Northstar Vale The birth of a universe

For @Reiko - forward dated to next week, not crossing any borders :)

The wanderlust of the young queen washed over her like heavy rainfall. Of course, this would not mean the abandonment of her court. It would take a devastating storm to keep her from her duties and dreams, and even then she'd want to prevail and rise above it. It was the first in a long time setting foot outside the confines of the willows' branches, her form delicately ascending up the mountain that towered over their home. Her small frame meant a weight more manageable for the fragile rocks 'neath her feet, allowing her a safer and quicker passage than most.

It was near the top of the Sunspire mountain she spotted the Vale below; its rich vegetation a sight for soar eyes. Lumi remembered the Empress Reiko said they'd settled there, and wondered then if the coming of spring had meant their successful forming. Her court had not been given that treatment unfortunately, but the year was young and so was she.

Carefully did she descend down into the Vale. The scent of the Empire was strong, meaning that they had not left here. If the Empress was still around, surely this would be where she was. The Faerie Queen lifted her nose to the sky, letting out a friendly greeting to the one she considered at least an acquaintance.

For anyone reading and confused still - this is dated somewhere around June 6th, long after Reiko is escorted back with her puppies so it is dated far in the future! I will keep the events of her return vague since it has not begun IC!

Rarely did she leave the side of the puppies, she was careful to spend as little time away from them and only for necessary reasons such as keeping herself hydrated, fed, and the other bodily necessities that don't need to be mentioned. Walking around felt nice too when given the chance to regain some of her strength, she had spent a few days in Kaistleoki laying down and hidden away - it also felt nice to be pounds lighter again and start working on losing the "mom belly" she was certain @Takeshi found to be unsightly. 

This time her path to return to the den was interrupted by a howl - not one of a stranger at the borders, but of a familiar voice she had met once before. Certain it was Lumiya, the fairy queen herself who had come to visit, Reiko had to trust that @Awenfen was happy babysitting the children just a little longer for Reiko to go and greet their visitor. 

With her pace faster than a casual walk, she would use this moment to exercise a little and start building her stamina once again. This time it didn't take her a long time to make it to the call and greeted Lumiya with a sway of her tail and a warm smile. Lumiya! How wonderful of you to stop by~ Unlike the other mountain wolves, Lumiya was friendly and Reiko felt already much more confident in their abilities to form an alliance with the fairy court. To what do I owe the pleasure?

The fae patiently sat back on her haunches as she waited, tail gently sweeping the floor. She knew that, even if the empress wasn't home, someone would come and greet her and perhaps tell her to come back another day to meet with her again. It was simply boredom that had brought her to the borders of the empire after all, so there would be no hard feelings if she did not have the time to sit down for a chat. Lumi would find some other way to amuse herself.

It was when thinking this that she saw another approach. On closer inspection, she recognized Reiko in the blizzard of a woman that came strutting her way. Her smile widened as she stood up to greet the Empress with the usual bow, elated that she sounded so excited to see her. A pleasure to meet with you again, Reiko. She replied sweetly, tip-toeing a happy dance before sitting down again. Wandering brought me in the area, so I thought I'd stop by. I hope my timing is convenient.

Likewise, Lumiya. Dipping her head in respect to her fellow leader, even though the greyscale woman was from another pack, Reiko still saw her as nothing less than a fellow leader. Kindhearted, and Reiko could appreciate that. Unlike the mountain wolves, Reiko felt at ease with the possibility of an alliance with the fairies of the weeping woods.

Absolutely! I just returned from visiting our sister pack, your timing couldn't be any better. Would you like a tour while you're here? A rest before you head back out, some food perhaps? It always seemed too prudent to be talking to even a possible ally at the border like some estranged nobody. It felt right to treat Lumiya as a guest and a welcomed one at that than to simply have her sit here at the borders.

So long as she was with the Empress, no one should think it strange to have a visitor walking around with the pale woman.

She'd only ever been welcomed so openhearted by the court of olds, and she was surprised at Reiko's proposal - her offering. Though Lumiya held no ill intent, on the contrary really, she had not expected trust to come so easily. Perhaps this was a remnant of her past, as the Melonii clan rarely trusted anyone that came from somewhere that wasn't their own. She'd always found it odd. When treated kindly, strangers were often the best friends you could ever make.

A sister pack, she said! Now, that sounded very interesting. The queen of faes wondered if she'd encountered this sister pack already without knowing it. She reserved the information for later, not wanting to sound disinterested in Reiko's own empire. Oh, you're too generous! But if it really is no bother, that does sound lovely. She answered humbly, a slight blush 'neath the dark fur of her cheeks.

As Lumiya accepted the offer, Reiko was quick to bounce around and start trotting in the direction of the gardens. She had to show the pretty queen of fairies the flowers they had! She was so proud of her garden, of all the exotic plants she kept bringing back whenever possible and waiting hopefully for them to bloom here too. Wonderful! I will show you my favorite spot~ With the elegance she found in shedding the weight of the extra little bodies weighing down her midsection, Reiko twisted and danced as she waited for Lumiya to follow. 

How is the Court coming along? Excited to add another ally to the list, one that was so close too! Reiko was excited to hear how the fairies were coming along in their journey to forming within the realm of the weeping trees.

Though she felt slightly awkward being invited in so generously, she was pretty curious as to what the court had made of the already beautiful vale. Her visit to this place had been brief before, needing to travel far and wide before settling, so she hadn't had the time to soak in every little wonder. It smelled different now, the scent of the empire strong as it should be. She'd not forget this scent easily.

She followed behind the empress, head whipping from side to side as she looked around a bit. Better than before - but we're not ready yet. We need some more members if we want to stay around for good. She answered truthfully. Lumi was someone between a realist and an optimist. She was fairly certain she'd get her wish someday, but was realistic enough to know that that day wouldn't come tomorrow nor without hard work being put into it.

She was so happy to show off the Empire to anyone who was trusting enough to be guided through, to show how beautiful and strong they were - and keep their shadows at bay from the guests in hopes of looking stronger than ever. No good would come from their personal turmoil being brandished for the public eye, this would only strengthen the rumors about them outside their mountainous walls. 

Lumiya was open enough to talk about her own kingdom too, it brought a smile to the Empress' already bright features. It's best to take your time and gather trustworthy members than to rush and have a weak base to build upon. Which is something she thought of often, did they rush too quickly to build the Empire and thus brought all this harm upon themselves unknowingly? 

Perhaps, if you'll have me, I can visit again once my puppies are old enough~ Once old enough that they didn't need her at their side always, and could be watched over by trustworthy members, Reiko looked forward to traveling and solidifying some alliances with new packs. Starting with Lumiya's court, of course, being so close by. 

As they walked one of the small bodies of water came into view, the white woman's pace only quickened lightly as she danced her way toward it, pride filling her chest as she looked back to Lumiya. Look~ The water lilies are in bloom, they are all over the place in the vale. All different colours!

She followed, silently soaking in the elegance of the land. It almost didn't feel like this realm anymore - neither of their queendoms did. Perhaps these were the places touched by something ancient, perhaps the very spirit they requested guidance and cleansing from - They had no name, no form, but Lumi saw them as Nature itself, holding the hands of fate.

Perhaps I am too trusting already, but it is so hard to see ill intentions when all you want to discover is the good in someone else. She near-sung distractedly. Why not could a cold-blooded killer change their ways after being offered kindness and respect? Why not could she mend what had been broken? In the end there was no black nor white - she was no saint, and though there was sin, she didn't believe in sinners.

Her thoughts returned to the subject at hand, a smile appearing on her face. You're a mother now? How exciting! They must be fairly new to this world, hm? She replied, genuinely happy for Reiko. She was unsure if she wanted children herself, as there were many who'd be much greater at the job than she - besides, she had the court to run. They were all her children. And of course, you're more than welcome. If we can form before midsummer, you and your wolves can even join our festival!

She observed the fastening pace of the empress for a moment, but quickly fluttered along. She saw it too then; the multicolored lilies, drifting like tiny faerie ships. Oh my! We don't have something like this back in our forest!