Northstar Vale Under Seven Skies

aw. preferably someone she hasn't met!

Breath pale against the numbing air, she blinked thoughtfully as the frost patiently kissed her face, captivated by the soft, dusty illusions of light that sat heavy on her nose. She adored the snow, more so when it was falling. It was one of those soothing moments that she realized the eve of her third year approached rapidly. She survived yet another year, the first year without her immediate family.
 
Agana couldn’t help but wonder; how were they? Did they think about her? More importantly, did they survive this year like she did? Winters were harsh where she came from, small and frail wolves wouldn’t make the first month sometimes. Her parents were surely devastated by the news of their daughters’ disappearance; she could only imagine the disappointed look on their face, the fear and worry in their eyes as they searched for her; if they even did.
 
Quiet and alone, she padded through the vale, searching for a high peak to admire the navy stain above her; golden gaze lifted to her surroundings, letting the bitter wind brush her warm grey body.

Once again, Gracious found herself quietly nestled in the vale, seemingly alone from interaction with others. It had been peaceful so far, quiet was something Gracious adored. Though it was in these quiet times that the monochromatic woman found herself thinking about her like, reflecting the same as Agana. She was going to be 6 this year, what did she have to offer? She would bear no children, for there was no mate to call her own. Gracious sometiems felt like she was a failure at times for not seemingly providing the world with more wolves in the Wilds she called home. Yet, at some points, she had to cut herself some slack. Life was never giving to everyone, often it would play tricks and make sure some had time to suffer.

She had moved from her spot, in search of peace through a walk to clear her head. She told herself that she wouldn't want to live with regrets, that life was just going to be too short for that to happen. Yet, it still gnawed at her bones to weaken her body, her soul, her heart. However, luck seemed to surround her this night, for she found herself not alone. A female, similar in color yet still different, lurked around as well. Gracious chuffed, a greeting to the other.

"Searching for something?" she asked thoughtfully, hoping to grab the other's attention.

In a blast, she remembered the moment she shared with the dark stranger not so long ago; she still felt his warm, black nose on her cold, pale cheek. His intoxicating smell surely had gone by now, but she could still feel it on her. But she thought of the pearl as well. Her lips, her petite white body, her everything; but there was no room for such feelings between them; it was clear she did not feel the same towards her. The duck was meant to become a mother, and she was meant to wander alone, in the dark.
 
Her ears twitched as her golden gaze turned to see a monochrome woman approaching. Her scent was of the Court; her body relaxed a bit at the realization. “Yes actually,” she looked around to the trees, before her gaze turned to her again. “I’m looking for a place to stargaze.” her knowledge of stars was limited, but enough to teach another of them; and she longed for someone to share her love for stars, for their meaning.
 
“Are you searching for something aswell?” The black and white image before her was chilling; a giant, in truth; she would lie if she said she was not a bit intimidated. Of course most would judge her for her size, but Agana could only empathize with her; she would look down at most of her packmates, even her cousin. The fog had lived for so long; it was the eve of her first year and her parents were not even aware of each others existence.

And she was intrigued; who was this majestic monochrome woman? She looks at her as in a mirror; both ashes of what needed to be, but never was. Ashes upon ashes, covered by a mask, for no one could see her flaws then; her mistakes; her true self; frail and damaged. Only the burning gold in her eyes broke the monochrome norm; her liquid gaze that settled upon the strangers pale vision, awaiting her response.

Gracious' eyes had a special talent for seeing beautiful things in even the most dark or ugly places or animals. However, her eyes worked effortlessly once something caught her attention. It was the golden glimpse of Agana's eyes. A peculiar shade of everchanging sunlight, Gracious had to admit she felt a bit jealous considering that no color has existed on her body except for black, white, and grey. The two certainly came off similar in the sense of color, though size was an obvious difference.

As for the search, Gracious wasn't sure what she as after. Peace was an everlasting search, though she had found her moments of it with her other packmates. Aiolos was a treasure of a boy, she hoped th strike up another conversation with him. Andraste, she hadn't had the chance to speak with her often, but she hoped her Undomiel was doing fine. Many others, she wished to talk more. But tonight, Gracious couldn't pinpoint the exact reason for her wandering. "I wouldn't know in all honesty, peace at best. But I can find that anywhere if I try hard enough. If you don't mind the extra company, I'd love to join you to admire the stars above us. It has been awhile since I've gazed up"

She had stargazed before, a long time ago when she first entered these Wilds. Delight had shared a night with her, perhaps Jomyo too. It was a faint memory, but she did remember a few constellations, and certain phases of the moon. Perhaps, her and Agana could share more, if the invitation was available to Gracious; she didn't like assuming what others thought, though she had little doubt that the friendly woman would turn her away. Stars had a strange way of connectiong wolves, through a cultural aspect with legends of constellations to simply understanding what stars were and how they could be used.

“Of course.” The woman lowered her head and signed the other to join her side. It was true some would mistake her friendly demeanor for being naïve, which wasn’t entirely a lie. Agana liked to see the good in others, and will give anyone a chance unless someone filled her mind with lies (or truths) of them. The golden-eyed lion turned to her counterpart as she padded gracefully through the woods.
 
“Tell me, what do you know about the stars?” She was curious; the monochrome woman stated she had not gazed up in a long time, and she wanted to know what she knew of the stars. Agana loved to watch them since she was a whelp, since she was known as Malena. The love for the skies was the only thing she kept from her previous identity. The grey female vaguely remembered how she used to leave the protection of the den while her family was sleeping to see the tiny sparkles on the sky.
 
There were not many who shared the love for them even the slightest; and she hoped by expressing her desire to learn more about them, other would come out as well. Maybe, just maybe, she would find someone to talk all night about them. Golden gaze focused on the silver eyes of the other woman.