King Elk Forest through bog and brier

She could not find companionship in the tres and the winds, and thus she didn't simply skirt around this border. She would not wander forever alone, not when winter approached. Already she was leaner, and the snows were not even able to cling to the earth yet. Winter's grip would only tighten, and while the girl loathed to admit it, she was moving against time. 

Her tail flicked in steady rhythm as she walked, steps quick as she mustered the courage to call. The clouds above were heavy and thick, and rain fell lightly atop the wood, the dull pattering of rain against earth the only sound. Her own pelt was beaded with water, and the chill seeped through her thin fur. It was what kept her so far south; to the north was a bitter cold, and yet here the weather seemed more forgiving. 

Finally she howled, the sound hoarse from disuse. She stilled then, plopping onto her hindquarters so that she might be less inclined to simply leave, and waited in the rain, spine ramrod straight, tension in the way she held herself.

@Mato, @Delight; paging for visibility ^-^

nénar. he's still not used to it - the title feels clumsy in his mouth - but he would never doubt mato's judgement. well - yes, he would, and he is, but at the same time it's validation he didn't ever expect from the silvery prince.

part of him thinks it's just a consolation prize for being the one who stuck around.

but whatever his conflicted feelings, he is tindómë's nénar now and he will wear it proudly and do his best to make morwinyon proud. the singing-sunlight is jolted out of his thoughts by a howl from the border - feeling more than a little surprised as he gets up and makes his way towards the source. the cry sounded a little odd, like the caller had a cold. as glad as delight is that winter seems to be pushing every straggler toward their borders, a typhoid mary would be so not on. 

the androgyne finds her quickly, sharp moon eyes sweeping over her form in obvious appraisal. she doesn't look sick, just a bit damp like him, and a bit on the thin side. better shape than matteo though (he hopes the scrawny albino is settling in a bit and makes a mental note to check on him). he draws himself up to his full, petite height, clears his throat, and says, "hey." maybe not the most powerful opening statement but he's still him, after all. "what is your business here?" he adds, studying her face curiously.

The howl that rose through the trees of Tindómë was hoarse and prickled at Mato’s senses as he dithered between concern and his abrupt lack thereof. Was it disuse that caused the strange tone to the stranger’s howl? Or something of a plague sort? As he makes his way to the section of the border that the call originated from there is a reluctance to the Morwinyon’s approach: a defensiveness as he prepares to quickly assess and deduce should he need to be abrupt in chasing off. He’s not had to do it yet and …in truth…he does not wish to. Yet, he will. He’s not so altruistic as to endanger the whole pack for the sake of a stray. Perhaps this sudden lack of apathy comes with his superiority complex ( and yes, he still suffers from it ) or perhaps it is because of Brienne’s prolonged and unexplained absence. Her distance has bothered him and now he is haunted by her disappearance and failure to return. He tucks these thoughts aside for the moment as he approaches the scene, noting — with pride and without surprise — that Delight has already beaten him here and has already stated the obvious ( and arguably the most important ) question: what was her business here? Mato scents at the air as he moves to stand at Delight’s side: soothed by the deduction that he does not smell any sort of illness. Pacified in that respect, the druid settles his appraising, apple green gaze upon the woman, awaiting her response.

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It is a girl who greets her first; studying her in a way that makes the druidess want to shrink away, but instead gathers some semblance of courage and is still. She inspects her too, and it is only after a moment that she finds him to be male; and strangely beautiful. "looking," She begins, lapsing into silence at the approach of another, grey-toned, gaze apple-green and captivating. He looks to her too, though does not seem to examine her as the other does. 

 "for a home."  She finishes, nervous but showing no sign of it as she sits eerily still. As with her howl, her soft words are tinted with a hoarseness, though her gaze is intense and intelligent, peering at the newcomer who has yet to speak and then back again to the beautiful one.

interesting is the variety that winter has pushed towards tindómë's borders - bold sunflower, sharp but weary jomyo, traumatized but bright matteo, and now this withdrawn creature, young and delicate and, frankly, to the point. he wonders what she's been through to have scratched her throat raw the way it sounds - he can't smell any lingering illness and her eyes are clear and intelligent. 

he glances at mato, then clears his throat, addressing the woman. "the name of this place is king elk forest, and we are tindómë. we don't have a traditional hierarchy but value trades and skilled members - do you have any particular skills - or things you like to do?" delight pauses and adds, "also, what's your name?" figuring this was a good enough start unless mato had something more to add.

She is looking for a home she tells Mato and Delight, and the starlit king draws in a deep breath, offering a slight incline of his head. He has suspected as much — it’s not uncommon for a pack’s numbers and ranks to swell during the colder months when they habitually gravitate towards established packs to survive. He suppose that he cannot blame them for this most primal of instincts; but he is not a charity organizer and Tindómë will not house those who only seek to take advantage of them. It’s too much effort to make one selves an integrated part of the pack only to leave …though plenty of wolves had done it so far. Perhaps this is what is beginning to bar his heart: the wolves that had simply …left. He thinks of one in particular and his mouth is full of a bitter taste, his heart aching. Perhaps there is a valued reason for it but if there was why could she not confide in him? He wants to add that if she seeks to join them that if she leaves without at least letting him and Delight know first…if she just vanishes as quickly as she came then she will never be welcomed back with tongue sharpened by the pain of loss. For now, he bids it to be still. Not yet. Really, he should discuss it over with Delight who is his right hand first. Having nothing to add to Delight’s explanation and questions Mato remains a silent judge and jury, waiting for her response.

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The girl regards the male as he speaks, gaze flickering only briefly to the male that stands with him. His silence is odd, but perhaps it is born of deference, and she takes the male that speaks to be the leader. Her observation is taken lightly, however, as never before has she tried to join a pack. The blurred memories of Drageda and a mother are scattered and few, and she simply washed up on the shores of Undersea. 

 "tindómë" She echoes, enjoying the way the word rolls from her tongue. She tilts her muzzle a moment, considering the question and if the things she knows are considered useful. "I know herbs. some harm and some help." Her interest in this she discovered quite by accident when, driven by hunger, she had attempted to eat a variety of plants, which ended rather poorly. Mentors had later come in the form of other travellers, and her brief companion. "rocks, too. and hunting." Her words came a little more confidently as she continued, and her spine relaxed in the slightest as she finished her brief points, wondering if they would prove enough.

delight squints, studying her as she thinks of - how to answer he supposes. he's not sure yet if her reticence is a personality trait or borne of something else (she doesn't smell of illness, but there are kinds that aren't physical, he knows that). the clarity of her gaze can reassure him for now at least.

and her answer. herbs. plants, huh? delight doesn't really get the appeal but it is useful - and again he is quietly pleased by the variety of their come-lately's, a nice mix of skills that will surely help the pack flourish. rocks he doesn't get at all (what is there to know about rocks?) and hunting is - well, everyone pretty much says that one. anyway, it's all on the up and up. the nénar pauses, waiting for her to supply a name, and sighs. okay. "and your name?" he repeats, slightly fussy, though his expression isn't offended (look at him, a diplomat even.) he doesn't really have much to say on her skills - they're cool, it's fine, and he glances at mato in case the morwinyon has an opinion.

but on to other things. "like the name suggests, we share the forest with a large elk - and his cow - named the king elk. he's not to be hunted or ... pestered," delight says (though honestly the idea of any of them being able to annoy the ethereal being is sort of funny), "if you can abide that - and you're willing to prove your skills to us - we'll have you." right? right.

Mato listens Anatha offers her skills: medicine and poison. The latter makes the empyrean a bit uncomfortable but he supposes he has little choice but to trust that she would never use her knowledge of poisons against any wolves of Tindómë or the King Elk and his cow. He thinks he will have to keep an eye on her just in case: at least until she proves that she can be trusted. Umbra dipped ears perk atop his skull as she states ‘rocks’ wondering if she, like him, has an interest in geology though it has been time since he’s actively pursued it. Frankly, it’s been a while since he’s actively pursued anything but patrols and tending to his duties as leader. It does not surprise him that Brienne managed to slip away from them under his notice: he is busy most days and there is little time to spend tending to home and hearth. “We could use a few hunters.” Mato breaks his silence, words unassuming. In the end what Anatha chose to pursue was entirely up to her. It was not his and Delight’s job to influence simply to accept and ensure that Tindómë ran as smoothly as possible. Mato holds to the belief that eventually the ranks would balance themselves out, one way or another. Ultimately, the starlit king is in agreement with Delight: so long as Anatha can abide by their laws and prove herself then she is welcome.

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