Neverwinter Forest I name your mother and your father

Noe i ka Lani Kakahiaka finds herself away from the valley, away from the territory she swore to protect, and yet it does not cross her mind. Not even Reverie plagues her now.

She was brought to Forneskja and now stalks through it's territory with eyes that could only belong to a predator. There is something here, something to look for, and she intends to find it.

Land does not call her for no reason. No, not Hokulani. Maybe her brother, but not her. Puamele is made for this sort of life; one of adventure, of callings that he is made to answer. But she is a creature of impulse in comparison; a woman who acts without thinking. A hero responds with intent, a monster acts with no thought.

So then what is Hokulani?

íruna emerges from the frost-dappled trees, her silver and blue coat shimmering faintly beneath the filtered light. the presence in the air is undeniable—another has entered the glade, but not as a stranger. still, írúna’s lavender eyes narrow, sharp and assessing, as she approaches.

hokulani, she greets.

íruna tilts her head slightly, curiosity flickering behind her otherwise stoic demeanor.

A stranger approaches. They know the name Hokulani shared to the wolf who brought her, and yet Hokulani does not know theirs.

Her head tilts, a smile naturally settling upon her expression. Have we met? Her eyes upper corners are narrowed to match her friendly grin. The question is spoken in a tone that is nothing if not dripping with sweet honey.

And yet her heart speaks it with a malice that will not show through her gentle posture.

the sweetness of the other wolf’s tone does not disarm her, nor does the smile that curves her lips. írúna holds her ground, her own expression unreadable but tinged with quiet authority.

“no,” she is firm and resolute in her speech. “we have not met. i am írúna, læknir of hárkonungr's council.”

“but sólhárr has told me of you. he says you hold potential.” her tone softens slightly, but the edge remains. “and i would see that for myself.”

Her tail waves, unbothered by the stoicism of the other. So he speaks well of me? I'm glad! Her voice is accompanied by a sugar sweet giggle, youthful and joyous. You're all quite unwelcoming, I never would have known.

Backhanded, and yet she says it so kindly that it nearly could not possibly be taken as rude.

It is nice to meet you then, Iruna.

íruna inclines her head in a faint nod, her lavender gaze steady despite the honeyed edge in the stranger’s tone. she doesn’t offer more than a quiet sound of acknowledgment at first, letting the silence settle between them. then she shifts her weight, tail giving one measured sweep behind her.

if you’re as glad as you say, perhaps you’d care to prove it, she says, her voice calm but carrying a quiet challenge. i’d like to see what strength solharr sees in you. shall we spar?

she steps back just enough to give room, posture poised and unthreatening, yet undeniably ready. iruna waits, watching with a flicker of curiosity, wondering how this wolf will respond when words give way to action.

The girl's head tilts, her feet planted and smile unwavering. Is there something you can teach me? If not, then she sees no point to this. Neither will gain much of anything.

She waits for an answer, allowing a silence to settle once again.

Hokulani never cared for stoic figures; those who are unwilling to speak are completely uninteresting in her eyes. They give her little to say.

i have much to teach, should you have the discipline to learn, íruna intones. but if you seek only to measure the worth of those around you, rather than yourself, you will find no lessons here.

íruna turns sharply, her tail snapping behind her like a whip as she steps away, her irritation palpable. she does not glance back, though her narrowed eyes remain fixed ahead, her mind swirling with thoughts sharper than the edge of any blade.

surely sólhárr is aware of this girl's rudeness. she wonders bitterly, the frost of her emotions far colder than the snow crunching beneath her paws.

the gods must surely test her patience.

exit iruna

The woman gives her an answer, and Hokulani nearly laughs. Keeping her composure, her expression provides no insight. It never does.

She has been perfectly kind, her questions curious and fair. She spoke nothing of the other's worth; only questioned what there was to learn. Her internal thoughts were her own, they did not show. Whatever the other had been upset by had nothing to ground it.

These wolves are boring her. They are pitiful creatures, no sense of humour in them.