Hoshor Plains ~East to West~

Set before she meets Rodyn and after she finishes hanging out with Heph. Tags for reference, (excluding Valiant’s) if any.

Raindrop had been pretty busy socializing and exploring, so she decided it was time to chill. Today, she searched for Valiant, as she wanted to tell him of her moving on. What Heph had told her, all about Moontide, reinforced her desire to move to the coast, and move on with life. Spring was nearing, she was changing, and she had to keep up. 

She called out Valiant’s name with a low howl: “@Valiant!”

Things had been happening so fast — first Minnow, then his aunt, plus his growing affection for Moonglow and for Vairë in particular. He'd asked around a few times for Raindrop, but he hadn't wanted to pull her away from whatever she might be doing. He didn't realize he'd been concerned about her until the sound of her voice brought him relief. He hopped up and headed toward her at once, calling out to let her know he would be there soon.

There was a spring in his step when he found her. "Have you been havin' fun?" he asked at once, his tail wagging in greeting. He hoped that the gathering had been as good for her as it had been for him. "You did great on the hunt."

He came almost as soon as she called, a spring in his step, tail wagging. She started, almost unknowingly, shifting from one paw to the other from a building excitement to see him and share all the good that happened. 

“There you are!” She beamed, “Yes, I have. And it’s all thanks to you.” She turned his question from her to him, “Have you been having a good time? You must be as I’ve seen you so little.” A chuckle and a playful tone in her voice.

Valiant huffed out a laugh as the question was turned back on him, glad to see that Raindrops was in such good spirits.

"I'm glad," he said, taking note of her tappy paws. She clearly had some news to share — and so did he, but his curiosity won the day. "And me too — good things have been happening. But go on and tell me what wonders I've unwittingly orchestrated."

His nose twitched, as if he might find clues in her scent. It was hard with all the different scents floating on the breeze.

He laughed at the reversed question, which made her smile even bigger. “Thank you. I have met up with a wonderful woman from Moontide, Heph.” She explained, still shifting her paws, “She has given wonderful information about the coastal region packs. Therefore, I have decided to move to coast. I’m strongly considering Moontide as my pack, finally a place to truly settle down.” She could feel the excitement of the future and it’s possibilities building up, her tail in a full wag. 

“Now, come on. Tell me about your time. I can see your excitement, it’s not easily hidden.” She teased.

He was not surprised to hear the name of Moontide's friendly leader. He supposed that Heph must be impressed with Raindrop's performance in the hunt — not that she would've needed to convince them to take her! Valiant was not surprised that there were packs interested in keeping her around.

"Moontide's a nice place," he said, his tail shimmying as he thought of having a friend moving closer. He could never take proximity for granted after being on the move for most of his life. It was novel to think of having a friend nearby at all! "I'm sure they'd welcome you — and we'd be neighbors. I'm gonna stay with Moonglow, after all this."

And he was excited about that! But the real news was this:

"I found my sister," he told her, feeling awkward about how much feeling there was behind those words. "I hadn't seen her in years, but she showed up outta nowhere. We're both gonna join Moonglow. Try and make somethin' of it, y'know?"

He thought it was nice to have a connection, but nicer still to have one with someone going through some of the same things as him. Settling down after travel was daunting, he felt, but he believe wholeheartedly that Raindrop could do it. So why not believe in himself?

"Do you think you'll visit the other coastal packs before you decide for sure?" he asked her, thinking about the brine-scented wolves of Sapphique. Were there coastal packs aside from that? Did they live near enough to visit?

His news was incredible, and his happiness was written all over him. She replied first to the news of his reunion with sister and their home in Moonglow: “That’s amazing Val! Ya know, some of the best things in life happen in strange ways. Perhaps I could meet her sometime, being that we’ll be neighbors.” She said with a wink. Wow, neighbors, her situation was just getting better. She finally has her life figured out, new friends to share it with, and who knows what else in the new year. 

Valiant then asked her about visiting the other packs along the coast. She didn’t think so, one was all the way on the east side of the coast, the others an island and somewhere with an uncertain location. “I don’t think so. I’ve always been a westerner, born on the west coast. Sapphique is up east. I just feel drawn to Moontide. If that makes any sense.” She chuckled, feeling a little awkward at her response.

She was right — the world worked very strangely, sometimes. There had been occasions where it all felt senseless and random, but often, he felt as if his life was a thread being expertly woven by many cooperative hands.

"Well, if you see her, she looks a little like me — only smaller, and tanner, and with lighter markings," he replied. "But I'd love to introduce you sometime. Maybe we'll visit, or maybe you can visit us."

How strange it was to be making such plans! He would have to settle in and see what Moonglow was really like, but he could see an idyllic version of his future already unfolding in his imagination.

"Dutch said the same thing about Moonsong," Valiant replied, hoping to validate these feelings, if Raindrop needed it. "I hope it'll be a good place for you. I'm real glad we met when we did. It makes a kinda sense to see you settling — I guess it makes me feel just a little less strange about doing it myself." He hesitated, and then asked, "Does it feel strange to you?"

The description of his sister made sense. She must be half easy to recognize should she stumble upon her. In fact, she tried to make a mental picture of his sister, just in case. “I look forward to it. And if life keeps going like it is, that sounds almost like a plan.” Valiant then went on, speaking about how Dutch had the same feelings as Raindrop did. Maybe she should meet him next…. “Hm, interesting.” “And thank, again. I feel as if I can’t say it enough.” She laughed lightly, mostly at herself. She didn’t want to make anything awkward, but another question arose, so she tried to have a more relaxed look on her face as she answered: “I feel the same. And I suppose, once I let it all sink in, it will be kind of strange. Both of us have been on our own and wandering….” She paused, thinking back on the year, and looking in his eyes, “But we have to keep up. Life is only going forward, and I’m thankful to have a true friend to share it with.” She nuzzled his fur, akin to a hug, wrapping her neck over his.

It wasn't as though their conversation had been lighthearted in the first place, but it turned abruptly serious. Valiant's tail stopped wagging, if only because her tone seemed to require his full focus.

And Raindrop was right. The world kept on spinning even while Valiant had felt frozen in place. He wondered at what sort of things had kept Raindrop on the road for so long, but now didn't seem like the time to get into it. Instead, he was willing to accept that she was speaking from a place similar to his own.

"Me too," he said, giving her a brief squeeze in return. He felt sorry, suddenly, that they hadn't spent more time together while everyone was gathered. He hadn't known her all that long, but he had the idea that he might miss her kindred spirit when it was time to part. With this feeling, he had to remind himself that they wouldn't have to say farewell forever at the end.

"I think this is gonna be real good," he said, laying to rest some of his last reservations — for the moment, at least. "You're gonna do great at Moontide. Although I guess you better learn how to fish, if you don't know already."

He had to lighten the mood. He didn't feel too awkward talking to Raindrop about these things, but they weren't topics he liked to visit with regularity. Valiant thought he could do with giving his emotions a rest.

Her turn of emotions must have rubbed off on his, as his tail too ceased its wag, his attention to her words. She knew that when they parted ways, it would be forever, they were going to be neighbors after all. But there was a connection between them, like kindred spirits, and this would make parting less of an easy task, for both him and her. But she continued to smile, as  now was not the time to worry or feel down. As he gave a squeeze, she didn’t speak any more until he had. Sometimes silence felt good.

“And you as well.” However, his mention of learning to fish brought out one last chuckle, “I guess I will. It’s definitely not something I’ve practiced.”

Let me know when your ready to wrap. I feel this thread has set up a good few stepping stones for future threads. ;) I always enjoy threading with you.

Valiant was ready to direct his focus elsewhere, and this seemed like a profitable segue for both of them. He perked up, feeling suddenly reenergized.

"Well, there's no time like the present," he declared. "Let's see if we can find someone with experience. There oughta be, with this many wolves around."

I am good with here! Perhaps they solicit a lesson from a nameless NPC wolf and have a nice afternoon? I am looking forward to when they meet again!

She perked herself up as he did, ready to move on once more. Valiant too made a good point, as there was no time like the present to learn something new. “Very well then! Let’s head off.” She replied with a cheery tone and a glisten in her eyes.

Sounds good. Whenever you feel like starting that thread, just let me know who starts. :) Likewise!