Ouroboros Spine There are many places a spirit may rest

Tagg is here to visit his friend @Shikoba ... and possibly to sing a song for the Moonglow wolves! ^^

Singing filled the air. It was a song of excitement and adventure, one that urged the Taggerung to continue forward.

The bard was most certain that he had found the pack that Shikoba had told him about. She had described the pack Moonglow as being a home that was guarded by steep stone. The smell of flowers was not nearly as powerful as he had expected, but the Taggerung did not doubt he had discovered Shikoba’s home.

The Taggerung was specifically confused how one was to enter the Moonglow pack. He had no intention of marching through. Even Tagg knew better than to abuse the friendship he had made with Shikoba.

When he had found an area that was not quite as heavily marked by their scent, he called out to Shikoba and called as well to Kukutux, wondering if he could get the beautiful queen of Moonglow to humor him for a short while.

eee!!

shikoba is fulfilling her role as a guardian in self-training as she makes her way to the borders once again to answer a call that is sent for her. though, this time her arrival is less professional and holds more excitement. a bounce in her step, a happy yip as a form of greeting, tail wagging and a wolfy grin on her face. a friend has paid their end of the deal.

"taggerung, shikoba happy to see you" she says happily, coming to stand at the edge of the border that separates moonglow from the outside world. he visits sooner than she expected, but she is none the less appreciative of him keeping his word to the native. to her, that means that he is worth more than she originally thought when she met him. no longer just a bard, but rather a loyal friend. "come to see moonglow?"

Passing the time was a breezy thing.

The Taggerung filled the air with odd verses and hums that did nothing to tell a compelling story but did fill him with a creative sense of purpose. Rightfully so, when the pale shape of Shikoba appeared in his line of sight, he ceased all merry making and stood with a wildly flagging tassel.

Madam Shikoba! the Taggerung greeted her, joyful, thrilled.

The bard then spun in a circle, tail wagging hard enough to sway his narrow hips.

I have indeed come to see Moonglow. It is well hidden, as you said. Look at these walls of stone! Impenetrable, I must say, he went on in such a way, looking to the ring of mountain that housed the pack.

You’ll show me around, yes? the Taggerung asked of her with an expectant gaze.

his excitement is practically intoxicating as shikoba and the coy man close the distance with each other. his words are listened to carefully, shikoba feels pride for her home grow as the taggerung is quick to compliment the claim of moonglow. when his question comes, she nods her head before she lifts her head to bring news to @Kukutux and @Sialuk in order to ensure that the taggerung is not met with hostility. hopefully the rest of the pack may hear her message as well to avoid any misconceptions.

"a friend has come to visit, he is under my guidance."

with her message flowing, she offers a smile to the man. "much to see, taggerung. moonglow welcomes you." there were many places the warrior woman wished to show the taggerung, but she knows that a few places may remain off-limits until stated otherwise, consdering the turmoil currently in the territory. "first, taggerung see lake in middle of moonglow, the one that sparkles."

she encourages him to follow her towards the heart of the territory, where they may share any recent news in each other's lives after a few moons apart.

The bard returned her smile at once. Tagg could not help the excitement he felt. Moonglow had been described lovingly by Shikoba. There was no greater joy, no higher honor than to be shown a home that meant so much. 

The lake, the lake, oh we cannot miss the lake, the Taggerung chimed as he fell into step at her side. It was a fine day to be escorted into Moonglow. The clouds had parted to reveal sunshine, no matter how fleeting it might have been. Every breeze carried with it the touch of summer's warmth. 

Taggerung looked to Shikoba, curiosity brimming. How have you been, madam, since we last saw each other?

his curiosity and excitement are contagious to the older woman as she guides him through moonglow's sacred land. however, she simply cannot blame him for excitement -- she'd be excited too if it was her first time entering a new land that was described so highly -- and thankfully, the lake is not far away from them. upon his question, shikoba wonders what exactly she could tell him. she wasn't sure if the recent situation with kiliatuk was an open conversation, so she decided to gloss over it. 

"shikoba stay in moonglow, not travel much. protecting borders important because kukutux is pregnant." this would help provide a reason as to why the duck herself would not be present in this tour. the noticeable changes of the younger woman's body made it very clear that shikoba would have to be on guard for anything that could happen. the newest brood to join moonglow would need all the love and support in the world. "how about taggerung?" 

once his answer is spoken, the two would soon reach the heart and crown jewel of moonglow. the water is sparkling today as the the lake ripples gently from the summer breeze. dragonflies dance over the surface as the chorus of fauna echoes around the lake. it is full of life. she turns her head to her friend. "Anik lake, kukutux calls it. lots of fish and good for swims."

Hm, yes! Rightfully so, the bard exclaimed at her answer. It was only right for those most dutiful to their packs to remain near when children were expected. The Taggerung felt a momentary pang for home and for the smiling faces of his siblings.

Oh, me? I’ve only been meeting with a few of the natives, see. The wolves here are all quite charming, he answered her question with a cheery smile and wave of his tail.

Shikoba led them on until they had reached the edge of a marvelous lake, water glittering at the touch of the sun.

Anik lake, Tagg repeated, bending to sniff at where the waters lapped to shore. Shikoba stated that it was a fine lake for fishing and for swimming. At this, the bard turned toward her and beamed. I think today’s a fine day to swim, what about you, Madam Shikoba?

With a merry bounce, the Taggerung was swallowed by the water.

Just a little cameo unless they come over to him.

 

Aiolos was content to lay at the shoreline of the great lake, closing his eyes and trying to pretend that he could feel the spray of the sea, that he could feel the gritty sand under his toes and hear the sound of the waves crashing out in front of him.

His reverie is disturbed only by the sounds of others, his packmates, he would obviously presume. One wolf, as they came into view along the lake out a distance from him, he did not think he knew. Of course, Aiolos had yet to make one on one conversation with everyone here but he at least knew their look, their scent. He, Aiolos did not. However he was with their scarred warrior and so, Aiolos has trust in this and remains at ease.

oop didn't realize i shadow posted!

the warrior woman is happy to join taggerung in the water, thankfully she swims as strongly as the seals do. with gentle strokes, she wades herself around before growing content with the coolness as she returns to shore. though, as shikoba walks over the wet sand, she takes notice to the lion man that lays not too far from her and the coy. despite never sharing a word with him, she knows that he is important and rules with kukutux. she has heard his name dropped a few times, but has truly never seen him face to face. despite it all, so long as he is in moonglow, he deserves respect.

she turns her head back to taggerung as she speaks quietly for a moment. "kukutux's husband," she says "name aiolos, rules with kukutux. the new father." should the bard be happy to visit other moonglow members, then shikoba would steer him in the direction of the flamed one. if not, then she would take taggerung through the grove to visit grandfather stone instead.

The swim was splendid and filled the bard with a cool sense of ease, one that he rather enjoyed. When the Taggerung had finished his swim, cool to his core, he paddled to the shores and shook his golden pelt free of the loose droplets.

Shikoba was speaking of someone. Tagg perked his ears, eyes searching until they landed on the male just in the distance. The bard regarded him with a lolled tongue and wildly crooked grin.

We ought to say hello, yes? the Taggerung inquired of Shikoba in a whisper that was much too loud. The man was a new father, too. There was nothing more exciting than to hear the joys of early parenthood. From what Shikoba had said of Kukutux, the man was lucky.

ack apologies for the late post ;-;

with the taggerung open to using his manners, shikoba smiles at him and then guides the duo towards the lion man resting. now that she thinks about it, it would be wise to introduce herself truly to him. on occasion she would run into him, such as with the birthing of his twin daughters. but now, there was no excuse to not be familiar with his presence, his scent, his nature.

a loud chuff leaves her throat, a polite greeting towards the flame. she hopes that she does not disturb his presence with the coyman beside her. hopefully, aiolos feels relief in having his brood in the world with the loving presence of the pack behind him and kukutux.

He could see them drawing nearer as they rounded the lake bed. Next to the short and stocky Shikoba the other was taller, but thin and wiry and did not look particularly all wolf. It may have been his color too which gave way, but there was little mistaking the coyote in his genes. A crooked grin and a squinted eye he wore and Aiolos lifted from his lay and into a sit as they drew nearer.

Hello Shikoba. While they knew one another and had spoken time to time, this would be the first they would share actual common tongue beyond wolf language. I see you've brought a guest? Obviously, and he held no question of judgement in his tone. Only that it might open the floor for introduction of this visitor.

Shikoba was polite about her movements, so the Taggerung was certain that he was too. Each step, though made with the standard Taggerung sway, was delicately placed despite his lean frame. As a guest to the Moonglow terrain, the bard did not wish to make a bad name for himself.

Once arrived, the wolf named Aiolos was quick to greet his pack member first and then address the guest to their lands second.

The Taggerung grinned happily at the handsome shape of the young man. He looked the type to be a father, was all that the bard could think. Some men were just made to raise children. Of course, Tagg really didn’t know the gentleman across from him.

Greetings, your lordship! I am the Taggerung. Shikoba says that you are called Aiolos and that you rule this pack with Kukutux, yes? Good on you, sir, very good indeed.

A laugh followed his introduction.

aiolos is quick to greet them, shikoba is sure to lower her position and nod her head to his question. "a friend" she says politely as she listens to the coy man introduce himself with a flutter of laughter. "taggerung sung for moonglow once, kukutux would enjoy his music." hopefully, aiolos and his moon woman would enjoy the bard and his nature at some point. but until then, the tour must remain rather focused with a few pitstops here and there.

sulfur eyes glide over aiolos for a moment softly. and a voice even quieter leaves her mouth."is kukutux well? the puppies?" a voice laced with concern. shikoba feels a certaina ffinity towards the duck, heavily lined with a sense of duty and protection, the woman gave shikoba a place to rest peacefully, now she must ensure she does the same for not only her, but everyone else here who resides in moonglow.

A friend... The Greek's gaze sweeps between them both only to land on the visitor as he introduces himself. One corner of his lips turn upward into a smirk to the high and mighty 'your lordship' which Taggerung gives. Moonglow was far from any Empire, but a small memory of the King and Queen which once ruled Moonspear. The village of Moonglow was far more humble.

That she is right. He nods, chuckling which mimicked the man's own laughter as he then turned back to Shikoba. I am certain that she would. There is always more room for song, dance and storytelling in Moonglow. He agreed, thinking upon all these things which he himself knew little of.

Aiolos was a simple man, who grew up with a simple mindedness- fight for the right to breed, fight to eat and thus, live. Being 'simple' was a man's place where he had come from. A man being a singer, a historian, healer or seer of the Gods, these were typically skills only woman were blessed with. Knowledge, not just brute force.

All is well, He then adds gently, meant to ease the mind of the sentinel. Sialuk and I try to offer Kukutux much rest, even for herself, when the pups do not demand her milk. @Sialuk was a very devoted sister and where Aiolos had once worried she might think of him to replace her father, it would so appear that the presence of her new sisters helped Sialuk much.