Wolf RPG

 
Straightening on spry limbs, the northron's gaze penetrated beyond the unseen boundaries, even this act seeming taboo. Past the broken walls of stone, thick treelines sheltered the territory from sight possessively; as if a child hiding some stolen treasure. 

The downcast mother licked her chop nervously, butterfly auds fluttering as she preened her coat anxiously - uncertain despite her assurance. She'd done it right this time, stopped outside the borders, even brought a gift in case this pack turned out to be the proper one for her. 

Fiddling about for a few more moments, the Saluki finally summoned the courage to settle on her haunches nonthreateningly and send up a howl requesting an audience with the pack's leaders.

As the days went on, things within the Vale were settling nicely - albeit without its own personal hiccups, she hasn't seen Yuudai in days and after her encounter with Takeshi, the young Empress was feeling rather down (keeping it vague due to the thread not being done yet!). She was at a loss of what to do with both men, with her situation other than to try and continue on, to keep her head held high and hope for the best.

Ears swiveled toward the borders as a call rang out summoning one of the two current leaders. Despite the internal turmoil, she put on a smile and began her swift journey to where the call had come from. The Empire was to be a place of welcoming, a friendly environment away from the horrors and woe that could be easily found out there beyond their walls. There was no need to come to whoever was summoning them with a face filled with personal worry.

As she approached, a strange-looking creature awaited her. With a swish of her snowy plume, the Empress approached with light paws. Strange was not always terrible, like in this case! Unusual but beautiful all at the same time, the woman who summoned the Empress was exotic looking and beyond anything, Reiko had ever seen in all her travels! Greetings! My name is Reiko Izuka, this is the Reneian Empire, how may I assist you?

Awaiting a response, Reiko couldn't help but take a look at the stranger - scars riddled her lithe frame, she looked tired beyond belief. What could have happened to have caused such a wreck of a wolf to come their way?

She too was borne of the north: slight and spritely, not unlike the wyvern Wördronna was murmured to be kin to. Pelted in ice, merry voice chiming like icicles caught in a chilled wind; the northron who hailed her timid call was one that set the tattered healer at ease. 

A faint, eager, tic swished the Saluki's thin tail as her lips twitched with the beginnings of a nervous smile.

"Blessed be, Lady Reiko," Awen lilted softly in return, slender crown dipping in a practiced curtsy - a grace to the bow that suggested trained obeisance. 

"I 'ad 'opes of offering my services ta yer pack...yer Empire," the half-breed continued, granted courage by the pale sylph's welcoming nature, with a steadying inhale. Lavender perfumed their conversation, billowing gently over the battered woman's frayed nerves as the uneven patter of her heart settled. 

"I am but a newcomer in t'ese lan's but I vas trained by ta Druids of Timber Falls," the seelie nodded once, owlish eyes blinking solemnly as if to portray her sincerity. "I am a healer - a midvife mainly. I vas tasked vith looking after ta mothers, caring fer younglings."

"Fer ye and yers," she offered, bending as she nudged the rabbitskin closer, brushing the folds of the tanned pelt open with her snout to reveal the dried herbs within. 

"Borage..for milk. Parsley...for, ah, no milk," the nomad stumbled over the explanation, clumsy in her command of the common tongue. "Raspberry leaves, for labor pains. Ta basics," she shared a kind smile, eyes lighting upon another familiar herb. 

"Lavender," the fae identified the last with her muzzle, somewhat shyly. It was not essential to a midwife's medkit but it was a favorite of hers. "To calm."

With a bright smile gently curving her lips, the Empress returned the kind gesture of respect with her own dip of her snowy crown. It's been such a long time since she has held any title, it would take a little while longer to get accustomed to such things being directed to her again. 

Auds twisted in attention to the lady's words, they were strange and she was clearly not a local - or at least not the ones she knew of from the wilds. It was clear from the beginning what the woman was able to bring to the pack, not that Reiko would be fond of turning anyone away for simply not knowing what they're capable of yet. It would go against both Kaistleoki and the Empire's beliefs. But a midwife was something both packs may be lacking - at least one who excels at it as this one seems to be. 

Even her scent came off as a healer, the new face was perfumed with the familiar scent of lavender, something the Empress herself held as well - but this one was sweeter with other undertones... possibly honey and other things in the mix.

You seem to be quite knowledgeable indeed! Something definitely worth praising. Reiko knew of some herbs and remedies, but raspberry leaves and borage were new to her, something she might have to ask this woman later on once she was settled. Should Reiko be aware of all the future pregnancies within the pack, there would be no question they would need help to raise the young - it would only become evident in a few weeks as bellies swelled. Not one to control who fell pregnant, it was only the smell of heat in the air that indicated their possibilities. 

We certainly have space for someone with your talents; however, I must ask. Looking over the wispy woman's condition. Is there something we should know about you? Are you fleeing from anything? I don't mean to pry, but should danger knock on our borders, we would like to be prepared.

"You are most kind, mi'lady," the pallid woman murmured genuinely, raspy tones vaguely hushed - as if uncertain in the fact that she deserves such commendation. 

Hopeful eyes rose, landing tactfully upon the Empress' ivory cheek, only to drop again anxiously at the leader's impending 'however'. Concern and weariness warred within her hidden heart, dreading the expected rejection. There were so many reasons after all: crowded ranks, lack of prey, her exotic bloodline. 

But the question that comes is not what she expects, though the Druid will likely berate herself for that later. 

"I.." How much to say? How much to reveal? 

Daring to chance a glance upwards once more, her eyes flitted away restlessly upon meeting the northron lady's. 

There was no choice; yet, the ruin of a mother choose to see the silver lining: to tell Reiko because some intuitive instinct whispered that she was trustworthy, that this land was the safe haven she sought. Not because there was no other option. 

"I vas a...how, you say?" Awenfen began again after a hesitant little clearing of her throat, trailing off as she struggled for the proper term. "Silit," the waif offered in the tongue of dragons. "Ehm..a slave, no?" 

"Ta Druids traded fer me vhile I vas in service of Grinestone Ravine." Her jaw set just so, as if the name itself pained her, withholding a shudder. 

"T'ey vere in need of a midvife, the leader's vife 'ad suffered a miscarriage ta season befor an' 'er pregnancy vas difficult. I earned my freedom vhilst among t'em but.." 

"A, em, coallition to the vest arrive' at ta borders one day - a neighbour, Dredguild." 

"One of t'eir men took a liking to me, vanted me fer 'is bride. So, I vas surrendered to 'im," here she shrugged the tiniest of shrugs, a forlorn twist to her mouth that suggested a failed attempt to smile. 

"He is...vile," came the broken, hollow whisper - a sound like wind whistling through the shattered window of a haunted house. "He..I von't disturb ye vith details mi'lady but I vould 'ave two daughters at me side if not for t'at beast."

"Dredguild is small and I know not if t'ey bother to seek a fleeing vife so far from 'ome but 'e may come for me," she admitted, warned, shoulders hunching with a collage of defeat and shame as that shudder won out - rippling through her tense frame. 

"I apologise, sincerely," the battered woman lilted softly, "I understan' if ye vould not like that risk." 

Patiently she listened, even as the young half-breed took her time to pick her words and what details she would share, the Empress didn't step into the conversation until the story was done. Expecting something to come along, but not what she had heard. Her smile had faded, taken over with a more concerned and melancholic mulling over whatever details were shared. 

It sounded so familiar. Takeshi came to mind. His forceful actions and presence causing all too real sympathy, empathy? to this woman's own story. The details were different but the message was all the same. At least the empress was no 'slave', not that she would see herself to be - chained perhaps, trapped in a relationship bound by her parent's wishes, but not a slave.

Oh dear... She began, breaking her own silence finally, taking a careful step toward the northern girl, a friendly visage filled with a mournful tenderness reserved only for the escapee. Nonsense. Never would she turn away someone like her. Not with a history as that. There are no such things here, you will be free and safe as a Reneian member. Free to join and go if you ever so please, we bind no one here against their will. It would be against both theirs, and Kaistleoki's beliefs. 

May I ask your name? Come, I will show you around, we can speak along the way.

Reiko's wisped grief curled around her cracked heart, tugging on its its strings. Some dam deep within burst, a swell of pain flooding through her body - throbbing beneath her chestbone as if the organ within was truly broken. 

A trembling breath was all that bespoke of this silent agony as the healer fought down this odd embodiment of a sob. Her eyes flickered upwards once more, non-aggressively, as the Izuka stepped forward. 

The waif's features had been opened like the dog-eared pages of a well worn tome, a wintery visage of conflicting emotions: hope, vulnerability, disbelief, relief, brought about by the arctic scout's kindness and acceptance. 

"T'ank you, mi'lady," the vagabond managed, voice fracturing with the welcomed feeling of freedom, unbound gratitude. The midwife doubted very much she would ever feel a desire to leave; not after searching for a pack, safety, for so long. Not now, when the euphoria of home was still washing over her - when her loyalty had been so concretely sealed to the Empire, to Reiko. 

"T'ey name me, Awenfen," the ivory hart introduced herself softly, falling into step with the lady - gathering the gifted herbs with intentions of storing them. 

Eagerly, timidly, the new pledge trailed after the Empire's founder - soul shining through seelie eyes with rebirth.

With a swish of her tail, she felt tall and proud as she officially accepted their first newcomer into their ranks. Someone new that wasn't previously associated with the group, or a part of the first wave of pledges - AKA, Vespera. It felt like an incredible accomplishment.

I'm certain you will fit in just fine with everyone. She sang as she took stride next to their new comrade. There are a few things we must discuss to get yourself familiar, one of which is your first title is that of a peasant. pausing for a moment, she hated the word they decided to go with to describe the new folk who join - But within a month, you will rank up, so don't worry~

From here on, she continued to explain the ins and outs of the pack, showing Awenfen all the most important locations and hopefully, in time, she would feel comfortable enough to go and meet her new packmates.