Rannoch, Genie and the very Vale deserved Chusi's best. They were kinda her saviors right now, and she couldn't let them down by not hunting for two. She had stayed up a lot after midnight, smacking fish after fish out of the water. She'd been at it for most of the day too, exhausting her scooping paw as her thoughts wandered to Teaghlaigh - over the mountains, through the bushes and back to her siblings. Her mother's cuddles, her father's voice filled with whiskey and pleasantness. A small pile of fish had settled next to her, even as she lay there in a weird position, ocher eyes closed and a slight snore coming from her opened mouth. Her scooping paw was still in the water as it gently pulled it from side to side every now and then.

She couldn't ignore the dream she had; or rather, a vision of some sort. Stumbling into the dark woods of the Blackfeather Fuckers without a care as the shadows of others appeared and disappeared from behind the trees. A nightmare, and she had to wake up. Her back legs begun moving in real life as she ran in her dream, shoving her form dangerously close to the water. Gotta get out, gotta get out, gotta get out.

The shadows were closer now, fluttering by to scare her and rustling the dead leafs on the ground. Chusi became a bit dizzy as she twisted her body in the direction of the sound, spinning and spinning and spinning. A peep of fright left her throat, even as a familiar voice called. Chusi, Chus-. It was Ingram. His dark form rushed through the bushes seeming like claws, pushing her from the jaws of the wolves who lived there. His yellow eyes lit up the night and he panted. No, it wasn't panting. It was more like a rush of something, like water or rain or... The river.

Wake up. He wanted her to wake up? from what? Ingram - I, ya..- Her eyes fluttered open to see the Vale lit up by the moon's graceful beams, the reflection of the stars dancing on the river's waves. Then there was the realization rushing over her, hitting her like the smacking sea, raging under a summer storm. Ingram wasn't here. Genie was the one who had, perhaps unknowingly, saved her from the dark woods that only existed within her mind.

She shook her head, eyes taking in where she truly was now and the gentle line between dreams and reality started strengthening. Genie! I'm sorry, now ya're all wet 'n ya gonna get a cold 'n... A flashback to their first meeting was all she got to know what she had to do and a warm blush settled over her midnight tainted cheeks that had gotten rather cold in her slumber. She smiled then. Want a fish 'r two?

Her concerns were ignored, her question denied by the failing form of Genie. She didn't even care about being cheeky anymore. She cared about her friend - her sprite. How such a small girl had pushed her back was just a sign that there was more to Genie than anyone would've thought. If it were allowed, Chusi pressed her body over that of her girl-friend protectively, wanting to shield her from the night's bitter cold. This was the second time Genie had become wet near her, and frankly, Chusi wanted that habit to die before winter. They had to pick out better spots to meet.

I'm okay, I'm okay - I'm more worried 'bout ya right now... She was such a fragile thing after all; a cold could blow her off for quite some time. Or, perhaps because she was so tiny, it would pass by quicker. Chusi was no doctor, but fending off the cold, even in summer, had been learned throughout her short yet eventful life. What... What happened?

All she remembered was the woods, Ingram's amazingly yellow eyes and then opening her real eyes to find a wet Genie all worried about her. The river was there, her fish she remembered, but had she been in danger? How?

Chusi reassured her that she was fine, and that she was more worried about Genie right now. For some strange, unknown reason, those words amused her greatly and the shadow of a lopsided smile graced her face. "Sorry," she said instead, allowing her friend to press her body against her own. "I just get...kind of anxious or worried when people sleepwalk, I guess. It's a habit."

Chusi did not seem to remember what happened and Genie, after glancing at her friend briefly, closed her eyes. Exhaustion overwhelmed her body and she sighed. "You were having a dream. A nightmare, I guess. And you were kind of sleepwalking? I mean, like, you were moving in your sleep," her eyelids slid open and she spared her friend a glance. "You fell asleep too close to the river, so when you moved, you nearly fell in."

Genie shook her head impatiently, an embarrassed flush crawling up her neck. It hadn't really been that bad, but these things scared her. "Sorry. It really wasn't that bad, but, it's a habit of mine, I guess. Worrying about sleepwalkers, I mean." God. She really need to shut her damn mouth. "Fuck," she mumbled, unconsciously angling her body away from her friend's. Man, she was fucked up.

Sleepwalking... She couldn't recall a time that she had done that. Perhaps it was being away from her family, or her fluttering thoughts always returning to that one charcoal boy who had held her golden heart in his paws just to leave it on the coast. She'd trade nearly anything to talk this out with him now they were both young adults. Surely they could come out stronger and wiser. There had to be some kind of way to spiritually call out to him, summon him to the Teekon, back to her. He could just as well be dead. A horrid thought, she found, but it did put an end to their chapter.

Oh... She let out, disappointed in herself. She should've known better than to fish for so long. Exhausting herself was not exactly a safe way of hunting, not to mention that her scooping paw hurt more than the others now. The nightmare had felt so real too, and that more than anything had drained her even more. Though, it did give her an idea; what if Ingram had joined the Blackfeather Wolves? Could she ever trust him again if that were the case?

Her brows arched into a sympathetic look, stroking some of Genie's fur with her muzzle to comfort her. 'Was nevah allowed ta use that word... She told with a smile. Really, Genie, it's okay. 'M thankful to have a friend like ya... And she really was. So much so, that she wanted to throw the sprite over her shoulder and carry her back to Teaghlaigh. Dad would gladly accept her in, for a friend of Chusi was a friend of Teaghlaigh. but her home was here now, and Rannoch probably wouldn't appreciate Chusi "stealing" one of his members.

A soft, short giggle left her maw even before she could think about it. She remembered when she had learned of the word, though only one had really explained it to her. Ingram had been really into this "fucking" or something, for he had known a lot more than her. Sure, now she knew it was used to make new generations of wolves, but she had been such a small girl back then... Dun't worry, only mah dad minds. Arturo really hadn't been happy with her learning the word, even though she had gotten it from him.

'Wonder if there're more sleepwalkers where I live. She couldn't recall her father ever doing it, nor Lotte. Perhaps one of her new siblings had waddled away in their sleep, but they'd probably get over it, right? Perhaps that was what happened to Kahlil... Swallowed up by the night and led elsewhere, or perhaps even killed by nature. She wouldn't recognize him again either, he had been so tiny when he had gone missing.

She didn't have much time to think about her lost brother, for a question was asked that brought an even redder blush to her cheeks than before. Just a guy... I met a long time 'go. He's just a dickhead... She answered, taking Mattias' words to heart. He was not worthy of her love and it was good he disappeared, no matter how her heart longed to see him just one more time.

Her real parents, she couldn't remember. Just a frightful experience with a supposed monster, then being taken away by an even worse creature. Arturo, while a good dad, didn't feel like the kind of wolf to accept her interest. Like he was trying to decide her life, deciding who she must like and who she absolutely mustn't like. Why she loved to travel? It gave her a break from her responsibilities and the controlling aspects of living with an adopted family. Her passion stemmed from a desire to escape, though she did not realize it yet, for how could she escape her family?

Ingram... He wasn't just a jerk. She said, sighing as she pressed her head harder against her friend. He - he had somethung 'bout him. Somethung other than hate and meanness, like he was wearin' a mask. Mattias hadn't gotten this version of her failed love story that haunted her to this day. He wouldn't have understood. Chusi had the feeling Genie could and would understand. He was just warmin' up to meh, when one day... He just disappeared. 'Nevah saw him 'gain. She looked the other way, her tone rather low and different from her usually cheerful one. His love would kill her, she was pretty sure, but until that day she'd simply try to get over that pesky boy.

She wondered what would've happened if he had joined Teaghlaigh; him, winning Arturo's trust and becoming her mate whenever they were old enough. Him, ruling at her side whenever Arturo had passed away. Him, and her, together making the new generations of Teaghlaigh. Them, passing away and their children taking their place. But that was a rather standard fate, now wasn't it? Nothing for her, now she thought about it. She was an adventurer, being stuck like that would probably do more bad than good. Her past had been jumbled and rather incomprehensible, and she wished for her future to be like that too. But, who was to say she could not have gotten that with Ingram still around? Genie repeating it at least proved she understood - had listened - and even though Ingram had not been her first, he had been much better company than her very first crush.

Instead of just a nudge, Chusi pressed her own muzzle against that of hers, resulting in a small cuddle that did much more than a poke to the beak. Arturo always nudged her too, not knowing that that kind of affection did nothing for her. Now it was her time to listen, something she did with as much pleasure as she did talking herself. She hadn't thought about Genie's interests when it came to romance, but apparently she wasn't as boy-crazy as Chusi. While she knew no one with interest in the same sex (at least, not from the top of her head) she didn't care much. Genie was a friend now, a good one, and it wasn't her business to find out what she was doing in her den and with whom.

She frowned then. It seemed this Harley girl and her had quite some things in common. Was that why it had clicked so easily? Why Genie had been a ball of nerves stuttering about when they first met? Seems ta me yar parents coulda been more acceptin'. 'Guess a lotta biological parents are a shitty... She commented softly, not wanting her to feel like it was normal for her parents to disapprove of her relationship like that.

The point of the rather heartbreaking story was a grim one. A good one to keep in mind, but one that just made her wonder more. Mattias had thought the same, that all may had been for the better, but she couldn't keep him from popping up in her thoughts every now and again. That doesn't stop meh-... She trailed off, finding it no time to be stubborn right now. She didn't want to become the female equivalent of her father. She sighed, muscles relaxing. 'M sorry, Genie. 'M sorry ya had ta go through tha'. I'll... I'll try mah best ta make tha best of mah situation. She said at last, pressing her crown to her girl-friend's neck if she was allowed to do so.

We'll both find someone, promise. She said, after which a yawn escaped her.

Chusi was, in a way, similar to Harley. But they were very different as well, and although Genie had initially been wary of the older girl, she'd soon discovered that Chus was in fact, not a Harley doppelganger. Although, if she had been, Genie was pretty sure she would have treated her the same way. She had a soft spot for wolves like her ex. "A lot of parents in general are shitty," Genie commented offhandedly. She had hoped for the best, of course, but as the colour drained from her parents' face and a frostiness entered their gaze, she had resigned herself to the fact that no, they were not accepting. It affected her, sure, but not as much as she'd expected. Harley's breakup was much worse. 

"I know," Genie replied in response to Chusi's half formed sentence, lifting a shoulder in a shrug. "It'll take time for him to even begin to fade from your mind, if that ever happens. But you'll get over it. You're strong." She really believed that and when she finally turned to look at Chusi, her eyes were still glassy but sincerity shone bright within the depths of her amber gaze. "And don't apologise. Honestly. It's not your fault at all, and it's fine to wallow in your own thoughts. I'm just...giving you some advice," a faded lopsided smile slipped onto her lips, "some shitty advice from a shitty relationship." 

Chusi's presence brought her a comfort that Genie was not used to, and to be honest, she had mixed feelings about it. She didn't shy away from her touch, however, instead, she allowed the older girl to do whatever she wanted. "Of course you will. You're fucking awesome." It was hard not to like the fiery girl, but Genie on the other hand?

Chusi snorted, vaguely recalling her monster mother. Her father? She had never even known him. What a shitty man he must have been. Tell meh 'bout it. She smirked then. She didn't mind joking about her biological parents, mainly because she was not emotionally attached to them. If she had spoken this way about Arturo, she would have thrown herself off of the Vale's highest cliff. She was allowed to doubt him, but offend his honour? Make him seem bad on other wolves' eyes? That was just asking for the Blackfeather Fuckers to come take a dump in her dinner.

She had wanted to seem strong in Genie's eyes, but her friend saw right through her. Not that Chusi was a locked book - hell, she'd open up after just a little bit of conversation. Everyone, she found, could read her just perfectly fine. At least she had that uncommon with her dad, since she had begun to be so much like him. It's not shatty advice. She chuckled. If anything, this would help her. Maybe she'd even delve into exploring Mattias. Hell, he was the second person on her trip that she'd slept with.

But why did such a thought make her feel bad? Guilty? She had no significant other, no ying to her yang - why should she feel bad about thinking that just maybe the giant deserved her undying love? He was no bad guy either. Sure, he was a bit awkward and not near as showy as she was, but opposites attracted. Did they though? 'n Ya're pritty darn spectaculair.She commented. It was only then that she remembered the possibly freezing toes of her friend which sent her mind aflutter. Ah, shoot, wanna go somewhere a wee bit more covered? Suggestive or worried? Hell if she knew.

Though they had only just met, Chusi really found that Genie was her best friend. Sure, at home she had family and wolves she recognized, but none came close to how she felt around her sprite. She loved her in a way she couldn't describe, and though thoughts of a romantic relationship had not floated into her brain, she really believed they had something special. She was more than the butterfly could have ever dreamed of, and it became harder and harder to think of returning to her adventure and then go back "home"... Was it possible to have two homes?

Chusi rose with her, eyes already scanning for a more covered place they could spend the rest of the night at. The best she could find was a soft bush that seemed to have been used before, seeing there was a sizable dent in the side. Enough for two wolves, that was for sure. There. She said, motioning to it with her muzzle. She pressed close to the sprite, wanting to block as much wind as her body was able to.

Truth to be told, having friends wasn't something Genie was particularly used to. Back in her natal pack, she had her brother, sure, and her parents, but truthfully, Harley was her only real friend at that time and soon, even that became another relationship. Genie had found, however, that even though her time at Teekon Wilds was brief, she already thought of several wolves as her friends, notably Remi, Chusi and maybe even Rannoch. It wasn't much, but it was more than she'd ever had in her life.

Of course, if the opportunity to become more than friends ever came up, Genie would gladly take it. But if there wasn't then Genie was perfectly content to keep their relationship platonic....this applied to all her current friends. Except, well, Rannoch. It wasn't that the Alpha wasn't attractive, but he just wasn't her type.

When Chusi first pressed close to Genie's body, the sprite had stiffened noticably. A moment later, she relaxed into the older girl's hold. Right now, she barely had enough energy to propel herself forwards towards the bush; there was no point wasting it to tense her muscles because of physical contact. And anyway, it wasn't even unwanted physical contact. "Thanks, Chus," Genie mumbled as she collapsed by the bush. A part of her wanted to harden her heart against the older girl because she knew that Chusi couldn't stay forever. This was a mere point in her journey - a place for her to recover her strength before she left and potentially never came back. There was no use in forging bonds when they would inevitably break. Still, Genie found that she couldn't push Chusi away, not yet.

She tried to help Genie walk over there, not wanting her to fall over. The ground, though it had warmed up in the day, was now as cold as ice. Well, maybe not ice, but cold nonetheless! Having Genie fall ill at the near end of her stay here was something she didn't want to imagine. She couldn't possibly leave her friend if she were to become ill to go on some dumb adventure. What if it was very serious? She didn't want her lust for adventure to come between Genie's last moments and her. She would never forgive herself.

When they were settled, Chusi cuddled close against her friend if she were allowed to do so. They had done so before, under only slightly different circumstances, but every time felt new. This place would've made a good den - perhaps it was already being used as such? If not... She'd make it her one for the remainder of her stay. She yawned. Are ya tired already? She asked with a nuzzle. Cuddles always made her feel sleepy.

This "den" reminded her of her former den where she had slept together with her dad, back in the forest where trees bled and ravens called out whenever they spotted you. The forest where she had grown up, happy and care-free, learning how to lead and how to become the warrior she wished to be. The Vale felt like home now, more than their secluded place at the other side of the Tuktu mountains ever would. The thought of returning "home" there made her feel worse and worse every time.

Seeing that sleep numbed worries and pain, perhaps it was a bad thing to keep her friend up much longer. Her toes and legs just couldn't feel very nice right now, and they both had troubles. Then, goodnight Genie... She yawned herself, embracing their position and the heat that it provided for them both. This is what she'd miss most if she were to leave sooner or later...