Moonspear is this what you dreamed, then?

Backdated for April 4th, two days after this thread
@Amekaze @Charon @Dakarai @Aries @Cassiopeia

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The small brood continued on after their execrated chaperone had left them. After a day’s moping within the Altar of Twilight, they decamped and migrated north. Arturo’s child queen spoke of packs both to the north; and when the druid had consulted the map of the stars that fateful, melancholy night [their first as bona fide expatriates], the smattering of shimmering lights bade her to go north. Why not relinquish their fate to the harbingers in the sky ? They had no where else to be, no where else to go. So, she brought her family north.

A strange miasma of liberation and restriction was carried heavily atop their aura and the tempest had a dizzying time making sense of it. A great distance had been placed between themselves and the wolves who plagued them; and though the distance had originally been at Arturo’s behest, the greyscale fae now found a certain security in it. The miles meant that Arturo could no longer hurt her with his threats nor further lacerate her family. Far away, she was immune to their arbitrary, selfish, hateful judgements. They were free. She was free.

But there was one thing Olive was not immune to, and that was the loss of her firstborn. The same distance that gave her repose also gave her torment. With every step, Olive felt the lighted connection between her and the dark pup become dimmer and dimmer. The mother adored her two bouncing babies dearly [the starchildren, they had come to call them] but the purloining of Sirius hurt her keenly. The progeny would live, thanks to the wolf once known as Isley, but he think of another as his mother. Would learn to see the world through another’s eyes. Often, Olive would reminisce fondly on the night of his birth; it was Sirius’s touch which provided the fae with her first rush of motherhood, and that was an experience that could only ever be theirs.

In two month’s time they would return to see visit Sirius —all gangly legged and long of face — and until that day came, she would mourn his absence keenly.

Her charcoal nose twitched against the dusky air, drawing in the scented borders of the auspicious group of wolves. The mother glanced up at her lover and gave him a distinct nod; and in time, their steady saunter slowed to a silent hault. The family brushed up against the borders but were careful to remain outside of them; for now Olive now knew that trespassing what quite possibly the worst thing a wolf could do and she did not wish her family to suffer retribution a second time. Olive looked up at Dakarai with jade eyes brimming with nervousness. If this is where the universe led her, then she would go willingly — but inside, Olive could not help but fear that she might be burned by this experience too. From her maw, she released a child onto the ground and held the small body still between her front paws. Her cub’s beautiful, nascent body felt so good against her maw and she could not help but rub her cheek affectionally against the child’s entire being. “Hush now, sweet ones” she cooed ”and let’s pray that we are received with open arms.” Rosy tongue traced an outline on the little body and moved to nuzzle her other babe, then her kisses eventually found Dakarai and turned into nibbles. Her chin eventually came to rest outside of his feathered ear. “Our sadness ends here,” she whispered to the dark knight, her breath stirring his fur. As always, Olive tried to create the reality she so desired through her words — it often didn’t come true, but it was nice to dream for a moment.

So Olive walked on eggshells, reigned in her wild spirit and, with any hope, would cut a civilized relationship with the leaders of this tribe — the family needed their favor. Aries and Cass depended on it depended on it. The small, greyscale woman tipped her crown back, hauled in breath and sang a song to elicit representation from the mountain clan.

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Dakarai followed after Olive slowly, slower than usual which was a hint at how exhausted and lethargic he was. the second hint was how skinny he was, his ribs poked through his pelt and his shoulder blades could be seen poking out as well. While he wasn't extremely underweight it was clear that he had sacrificed much on the journey.As he had sworn every meal he caught went to Olive, which in turn went to the children. He ate occasionally if there was something left over for him to finish off, or if he could find time to sneak off for extra hunting. The things most at the front of his mind were Sirius, The safety of their remaining two children, and where they would find a home. He almost didn't look up in time to catch Olive's nod and even then he bumped against her rear end in a clumsy manner. He sighed softly and sat down setting Aries down between his paws and sniffing at the borders they had stopped at.


He touched his nose to Aries's head and left it there for a few moments, breathing in the calming scent of his son. Lifting his head as Olive howled for an Audience he gently nudged Aries closer to his mother's side, and then moved himself closer as well so that his flank pressed against her. "Someone will take us. If these wolves don't then we will try someplace else" he tried to speak strongly but there was a weakened touch to his voice.

Aries had fallen asleep during part of the journey, only waking when he caught the scent of strange, new wolves. He didn't know who they were, but to be honest he didn't really care. He let out a yawn, glancing between the members of his family. All but Sirius, but the other boy was not currently in Aries' mind. Perhaps later he would wonder where his twin was, but for now he just shuffled closer to his father, taking in all the warmth he could. 

It appeared, however, that his father did not want him to stay there, as he was nudged closer to his mother now. It didn't make much of a difference to the boy, and he wasn't really bothered. As long as he was warm. For once, the rather big pup was fairly quiet. Or quiet for him, anyway. And this was only because he was tired and cold. A few grumbles could be heard from his muzzle but other than that, he did not make much noise.

most likely, it was the rigour of travelling, combined with the fact that days ago, she had been in such close quarters to her ill brother. never the less, the girl was ill, and though not serious, it seriously hindered her ability to shriek her frustration and toddle in any given direction without warning, as she had recently learned to do. her nose dripped, and much of her energy was consumed by the illness, but still, the girl vented her discomfort with a rapidly widening range of acoustics. 

she had been occupying an uncomfortable half-sleep for a time, until suddenly her paws encountered the ground again. she made to stand on her own, albeit without much grace, and was about the shriek her discomfort when her mother made to cover her in affection and kisses, something which she found felt rather good. jaws snapping shut before they could utter a sound, and squirming happily beneath her mother's touch, she was silent. 

silent, that was, before her mother targets her affections to another. slighted by this betrayal, the girl's maw snapped open and she shrieked again, butting her head against her mother's feather limbs with demands that she shower her with affection once more.

Lured from her tracking by the unfamiliar voice's song of summons, she slid long and low through the deepening greenery of the mountain and worked her way down the last bit of elevation. After splintering off from Charon to prowl elsewhere earlier in the day, she had lingered somewhere just above the borderlands, where she often had good luck in her hunting and eventually felled herself a small rabbit. While only something to sate her temporarily, with a hunger that felt so endless lately, it wasn't enough for now and she had roved onward for something far more filling

It had not yet come before the call found her, but at the very least, her proximity did make her distance to cover to get to these strangers short; she reined back her canter and arrived upon the small, battered family on their doorstep soon enough. Curious and wary, Amekaze would not yet guess what had brought them to her here and now.

She was silent, stone-faced, and keen as she strode closer, with a posture risen and enforced by strength and security alike. The puppies caught her eye immediately, although scrutiny was also upon the miserable-looking adults in the very next instant. Amekaze could not recognize their scents as distinguishing and overall, they looked terribly displaced with young so small and statures this strained — in what was to her, a relatively lush spring of fruitful days so far. "Why have you come?" she asked, and searched the features of the two adults for an explanation to follow.

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The mountain which loomed above the doleful quartet stirred a sense of nostalgia within the shrouded druid, and the likeness it held to the sunspire of eons past was not lost upon her. It burned her; those memories of her and her lover, playing a hedonic game of cat and mouse amongst the autumn-tinted hues of that valley — and to look what was borne of such a fateful day! It was beautiful as much as it was cringeworthy, knowing what they knew now; the babes who donned pelts of ash and onyx, the son thieved from her side, and the parents, shellshocked from an existence of misunderstanding. The women was no longer an ingenue, innocent in the ways of the world and believing wholeheartedly that nothing mattered but peace and love. That halcyon zeitgeist was relinquished to a foreboding sense that there existed malice and corruption in the world [as was true of the stygian hellhounds of the bloodbound woods] and genuine misguidance [as was true of the misguided family, who also took up residence amongst bleeding timbers]. Perhaps I should stay away from any coppice with marred with the semblance of blood, she thought. 

Once again the family stood together, waiting upon the arbiters of their fortune. There was a foreboding silence that overtook them and the mother used the chance to preen her babies and husband, all of whom did not escape the happening without some sort of sadness. Aries was listless and Cassiopeia had fallen ill; there was a rift between Dakarai and her that seemingly could not be helped. Olive felt guilt, unable to change these things and better the fate of her loved ones. She was being whipped around upon the waves of change, as strong and forcible as the moon’s pull on the ocean, and  was struggling to do anything but keep her family above the water. 

Time was the healer of all wounds and Olive had to trust that time would heal this, too.

Olive saw the shadowed shewolf approach from afar and Olive leaned in close to Dakarai, placing her maw against his ears. ”We say nothing of the past,” she whispered to him. Olive now doubted her ability to give any sort of council, but their tale of treachery was too much for a family seeking acceptance. Before too long, authority of the mountain pack was before them. Olive watched her carefully, watching the shewolf’s eyes bounce from the collections of cubs to the sorry parents themselves — Olive tried to collect herself and organize herself into some sort of politesse [tail low between her hocks, head held below the shewolf’s line of vision], but their sorry state was impossible to ignore.

“Winter was not kind to us,” she spoke softly — as if winter was just yesterday. In truth, the winds of winter had receded many weeks ago and it was the current season, spring, where their true distortion lied. The sylph’s rosy tongue traced her lips, lingering upon the scar that ran from underneath her eyes and across her pretty little muzzle [a constant reminder of her transgressions]; and she was unsure if that alone would be enough of an explanation for an entire family appearing upon her doorstep. Thus, she continued in her customary alto “We seek acceptance into your pack.” Olive gestured to the three beings who accompanied her, as if there was any doubt. “We are many,” she said, “but we have much to offer.” Then, the mother fell silent, wary of letting her quicksilver tongue take control.

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Hydra can be skipped! Just wanted her to observe :)

 

The she-wolf who aspired to be a guardian of Moonspear moved toward the borders when a song was sung by a voice she did not know. Her path differed from her mothers but in the end they came to the same place, and Hydra greeted Amekaze with a roughly affectionate nudge to the shoulder, though remained mute. Her stature was mindful of her mothers place, and her eyes fell to the little creatures that the two adults had brought with them. Hydra had not seen children before, and did not know that them being so young and being here did not bode well for them—them being the children, though certainly it applied to the adults too in that their situation did not seem to be a good one. Being none the wiser, Hydra did not know that cubs not belonging to the leading pair could be grounds for dismissal. If that were the case here, Hydra would surely learn.

A simple nod was given to his wife and he licked her muzzle in a quick display of affection before pulling away and straightening his posture in the sights of what appeared to be the lead female. Despite his straightened posture, he flattened his ears and averted his eyes using the simplest signs of submission he could without seeming like he was cowering before her. "I am seeking a mercenary type of role." he stated after Olive had spoken of many things to offer. He lowered his muzzle toward Sirius and nuzzled him gently before placing several quick kisses to the squirming Cassi. Looking back up again he took a deep breath "We offer our services, whatever we have to your pack." he said honestly. 


He wondered briefly if they would be turned away because of their children, he had a very small knowledge of this but in his home pack it was part of the reason Oxsana and his first children were murdered; because they did not belong to the alpha pair.

You guys can skip Aries now since he's not doing much!

Aries remained where he was without a fuss for a little while, but soon got bored and began huffing. He squeaked and stuck his nose forward, taking in the scent of... strangers? He froze, shuffling on his paws before opening his jaws and let out a mighty bark. He just had to... show he was there, show he could be strong. His eyesight was still not completely perfect, but he could see the figures in front of him quite clearly. 

They might be bigger but if they attacked he would so win!

the girl that would soon grow to be strewn with stars writhed happily under her mother's tender touch, eyes closed and breath laboured in the slightest. she felt something building within her chest, travelling up her throat, and held in with clenched jaws. she did not notice the others, too busy holding inside the pressure in her throat. she succeeded for a minute, or two, before her maw opened quite suddenly and violently expelled a sneeze. 

surprise and the force of the sneeze had her backpedal, and fall awkwardly back into the forelimbs of her mother. after a moment, she noticed the others, and wondering just how they had suddenly appeared before them, fixed them with a silent stare.

With manners minded and first impressions underway, Amekaze's ears tipped towards the paler female for her description on what this was, exactly.. and she felt the first roils of a mixed response, the loudest of which remained uneasiness. Sympathy was not her strongest suit, nor a frequented visitor at all, and yet she still found herself more than willing to hear them out as the darker half of the duo detailed his share too to build upon what she had started.

True, they were many. Many mouths to feed, many minds to consider.. just to begin. But, her slopes were verdant, and pack small. Much of their lot were her own (one of which loomed nearby, she noticed), plus only two others she had come to trust very well because of their paltry numbers--which they could afford to change, and here, before her were two able bodies a they claimed to be. The issue remained their young, and just maybe whatever it was that had misplaced them from the birthplace of those cubs if they had one. Although, so long as history did not come for them on the grounds of her sanctuary, did it really matter? She licked her lips thoughtfully before she responded at all.

She had let her own roots settle here and had no intentions to see that change. Her blood was secured, maybe soon to be even more so, and her best interests would align with protecting them always. That, along with a queasy gut, was making her nerves thin already but she was keeping it measured, and minded. Next, she gestured to the pups. "Them being so young makes me hesitant, and not knowing why you have all found your way to my Moonspear... Your offers had best be grand, and intentions true. I have little interest in half-hearted loyalties," she glanced between them all. Knowing he was a mercenary type did tick in his favor, but it was just a start. Certainly not enough to carry the weight of all four, and of little use to her if this only served as a stepping stone to help get his family back up to health. But she did wish to hear more. They interested her enough to give them that much. "What are your names?" The whole lot of them.

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As Dakarai also makes known his skill set — mercenary, he says — another dark woman arrives, this one young and familiar to the monarch.  Olive dips into another greeting of politesse and realized, with quite a shock, that she was involving herself to yet another pack without knowing a single thing about them. Who was this new woman who joined them? How big were their numbers? What was their government style — perhaps they were complete totalitarian, as Arturo had been, with the ability to sever the sacred tie of mother to child. What was their name? The thought shook the shrouded woman completely, as the sylph intimately understood the dangers that packhood posed. She had made a promise to Teaglaigh and trusted them with her life; but they had throw her away.  She had greatly underestimated the Blackfeather Woods wolves; trusted that their reprobation had been paid by the marring of her beautiful, pale visage. No, dealings with packs never resulted in a happy state.

The Olive of old would had remained a lone wolf; impervious to the problems that blamed the wolves of a pack. She would travel the wilds, unfettered and footloose, enjoying all that life had to offer and blessing the lives of all she met! But there was no hope for that carefree existence now, not with the lives of Aries and Cassiopeia depending upon her every move. The mother would never regret her children, for they were sacred little beings, born of her equally sacred womb… but it was impossible not to notice the necessity of this situation. But the prophet trusted in the stars completely — if they had led her to this group, to this mountain, then she would certain heed its call.

The queen had no interest in half hearted loyalties. Neither did the new mother. “As do we.” she agreed with a distinct knock of her velveteen chin. There were so many disloyal wolves in the world and, despite whatever Teaghlaigh may believe, her and her dark knight were not those types of wolves. Their love and loyalty ran deep.

“I am Olive,” she intoned softly, closing her jade eyes for a moment before fluttering them back open. ”Starreader, naturalist” the woman figured it was best to offer her skills alongside Dakarai’s. The naturalist route was often one that was underutilize and undervalued, but was important all the same to the wellbeing of a pack. ”and studying to become a botanist. perhaps geologist too.” Olive concluded, hoping to have impressed the shewolf with her ambition. Together, her and Dakarai did provide a wide range of abilities. It was not a fabrication, as Olive did have high hopes for her eventual masteries in these subjects — and the  shadowed shewolf did look like she’d make for good, well-educated company.

Once again, Olive craned her head to look up the two babes that mewled about and tangled themselves amongst her willowed limbs. “This is Cassiopeia,” Olive introduced her daughter fondly, giving the sick girl a lick to clear any mucus remaining from her tremulous sneeze.  “and this is Aries.” A loving nuzzle was given to the triumphant little boy, defending his parents from the supposed intruders. ”Guardian in training,” she chucked at Aries’s bark, the smallest of vocalizations, but amazing all the same. Then, Olive turned her gaze towards the hulking form of her husband, so contrasted against her own petite and milky frame, giving him the opportunity to make his own introduction.
 

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Hydra's ears pricked at her mothers words. She echoed the sentiment, though did not speak on it. One of the puppies made a sound, and Hydra's eyes fell to him briefly. He was too little for her to be worried over him, and Hydra hadn't the slightest idea of how to deal with kids... at all. So her eyes fell off of him and onto the other wolves she ought to be observing... the adults. One was seeking a mercenary type role, which piqued her interest, and the other... the other would be good for Lyra, she felt. When Olive introduced all but the man (who she imagined would introduce himself), she committed them to memory along with their scents. She stood stalwart and silent beside her mother, at the ready should anything go amiss.

The woman in charge warned them about false loyalties and Dakarai shook his head "We would never impose upon your borders unless we meant it." he stated his words following shortly after Olive's. As Olive introduced herself and their two children he moved to the dark colored female who arrived second after the the woman of authority. He studied her for a few moments before removing his gaze to look at the other woman the paler furred one. "I am Dakarai. To be Mercenary and maybe a hunter. i can pull my weight as well as put in extra hunting and work to care for my pups." he offered fairly.

A new pack who didn't know them should not have to care for children they didn't know, and Dakarai didn't nescessarily trust them to do so either. "We wish to give all we can to your pack, and we will raise Cassiopeia and Aries to do so as well." he said softly. He had experience fighting though it was usually when his life depended on it, and when Olive was in danger. He had taken down a weakened Fawn by himself, and an Elder doe as well even though what had happened after that was not much to brag about.

They seemed to be mindful enough to understand, and do not offer her any resistance in what she wants to know, and perhaps hear. Their skills are varied, and painfully pertinent to her interests to find one a guardian and the other a naturalist, with two malleable minds with the possibility of potential. It was not lost on her to know their whelps wore the names of stars too much like her own, although she would make no remarks on this here, or now. She committed them to memory, names and faces and all else, and weighed what it was now, versus what it could--and would--be.

And truly, on the surfrace, this still made her several sorts of uneasy and a half glance at her dark daughter reminded her why. But they needed the growth. To have them come as a skywatcher and warrior aligned far too well to own interests for her to hold their cubs against them. Now, give her another turn of the moon or so, and she may have a different notion on her tongue, but by then, she could have more than first impressions and chit-chat to build from in regards to Dakarai, Olive, and their two pups.

"You may stay, should you all work to mend and carry your share--and then some." As they claimed to be able, so this would come as no surprise. She only needed it to be clear; they would understand why, exactly, soon enough. Matching a subtle gesture to all things at her disposal, she spoke on. "The mountain prospers. My family is small, but strong, and made of naturalists and warriors as well," she revealed. They may be able to make it work, too, and as long as her nerves weren't run short by their little caravan, this could become their home as well. "I am Amekaze," she tipped her chin for a swift nod.  "It is my claim alongside my mate, Charon." The counterbalance to her in many, many regards, they would be best to find his good graces too. 

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Dakarai continued their introductions, further explaining the value they would could offer the wolves of Moonspear. Olive listened, though he attention was diverted elsewhere — the fae could not tear her emerald gaze from the shadowed wolfess before them and Olive worked to scry whatever she could from the woman’s face and demeanor. So much hung in the balance at that very moment, and the mother founds herself experiencing some serious anxiety over Amekaze’s final verdict of them. Gently, she swallowed to relieve the tightness of her throat. 

No. They were good pack members, no matter what Arturo and his gang of criminals thought about it. This was certaintly the end of their affliction, Olive was sure. She had said it many times before, willing it to become true, but it never did. But now, if the wolves of Moonspear accepted the revenant quartet into their ranks, they would behave and pull their weight. If Aries and Cassiopeia could be given a stable childhood, they would grow to be productive pack members as well. If she could rededicate herself to her study and to the gods, certainly they would not feel the need to knock her family about. If they would only be accepted, everything would be rosy-colored and fine. if, if, if…

Then, just like that, it came true! The druid could hardly contain her pleasure. A grin ignited upon her fine features and she turned to the dark knight to see his reaction. The stars bade her to go north and she heeded their call, and now they were being rewarded for their accordance. Her tail beat a furious verse against her mate; her entire mien felt lighter and brighter than it had in a long time. “Thank you,” she chirped brightly, trying to hide her enthusiasm and failing with a giggle. She turned her head from Amekaze to the nameless shadow at her side.  “Oh, thank you!” Olive said to the silent one, certain that her opinion was of some value in this matter. With a relieved huff, the tiny fae gathered her babes against her and Dakarai’s yin-and-yang forms.  “Our family will not disappoint you or the king,” Olive murmured as she nuzzled her face into their wriggling bodies, hoping to share with her babies some of the hope and positivity that she, for a but a moment, radiated freely.

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Dakarai sagged with visible relief as the woman accepted them into the pack. She stated that they were expected to carry their weight, and Dakarai nodded. He turned to see Olive's reaction and was delighted to be met with the smiling face of his wife. He hadnt seen her look this happy in a long while and he basked in the warmth of her grin before returning it with one of his own.

His own tail whipped against Olive's side, and he nuzzled her joyfully licking her face and showering her with kisses. He bent down to kiss each child "you hear that guys? We have a home!"  he gushed and licked their heads before sitting up and looking at Amekaze. He stood up and lowered his front end to the ground ducking his head in respect and gratitude, he bowed before her "Thank you Amekazw, I promise you wont regret it" he said honestly.

Her mother had accepted them, and Olive and Dakarai both displayed happiness to this result. Hydra still had nothing to say on the matter, and since all had gone well for her mother and the others she felt her presence was no longer needed. Nosing the shoulder of Amekaze, Hydra nodded to the newest Moonspear wolves before turning on her heel and moving to continue her patrol, keeping to her characteristic quietude all the while.

Upon her verdict, gratitude radiated from the small family yet her undertone of tension just beneath the skin remained just as it had been. But, intently stoic, she accepted their thanks with a short tip of her snout. Willing herself to believe that it was unrelated and that this would be for the best, would just need time; they gave their best word, respect, pledged even further after thanking her, and in all, told her nothing ill or concerning. She still had her own handful of extra questions, but for now, this would do. She didn't want to press her own patience into finding greater issue here.

"You are welcome," she replied, knowing there was no need to drive her points further into the ground. They understood, and she had a good feeling they would come to understand in a few weeks why she was reserving a certain prickliness about it all, despite all of it that was for the better--how her pack needed the new blood.

So barring any further questions, she'd next go on to point the family towards some decent swatches of nearby mountainside to scope for a place to rest, and inevitably begin to settle in as she'd relay her findings to her mate. For now, she would let them have their privacy to mend in peace.

my last vague post here probably <3

last from me, too!

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Both Amekaze and Hydra acknowledged their acceptance and departed, leaving the family alone at the borders…their borders. Still radiating happiness, Olive peppered her mate’s face in kisses. They were alone now, and their was no reason for her not to show her unabated joy. This was the end; this was their future.

”Shall we find a home for these two?” the druid suggested, jostling the babies who tangled themselves around her limbs [but, of course, being gentle around the ill little girl.] Picking up their daughter, Olive waited for her husband to gather up Aries before she continued into the mountainous territory, wondering what it would hold for the tiny little Svartell clan. 
 

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Dakarai waited until Hydra and Amekaze left them to stand up and place rapid, loving kisses around his wife's face and pull her into his embrace. This was their new home, and while the two women they had met seemed distant, surely they could make some friends in Moonspear.

Sighing with relief that this was the end of their long journey from Teaghlaigh, he nodded in agreement "yes, sounds like a plan. Maybe up the mountain some?" he suggested and picked up Cassiopeia. It was Olive's turn to carry Aries.

Archiving!