Hushed Willows would that even be enough.

Harlyn had been nervous to find that the Keep was no longer lead by the wolf they had met in the Wilds. He had spoken to her and Mordecai at length about his pack and what he had to offer their family, and much of it had been been pleasing to hear. Without him there, Harlyn had feared that perhaps she would find things different than what he had promised, but it seemed that Octavia was doing what she could to keep the culture Warbone had cultivated there. It was a comfort to spend her nights surrounded by the pack, and to know that so soon after joining, already she knew the scents and faces of each of her new packmates. All of them she knew by sight if not by name, which was something she was eager to rectify. Whatever she could do to establish herself with this new pack would in the end be of great benefit to her children, and that was what mattered most to her now.

The druid had it in her head that day to find a treat of some sort for the children - hers and Tavi's. While Tambourine was still quite young and her own children growing older, she felt certain that nature could provide something that would be of interest to each of them. Of course, she kept an eye out also for any sign of prey as well, for that was unquestionably a priority now and always. But her hope of finding something was slim, as was her hope of managing to make a catch on her own as she had always left something to be desired in her own hunting skills. It was far more likely that she'd find something for the kids, even having no clear idea of what it was she was searching for.

Invades!

The wait had been short, and Stark had done his duty. The group had been brought among them, led to the Keep, and everything was sorting itself out. It felt strange to have a number of new wolves she did not know among her ranks, but Octavia was determined to see this work out. With more bodies meant more bellies. More mouthes to feed, and more teeth to keep the children safe. Everything would be fine - it had to work. Nobody had protested when the wolves had first arrived and Octavia, now wandering outside of the Crook while one of her loyalists cared for Tambourine, wondered if everyone was getting along. She would give it a few more days before bringing everyone together. It was surely a shock for both families to be squished together so suddenly, and they all needed time to adjust.

At the same time, Octavia had the desire to speak with Harlyn. She wanted to find out more about where the survivors had come from and what truly happened to drive them away; all she knew was that Harlyn's group were without a home, that the famine had been the culprit, but Tavi wanted more details. So as she wandered between the willows (which had begun growing fresh buds and branches, although Tavi was too distracted to notice) she sought out the dusky woman, and chuffed softly once she found her, offering a silent little smile just in case she was preoccupied with something.

As she slunk closer, Tavi relaxed her posture somewhat. Getting acquainted with things? She murmured softly, and then began observing the surroundings, her senses tingling.

Welcomes!

Harlyn was gazing thoughtfully upward at the stretch of willow boughs that hung lazily overhead when she heard the footfalls of an approaching wolf. She turned to spy Tavi coming towards her, and Harlyn offered the woman a smile. Now that she was part of the pack, she worried often what her role might be here for her own certainly still saw her as their leader, though they were now surrounded by those that did not. It was an odd scenario, and Harlyn's worry over it was only that she could not afford to upset the social ecosystem that had given her and her family shelter for fear that they be rejected from it. Even so, Octavia seemed just as earnest in her desire that the arrangement work. It was a comfort to the druid who had, up until now, felt very much alone in the struggle to keep her family safe and happy.

"Yes," Harlyn replied to the question, turning her eyes towards the willows again, "I was actually trying to find something interesting for the children to play with. Mine have spent so long feeling tired and scared and unhappy. I was hoping to find something to make them smile again." She glanced back to Tavi, adding after a beat. "Yours seems quite full of smiles," she commented with a chuckle, "Do you have any suggestions?"

The comments that Harlyn made caused Octavia to raise her brow, at first surprised that the new recruit would be after something for the kids, then caught by the oddness of the moment. She thought of how terrifying it must have been for the children to live through this horrible time. Of the sacrifices that Harlyn no doubt had to make for them; living here was a sacrifice too, but one that would become simpler over time. As she remarked on Tambourine's good cheer, the woman felt a smile spread across her own face.

Yeah, he's my little ray of sunshine, she commented, but then as she heard Harlyn's question, she jumped upon it. And, well, Tam likes anything. Really. We've got an antler and a patch of fur from some sort of... Thing. She paused to reflect on the gifts Stark had brought her, but moved on with a glance of her eyes at the surroundings. I'll help you look though.

Moving together for a few steps, Tavi halted abruptly and with a roving look around, cleared her throat. What was your home like.. before? If you don't mind me asking.

Harlyn smiled, enjoying the obvious affection the mother held for her son. The druid had gone through a great deal these past few months, since even before they had ever left the Hollow. It had grown very difficult in those terrible times to find anything to be happy about, but her children had never failed to be a light in her darkness. It struck her that Tavi must feel quite the same way about her own son. Warbone had left her with an infant son and a pack to care for, without word of whatever plans he had made behind her back. Yet she could still think on her son and find joy there, as Harlyn always had.

The druid agreed to her alpha's company and settled in to the easy pace at her side. She considered her question with a pang of longing, but set it delicately aside before answering. That was in the past now, and there it would remain gone from her. "We lived in a Hollow in the Valley to the East," Harlyn replied steadily, "It was a protective haven, much like this, only full of shade and green with streams running all through it. They converged together at the Southern edge of the territory and fell in a magnificent waterfall to the deeper valley below. It was beautiful." She paused for a moment, considering. "I'm sure I wouldn't recognize it now, though..." she said, shaking her head slightly.

The description was limited, but from Harlyn's tone of voice Tavi could discern a great love; there were many places that had once held greenery, many others with flowing rivers and great falls, but none that would ever be as thoroughly home as whatever she had left behind, and Tavi could appreciate that. She identified with the fleeting look of painful reflection upon Harlyn's face, as she herself felt far removed from the Maplewood when she had been cast out of it.

They walked together for a moment before Tavi murmured, It sounds wonderful, and passed a thin smile to the woman - she was reflective now, thoughtful, and fell quiet as her mind overworked itself. But then Octavia stopped. She stopped walking, stopped thinking, and blurted, Harlyn, as if there was some reason to try and catch the other mother's attention. Clearly Tavi was distracted by a thought. Warbone is gone. Nobody has seen him in days, and... I was wondering... But the thought petered out before completion, and the girl gave a small laugh, finding whatever had passed through her mind to be mildly amusing, although she had not shared it fully. How confusing.

I'm sorry, I'm just so tired. Its been hard without him here, and now you're here.. I was thinking, a bit erratically she supposed, that  maybe the transition and integration of your wolves would be easier if.. Maybe.. You were in charge. With me, I mean. Both of us. Respect all around. It was such a sudden thing to bring up, but to Tavi it made the most sense. It was why she had sought out this woman and desired to speak with her, and for some reason she couldn't stop just.. Saying what was on her mind. I know you've just started to settle, but wouldn't it be easier this way? Lead next to me.

Harlyn was tempted to grow lost amongst her thoughts of the Hollow and - what was likely - its former beauty. It was the first place she had ever felt truly and completely home. Certainly the pack in which she had born had been home to her, and even Ouroboros Spine had felt like home for a moment. But the moment she had come upon the Hollow, she had known in her very soul that it was where she was meant to be. To leave it had been excruciating. To admit the reasons behind why she was leaving - her failure, weakness, inpetitude - had been worse.

In the Keep, Harlyn saw redemption for herself. She wished for a moment that she could communicate these feelings to Tavi, who seemed such a kindred spirit to her own woes. But putting it to words was still beyond her. And beside, the alpha was apparently struggling with vocalizing her own ideas just then.

Harlyn paused and peered at her while she worked on expressing herself. When finally she managed to, the druid found herself speechless. Her brows lifted in apparent surprise, erstwhile her mind began to consider all implications of accepting such an offer. She was tempted, of course. Alphaship meant safety for her children. She would have the power to protect them against any that would be attempted to comply to their natural instincts that any offspring besides that of the alpha's was lesser and wrong in its existence. But would it put them in even more danger to step up beside this woman? Before wolves that did not know her? Before wolves that might think themselves more worthy and thus envious of her immediate ascent?

In what scenario could she do the best by them?

"You honor me," Harlyn replied after a moment of silent consideration, "I will accept. Though I worry what your wolves might think of such a sudden rise in power for one they barely know?" She had no doubt that her own character would have, in time, brought her to the top of the ranks. It had always been such, even when she had not sought such prestige. But to stand before so many others who had not witnessed her strive to prove herself. Was it wise?

The woman was surprised. Had this been any other moment, perhaps a moment without the threat of the famine and the absence of Warbone, such an offer would never have graced Octavia's mind; but here it was, and the other wolf considered. There were different emotions at work within both of them. The other woman was silent for a few moments, but she inevitably accepted. It was a good offer — one that no mother would dare pass up — and perhaps in knowing this, Octavia also knew that she could count on Harlyn's help with the pack. But she had doubts. They both did, however, Octavia chose to look beyond them for the time being.

They have accepted me, and my rise was just as fast. They will accept you too, in time. I will not tolerate any insubordination either — so if anyone has a problem with it, direct them to me. At this point Tavi smiled, thin but serious. I think it is the best way to integrate everyone. We can tell them all soon, together, if you'd like.

Another thought came upon her then - and Tavi would not hold her tongue. I think we should decide on Betas together as well. One from your group, one from mine, and they can work together as we do. What do you think? Octavia did not doubt that Harlyn had a great amount of trust in her wolves, as Tavi did in many of her's, so this would be an easy decision.

Tavi seemed confident that her will would be followed by the rest of the pack, and it was a comfort to the druid even though she could not say it allayed all of her fears. She nodded and shared the brief smile. In spite of how the rest of the pack chose to react, this would be best for her children. She knewthat she could count her own as supporters in this decision, and she knew too that Tavi and at least Stark would be protective of this as well. She had sensed no hostility in the rest, and she hoped it was because there was none and not that she was simply overlooking it. Even so, they were enough to protect her family from any backlash, and that gave her some peace.

It seemed her new co-alpha was not yet done with her surprises, for she went further to say that they should each name a beta from their respective groups. Harlyn considered this, liking the idea which she communicated with a nod, but struck quite suddenly that her first choice was still missing. In a perfect world, she would be able to afford to keep such a spot reserved for Mordecai. But her rocky position did not seem lenient in this, and her own hope of her mate's return was failing, if not gone entirely already. That left one option to her, and Harlyn was confident in it in spite of the circumstances.

"I would name Shikoba from my family," Harlyn informed her companion. She would have named the woman back in the Hollow had circumstances been different, so it was a simply decision. "She is strong in both body and heart, and has been much valued by me for many months." She gazed expectantly at Tavi then, assuming she would shortly be sharing her thoughts on who she would name of her group.

This was going well. She had a co-alpha now, even if they shared the position for only moments at this point, and Tavi knew this meant they would all survive. She wouldn't have to work so hard. And then, when Harlyn named her choice in Beta, the woman nodded humbly as if approving. While Octavia had not found the time to meet the newcomers beyond their induction in to the pack, and seeing them around the Crook, she would seek them out in time and get to know them. This Shikoba - whoever they were - would be vaulted in to esteem among the Marauders, alongside Stark, she announced without missing a beat; but then she paused, mentally, verbally, and seemed to reconsider. I would like to name Stark my Beta, but I am unsure.. How the rest of the pack may react. He is the one that aided you in coming here; but more importantly, there are others that are just as well suited and longer standing among us, but I do not know them well enough. Perhaps Harlyn could council her in this choice, then? Prove that she could be as helpful as Octavia hoped.

Harlyn was not surprised at Tavi's proclamation. Of all the wolves she had spent time with, it was Stark who stuck out to her as the most loyal and reliable. Perhaps it was due to the simple fact that it had been he who had answered Tavi's call to escort her to her family that day at the borders. Maybe it was something in the way he regarded all of the former Hollow residents. Or maybe it was a simple aspect of his character that made him an obvious choice. Harlyn couldn't say, nor would she press it for she had no qualms towards his ascension.

Tavi, it seemed, did have some misgivings, which was perfectly understandable. They were not necessarily unlike her own regarding what it would mean for her to step so high so quickly. "Your wolves have chosen you to follow," Harlyn reassured her, "They do this because they trust your judgment and your law. If you name Stark, they will trust this too."

It was perhaps naive of her to say such a thing with confidence considering how new she was to this pack and to these wolves, but she had seen no inclination from any of them that they might not be quite so devoted to Tavi as they seemed. And what was more, they knew Stark, and already seemed to respect him as they did not Harlyn. Her own wolves had been pushed to their limits and none had ever wavered in their trust of Harlyn's leadership. That was simply what it was to be pack.

"And if they have a problem with it, you may direct them to me," she jested with a small grin, thinking of how Tavi had said the same of any who would question her. It was a joke in its inception, but also a bit of a statement. If they were to lead together, then they would be equals in this. Tavi had Harlyn's back if any questioned her, and so too would Harlyn have Tavi's.

She was right, of course. This was a decision for Tavi to make and everyone would curb to it, they would accept it, either from the start or gradually, but it would be solidified among them. Stark would be the Beta, she was sure of it. None other had come close to the rank; she thought of nobody else but him when the topic had arisen, and only considered the others for their lack of fealty to her, as she knew most of them were within the ranks of the Keep because of Warbone and not herself. They would accept this. They would have to.

Upon hearing Harlyn's quip, Tavi nodded, and held back a small chuckle. Yes, they will answer to you. The pack will be alright with enough time. I think though, I will hold off on appointing him until things are a little more.. Settled. Maybe wait until everyone has gotten closer. Which brought up another thought, and this one so also voiced without much of a hesitation: We should gather everyone. Celebrate what we have made so far, celebrate the children, have a party. What do you think?

Harlyn spied the flicker of mirth in her companion's eyes and was pleased. There was nothing quite like humor to bring together new acquaintances. Tavi apparently shared this theory for shortly after deciding to wait on the promotion for Stark, she proposed arranging an activity of sorts for the pack in an effort to bring them together.

"I like it," Harlyn said with a wag of her tail, "The Summer solstice is nearly upon us, which has always been a festive time for my ancestors. It feels fitting that we celebrate our lives and new beginnings at this time." Her gaze shifted beyond Tavi then at the outstretched boughs of the willow that stood nearest to them, narrowing on the tiny buds of fresh green that peeked out from the brown. She smiled, simply for how wonderful it felt to have hope once more.

Yes, good, they were agreed. Then I will leave you to your search, Tavi smiled as she spoke, and dipped her head as if to say farewell, and motioned to the surrounding area. I do not know much about ah, festivals, or the solstice, but I will anticipate the gathering all the same. And I hope everything works out for the better. She did not want to lose anyone because of these changes, but she suspected that some would be against them. Not many of the wolves here supported her, so by proxy they would find it difficult to support Harlyn as well. Together they would make things work. It had to, for the sake of their children. Without another word Octavia turned and began to depart, leaving Harlyn to her hunt for trinkets and whatever else the children might find interesting.

Harlyn chuckled softly as Tavi admitted she wasn't familiar with the traditions she spoke of. It was no matter to her, for she had come across that many times in her life. And, quite frankly, the gods were on her shit list, and so she felt a slight twinge of satisfaction to hear of another that was unaware of their "glory". It was a thought that maybe once would have struck terrible guilt and fear into her heart. She would have left right then to find a treasure to sacrifice for them in repentence. But instead, she gave her co-alpha a smile and a wave of her tail in farewell as she left. She then turned to continue her search with a happy air about her.