There are things in the world that don't require sight so much as they require touch. One could see the tones of autumn change each day and never bat an eye until the dead limbs of winter scattered the ground, but to feel the cool nips of air brushing against skin and frolicking through fur, to feel the collapse of empires beneath worn feet as leaves trickled down from their homes, to be able to feel the morning sun's warmth and hear it's final goodbyes, these were the things that kept Aster going.
She'd been sitting in between trees, taking in the scents of the season, when she thought of these things. She remembered being a little girl and her mother's stories of how things had come to be. Aster grinned and laughed to herself. She was tucked away beneath the shade, hiding her sensitive eyes from the afternoon light, waiting for the sun to disappear.
Olive found so much pleasure and enjoyment in exploring her new home that it was almost all she did. Shortly after waking up, Olive would take off and meander lazily around the twisting trees and rolling thickets. Having met several of her pack members, Olive was more and more settling into her new roles and family. It was starkly different than the pack of her past life and the time she spent as a lone wolf, riddled with wanderlust. There were rules, but Olive was quickly learning that the laws of the pack greatly enhanced her life rather than hampering it.
Though her time in Ravensblood Forest was still short, Olive felt herself coming to assimilate with her surroundings. There really was something to be said about staying in one location for an extended amount of time and finding a home. She was gaining intimate knowledge about the woods that enveloped and nurtured her. The land wasn’t technically hers (nor was it truly owned by anyone), but she felt a deep connection growing the more time she spent dwarfed amount the foliage. The rustle of the leaves as the wind blew told her of happening long ago, happenings that no wolf today had been alive to see. The small streams that babbled brought with them ancient knowledge from the mountains where they originated. It was the observance of these humble phenomenon that comprised most of Olive's days. Given her past of wandering (in both her birth pack and adventures afterwards), a connection this profound was new for Olive.
She wondered how deeply her roots in this forest would grow and what mysteries they held for her.
Once again ambling through the forest, Olive came upon a lone dame. She was a picture of serenity, enjoying the shade of a nearby tree. Olive slowed to a stop and gazed at the wolf curiously, waiting for any sign from the wolf that her presence was known. After a moment, Olive decided she did not want to startle her (she appeared to be quite preoccupied with a daydream) and spoke smoothly, quietly.
“Afternoon, sister.” Olive greeted. “I hope the day is treating you well.”
Aster's ears perked as a soft whisper drifted in. She hadn't seen the other's shadow as she approached, so she was a bit startled by her new company. It is, thank you. Though I'm personally more so a fan of the night. With fear of being too forward and asking the other's affiliation, she took a quick whiff of the air in search of Arturo's scent. A Teaghlaigh wolf, as had been assumed, though Aster relaxed with sure knowledge. And yourself?
Though her sight had abandoned her long before she could understand, Aster could tell a threat from a friend. It was quickly obvious which one her new companion would prove to be.
The wolf appeared to be very in tune with her senses. Maybe, that’s why she is too a friend of the night, Olive pondered. It was clear that the she-wolf was attempting to identify her through a deep breathe of Olive’s heavy scent. Feeling compelled to do the same, Olive inhaled bouquet of the female - it was a most informal introduction, but it was wolf custom to identify just who they were dealing with.
The wolf smelt familiar, as if Olive had previously caught the faintest whiff carried upon the winds that blew through the forest. This told Olive many things - one of those being the this was a wolf that Olive should know.
“Could it be that i’ve happened upon a fellow Teaghlaigh recruit?” Olive asked.
Aster laughed before making her response, Yes, yes you have. I'm Aster - a chronicler and mercenary, both in training. Her eyes followed the faint silhouette of the other female, though it didn't offer much help. With a sigh and a slight grin, Aster turned away from the femme for a brief moment, before turning back and continuing the conversation.
And yourself? Your name, practices, anything you'd like to share? I'm sorry if I'm being too forward, she laughed. Hopefully her lack of hesitation wasn't overwhelming to her packmate.
A chronicler and a mercenary? Olive was ecstatic to have met such a multidimensional being to for her to be a part of her own, new family. A good memory and experienced tongue greatly complimented the background of a mercenary. Olive always knew wolves with these skills to be greatly admired and made amusing company. She very much so desired to hear a story from this wolf, to hear remnants of the past and tellings of the future. There will be much time to do so, Olive assured herself. They were family, after all.
“And I, I am Olive,” Olive declared, dipping her body in a respectful bow. “It’s not only wonderful to meet a fellow earthling, but to meet family!” Tittering, Olive was unable to hide her pleasure. If nothing, Olive had a finely tuned sense of joie de vivre and derived great joy from many of lives moments.
“I supposed you could call me a naturalist, or an astronomer?” In fact, the concept of earning and maintaining a trade was quite foreign to the fae. For her short three years on this earth, Olive followed her bliss and acted upon whatever whims gave her gratification. To pursue a mastery of a subject seemed (at first), very limiting. “I am very much self taught and always learning, as you are.”
Then Olive’s attention was pulled not to Aster’s words, but to a part of her physicality that before had gone unnoticed. Asters eyes held a grey film, shielding them from the world. Bright, delicate and intelligent as the woman’s eyes were, they never seemed to be able to maintain focus. Olive cocked her head as she gazed towards Aster, questioning.
“Now, it is time for me to be forward” the grey girl trailed off, hoping her next [unassuming] statement would fall upon kind ears. “Are you feeling well? I can go find someone more skilled than I to help."
At first, Olive's comment went over Aster's head. Of course she was feeling well, that is outside of the usual aches. No, I feel fine. I don't know... And then it dawned on her. She'd never met her companion before, so it made sense that her inquiries were in light of Aster's sight (or lack thereof). They've always looked like that. My eyes, I was born blind. I hope it doesn't bother you too much.
Aster smiled and looked down, away from Olive's glance. She was ashamed of her eyes, for they served no true purpose. As a child, they were gateways into the Otherworld. As an adult, they were a hindrance. Hoping that she hadn't offended her friend, she continued the conversation. Now that the sun was being its retreat beyond the horizon and the shades of evening were making their rise, Aster had a new topic to speak on, This is my favorite time of day. It's so beautiful, unique. Don't you agree? Aster turned back to Olive avg smiled, hoping to move on.
I think i’ve going to sacrifice the stargazing part of this thread (that we had discussed). Just doesn’t seem to fit in naturally :)
Blind? Bother her? Olive was almost disgusted at the thought. Though Aster could not see Olives expression, her mouth mouth pulled into a grimace. Olive had a personal vendetta against wolves who assumed the role of judge and jury, who procured and shared an opinion that was not theirs to have. Aster had been born blind, not lost it through an act of ill-will against another… that was the only way Olive would be bothered by this. In fact, Olive had heard rumors that wolves who lacked one of their senses possessed other heightened abilities. She heard tales of wolves whose ears were rendered useless, but could clearly hear spirits in their head who shared their wisdom. Creatures who were born without a limb [or had lost one throughout the throes of life] turned out to be incredible warriors. There were even stories floating around the wild of beings who were blessed without the ability to feel pain. Those wolves were portended to be invincible, ever living, unable to be killed - Olive doubted the truth of that one. Wolves only achieved true immortality when they left this temporary world and entered the ubiquitous heavens.
Honestly, Olive was slightly upset that Aster felt the need to ensure she wasn’t bothered by her… gift. Especially to Olive, of all wolves! That wave of emotion quickly passed and was replaced by feelings of warmth and true comprehension. Olive stepped forward and nuzzled the woman’s neck in a silent act of support and empathy. Word didn’t seem appropriate at the moment - sometimes, silence was golden. It felt as thought Aster wanted to divert the subject of conversation from her lack of sight, and Olive was happy to relent.
“I consider myself a creature of the night. I feel truly free when the light fades and darkness takes over - wolves seem to be comforted under the veil of night, and we’re able to speak on a different level.” Olive pulled her head away from Aster and grinned sheepishly, hoping to covey her sudden foolishness through her voice's inflection. “Not that our conversation is lacking in any way. I’m greatly enjoying myself.”
Olive remembered a similar, beautiful scene [that had accounted not long ago, but felt like an eternity. So much had changed since she met the mysterious white wolf, Eden]. “In fact, I had experienced the honesty that nighttime affords the other night. I met a woman who told her incredible story of death, reunions, betray and new families. We were underneath a full moon, which tends to strengthen the effect on wolves.” Not wanting to betray Eden's trust, Olive stopped there.
Oh? I love to hear the stories of others. What did you say her name was? Perhaps I've met her before; I've come across quite a few wolves in my day. It was true; Aster was a wolf of many names, each with its own story. She'd met wolves from all walks of life, heard stories she couldn't have imagined experiencing. In her short time, she'd gathered a lifetime of memories.
Sorry, I’m literally the worst at timely replies! I saw your other thread with Aster/Eden so I’ll purposefully leave it a little vague.
Olive shook her steel-colored head in agreeance as Aster mentioned her love for the stories of others. Truly, listening to others [strangers, family, the like] weave their tales with earnest and honesty was one of the truest delights of [what can be a very trying existence on] this earth. Olive was only one wolf with one mind and two pairs of legs to carry her through the physicality of life. One, small wolf dwarfed by the mysteries and power which swathed her. There were limitless beings who have had limitless experiences and weren't afraid to share – and Olive was all too willing to let their knowledge, vernacular and perspectives wash over her [not unlike how a gentle streams have the potential to carve monolithic canyons].
Still, Olive wanted to protect Eden’s identity. Olive truly respected the white-furred woman for being so open and vulnerable, especially with a history so raw. “It was amazing, her strength. The caregiver was new to the area and miraculously found her sister – though her sister was gravely injured. After aligning with a pack and nursing her sister back to health, she surprised even herself… Her family was to grow! A happy moment; she found her mate and quickly became pregnant. I imagine she is heavy with child by now.” A smile spread across Olive’s maw at that thought. “However, the happiness was short-lived. Her condition violated the rules of her pack and they were chased out. Subsequently, her sister perished. It was an awful ending, though the map of the sky radiated positivity upon those living family members. I hope she is well.”
“Having heard her story in confidence, I’m sure you understand why I’m reluctant to reveal her name. However, she is a large wolf with fur the color of snow.” What was the name of her pack? Olive pondered silently. Oh well, it is of no matter. “She resides around these parts, though I cannot remember where. If you happen to see a wolf that matches that description, be gentle with your words and actions. She’s been through a lot.”
Her brow furrowed with Olive's description of the other wolf. No, it can't be...can it? Aster gave a silent nod and smile to share her thanks, but quickly started off back to her den. She would have to investigate, but for now, she had to think.
Aster quickly and silently dismissed herself. Olive, a little jarred at her friend's sudden absense, continued on her way through the forest - singing a silent song of the wooded titans that dwarfed her.