Stone Circle Tables and chairs worn by all of the dust

She's near the borders where the ridge of Bearclaw valley meets the edge of the meadow.

The last glimpse of daylight Oryx saw was the hot and copper sky of dusk that stretched out toward the horizon, where it was met by a long, straight line of dark green, rippled by distant mountains. She would have stretched her legs toward them, as though to reach out as she soared, fixing her gaze upon the distant sunset beyond the rest of the jagged circle of ridge as though willing herself to fly. For a few moments with the wind in her fur and the knowledge that she had finally taken ownership of her life, she felt as though she was floating. She'd finally torn her life from the one who had been chasing her and had flung herself into what she'd thought would be certain oblivion. But she had chosen it. And as soon as she felt her dreams begin to sink along with her small, frail frame, she simply closed her eyes and allowed herself to fall. 

The night would pass, dark and cool, and with the cloud cover, no stars would shine above her tiny, limp body. Her pelt would allow her to blend in with the dark, stony scree of the ridge, as she had not been flung nor had she rolled far enough to find a soft resting spot in the meadow. Unconscious, she spent the entire night devoid of dreams, fears, memories and thoughts- she'd finally found some sort of peace in this living state of purgatory. 

When the sun arose, she felt it warm against her cheek, and she slowly submitted to the realization that she had survived. But having been on the run for so long- and having nearly been caught, she had no energy to assess the damage she had suffered. Her head throbbed, and she wasn't sure what state her ribs or legs were in; and she was not sure, either, if she intended to even be alive. This had been her choise, her escape route- and now, if she moved, her doom might find her again. With a small whimper, Oryx pulled herself together as much as she was able, and dragged herself from her stony bed, and sank to the ground in the shelter of a boulder, praying that it might do some good in concealing her while she struggled with the realization that she had somehow survived.

Valette was doing her border patrol. Something that she notoriously disliked, especially compared to hunting. However, lately since Greyback had been traveling she realized how much insight border patrol gave her. It was like watching a herd. So as she was trotted around the border not only marking but also making sure to check for anything out of the norm. Well, when she saw a wolf close to their border dragging themselves forward was definitely out of the norm. The female instantly moved towards the wolf. The matriarch approached with a high raised tail but there was no aggression in her approach.

She noticed that it was a female. She was clearly hurt, or perhaps exhausted. She slowed down a few paces away, more for her own caution for if the other would be aggressive. Valette didn't think that the female would have the energy but she was still cautious she didn't know the female. "Are you alright?,' she asked from where she was standing. "You are almost upon the borders of my pack Easthollow," she informed the other female so she was aware not to trespass.

Over the course of time, Oryx's body began to speak up about the damage it had suffered. Though Oryx was not one who would complain, she could not stop her ribs, legs and shoulders from aching, nor could she make the throbbing pain in her temple go away. Squeezing her eyes shut only seemed to make it worsen, and she was given cause to wonder if this was worth it. If only she had perhaps leapt a bit further- fallen a bit harder...Or perhaps she should have let herself be caught- she might have suffered less, perhaps. 

In shock, she was distracted and not nearly as focused on her surroundings as she might normally be, and it wasn't until the tall, dark-pelted female drew in a breath to speak. Oryx's eyes flew open and she shrank back instinctively but froze as soon as she registered that this wasn't who she'd expected. This wasn't even someone that she knew. There was a question asked, and then a warning- though in tone, it sounded more like a gentle reminder than anything, that she'd come too close to a pack's boundaries. She craned her head back, teeth gritted together so hard she could hear them grate, as she peered up toward the ridge, wide-eyed, as though expecting to see a figure looming there. But all she saw was the stony wall, and the jutting ridges she assumed she'd hit on her way down. She avoided looking at the olive-eyed female altogether and curled back against the stone, flattening her ears and staring hard over her own shoulder. "I...Didn't....Think," She began, but stopped. The rest of the sentence was too brutal to voice, and she did not like the idea of admitting that she hadn't expected to survive the leap from the ridge.

Valette noticed that the other looked very disorientated. She was curious now as to what happened. She followed the glances of the female to the peak, as the other hadn't even wanted to look at her. The matriarch frowned at that. The words that came out didn't really make much sense. Valette softened a bit. "What happened?," she questioned. "You look hurt." Damn it, why did she let both of her healers go away on travel. She didn't think of that when she allowed Kaito and Arlette to travel together. But, she would still need to check if this wolf even wanted their help.

Valette looked over the other and tried to see if there was anything wrong. Maybe she shouldn't be too kind to strangers and help them. However, the female was a mother at heart and hoped that a kind stranger would look after her children if they were hurt during their travels.

When the question came, Oryx flinched lightly, and the perplexity on her features might have portrayed the fact that she felt forced to come up with something that wasn't the truth, as she found the truth would likely provoke more questions and bitter judgement. Given the fact that she hadn't expected to survive...She hadn't thought to dread interrogation until now. She continued to keep her troubled gaze averted, but took the opportunity to avoid Valette's first question- and focus on her observation. 

"Might..." She said, moving her shoulders and gently curving her ribcage, wincing when she felt pain. "Some strains, bruises...My ribs are hurt, but," She said, before she drew in a full breath, before she exhaled. "My lungs are OK. Some discomfort." She admitted. She glanced toward Valette, bringing her gaze closer to the female than she had yet- to take in a bit more details of her physique without directly looking at her. She knew there was more than what she had mentioned- she still wasn't sure how badly she'd hurt her legs or her hips, but she didn't feel like she should explore those weaknesses, and confess them to a total stranger.  "I have medical training." She said, somewhat nervously, hoping that might at least appease Valette somewhat. She feared she might have made more of a target of herself, by being found in such a compromised position.

Valette looked over the female, and she wondered what happened. But the female didn't seem to be open to tell her. That was all alright if she didn't want to tell but then she should just tell her. There still seemed no eye contact. Perhaps it was because she was so submissive? Valette didn't know her. "Alright, then try to stand,' she spoke. The female then told her that she had medical training. To Valette, this all seemed really random. "Uh.. Okay," she returned to the female.

"So you have the supplies to heal yourself? You don't have to tell what happened but if you are going to be crippled at our border. I'd like to know if you plan on leaving or need ur help with your recovery," she returned to the female. If she wanted to recover in their pack then she would need something in return of course but then she would need to know first.

She felt her anxiety level rise, and felt the weight of it as it pressed down on her, making it harder to breathe. When Valette asked her to stand, her ears flattened. She knew well enough that any attempt to stand would likely be met with a struggle, if not failure. She'd hoped that she might simply be believed, and allowed to tend to herself without having to prove that she would be fine. Valette offered options, then- she could either leave, and take care of herself...But then there came the option of staying, and it caused Oryx to stiffen- and listen more attentively, and steadied her shivers. 

If she stayed with them, she could potentially be protected. She could recover and then get as far away as possible from any realms that her suitor might think to search. She turned her muzzle slightly toward Valette, then, and humbly lowered her chin. "I...Can find supplies." She said. "But would appreciate...Safety, and shelter," She said.

Valette slowly nodded at the female. She could understand that the other wanted safety. "I understand that such a thing would be a good deal but what else would you be able to do in return for Easthollow?," Valette questioned. After all, she was not certain what would happen if the female would do once she was better. Would she just leave without a word like many before her? "What are your plans? Because if you leave the moment you feel better I won't have much interest in you joining our family. Since that is what we are, a strong knitted family. Would you say you are a family orientated wolf?"

Of course, a good talker could convince the matriarch to take the other in her pack. There was always a chance that they were lying. But it was good to have it questioned so she had something to fall back on when the female would leave without a word and disgrace their kindness.

Valette seemed disinterested in harbouring an injured wolf and then letting them roam free immediately after they were healed, dashing out Oryx's immediate plans. She loathed the idea of being a burden- but as such, she was interested in offering some sort of service in payment, as she was not a selfish being. She nodded very quickly, as soon as Valette mentioned returning the favour. "Of course! Yes! I can," She said. She'd interjected, so she fell quiet as Valette went on to describe the nature of her pack. 

It pulled on Oryx's heartstrings to hear that their pack's focus was on family, and she felt herself sadden a bit. She was supposed to be a part of a family...But her family had been wrong. She gritted her teeth together, and reassured herself that this had to be different. She knew that her birth pack had the wrong definition of family. Real families...They didn't treat each other the way her pack had. So she was somewhat wary of joining another- simply for fear that it might be more of the same- but she had to hold onto the belief that her pack had been an anomaly. There was no way there could be more like them on the planet. 

"I am. Very devoted," She said, but she cringed at the sound of the word- with the sudden realization that she had betrayed her own family. How devoted could she claim she was, when she had just flung herself from a cliff in order to escape her family? Like a leaf, she began to tremble, rocked by the realization and the dread of her reality once more. She shook her head, and inhaled air in small, short breaths; the way a rabbit will breathe when pinned. "Not devoted. I ran." She squeaked, and shrank to the ground where she could steady her shivers against the earth. "Had to," She squeaked, but she forced herself to clamp her mouth shut, for fear she might say more.

Valette looked at the female. She wanted to agree when the female spoke about being devoted. She wondered if that was really true. Though only moments later the female admitted that she wasn't. She trembled before her and Valette felt bad for her. She seemed really shaken, but also unstable. As a mother she would want to take this wolf under her wing, but as a leader, and unstable wolf in a pack was not really that convenient. She knew that from experience.

"It sounds like you have a lot of problems," Valette honestly told the female. "But I would not feel comfortable sending you away," Valette admitted to her. Her green eyes traveled over the female, giving perhaps the strict mother vibe. The matriarch would always soften later. "I will give you the benefit of the doubt, but one thing that makes me doubt and you are out," she told the female. "Yes?"

She felt ashamed and embarassed when Valette pointed out her flaws. She hated being told that she had issues. There was a negative connotation about that word, and others like it, that made Oryx feel like something was wrong with her- and that it was her fault. But it did not make her angry- as she was a people-pleaser in nature, and rather than allowing her shame to push her away from others, she felt a more pressing need to improve. She had been raised to hide her feelings. To stow away her opinions; to be perfect. 

So she told herself now, that in order to find a safe haven, and in order to heal up from wounds that she hadn't expected to survive- she would need to remember her training. She was to be perfect- a pliable, agreeable subject. So when Valette made her feelings abundantly clear, Oryx obediently nodded, and stated: "Yes,"  in her flutelike voice.

Valette dipped her head, pleased that the female agreed. She had asked the female before, but now she was going to need to ask her again. "So can you follow me into the territory?," she asked. There wouldn't be much of showing her around but she would want the female in their territory. Plus it would give her more of an insight into how the female could move. Valette would give her a place to rest, and try and see if she could find any herbs stored by her daughter or Kaito that the female might be able to use. She just hoped they would be back soon....

The question of how far she could actually move would be answered shortly- willingly, she nodded and rose upon limbs which shook and bent unexpectedly when her pawsteps caused a muscle to flinch. But when given a task, and when an errand presented itself, Oryx would comply, and could push herself to limits even she wouldn't have expected to be possible, so despite being terribly shaken, she was able to follow Valette to a safe place, where she could rest and begin to heal. She took stock of the extent of her injuries while they walked, and diagnosed a few issues which would take time to heal. She knew it would not be comfortable for her to run or leap for several days- and during that time, she would have to rely on these strangers who were now to be considered family...It guilted her and weighed heavily on her to rely on others- but she would have the opportunity to repay them, she hoped, once she had healed and begun to earn her place in the pack.

Valette was glad that the female could at least walk. The female offered the other a soft smile. "There are several caches around the spot I will bring you to," she returned. She was going to bring her to a den close to the river so she could drink. And there were several easy food sources around for the female to eat from. Valette would make sure to keep them stocked. Valette slowly guided her through the territory, as the den was in their forest and not in the open fields. "It is still a little way," she admitted. "But to the right you can see the stones of Stone Circle. It is the heart of our territory, and very important to us," she stated.

Meekly, Oryx offered Valette an appreciative smile as she described the area she'd be going. Food...She would need to eat, and while she hated that she would be pulling from the pack's supply, she knew it would only be temporary. Once she healed up, she would be able to repay them over what she hoped would be a long and fruitful summer. At least she hadn't joined the pack in the dead famine of winter. She might be able to share her knowledge of herbs as well, which would be something she could do even if she wasn't fully mobile yet. She was beginning to think of other ways she could offer assistance, in return for her own safety, when Valette motioned toward a ring of rocks standing tall, looking like a ring of bears sitting up on their haunches in the shadows. She paused for a moment. 

"How did...?" She asked, curious about the creation of the stone circle, before she began to move again. She kept her gaze on the stones as they passed by, and couldn't help but feel a chill run up her spine. There was something unnatural about the stone circle that she didn't understand- something more powerful than she could imagine, perhaps, had put the stones to rest in that pattern...But it reminded her, nonetheless, of the tales she'd heard about faerie circles- and how they were to be avoided.

Tags for visibility and BTS knowledge :)

Valette watched the reaction from the newcomer and could understand that the stones were an unusual sight to see. She was certain that the female would get used to it eventually. Normally people were impressed by the stones and their formation. "It was already here when I found the territory," she returned to the female. She then guided her into the woods where traveling was on smaller bush trails made by the wolves that went there before them. Valette led the way to an empty den, small, by the roots of a tree.

The matriarch looked at the other female. "As you can hear the stream is close by for you to drink. I am not sure if you should rest with your injuries or keep moving, but do what is best for a speedy recovery. The female then turned and moved to a nearby cache. Still insight of the other, as she fetched her a small meal. [b]"I will make sure to bring you some fresher meals when I go out hunting, or I will ask my children to catch you a small meal, it will be good practice for them." She would make sure to let @Leta, @West Tyree and @Clay know that there was a wolf that needed their help.

Oryx was slightly assured when Valette told her that she and the other wolves of the pack had had no hand in creating such a structure. She couldn't help but associate it with natural but still somewhat strange phenomenons like a faerie's circle, and thus interpreted the ring of stones to be somewhat of a bad omen. The flicking of her ears might have signalled her discomfort, but she remained silent for the time being. Perhaps they were simply stones pushed up from the ground by frost over hundreds of years, or something likewise as benign. She would do her best to avoid the area, however, as she still continued to believe that treading within the circle might spell bad luck. 

She was brought to a den which didn't look as though it'd been used too recently, but would do for a place for her to stay while she rested. Valette offered to bring her food while she rested, and she gratefully accepted the offer. She was quiet- still shaken from her experience, but she remembered her manners a moment later. "Thank you, I-" She said, and cut herself from continuing, as she did not want to be too personal. "This...Saves my life, thank you." She said, with a polite bow of her head.

Valette was about to turn around and grab a meal for the female when she spoke. Her green eyes landed on the female and then she dipped her head. It was a good feeling knowing that she was helping the other wolf. That she perhaps indeed saved her life. Hopefully, this would build up for some good karma later on. Or even better if the female found a home here. It was good to have a newcomer grateful and modest. "You are welcome, Oryx" Valette returned.

She would grab that meal now, and quickly returned with something they hunted a few days ago. "Eat and rest, I will check up on you in a few days. Hopefully, you will feel better by then." Valette commented and then left the female. Once Arlette would be back she would ask her daughter to check upon the female.

- Val exit -

If you like we can have another thread where Arlette checks up on her or another one with Val. Let me know what you prefer!

I would be happy to thread with you again, any time :)

As she watched the wolf leave, she settled down, resting her head upon the ground. She heaved a small sight, and flattened her ears, feeling ashamed of herself for having been caught in such a vulnerable position....And for having survived what had been intended as a leap into oblivion. She would eventually fall asleep, and mercifully tumble into into a dreamless state of rest while her body recovered, and would awaken later to a brighter dawn, both literally and figuratively.