Northstar Vale mi ritrovai

@Viskani

lucifer moved through the vale with purpose, his steps unhurried but deliberate. he had spent enough time observing from the edges, testing the air, watching how the pack moved. but observation had its limits. if he was to carve out a place for himself here, he needed to speak to the one who truly mattered.  

the matriarche.  

viskani.  

her name carried weight, spoken with both reverence and caution. he had seen the way others looked to her, the way even her own blood measured their words in her presence. a leader worth following was not an easy thing to find. whether she would see use in him was another matter.  

he was here to ensure that she did.

It was expected that Viskani would spend the majority of her pregnancy within her den - but more often than not she was out and about. Though unfortunately for her, that was growing to be difficult.

Sat beside the lotus spring, Viskani hoped that the chill of the snow would help her cramping, aching limbs. Her cravings for small rodents had been unrelenting lately, but digging up burrows was becoming a challenge. The hormones were settling in, and her temper was growing short.

Slow and cautious, the Matriarche lowered herself to lay in the snow. A part of her wondered if her unborn children would grow cold if she remained this way too long, allowing her bump to touch the wet. Swollen teats would not allow her to stay like this for more than a few minutes, anyways.

Ears perked, she turned her head to the sight of Lucifer. Good morning. She offered up a pleasant greeting despite her rather nasty mood. It would be unsightly and cruel to snap at him without reason.

lucifer’s steps were measured as he approached, his gaze drifting over the snow-laden ground before settling on viskani. even in the throes of pregnancy, burdened by the weight of life within her, she carried herself with undeniable presence. the matriarche of montagne de cigue—unyielding even when nature itself sought to slow her down.  

buongiorno, he returned smoothly, his voice like warm embers against the winter chill. his eyes flickered to the way she rested, cautious yet deliberate, as if warring between relief and discomfort. i see even the cold cannot keep you still. a ghost of amusement curled at the edge of his words.  

his gaze, ever sharp, traced the subtle tension in her limbs, the telltale signs of exhaustion woven into her posture. he did not offer sympathy—he doubted she would welcome it—but there was a quiet understanding in his tone as he stepped closer, the mist of his breath curling in the crisp air.  

is there anything i may assist with? i have never sired children that i am aware of but i can recall the struggles my dear sister had during her pregnancy.

Keep her still?  It would be difficult for even a boulder to hold her down these days. She had always been strong-willed, but never so unwilling to rest. My den was growing rather lonely. She responded with a slight hum to her words. Once Faust would have kept her busy, but her darling little fox had left to be on his own once he came of age.

Careful not to strain anything, Viskani pushed herself to a stand now. Do not feel as though you need to dote on me. This is my fourth litter, it's all rather easy for me now. The last three had been much smoother, of course.

A breeze comes from the west, a careful frown settling on the face of the matriarche. There's far more scents coming from the west these days. Wolves, but something else too. She hoped that her sudden change of topic would work.

lucifer’s gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary, reading between the lines of her words. easy, she said, but he had come to recognize the way even the strongest spoke when they were trying to convince themselves as much as others.  

still, he would not push. not yet.

as you say, matriarche, he replied smoothly, though there was a glint in his eye—something knowing, something unconvinced. but forgive me if i remain watchful. even queens deserve a moment of ease.

the shift in topic was noted, but he did not press. Instead, he lifted his head slightly, drawing in the air with quiet interest. far more scents, indeed, he murmured, thoughtful.

his voice did not betray concern, but there was a weight to it, a quiet readiness. his instincts stirred, that ever-present sense of wariness sharpening like a blade long kept in its sheath.  

well my intent with seeking your presence had been to seek an assignment to prove my worth in rank. but that can be delayed if necessary.

if you have noticed it for some time, he asked, casting her a sidelong glance, what does your intuition tell you, matriarche?

Gentle words relieved some of the tension in her posture. He was probably right. It's quite alright. I understand that you mean no harm by it. So long as he was not forceful, she would remain unbothered.

Pondering his following statements, she took a moment to give an answer. Dogs. She stated plainly. Nasty, savage creatures. They must have settled nearby. She eyes him now, the gears turning in her head nearly visible.

What is the rank you desire? If it aligns, then we can knock out two problems at once. And that would certainly be convenient.

She was admittedly glad to move towards ranking Lucifer. He was eloquent, and clearly determined to carve a place for himself within the vale. He was exactly the sort of wolf who she needed to lock in here.