The Sentinels Soggy Bottom

Spiritually speaking, Sam was a simple wolf.

He believed that dying angry was a sure way to become a ghost, and he believed that ancient, mean things guarded forests and needed to be sucked up to - often, ostentatiously, and with material gifts. The thought of reciting a poem or offering 'good vibes' to a Huldra was a terrifying one. Sam liked his skin, and he liked it on his body.

The overlap in beliefs was fortunate - he would find the heart tree, beg the Huldra's forgiveness for the belated offering, and rope Ghost in to help him make a blood sacrifice. The how of it was a matter for adrenaline. Solenya's terms would be met, and he would pick the lowliest possible growth as soul bloom to remind him of his place in the forest's true hierarchy.

Sam's resting form was a lie. His mind was running a mile a minute, trying to recall what he knew of heart trees whilst his botched and unfinished quest from @Sobeille loomed in his hind brain like a storm cloud. At least he wasn't hungry any more, though cached meat could not beat fresh, warm blood from the tap. He would have to rally his new roommates for a hunt - and soon.

Solenya, unlike Sam, seemed to be tranquility made flesh. She floated over to where he lay, saying soft words and smiling like a dream. Up close, the resemblance to Gorgon was less pronounced - this wolf was fine-limbed and graceful, floating among the greenery like the spirit of a tree that wasn’t quite ready for mulch life.

Sam raised his head and greeted her with a tight smile, unable to keep the lid closed on his inner turmoil. "Thanks for the food," was the first thing he said, "We..." One of his cinnamon-backed ears rotated down. Solenya had given them sanctuary, and he would pay that debt with as much loyalty as he could spare, but her way of life was.. well, different. Sam was in training to become a villain's trusted sidekick, which didn't feel very peace and love. And Ghost - she was a bit of a weirdo, and was so far refusing to speak. Sam would lie and say she was mute if asked. "It might take us some time to be.. good sactum wolves. We've got, uh, some baggage?"