Whitefish River but I stay outside his reach

@Solharr

Hokulani had wandered off her course, disobeyed, and yet nobody was here to scold her. She was alone.

Calm eyes and blank expression, she stared ahead. In her mind, the only way was forward.

Something in the wilderness called to her; it made her muscles tense and her throat itch. Claws digging into the ground, she soon lifted them to move forward. The girl was eager to answer.

sólhárr stood in the steaming waters, the warm currents soothing the ache of battle and travel. his dark, muscular form was half-submerged, golden eye half-lidded in contemplation. the waters had nearly masked the approach of another until the soft crunch of pawsteps met his ears.

he lifted his head sharply, water dripping from his auburn mane, as his gaze fell upon the woman. she was thin, young, and unfamiliar, her steps purposeful, her expression unreadable.

his brow arched slightly, a flicker of irritation crossing his features before he pushed it aside.

he announced his presence with a grumble.

The sound of another met Hokulani's ears, and her head twisted to meet the face of its source.

A thick-furred man, auburn and far larger than herself, entered Hokulani's sights. With the softening of her posture and suddenly doe-eyed face, she may as well have transformed into a cherub before him.

Oh dear, I hope I haven't interrupted. She mimics the voice of her mother, kind and unassuming. The man's scent is not strong enough for him to have laid a claim here. She sees no threat; this is only for the joy her acts bring her.

sólhárr’s golden eye narrowed slightly as the girl's voice met his ears, soft and sweet as a breeze, but uninvited all the same. he exhaled sharply, a huff that sent a brief ripple over the surface of the steaming waters.

no, he replied simply, though the edge in his tone carried a weight that might have discouraged lingering, if not for her unabashed demeanor. his thick frame shifted in the water, auburn fur clinging damply to his sides, and for a moment he wondered if another bath would be necessary. the thought earned a subtle twitch of his ear.

he tilted his head slightly, studying her with a skeptical gaze. what are you doing here? his question was direct, blunt, and carried an undertone of mild irritation, though not enough to suggest she was in immediate trouble. he would need to assess the situation further—this interruption already a potential headache if jealousy brewed in callyope’s heart.

he held her gaze, waiting for her answer with a patience that teetered on impatience, his stance clearly stating that his time was not something to waste.

A strange man; possessive of land which was not his own. Hokulani's tail shifted as she pondered what was to be done here. He was too old for her tastes, a man while she was a girl, so her usual song and dance was out of the question.

Hōkūlani Halu. She offered her name, though he had not asked. It felt polite. I have no purpose here, really. Only wandering through. Her tail waved low, a quiet sign of deference.

She had nowhere to go, and nowhere to be. The land ahead, it calls to me. She spoke, nodding her head towards the horizon. What do you know of it?

sólhárr’s frame stiffened, his single golden eye narrowing as he regarded the woman before him. she was young, soft in a way that marked her as unseasoned, though her name rolled off her tongue with a practiced confidence.

the land ahead, he began, his voice a low rumble, is my home. the domain of forneskja.

he let the weight of his words hang in the air, his gaze steady as he took a slow step forward, claiming the space between them with his presence. it is not for wandering through.

his head tilted slightly, appraising her with quiet curiosity. why does it call to you, hōkūlani halu? he asked, his tone carrying an edge of suspicion but not unkind. he would hear her answer, for the land did not call to just anyone.

Her head tilted as he spoke. The low wave of her tail did not cease, her doe-eyes unshifting from his single sunshine slate. His home or not, Noe i ka Lani Kakahiaka would get her way one way or another.

How can I know if I do not go? She smiled, eyes sparkling with the energy of a youth who craved to learn. You will take me, won't you? Her smile turned into a cheerful grin, her paws tapping and dancing with pure excitement.

She would behave. Nothing would be taken, not a single strand of fur would be shifted. Hokulani was a smart girl; she knew better than to be cruel outright.

sólhárr huffed, his single golden eye narrowing as he studied her. the boundless cheer she exuded felt misplaced against the frostbitten backdrop of his world. his gaze was sharp, cutting through her cheerful grin as if searching for something deeper, something tangible.

hmph, he muttered, the sound heavy with skepticism. his tail flicked once, a deliberate gesture of challenge. he let the silence hang between them for a moment before speaking, his voice low and measured. what can you offer? forneskja is not for dreamers.

his gaze lingered, unyielding as he waited for her answer. she would need more than energy and charm to convince him. this was his home, his domain, and it demanded more than just eagerness from those who sought to tread its sacred ground.

Hokulani's facade was well crafted, impenetrable. It had broken once and she had learned her lesson, reinforcing as she picked up the pieces and put herself back together. Those who wished to look further would find nothing; only the version of herself which she wished to be seen.

My father taught me to fight, he was the son of a chief. She spoke, recalling a story told by her brother. Puamele was far closer to their father, and far more interested in his silly stories than she ever was. I have been taught midwifery, too. Now she took from her mother. Hokulani had no such skills; but she could speak with the gaze of one who was genuine.

She had no intention of staying in this man's territory for long. Eventually she would need to return to Reverie; this was only a detour. But I am young, I can learn whatever can be taught.

sólhárr listened to her words, his single golden eye fixed on her with an intensity that seemed to weigh the truth of every syllable. his ears flicked as she mentioned her father, a chief’s son, and the training she claimed to have received. the mention of midwifery, however, caused a faint shift in his expression—almost a flicker of amusement, though it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

we have healers, he said simply, his tone even. midwives, medics, seiðkona. enough to care for the sick and welcome new life. what forneskja lacks is not in the art of healing but in strength.

he rose then, towering above her, his broad frame casting a long shadow over the snow. if you say you’ve been taught to fight, i believe. learn if you must, but earn your place through action, not words.

his gaze swept over her, assessing, before softening just slightly. you’re young, and forneskja can teach those willing. warriors are forged through struggle. fight for us, and you’ll find your worth here. refuse, and there’s nothing more to say.

he stepped back, allowing her space, his tail swaying once in a measured motion. decide quickly. the mountains do not wait for the hesitant.

The wave in her tail returned now, a smile spreading onto Hokulani's face. I decided what I wanted well before speaking to you. She skipped ahead now, the bounce never leaving her step.

Looking over her shoulder, she met his gaze. You haven't told me your name. Rather rude of him, she thought. It seems important if you intend for me to fight for you, hm?

Her words were honey, sweet but would rot your teeth nonetheless. Hokulani was a fighter, she always had been, but not for this man. She would agree for the time being, if only to poke through his territory as she pleased.

the chieftain huffed. this girl had a charm that made him sick. he wished to be with callyope instead, against her plush body where she'd pile kisses upon him until he was laid to rest.

sólhárr. he said simply, finding her tone too seductive for a woman who truly knew how to fight. he doubted her, certainly, and she kept crawling back. he knew better than to pick up strays, but the gods willed him.

come.

She was pleased to skip after him; a well-behaved little soldier prepared to march into battle with all of her enthusiasm.

For a moment as she fell behind him, a smile that was truly genuine. When it came to Noe i ka Lani Kakahiaka, that was not something you wanted. It was devious, cruel, and all too pleased with herself. She allowed it to fade after a moment of indulgence - keeping it a secret just for herself to enjoy.

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