Hushed Willows Sim Sala Bim on Your Tongue

@Lumiya

An Odyssey, his mother had called it. That was the word, right? A journey or a...a long walk or something? Perhaps the yearling should have listened more closely to the soft-spoken words the elder wolf had shared with him. He was almost certain though, and found the word tingling softly upon his lips as he continued to tread over the rich earth underpaw. 

Dante wondered quietly whether his trek could truly be considered an odyssey, when in reality he had no purpose. Hell, the kid didn't even have a direction at the moment. He hardly could tell how long he'd been walking now. His perception of time had been skewed since he had lift familiarity, and now only measured distance by how deep the cracks in his paw-pads cut, how labored his breath became between rests, and (more recently), how much dirt had begun to cling to his once-plush coat. 

It was fine, though. Everything was fine. 

The boy gave a soft huff as he began to slow his pace to a stop. Just. He needed to regather his thoughts. He was- he was okay. Dante inhaled deeply, a slight hint of salt on the air catching his attention. God, he missed the sea. As he blew out his breath, the young wolf wondered how long it would take him to reach a shoreline if he followed his nose. It couldn't be that far, right? Fuck. He was supposed to be moving away from familiarity, not making sad attempts to replicate it. Dante dropped heavily onto his haunches, closing his eyes. 

Fuck. It was fine. He was fine.

Love Dante's art in his profile btw! handsome boi

The Faerie Queen's wings were with her today. Loinnir was stationed on his usual spot, claws dug between her shoulders. It was clear he missed someone dear to him - not that he was usually in a good mood, but he seemed more sad than irritated these days. This upset Lumi in return, the one so soft of heart she'd take pity on the insects her albino friend often ate for dinner. As the therapist of her court, she wanted to cheer him up, but the fact that the two couldn't communicate vocally seemed to pose a challenge. He sulked as the fae brought him to his favourite spots inside their home, refused to eat when offered his share of their meal. It worried her.

Even today, his condition had not improved. He sat quietly 'pon her back as she made her rounds and did her chores. She missed the magical clinking of iced-over leafs hitting each other in the wint'ry winds. Everything seemed so more possible at that time. Though she had looked forward to the coming of Spring, she had expected her court to be established right about now. They lacked the members to call themselves official, which was worrisome to say the least. She'd wanted to invite the Empress and those of the sun pack to the festival scheduled for the coming summer, but it was looking more impossible by the day.

It was when thinking those grim thoughts that she spotted an equally somber sight, just outside the reaches of their willows. Her whitened brows knitted together in a worried frown. It was a boy seemingly not much older than her, coloured in various shades of dusty pearls. silvered rivers of fur trailed over his body in an elegant fashion, ebony accents throughout.

Excuse me. Her soft voice called out. Are you alright?

Aahh thank you!

His eyes closed, Dante breathed deeply. In, out... In, out... In-
Excuse me.
Are you alright?
The young boy startled at the voice, shocked out of his momentary spiral. He blinked rapidly, paws scarbbling to stand. His head whipped up, wide eyes catching on a silver figure not too far from him. For a moment, he was too stunned to even begin to process the situation. Eventually his brain caught up enough to allow him to really take in the other standing beneath the shade of willows. The wolf was a young woman, probably somewhat near his age- Dante had never been great with age differentation, honestly- cloaked in silvers with striking dark mask and compliments. His gaze lingered briefly, before he realized that he probably seemed like absolutely daft, standing silently like an idiot. Gods it had been so long since he'd had real social interaction. 

"Hi," Dante's voice was rough with disuse, he cleared his throat quickly, "Hey, sorry, hello! Am I, er, intruding? I didn't think I scented any border markings." He wouldn't be surprised if he had completely missed them though, the young boy had been a bit in his head the past few days. He settled where he had stood, lowering his tail in a non-threatening gesture, hoping he hadn't already managed to offend the other. An apologetic smile tugged at his lips as he waited for her reaction. Upon looking more closely at the girl, he could see a small white -creature?? thing?- bundled upon her shoulders, and squinted lightly in hopes to distinguish the figure. Dante's gaze flicked intermittently between the she-wolf and the palid shape, attempting to be discreet in his curiosity.

It seemed that she had scared the poor boy. Perhaps leaving things be was the right thing to do in some cases, but it was simply not in her nature to not stick her nose in others' business. Of course, she based what their needs might be on her own and was a tad bit too emotionally attached to the strangers she met in this way, but it was hard to fault her for it. She'd been abused and neglected by her parents, and now that she was a free woman in power, all she wanted to do was make the world a more peaceful place.

It took the dove-like boy a while to speak and, when he did, his voice was harsh and broken. She stepped closer, noting then that he looked like he hadn't bathed or groomed in some time. She sniffed the air for traces of blood, but there was no hint of it. It reminded her a lot of how she herself had looked after her journey in the mountains. Was he a worn out traveler? An assassin sent by the brotherhood of her father? From his smell and the fact she did not recognize him, she could conclude he was not of the faerie court a while's away from here.

Not yet, not yet. She assured him in a hushed voice. The queen then raised her tail a little, padding non-threateningly around him to get a better look. The fae was intrigued to say the least, yet worried all the same. You seem like you've seen more pleasant days - has something happened? She asked, a worried expression still on her delicate features.

mobile, sorry for any errors

The boy looked on with curiousity and relief as the young woman padded towards him, relaxing a bit now that he had been assured  he was not treading on claimed land. His curiosity spiked at her exact words, 'not yet'. Perhaps she was in the process of claiming land? Dante was unaware of any packs near where he was, mostly because he hadn't a clue where the hell he was.

He blinked at the question she posed, unsure of exactly how to answer. Surely she wasn't here for his life story, best to keep it light and short. "Ah, you know" the young man said with a snuffled laugh, his olive gaze examining the other just as she assessed him. Was that... a bird? "Just a bit tired, been walking for a minute," he spoke with a nonchalant shrug, suddenly all-too-aware of how messy he must have looked. His mother would've  been horrified- she had always taught him to make a good first impression, and this was certainly not that. 

"And you?" Dante asked, trying to clean some of the dust from his own shoulder as casually as he could. His soft eyes flicked up to meet the she-wolf's for the first time in their brief meeting. They were a startling silver and...violet? Did she have a violet eye? Dante's gaze roamed her face for a moment longer, picking up a slightly subdued mood from the stranger. "You're not exactly peachy-keen either, no?" A tired grin tugged at his maw as he awaited her response.

Indeed she was - behind her lay a forest of willow trees, home to the faeries of this realm. Though she was proud of her achievements regarding it, she was humble in bringing it up to others. Though their members were few, they were tight-knit and she wasn't desperate for others to join her cause. Au contraire - if she let in just any man, woman or child she stumbled upon without as much as an assessment of their alignment, she might be inviting harmful spirits into her lands of peace. Though the boy had yet to show any sign of malicious intent, the small fae was a careful creature.

Time was plentiful, so even if the Mouse had shared just exactly how he'd gotten here, she would listen. This, however, was not what he did. He brushed off the concern she'd shown him, explaining that he was indeed a weary traveler. It looks like you crossed an ocean to get here. She observed quietly. When she found herself close enough for a pleasant conversation, a distinctively marked tail curled around her feet as she took a seat. Loinnir lost his balance because of this, hopping off her shoulders and into the grass with a huff, spreading his wings slightly to catch some sunlight.

Her ears visibly perked as he posed his question and she rolled her shoulders uncomfortably. She hadn't quite expected him to turn the question onto her, as she usually fooled others into thinking she was doing just fine. Oh, you know. She echoed his words. Just realizing that it is much harder to establish a court, when so few come by and even fewer stay with. She explained softly, turning her gaze to her feathered companion. A smile crept onto her delicate features as she looked up again, only to find the Mouse staring at her. But I am certain we shall be all right — It is but a matter of time, you'll see. She added hopefully, perhaps trying more to convince herself than anyone else.

'the mouse' is officially the only thing I will be referring to dante as hahaha<3

The girl was perceptive, that was certain. A slightly shocked bark of a laugh left his lips as her words washed over him, It looks like you crossed an ocean to get here. His eyes flicked over her face with an amused fondness, her words were more accurate than she probably knew. "I sure as hell left one," he said in a breath, doing his very best to curb the undertone of sadness that he found sneaking into his words despite himself. He felt himself relaxing more with each moment, pleased as the stranger- he really ought to get her name- padded forward. It had been too long since he, who had always been teased about his overly-social manner- Dante the butterfly, his mom would say, always flit-fluttering about - had spoken to another. His tail thumped as she sat down, becoming momentarily distracted as he watched the owl hop down from the unnamed girl's shoulders. He eyed it with curiosity for a few moments before flicking back up to the girl as she spoke. 

Dante thought he may have seen a flicker of discomfort in her body language, but he did have a tendency to overanalyze things, so he let it be and focused on her words as she answered. The smile on his face grew stronger as she began, smirking at her opening words. He blinked with interest as she continued to speak, a court huh? Dante wasn't sure if he had ever heard the word used in this context, but surely if she was speaking of fellow wolves to join, it couldn't be much different from a pack. He remained quiet, studying her soft expression directed towards the owl before she began to speak again, a little spark of conviction and optimism evident in her voice. He responded with a firm nod of his silvery head, smiling right back at her. "I'm sure you'll be fine. Got this gut feeling, you know?" His head tilted playfully, though he hoped he conveyed his words genuinely. "S'like, that girl, right there," he threw his head to his right, miming as though he was talking to another unseen wolf, eyes flicking back to meet hers intermittently. "She 's gonna do big things" he leaned in closer to the imaginary figure, lowering his voice to a loud whisper "You can see it in 'er eyes." His nose scrunched with mirth as he looked back at her before raising a brow. He lowered his head in mock disappointment, puffing out a sigh. "Gotta say, though, it would really be a shame if I had to tell everyone I met this incredibly renowned alpha before it was cool, but couldn't tell 'em her name. Wouldn't believe me for a damn second." Dante's eyes flicked up from under his lashes where he had fixed them on the ground, crinkled with lighthearted banter and slight weariness from his travels, eagerly hoping the girl would take well to his friendly quips.

She wondered what he meant - as an aspiring therapist, she ought to know why the young man seemed so... melancholy, despite his efforts to hide this. She assumed they were both putting up a front, but this did spur her to know more about him. Where'd he come from? Where was his family? It was weird, usually she wasn't this shy with asking those kinds of questions, but there was something about the sooty male that simply took her breath away. Now that she thought about it, it was similar - too similar - to the meeting she had had with the handsome coywolf. These young men just had her completely smitten, not that she would ever admit such a thing out loud! especially not to Orlaith, who had teased her about her love life before.

A real fish out of water, I see. She chuckled, deciding then and there that she would not pry. If she was meant to know it, she was sure he'd come around. Frankly she had no want for those facts now, too afraid she might find something she'd dislike. Worries faded away in times like these, and she wished to keep them out for as long as possible. The therapist had her own unhealthy way of coping; it apparently included striking up conversations with handsome men, falling hard, then crying when she never saw them again. It was fine. She was fine.

It didn't help that the Mouse then did what she wanted most of all. Glossy with the hint of tears, the light bounced 'round in her eyes as she looked at him in awe. He made her light up, with no "Lady"or "My Queen" to speak of. It was just... That girl, and she was gonna do big things. A genuine burst of laughter spilled at the way he ended his... speech? A single silver paw swept at her face to hide both embarrassment and happiness. Oh stop it you! she let out with a chuckle. You shouldn't make a lady blush like that. She shook her head playfully, then settled down with a soft sigh of relief. When was the last time she'd laughed?

But, you can tell those on your journey that her name is Lumiya. Though the art of seduction was not a skill she possessed, the way her voice - the ghost of a melody -  said it could be 'misconstrued' as something along the lines of it.

 

A high, breathy giggle escaped Dante's maw at the girl's awful joke (his favorite kind), intensely contrasting his usual honeyed baritone. It was so, so fucking nice to hear a joke, he hadn't realized how much he needed it. The thought made him smile a bit with perhaps a bit too much endearment, and he quickly attempted to hide it by dipping his head with his snout pointed downwards, eyes fixed on the ground pointedly as the corners of his mouth curled upward. 

Dante was ridiculously pleased with himself when a sweet laugh slipped past the girls lips, his ears perking up to catch the sound as best as he could. Her voice. He was even more pleased when he saw the look on her face, as though she was genuinely enjoying their conversation. Gods he missed this. He bit down on his tongue to keep himself from grinning too wide at her bashful words, his nose crinkling to try to disguise some of his merriment as he watched her head wag softly side to side. His left paw shuffled just slightly, a new energy envigorating him simply from a pleasant conversation with an unfamilar girl.  

The young wolf's smug joy was quickly washed away as she stated her name, dulcet voice cascading over him for the briefest of moments as he took it all in. Lumiya. He'd never heard the name before, but it was suddenly his very favorite word, unusual and light, unlike anything anyone had been named back home. He blinked at her owlishly, trying to brush off his shock and hoping he wouldn't seem rude -truly, he was just charmed- and trying to slip back into his cool, friendly mannerisms. "Lumiya, huh? S'quite a name you've got there. Definitely the name of an iconic leader." Dante found himself with his eyes locked on the intricately-marked stranger- Lumiya - for a few quiet moments before he realized that in his fascinated stupor he hadn't even thought to offer his own name.

 "I'm...uh, Dante." He offered a delicate smile before his eyes glanced fleetingly at the ground, feeling a bit out of his depth. The boy generally did quite well at keeping collected, even around lovely strangers. He decided to blame it simply on the fact that he hadn't spoken to someone in quite some time. Dante took a deep breath in as subtly as he could to catch his new acquaintance's scent, trying to play it off with a shift in his movement; if Lumiya was really doing the big things she had spoken of, then it was likely she didn't have much time for scraggly strangers she met encroaching on her territory, and he wanted to be certain that he would remember every atmospheric bit of these moments when he looked back on them. "S'a pleasure to meet you. So you're really forming a- a court here, then?" His head tilted inquisitively. "If I'm being honest, I'm not exactly sure where here," he pulled his eyes from Lumiya for a second to take another glance at the terrain around them "is."

Though her joke had been far from good, she was glad it hadn't resulted in him looking at her weirdly. She usually wasn't the type for jokes, taking things seriously most of the time - she had to, as future queen. She very much doubted the others wanted a jokester as the one to make the big decisions, oh, could you imagine? "Tell them we go to war with them if they do not give us the medicine we need lol." "a bit aggressive but alright my queen..." And then an actual war breaking out. No, this was a secret part of herself she wouldn't show most, she didn't know how the boy had gotten it out of her. Maybe it was her fear of turning the conversation too sensitive, or perhaps she just felt at peace by his side.

A playful gaze was cast upon the mouse, smirking ever so slightly. A slight blush settled 'neath her silvery and sooty fur - how embarrassing! Not knowing whether he was just being nice or flirting with her didn't help her feel less bashful. Would she have said those kinds of things if she were just being nice to another? no, she would've definitely made it more formal... But not everyone was like her, so how was she supposed to know. It was better not to get attached to him anyway, flirting or otherwise - he seemed like a free spirit, not wanting to be tied down in one place. Lumi wasn't forceful by nature, so even if it would break her heart she'd wave him off with a smile.

She chuckled. I sincerely hope so — I'd change it if it wasn't. She replied in the same bashful manner. Her name was the one good thing her parents had given her, though it required no thanks. Their wrongdoings far outweighed their right ones. She'd be surprised if 'Lumiya' didn't mean something horrible in some ancient language they spoke in their family creed. She ought to consider at least changing her last name, be it by marriage or choice, for to be linked to the Melonii tree meant only suffering.

Dante. She echoed, giving it a chance to feel familiar in her mouth. What a lovely gentle sound. She complimented sincerely, offering him her sweetest smile. When he went quiet for a bit, she tried to nonchalantly roll her shoulders a bit, not knowing he was in fact sniffing her. If she'd known she'd meet him that day, she would've rolled around in The Clearing where a beautiful rose grove was hidden in plain sight. It wasn't like she smelled bad right now, just a bit too earthy for her liking. That's what sleeping in mossy caves did with you after all.

Likewise - and yes, I am. It shall be named the Seelie Court. She shared humbly as her paws tried to get some twigs out of her tail. She then pointed with her muzzle to the forest of willows nearby, their curtains of leafs obscuring their view to the inside. It looked both ominous and peaceful from out here, she realized. This is the Hushed Willows forest - She then looked at the mountains that towered behind it, continuing; And those are the Sunspire Mountains. She explained, turning back to Dante to see if he had followed along. So... Where do you hope the road you're on will bring you? She asked, worried undertones 'neath the slightly mundane question simply because she didn't want him to go.

Dante shocked himself as chills rolled down his spine- well, they were less chills than they were bolts of electricity- at the girl's testing of his own name on her tongue, he could feel himself alit with a new, curious sort of excitement. The compliment and smile that followed only furthered his adoration for this new character. Fuck, she was pretty cool. Damn, Dante really wasn't supposed to get attatched to others he... The whole point of all of this- this stupid journey- was to learn his own independence to...find himself as a singular decision-maker rather than as a wolf of a pack mindset. The boy had spent so long making decisions as a group instead of as an individual that it felt like he had come to a point where he didn't know what he -he, not the pack- wanted, or enjoyed, or what his moral principles were. And here he was, doing it again. Falling in love with the idea of companionship, of friends and family and...whatever. 

Dante quickly snapped himself out of his thoughts as his question was answered. He twisted his head to follow the line of sight that Lumiya adopted as she pointed her snout, but kept his eyes fixed on her, on the winding markings of her face, on her unusual (and quite captivating) eyes, on her maw as she spoke. His eyes flicked back up perhaps a moment too late as the wisp turned her gaze back on him, feeling caught out as warmth and a bashful smile rose to his face. He blinked at her and smiled before he registered her question. So... Where do you hope the road you're on will bring you?

Like a twig snapping, the lighthearted air that had radiated around the silvery boy broke. He tried to keep his expression something friendly, or at least something sweeter than the anxious grimace he nearly made. He was quickly drowned by his dilemma again, mouth dry and mind spinning. He blinked slowly, eyes pressing closed for a few moments longer than usual. "Sorry, please excuse my manners, s'not you I swear, you're belta, love. I just- ehm." The boy inhaled and blew out a rattling breath, his green eyes slowly dragging open and meeting the lovely wisp's once again. Somehow, the eye contact managed to soothe Dante a bit. He drew and exhaled another breath, this one quicker, as though he was bracing himself for something. "I don't know- ehm - I don't know where I'm going. Gods, im so sorry for the dramatics, I'm usually not this sensational I swear," he laughed bleakly, ducking his head in embarrasment and shuffling where he sat. "I guess I'm just a bit lost, love. But hey I mean, uh, adventure...Right?" He pulled a smile onto his maw with some effort, trying to keep the spirits high. He already felt like a complete tosser for ruining the sweet conversation they'd been having. Honestly, he should of just kept his mouth shut; the last thing Dante wanted was to scare Lumiya away, though it might be for the better. He was growing much too keen about the girl much too fast, the idiot. Gods, he never learned.

*sips apple juice*

He was so kind, such a gentleman. Even as she caught him not paying attention to their surroundings, but instead having it only for her... It was flattering, though from anyone else she'd see it as an insult to her teachings. She lived a poet and would die a scholar, after all, and part of the job was to teach others all she knew - but how could she blame the young mouse for eyeing the queen of faes and welfare? It was something in those eyes of him - she saw depth and hurt, but despite this he remained such a gentle soul. They had more in common than either of them might ever know, but it was no time to discuss just in which ways they had been hurt in the past.

The moment she noticed something amiss, she rose to her feet. cloud-kissed brows driven together by the thunder of worry as a sudden storm erupted in the boy's heart. Though his words said otherwise, she found herself guilty and desperately wanted to set things right. She tried not to pity him, tried to understand - but there was so much information she was missing, and she could not put two and two together. All she could do was step a little closer, hold him a little tighter if he so wished... Ssshh... She shushed him quietly - if she had not been given clearance on whether her closeness was appropriate or not, she would gently put her paw on his in the hopes of soothing some of his worries.

Let me guess... You've come from afar seeking something specific, but you don't know just what that is yet. She puzzled softly, gaze tracking the line of the horizon until she could not see it anymore. I was the same when I left home... She had trouble getting the last word to fall in line with the rest, not thinking her place among the other Meloniis had been home at all, but she had nothing else to call it. It takes some time to know just what you want to do and who you'd like by your side — but if you're even a fraction of the man I find you to be, you'll find the answers. You'll see. She encouraged, a smile on her face and conviction in her voice. But in case you ever need a break... know that my forest shall be a sanctuary, so you'll always have a place where you're welcome and wanted.

Dante was only slightly surprised by embrace he received, his soft grey head popping up the slightest bit, but quickly relaxing when he registered the comfort of the touch. He sighed deeply, eyes sliding shut again for a moment. His thoughts slowed down again, and he was endlessly grateful to the girl for her calming presence. 

He eyed her with a bit of awe when she began to speak on the details of his fears. The boy wondered how the wisp had so effortlessly connected his barren responses to such an astute analysis, but at this point he figured he shouldn't even bother questioning it. Lumiya was... something else. His chest clenched for her when he noticed a underlying burst of emotion at while she spoke, pondering over what the origins of her feelings were, and if maybe the two shared a few experiences. She only seemed to hit closer and closer to home as she went on, and he gave the smallest nod, eyes searching hers as she spoke. Who was this girl?

Her final words were what really caught Dante's attention though, and a soft expression of astonishment flooded his face, chest filling with emotion. The boy felt like a well, there was so much in him that he was doing his very best to keep from spilling over. "I. Thank you... But I gotta tell you, I think, ehm, I think I may have already found one." A gentle smile dawned on the boy as he searched her face once more to make sure she was being genuine, the last thing Dante wanted was for the wisp to bring him under her wing in the name of pity (though it'd be on him if she had, he had behaved so miserabley). "Do you think perhaps...I might take you up on that, if that's okay? I don't have to stay long, sorry, I don't mean to intrude I just um. This has been really nice, I'd love to just stick around for a mo? I'd love to meet the others- I'm assuming there are others, right?" He laughed his way through his little proposal, eyes flickering about. He felt silly asking after having just met her, but the boy didn't think he'd forgive himself if he gave up getting to know Lumiya in the name of his pride. He fidgeted as he awaited her response, nerved getting the best of him.

And like the sudden approach of the storm, the sun came shining through the darkened clouds again. Though she had thought little of her closeness in the moment, as she sat there she began to realize that perhaps she had acted too genuine. She looked at the calmed down boy she'd been keeping close, saw his content upon being within her embrace, and decided it was probably a good thing she'd done it. Not everyone was as open to physical affection, and the queen was a vulnerable piece of prey - she ought to be more careful.

She wasn't sure if it was fair to link his experiences to her own, for she had no idea what he'd been through, yet he nodded in response to her words. He seemed neither offended nor alerted, just slightly saddened by the reality he lived in. Most of the faeries came from darker experiences, but Lumiya hoped to be the light at the end of their journey, or a checkpoint they could always return to whenever they felt unsafe. She'd create something she had desperately needed as a youngster, and would make sure no one would be left behind.

It seemed this idea satisfied the mouse, as he wished to stay and chase the wisp into the forest. She felt her heart flutter slightly upon his ramblings, chuckling softly. Of course you may stay — I'm sure the others would find it wonderful to have another soul around... so would I. She said warmly. Would you like to see our forest? She sort of blurted, getting caught up a little in her excitement to have Dante stay with them.

mobile

Dante exhaled a shaky breath, the tension that had been cooling through his muscles releasing with it. A full grin broke across his face then for the first time since they had begun speaking, he no longer wished to hide his joy from the lovely girl. Her words tingled softly in his ears and he offered her a playful glance. "No I absolutely do not want to see your forest. Please, gods, refrain from showing it to me," he huffed, freezing in a faux-snooty pose, nose tilted towards the sky. He held it for a beat, before flicking his eye open and quickly popping to his feet. Dante hesitated a moment, unsure just how much physical connection was appropriate, before settling on giving a brief nudge at Lumiya's neck. "C'mon then!" With that, he followed the wisp as she begun to lead him deeper into the willows. Perhaps...perhaps he really had found an answer to his burning questions. Perhaps this could be home.