Neverwinter Forest Let's have a toast

@Yngvi — excited for Luhtar to meet her!

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The forest was quiet, save for the soft rustling of leaves overhead and the occasional chirp of distant birds. Luhtar moved steadily through the underbrush, steps purposeful but without much haste. The scent of the borders lingered faintly in the air as he passed each familiar marker, his own efforts freshening the scent trail as he went.

He had been walking for what felt like hours, his mouth dry and throat parched. The thought of the cool creek ahead spurred him on, paws crunching softly against the forest floor. Pushing through a dense patch of ferns, he finally stepped into the clearing where the creek lay, the soft gurgling of water welcoming him.

But he wasn’t alone.

His eyes caught movement near the bank, and there, standing at the water’s edge, was a wolf he hadn’t seen before. His ears perked up, and his tail gave a gentle wag, an uncharacteristically eager response to the sight of a new packmate. With a quiet boof, he offered a friendly greeting. Luhtar appeared to be in a good mood today.

“You’re… Forneskja, yes?” It wasn’t a question of suspicion, just an attempt to bridge the gap. Still wary about the newcomers and all the strange faces, he was yet to determine who spoke their language and who did not. So, in spirit of testing the waters, he spoke again. Talar þú okkar tungu?

the misty forest she’d been welcomed into had many secrets yet to unveil to her. and many wolves have gathered yet she’d only met few.

today, the norn-speaker had planned to look around in hopes of learning at least the names of those whose prayers she will be listening to. one had seemingly already known this, and he’d brought himself to her before her morning soak. she’d already set one foot in the shallows when the townsman found her.

i am. she dips fully into the water, royal velvet fur flowing with the current. the thickness of her accent would’ve also answered his question. yngvi.. gentle violet eyes smooth over his face.

Luhtar stood at the edge of the misty forest, his yellow eyes catching the soft light reflecting off the water ahead. The wolf in the shallows drew his attention immediately, her fur flowing like royal velvet with the gentle current, each strand glinting faintly as it caught the light. She moved with a calm, deliberate grace that was hard to ignore, and her voice, heavily accented like his own, reached him even over the murmur of the stream.

He lingered a moment longer, his gaze carefully observing her, noting the way her presence seemed to blend seamlessly with the serenity of the water. She was, undeniably, easy on the eyes. The thought brought an almost reluctant wag to his tail, the motion brief and uncertain, as though he wasn’t sure it was warranted.

Shaking off the hesitation, Luhtar padded forward toward the water, his steps deliberate but slow. Reaching the edge, he paused, lowering his head to nudge the rippling surface with his nose. The cold touch steadied him, and he dipped his muzzle to take a few laps, the cool water refreshing after his walk.

When he lifted his head again, his gaze returned to the stranger. “I am Luhtar,” he said simply, voice rich with gravel.

erm..... merry christmas ur gift is a reply. sorry that its rusty! feel free to decide whether or not this gets forward dated btw, whatever works best for you.

his hesitation to approach her was noticed, but she didn't judge. perhaps he sensed the bad omen that she could never wash away, like a foul stench. the man was not just sturdy but had a keen sixth sense. is that not necessary in a world ruled by the whims of the norns?

yngvi continues to admires him from the same safe distance, but her gaze runs away once he approached the edge of the water, crossed that barrier that divided them. any closer, and she'd foolishly yearn for something she could have nor did she deserve.

a pleasure to meet you, luhtar. even his name carried the same hearty strength of his body. i take it that you too are loyal to forneskja? even in the comfort of water, her shoulders remain tense.

so glad ur back!!

he tipped his head slightly, studying her with those sharp yellow eyes, his posture remaining loose.

“já,” he rumbled in agreement, his tail giving a faint wag as he steps forward, the water swirling gently around his broad paws.

he glanced briefly at her shoulders, the tension there betraying the calm grace she tried to carry. his brow furrowed slightly, but he did not pry.

there was warmth in the way he looked at her.

"eitthvað sem þér dettur í hug?" something on your mind?

the man's simple answers put a smile upon yngvi's face, if only briefly. she couldn't wax poetic with him.

it distracts her from the distance between them coming shorter and shorter. she plays with his question with a hum, thinking of a response to allow her gaze to naturally wander away from luhtar. he now joined her in the waters, and his reflection encroached upon hers. she passed quick glances towards it, but not the man himself. not until she could muster an answer

not much. i'm just getting used to our new home. enjoying the waters before they freeze over.

he watches her carefully. his ears flick briefly at her hum.

“hmm,” he rumbles softly, a sound low and contemplative as his eyes briefly follow hers to the waters rippling between them. the current is gentle, yet it catches the light, distorting their reflections in fleeting patterns.

“it’s a good place,” he finally says, his tone quieter now, more thoughtful. “strong land. good water.” his gaze lifts to hers, lingering for a moment before darting away again, perhaps to see if she joins in on his jesting.

strong people with little hesitation, yngvi joins luhtar and with a smile. she wasn't strong, not in the slightest. but she felt so whenever she thought of this new home. how she'd traveled alone to find it.

for today, she can rest easy.

i am not used to change, but i will learn. even if she didn't deserve it, there was a reason she was brought here. right? she sees it when she looks into luhtar — into all of the eyes of forneskja.

change hard, a quiet reassurance. but you’re here. you found this place. that takes strength too.

his tail gives a slow, thoughtful wag as he watches the woman.

forneskja is strong, he hums thoughtfully. not just with teeth or claws. here, strength is... he pauses, searching for the right word, before gesturing with a broad paw to the snow-draped forest around them. ...in how we hold each other. how we build together.

his lips tug into a faint smile, genuine. you’ll learn, yngvi. you’re already part of it.