Swiftcurrent Creek never lonely, just alone

She wasn't sure what had led her back to the Wilds, or what brought her back again and again. She drifted through the Teekon like the nomad she'd always been - unable to settle, to commit.

But having visited her parents in her rotation of travel, they had said something to her she'd never expected: find a home, find a family. And though at first she'd kicked against their advice, the more she wanted and thought about it... the more she knew they were right.

She didn't mind being alone. She was not lonely. But with her parents retired and not long for this world, Jasper was the only family she had left, and she did not even know where he was. And then what?

Dhalia considered these things as she came across the scent of a claim. It was formidable, strong. Were they kind here? Was this even a place she'd want to settle? The coywolf observed the land for a long time before she lifted her head with a hotel on the air. 

Time and talk would tell.

OMGGGGGGGGGGGG

Arlette heard the howl, it had a feminine tone to it. It seemed to call for someone audience, a general call. It wasn't specific to anyone in their pack. She didn't recognize it, so she assumed it must be a stranger to them. It was nice to know that they were more in the picture since they did have some visitors lately with Nanou and Muskrat joining them. Though the latter didn't seem to have joined in good favor if she had to go on Akavir's opinion of her. Arlette decided that she could perfectly handle someone at the borders before she started to really show her pregnancy. Arlette felt that it wasn't that obvious yet, but it kinda was.

Arlette made her way to the howl, she had been relatively close anyhow. The woman's red eyes fell on the woman at their doorstep. She was rather beautiful in coloring. Arlette didn't gather much from her scent. She slowed down her trot into a standstill. You called for us? Arlette spoke. Perhaps first let the stranger speak before she would say something that might not even be relevant. Her stance was neutral, perhaps a little less open as she would normally be because she was pregnant. So far the stranger looked friendly, but Arlette's judgement had always been thinking of someone as friendly.

Another woman met her, small and scarred and to the untrained eye, otherwise ordinary. But she'd midwifed enough to know the early stages of pregnancy, and knew the season enough to know that this deep into spring, one could count on a woman's soft contours as being more than extra weight packed on in the feasts that often followed a long winter.

A strong border, a litter on its way. Already, this pack showed good signs of life.

Afternoon, she said with a courteous tip of her head. Small talk or business? She cut to the chase. I'm a traveling healer, looking for a place to take on as a long term commitment. To settle, as some might say. What's your situation like here?

Were they in need of helping paws, or did they already have someone to fill those shoes?

Little did she know she's talking to one of the best healers around!! <33

It'd been several days since Viinturuth's return to Swiftcurrent, and in the quiet periods of time when he was alone he felt restless. It was not often that the white wolf lasted for the blood of another, but he craved justice for Mae. It bothered him a great deal that her attacker was still out there, unpunished.

He knew Akavir wanted to plan, but he was anxious that the beast would vanish from the valley where he allegedly stayed.

A stranger called from the borders and the ranger veered in their direction, purpose in his quickened stride. When he arrived he regarded Arlette quietly, then rose his dark gaze to look upon the unfamiliar she-wolf with interest. A healer, you say? Viinturuth parroted, for Arlette's was skill set was a valuable one - and he felt they might have need of an additional set of caring paws in the near future.

Arlette was instantly met with a courteous female that instantly went to plead her case. She rather liked her. Arlette was pleasantly surprised to hear that the other female was also a healer and looking for a place to settle. The woman wasn't threatened in the slightest. Eshe had been a healer as well and she realized how much she could learn from others even as experienced as she was now.

Arlette looked up when Viinturuth spoke, Akavir's brother. She hadn't heard him approach. She hadn't seen him often. Currently I am the only healer of Swiftcurrent, she explained to the female. But I am open to work together, if our views aren't too different. Some difference might be good, but if they were opposites then they might clash. She doubted they would truly clash but one could never know. Arlette also realized she would probably be indisposed for a little while when she had her pups, then an extra healer would be nice. She looked at Viinturuth, trying to gage his opinion on the female.

<3 <3 Learned from the best!

That's right, Dhalia said to the other who arrived, interest alight in his earthen eyes. She couldn't sus out where this man ranked in the order of this place, if he belonged to Arlette, or was a brother, or cousin, or protector she and her husband had brought into the pack. One thing she thought she knew: this man was not of high enough rank to throw himself around, and so, she placed Arlette above him - not that it would change the way she treated him, though it decided whose words she'd listen to first.

All the more, that Arlette herself was a healer, too!

She considered the woman's pet offer with a thoughtful look.

I thought I might find a place that has no one trained in medicine - not for standing of any kind, but because I've seen what becomes of families who have no one to care for them, or no knowledge beyond the basic remedies every child should learn, but oh, what a tempting offer! She missed working alongside her parents, and then, beside Jasper. It would be so nice to have that camaraderie, that company again. We could strike another deal. I would love to learn from you, and I would love to teach you some tricks I've picked up on my travels around the land. Perhaps we could make a pact between like minds - an allegiance, between you and me, and others we know who are committed to life above titles. Our profession can be isolating, after all, and we've much we could do to learn from each other and help one another when the need comes.

A glance to the powdered man. Though Arlette's decision weighed heavier than his, his reaction spoke for the rest of the pack, and she could not ignore this if she wished to see any of her vision through to reality.

Rank mattered very little to Viinturuth. He came and went as he pleased, content to make his base in the creeklands. Leadership was not something he'd ever reached for, so he'd settled happily below his brother's title. Arric had been his second for a long time and Arlette moulded herself naturally into that role as the Beta's mate.

It was the way of things, and there was no desire in him to challenge the peace he'd found among Swiftcurrent hierarchy.

Oddly, however, he wanted this bright-eyed wolfess to notice him. He listened quietly as her focus shifted to Arlette to carry on the attempt at securing herself a place as healer. His dark gaze lingered on her face with interest for a time, and straightened his posture on noticing that her eyes sought him once more. There was approval in the curve of his smile as he glanced toward Arlette, though ultimately this was her decision to make.

Arlette listened to the female. It was a noble cause, to look for families who didn't have a healer. She had been relieved when she came here that she could use her skills to help them. It had been a good match, joining swiftcurrent. By the sound of it though, it almost sounded that the female would continue and not join them. But she gave her another offer. An interesting one.

Arlette loved the idea. Because it was exactly how she had felt sometimes, isolated. She had learned from a few wolves but it would be so wonderful to have a group of healers to chat too and exchange information. I would love that, she spoke with a big smile on he face. How do you envision this working though? Meet in neutral territories?, she asked curiously.

And what about you? If you are in need of a home? Swiftcurrent would offer one to you. Or would you rather join another pack close by that needs your help? Arlette wouldn't blame her if she rather wanted that. I'm Arlette by the way. This is Viinturuth, she introduced. It would be nice to have another healer on call if she was indisposed. But, she would need a talk with Arric and Akavir about that. If she had an alliance with another healer then perhaps the two men would need to meet this woman as well.

I would want to introduce you to my mate Arric and our leader Akavir. Just to be sure, she admitted, and glanced at Viin if he agreed. But learning from each other sounds wonderful. Helpful even.