Northstar Vale NSV CLAIM: we owe this to ourselves!

OOC: Following the small hunt and Raheerah's invitation to Xi'nuata. Her mind had been light since the conclusion of the hunt. Only the thoughts of what more to do within a day tended to plague it. For a time, she wondered where her place within the arms of the mountain would be, having only ever been by the side of the demon in the short time since her entrance into the Vale. Though she intended to remain near, the light that was never without its shadow, prior packlife had demonstrated that most vows of that nature were metaphorical at best. The literal keeping to another’s side was a notion expressed to equals and kin. And as it was, she was neither- simply a new face within the fold. But she tried… how she tried not to hang her thoughts on this. Better she ponder her immediate placement, lest she give the demon a reason to regret his actions. And so she immersed herself, took mark of near every nook and wild cranny that was claimed by the Vale. The scents were fresh, hardly days old atop the snow. The demon… others… and small fodder in turn. And dare she admit it was… peaceful. She believed this was what the elders had called a haven, a resort where one might find a home and peace. Strange that he would have led her to this place. Were it not the mountains, that touch of familiarity, she might have second-guessed her decision. If only for a moment. But no such doubt resided in her mind. Especially when the call of the demon touched her ears. Neither was the female swift nor slow, but at her own pace to become acquainted with the land. Each step was with the purpose of cementing the feel of the earth in her mind. Each blink of the eye to capture the scenery, that should she be lost, she would find her way once again. She was graceless and heavy, save for once the generous mounds of snow allowed for an easier stride. The straggler’s pace increased to dexterous bounds as she assumed the higher paths to draw nearer to the gathering. The dusk had settled offer a softer light to her stage, but she was swift and sure upon it none the less until the pillars of ice gave way and she resumed her walk across level ground once again. Her eyes bore witness to the gathering ahead before smell or sound told of how far it had progressed. Even in the waning light, her eyes found the scarred visage of the demon as he addressed the many in the familiar coarse drawl. Her own voice was reserved letting the fall of her paws announce her approach instead. Her eyes did wander from one unknown face to another bar two she had encountered before her invitation. To them, she simply addressed them with a soft bat of heavy lids before turning to Raheerah. She crept close to his side and ever mindful of his blind eye, offered a low hum to remind him that she was near. She had heard his designation, and in truth it surprised her. However, she offered no contest as she lowered herself to the ground at an angle from his side. Smoothly, she turned her muzzle from the earth to look to each face both known and unknown. “I am Xi’nuata,” she offered simply, as she hadn’t a rank to give them in turn. She fell silent then and let her head rest on her paws, though her ears remained forward to listen to the others’ names and tales.