Ouroboros Spine wonzen

caracal first plz! heda is visiting w the intention of seeing kukutux but we shall see! set for roughly the 21st-22ndish, aw

moonglow was not far at all. heda regaled her mate by telling him more stories of the caribou hunt, her eyes bright. it had been a fellowship, a convocation. it was why she had wanted to visit so many places. "when they're old enough," she said of their children, shyly looking into @Caracal's handsome face, "i want to have a gathering like that. a feast. and maybe i can share the name of god, if they'll listen."
they'd come to the borders. heda smoothed the fur of her chest and called out politely.

He recalled Heda’s brief reference to Kukutux and her caribou hunt during their foray to Moonspear. She had been mistaken at the time, though now they were in the right place. Caracal listened attentively, picturing the things she described. He remembered that she’d mentioned Duskfire Glacier participating, though it had been before their relocation to the summit and his brief stay there.

How do you organize something like that? Caracal wondered, his tone demonstrating that he was not skeptical but impressed. I think it sounds awesome. It reminds me, my mom used to talk about living in a close group of sister packs. I don’t think she ever mentioned hunting together, though…

They came to a standstill and Heda raised her angelic voice to the skies. While her notes drifted over the nearby landscape, Caracal looked around. His eyes drifted to the no man’s land between here and Moonspear, remembering his time convalescing there. If memory served, Kukutux was Sialuk’s mom. And he’d seen her before, though perhaps today was the day they would be formally introduced.

a lonely star would come to answer in place of the moon.

her children were growing older and stronger by the day, there were moments when shikoba knew she would be able to pull away without making too much of a fuss. not to mention here greatest joys were surprisingly mild in their infant days and didn't seem to want too much except to eat and sleep unbothered.

shikoba had the body of a mother, softened by her time away from war. but she still wore her flesh with pride and carried herself so upon the borders of her home. before her is a duo she does not recognize and the woman approaches with a powerful stride before coming to stop before them both with a cautious glint in her eyes.

"you stand on the edge of Moonglow, strangers," she comes to say to them, "what brings you both?" her words were direct, but lacked a venomous sting of questioning that she once held while guarding.

"hello," heda greeted. the woman was older than both of them, and had a sweet, familiar fragrance to her that the young wolf could not quite place. "i'm heda and this is my husband, caracal. i knew kukutux once, a while ago, and i've come to visit her."
the golden eyes were suddenly rushed with a beatific light. "we're expecting, i think, and so we're traveling a bit beforehand. um, we live at sweetharbor, on the island off the coast."

It wasn’t Kukutux who came to greet them. Instead, a she-wolf with mottled fur approached. Despite her small size, she had the stocky look of a warrior. Scars littered her features, most notably her face. Caracal’s eyes traced over them for a split second before he averted his gaze and dipped his head.

He looked to Heda, who answered the woman’s question after introducing both of them. Caracal waved his tail, the tip gently brushing his wife’s hind leg on every turn. He leaned his shoulder a little closer to her two as she explained about their “babymoon.”

I—we, Caracal chimed in, glancing at Heda warmly as he corrected himself, have family living in Moonspear and Sialuk’s a good friend too. Anyway, it’s nice to meet you… He trailed off to leave room for her to give her own name.

sweetharbor. while she did not completely recognize the name, she did know that mojag did mention that his time away was spent on an island off the coast. and while it made her curious if these two were part of it, shikoba decided it would be rude to ask questions without given them the answers they seek first.

"moonglow welcomes the friends of our moonwoman, and family to our sister moonspear. i am shikoba, star hunter to the spine." a small dip of the head is given to both of the no-longer strangers, heda and husband of heda. "come, you both must have come a long way. do you need food, or perhaps some rest before seeing her?"

hospitalities would come first, and then shikoba would ping moon woman or perhaps sun man to see if she would take any visitors today. but for now, shikoba would step aside and allow for the two to come follow her with a sweep of her muzzle, inviting them into the territory.

Aiolos treads the same trails he had time and time again, worn by the footing of his own and the footing of others which called themselves scout or guard of the lands. He is following Shikoba's trail, a pair which had passed one another in their duties many a time before. Likely, a break too from the confines of the den where her two latest pups stirred. 

When he draws nearer, the brilliant ears of wolf do not fail him. He listens to the visitors names, where they come from. With this, ginger ears of his peak with interest. 

Aiolos comes as Shikoba is offering the visitors into their home. He greets his companion with a low woof as fiery eyes move over the traveling couple. You speak of the Gull Isle north of here? He assumed such. He had walked the path of the coast time and time again. He knew of no other islands other then the much smaller turtle island further east. (Although he was wrong, not having gone further to know of the Blackwater islands). I once called the island home for years. And it had been years since. I am Aiolos.

shikoba! star hunter! what names! heda was immediately enchanted, especially by the man of bright red who joined them. aiolos, sun man and former inhabitant of the island.
"i would love to rest a little, actually," she said with gratitude, glancing at caracal for a moment. "and yes, we do," heda added to aiolos. "the island has blessed us with so much."
and more, she fervently prayed.

She welcomed them then, offering her name along with food and a place to rest. Caracal glanced at his wife, who said she could use a break. He nibbled at the inside of his cheek and studied her face for a moment, worried that she might not be feeling well. But she was glowing, so perhaps it was simply weariness and nothing more.

A man joined them, his red fur not unlike Caracal’s own stark pelt. He was much larger than the Redhawk, with a rugged physique. Caracal admired him out of the corner of his eye at first, though he forgot his manners for a moment and looked right into his face in astonishment when he mentioned living on the very same island for years.

Remembering himself, Caracal averted his gaze, exchanging a look with Heda even as he added onto her words, Yes, it has. I’d love to hear all about your history there, if you don’t mind sharing, Aiolos. My name’s Caracal and this is my wife, Heda, by the way, he mentioned, unaware that he’d overheard their initial introductions.

sun man was quick onto the scene, to which shikoba offers a dip of the head to with a sway of her tail. 

"follow us," she would come to say to heda and caracal, "there are empty dens, and open space by the lake to rest by before seeing moon woman." she wasn't quite sure of their preferences, but shikoba wanted to lay all that they had to offer on the table like a good host.

she would step off to help lead whenever the group seemed ready, her steps confident over the trails she has constantly walked over her time in the spine. "my son, mojag, spoke of living on that island you call home. perhaps you were there when he was?" a curious question, shikoba always wondered what happened during those lost days of his time.

leaving super vague so that they could decide where they'd like to go!

they were allowed inside! heda was grateful; she favored each of the moonglow wolves with a soft look, nodding eagerly toward shikoba when she mentioned mojag. "yes! he's your son? he was very sweet, sort of like a little brother to me," the sweetharbor wolf revealed, exchanging a look with her husband.
"he missed you very much," she added to the woman, falling silent then as they continued their travel, though she was interested to hear also what aiolos had to say.

Heda confirmed, speaking out how the island had blessed them. Her mate's eyes were large with surprise as he looks to Aiolos. Aiolos nods to the other red wolf, silently confirming. He holds back the laughter he had at the man's sudden excitement. A pleasure to meet you both and of course. I can tell you all about it. 

Then they began their way, Shikoba asking of her son's time there on the island. When they were finished, Aiolos would speak that deciding to live on the island was an easy choice to make, that he had spent much of his youth on an island previously. He spoke of the wolves of Yuèlóng and their leader, Hua and how he came to lead at her side and the odd mandarin tongue they spoke. I think I could still understand most of it, but it's been years since I spoke it. I think I've forgotten how. He admits. It was much more difficult a tongue than the one Kukutux had come to teach him. 

Then he went to speak of the caverns there he had known. A place where lavender would grow along the beach and Ruo's Rock where Aiolos most nights would sit on and look to the skies and the den dug out underneath where his first son was born. Then, when they made it to the dens, Aiolos stepped aside for them to enter and settle. Take as much time as you need.

Shikoba prepared to escort the two visitors into the territory, their destination the shore of a lake. The warrior woman asked them about someone called Mojag as they made their way. Caracal shook his head, though he looked to Heda, intrigued by her answer. From there, Aiolos began speaking of his past involvement with the island, mentioning several familiar landmarks.

I knew Sweetharbor was there long before I came along but I don’t think I knew there were others. It makes sense. It’s such a rad place! Caracal chimed in when appropriate. Then came the obvious question: Why did you leave?

But before he could indulge his guest, they arrived at the dens overlooking the lake. Caracal shuffled his feet and looked to Heda, allowing her to choose where they would settle in for a respite. He studied her face again, wondering if they would only sit here a while or if she needed to stay off her feet a bit longer, perhaps even take a nap.

Thanks for the hospitality, by the way, he said, half-blind gaze flicking between Shikoba and Aiolos. Do you think Kukutux is busy? We’d love to speak with her, though we don’t want to be a bother. If we can’t see her today, you guys can always come visit us on the island, of course!

Mojag's lost days on the island were a painful thing for Shikoba. Many moons she spent praying for his safe return, and while he did come to embrace her, her son spoke of missing the island and all of its inhabitants. Truly, he was forced to walk the path of a man earlier than most, yet seemingly flourished under the watch and care of others.

she would come to nod her head in a thankful manner to Heda and allow aiolos to share his own words. upon arrival at the den, caracal was quick to ask for moon woman. shikoba tosses a glance to aiolos before speaking.

"she raises many this year," shikoba would say thoughtfully, "I'm sure she will appreciate a break to speak with you both." shikoba was lucky with only 2, she could not imagine as many as 4 being so demanding with food, sleep, and constant attention. "i will see if she will take visitors today and send her your way if so. I must return to my children after." she was sure aiolos would not mind entertaining them for a bit longer, as he had so much personal history with the same location these two hail from.

a happy sway is caught in her tail. "it is nice to meet you both, Heda and Caracal. I wish you luck for your growing family." with a sweep of her head in a polite dip to all three of them, Shikoba would come to trot off towards her own den, wondering if it was her mom ears that are picking up the slightest peep of a cry from her little ones.

shikoba outtie! <3 if kuku is busy, everyone is welcome to assume shikoba sent out a howl to let them know

oh, aiolos had such a beautiful story! and he did know the island, all parts of it. heda was swept up in the story of yuelong and what he had done there, who he had been, what he had come to be. such a beautiful place, and with its own years of lore. sweetharbor would come to be their home.
while she too was curious to hear the sun man's answer, heda took a moment to wish shikoba a farewell. "we would love to have you visit, and the little ones," she told both leaders, smiling after the woman as she departed.
now she settled, happy for a respite, and eager to hear the rest of aiolos' tale, romantic and vivid as it was. in her heart stirred love for the island, happiness at the idea of returning, and she grinned toward her mate in anticipation.

Aiolos was asked why he left and the red wolf had opened his mouth to reply, but they had come along to the place which their visitors could settle until Kukutux arrival. Heda was tired and ready to settle down. Caracal was restless and eager. Shikoba said that upon her return to the den sites, she would allow Kukutux to knkw she had visitors who wished to see her before retiring back to her own den. Aiolos knew that if Kukutux called out to them to let them know she was coming, the Sunman would then find it necessary to watch the pups in her stead. For now, he settles himself down along with them. 

Much of Hua's family slowly faded away. Many returning to their homeland after their restlessness for travel had ended. Hua became quite sadened... He murmurs lowly. And then she decided to leave. We became a small group of three adults with a large litter of pups to tend to. It became very hard on us and the parents had family elsewhere to help them. So we parted ways and I came here to live with Kukutux. His decision to leave the island hadn't been exactly his desire but in the long run had come to be the best decision Aiolos had, made granted what he had now.

Shikoba said she would go fetch Kukutux before returning to her own brood, leaving Caracal and Heda alone with Aiolos for a spell. Caracal’s eyes had fixed on his wife again, though he tore them away to acknowledge the warrior’s words with a respectful dip of his head and a small wave. He would’ve said something, though Heda had it covered.

The Alpha male made himself comfortable and Caracal followed Heda’s example, settling down and giving the man his full attention. The mention of Hua’s family slowly fading away reminded him of a time when the same things had happened to the Redhawks at the caldera. He himself had been one of those to drift away…

Aiolos’s mention of three adults struggling to look after a large litter should’ve given Caracal pause, seeing as he and Heda were in a very similar situation. But for some reason—maybe because of his admittedly limited knowledge of pregnancy and childbirth—he was convinced Heda would have one, maybe two pups. It never even crossed his mind that she could have any more than that.

So Caracal’s mind stayed focused on the storyteller, lips pulling into a slight frown when he mentioned his eventual departure again. He supposed Aiolos’s loss was their win. And Aiolos struck Caracal as being very content here. But any wolf who’d had the fortune to spend any time on Wheeling Gull knew the island was a treasure, and to have lost it in any sense of the word was a terrible tragedy.

had aiolos wanted to leave? heda did not get that sense from him. shikoba had gone, leaving the three of them, and she was quite tired.
but she did not intend to miss any part of this, and compared it to their situation upon the island. she caught tongue between teeth and considered.
"i'm glad you're here. look what you've helped to build," heda said quietly. "we'd love to have you there. one day. it hasn't changed much, still beautiful. i hope the children love it just as much."
but she glanced around; she smiled, shutting her eyes. "moonglow is so peaceful."

The young couple listened well though it was unfortunately a similar struggle which they would have to endure themselves. Still, fortunately, they harbored the help needed by others to pull them through. One which, at the time, the trio left on the island long ago had not. 

They had offered a visit one day and Aiolos planned on cashing in this invitation. Aiolos would of course wait until his own litter was more mobile before visiting the island and perhaps lending a paw in supporting their own first litter. 

Heda's words were sweet and comforting to his ears. Thank you Heda. His attention pulls away, looking around the home he now had with Kukutux. Heda found her comfort too and Aiolos lifts slowly up, to not disturb. You both rest a moment. Kukutux should arrive shortly. He murmurs to Caracal, allowing them a moment to themselves as he goes off, surely to meet his mate along his way back to their den.

Now Aiolos took his leave, with a promise that his mate would attend to them shortly. Caracal dipped his head to the other man, then glanced over at Heda. He couldn’t resist nosing at her, then giving into the temptation to kiss her nose, now that they were alone.

It’s kind of crazy to think we probably wouldn’t be living on the island if it hadn’t worked out for Aiolos and co, he murmured thoughtfully, nibbling at her ear.

He cast his gaze to the doorway of the dwelling, keeping an eye out for Kukutux’s approach. It felt a little strange to be left alone here as visitors, though Caracal very much appreciated the trust. Sweetharbor likely had solid allies, if not friends, in these wolves.

"god provides," heda said, receiving caracal's loving touch and adding several of her own. 
in time, however, the young woman would fall asleep waiting for the matriarch of the village, nestled against her mate in the protective stone arms worn by moonglow.