Bearclaw Valley the 48

please let @Cole post first! @Ameline <3

she follows behind cole as he leads the way; always in silence with the comforting weight of ghost perched against the junction of her shoulders. towhee jr takes a deep breath as they draw nearer, scenting the pack borders in full. they were not made of many, but it was enough.

anything was better than trying to survive this winter on her own. though there is that fierce fire in her chest that tells her should could do it, she errs to the side of realism. that side that dances with logic of self preservation.

she stops a respectful distance from the borders, feeling the push of air and absence of ghosts' weight as the falcon takes to the sky; her gaze flickering from her falcon companion to cole where it lingers.

Cole stopped just inside the boundaries of Bearclaw Valley, his sharp gaze sweeping the familiar terrain as if seeing it anew. The weight of responsibility settled in his chest—a duty not just to his home but to the girl following silently behind him. Quill, as he’d named her, was an enigma, but there was something about her that made him want to ensure she was safe, even if she hadn’t asked for it.

With a glance over his shoulder, he nodded toward her, gesturing for her to step closer. Then, lifting his muzzle to the sky, he let out a low, resonant howl, the sound carrying through the valley like rolling thunder.

He lowered his head, his amber gaze meeting hers briefly. Stay close, he said quietly, his voice steady. Ameline’ll want to meet you.

He stepped aside slightly, positioning himself just between her and the heart of the valley. Always cautious, always watching.

*soft screaming* YAY REUNIONS <3

Ameline perked up at the sound of Cole's voice, its tones muted from the narrow pass that led into the valley, indicating that he was near the borders. She'd finished a sparring session with Adalynn, and had begun to lick the spot where the grabby youngster had snatched a thick chunk of fur from her flank. Par for the course- the girls came from fierce parents, and she had expected them to come into their own when they reached a year of age. 

A shadow passed by, and she glanced up just in time to catch sight of some kind of bird of prey winging overhead. She thought little of it. 

With her winter coat thickening, the patch was barely visible when she moved though it was a badge she would wear with a light, proud smirk until she caught sight of Cole, and a stranger, and settled into a more serious expression. 

Alongside the guardian (and promising recruiter, it seemed) was a young wolf- but Ameline recognized the woman's rust-coloured eyes and unique markings. She paused for a moment in surprise, searching the woman's face and frame just to be certain that this wolf was the one she remembered- and realized that it could be no other. Huh! She chuffed, and hastened her pace, ears flicked forward and tail swinging in a low, infinity loop. She crooned a low, affectionate note, even though she knew Towhee Jr would not hear it, and approached in hopes that she too would be recognized- and greeted like an old friend.

towhee nods softly as she reads his lips to stay close and that ameline would want to meet her. a soft bubbling of anticipation mixing with something akin to excitement as she looks past cole, waiting for ameline to arrive; and her wait was not long.

for a brief moment, cole is forgotten as she returns ameline's greeting ( though the sound of it was lost on jr, she could read the soft affection in the other woman's body language ) with a low, breathy croon of her own, her tail wagging behind her.

-hello ameline,- towhee greets in the sweeping gestures of her paws on ptero; hoping that the lessons she'd given the other woman hadn't collected too much rust in their time apart.

Cole stopped a pace behind Quill, his golden gaze shifting between her and Ameline. The air carried an odd mixture of familiarity and curiosity, the warmth in their body language striking a contrast against the cool surroundings. He couldn’t help but arch a brow, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he observed the reunion unfolding before him.

Guess you two know each other, he drawled, his tone laced with quiet amusement as he glanced at Quill, then back to Ameline. Didn’t think I’d be walking her into a reunion.

He stepped back slightly, allowing them space to reconnect. His gaze lingered for a moment on the gestures Quill used to greet Ameline—a language he didn’t understand but found fascinating nonetheless. She’s looking for a place, he added simply, his voice steady as his focus returned to Ameline. Figured Bearclaw Valley might be the right one.

Cole’s stance remained relaxed, though his expression carried an unspoken pride in the wolf he’d brought back to the valley. Quill wasn’t just another recruit—she had a history here, it seemed, and that carried weight.

It came as no surprise that Towhee Jr would be in such good health; even as a youngster, she had been tough and quick to learn. Her independence also added to her reputation- Ameline had given her friend an invitation to join Bearclaw Valley a year ago, but she had not been ready to settle down. It was entirely possible that Towhee Jr had come back this way, intending to find Ameline and make good on that offer- but whether it was choice or chance, she was welcomed. 

-Happy head you- She didn't remember much of what she had been taught. The gesture for see escaped her, but the smile on her face might have conveyed what she'd intended to say. Yeah, we were packmateth onthe, She said, stepping back. She'th welcome with uth. She can hunt, an' she can fight. We took on two coyoteth together- she couldn't have been more'n thickth month-th old at that point, She said, and her eyes fell to Towhee Jr's shoulder, where the trespasser had made its mark. I'm glad you brought her here. She said, further impressed with Cole for his dedication and his ability to find worthy newcomers. 

She scanned the sky, recalling the bird that had flown over earlier. That bird thtill with you? She asked curiously.

at cole, as she reads his lips, towhee jr grins, offering a loft shrug of her shoulders. without communicating in ptero she had no real way of telling him that she was not unfamiliar with the leader(s) of bearclaw valley. to ameline she offers a soft smile, able to discern what the other woman meant with her ptero.

-as i am happy to see you.- jr signs in ptero; content then to read cole and ameline's lips as they speak to one another.

a rise of her brow is given, golden gaze cast skyward in search of ghost who circles back 'round and takes up his usual perch betwixt her shoulders. -yes, he is.- jr signs, adding a simple nod of her head; though the falcon's reappearance spoke plenty enough for her.

quick weeee question because I don't think we ever wrote it out- but would there be a chance Ameline would know her as Towhee or Silent Hunter?

-See,- She signed, grimacing for a moment. That was definitely not the sign she had used. Grinning, she asked. -What say me?- She repeated the gesture she'd used before, for 'head', hoping she hadn't said anything that was vulgar, though- it certainly hadn't offended Towhee Jr very much. 

She glanced to Cole as the bird descended, wondering if this was all news to him. If nothing else, it would be a lesson for him to learn- that Bearclaw not only accepted those with different communication methods, but that they would try their best to be as inclusive as possible. The bird, the pack would be told, was off-limits for hunting. Not that a bird of prey was easy to catch, anyway. 

"That'th tho cool," She said with a giddy chuckle. Alright, well, let-th get you thettled in. I'm glad you came back thith way, She said, reaching out to share her scent with her newest packmate. An' thankth for bringin' her here, Cole. She thpeakth a language with gethtureth; pretty handy ath far ath I can tell, tho we should all try an' learn thome.

jr would've taught ameline her name, yes! <3

-happy head you.- jr signs with a breathy laugh; good natured as opposed to mocking. -i know what you meant.- jr remembered what it was like trying to learn how to read lips, after all. it wasn't an easy feat and sometimes if she was too far away or someone was speaking too fast words could get lost easily in translation for her.

-thank you.- it was a simple word, a simple ptero gesture but it encapsulated more than any word or gesture could communicate. she was looking forward to settling in, even though her heart gives a soft pang for her nieces and nephews, for her mother and brothers — scattered across the wilds and maybe even further.

but jr always held that burning flame to forge her own path, without knowing what shape it may take nor where it may lead her.