Laurel had noticed that another wolf's scent had come to their lands. It belonged to someone who was from another pack, though Laurel didn't really know which. She didn't recognise the scent very much, just knew that the newcomer smelled of other wolves. Either she'd left her own pack to come here, or she was a visitor, here to fight alongside them. Maybe Sequoia had recruited her. A woman, much to Laurel's relief.
Her shoulder was still not great, though it was healing every day. Laurel could walk a little, at least, though there was still a limp in her step and she could not run very well yet. Laurel was lounging by Birdsong Lagoon in the Bypass (though it had a dark note to it now; this was where she and Mahler would often meet one another) and she stared out onto the water while she thought of these things. She decided to seek out
@Jorunn soon so they could meet each other and Laurel could find out Jorunn's purpose with them.
rest felt like it had done nothing for jorunn.
she tossed and turned, she thought of the sea and how far she was from it here. she thought of the things she might face while here.
it almost seemed as though she had drained herself further by slumbering.
but there was work to be done and today she sought laurel. who was thankfully easy to find, only knowing it was her by the age of the woman.
you are laurel,
an observation as much as it was a question. i am jorunn of sapphique, sequioa came to us and i have been sent.
a polite way to say she was under laurel's orders while here.
There weren't many wolves here, so when one came into view it was easy enough for Laurel to guess that it was the newest arrival. She looked up at the woman, who guessed that she was Laurel. It was probably born from the same assumptions as she'd made. Laurel did not know the woman's name, though, so she couldn't offer similar sentiment. Laurel could not help but find herself a little disappointed that the woman was rather small and lanky, rather than large and bulky. Then again, Merrick himself was not very large and he was a madman, which showed in the way he fought. Perhaps size and bulk wasn't everything, Laurel reminded herself.
The woman introduced herself as Jorunn, from a pack that Laurel did not know. Sent by Sequoia. Laurel's guarded demeanour changed into a more welcoming and open one. She was grateful for any help they received, knowing that she would never do the same for someone else. It's nice to meet you,
she offered with a genuine, though tired smile. Thank you so much for coming to help us. Your generosity means a lot to me.
She was not sure how much Sequoia had filled her in on, so she wasn't sure if there was any information that was missing. Laurel was curious if Jorunn was a warrior, but for now she didn't ask.
jorunn saw the way the woman softened with introductions. she would not be surprised to find if tensions and paranoia ran high here. everyone seemed alert, desperate for saviors.
she would think nothing less of them for it.
i have seen the way a mother heart can hurt, i do not wish it for any.
honest, soft. jorunn recalled the way erzulie had roamed in search of her mirelle. this was even more dire.
what will you need me to do?
Laurel could scarcely believe someone would come here and help them, just like that. That wasn't her experience in the world. She smiled thinly when Jorunn said that she had seen the way a mother could hurt, and that she wouldn't wish it on anyone. A personal reason of sorts, then, but it didn't matter.
The next question was a difficult one to answer. Laurel said, I... I don't know, really. I don't have a plan.
It was a hard admission to make. I think that when we have enough wolves, we could go there, demand the children back. But these wolves... They are mad, you know. They might not give the children so willingly. They might rather fight and die.
Not the most inspiring words, but Laurel felt that she needed to be honest. Perhaps this Jorunn was more of an experienced fighter; perhaps she had any idea how to deal with mad wolves.
jorunn could not understand the feuds that laid thick here. all she saw was what she was told. wolves mad enough to take children and die for them. it was excessive, it tensed her jaw, but she would not turn tail and flee. even if she was not exactly a skilled mercenary.
and yet here it felt she must act as a master tactician.
she gave a thoughtful pause, brows pinched together with seriousness.
you will need healers and warriors most,
she informed softly but felt this was already known. do not send your all at once. some bodies must be behind. to heal, to feed, to perhaps...find the children behind the backs of fighting madmen.
she paused, eyes turned to laurel to see if she was in agreement or would rather cast this idea aside.
Wanna wrap this up, since Jorunn has returned home? <3
Laurel nodded at the words offered. She merely smiled and said,
Thank you, I'll keep that in mind. It means a lot to me you are here. I hope we'll have enough to get the children back soon.
Please hurry, Sequoia...
closing up <3
jorunn was glad she had at least inspired some sort of...courage, perhaps. an inkling of hope. the truth was she was not a skilled warrior, but hope was an ember that had carried many a wolf through battles.
she would not keep laurel longer, but she would see to it that she left the woman the same kind of gifts she had when erzulie had first met her. even if it took hours or days to gather them.
a chunk of meat for restoration.
a decorative feather for hope.