He shook out his grey-white pelt, and made his way through the forest toward the creek. Viinturuth was drawn to the sound of its rushing waters - as familiar to him then as they had been five years earlier. So long ago had he been a whelp at his mother's ankles, trailing her through the shrubs and along the rugged riverbank, yet he remembered it so vividly.
Pausing to take in the frothing current, the pale ranger inhaled deep. The Summer air was crisp that morning, yet the sky above was cloudless. He wondered how hot the midday sun would be as it rose, and figured he'd find somewhere sheltered to wait out the hottest hours of the day.
Later. For now, though, with the dawn's chill, he was content to roam.
Tag for reference!
After stewing in her thoughts for far too long, Eshe decided that it was time to put her big-girl panties on and apologize to
@Arric. It’s been an intense moment for the both of them, but, ultimately, she had been in the wrong—and unhinged. She cringed whenever she thought about how she’d behaved.
She knew that he woke up early to meditate, so she figured that’d be the best time to catch him. It would be early enough so they could talk in private.
She wandered along the creek carrying a bundle of lavender. She wanted to give him something, as a gesture of good faith—an olive branch, of sorts.
As she walked, she spotted a familiar figure up ahead. She quickened her pace and woofed, hoping to catch his attention. She didn’t know much about him—just that he was new, which was interesting given the recent border embargo—and she hoped to get to know him a little better and make him feel welcome.
He carried on smoothly, knowing exactly what he was looking for: a natural bend on the river where the shore was less rugged than the more rugged riverside. He recalled the silt deposited there over years of erosion through the land, and it'd allowed an opportunity for a much younger Viinturuth and his siblings to play when Summer's dry weather and warmer climate allowed. The current did not flow so swiftly there, allowing Durnehviir to observe with peace of mind while her brood frolicked in the shallows.
The ranger did not make it so far, however, for a call had him sweep a white ear sideways in its direction. Viinturuth's pale muzzle quickly followed and he noted the sterling she-wolf's approach with curiosity, dark eyes lingering on the bouquet of lavender she held firm between her jaws.
The healer from the borders, he remembered. He turned to regard her with warmth in the sweep of his tail.
“Hey …. Viinturuth, right?” She asked him once she caught up. “I’m Eshe,” she wondered if he knew that. “Welcome … back?” She scrunched up her face, rethinking what she’d just said; it sounded odd to her.
“I guess that’s the best way to put it,” she decided after a beat, her expression relaxing. ”It just felt weird to say that, you know? Since we haven’t met before.” It was all semantics, but she was particular when it came to everything she said.
“Anyways,” she continued, rolling her eyes and shaking her head at herself. “What I’m struggling to say is: it’s nice to meet you and I’m glad you’re back,” and she meant it, even if they’d never met. Vinn was important to Akavir, which meant he was important to her, too.
That's right,
he confirmed when the silver-furred healer made a good effort at voicing his unusual name. It was not the simplest to remember and he despised hearing it shortened on the tongues of those who did not know him, so he certainly appreciated Eshe's attempt.
She rambled on, awkward in her fumbling words, yet the pale wolf maintained his silence. Viinturuth had grown patient throughout the past year, and he listened intently for what it was his new pack-mate wished to express. His brother had no doubt filled her in on the finer details of who he was and why he was now among their ranks, and there was a beat of curiosity in Viinturuth.
Was this a corner of Akavir's square?
He offered a thin smile when at last she voiced her sentiment, and he found he too was glad to have found himself in her company that morning. Thank you,
he said, it's nice to meet you too. Have you been here long?
She smiled and wagged her tail, grateful for his patience.
“Two months, give or take a few days,” she answered; it already felt like a lifetime ago with all that’d taken place since she joined the pack. “I’ve enjoyed living here so far, even if things have been wild.” She assumed he’d been updated on all that’d happened recently—but did he know about her and his brother? She wasn’t so sure about that.
“How was like living on the road—get into anything fun?” she asked, her expression bright with intrigue and mirth.
Viinturuth's burgundy eyes were gentle, but searching. Neither his brother nor he sterling wolfess had given any suggestion of involvement with one another when they'd united to judge the stranger who'd requested attention at Swiftcurrent's edge, though he supposed they'd each been too occupied to give anything away. Eshe was a pretty face with warm eyes and a bright smile; he could appreciate how his brother had come to notice her.
He wondered if she knew herself to be one of three.
The ranger would never involve himself in the complications of Akavir's tumultuous love life, and thus his secret was safe with him. All he could do was support where he could. Viinturuth emitted a soft chuff to Eshe in invitation that she join him in his wanderings, and he shifted his weight to pad along the path he'd chosen. Not really,
he answered simply, but it suited me. I just preferred to keep moving, I guess. Not getting any younger, though - figured I'd give this pack thing another go.
He was not old, but one day he would be. Viinturuth had already missed out on so much while living as a rogue. He'd thought long and hard on his future and he wanted it to be by the river.
He invited her to stroll, and she accepted with a nod. Stepping to his side, she followed his lead and kept to a comfortable pace.
It was interesting to see the similarities and differences between Akavir and Viinturuth; she considered them to be ying and yang.
As he spoke about his experience as a lone wolf, she nodded and smiled to herself in understanding. “I tried it for a few weeks,” she admitted. “But it’s very different—lonelier, for sure. That kind of life doesn't work for somebody who loves talking as much as I do.” She gave him a look, jesting with an apologetic look.
“That’s how I ended up here. Akavir found me during a storm and offered me shelter to wait it out,” she snickered. “I’m still waiting it out.”
She matched his stride as he eased his, content to set a leisurely pace and make an effort to learn more of this cheerful spirit who'd joined up with the wolves of Swiftcurrent. Eshe spoke of her own efforts to branch out and live a life on the road, though her experience had given her little satisfaction. Only a short time had passed since she found herself among the ranks of a pack once more, though it was a curious thing to hear that she still seemed to be "waiting out the storm". Viinturuth quirked a pale ear, assuming that she spoke of one within herself.
Definitely an acquired taste,
he chuckled softly, understanding in his tone as he spoke of his own choices. He'd flitted from place to place for several years, settling only briefly - never long enough to be missed. He liked it that way. Viinturuth had never been a wolf to share too much of himself.
He flicked a small stone from his route, watched it bounce across the dirt until it vanished among long grass. Do you think you'll wander again?
Viinturuth asked, shooting the wolfess a sideways glance. He felt that he already knew the answer. Or do you intend to stay?
Eshe nodded in agreement. “Most of my siblings went out on their own,” and, as far as she was aware, they stayed on the road. “It’s been awhile since I’ve seen a pawful of them.” She hoped they were doing well—wherever they were.
Speaking of siblings: “I’m sure Akavir is happy to have you back.”
She watched the pebble tumble to the wayside, and once it settled, her attention returned to him and his question. “No—I like it here,” she answered, regarding the area with a sweeping glance. “I can see why your parents lived here.” The creek was safe, even though the world outside the territory wasn’t—it made her think of Moss’s baby.
Her heart sunk, and she frowned to herself. Poor thing; she hopes they were doing alright.
A pair of sparrows twittered above them, one swooping after the other - in disagreement, most likely. They sounded frustrated, though the white wolf's eyes did not follow the birds for long. He returned his focus to the silver-kissed Eshe, eager to know if her opinion had changed following the recent events that'd darkened Swiftcurrent's recent days. She announced that she planned to stay, and a warmth bloomed in his chest. Even if she was not able to conquer his brother's heart, Akavir deserved friends. He deserved loyalty.
He did not press for more. It was none of his business, really. Viinturuth was simply nosy when it came to those his brother was close to, and her words suggested he'd played a significant role in her having chosen to remain for the months that she had.
My mother was born here before us,
he said, raising his pale muzzle to look out over the current of their territory's namesake. The land had meant more to Durnehviir than anyone else, though had proven important enough that her sons returned to it. She'd be delighted to learn that she had grandchildren there, surely, and Viinturuth wondered if there might be more to come. She loved this place. She'd be proud of Akavir and what he'd made here.
She angled her ears towards the commotion overhead, but she didn’t look up. Instead, with a smirk, she remarked: “we better stay out of their way—they might want to include us in their fight if we get too close.”
He offered a tidbit about their pack’s history, and she smiled appreciatively at what he said. “Has your mother’s side of the family always lived here?” She asked.
They continued along for quite some time, and learning about each other. She learned quite a bit about the creek’s history, and it was neat to get a better picture of how the pack had come to be.