Ouroboros Spine To hold you again

Set around the time Angel returned to Moonglow. :) Welcome back!

Good news had reached Raindrop's ears! @Angel Oak had returned! She told her three daughters before she rushed to greet the fourth, her tail waving; and there was a glow about her, one that any mother could notice. She found her way to the center of the territory, and stood there, looking around. She panted, ears alert and swiveling, eyes scanning the area, her nose twitching, taking in each scent.

It wasn't long before Raindrop's eyes had settled on a leggy yearling, her fur painted in the colors of the earth. Tears welled in her eyes at the sight of her daughter, who had grown into a beautiful young woman!

"Angel!" she exclaimed as she trotted towards her daughter. When the distance had closed, she invited her daughter in for a hug, hoping Angel would accept. She was a teenager now.

"Mother!" Angel shouted, picking up the pace to meet with the woman more quickly. She rushed into Raindrop's arms, tears welling again in her eyes as a tidal wave of love and relief broke over her. She had missed her mother and sisters all this time, but it was only now, holding and being held by her, that Angel realized just how much.

And maybe it was hearing about the loss of the moonwoman. A spiritual mother, even if not one that Angel herself was too familiar with. Angel was just grateful that she still had her own mother, and that Raindrop loved her so much and so well.

"I've missed you," she sniffled, a bright smile on her face. "And I have something for you! Wait — "

She had to double back a few yards, to where she'd dropped the bundle of treasures. And then it took some sifting around before she found the beautiful abalone shell she'd brought home for her mother. It was large, larger than her paw, and the creamy silver sheen on the inside made rainbows when it caught the light.

"I met a boy who'd trained an otter to dive down and find things like this," she said, nudging it toward Raindrop's paws. "And I traded for this one to give to you."

Beneath her fur, Angel was blushing. She'd traded a kiss — and not just any kiss, but her first one. It had been a wholly pleasant experience, but it was still too strange and silly to think of talking about, now.

Mixedhearts, you make my heart melt. <333

She embraced her daughter, holding her tight. Tears of love welled in both their eyes, and embrace tight and true. Soon, they let each other go. 

It was as if Raindrop's smile was forever engraved on her pale muzzle. "I've missed you too." But Raindrop knew that freedom was something that must be given, as a child grows, so that they may better learn about their world. Then, with bright eyes gleaming, Angel said that she had something for her. She dashed off, and even though it was only a few yards, she didn't want to take her eyes off of her daughter, not for a minute. Mothers never stop loving or worrying; it's a skilled balance.

When Angel came back, she carried a bundle with trinkets, and as she watched Angel dig for something specific, she felt anticipation bubble within her.

As soon as Angel found it, she'd proudly showed her mother a strikingly beautiful abalone shell! A wonderful, yet aching reminder of the family's first true home. More tears crept into her eyes, and it was as if her heart melted. "Angel, it's beautiful." She cooed as she admired the shell's natural and simple beauty. "Thank you." Raindrop reached to place her paw gently on her daughter's face. She was very proud of the young woman her daughter's were growing up to be.

Her daughter then continued to talk about her travels, how she met a boy with an otter and how she came to acquire the abalone. The mention of "a boy" did pique her motherly interest. But, that would come at another time. 

"Come, I will fix you something to eat. And you can tell us all about your travels." She told Angel, as she moved to walk back towards their den.

The bliss of their reunion filled Angel with equal parts excitement and peace; she followed her mother back to their den, allowing her to carry the abalone shell while Angel carried the rest in their bundle. These things were dropped carelessly on the ground once she reached home.

"Is Rosie nearby?" she asked, catching the scent of one of her sisters most strongly. She didn't wait to hear the answer before she started in on her first story —

"I saw where Grandmother lives, and I met her children. Some of them are just my age! And so many of their cousins. I can't believe how many!"

She did a little shuffle and spin.

"I learned some of their dances, and some of their stories — and I just kept thinking that I wished you all were there, or that I couldn't wait to come home and show you."

She spun back into Raindrop's arms, crashing gently into her chest. She was too big to curl up there, now, but she only wanted to lean dramatically into her.

"Did your family sing and dance a lot, Mama?" she asked, intent on getting answers to all the things she'd wondered about on the road. "I wish..." She wished that her father was here, but on second thought, she did not want to bring him up at this time. "I wish I'd gotten to meet them," was what she said instead, forcing her tone into wistfulness rather than melancholy.

Both mother and daughter arrived excitedly back home. Their belongings had been dropped onto the floor of the den.

Before Raindrop could answer her daughter's question, Angel enthusiastically told her about the visit with Grandma, and how many cousin there were. Raindrop was truthfully in awe, learning about how much family they had, their traditions, and stories. Raindrop openly embraced Angel as she spun and crashed into her chest. It seemed like only yesterday that she would cradle her daughters against her chest, singing and talking to them, telling them how much they are loved. Then came a curious question: "Did your family sing and dance a lot, Mama?"

This was a question Raindrop wasn't prepared to answer. It had been two years since she had seen her family. She thought for a minute, an almost sad smile grew on her maw. "Yes. We did. Every spring. It was when wolves would join together, to celebrate the coming warmth, the blossoming earth. Some wolves even found their partners. That's how my mom and dad, your grandparents, met." She could remember her first spring, she watched the dances, danced with her mother and father. Oh, how she missed them. 

"I know they'd love to meet you too." She said lovingly.

Setting the melancholy aside, she stood up, and walked to the part of their den where they kept fresh food. She grabbed a piece of fresh meat, and brought it to her daughter. "The journey must have been long; here, you need your strength." She passed it to Angel. "I'm so happy you visited family. It sounds like it was a lot of fun.  And, You'll have to show us the dances you learned. Maybe we can start a new tradition." Raindrop said in a happy and hopeful tone.

Such thoughts evoked a harsh yearning in the young woman's chest; Angel named the feeling heartburn. And, oh! how she burned to know the people that Raindrop spoke of! Hadn't she spent all these many months seeking out different cultures and stories? Were these things not the riches that she sought most fiercely, even more than jewels and antiques?

It hurt to have her own family's most precious heirlooms just out of reach. She had little to her name, but there was little she wouldn't give to know the family that had been lost to her and Raindrop both.

"You'll have to teach me those dances, too," she told her mother. They would learn from each other, and in this small way, would begin to rebuild their family's wealth.

Giving her mother one more squeeze, she drew away, giving Raindrop space to fuss over her some more. She preened under the attention, gladly taking the offered meal with an expression that said, Oh, yes, I am so hungry! and, Lo, I am but a growing girl!

Sleepy and sated, she settled down in her childhood home, under the careful watch of her mother.

"Will you tell me a story?" she asked Raindrop, yawning. She would never grow too old for a story.

I'm so sorry for the delay on this. This will be my last post, since I can't think of a story, lol.

"Of course. I will do my best to pass our traditions on to you and your sisters." She assured her daughter with a loving smile.

After they had finished their meal, Raindrop could see her daughter grow drowsy, settling down and getting comfortable in their quiet den. Angel then asked, with a yawn, for her mother to tell her a story; This question brought a feeling of motherly pride to Raindrop. "I would love to." She said, and moved to settle down next to her daughter, pulling Angel close.

"Once upon a time...."