when/if you have time! <3
having spoken with hydra, kukutux set her growing skills in the making of matches to what aiolos had asked. it had been some time since she had come to the glen, and set off across the expanse between they and moonspear with a whitefox fur about her shoulders and sticks of dried meat carried.
when she came to firefly, the snow-wife called gently for
@Toad Amelia. too many days had passed since she had seen her companion, and perhaps now she bore something of interest for the pleasant woman.
A strange new dawn seemed to be colouring Toad's world. Things in the Glen had started to feel almost stagnant in some way. It was difficult for her to really point out what the difference was. Perhaps it was the advent of Wraen and Maia's new southern pack. Or, maybe it was her realization that if she wanted something, she needed to go out there and find it. Though the brown, plump woman continued in her duties to her pack, she had begun to question more seriously whether or not she really belonged in a pack of young people (with one rude exception in the form of Holland).
Daydreaming, her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar and wonderful sound. Her response was prompt, howling back to let her know she was coming and arriving as swiftly as her feet would carry her. It seemed like an age since she had spoken properly to Kukutux, the ethereal fantasy of a woman who was the reason she was here at all. When Toad closed the distance and saw her there, she as always felt something between envy and glee — if only she might be as beautiful.
A smile lit up her face as she noticed what looked like gifts. Toad ran up to the young mother and pushed her snout toward her to sniff, both affectionately and curiously. What's all this?
she asked in wonderment, delighted and surprised by the visit.
Clearly not!
Toad offered brightly, knowing well that the northern mother was well-versed in the way of winter weather. It was here that she showed her prizes. The fox fur itself was a curious object, carrying a slight musky odour that had been washed away with Kukutux's own soft scent. Within were interesting sticks made out of meat, which of course delighted the brown, portly woman.
Toad slowly stepped forward and gentle took one of the sticks, handling it carefully as though it might run away with any fast movements. She also settled herself, chewing on the dried meat, clearly pleased. She stopped to speak, swallowing. Oh, Osiris is doing such a great job. We've grown immensely in such a short time. Meerkat is chasing Atlas, of course, and Bronco is proving himself to be a very fine hunter. We have this new guy, Holland, and he seems sort of rude, but he is a medic so I suppose that is useful,
she stopped to take a breath.
Then, she grinned, realizing that she had been talking terribly fast. And, of course, none of these things were her adventures. Toad was slowly learning to try to focus on herself more, but it simply was not her first instinct. She laughed, and continued. For my own part, I have found my blood relatives here and in the Caldera, if you can believe that,
she said. Turns out Phox is my nephew.
She began chewing again, waiting to see Kukutux's expression.
Toad nodded as the white northern beauty shared her thrill at finding family. It really had been the highlight to her year. Even though Phox had held back emotion, and Fennec had seemed none-too-bothered, and Meerkat... actually, none of them seemed to delight as she had.
Happiness. Yes. Toad's smile faltered a bit. She stopped chewing on the venison's delicious, salty flavour. She swallowed, and a disquieted expression befell her. I'm happy,
she said, despite this change. She had always felt a bit out of place. With Wraen and Maia's new pack to the south, she was feeling more than ever like she might not... well. The Glen is pretty thin in terms of men I'd consider husband material,
she said, pretending like she was Wraen and knew what she was talking about. They're all a bit too young, or.. rude in Holland's case. I don't know.
She felt very guilty admitting this. She had secretly hoped that the coming season might give her puppies of her own. She had never thought it possible before Meerkat had planted the idea in her head, but now it seemed as impossible as ever.
Motherhood had been kind to Kukutux, who seemed to look as young as she had when they had first met in the Glen. She had a soft, downy nature to her fur. Her eyes felt kind upon her, and though the light was not something Toad felt entirely comfortable with, she was thankful she could divulge such secrets to the pearl-coated northerner. Of course, Kukutux knew exactly what she meant. Toad loved everyone in the Glen, but they were boys. She wanted more.
Toad listened closely to the next words, licking at her venison stick slightly, but altogether pausing as her ears perked. Yuèlóng was an ally that had been mentioned, but she knew little about the island wolves. Like Easthollow, she had never ventured near either, feeling that she was needed too much where she was. Given the strength of their pack, however, she wondered what harm a visit might do. It seemed wholly unlikely that a leader would want something like her for a wife. Immediately, Toad seemed to have a visceral reaction to the very idea, pulling back her head and accidentally dropping her stick from between her paws as she shook her head quickly.
Oh no, there's no way someone like that would be interested in me. I'm not exactly leader-wife material, Kukutux,
she said, looking away. Still, her thoughts wandered to the boy without a mother. For a brief moment, the idea poked about in her mind, but she shooed it away, knowing well that it was beautiful women that powerful men sought. Leaders want beautiful girls, not old fat nannies like me,
she said, grinning to hide her discomfort.
Yet Kukutux went on, undeterred by Toad's dismissal. As the white vision spoke of someone else's list, for once, Toad couldn't help but feel a flutter in her heart. He makes lists too, she thought. It was altogether much better than her own list of demands for a husband. She went through it on her own.
☑ Patience
☑ ...kindness?
☑ She... figured she probably had a good heart. Wasn't that the same thing as kindness?
Toad hesitated in telling herself that she fit all of the boxes. A weird, twisted frowning smile followed as she peeked up at Kukutux's pleasant gaze. She breathed out a nervous sigh, suddenly willing to entertain the idea, but feeling very unsure about all of it. What if he didn't like her? What if he was mean to her? It didn't seem like any harm could come from a visit, at the very least. She was certainly tired of chasing ghosts of men that didn't seem to exist.
Toad pressed her lips together and made a small grin, which made her look more amphibian-like than ever. I wish you could win an award for convincing people, my friend,
she said, grabbing the remainder of the venison with her paw and not-so-delicately pulling it up to her mouth to chew on once again. It'd be a good change of pace anyway to visit Yuèlóng. If they can deal with the cold sea, then so can I. So long as Osiris can lose me for a bit, I'm happy to visit at.. at least...
She paused, licking at the salty meat. What is his son's name? Do you know?
Toad continued to smile as the name of the boy was mentioned, and then Sialuk, whom Toad hadn't talked to at length for many weeks. Young Sialuk deserves the best,
she said, thinking fondly of the possibility of Sia being a daughter in law through marriage. However, she knew that the hearts of the young were fickle and mysterious, and that Kukutux would never force her daughter into something she didn't want.
That sounds great,
Toad agreed, smiling softly despite the mild anxiety that was building. She worried what all of it would mean. If he didn't like her, she would be back at square one, and potentially unwilling to try again for a bit. Kukutux was a person she trusted, however, and she hoped that her judgment on the situation was accurate. I'm sure Osiris will be happy to know that I have another engagement besides hunting,
she teased, poking at herself. There wasn't really much else she did besides that, and the pack was so full that they were unlikely to need her. The caches were practically bursting despite the sheer number of wolves in the Glen.