Rising Sun Valley salt gazing

for @Sven but aw! <3

something happened to chani as she journeyed.
it had not been long since she left eresta for home, and now home only just visited before she was off again, searching for her wayward cousin.
something happened as she crossed from nova peak to the taiga, when she weathered the bitter storms there in the lee of ancient ridges.
alight; slowly the sea-farer caught slow and muted fire. not quite the flame she would carry in the weeks to come, but a new sharpening to her edges, to her step.
the valley. the stones. she looked for them. and finally she called out for the brothers kvarsheim, addled by this burgeoning new sensation and her need to be gone, to continue her search.

If Sven arrives I can have Seal pop out! ^__^

It just so happened Seal traveled on the opposite path as Chani, coming from Kvarsheim where she had hunted with Sven. In her jaws was the raw, thick hide of of a marmot… not luxurious like a rarer species, but it was a good start to her repayment plan. It would be chewed cured into a fine pelt for Viskani, her pack’s matriarch.

“Chani? S’that you?” Seal chirped when she saw the saltwolf’s familiar ruddy coat on the approach.

woohoo! <3 sorry for the wait!

it was not sven who came then, but seal, and chani's eyes widened with gladness. "i always be findin' you aroun,'" the seagirl chuckled, moving to brush her muzzle against the other's cheek. "what have you been doin' t'ese days?"
she was reminded briefly of pearl, the rise wolf, and wondered not for the first time where that other young hunter had gone.

How nice it was to see a familiar face!

“Chani!” Seal cheered again. Decorum fell to the wayside as the girl’s tail helicoptered and her feet tap danced in place. They exchanged friendly touches – and Seal blushed when she realized how delicious Chani smelled.

“I live in the Vale now, with a pack called Montagne de Ciguë,” she emulated the francophone accent as if to allude that it sounded much like Chani’s dialect. There was a story to how she ended up here… but Seal allowed her words to wane as if to give Chani space to give an update, as well.

"in de mountains?" chani guessed, translating quickly. a smile flickered to life on her face; "if de be speakin' like us, perhaps sapphique should visit." it would also allow her to flex the traveling muscles, gearing for a scouting skill as she traveled in search of those she knew.
"i came to see sven. i had enjoyed his company at de big hunt. he an' his brother invited me here. separately," chani added with an arched brow and little laugh.

“I’d like that!“ Seal chirped as a pang of loneliness punched her in the heart.

Then, Chani explained her travels. Seal giggled girlishly at the notion of Chani having two male callers. It made sense, though! For Chani was both beautiful, alluring, and worldly. What was there not to love?

In fact, her own heart beat a little faster.

“Ohhhhh?” Seal pried, wanting to know all the gossip. “Do you have a double date?” she asked impishly.

"non!" she hissed in mother's french, but joined in the peals of seal's pretty laughter. "well, maybe. perhaps i will allow dem bot' to take me aroun' kvarsheim." anything else could be decided later.
"what do you be doin' in de vale, seal?" chani asked after a moment, curious about what had led her friend out here. she gestured to the marmot. "huntin'?" or was there gossip to be had? and she waited in anticipation.

Seal wilted a little. Ever since meeting the spirit of the mountain, Seal had found peace with the events which had brought her to the Vale… but saying them aloud still stung a little.

“I left the Copse. I was traveling with my parents for a while and then set off on my own,” she told Chani. “But I got caught in a squall… and I was so hungry. I found a cache of meat but it belonged tae the Vale. They took me in and so I am doing my verrae best tae repay them.”

“Two women are expecting litters,” she added, “and I will be a midwife to them.” This made Seal beam. She had long trained for this role, and to use her skills and knowledge to fill a need Montagne de Ciguë had felt like kismet.

chani noticed but did not understand until after the story. she had never felt that sort of hunger before. but it was still impressive in a way, that seal had invaded a place to find what she needed.
"they will be lucky to have you," she said with a glowing grin. "an' you will be de bes' medic in de mountains," for further declaration. "you be fierce."
two litters. she wondered if there would be three on the coast, when her body decided to catch fire. the thought thrilled and worried her.

“Fierce!” she guffawed. For Seal couldn’t imagine herself to be thought of as such a thing. “You flatter me, Chani.” But perhaps... if Chani said it, then it must be true.

“I want tae hear of you next. Are you travelling still?” her eyes gleamed, intrigued by every facet of Chani’s adventurous life.

"it be all true!" saltwolf declared, paw to chest. chani knew better than to swear on any spirits, and so she tipped seal a single, conspiratorial, affectionate wink instead. "i am! well. maybe a little. i be headin' back soon," she decided then. "de inlan' is not wort' it unless paths cross like t'is."
"a midwife! are you lookin' forward to it? grandmaman used to have all sorts of kelp. each color have some property. maybe i will ask an' find out which ones be best for dat."