Moonspear stargazing

@Sialuk @Njord

The night sky stretched on endlessly. Chenoa kept a sharp eye on the trees and jagged cliffs as she climbed up the mountain. This terrain was no stranger to her, but she had learned that enemies often used blind spots to their advantage. Every crack of a twig made her flinch, and she pricked her ear at every raven's caw. 

When she reached the edge of the mountainside, Chenoa was hit with the scents of wolves. A large resident pack had made their claim here. She let out a non threatening howl, and held her breath while she waited for a reply. Too long had she traveled along, with nothing but memories of a pack to call home. 

She looked up at the stars that illuminated the sky. There were too many to count. Was her sister there, watching over her?

The early days of summer stretched, pleasant and uneventful. Some of those who’d gone to pitch in at the island still had yet to return. Although Meerkat worried about her mother and Sialuk being away so long, she knew Sweetharbor’s need of them must be great.

Another hot July day darkled into a warm night. Njord and Meerkat curled up near the pups at the rendezvous site, everyone quite happy to sleep beneath the stars. When a low howl drifted up from the base of the mountain, Meerkat glanced over to see her mate fast asleep, a daughter tucked on either side. She smiled, quietly found her feet and went down to see who called.

There was a black she-wolf standing patiently near the borders. Meerkat was neither guardian nor leader, though she strode toward the stranger with confidence, feeling protective of her home but open-minded toward this late night caller.

Hello, she said upon reaching the swarthy woman. What brings you to Moonspear at this hour?

She was approached by a hazel wood colored stranger, who Chenoa assumed to be an established occupant of the mountain. Moonspear. That was the name the envoy spoke of of. Fitting, for a mountain that reached so high into the sky, she decided. Chenoa averted her gaze submissively as she spoke. I am a traveler, looking for something permanent. I was wondering if my skills would be useful here. She paused, flattening her ears. If I'm a disturbance here, I'll uh- leave.

She was a traveler, ready to settle down and take root. Meerkat didn’t doubt she possessed skills of some sort, otherwise she wouldn’t be alive. But she wondered, what had brought her to Moonspear specifically? Had she come here deliberately or was it just a matter of chance?

Tell me about yourself, starting with your name. What are your skills? What made you choose Moonspear? Meerkat queried.

Chenoa cursed herself silently as she realized that she hadn't introduced herself properly. Chenoa Nahimana, I hail from the pack of Lightfall. Her voice cracked with grief as she spoke her previous pack's name. Chenoa remined herself that she could never return, and even if she did, she wouldn't find her pack the same. Shaking her fur, as if to shake of the sadness clinging to her, Chenoa considered what skills she should speak of. She had worked with her healer sister to treat ill wolves before, so she felt that was a noteworthy inclusion. I can heal, gather herbs and berries. I can also hunt, a bit. She had stayed alive by hunting small hares and fish, nothing impressive, but still Chenoa found it important to mention. The final question, why the Moonspear. This place... it's a little like my home up North. The mountains, the trees, everything was different and similar all the same.

Meerkat heard the grief in Chenoa’s voice when she mentioned her former pack. Something awful must have happened, the counselor intuited. She didn’t ask and the woman offered no further detail. Perhaps, if she came to live in this village, Meerkat could counsel her.

Those are valuable skills, she acknowledged with a friendly smile. We have a couple healers here but we can never have too many. At least, that’s my opinion. On that note, I’m not actually a leader here. But since I’m the one who’s available right now, I’d like to welcome you to stay in our healing ulaq. You may stay there until one of the leaders is available to speak with you.

Motioning for Chenoa to follow her, Meerkat led the way to the hollowed tree that served as Moonspear’s medicine den. It always smelled the part, though if Chenoa was a healer, she was probably used to it. The envoy came to a halt just outside the entrance.

Our head, @Sialuk, is away, Meerkat said, but she should be back soon. I’ll have her come find you when she returns, unless my husband, Njord, gets to you first. Either way, please make yourself at home. If you need anything in the meantime, you can call for me. My name is Meerkat.

Chenoa's mood lifted as she followed Meerkat through the forest. She smelled the familiar scent of herbs as she entered the hollow tree den. The place reminded her of her sister. Chenoa was sure that however she missed her sibling, she was watching over her from the skies above. The supplies in the medicine den were well arranged, a perfect stock to work with. Thank you, Meerkat. Chenoa would wait here until one of the leaders came to find her, and to make a decision. This is a really lovely home you've got here. Perhaps it would also be hers.

It is, she agreed brightly, and you’re welcome.

Meerkat looked around the dim interior of the ulaq, finding it cozy. It was a space intended to comfortably accommodate multiple patients as well as whatever medicines they needed, so it was spacious. It was a rather nice place to stay, the smells aside.

I have to get back to my mate and children. Good night, Chenoa.

Meerkat dipped her head, then turned. Perhaps it was too trusting of her to room a perfect stranger alongside the pack’s medicine stores. But the envoy sensed Chenoa would do no harm. After the briefest hesitation, she headed back up to the rendezvous site.

Njord’s player is actually away on vacation, so I’d tap Sialuk’s player to arrange a thread to get her formally accepted! In the meantime, I will request a TBD rank on your behalf. :)

Alr. Sorry for the wait, I have been kind of overwhelmed lately.

Having nested down on a small but comfortable pile of feathers, Chenoa simply nodded in gratitude. Children, she spoke of. Chenoa once would have been excited by the idea of new pups to bring gifts to, but now she didn't know how well she would do around them. For now, once Meerkat had left the den, she simply put her thoughts aside to get some much needed rest.