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+--- Thread: The Sentinels Let your powers shine (/showthread.php?tid=65928)
Let your powers shine - Solenya - May 05, 2025
After Bushtit had left, Solenya circled back into the forest, pausing to stop at trees, logs, and boulders, to mark borders as she went. It would be some time before the sun would set, thankfully, and it was best to do this while there was still light.
She hummed as she worked. Though she was alone, it did not phase her. The past few months without a soul to speak to prepared her for this. Yet, she still thought of the plants, the trees, as sentient and would sometimes speak to them. There was never any doubt if they could understand her; she knew it in the way the trees would sway, a leaf would fall to tickle her cheek, or when a flower blooms before her very eyes.
Her eyes focused on a rather large rock, flattened at the top. Pausing her task, she bounded atop it to rest. It was a good time to groom, so she started with her paws, chewing at the bits of packed soil in between her toes. Her humming resumed.
RE: Let your powers shine - Odessia - May 06, 2025
Following her encounter with Kirain, Odessia had cleaned herself thoroughly by taking a dip in one of the many creeks that filtered through the tall wood. When she was not sleeping or eating—neither of which happened all that often—she sat with her favorite flowers, getting lost in their tiny world. Bit by bit, she began to unwind. Her anxiety began to wane, and her sleep began to improve. Whether she knew it or not—acknowledged it or not—putting physical distance between herself and The Incident had helped. She was still shaken, but her appetite was beginning to come back. She no longer relived the horror whenever she closed her eyes. It was a breath of fresh air.
The Incident had, no doubt, changed her, but she was still Odessia in her core.
A strange humming sound caught her attention, and the white wolf altered her course to investigate. Atop a boulder lay a large, lithe wolf coated in cool greys and sporting bright green eyes. Aside from the humming, she appeared normal. Odessia paused, wondering if her voice had returned. She had been feeling better, and yet she hated the idea of trying to speak and being unable to. She clenched her jaw, then decided to try anyway.
"Hello?" she managed, her voice a bit raspy from disuse.
A wave of relief hit her. She realized this was the first time she had met a wolf without the immediate need to flatten herself or bolt in another direction. Whatever The Incident had done to her seemed to be finally wearing off.
RE: Let your powers shine - Solenya - May 06, 2025
A wilted voice pulled her attention to the forest floor. A knowing smile pulled at her lips when her verdant eyes found those that belonged to the previously silent wolf she had come across in her travels.
Hello to you, too.Her voice was soft, twinkling with kindness. Solenya looked over the other silently, head tilted as she regarded her. It was with no malice, no unkindness, that she did so; it was curiosity that pulled her gaze over the girl. What have you witnessed, what have you seen to look so haunted?
She crossed her paws in front of her as she addressed the wayward woman, again.
Come. Sit with me. This rock is cool, calming for tired paws.
RE: Let your powers shine - Odessia - May 06, 2025
Odessia did not understand the familiarity in the other wolf's expression. As far as Odessia was concerned, they were complete strangers. Were they not complete strangers? Had she somehow completely forgotten that they had met? Based on how she had felt over the past several days, that did not seem entirely impossible. She honestly could not say how long it had been since The Incident, only that it had been more than one or two days.
Although Odessia felt marginally better, she still was not entirely trusting of strangers, and as far as she knew, that was who this was.
"I do not know you," Odessia said, her voice taking on a slightly stronger note.
Once, she had trusted a wolf. Once, she had watched him attack a stranger and subsequently die right in front of her. She was not about to repeat her mistake. Her feet remained planted firmly on the ground, and she retained a healthy dose of suspicion.
"My name is Odessia," she said, her expression expectant to learn the other's name.
RE: Let your powers shine - Solenya - May 06, 2025
I hope the minor assumptions mentioned are okay!
She chuckled in response to the woman’s strong tone,
You are right, we do not know each other. But, the sweet yellow flowers like you, and they do not lie.To add to her words, she pointed at the dainty petal that had stuck itself to the female’s tail.
I am Solenya. It is nice to put a name to a face.She paused, a sheepish look in her face when she continued.
Although, I have seen yours before. You did not see me, but I saw you, running from another. You seemed…scared
RE: Let your powers shine - Odessia - May 07, 2025
At least she was willing to acknowledge that they were strangers. Odessia's brow furrowed in brief confusion before she followed Solenya's gaze to her tail and spotted the petal that had attached itself there. Not wanting to look like some sort of weirdo, Odessia swished her tail and flicked it to the ground. Solenya said something about flowers lying, and if she had given pause to let her speak, Odessia would have remarked that flowers cannot talk at all. Alas, the moment was gone, and it went unspoken.
The information that came next was both embarrassing and not something Odessia wished that Solenya knew at all. She must have looked like a lunatic. And, well, that was not far from the truth in that moment. But she was better now! Right? Right.
"Kirain startled me is all," Odessia said.
"Why were you spying on us?" she asked.
Odessia was so pleased to have her voice—and a bit of her personality—back.
RE: Let your powers shine - Solenya - May 07, 2025
Humming deeply in her throat, she eyed the other, a brow quirked.
It seemed more than a startle. But, I won’t press further than that.She stood, stretching deeply before a yawn splayed her jaws wide. Coming to full height once more, she looked down again, a slight twitch to her lips the only evidence she found Odessia’s accusation amusing.
I was not spying on you, Odessia. This place has become my home; I am hoping to build a pack, someday raise a family here, and one must mark borders and build caches to do so. You both happened to cross my path. Call it serendipity.She shrugged, as if it couldn’t be anything else.
Odessia had attitude, spunk, and it made the willow woman smile, a full one this time.
I am glad to see you are not startled, anymore.
RE: Let your powers shine - Odessia - May 07, 2025
Solenya did not seem to believe her, but Odessia decided that was a Solenya problem, not an Odessia problem. When the green-eyed wolf stood, Odessia realized just how much bigger she was in comparison to herself. Not only that, but she was a bit on the thin side. Seemed like she could use some more muscle. Apart from that, she seemed to be in good health. Nothing that would not be solved with a bit of meat in her. That made Odessia wonder if Solenya had been on her own for a while.
When Solenya called this place "her home," Odessia's expression became skeptical. She had smelled nothing of scent markers when she had come here... and although she had been a bit off her rocker then, she was sure she would have noticed that. It was a base instinct to avoid them at all costs, lest she run into a situation like Viper had. Her skin prickled uncomfortably at the thought.
Solenya explained further, and Odessia realized she really did not have any claim to it—at least not yet. It also meant she may lose access to the only thing that had made her feel better these last few days: the small yellow flowers. That is, unless she could weasel her way into this pack Solenya was planning to start here.
To Solenya's words on no longer being startled, Odessia offered a nod.
"I was living here before you," Odessia said.
"That means I should get first dibs on it."
RE: Let your powers shine - Solenya - May 07, 2025
How interesting to know that someone had already made this place theirs, yet left nothing in their wake to show for it.It was a jab, but without any heat behind her words. If the female wanted to get testy, she could do the same in return. But, it was more to see what made her tick, and why exactly did Solenya deserve the treatment. Maybe, it had nothing to do with her, but with Odessia, herself.
But, there was truth in her words, regardless—she had not scented anyone within the sentinels, not until she came upon Bushtit, and surely not until the one who stood before her now had urinated in fear. There was no evidence of boundaries, of claim, and so it was in her right to begin her own.
Of course, she couldn’t do it alone—no, not at all. She would need more bodies, but she could never force their loyalty. They must choose to stay, not entirely through loyalty to her, but to the ground they walk on, the flowers that listen and give, the trees that protect and shade, the water that cools and revives.
And because of those small yellow flowers, she smiled and offered,
I have no desire to keep these lands to myself only. We can share this place, you and I. And others who might come along, of course. We will need numbers behind us should we want to keep it.
RE: Let your powers shine - Odessia - May 07, 2025
Odessia was aghast, though she did her best to hide it. How dare Solenya turn her words back on her?! But... she had a point. Really, this forest belonged to nobody right now, as far as she could tell. The blue-eyed wolf was not entirely sold on sharing, as she was not really the sharing type, but she also did not want to get physical over it. Maybe Solenya would get bored after a day, a week, a month, or a year and give up on the place. Then Odessia could slide in and take over. Easy peasy. There was more than one way to find herself where she wanted to be in the social hierarchy.
"Fine," she acquiesced, "but I want things, too."
She would need to finesse her negotiation tactics in the midst of all this.
"First up, I want permission to find a mate and have my family here, too. Second, I want a position of power. Leadership, if you will."
Odessia paused, then thought better of it. Might as well shoot high.
"I am willing to be your equal, but no less."
RE: Let your powers shine - Solenya - May 07, 2025
Solenya found it rather odd that Odessia would demand permission for a mate and family...as if Solenya had the power to deny such a thing. Who was she to stop others from enjoying life's precious gifts? It was not her way. If anything, she would encourage all those who wished to do the same to follow their hearts. All she would ask in return is for those who do seek mates, seek only those who's hearts are genuine, and to maintain the values and beliefs of the Viridian Sanctum above all.
I have no reason to deny you a mate and family. That belongs to you. I only ask that, should you bring a mate into this pack, their heart is in the right place and for you both to uphold what this pack will stand for: renewal, growth, harmony with our surroundings, and survival through adaptability. We will hold birth, death, decay, and rebirth as holy stages of life. We all must continue the cycle.
Though, when it came to her request for equal leadership, she questioned it.
What can you offer to this place, this Viridian Sanctum? Are you willing to cast your past behind you and become reborn? One must give before taking. It is for balance as much as it is for a peace of mind.
RE: Let your powers shine - Odessia - May 08, 2025
Boy howdy, Solenya really liked to talk a lot. Odessia's attention waned, distracted by a squirrel in a tree behind the green-eyed wolf. It all sounded like a bunch of hippie dippy bull to Odessia, but she really did want to stay here. If that meant she had to go along with whatever "circle of life" nonsense Solenya had cooked up, she supposed she could stomach that.
"Yeah, sure, totally," she replied to the first inquiry, "I hereby cast my past behind me and am reborn!"
Odessia made a show of it, closing her eyes and taking in a deep breath. She held the breath for a few heartbeats, then her eyes shot open as she exhaled dramatically. Hopefully that made it appear "real."
"What do you mean, 'offer'? What are you offering?" Odessia asked. So far, Solenya had only offered to let her stay if she made some spiritual pact. That did not offer a whole lot of value to Odessia, nor did she think it would be particularly helpful when it came to survival, which would always be her number one priority.
RE: Let your powers shine - Solenya - May 09, 2025
Solenya sat there, watching Odessia’s spectacle, tail twitching with irritation at the blatant disrespect. That was all she would let show how she felt about the woman’s rather childish behavior.
Was it possible that the little flowers do lie?
It was clear the other did not revere this place as much as Solenya did, but—she needed another, more bodies to lay claim and protect this place. She would not allow this woman to hold equal leadership, but work for it if she indeed wanted to stay.
What I offer is no business of yours. However, to further enlighten you, what you choose to offer, whether something physical or not, is sacred or special to you. Once you have found this, you may “plant” it into the earth to give to the guardians,she paused to look up at the giants that toward above,
for safekeeping. It will represent your past, and you will cultivate your own self within this pack for your future to bloom.
Her gaze returned below.
As for your last demand—I will not grant you leadership. If you wish to stay, you may; if you wish for leadership, you must work for it.
RE: Let your powers shine - Odessia - May 09, 2025
thank you so much for the thread!! definitely feel free to still use the ranks and everything, just don't think odessia is a good fit, lol.
Odessia was stunned and quite a bit insulted with the double standards Solenya presented. She expected Odessia to lay out what she had to offer, and yet Solenya refused to give her any details on what she brought to the table. Perhaps she had nothing to offer at all, hence the cagey response. And what was this about guardians? The more she talked, the more Odessia realized there was no way this was ever going to work. She was not the spiritual type, and while she could go along with it for a little while, she did not think she was in it for the long haul.
"Nah," she replied. "I am out of here."
Without waiting around for yet another soliloquy from Solenya, Odessia turned to leave. She could find flowers somewhere else. She certainly did not need a holier than thou wolf who did not seem to have anything special bringing her down.