slash across Larch's cheek. Far from resigned, though, the honey-pelted female pressed on with a limp in her stride, letting out a short bark for the Gamma who had gathered the warriors only a day or two earlier - the day of the avalanche.
Larch would not be written off by snow or its slippery cousin. She intended to prove her determination to Xi'nuata, if not her worth as a friend. Her heart thumped a little more enthusiastically at the thought.
OOC: Vague! So I dont spoil stuff
The few nights that had passed since the fall of ice and rock had been quiet in the heart of the territory. The den was barred, now just another filled part of the mountain, yet the heart of the warrior could not have felt more empty. She spent her evenings away from her shadow, clinging to the pine’s own in the hope they would bring her solace. Sleep was an ideal, no longer an absolute. The duty to her pack was the only precedent that mattered.
Taking stride through the familiar green, she came upon the call of a packmate, Larch by the tone. Were it not for the efforts of their faction lead, she might have found her new home among the heavens on high. But she was safe, as least in heart and soul, yet the body was damaged. Healing she assumed.
Dulled eyes turned toward the direction of the call then tired legs carried her swiftly forward through the growth and fallen trees. The avalanche made a wonderful mess of their haven, yet the terrain was still familiar as were her steps through it winding heart. It was not long before she spotted the dollop of soft brown fur atop honey hues. Xi’nuata greeted her silently, drawing close to stand nearest her shoulder with an inquisitive muzzle forward. She said nothing, but looked to the other quietly, expectantly.
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Nature's tyranny had left Larch in an unmistakeably fragile state, but she shifted her paws, lifting her head in a stance which spoke of alertness all the same. She had returned to the Vale weary and confused, but the tumble of snow and stone from the peaks which encircled Northstar had cleared her mind (if not her ears). She knew now which direction she needed to head in; she simply needed a little help in doing so. Though there was no shame in asking for help, the golden woman did wonder if she should have called for Raheerah – but judging by his reaction to finding her slender form buried in the snow, the lead Warrior's mind would be fully occupied.
Then there was the fact that she liked Xi'nuata's company, and was intrigued to see her in action. Black-peppered ears lifted when they caught the sound of paws falling over rock, snow and earth, and Larch lowered her head to take in the higher ranking female with gratitude, nodding as the pale brown shape pulled up close by. Larch drew in a long breath, willing her hind leg to remain stable despite the ache it offered with every movement.
”I want to train,” she offered, her voice loud despite the roughness in it. ”I need to know how I can defend us when I'm.. like this.” Her ears pulled back and her inky nose wrinkled – her injured state was far from pretty or efficient, and she knew it would take patience to work around her semi-lame back leg.
Not often was she called to see to another. As of late, it was her chords that summoned the presence of her brethren, for one reason or another. She perceived this change as a matter of importance; a call for aid perhaps, or a request for counsel, though the warrior did not know how she could assist with the latter. She was far from skilled in offering advice to another, but that did not hinder her steps to heed the vocal summon.
Her questioning gaze went beyond the surface of the golden nose and lifted to regard the sincerity in the female’s eyes. She hadn’t the need to question whether the woman’s intentions were true… only if she was able to fulfill them in her present state. Openly, her eye drifted to the injured leg, not fully lame but healing gradually as injuries went. Indeed it would be some time before full mobility and use returned to it, and though she knew nothing of injuries (extensively), she did know that premature use would only lengthen the time it took to heal.
“Larch,” Xi’nuata grumbled softly, lifting her gaze from the limb to the female’s brow. Her bi-colored eyes shown with a light akin to concern, yet pity was far from reaching their hues. “There is no rush to return to your tasks. All of the pack is recovering. Do not force yourself, if it can be helped.”
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Larch made no effort to hide the injured limb; nor did she play down the pain it caused her. The golden female ventured a step forward, shifting her weight to the most comfortable position she could obtain. She smiled in response, the slash across her cheek pushing upward along with the corners of her lips.
It was her inner discomfort which Larch kept carefully concealed from her fellow Warrior – the feeling of being on the edge of uselessness was cloying, like claws scraping at her flesh, urging her to move onward and upward. Larch was restless, no doubt about it, but she remained collected in her response to Xi'nuata's words. “I'm not exactly used to taking things slowly, but I will,” she agreed in quieter tones, ears flicking back momentarily.
Larch did not search for the gradient eyes which had lingered pointedly on her semi-lame hind limb, but she was all too aware of Xi'nuata's movements. Limping forward, her head held a little lower than the milky brown woman's, a faint whine shook her vocal chords. “I would feel worse than useless if I was to do nothing, though. If someone tried to breach our borders tomorrow, I'd have to fight on three legs. I can't let myself get rusty. Please.” There was a steel in Larch's voice and her brows rose; she wouldn't let this rest unless Xi'nuata flatly refused to help her train.
A word of understanding bent her ear forward with some hope for the end of the discussion, however the explanation to follow portrayed to prospective warrior's stubborn nature. She would have her rest, it would seem, but not without first learning how to keep herself able while injured. A true warrior's mentality if ever she were to see it.
Xi'nuata exhaled soundly through nostrils flared wide, then turned from the honey female to observe the grounds around them. Quiet, yet lively with but a subtle disturbance by the fall of the occasional leaf. She did not assume they here wholly alone in the woods, but she did not favor letting her eye wander to meet the single crimson jewel amidst the shadows. He could watch silently, for all she cared.
She gave no verbal sign of her agreement, only a swift turn and soundless lunge toward the awaiting female's ankles. Her jaws did not part, but they were soon to come. What she needed to witness now was how far her determination went when suddenly stricken by the pain of her own doing.