Everyday she got closer and closer to being herself, moving from a cramped, stooped walk to something akin to her normal, doe-like stride. There was more power behind it now, more wolf mixing with the deer.
Souls finally settling to a harmony. Vairë wasn’t whole, and she wasn’t sure she’d ever come to be, but..well.
She was close.
So outside she went, once again against the advice of the healers, but there she was, her fox pelt slung across her shoulders, soaking in the faint warmth of the winter sun.
She was still within eyesight of the healing dens, but she knew eventually that she would need to find an ulaq, for herself. She didn’t know how comfortable she felt trying to find her mother’s, or staying with Kukutux and Aiolos, but this was for a later date. For now, she lived beneath the hands of healers anyway.
So many new faces and scents. He was trying to put them all to memory. Meet everyone ensconced in their little pack. He felt that he needed too, given his position now. It was harder some days than he liked to admit. Because he was not used to it.
On this day, he carried in his maw, a haunch of the deer he and the she wolf Nasamik had caught and killed. His end objective was to drop it at the healer's dens in case they needed it for any patients.
He came across the she wolf in front of him, and he was surprised at her beauty. She didn't hold a candle to his Samani as far as he was concerned, but she was beautiful all the same. Draped in a red fur, her beige coat an interesting contrast to the red upon her shoulders.
He dropped the bloody haunch at his feet and chuffed. Hello.
One of her eyes lapsed open to take in the wolf approaching her. Vairë blinked, swiveling her ears to face the man as she looked him over. Handsome, scarred, carrying a haunch. Her sharply contrasting eyes lifted from the haunch to the man himself, and the doe dipped her head.
Many greetings.
She intoned, tail stirring to give a little wave.
I am Vairë Nuiruk. My apologies I do not stand to greet you, I am still recovering from a rather harsh infection.
She measured him as he had measured her. She didn't seem to find his presence irritating so he didn't move to continue past her. She had strange eyes, they reminded him of river stones.
Well Met. Miss. Nuiruk. I'm Rodyn Ardeth. No need to stand. I'm glad you're recovering. Infections can be bad.
He tilted his head and motioned at the deer haunch. Are you hungry? I was going to bury this here for whomever needs it.
Oh! She knew this name! There was mischief plain on the young woman’s face as her smile became lopsided, her head tipping to the side.
Ah! Sivaluk! I was wondering when our paths would cross!
She managed to haul herself from her laying position into a sitting one with a little wince.
You are to marry my sister. Many blessings to your union.
The doe couldn’t help the little spike of jealousy she quickly buried in her chest.
Oh, no, I’m not hungry. Thank you for offering.
Vairë positioned herself into a comfortable sit, throwing the finely furred fox pelt higher onto her shoulders so it would not meet the snow.
Rodyn wasn't sure how to take the mischief on her face, but he returned the smile at least. Then she spoke, it was clear she knew him.
He nodded, moved forward to help her if she should need it. He saw the wince, didn't wish her to get hurt in anyway shape or form further. So to him it made perfect sense to offer help.
A huge smile broke out on his face. I am. Thank you. I'll pass your words onto Samani.
He was glad her sister was happy for them. He hoped Samani liked that too. Speaking of Samani. He hadn't seen her for a long period of time in some days, and his heart gave a gentle pang of longing.
He dipped his head and moved the haunch closer to the Ulaqs. I'll put it over here then. Are you glad to be home?
He asked as he dug out a cache.
Vairë watched the man move away, the tip of her tail flipping back and forth idly in the snow, like that of a cat.
Oh yes. The village is the only home I’ve known, I missed it more than anything.
And hadn’t that been a shock! Vairë, always so eager to escape the confines of the Spine, had settled here once again. She gave a little huffing laugh at the thought, eyes drifting away for a moment, before finding the man again.
I do not believe I want to leave again, not anytime soon at the least.
Perhaps if a husband from elsewhere was found, but that would be the only time. Vairë was quite content in the village.
The haunch was enconced in the hole he had just dug. A boyish smile on his face.
There now there's a snack for later if you should so want it.
He tilted his ears towards her, listening, learning a bit about her. When i was trading, and gathering the bride price for Samani. I missed Moonglow very much. It has a way about it.
When he had been here the first time, before he had gone on a trade route. He had found himself dipping into the great bear more and more than was necessary. Now that he was back, he found himself staying within the confines of the spine.
Glad to hear it. I'm sure your Anaa and Tataa are glad to see you home as well.
He assumed that Aiolos was her father as Kukutux was her mother. He didn't ask otherwise, didn't even think to ask otherwise.
Vairë’s grin was a small thing.
I went out to find myself, I believe.
She couldn’t quite remember it all, knowing only the itch of sensation beneath her paws and the pressing need to try and escape it. Unwittingly, one of her legs raised to press her knee against the forming scar on her cheek.
All I found was trouble. Leaving the village will not happen for a time.
Her smile turned sly.
My anaa would drag me back by the tail, I think. She would be quite upset to even see me out right now.
She lowered her voice into a conspiratorial whisper.
Im supposed to be staying in the dens.
The girl was an imp. He could see that. He hoped that they could be friends. She seemed the type that he would be friendly with.
Sometimes you have to do so. I've done it.
He thought of precious Samani. The sweet woman that she was. She wanted to travel, to trade. She wanted to find out something of him and herself. He could understand it.
I'm sorry you were hurt for it.
Rodyn chuckled. Well I won't tell her, because i don't want her after my tail too.
Rodyn smiled and shifted his shoulders. Did you find yourself on your excursion?
Vairë’s smile fell into something of a grimace.
I found…enough. Enough to let me know that the world was cruel, unjust in many ways.
The thought of the antler carving through the meat of her cheek made her wince.
And that nothing is safe while you’re alone.
The hardest lesson for independent Vairë, she thought privately, before her eyes found Reyson again.
But I learned about myself, and I have settled into who I am. I think that’s the most important part.
Rodyn tilted his face forward and motioned at the scars that he now bore. Though they were not as cruelly cut as hers.
I know about cruel world. I am so very sorry that you had to find it out the hard way.
It was unfair that she had to go through it. That she had to hurt and be scared all on her own. He didn't like it, but she was the one that had left. She had gone out on her own.
It was important that she found herself. He could attest to that in many ways. He had grown into his own when he had come here, and then further still upon his journey for his bride price.