Their days away to reach out to potential allies in Easthollow and Legion had been pleasant enough, despite Artyom's concern that came with his mate's obvious discomfort. He was proud of her, naturally, for pushing herself to see these visits through, though could not deny his relief to spot their beloved Whitebark in the distance.
As the evening darkness swept in and he and @Dawn drew nearer, the pale ranger canted his muzzle skyward to announce their return - specifically for @Daylily and @Bhediya. He knew the silver leader would be keen to receive their report on anything that might've cropped up during their Southern travels. Artyom took note of a distinct lack of the raven hybrid's scent along the territory border and, with a frown, he lifted his gaze to exchange a troubled glance with his companion. "Strange," he hummed to her, "I hope she hasn't gone far."
Possibly misreading this, but I'm assuming that they're still at the border. LMK if I'm wrong!
The waif wandered aimlessly through the tundra, chilled winter air sending shivers along each knob of her spine. Winter had not forgotten this corner of the world; Anokhi laughed as she imagined the beasts that must reside here, much sturdier in build and courageous in spirit.
The soft crunch of snow amused her as she drew further inland. There was a border nearby, piquing her curiousity. She drew nearer and noticed the frame of two others, neither particularly vibrant against the land's thick blanket of white.
Hello!
she called, a smile wide on her maw. Anokhi was careful to keep her distance, raising her voice instead of furthering her approach.
Do you live here?
at the border they pause; it is Artyom's realization that has her echo his actions, gaze moving to his in concern. "I don't know why she'd have left—" she is sparred having to go into the troubling consequences of the faded scent when a voice calls out to them; she twists to find a bird-boned woman, pelt made of waves and wildness. she blinks; the woman's scent is entirely foreign, and yet she is a somewhat distorted mirror image of the woman they had seemingly just lost.
"we do," she answers, straightening as her brow furrows in confusion and curiosity. "this is Whitebark Stream; I am Dawn, and this is my mate, Artyom." she answers, allowing the woman space to ask her own questions while she ponders her sudden appearance.
Dawn's gaze found his own, concern swimming in the bronze depth of each lovely iris. He emitted a soft whine and reached out to her, a comfort; his own relationship with Bhediya had started off poorly but she'd been a step-mother to his mate, and surely her disappearance would affect her.
Much to their surprise, it was an unfamiliar voice that called out to them. Artyom's stare shifted at once, blinking over his partner's narrow silver shoulders to observe the approach of a she-wolf who was... oddly familiar. She barked a question, confirming that she was not the seemingly absent Whitebark leader, and the ranger maintained his silence as Dawn answered and offered introduction.
Who are you? Artyom mused. This particular wolfess carried the same wavy pelt as Bhediya but was younger, taller. A relation, perhaps? It was too coincidental to find her there and Bhediya gone.
The woman was given silent appraisal as Anokhi stepped nearer to her company. Dawn
, and Artyom
, she repeated, primarily to ensure that she had the correct pronunciation. Inquisitive eyes scanned the immediate interior of the territory, then turned apologetic as they bounced between either presumed leader.
I'm sorry, it's just
— she looked at Dawn — It's so pretty.
Her willowy frame was soon folded into submission. I am Anokhi
, she explained, It's a pleasure to meet you both.
the woman's accent is heavy, similar, she realizes, to the one Aditya carried, and Bhediya too. she smiles at the woman's appraisal, attempting then, "yes— it's an good home" she dips her muzzle at the woman's polite greeting, querying then, "do you know a woman called bhediya? or perhaps khoe, akuti?" it seems too odd a coincidence, but if she does, she might have some inkling of where she might have gone. at her submission, there comes a gentle flick of Dawn's ears; such actions are not necessary, here.
Her resemblance to Bhediya was somewhat unsettling, and remained at the heart of his thoughts. Artyom considered asking if she knew of her, but it seemed his mate read his mind and piped up before he could find the opportunity.
Curious, he pricked his ears forward and continued to listen in silence; this was not his affair to be involved in.
Southerners were not a common commodity, from what Anokhi knew. She turned an inquisitive eye to Dawn, curious as to where she'd heard these names. Akuti, I know that name
, she replied with a nod. It was a name rarely mentioned and often forgotten, especially in her own adulthood. It's what my janani was called. How do you know it?
She began to swell with excitement, wondering if another one of her tribe had made the journey north.
Figuring that it was of little importance, however Dawn might reply, she turned her attention to Artyom. You don't speak much
, she commented, sharing with him a smile, How come?
Anokhi began to preen the fur on her forepaw while she awaited a response.
"your janani?" she echoes, with a cant of her head. it seems almost familiar, she is almost certain she'd heard Aditya use it before, or in the least something similar. she doesn't seem to be looking for her, but judging by the way she swells with excitement, their relationship must be a good one. in answer, she offers, "she lives here, but her scent's faint —" she'd no idea why she would have left, but in an effort to offer some sort of explanation, "she might be visiting her daughter to the south." it didn't seem right; she ought to have waited until they'd returned. her worry is hidden well enough, though a slight flick of her tail tip might betray her concern to her mate.
He sensed the stranger's enthusiasm at the mention of a particular name - Akuti. It meant nothing to Artyom, though he felt it was no secret that Bhediya was something of a dark horse. Perhaps she'd gone by a different name in another place, another life - hadn't Dawn mentioned that to him before? He wasn't sure.
Anokhi pointed her snout his way and, surprised at the forward nature of her question, pricked a gilded lobe forward. He blinked at her, used this opportunity to better study the contours of her face, and twitched his nose in thought.
She had to be related to Bhediya by blood.
"Apologies," he answered, acknowledging that he'd left all of this rather odd encounter fir Dawn to deal with. "It's nothing personal - we've just returned home from a long journey." It hadn't really been, not for him, but he worried for his mate's exhaustion.
Anokhi frowned.
Janani, it's like mother.
She wasn't sure how to explain without revealing too much. If the Akuti who (once?) lived here really was her birthmother, then whatever reputation she had built would have been tarnished by the truth. It was shameful to abandon one's own children; she harbored no hatred, but assumed that Dawn and Artyom would.
I don't know much about her
, Anokhi explained,
Just a name, really.
Pihu and Vihaan had been careful with the information shared. Most of her knowledge was based on stories of childhood mischief, told from her aunts' point-of-view.
She has a lot of family at home.
@Preeti and
@Kipcha had left for the north long before she had; if Akuti was going south to reunite, she wouldn't have much luck. It was unfortunate.
A quick smile was turned to Artyom. Apologies were unnecessary, since she'd only asked out of curiousity.
I suppose I have, too
, she laughed. The trip from Melukhkha to the Teekon was a long one and Anokhi was in need of a good rest. Based on what she had learned, she thought that Whitebark Stream might be a good place for that.
Do you have room for another?
Anokhi asked, wagging her tail in dilute enthusiasm.
Skipping Dawn to conclude this. :) @Anokhi
It was such an odd turn of events, Artyom pondered quietly to himself as the dark-furred Anokhi shared her history with the mother that was barely known to her. Truthfully, there was a prick at his hackles with the suggestion of Bhediya abandoning this she-wolf as a cub, and he did not like the bitter taste left in his mouth.
He swallowed, shifted his gaze to look thoughtfully toward his slender mate. Soon her flanks would swell with their offspring, and his heart skipped an uncomfortable beat as his thoughts darkened somewhat: how could any parents abandon their children? It seemed Bhediya (or whatever her real name was) had made a habit of it throughout her lifetime.
Artyom held his judgement, and turned focus once more to Whitebark's newest arrival. Although forward and a little strange, Anokhi had so far proven more pleasant during their short encounter than her dam seemed, so he mustered a gentle smile in her direction. "I think we can make room," he said, hopeful that the wolfess would integrate well among their ranks.
With an agreement made, Artyom and Dawn welcomed their newest recruit among the ranks. They escorted her a ways until they parted company, with the Alphess and her mate keen to regroup with Daylily so they might receive her report.