Luneshale Pass In a river,

Fur white and the skin beneath pale, the son felt a sensation new and exciting as he stepped into the sunlight for the first time. The world was growing clear, his eyes open and slowly gaining colour. Small ears had begun to perk as well, his mother's voice now more clear to him so long as she was close.

Leto sleeping soundly within the den next to his brother and sister, clumsy paws had carried the boy outside with a tail high and wagging. The temperature of the pass was welcoming, the scents overwhelming but thrilling nonetheless.

He knew from the feelings of heavy footsteps that often passed by outside the den that they were not alone here. His mother seemed calm in spite of this, and so Delos himself felt no fear.

Letting out a bark louder than he knew, a recent development of his, Delos turned his head in search of any other inhabitants.

Safiya did not search for wolves to speak with. As a matter of fact, there was a darkness in her at the sight of all around. She wasn't sure entirely why she stayed other than some strange affection for the leader. Who treated her a marginal difference than others. Perhaps it was curiosity. Perhaps it was punishment. She wasn't sure, but for now she stayed. And she watched.

A small bark nearby caught her attention. And despite her best intentions not too. She headed towards it. Body scarred. Face missing an eye. She was a bit monstrous to say the least. So when she noticed it was a child. she stopped and stood warring with herself. She didn't wish to scare him. She shifted about so that her good eye was visible not her other. Which made her look strange honestly holding herself to the side.

She chuffed in return, but said nothing. Merely waited. THough gave a cursory glance to the cavern behind it. After all mothers were warriors in their own right and she didn't wish to anger one. Though a fight might ease some of the tension in her shoulders. Even if it would be unfair of her to engage in one. She stayed a respectable distance from the little fur ball.

A stranger entered his sights, close enough for Delos to see her nearly unblurred.

The chuff never reached his ears, but he had began to approach nonetheless. He was nervous, that much was clear from the slight shake of his legs. She would be his first proper interaction with a stranger.

Briefly he glanced back to his mother's den. No movement, no sound that he could hear. He could do as he pleased, and nobody would stop him.

It was a bit scary, really.

He was small and white. Reminded her a bit of her brothers. Who with a pang she longed for. But she would probably never see them again.

The small fur ball came towards her on shaking limbs. She wanted to warn him not to talk to strangers. That bad things happened if you did. She wanted to tell him to turn around. But she didn't. He had a moment where he looked back. And she knew that look. One of worry, but curiosity. Though Safiya couldn't remember a time that she was scared. Curious? Worried? Unsure? Many times.

She spoke softly. Hi.

As softly as she spoke, his approach was enough to hear her. Still too young, words were caught in his throat. Unable to form a sentence, only babbled sounds formed from pieces of words he had heard from his mother - though even then it sounded a bit strange.

Sun shining above, his fur warm, confidence was growing within the boy today. Though unbeknownst to him, the skin beneath his fur was slowly growing red and burnt. His mother had barked his name from within the den.

To wake without Delos by her side caused her to nearly jump out of her skin. Barking out his name, she was quick to exit the den wildly turning her head in search of the boy.

Spotting him quickly, she calmed upon seeing him not far off with a young woman. They're getting to the age where they like to wander, sorry about that. She trotted to the pair, licking the top of Delos' head - it felt strangely hot. Have you come to Verapaz recently? She had a hard time imagining they were anything but an initiate, a trespasser would be stupid to get so close to a mother's den.

The child babbled at her. She said nothing, just listened. His words made no sense. But they were cute. She tilted an ear forward to catch what he said. But she was about to speak, when someone barked from the den. She stepped back as a woman rushed out.

Sea Green Eye fell on the she wolf. And Safiya wanted to turn her lip. But she didn't. Had this wolf been here when the other had tortured her. Ripped her eye out?

Yes. I am Safiya. 

She shifted and turned her ruined face towards the mother and dipped her head. Sorry if I scared you or him.

It felt to him that Leto appeared by his side very suddenly. He nearly jumped.

With a lick to his puppy-soft head he felt her tension fade, passing through him and dissipating. With a squeak and a wag of his tail, his paws tapped the ground. He no longer felt a reason to be nervous in the least; he had never seen her as anything but happy and smiling, and so he often found himself mimicking this in her presence. A little doppleganger.

Leto. She returned the introduction, nodding her head politely. Oh - and this is Delos, my son.

She noted the scarred face, but did not ask questions. It simply was not her place. There's no need to apologize. He's still in one piece. She looked down to the pup, a smile crossing her face. He might be a bit nervous, but that's just because he hasn't met very many strangers. We haven't had a lot of visitors. The pack had been busy, she understood that not many of them had the time to spare.

But, now there was one. Admittedly she was quite excited.

The puppy pounded his paws and Safiya despite herself, smiled softly. Her face showing for a brief moment her young age. She was just barely a year. And she had worn her life like a mantle and felt old. 

I have stuck to myself mostly. But it seems busy.

Safiya shifted and looked around. Have you been here long?

Skipping Delos for now, will mostly incorporate him into Leto's posts for convenience!

Since the summer. She responded, though in truth it did not feel that it had been that long. It was funny how quickly time could pass by. I was away for some time though, traveling to the coast. She knew that much had happened in her time away - conflict.

Speaking of the coast made her wonder how Pepper was doing. Beau hadn't been able to bring him back, and with her young she could not travel to him. Once they were a bit older she would arrange a trip, find someone who could watch the children in her absence.