Moonspear The Wolverine

The whale wolf continued on. He had hunted many things yet still required more. He had decided to seek the wolverine within mountains of Moonspear. A place of much rock and crevice and he had smelt the creatures here before yet never sought to pursue them. 

Now he did so. His nose to the wind and on his search he noticed how very little the smell of others came to him. Many trails seemed stale and the lack of his eldest sister's presence one not to easily mistaken. Moontide had fallen. Had Moonspear too? 

Worry plagued Arrluk. It seemed all too familiar now and he found himself scenting for both pack and prey, as it were.

She wasn’t angry with her father. But she was hurt. She had the presence of mind to retreat from the situation for the moment, lest she lash out and say something she might regret. It meant abandoning Sialuk’s ulaq for the upper reaches of the mountain, though Treepie didn’t think her anaa would mind if she knew why her daughter clung to the peak.

From her high perch, she spotted a figure winding along a footpath further down the slope. Tiuttuk immediately recognized his striking markings, though she couldn’t quite place his name. He was one of those relatives she’d seen at various family gatherings over time—and she remembered playing with him once, as a very young puppy—but they only knew each other in passing.

Treepie exhaled and began to descend toward him, offering a somewhat lackluster, Greetings, as she came closer.

Hello, niece. He greeted when he heard her speak to him and come pacing into his direction. Like her, he didn't quite remember his niece's name. There was a great many of them after all! He felt it was like pie something or another. Yet he did remember her by the striking markings she wore, as she remembered himself for the same reason. 

I hope you don't mind my visit. I've smelt wolverine here before when I stayed. I've come to hunt one down, as a part of Ajei's brideprice. Maybe if the pack was dwindling here, having his presence for a time would be appreciated. Maybe if after all, he would come to find out she needed a new place among more family in Moonglow.

Her lip twitched when he referred to her by her title. Perhaps he didn’t remember her name either, which smoothed any sheepishness she might have felt over the matter. Despite the shadow on her spirit, she managed a small smile for him, a bob of her head and twitch of her tail to acknowledge their familial bonds.

He said a couple interesting things after that, which earned a contemplative look from Tiuttuk. She folded her haunches and took a seat, head tilting to one side. He was betrothed to Ajei? Did she know Ajei? Regardless, the mention of romance was a tantalizing distraction, as was the idea of hunting a wolverine.

But then she remembered she only liked weddings in theory, not practice, and that reminded her of everything else gone awry lately. Rather than ask him about his journey, Treepie swallowed a sigh and shot her uncle an apologetic look.

Of course you’re welcome to visit and hunt here, she said slowly, which was true, even before everyone decided to leave the mountain. One of her forepaws tightened into a clenched fist against the cold ground. Anang is gone. She found happiness elsewhere. And now taataa is bound to do the same…

When she phrased it like that, it made Treepie wonder if she was being unfair, a hypocrite. Why was it acceptable for Sialuk to run away to her happily ever after but not Killdeer? The thought had tears welling in her eyes, her little fist clenching even harder as she raised it to her face to swipe at them.

Despite the closeness of them, it could be not so far fetched to assume they were kin, given the sharp markings of great contrast they wore. Arrluk had always felt guilt within him, from the time his elder sister Samani had died, that he had not the chance to know her well. When Ariadne was found in the lake, this melancholy only strengthened in Arrluk. Rarely spoken, yet deep in his sea-cove green gaze. 

Leave? Her paw clenched the cold earth. His white brows knit with distress. Sialuk has gone? Where? He had not been home for a month now. Perhaps already their parents knew this answer, that Sialuk might have visited them before her departure to, well, wherever. 

It certainly was peculiar for the woman, whom had stood out from all of his other sisters in a meaning that, it seemed all he knew of but her had been whisked away by a man to another place, with another people and other views. Sialuk had led her own. Remembered here. Remained her own self among the Moon tribes. What had happened to tear her away so? 

Tiuttuk, her name rushes to his mind then and he would come to her with a closeness if she did not pull away, to lift a foreleg over her and pull her near him. If something happens to Moonspear. If you become alone, know that Moonglow is home for you too.

She felt a flicker of guilt when she saw that the news affected him more deeply than she had anticipated. Each question hit her like an arrow to the heart. Now the tears flowed faster than Treepie could possibly wipe at them, so she stopped bothering.

She took me on a journey to visit other villages and learn about leadership, Pie explained, lower lip trembling, and while I floundered, she thrived. I could see the shadow lift from her spirit, so I told her she should stay. I told her I would look after Moonspear, despite her absysmal failures.

He moved closer, whispering her name. He reached for her and Tiuttuk let herself be embraced, leaning into him. But after a moment, she slipped out of his grasp, shaking her head lightly. Tears still dripped down her dark cheeks.

No, she refuted gently but firmly. I appreciate it, uncle, but Moonspear is my home. I told anaang I would care for it in her stead. As I told my taataa when he said he might relocate to the caldera, I won’t leave it, not even if I’m the only one left.

Other villages. What villages though, he wondered yet couldn't bring himself to ask her. After all, she was already crying, already dealing with the loss of her mother from the pack. A pack which she had left her yearling (not even) daughter to take charge of. Well, she did have her father too, although it seemed that wasn't something that would be sticking, either. 

The thought of both her mother and father just leaving in order to 'be happy living their own lives', it enraged Arrluk. An anger that tightened in his gut and his jaws tensed with the clenching of his teeth. How could they? Was their pack not their happiness? Their daughter? 

Arrluk felt every need to whisk Treepie away, yet forcing her would not get the results he wanted. Fine... He spoke with a deep sigh, as she pulled away and retorted. But if you need anything, even if just something quick to eat or just someone to talk to, you come our way, yes? Our villages are bound for a reason. But she needed no reason to come to them when she wanted. Arrluk would make sure to report this to his parents, however. Maybe @Kukutux would have better luck with convincing her not to stay here all alone if everyone else dipped.

He didn’t try to argue with her. She heard resignation in his sigh and shot him an appreciative glance, eyes still lined with silver. Her heart warmed at his words, reminding her that even if she found herself alone on the mount, she would never truly be alone in the world.

Thank you, she replied simply, wishing she could remember his name. Pie sniffed. Speaking of our villages’ bond, let’s go find you that wolverine. Maybe while we hunt, she said, then lapsed into silence, head cocked as she rethought that. Maybe after we hunt, you can tell me all about yours and Ajei’s love story.

can fade with your next post?

Ah, yes, the wolverine! He spoke with a small smile, beginning to take back up pace through the foothills of the mountains. I am sure there will be plenty of time for words as we struggle carrying it back towards Moonglow. A laughter then. She wouldn't be getting off that easy if she was joining him in thr hunt!

Sure thing!

She stilled when he mentioned dragging the kill back to Moonglow. It wasn’t that Treepie didn’t want to help him, she just had no interest in leaving the mountain today. But she said nothing. They could discuss it after they slew the wolverine, supposing they even managed that much. For his sake—and Ajei’s—she truly hoped they would.

You said you’ve smelled them before, so lead the way, Tiuttuk offered with a dip of her head, falling into step with Arrluk as the predators went on the prowl.