Stone Circle home sweet home

After his acceptance, Nikai had rested up first. He found out just how tired he was when he lay down to sleep at long last. It had been a year since he had been able to sleep so freely, knowing that other wolves around him protected him -- that he was part of a pack again. After those first days of resting, and spending a ridiculous amount of time with @Alya whenever he was awake to catch up on all the months in the previous half year they'd missed, Nikai set off to find @Steph. He had missed her so much, and when Valette told him that his sister had become the equivalent of Beta of the pack, Valette's right hand, his heart swelled with pride.

The thing was, though, Nikai didn't really know where he should be able to find Steph these days. He found himself wandering to the old den where they used to spend hours playing with sticks, telling stories, teaching valuable life lessons. Now Steph was all grown up. And how would she feel about his missing leg, and the absence from her life in the past year? Still, Nikai didn't want to worry too much. He preferred action over worrying and that was why he continued his search for Steph.

hoping for a Steph! but let me know if you don't have time and we can figure something out :D

hope you dont mind Greyback jumping into this thread since Steph is gone! If you dont want to continue it let me know and we can close it, no hard feelings!

Stepping through the forest softly, the patriarch was out on his daily patrol to secure the border when he noticed the dark speckled coat of Nikai. He had not gotten the chance to talk with the youngster yet thus he took the chance to. Normally Greyback would be composed with tall posture to loom over newcomes as he was a bit weary of them. However, he trusted Nikai and wholeheartedly believed the boy was good.

He cleared his throat as he approached him, his tail slightly wagging and a soft smile on his face. "Nikai," he greeted, hoping the boy would remember him. He noticed the male was looking about, for something Greyback didn't quite know what. "You seem like you're on quite the quest." he chuckled.

yes, no problem, thank you for joining! <3 let's say this is before Steph's departure, so that Nikai and Steph will have said good-bye behind the scenes after this somewhere. :) just for my perspective: is this before, or after it's announced Greyback and Valette are mates? I don't mind either way. ^^

Instead of finding Steph right away Nikai ran into Greyback instead. Though he didn't necessarily mind socialising with the rest of the pack, Nikai felt a little disappointed that he hadn't run into Steph yet. He smiled at Greyback, not showing his disappointment. Of course he remembered the patriarch from when Alya and he had arrived at Easthollow; he'd been quite amicable towards Alya, after all; they seemed to have met before.

Hey Greyback, he greeted after a moment's contemplation whether he should add 'mister' like Alya had that day they arrived. I was looking for Steph, actually. Have you seen her about? It was nice to be home and he'd definitely take to exploring all of Easthollow to rediscover it and see how much was exactly the same or just a little different, but for now he hoped to see his sister.

Greyback shook his head as the boy asked about Steph. He had not seen the beta around all day which was quite unusual seeing as she more mostly woke around the same time as him—early in the morning to do her patrols. He only offered Nikai a disappointed shake of his head. "I'm afraid not," he spoke, voice stone as usual. "Have you asked Valette? She usually is within distance of your mother."

As the man spoke he lifted his head to sniff at the stagnant air, and much to his disappointment couldn't single out the scent of his girl.

I'll check with Valette and meet up with her later, Nikai said, not too worried that he'd miss Steph. Everything would come on its own time, and the same went for meeting up with Steph. Nikai was pretty hakuna matata when it came to most things, and this was no exception.

Do you want to walk to the stones with me? he then asked Greyback, eager to get to know the man. He was clearly an important part of this pack, that much was clear from the way he stood and moved. There was a natural authority about him, and clearly Valette thought highly of him too. Nikai wondered just how highly, but he'd keep the questions for later.

He nodded to Nikai's statement and question, eager to know the young lad as well. "Of course."

Greyback started to walk a bit ahead of the male, his paws drumming with each step on the worn path taken by the patrol members. He looked back at the boy and motioned forward for him to join beside him. The Patriarch didn't like to walk in front of others, especially Nikai who was now family and an equal member to him. "Has Valette or anyone explained the new stones yet? Valette renamed a few and they have new meanings—theyre a bigger source of comfort for many now."

Nikai was glad that Greyback took the offer to visit the stones, and he followed suit, easily joining by Greyback's side when gestured to do so. Nikai was surprised to find that Stark was no longer here. He felt sorry for Valette that she had found and lost so many lovers. Greyback's prominent position in the pack made him curious for his position in it, and mostly what his position besides Valette really meant. While he wished Valette to be happy, Nikai was not sure if finding and losing someone new each year was the right way to process the losses that she had faced in her life.

Oh? No, she hasn't told me yet, Nikai said, and he wondered what their new meanings were. Can you tell me about it? He was looking forward to visiting his sister's grave, for it had been quite some time since he had visited here.