Neverwinter Forest at the garden

a new face among them.

one that shined with promise, or perhaps that was only her wanting it to be so. she looked for the freshest mark of @Iruna and followed it.

with her she carried a gift, clumsily bundled in a rabbit pelt.

she knew her power here and yet she still wished for good impressions upon those she met.

Íruna worked quietly, her paws moving with practiced ease as she sorted the herbs she’d gathered. Each sprig was carefully inspected before being added to the small cache she had dug, nestled beneath the shelter of a low, moss-covered tree.

The faint sound of approaching steps drew her attention. She lifted her head, lavender eyes scanning the trees until they settled on the figure coming toward her. Íruna straightened, her expression calm but watchful, her paws brushing stray dirt from her fur.

The other wolf carried something—a bundle clumsily wrapped in a rabbit pelt. Íruna’s gaze flicked to it briefly before returning to the wolf’s face. A smile fluttered to her face almost immediately, ears swiveling towards the pale, regal form of Callyope.

"Seiðkona" She spoke with a voice soft as morning dew, "Your presence honors me. How may I help you?"

she set the bundle down softly at her paws. eyes bright and warm upon iruna. she thought she might like this woman very much.

and your warmth honors me, her tail offered a soft wave. for a moment she allowed herself to look beyond the woman to the work that had been done. herbs and storage.

healing was the knowledge of any moonwoman daughter, yet callyope had not learned as much as she should.

i have brought you some moss and boar meat.

she nosed open the rabbit fur to exposed both now.

the moss for your healing supplies, the meat for your hard work.

With eyes soft as moonlight, Íruna looked upon Callyope, blinking her thanks before she could even speak. She shifted to turn upon her paws, tail eager and twitching as she intended to give the Seiðkona her full attention.

Her gifts were heartwarming. They set Íruna's tail to twitching faster, a soft wag behind her plush frame as she stepped forwards. Her nose pressed to the bundle and she inhaled a greedy scent of the mixed scents. Savory venison and gritty fresh moss, a refreshing scent.

"Thank you, dear Callyope." She spoke warmly, then gazing upon the woman with a fond expression. A soft twinkle within her eyes.

She was glad her chieftain woman was not fierce, instead warm, inviting. It made for a comfier transition into the lifestyle around her.

Íruna picked the bundle up after neatly folding it back up with her nose, turning to nestle it against the curling roots of the great oak she'd made into her little workshop. "You are free to join me, Seiðkona. I would know no greater joy than your company."

it was like finding a new sister, easy and comfortable to come into conversation.

iruna's beauty was not entirely lost on her too. callyope had never claimed to be any matchmaker but...she imagined anyone might have been lucky to know this woman. luckier to have her hand.

she imagined it was her own butterflies for her beloved that encouraged these thoughts.

forneskja will be in good care with such a quick working and well-prepared healer, she floated the thought with a bit of a sly smile. examining closer the work that had already been done here. is it your want to be recognized as such to all?

we're gonna pretend i haven't been using solharr's name for callyope instead of her title

Íruna tilted her head slightly, catching the warmth in Callyope’s tone and the faint smile that played on her lips. She offered a strange but pleasant comfort.

Her lavender eyes softened, the corner of her mouth twitching faintly at the compliment. “You are kind to say so,” Íruna replied, vox filled with humility. She followed Callyope’s gaze to the small cache she had built, her paws brushing lightly over the sorted herbs. “The work is only as good as the need it serves.”

Callyope’s question gave Íruna pause, though the warmth of her expression remained. “To be recognized as a healer?” she echoed, her voice thoughtful. “It is not the recognition I seek, but the trust of those I care for. If that comes with the name, then I would accept it.” She smiled almost mistfully, letting her eyes trail towards the cache she had begun to build.

Her gaze lifted, meeting Callyope’s again. "Your home is a place of beauty. If I can lend my skills to preserve that, then it is all the purpose I need.”

as long as we also pretend i haven't been too tired to notice oops

wise, spoken clear and comfortable.

she admired this one greatly! she wanted this one in a close circle, to learn and to teach. there was no title for that, but there was trust to be made. plenty of it.

your skills will have use in many places, if you so allow it. scheming was she now! you could be jurtvörður, the title drawn across her tongue with warmth. or perhaps seer. now her gaze was bright! burning warm upon the cool features of iruna.

your company would be welcomed beneath the heimtré and alongside me where i walk.

Íruna listened intently, her lavender eyes steady on Callyope. The title—Jurtvörður—rolled off her companion’s tongue, carrying a weight that Íruna couldn’t ignore. Seer.

She inclined her head, a gesture of acknowledgment and gratitude, though she couldn't hide the excitement that sparked within her eyes. “You honor me with such titles,” she smiled. “And with such an invitation.”

Íruna’s gaze met Callyope’s, the faintest trace of a smile tugging at the edges of her mouth. “I did not come to these woods expecting to find such welcome. Yet here you are, speaking of trust and companionship as if I have already earned it.” She paused, her tone softening slightly. “Perhaps the gods whisper your name as loudly as they whisper mine.” Her last sentence more a whisper to herself, a quiet observation, than directly spoken.

She glanced briefly at the cache of herbs she had built, the product of her work thus far, before returning her focus to Callyope. “If my skills can serve Forneskja in the way you say, then I will walk with you, beneath the Heimtré and wherever else you ask.”

much speaks to me, she confessed in soft warmness. and if it speaks to you too then together we will hear all.

callyope was not meant to do anything alone, she did not think. in her hearth she would have sólhárr, in heimtré she could have iruna. the knowledge of plants would be vital if it was to bloom into a place of healing and rituals.

i will call you my seer, but if your spirit calls elsewhere you should always answer. she encouraged her in full! callyope would never begrudge the woman if paths diverted one day. if iruna ever wished for the hunts or the patrols, if she wished to walk far as a ranger.

growth was natural.

i will see to it that you have all you need.

Íruna’s tail gave a soft wave, a rare brightness warming her lavender eyes. Seer. The word settled over her like a gentle mantle, not heavy but meaningful.

“It speaks to me,” she said, her voice light and steady. “And I think the gods have brought me here so that we may hear it together.” Her gaze lifted back to Callyope, her smile faint but unmistakably genuine. “Thank you. For your kindness, for this title. It is not something I expected, but it is something I will carry with honor.”

Her eyes lingered on the other wolf, warmth softening her sharp features. “I’ve walked into this place as a stranger, and now you make me feel as though I have a home.” She paused, her tail swaying lightly.

“And a friend.”

fade and smth new very soon? <3

maybe everything was fast, quick.

yet callyope had witnessed enough loss since her return. she had no want for wasted time, she did not think anyone should not see the full of their worth.

new or not.

you have both and it is only the beginning. encouragement as her own tail waved behind her. i have faith in you, in your own faith! her voice filled with mirth now. delighted, cherishing this woman and her kindness.

we will see much of each other, but i mean to go speak to others now. perhaps i will glimpse you under the heimtré in moonlight.

Íruna’s ears flicked forward, catching the warmth in Callyope’s voice. The words struck a chord within her, quick but meaningful, and she couldn’t help the smile that touched her face. Her lavender eyes gleamed with gratitude as her tail mirrored the other’s, a soft wave brushing against the mossy ground.

“Your faith humbles me,” she said warmly, her voice steady but light with enthusiasm. “And your encouragement... I won’t forget it.”

She paused, her gaze softening further as she regarded Callyope. “You’ve shown me such kindness in such a short time. I hope I can return it, as much as it’s deserved.”

Íruna dipped her head slightly, her smile lingering. “Go where you’re needed, and know that you’ve already given me much. Until we meet again.”

i love them