Wolf RPG

Even though it'd only been a few days, Ariadne already felt settled. They were amassing new members, she was healing, and everybody's bellies were full, and their dens warm. Honestly, she couldn't ask for much else.

Today, as she counted her blessings and sent her daily prayer to Sedna, she thought of the faeman she'd met along the sea. She was fond of him and hoped that he was doing well. Then, when she realized that she could ask him for herself instead of laying in her bed wondering, she pulled herself out of her den and called to him with a howl.

@Barbatos? Are you there?

the call came as a surprise, though a pleasant one. he halted his morning hunt to give a quick spin on earthly heels and make for a nearby cache. there he snatched a stored rabbit hide and tossed it upon his shoulders. it was not often he would leave the familiarity of the shoreline, but when he did he would make the most of collecting resources and storing them in a bundle to return with.

he swung by @Tumbleweed to let the man know he'd be gone for a day or two, before lifting his maw to the sky to let his caller know he was on the way.

though his feet were swift, he was not in any rush. he stopped to admire the sight of a plump grizzly ready for winter before he continued on his path. after some time he finally reached the base of the glacier and let himself take in the beauty of it before raising his maw one final time.

"i am here."

He was quick to arrive, and she appreciated how prompt he was. Excellent, she called back from her den on the ground, not too far from where he stood. I will be right with you! She was slowly getting used to walking with a cast, and so it didn't take her too long to arrive. As she approached, her eyes appreciatively looked him up and down, and her tail whipped side-to-side.

It is excellent to see your face, she said. Welcome to village Moonsong, Barbatos. I would love to show you around. But, more importantly, Are you hungry after your trip? I have some food to fill your belly with.

his call was met with a response, and so he took the time he had to rest his paws before the figure of his friend emerged in the distance.

she greeted him, and he in turn met her with a wide smile and slow sway of his tail. moonsong. he committed the name to memory just before glancing upwards to drink in the sight of the mighty glacier once more. "this will be a strong village," he thought aloud, eager to see how it would grow with time and under the care of an asteriai.

she spoke of food, and his stomach gave a rumble in acceptance. "a snack would be wonderful," he let out with an appreciative grin.

He requested a snack, and she would oblige. What would you like to eat? Bird? Fish? Rabbit? She had it all; anything for a treasured friend like him! Whatever you would like, she promised, tipping her head back with a grin to look at his face.

she asked what he preferred, and after a moment of deliberation, he responded with a simple, "surprise me." each of the options sounded more than wonderful, and he would not be picky as a guest.

he moved to offer his shoulder should she need it. he did not think her incapable, but he imagined it was not easy to maneuver with her injured leg. should she need a friend to lean on, he would be there.

"how have you been since the last we saw each other?" it had not been long since he'd visited her along the shore, but clearly much had happened between then and now.

Hm, she hummed thoughtfully. Let me think, because, of course, he would only get the best! I think you will get the rabbit—@Kannoyak caught it for me a few hours ago, and it is quite plump. It was more of a meal than a snack, so he could take it when he returned to Willowkeep. Come, it is not too far from here, the cotton man had stored it nearby and had promised to bring it to her at a later time.

She took his offer, taking some pressure off her and allowing him to bear it. It felt nice to have some help, and she appreciated it.

When he asked how she’d been, Ariadne chuckled and shook her head. I have been a lot, she said. Bu mostly very busy—I have been doing a lot to get my village set up, she frowned then, feeling suddenly vulnerable. I could not stay any longer, staying at village Moontide made me too sad. It reminded me of sistraa. She looked up at him and frowned, allowing him to see her with tears in her eyes.

My heart hopes that you are doing better than I am, she said.

ariadne spoke of a plump rabbit as his surprise meal, and the dryad gave a grateful smile in return. "you are most kind," he remarked as they began their walk towards where the rabbit was stored.

earthly ears twitched as she explained her past days, a few encouraging glances cast her way as she continued to speak. it was only at the mention of this sistraa and the sight of beady tears in the young woman's eyes that barbatos paused his steps.

he was able to pull context from her words and tone, and knew that it was death's cool sting that she felt. he leaned in enough that she might feel the comfort of his embrace in a compassionate hug, but not so much that he would topple her over with her unsteady leg.

"your sistraa is with you, always. in water, in earth, in air, in ice," he paused to admire the glacier around them before turning to ariadne and lifting a paw to place on her chest, "and in you."

Barbatos pulled Ariadne into a compassionate hug, and she felt the world melt away as she breathed in his scent. He smelled of life—of the sea and land—and she took him in with a sigh.

"Your sistraa is with you, always. In water, in earth, in air, in ice, and in you," he said, and tears began to gather in the corner of her eyes. She pushed her face into the downy furs of his chest—just to escape for a few moments!—and reached to hold his paw with hers. It is so difficult, she rasped. But I must find peace because she hunts in the land of the dancing lights—that her journey there was safe and uneventful... ... but it's so hard! her tone indicated between the lines.

Their conversation continued for quite some time, until it was time for Barbatos to return home. Ariadne sent him home with a meal; it was a nice day, despite the heavier subject matter.