Moonspear graduation day

set for tomorrow afternoon.

Returning home felt like a breath of fresh air. While her journey with @Argent had been pleasant, she felt herself weary toward the end, itching to be back upon the slopes of Moonspear. As soon as they crossed the threshold, she kissed her lover goodbye, setting off to find @Fennec. She wanted to know more of what knowledge the witch possessed, and they had yet to catch up since the trio had come to live in the village.

Fennec, she said as she approached, aware of the woman's lack of sight. I am happy to catch you alone.

Fennec smirked at Sialuk’s comment, the wry expression coming without words though. It wasn’t exactly hard to find her alone these days; she remained that way by choice most of the time. But saying that to Sialuk likely wasn’t the best way of greeting an old friend. Especially one who accepted you into their home.

I’ve been exploring the mountain, some. I spent more time in the Glen before... well. All of that. Doubtless Sialuk would remember better than she would. She’d been laid up in the Caldera at the time.

Do you still tell fortunes? Despite her desire to not find connection here, there was a note of genuine curiosity to the question. It had been so long since Fennec had felt any desire or opportunity to practice the craft they used to share. She had fond memories of coercing Sialuk into gathering things for “rituals”… harmless, but also something she could reminisce on now. Things would have been so much different if she’d just stayed where she was.

Or maybe not.. No use wondering now.

Sialuk nodded, knowing. The strange storm had torn no fewer than two villages asunder. She was happy that the witch did not linger upon the memory, segueing easily into a happier one. Â, when the mood strikes. She had a plan to speak with them of Glaukos, to search for him with the spirits of her ancestors. The bones were less fortune tellers and more... a way of guiding the spirits, but there were many words for how she worked among cultures.

And you?

No. Not for… well. Not in a long time. She answered directly, shifting slightly as she did. It wasn’t exactly something she was proud of, but none of it held the same charm that it used to. At some point she’d lost most of her touch.

The mood isn’t something that comes much anymore, she added, figuring it couldn’t hurt to be a little honest. Of everyone here, Sialuk was the best bet on being able to help in this specific lack, and she was willing to take the chance.

Sialuk knew this feeling. A listlessness. A cloud lingered over Fennec’s spirit, she surmised. It had been difficult for Sialuk after the strange storm and once the duty of establishing Moonglow had been finished. She had fallen into a dark place, and it had taken many months to pull herself free from it. Whatever had brought Fennec here may have brought this shadow upon her.

If you wish to speak of it… she offered. They were not close, but perhaps that would nourish Fennec’s soul. An ear to listen outside of her innermost circle.

There’s nothing to say. If she knew she would, but Fennec had no idea really what caused it. It was likely a number of things weighing her down and flattening her beneath their combined pressure. She had no justification anymore for lying or pretending that she knew any better.

There’s no point pretending the future is something to look forward to. It never felt this dishonest before. Maybe there was something to talk about. Fennec added it quickly, intensely, before falling silent again.

She’d given positive and negative fortunes, tried to read signs in the world around her and ignored the ones she should have listened to most. She read what she wanted and not what was meant. Maybe she’d rather just go in blind than give herself any kind of false hope.

Sialuk knew. She knew what it was to feel as though time ahead was only darkness. It was hard to see her friend feel this way when Sialuk knew there was sunshine on the other side. The starwoman drew what wisdom she could from her time building Moonglow, her time away on her journey, and the time she had spent rebuilding Moonspear.

In order to feel happiness, I think we must endure the shadows, too. They are a time for reflecting and looking back, rather than racing ahead. It was only when Sialuk had truly had time to slow down that she had really come to terms with losing two of her closest family members—not to mention her home. It was a time of grief, and one she had put off for many months as she worked quickly to make sure that both she and her mother were safe and sound on the spine.

No offense, but I think that’s pretty bullshit. Some of us have shitty luck, and shitty friends, and we just have to live with that. I don’t think it’s any excuse to give up, but plenty of wolves live happily without having to deal with all of this. Sure, everyone had problems, but some got a hell of a lot more than others. It was all down to chance.

No amount of looking back changes that. There was nothing in her life she could change, so obviously she could only go forward. She wondered how Sialuk would take her bluntness, but wasn’t worried enough to soften it. A good test for it. Fennec could find out pretty quickly how she handled these sorts of conversations.

Sialuk frowned.

Do you know of one who has not known hardships? Sialuk asked. It is not a question you need answer to me. Perhaps those who appear happy are not what they seem, or perhaps they have worked to change themself rather than depend on luck and friends, she suggested. Sialuk did not wish to be harsh, but she knew what it was to feel as though the world was against her. She recalled a time when all she wished was for things to be easy. For parts of her life to be erased. For a fresh start.

We learn from things that happen to us. Some good, some bad. Sometimes more good, sometimes more bad. There is no power the spirits have to balance this, so we must listen and forge our own path as best as we can.

Well, she wasn’t knocked sideways or kicked from the pack, so Sialuk took insubordination better than someone like Niamh would have. She was actually damnably calm, which was… annoying. That had always been the case though. Fennec remembered it had always been frustrating trying to get a rise out of her when she’d trained her, the girl had been so earnest about it. Eventually she’d given up and taken to giving her pointless tasks instead.

Pointless tasks that she’d somehow actually carried out, though. Fennec hadn’t been at all serious about finding a crow companion, but hell if she hadn’t managed it.

Sometimes changing yourself is worse. At least I like who I am. Right after everything with Bronco, she hadn’t been sure who she hated more; him, or what she’d twisted herself into, trying to become what he needed her to be. It isn’t worth it, if they can’t appreciate all of you. Sometimes the best thing is to just cut your losses.

She couldn’t argue with the point about learning, though. There were a number of experiences she would absolutely trade if she had the chance to go back, but they’d all taught her something valuable in their own way. It was easier now to see that, with time.