Hiding away from cold wind blowing

ooc: I would like @Blue Willow or @Dante join.

It had taken Osprey a while to find her way out of the coast-line. The memories of, how exactly had she got there, were still obscure, therefore she had followed the hints her friends in the bay had given and her own common sense. Getting lost a little was part of the adventure, but soon she had found a familiar path and the rest of the journey was easy to cover. She had lost her muscle mass during the weeks of her recovery, therefore she was leaner than usual, even though it was not that visible under the thick winter coat.

When she reached the familiar area, she quickened her step, eager to get to the plateau faster. Million things ran through her mind - ranging from happiness and impatience to see the familiar faces again (what had Dante and Blue willow done during this time? What was Junior doing? Had Saena forgiven Peregrine his departure? Had they newcomers?) to fear of being rejected. She had been gone for a long time, having left giving little information of where she was heading and why. Yet she had missed them all dearly and she hoped that it would be enough to smooth out any potential conflict or distaste for her, should it ever arise.

Osprey stopped briefly at the borders, which still held the familiar scent, and then - after a moment of doubt, she crossed the doorstep of her home. She had returned.

Blue was out for a slow amble around the pack lands. She couldn't offer much protection to the borders with her roly poly size and all. She could however let others know that the plateau was still strong and she could easily summon wardens and warriors to their border home. Today her steps were littered with fatigue and achiness, but it was okay.

Her sides swollen and her cramps coming and going. The milk filled teats holding heavy below her belly. Regardless of all that she continued on, happy to have a home and happy to be carrying life in her womb.

She was walking and a lone figure crossed into their borders. Growling she surged forward only to see the dear face of her friend. OSPREY! Her growls quieted and she ranwaddled to her friends side. She was leaner than she remembered, but her face was still dear to her.

apologies for short but family christmas

Dante had gone on a quick border marking and was just finishing up when he came across Blue Willow on the border. From a distance he did not recognize the other and instinctually rushed forward to defend the expectant mother. As soon as she got close enough, however, he paused, and a smile lit up his face.

He hung back though, unsure on where they stood still and her reasons for being gone as well as giving them a moment alone.

Always on the lookout... Osprey thought, when she spotted a black wolf in odd proportions charging in her direction. Only, when she came closer, did she recognize her friend Blue willow. To say that she had changed would be an understatement. Someone had swapped the she-wolf she had known a month and a half ago with a wolf, who was round as a barrel and walked in a funny way. But the happiness she was greeted with flushed away any doubts she had had. If all of the world were to reject her than Blue willow and Peregrine would probably be the two people to welcome her with open hands.

"Hey!" she said and walked over to sniff Willow's muzzle and give an affectionate nuzzle at her cheek and neck. "I have missed you like crazy," she told her. It was then that she noticed another familiar figure in the distane. "Dante! I am so glad to see you," she welcomed him to come closer. None of them seemed to be angry at her at the first glance. Maybe all would turn out for the best in the end.

Their borders were always well protected, something Blue Willow loved about their pack. Blue willow couldn't stop the smile from completely taking over her face. Blue swiped her tongue across her friends muzzle and nudged her neck softly. i was so worried about you! What happened? At first i thought you had left? But then I knew you wouldn't just leave without telling me.

Blue Willow backed up to give her friend space, even though she wanted nothing more than to embrace her and keep her tightly stuck to her side. She had missed her so very much and had worried like crazy about her. And she couldn't go and find her and it had rubbed even more.

From her cheerful demeanor and friendly greeting, Dante could immediately assume that his guess as to the reasoning for her disappearance had been completely off base. Immediately he felt a rush of relief alongside a curiosity to know what had happened to keep her away. He knew he should probably be a little more suspicious of it, but her joy in returning and his gladness at having her back made that impossible. He just couldn't believe there wasn't good reason behind it.

"Likewise," he returned to both her statement and Blue Willow's. He fell silent after to allow her to answer, smile disappearing and replaced with attentiveness. He did wish to hear a reason. She'd disappeared at an inopportune time. Briefly he thought back, now wondering if she knew what all had transpired while she was gone. Likely he would need to fill her in, and the thought of it filled him with dread. He did not think the news would make her happy. How could it? Her family had lost yet another two members on the Plateau. Thank the gods Pura and Saena were still here, loyal as ever. Particularly Saena, whose attentiveness and enthusiasm of late had been a real asset to the Plateau.

Blue willow probably didn't realize, how much her faith in Osprey, meant to her friend. All the while she had spent at the bay, she had been wondering, if any of the people back home thought about her, were worried or worse - were ignoring her absence. She had disappeared at a very unfortunate moment (again) with the best of intentions (tracking down herds had seemed such a great idea to contribute to the pack's growing needs) and it hadn't turned out well.

She side-glanced at Dante, searching his face for any kind of resentment. It made her sad to realize that all DiSarinnos (herself included) no matter, how good and great people they were, were all good at disappearing. Crete had done this without a word, Atticus had probably met his end somewhere, Peregrine (his case was different, but it counted in a way) and now she too. It didn't worry her that much of what the wolves, who weren't directly related to her, thought about her. But Saena's and Junior's opinions mattered. They had lost their faith in their family members, who should have been there for them, always. Not in a patched-up manner.

After the first exchange of smiles his demeanor changed and so did Osprey's too. Smile left her face, as she thought of her weakness and how very much ashamed up to this very moment she felt. "I was tracking a deer herd. There were so many mouths to feed here at that time, we were failing each hunt and someone was raiding our caches shamelessly that I thought it was better to go for a bigger game..." she paused, shuddering at the recollection of what had happened next. "I was caught up in a stampede - think of hunter being hunted by the prey," she mustered up a weak smile, while her eyes remained serious.

"I got injured and I somehow ended up in another pack - Stavenger bay, I think... they let me stay, until I recovered and here I am now," there was more to the story, but she didn't wish to delve in the details any deeper.

Blue Willow always believed the best of those she loved. Osprey was no different, even Peregrine. A part of her still wanted to believe that he hadn't just left and had no intention of cleaning up the ash from the bridges he burned. However untrue that maybe, she held out the hope that it was not so.

Blue was not certain why Peregrine and Osprey's family kept leaving. She could guess of course. Crete having left because of his intense dislike of Hawkeye. Had he known he had children she imagined he would have stayed. Atticus probably lost his memories again and wandered off to die. Peregrine was thinking with his male member far too much, and he wanted to please his wife. Which was understandable, but at the same time poppy cock. And innocent pups had gotten hurt because of it.

Blue eyes went wide and she gently nudged her friend. Ragnar and his wife took you in? I hope you are okay? Do I need to check you out or are you good? I wish I had known I would have made someone come and get you and bring you home. And in true blue style she began to fuss at her friend. Fear and worry, but pleasure that she was home.

trying to give this thread priority <3

Her explanation confirmed that her leaving was neither intentional nor the fault of any in the plateau, and instantly relief flooded the Alpha male. The thought of losing yet another, especially one he had just been starting to consider a friend, was not a pleasant one. It had yet to be seen how she would take the news of her family happenings, but at least he knew nothing previously had forced her to depart willingly. Briefly he wondered if she, like Saena, would lay the blame of her namesake's flight at his feet. It was a sobering thought.

"It seems once again we owe them a debt of gratitude. They are good to us, truly." First Junior, now Osprey. If ever a Stavanger wolf ran into trouble, he or she would find willing refuge in the plateau. It was the least they could do. "I am glad you are alright." His silver eyes held some concern. He wished she had taken backup in attempting a hunt such as that, for large prey was dangerous alone. He had little choice as a loner, but with a pack even he would balk at taking on a herd alone. Not only was there danger, but chance of success was also low. He too worried as to any injuries she may have sustained, but would allow Blue Willow's more practiced attention to see to that. Perhaps sometime soon he would pay the Bay a visit and give his regards to their leaders.

"They took a good care of me and I will be forever grateful to them for that," Osprey said, feeling the weight of her debt to the Stavenger bay wolves heavy in her heart. She was and independent wolf, she loved her freedom and owing someone something didn't feel right at all. It would take time to get over this, especially since she had no chances of helping these wolves from afar. She knew for sure that she wasn't leaving the plateau anytime soon either.

"I am fine, thank you, Blue willow," Osprey politely turned down Willow's offer to give her a health-check. She felt good as far as she was concerned. "So... what has happened here, while I was away? Are the sick back on their feet?" she asked, thinking of Finley and Junior, who had been very injured at the time. "When are the kids due?" she asked Blue Willow, regarding her "swollen" sides with a curious gaze.

Blue smiled at that admission. It seemed the bay was often helping them, for a wolf that kept his emotions and his pack close to the breast he was helpful. She would have to remember to thank him, if she ever got that way again. She didn't look like it would happen this winter, perhaps next spring, maybe even with little ones in tow.

Blue smiled and backed off, she could recognize a dismissal no matter how kind. She couldn't blame Osprey, she was a fuss bucket. Blue frowned softly A lot my friend. Junior took it upon herself to harm herself because Peregrine did not say hello to her I'm not sure if you knew that, then chase Finley out of the pack, then she too ran off and we have no idea where she is. Saena is having trouble with it of course. Ty is gone too I'm not sure if you knew that already or not. She grew quiet then with a sad little frown on her face.

Her frown was replaced momentarily it was hard the unrest that had bothered them in the last few months. Just a few days actually, perhaps a week maybe a week and a half.

Dante waited as Blue Willow explained what had happened, showing no outward signs but a slight flattening of his ears at the telling of Junior's and Ty's disappearances. The account was a good one, but there was one thing that was left out. Dante thought about letting it rest at that, but she would know soon enough, and he would rather it came from him.

"I also called a meeting, what must not have been long after your departure. Because of Junior's actions and out of respect of others living on the Plateau, I declined Peregrine's offer of becoming sister packs. I also requested that he remain outside of Plateau lands for a while. Until things could settle down and hard feelings be given time to rest. It was this that led to Junior's actions against Finley."

He wasn't sure how she would feel of his treatment of her brother, but she was all caught up now. It was a lot. At least the news of pups was a happy note.

There was a lot to take in, but Osprey listened carefully and kept her expression neutral all the time. The disappearance of Tytonidae was nothing new to her aunt, yet she had harbored hope that the young girl would get over her hurt feelings and return. She recalled their one meeting fondly and felt sorry that she hadn't been there to see her grow up, to have time to get to know her more.

Junior's actions were something she had expected from the girl. Her namesake had grown up to be a lot like her grandmother - she had inherited March Owl's temper and it was only a matter of time before the youth began to crave for power and dominance. On the other side - it was sad to know that she too had fled the nest without a glance back. Somehow Peregrine's wish had not been fulfilled - Osprey, who should have been involved in the lives of his kids, was merely a stranger to them.

"I understand the measures you had to take for the sake of your people," she told Dante. It was a reasonable thing to do - apart from Osprey and Saena, who wanted to have nothing to do with Peregrine, he had no other relatives here. Thus no valid reason to trespass at his own will. "You don't have to worry about my feelings - the world is a big place, I can meet Peregrine at any other area too."

"How are the rest of the pack? Finn, Koda, the kids?" she asked, wondering, if there were any other new additions to their ranks.

Blue imagined that all the adults were lamenting what they could of done for the children. Peregrine could have been more tactful about Fox. Fox could have tried more. Blue herself could have made more time. All of them could have done more, but at the time they did the best that they could. So they couldn't really fault themselves to very badly.

Blue smiled softly at her friend as she thought of Junior. Junior had her faults and she was full of foolish notions of youth. She certainly hoped she would gain maturity to her age and one day return better than she had left.

Blue nodded Peregrine did not see it that way. But I took care of it, though I think I made the situation even worse as I was upset when I went to talk to him. Alas we learn from our mistakes don't we. She grew quiet then and titled ears forward to catch the other words of Osprey.

We have had some new members though I have not met many. Saena is looking to follow the gamekeeper trade. Pura is being pura. Koda and Kesuk have become mates and Finn I think he is hurting, but he has been playing tour guide for the newcomers.

"I am glad, thank you." He replied, feeling his relief deepen even further. So far all he had spoken to within his pack seemed to understand the decision he'd made. Peregrine's extreme reaction had worried him, not enough to change his course but enough to make him expect some resistance. To find none only increased his appreciation for their understanding. "Peregrine also made it clear, at least when I informed him, that any others from our pack were welcome to visit. I don't know if this has changed, but feel free anytime you wish." He had no desire to keep her from the Caldera should she like to visit, and he hoped she would be recieved well if that was the case.

Blue Willow did an admirable job catching Osprey up and Dante had little to add. Things had been relatively peaceful since the drama with her family, thankfully so. The pack had stabilized and was still strong.

Despite them growing apart, Osprey believed that Peregrine wouldn't hold a grudge at her for very long. Their last meeting, which had started so well, had ended on a less than perfect note and she briefly wondered, when and if she should go to see him soon. Caldera was not that far away - she could manage it - but the the memories of recent events weren't pleasant. She resolved to think about it another day.

Her expression became curious, when Blue willow mentioned Pura, because he was one of the kids Osprey had not spoken to in person. She had heard that he was a bit weird and liked to be on his own better than to be in company with others. It was nice to know that Saena had decided to stay after all of the turmoil. The fact that Finn was still hurting and it wasn't hard for her to imagine why, was a little upsetting, because he had left an impression of being such a nice fellow.

She remembered Koda, but Kesuk was somebody entirely new. She made a mental mark to get to know her/him (she wouldn't be the least surprised about anything in this life). "It's nice to know that everything is alright - more or less," Osprey concluded. "You probably don't know, whether my old den is occupied or not?" she asked thinking about a nice long and well-deserved nap. "It was on the brink of collapsing - that's the last thing I remember..." she added.

ooc: I think that this would be a nice place to fade this out. Please, do so in your next posts. Powerplaying Osprey - if needed - is allowed. Thanks for the thread! :)

Blue looked at her friend and she knew perhaps some of the indecision that warred within her. She too wanted to see her friend, but didn't want to at the moment. Not to mention that she really couldn't, but the pain was still a little bit raw.

Blue spoke softly I think your den may have collapsed from the snow. I'm not sure and I'll walk with you to check it out if you like. You may stay in my old den if you want, if you don't mind the smells of herbs, until we can fix yours?

She grew quiet and motioned for Osprey to lead the way she wanted to spend some more time with her friend. She certainly hoped that Dante would come too, after all he was her friend as well.

Dante didn't like the thought of any of them weathering the winter without shelter. Even he had found a nook of his own. "If it had been, and Blue's does not work, I'm sure we can find you something." He was sure there were open ones or packmates she could hunker down with, if she wished. He'd share his own gladly as well, though was not positive on how comfortable Osprey was with such things.

"I should probably keep on the borders a while." He had marked them, true, but he still needed to check some of the other areas. "It is good to have you back, Osprey." He finished warmly before dismissing himself. Perhaps they could catch up later. For now he would give Blue Willow some time with her best friend alone.