Hushed Willows not from the stars do I my judgement pluck

she returns from a brief conference with @Olive; the mother has fast become an easy conversation partner, and their similar interests intrigue the sea-witch. between them, they have a vast cache of herbs, which intuition tells her might come into use in the coming weeks. she attempts to put off speculation, focusing instead on preparation, but she can not help but wonder at the future when the shifting earth sends loose small volleys of pebbles from the cliffs that encircle the willows. 

change is coming in more forms than one, however, and the autumn-touched canopy does not escape her notice. she pauses beneath one of the grander trees as a stiff breeze teases the hanging fronds, glancing upward as leaves whirl downward and come to rest among their fallen comrades.

Opalia was considering paying another visit to Olive herself, but since she liked to think she was coping well with her aches by now, she did not want to take up much of the experienced healer's time--not when other wolves needed her attentions too. The gona at least understood what she needed to do to finish her mending, although much of it was the difficult to come by: rest. The unfamiliar setting, the uneasy times, and the literal quaking of the earth had her on edge; she struggled to settle down as often as she should.

Still, she was curious to understand more about the pack's few solid pillars, and she knew she had a lot to do in the meantime to help make that happen. It made momentum easy enough to come by for the yearling Drakru; she roamed beneath the treetops, familiarizing herself more, and biding her time before she either turned back to patrol, or Dacio's side.

This present rove led her towards a familiar enough wolf--but not one she wanted to say she knew well at all yet. In carefully watching the sterling shakti, Opalia's steps slowed, and she took her time offering her chuff of a soft greeting, then, her standard Dragedan greeting--Hei. She did not yet know precisely where she wanted to stand among these wolves. They were too unfamiliar still, and her, still learning.

her gaze is drawn back down by a woman's words, and she dips her head in soft greeting. "opalia." it's a pretty name, fitting for the striking woman. "how are you settling?" she offers, shifting to sit back on her haunches. the borders are poor places for truly getting to know new packmates, but now that she's been here a few days, the shakti hopes to learn what she may from the woman. she does not doubt her skills as a warrior, or willingness to fight. her still-healing wounds are evidence enough of that.

After she has the silvery leader's attention, she dipped her nose in a soft nod to her name. As for how she was settling? Her expression did not upturn like she had wished it would be able to, despite her healing making progress--far better than she could hope for left to roam and wait for Rusalka to sniff out their hiding spots. Times were surprisingly tremulous for the young warrior, all the way down to the earth at their paws. I'm alright, she said, words short as she reminded herself not to fall right into trigedasleng's familiar tongues. Having Dacio back made that want to come easier. The worst of my injuries already look better. Dacio's too, she added, a touch lighter than before, pairing with a nod.

Though the.. earth shakes are.. she searched for the word, and far too many came to mind, none of which were anything short of concerning. Troubling. Neither she or her brother could boast experiences with such, not truly of their own anyway. Stories were another fact.. and all she had to bank on. Have you felt anything like them before? she asked, settling her mismatched stare back on Thelxiope curiously after she refused to stare ponderously towards the mountains--where it seemed like the root of the worst of it was coming from, most times.