cyan surrounds her in a gentle embrace and although the air is still frigid as it stings at her lungs, she basks gratefully in the weak sunlight and feels the first trickle of confidence that spring was truly gonna bless them soon enough. eyes flicker down to focus listlessly on the shivering blades of grass that stick stubbornly up between pale toes, small frown tracing her slender muzzle. the past couple of days had been....odd for her. perhaps it was because easthollow had been a vague memory from the mind of a polaris long lost to her, this place was as solid as a fairytale about castles with princesses and dragons once she'd descended those mountains with the knowledge that her family was dead. 

except they're not

she reminds herself of this frequently throughout each day, yet the words have lost all meaning after undergoing such fruitless dissection. her head lowers wearily to rest upon her crossed forelegs now, lifting softened eyes to blink out at the strewn rocks and softly swaying grass. it was so beautifully peaceful here, it both somehow managed to soothe her and put her on edge at the same time. "soon" the soft whisper slips forth, a promise to herself for the restless energy writhing throughout her gut and down into her paws was not ignored. she'd agreed to wait about a week to rest and get familiar with her new home before departing and seeking out the truth about her family. she swallowed against the budding apprehension, she was excited of course, but nervous too. what if she couldn't find them? or somehow names had gotten mixed up and they actually were dead? having gone through so much to recover from the hole that losing them had torn within her the first time, she didn't believe in her ability to relive that a second time. there was as much fear present at losing them again as there was excitement at potentially finding them.

but one thing was for certain, she was going to go crazy until she at least tried. the only obstacle left was that valette had recommended she brought someone with her. her nose still wrinkles a little at the request, having relied on herself for so long it was difficult for this prideful independence to accept the help of another; what if they just slowed her down? yet another part of her had been so touched just to have someone care about her again, she perhaps wouldn't truly admit that part to herself, but gosh had part of her craved the protective nature of care. licking her lips hastily, the young dove shifted onto her side; eyes lifting to the sky. now the only issue was who would want to accompany a random newcomer like her?

'soon?'

having grown so engrossed with her own scattered thoughts, she'd failed to notice the approach of another and upon casting a startled glance in his direction; she didn't know how she hadn't. she found herself momentarily distracted from his opening line as eyes roved freely over his large stature, having never felt quite so dwarfed by a wolf with the same youthful glint to their gaze as she. blinking hastily out of her reverie, she gathered long limbs under her to stand tall as her willowy frame could manage nevertheless, chin tipped upwards despite the budding embarrassment tingling hotly through her body. not only had he came across her talking to herself, she'd completely blanked out- some first impression that was. shaking her head whilst clearing her throat, she cringed inwardly before muttering. "sorry i didn't mean to go all weird you just-" a slightly nervous laugh, not quite sure how he'd take this but not being a good enough liar to offer anything but the truth when so on the spot "you're big" another laugh yet inside she was screaming- what the hell was she doing? she wasn't even an awkward wolf she'd just gone and made this into something a lot weirder than it had to be.

in an attempt to redeem herself, she glared off to the side whilst returning back to his initial uttering. "i was just reminding myself of something was all, speaking it aloud made it feel more solid" ears twitch as she sighs a little, blinking mismatched eyes back towards him. it was at least the truth even if she witheld exactly what she was reminding herself of, it was just that even the idea of explaining her situation with her family made her feel weary and she didn't want to seem like she was fishing for pity from the first wolf she'd met around her age since departing from amethyst keep. her mouth opened somewhat tentatively, about to ask him for his name when a sharp exclamation cut through the lazy silence. ears roved back as her head twisted to follow their lead- eyes widening when they fell on the familiar form of - "clay?" 

he was here? that shouldn't really come as a surprise, but- but...
unbidden, a memory of piercing ruby eyes flickering from amongst the sneering shadows that roved restlessly amongst tightly packed trees engulfs her. she swallows, forcing back the tremble that so badly wished to dance up her spine: no. she forces a weak smile, long tail flicking restlessly at her hocks. the sheer abruptness of his arrival had caught her off guard and left her at a loss for words whilst a dull sadness spread small roots in her chest. the first time she'd met him things had been so easy, what she'd do now to return to that summer of goofy smiles and untainted innocence. she tears her eyes from his, glancing at the other boy momentarily before blinking off into the distance. if you'd told her the first time she'd met clay that a year from then she'd have gone through everything that she had, she wasn't sure how she would've carried on.

eyes widen as she blinks back the surprise to accompany the sure movements of the other boy to place himself before clay, brow furrowing quizzically before realisation sprinkled clarity over the graze of her glance- oh! she straightens hastily, chin tipping lightly in shame that he'd felt the need to quite possibly protect her, even if a small part of her tingles warmly at the gesture. however that part is quashed roughly by the stamping paws of the pride that ran rampant throughout her, she did not cower! yet that wasn't the main issue- her jaw opens, about to reassure him that there was no ill will between her and the ashen boy when her eyes flickered back to him and a disgruntled hmph came along with the snapping of her mouth falling shut. the venom smarting in eyes she'd only ever observed as placid is enough to leave her momentarily dumbfounded, fighting back the want to cringe away from the burn of such stinging intensity. brows furrowed, she moved a paw as if to step forward only to lean back at the hiss to slip forth vehemently from wrinkled jaws. 

eyes sharpen at the uttering, jaw clenching. he doesn't even say it to her, it's aimed and shot at the larger boy in response to what had seemed like an innocent query. a flash of irritation sparks throughout her, he regards her with such unveiled contempt and yet doesn't even have the decency to address her. glaring hotly, her tail lashes through the long grass; going to step forward but he's already pulling back, spewing his poison before turning and fleeing the scene. "what the hell is your problem?!" she screams after his departing form, breath shuddering in and out of her jaws. he didn't even let her talk, he just attacked and ran off before she could even- she inhales deeply, willing herself to calm down despite the frustration writhing in her gut at the entire unfairness over what had happened. still, she'd only been here a few days and she didn't want to get labeled as causing a ruckus, especially considering that clay was valette's son. 

she leans back on her haunches now, glaring stonily after the disrupted vegetation where he'd torn off before blinking back to the other boy a little sheepishly. now that her heart was beginning to slow, hurt was starting to prowl around the fringes of her conscience. she knew her and the small boy weren't friends, but she'd thought they were at least...friendly. how stupidly naive of her, every single time. her jaw sets- she didn't want to be angry at him but she'd choose it over pain again and again and so she lets that hissing flame continue to burn in her stomach as another thought occurs to her. "i'm not one of them" she confirms to her company sharply, talking about the nightwalkers. the cheek of clay to label her as one of them before stalking off, she presses her paws hard against the spongy earth. would this other wolf hate her now? his packmate had acted like she was the spawn of satan after all. swallowing hastily, she held onto her tongue until he said something more, silently hoping he wouldn't choose to leave as well.

she sits there, peeved and afflicted yet struggles through the haze of both- fixing somewhat desperately on the boy that remained. when he does speak, a brow quirks with surprise- she's not sure what she'd been expecting, but not that. frowning deeply, she cast a side glance to where clay had run off in case he'd decided to come skulking back but after registering the lingering silence for a few moments, shifted her bicoloured gaze back. she'd presumed since the boy had spat 'nightwalkers' with no context before storming off that he'd made this other character aware of what exactly that meant, but apparently not. rolling her shoulders back, she dropped her look again to study at her paws as she thought about that. she wished she didn't know who the nightwalkers were. when he speaks again, soft words bordering on tentative, she peers back to the reassuring steadiness of his emerald gaze and nods somberly. maybe she shouldn't be so hard on clay, yet it's difficult to hold onto that train of thought when the heat behind his stabbing glare remained so fresh in her mind. he didn't have to take his issues out on her! they all had their problems...she exhales heavily, watching out of the side of her eye as her company moved to settle himself onto the damp earth beside her.

it's oddly easy to fall quite placid listening to the thrum of his voice, and she settles gratefully into it. that is- until ears prick upon catching on that one word- 'brother'. studying him closer, she's not sure how she missed it. sure, stature wise they were quite on the opposite ends of the spectrum but asides from that..they both held similarites to valette and greyback and her stomach twists wistfully, thinking of when her whole family had resided safely within the borders of swiftcurrent. yet she refuses to focus on that, pushing it back hastily and continuing to listen closely to what he said. it's strange to think of clay being described as always having issues, did always include when she'd first met him? he'd seemed so...chipper. a small smile graces her features at the little chuckle to burst free from his figure and she stretches her muscles a little, eyes soft as they rove curiously across him with his final little question. a quick nod, starting over sounded nice- but first. "before we start over, thanks for...uh being nice i guess" a quick shrug as she blushed lightly, it sounded cheesy but it felt important to say. kindness went a long way. "to elaborate on clay's...attempted explanation, yea i know him i uh, met him a long time ago when we were a lot younger. he was out with his- your, dad. then i came across him again when i was alone and followed him back to the nightwalkers, they're a really nasty pack to put it lightly. i stayed with them a few months because frankly i didn't know what else to do, i wasn't used to being alone..anyway, i finally got the guts to stop being a coward and leave when vengeance - the leader - attacked me and gave me these" she gestured as listlessly as she could manage to the scars running along her flank "it was some kind of test or something, anyway i didn't really see clay much once i was there- he kinda disappeared." chewing on her lip, slender shoulders lift in a shrug. "just thought you deserved to know"

quite quickly she stands, hopefully before he can say anything, and hops to stand right before him; eyes brighter as she pushes on from that topic. "anyway! fresh start time so let's not talk anymore on that" the small smile curling delicately across her muzzle grows more brazen as her head dips in a polite bob and she murmurs liltingly "it's very nice to meet you, i'm polaris and you are...?" her head tilts to the side in a quick bird like movement as she watches him. there's something about his colouring that she finds kind of soothing, from his brunette pelt to the shifting green of his gaze- she found herself appreciating his earthiness for lack of a better term and mismatched eyes watched on with curious expectation as she awaited his name.

she hadn't really focused on his face a whole lot when delivering roughly what had happened with the nightwalkers, too busy putting effort into getting the words out as quickly as possible. it was easier that way to stay detached from what she was recounting as well, she could settle into the flow of the words and refuse to lend them the power to be anything more than just that- words. but if she'd focused too closely on the boy and engaged with any of his possible reactions then what paced restlessly behind each syllable to fall from her mouth would gain new ammunition that she didn't want to have to fight against. so as a result, she wasn't sure exactly what he'd thought of this whole nightwalker deal but was immensely grateful when he didn't probe the subject any longer. her shoulders loosened the moment he began to utter his name and she peered up curiously, little smile never halting its delicate dance across sharp features. "west tyree" she echoed, eyes glinting in the watery sunlight. "is that...your first and last name orr, do you have two first names?" her eyes are openly curious as she regards him, having never heard of a wolf that had been gifted two names unless one was a surname, like tonrar. inwardly she would clutch protectively at the name that linked her to her family, no matter where they were, she'd always have that at least. 

yawning a little, she'd stretch each stiff muscle leisurely; ears tilting to catch what he asked. her head would shake in agreement to his observation, eyes shifting off to gaze unseeingly into the distance. "here as in easthollow right? i'm new and staying" it's stated firmly, as if she's assuring herself as much as him. "i was born in the teekons though, not too far from here actually uh, my birth pack was called swiftcurrent creek but it's...not around anymore" she shrugs against the sting to accompany the truth behind the statement; yet it was more bearable than usual with the new knowledge that at least some of the former inhabitants that she cared so much for could still be alive. "i'm leaving soon though, but only temporarily..you see..." she shifts her body fully now to face him entirely again, eyes more somber as they focus closely on his viridescent gaze. damn she really hated having to spew all these pity parties at him, she didn't want him to see her as something fragile and messed up but how could he not with what she had to follow up the nightwalker briefing with? still, she couldn't really hide it from him especially considering that she'd just had an idea. 

"during the earthquakes and all that, me and my family had to leave our pack because it wasn't safe there but...when we were passing through the mountain there was a massive rock slide" her voice hitches very slightly but she pushes on hurriedly "anyway when i woke up i couldn't find or hear anyone so i presumed they were all...dead. that was until just a few days ago when val- your mam met me at the borders and told me that apparently my dad and lainie are alive. i freaked out a bit" a weak, sheepish laugh is pushed out "thought they were lying to me but i guess it could be true, so valette said i could go look for them after i regained my strength, only thing is..." this is where her little idea came in and she glanced down at her paws momentarily, shuffling them through the twisting stems of grass. she didn't want to put him under pressure and she didn't enjoy exposing herself to potential rejection that could make things awkward considering she'd only met him a few minutes ago but...she was desperate. "she wants me to bring someone with me but...i don't really know anyone here" she shrugs, trying to appear noncahalent despite the suggestive hint to her words as she glances up at him a little tentatively.

she rocked back and forth on small paws as he spoke, ears perked attentively. last names truly fascinated her, she enjoyed the idea of passing this name down from generation to generation so that no matter what happened along the line; your family always existed and were connected by this mere bunch of letters. so the idea that he had two was definitely curious, especially considering he was the only one out of his siblings to have two- oh, siblings? so there was more than just clay, she wondered were they still around and could not help but guiltily hope that they were more like west than his willowy brother demeanour wise. "wow have you met your grandpa? i never even wondered who my grandparents were to be honest, they were never mentioned..." she trails off thoughtfully, tail swishing lazily through the grass. nope, never had any of her three parents ever mentioned their own family and she'd never even thought to ask. blinking back to the conversation, her grin deepends as she shakes her head a little to his own name shortening. "i like west tyree" she declares, pushing heavy emphasis on the second word. "if you get to have two names you should flaunt it, delcare everyone takes the extra second to say it all" her eyes darken with mock gravery as she adds dramatically "except perhaps in life or death situations, i guess you can excuse them for shortening it then"

tipping her head a little again, her voice softened as she chirped "my last name's tonrar but don't worry that's an ordinary surname, you don't need to use it" the conversation had her wondering, how many other tonrars were there out there and who'd been the first to claim that name as their own? she didn't even know which parent it had come from now that she thought about it, which seemed odd but when did you ever go calling your parents by their full names, she hadn't even called them by their first names. she focuses hard on the earthy boy again, trying to suppress thinking too much about her parents. she'd resisted asking about the other siblings he must have because she didn't want to hand her brain reasons to bring up hers, that had been kinda useless if it was just going to fling her parents at her instead.

she nods when he speaks again, not doubting it. she'd liked the matriarch and her white knight so the murmur to pass tenderly from charcoal lips was. "i believe her" even if that stubborn part of her mind continued to insist that an error had been made, that her family had died in that rockslide and this hope was foolish. she bites it back roughly, would it be that hard for something to go her way? yet her brain would simply have to flick back over the events that played out throughout the first year of her life to confirm that yes; it was difficult to have faith in things simply stepping in line to make her life somewhat easier. a little flustered, she blinks up at west; chiding herself for falling into these tangents that were in no way helpful to anyone. 

her smile widens at his initial exclamation, relief clear in the shine of her gaze. yet her jaw literally drops open at the rushed follow up- eyes comically wide as she blinks. never been outside of the territory? how on earth- she knew her constant need to be out exploring was more intense than most but still, she could not imagine anyone being content to spend the first year of their lives in the one place. her face is flushed with fascination as she regards him the way one might look at an alien that had just casually stepped from a massively intrusive ufo. okay she has...to stop, what were they talking about again? oh yes!  he looks a little fidgety and she grins a little, something about a boy as large as him seeming so flustered was...cute? the second the word floats into her line of thought, seeming to sit and jeer at her- she is no better than him as her ears sweep low at the heat to tingle throughout her. she didn't mean- well what else could she mean, cute only had one definition but like, not like that! she could've continued on arguing with herself like that for hours so she's glad when he speaks up once more. 

blinking with surprise, she shakes her head quickly- unable to resist the next words to tumble from her mouth. "i can't believe you've never left the territory like....how?" she doesn't want to embarrass him but she's so bewildered as her head shakes wondrously. "i was like...3 months old i think the first time my parents brought us out and i struggled to wait that long. i mean i've always been more obsessed with everything outside the borders than anyone i know but still..." she glances off absently to the distant borders of his pack, thinking of everything he hadn't gotten to see and almost buzzing at the prospect of getting to show some of it to him. "you are 100% coming with me, i can't wait to show you how much there is to see- you'll never be satisfied again" she smirks, it was a blessing and a curse. at least for her, each part of the lands she discovered only made her thirsty for more. rolling back her shoulders, she glanced back and added modestly "guess i can't judge though, im an awful hunter. my whole puphood i refused to partake in hunts, didn't like that we got to decide what prey died and blah blah. i got over that when i ended up alone because otherwise i would die and i was pretty pissed at the world for taking my family but im still pretty behind everyone my age"

sighing softly, she let her muscles relax enough to ease her back into a sitting position. it was easier to ignore the restlessness writhing throughout her like an agitated snake when she knew for definite that she was going to get out soon- and now no obstacles were left thanks to west. letting her lids fall half shut as she drank in the weak sunlight- she finally mumbled quietly "yea i'd love for you to accompany me west tyree"

her head shakes, lustrous gaze alight with wonder at such an idea. family everywhere? it sounded delightful! "still..." she muses as he explains that some had departed from the pack's warm clutch "that's pretty impressive. the only family in my pack were my parents and my sibings...i never even considered how many more could be out there..." she blinks off into the far distance where the horizon blurred hazily, half expecting to see a row of various tonrar's approaching shoulder to shoulder. of course such a vision does not come true and she's brought back by the little query to chirp by her side. flicking her ears, her agreement is laughed forth; mischief flickering bright in the look she shoots him as he immerses himself fully in the power of claiming his own name. "yess! i don't know about west but nobody is gonna mess with west tyree!" she rallied playfully, tail growing animated with the zestful energy coursing through her body. she felt lighter, clutching greedily to the easy banter as a warm smile delcared her delight at the laugh to rumble free from him. she hadn't even realised that he'd been holding back until he broke free from it and she joined him with her own lilting giggles.

sighing, she stretches out her neck so that the coarse breeze can tickle playfully at her neck whilst enjoying the slow unfurling of something bordering on content in her chest. all she had to do now was find her family and then, then perhaps things truly could work out. yet she couldn't stop her brain from springing far too many paces ahead with concerns that are far from reaching the spotlight. she should only be focusing on hoping that they really were alive but....skipping forth she'd already progressed to wonder why lainie had been here and kavik leading another pack? surely they hadn't simply...split? her face contorts a little, as if she'd tasted something sour whilst the word 'selfish' floated sneeringly to the surface. to think that they had each other and would still choose to separate...but she bites it back, silently cursing her inability to keep a leash on the activity of her mind. she didn't know anything about their situations, she needed to stop. 

she focuses on west once more, blinking rapidly to expel the disrguntled misgivings and following the little flicks of his tail a little absently. yet by the time he speaks once more her bright gaze is entirely transpicuous as her smile prowls daintily back upon angular features. now that she thinks about it, had she gone a little too full on with the whole 'you've never left the territory what the hell what---' thing? damn she really hopes she hadn't embarrassed him and then gotten so engrossed in her own issues that she failed to comprehend what any little ticks might've signified. oh well, he looked happy now so no harm done right? she nods enthusiastically "i don't doubt it" she purred, tone laced with good natured jest as she left it unknown as to whether she was referring to his abilities as a hunter or how much he ate. "but yes i would really appreciate that...as long as you promise not to make fun of me! i don't think you realise how quickly i can scatter all the nearby prey in an area- oh! and no birds, i er, don't like killing them. i dunno if that's a bit mean acting like it's okay to kill other animals and not them but uh.." she trailed off, shrugging her shoulders and letting her own awkward laugh slip through. oh dear could she ramble, that certainly did not offer her many 'i swear i'm normal' points. 

yet her gaze softens when he seems to flicker into a more somber demeanour and guilt tickles at the fringes of her conscience. she shouldn't have been so quick to act like he'd announced that he lived on a strict diet of grass and berries. "of course" she murmurs softly "i'm sorry i shouldn't have been so quick to judge on that" oh gosh awkward, nudging him lightly she moved on hastily before the mood could linger "but hey it's never too late, we'll have fun" please let whatever we find out leave room for fun. after all finding out that her family actually were gone would definitely be rather anti climatic.

her jaw falls ajar with faux offence at the tease to croon forth from her company, trilling back; "bold of you to grow so cocky, perhaps i was just trying to be modest and now when i prove to be a fabulous hunter you'll feel silly for such a remark" she waggles her brows with mischief, tail whipping behind her; an animated blur. in reality she was as bad as she'd suggested but she wasn't going to ease him of any uncertainties now! "a doe..." she echoes wondrously, unable to imagine bringing down such an animal with just the boy. her smile curls as she chirps "i'd say i've never attempted to bring down something that big but i no longer share my hunting secrets" a little sigh slips free as she recalls the pack hunts she'd stubbornly refuse to take part in. she still didn't blame herself, deer were so pretty and innocent it made her feel weird to decide it was time for one to die. she wouldn't voice that though, aware that west was clearly fond of hunting and not wanting to make him doubt it down to her own weird views. she grinned a little, proud of such a considerate line of thought. 

stretching to roll fluidly into the grasp of twisting blades of grass, she wriggled onto her back and let pale paws cross over her chest as lazy eyes tracked the scattered movement of wispy clouds. she nodded in agreement at his declaration, humming softly "me too, it's so beautiful out there" her head twists to press her cheek into the earth so that she can focus on him again. "i don't know about you but i haven't seen a nice day like this in a while and i'm not letting it slip past without fully appreciating it and by that i mean...napping in it" she flashed a toothy grin before letting her whole body follow the earlier shift of her head so that she lay on her side, eyes still searching his. she wasn't really the napping type, it was difficult to manage when you constantly buzzed with such a restless energy but she was exhausted from the journey that had led her to the borders of this pack both mentally and physically. fighting back a yawn she mumbled sleepily "unless you've big important duties to get to you should join me too, i don't trust the sun not to sneak off again unless it's the height of summer" she'd stretch out, lids slowly drifting down to claim her sight. she didn't know if he'd stay but she was surprised to find that she'd prefer if he did, she'd missed company in the trek between amethyst keep and here and was reluctant to give it up even temporarily just yet.