Nigaq had family here. She'd learned of an uncle, and through him, a plethora of cousins. There was a wealth of knowledge about the continuation of the Apaatas, of which she planned to take full advantage.
Her legs carried her back into the tundra where she planned to rest and think. There was a faint border marking the perimeter of a large forest, but because of how lightly it had been marked, she saw no issue in crossing. Nigaq settled beside a tree and began to preen the fur on her underbelly in contemplative silence.
Faint as it was, Uriel was diligant. She had few to claim to the ward,, but one was injured, and the other was weak to sunlight- she counted herself the sole heir to bring up the group. Even then she truly didn't know if they placed faith within Skyward. She kept at it, letting others beware that someone was trying, but of course the lioness could not prevent all, as many went through, and stayed within. The woods were so vast, how could she find them all?
The phoenix, however, did find one. A gray figure laid by a tree, carefree as she groomed. Uriel approached, "You are in a claimed territory." There was no malice, nor' kindness, only facts given as silver eyes gazed stoicly at this wolf.
Nigaq's suspicions were affirmed by her creamsicle companion. She stopped preening herself and slowly fell into submission, wary of how the other might react. If things took a turn, she was beyond capable of defending herself, but avoiding a violent encounter was her top priority.
Apologies
, she said, I didn't know if this was a new claim or a recently abandoned one.
The difference was negligible, as far as Nigaq was concerned. She stood and shook the snow from her fur, hoping the Uriel would not mind her sudden rise.
There was an ease in tension, for there was no hostility presented, and an apology given, "You are forgiven," Uriel said with now a smile. She was rather friendly to those who provided no malice intentions, as she knew she could not hold fault to them all. Her claim is so small, and not even official to all, how can she hold the entire world accountable to simple mistakes. Not to mention- there was always forgiveness in the sanctuary she so desired. It was the hope, for a new start for herself, and any who wished to stay.
"It is new," a hope to be, "I am Uriel of Skyward, who are you?"
Nigaq Apaata.
There was pride in her name and the legacy which she carried. A small swell of her chest might have betrayed her inner vanity, though it was soon quieted out of respect. Skyward
, she parroted, That is this place?
It wasn't an impressive sight at first glance, as was noted in her mental log.
Her attention shifted to the border which had been so easily crossed. Was Uriel the only wolf maintaining these lands? How many are here?
Nigaq asked, a curious eye turned to the forest around them.
"It is indeed." The woods were more vast then of beauty, but more was to be within, especially with the newfound plot Hemlocke had discovered, and only more to come. With such a large forest there was plenty to see, and still to cover. Slowly did they go, and she'll continue to do.
"Not many," Uriel admitted but didn't specify their numbers, "but we're always welcoming more."
The implication was an invitation, but Nigaq was wary to accept. Commiting oneself to a pack was an important decision, and she didn't want to do it on a whim. She nodded her head in understanding and thought about how to continue. What does Skyward value?
she asked. Aligned perspectives might clarify whether or not this was an acceptable fit.
Uriel couldn't help but be excited if the chance made it's way, as it so rarely did. She met few by sheer chance, and the others were not the best exchange, or already had been pledged to another. Two to call friends, and two to call to the ward, there was no one to properly become a pack, much less the very faint border they had. "Rebirth."
"In here, may your past be forgiven and forgotten, if you so wish. No care to who you once were, and a new beginning- just as I wish to do so as well." The lioness refrains from speaking of who she was, and what had been done in the past, and has no intention to reveal what was. She was now but a phoenix, rebirthed to Uriel, and to the creation of Skyward, so others can be of the same. A home to the values she wished to continue onwards.
It was why she felt so conflicted when the feelings of bitterness toward the two Legion members remained.. A hypocrite, to say the least.
This is optional, I presume.
Her past was her pride, and to give it away was not an option. Nigaq would be willing to commit herself, but only after assurance that she would be allowed to keep her stories. Do you need help securing the border?
Patrolling was only effective if done with multiple pair of eyes.
"Rebirth is not a singular path," Uriel would never wish for someone who held their past dear, to forget, "rebirth can be improvement, to advise yourself to a better you." She only wished for a sanctuary, a place people may improve the lives they once had, be it forgetting who they once were, or harboring it as a strength, and fortifying their views, "so yes, it is optional."
"We are numbered by few, the help is always needed." She gave a pitied smile, not to the other, but to herself. The days have been long since arriving at Teekon, but only time could tell who would wander to her ward.
Even if only as a temporary arrangement, Nigaq was willing to offer her services. She nodded her thanks to Uriel glad that she'd made it through the encounter unscathed. The next stranger would know better than to cross the border; by the following evening, she hoped to have this quarter thoroughly marked. Alright
, Nigaq said, turning to walk further inside, I'll begin immediately.
Once her debt was repaid, she might go back into the valley and see what was to be found there.
Uriel smiled brightly, not expecting a new member this fast, nor' as diligant. She enjoyed Holly and Hemlocke, but one seemed free like the bird, and the other was a night-dweller. She needed warriors especially, to protect the ward and to serve the Major, "Welcome to Skyward Nigaq."
"Stay as long as you need to."
Nigaq nodded to Uriel. I'll begin immediately.
It felt wrong to rest after having been caught as a trespasser. She was eager to begin her work and prove her worth, and so began to make her way back to the border.
"I believe in you." She liked to believe the lioness had good eyes, her silvers could see that the other would be a good worker, a good member of the ward. She had no doubts the other would work hard and definitely wished to see her more.. Though, a gray bird would sprout to a pheonix, and Uriel didn't want to hold her back when the time comes.