Northstar Vale [join] he's the guaranteed eternal sanctuary man

It took only two or three sleepless nights parted from his siblings for his frail will to tremble and fracture, and a day more beyond that to see him on his way. Narcissus cradled doubts within his mind, held tight and close to his core, that he would ever see his parents again. It pained him to think of Wisteria, who certainly didn't require protecting but who nonetheless his efforts had gone toward, and of Heston, who might frown that his whole brood had gone. Thoughts of them were quenched when Anemone's face loomed into his mind, when Hawthorne's punctually followed it... And so, plagued with visions of those from which he was but a clone, Exley had taken his leave of home and of Kei (but not in his heart) and had traversed the miles on his sister's coattails.

He would thank Kei and thank all his lucky stars that her trail had not somehow been stifled by the elements. He tracked her over valleys and hills, through river dales and over mountain passes, until finally he found her most recent scent at the edge of a secluded vale. Narcissus was disappointed and frantic to find that Hawthorne's scent, so like his and her own, was absent... But he reasoned that Anemone would not have stopped searching for him without some assurance that it was required. His paws were also cracked and bleeding, screaming for reprieve, but unlike his siblings Narcissus could not find relief but in their tangled bodies; he was naught but a ghost without them, a body missing its soul.

So he had not rested until he found one of them, and when he did his relief was palpable, and overwhelmed him in a sudden wave of exhaustion. He sank to his hind in the snow, his back to the mountains and his front to the encircled haven. His usual charisma and verve was sorely lacking in his littermates' absence, and the weary, forlorn note of the voice he threw forth unto the wind was missing the normal spark of life though it called for attention... But wound thinly throughout it was optimistic hope, that he had somehow reunited with his devoted sister on her quest to find their wayward brother... And if that were so, then he soon would return to his old self, roguish and daring as ever before.

As the monk came to adjust to life in the Teekon Wilds, he found himself more comfortable assuming an alpha position. Though his cleric ward stood beside him in such a 'ranking' system, she wasn't the most fit for such a duty. The Dragon, on the other hand, was qualified in brawn but Tenzin did not trust the beast's fiery rage. Watching the Dragon rip his fellow monks and clerics to bits was a most terrifying sight, but even so, Tenzin did not cower before the creature. Should the Dragon challenge Tenzin for his place as alpha, the monk would not fight; but not all challenges were won with tooth and claw. As the male went on in thought, a voice came to him on the wind: sad, searching.

Tenzin turned to look over his shoulder toward the direction of the call. He hesitated for a moment, assuming the Dragon would likely be prowling the borders, but decided on going to meet the stranger himself. Though the monk was looking forward to teaching those interested in monk-life, he did not expect them to become as spiritually involved as he was. The man did not take a fancy in mates nor did he assume aggressive responses where others would. He lived only to aid others in spiritual guidance and treat any that needed it. As he neared the borders of their paradise, the monk tasted the air. There was no sign of the Dragon from the way he had come, so the monk proceeded.

What was most striking about the male sitting in the snow was his striking resemblance to one of their newest additions. Tenzin raised a brow curiously but approached with a smile nonetheless. "Hello friend," he greeted warmly, features relaxed despite his position as alpha. He was only assertive when the situation called for it, and the monk was against throwing his dominance to those who specifically sought out their home of healing. "I am the monk Tenzin of Northstar Vale. Are you in need of assistance?" Tenzin asked softly, taking care to note the small amount of faint red that glistened in the snow where the stranger had walked. "The mineral springs are lovely for tired paws," he added with a large grin, lifting his own front paw to show his cracked but healing pads.

OOC: Unless personally addressed, Xi'nuata will be as an observer. She might say something, but if either of you need to skip over her, please do! Life in the Vale still required time to adjust, mainly when it came to resting within its borders. The tension of waiting for something to strange to strike in the night always left her on edge until she could hardly stand it any longer, and was made to rise in the early hour to walk off her wary. Such habits hadn’t wholly died since admittance to the Vale, though rather than wander aimlessly about the lands, she took to the borders with purpose to see their scent retained and strong. It had been some time since she witnessed the roles of one within the pack, and could only assume that scent marking was a part of all duties. If it were not then surely an apology was in odor as she could not take back her scent from overlapping the strong earth’s fragrance. However, she continued as she was, walking the base of the looming mountain to the inner depths of the woodland haven, then out again toward familiar soil- Til a song lonesome and heavy touched her ears, distracting the female from her dutiful course to investigate the call. Surely another could be along to greet this composer if not her, however the spell of inquisitive was too heavy to escape. She progressed through the mountain path toward the sound just as the echo receded into the many halls of the mountain. Her heavy steps so soundless and light against the stones that a falling rock carrier more an octave than her pace. An advantage for when she came upon the small gathering of two; the elder Tenzin and an unknown soul. Though the tan female was surprised to see its colorations on another. She could have sworn there was a striking resemblance to another of the Vale, a female if she was not mistaken. Stepping down her the mountains, she came to stand nearest the pale wolf but was mindful of her place. Her stature was calm as was her tail and ears reflecting the epitome of docile disposition. Her countenance, an unwavering mask of neutrality as she observed the new male with a cautioner’s silence.

Two wolves drifted in from the Vale's interior to meet with him: the first, from the heart of the territory itself, was a creature of ashen fur, whose pallor did nothing to reduce the healthy shine of his coat nor the shine of his eyes. Narcissus was momentarily captured in the svelte athlete's eyes, their lights so similar to Anemone's that for a moment his heart clenched painfully, reminiscing. Even as the man began to introduce himself—Tenzin, the L'amour committed to his memory, monk, so presumably an arbitrator and physician—the second wolf approached. He watched her peripherally, noting her bulk relative to the monk was substantial. This one had the look and build of a battering ram, with a coat of milked coffee and a cloak of fiery auburn. Her eyes blended in with her fur so flawlessly that without their blackened outlines, he might have missed them altogether.

Tenzin was clearly the superior. He held himself with the air of a man in charge, albeit also a man at ease with himself and his surroundings. By contrast, Xi'nuata seemed somewhat more reserved, and as befit her station, melted into the background somewhat. Narcissus' eyes therefore only flickered to her in brief acknowledgement before fixing on the monk, who offered him relief for his paws with a gesture of his own. The gunmetal man glanced downward momentarily, catching sight of the blood imprinted into the snow in each mark his paws had made, and his ears flickered. He hadn't noticed the blood until then; he had only known the dull aching.

Though Narcissus wished dearly to accept this offer, he had to rebuke himself and was reminded of his mission and purpose, and his posture shrank in accordance with his unfamiliarity with the wolves who guarded these lands. "My name... Narcissus. My sister, Anemone," he said, his voice grating out an unfamiliar timbre to even his own ears, so many hours had it been since last he heard it, and so weighed with exhaustion as it was. "Is she here?" The scent and the way her trail led right to this place would suggest she was, but it was possible she had gone another way, passed through their territory and out the other side... Anemone was the head of the dragon, and though his nerves were steel, he believed his sister, when her mind was set to a task, was bold enough to attempt something like that.

His ear pulled to a gentle sound and his head turned to see Xi'nuata come up beside him. Tenzin greeted her with a smile before turning back to the stranger. Xi'nuata was strangely comfortable with the Dragon, but the monk had not yet been able to work out what kind of cruel spell the beast had cast on her. He noticed all things and their subtle familiarity bothered him more than it should. Was it because he did not believe the Dragon deserved simple pleasures like friends beyond what they were as packmates? As a monk, Tenzin was open to all creatures and to all alignments. However, Yauso Tenzin was the unforgiven; the unforgiving.

He dismissed the turmoil as the stranger introduced himself as Narcissus. Odd name for a good looking fellow, but the monk did not judge. At the mention of the name Anemone, the man nodded with a smile. "Your sister is indeed here," he said kindly, looking down to Xi'nuata briefly to include her. "They look like twins, don't they?" he chimed, turning back to Narcissus with a spark in his eye. Tenzin found strength in family; though he did not consider the Dragon to be a part of their family, Dawa was certainly the closest thing to his heart. He cherished her like he would a daughter. His fellow monks were brothers, and his fellow clerics were sisters. The warriors were... their own thing, but Tenzin welcomed them all the same.

"She has committed herself to cleric life here in the Vale. Would you like to hear more about what we offer in terms of pack life, or are you simply here to visit her?" the monk questioned warmly, gesturing to Narcissus suddenly, "Do relax, my son." Tenzin was still not entirely used to having others submit to him and he honestly didn't like to watch other wolves try to shrink below his own relaxed stance, even if it did still hold an air of superiority. He tried to think where Anemone may be at this time, but the monk was usually keen on whereabouts and knew they could find her easily enough. "If you are here to only visit, please let us treat your tired body as well," he added with a gentle smile.

Indeed she became a thing of the background, silent and watchful as the eyes of the mountain. As the coal arms expanded to guard the treasured Vale, so was she there as a guard to the elder monk and his guest. His smile was returned with gently a nod as her eyes of umber and gold remained trained on the weary male. She passed no judgment, only observed him carefully. Rather she let her mind wander toward thoughts of the monk and his fragile charge. She knew little of the relationship between the founding three of the Vale. No questions were raised, for in truth, she did not care, but her eye was not blind to how skeptically one would pass over the eye. Unless it was the dull eyes of the female, always emotionless and void. There must have been a great past shared between them that caused such distance yet shadowing just the same. Had she asked the shadow, she did not believe he would confide in her… nor would she to him in regards to her own past. At least not yet. Though as open and seemingly caring as the elder presented himself, she had little doubt that should she ask his words would be easily shared. She thought better of it. What resided in the past could remain there for all she cared. What mattered was the present and the path now embarked upon. “They do,” her alto crept softly to life, as her mind was drawn from its personal thoughts to again look upon the molten grey fellow. He was the ideal reflection of his sibling, so much that were it not for his scent, she would have thought this encounter was with the grey female herself. Her thoughts remained to herself as Tenzin presented his invitation to the male. It was not surprising considering how open he was to them all, though it did not serve to lower her guard any less.

A puff of air parted his lips in a faint sound of relief when Tenzin allayed his concerns, both with a comment on their appearances (I'm prettier, his mind protested despite itself) and with direct confirmation. Not only had Anemone come upon these gentle keepers of the Vale, but she had cast her lot with them... A curious development, indeed. Though it felt in some ways greedy to ask further—he was too tired to mind his manners too much with these strangers holding sway over him, and too roguish to abide lawfulness besides—he was pressed to further his query: "and my brother, Hawthorne?" For surely, he reasoned to himself, if Anemone had settled into life with these gentle monks (with a sidelong glance to Xi'nuata he wondered if she, too, was a monk, or if there was more to this strange faction than Tenzin's ways) she must have found some trace of their brother. Narcissus would never have expected her to quit her search.

When he was met with the inevitable "no", which his writer knows is coming, his ears wilt back against his crown uncertainly. Surely something had appealed to Anemone to make her halt here... Surely some hint or clue to their brother's whereabouts? Belatedly, the rogue brought up his identity in a haunting whisper of, "I am one of three," but the provocation for this declaration was unknown even to himself. Blinking back his concern for their brother, and weighing in his mind Tenzin's offer, Narcissus indulged them with some backstory, which Anemone may or may not have provided: "My sister is searching for my brother, and I for her. We are three and we are one." He paused for but a moment before saying, "I require them. My head and my heart," was his clarification.

"For her to remain, she must have seen something here. So no, I do not suppose I am here to visit," he concluded, revealing to both the Vale wolves and himself his desire to remain where his siblings were. He could not turn his back on one copy in the idle hope he might find the other; uncertain odds were not something Narcissus was fond of. He liked knowing outcomes, being wily and cunning and merry as he was, rather than taking his chances. Should Hawthorne be out there, he would show himself eventually... And for the time being, Narcissus would remain with the one littermate he had found here. "Tell me more," he said, his suddenly a thirsting countenance, "of your monks and your clerics and your ways. What makes you offer aid to an outsider so readily without demanding his fealty, when so many others would view him as a threat or a vagrant?"

He did not ignore the temptation to allow them to soothe him; in everything from the gentle slump of his shoulders to the imperfect cling of his travel-worn coat to the teetering of his legs and the faltering of his confident smile, he begged to be taken in and treated and remedied... But before that he placed in importance their way of life, that he may capitalize on their offer only in the event he could repay it, because Narcissus was roguish in only the good-natured ways, and had been raised nobly, lacking any miscreant desire to take from others what was not his to take (although admittedly, some little dark part of him might take from someone too greedy to give to someone who had lost all... But this part of him did not apply now).

When the man asked of his brother, Hawthorne, Tenzin gave a soft frown and shook his head to deny knowledge of the missing brother. The monk was not one to pry and Anemone was still new within the Vale. If she chose to open up to him or the others, then surely they would listen, but the monk was not aware of their split trio. When Narcissus did not mention Dresden, Tenzin wondered if the wolf Anemone had joined with was a traveler she met along the way or perhaps just an unmentioned friend. As Narcissus went on to explain the trio, Tenzin assumed that perhaps the man did not know of Dresden.

As the man inquired more about life within the Vale, the monk smiled. Tenzin was aware that his approach to outsiders was different than that of the Dragon's. If the beast had come upon Narcissus, surely things would have been different; but Tenzin was but a monk who chose to lead their band of what-was. They would never be Jokhang. Their home was forever lost to them, and Tenzin preferred not to think of the carnage they left behind: the greed, the death, the brutality. "We have conformed to rank ourselves like other packs do, though we are split into three factions: monks, clerics, and warriors. As a monk, I do not judge others. I am open to any and all, whether you have claimed a million lives or simply wish to help lost souls. That is my duty. I exist to nurture the mind and help you with anything you need mentally or spiritually. I am guidance wherever you need it. I am prosperity of life."

Tenzin smiled gently before continuing, letting the information sink in. "The clerics aid the wounded. As monks make great listeners, so do the clerics; though they are more driven to heal your physical wounds and have a vast knowledge of herbs, not all wounds bleed." He thought of Dawa quietly, wishing he could have properly healed her so that she was not so disfigured. "The clerics are health. They are physical well-being and do not back away from even the most grotesque of wounds. They will bring you back to life or they will sing you into eternal sleep; they are comfort." As Tenzin finished with this, he turned an ear to Xi'nuata and gestured to her kindly.

"Then there are the warriors," he said, as if implying Xi'nuata was one by gesturing to her a moment ago. "They are the tooth and claw of our pack. They fight and protect us, and they are our voice where the monks and clerics do not speak. They are the fire. They are strength." Though they were each their own division, they were one. "As you rely on your siblings, we rely on each other as well. We are a unit."

"So I cannot judge you. I cannot demand your fealty if I feel you need assistance, but I am here to serve as guidance to any who may need it, whether they intend to stay within the Vale or are simply passing through," Tenzin explained warmly, thinking of the Dragon for a moment. "That is because I am a monk. Our warriors handle things differently; their leader, Raheerah, is rightfully cautious and asks more questions," the monk admitted with a soft chuckle. Xi'nuata was welcomed company. Tenzin greatly appreciated her presence even though he did not feel threatened. "Also, your song was forlorn. I am drawn to those who are lost and searching. I am guidance," he added, repeating himself from earlier with a gentle tone.

Each day there was something new for her to learn of the Vale- this moment being no different as she was blessed with a deeper understanding of the pack’s inner workings. She had not asked following her introduction to the pack. And was fault was that she did not wish to know more, only Raheerah had to say of her place in it. But even then his words were silent in that regard leaving the female to figure it out for herself. Her silence stemmed from a life never being allowed to expression her inquisitive nature, a habit in time she would need to break from. Though in the presence of stranger, now was not the time. She stood steady as Tenzin spoke and out of respect kept her eyes low from his visage even as she turned to look upon him. Her ears bent forward when he spoke of the warriors faction, only then would she attempt to lift her gaze and in the same motion return her bi-color sights to their new acquaintance. Apprehension to speak had gripped her- she was not certain if it was her place to do so when the monk lord was speaking. Yet the will of self implored her to do so, and brace against the consequences should they come. She breathed softly. “I am Xi’nuata,” her head dipped lightly with pause then returned upright just as smoothly. Her voice was well worn if not raspy around it edges, but remained soft on the ears if not at an audible low. “As the clerics and monks listen and aid, my ears are forward to listen but my body and strength are to ease your burdens and those of the Vale. If you come to harm… if you fear the shadows beyond this place, it is my duty to chase them away so that you may find peace. You, your sibling and those of the Vale.” She turned her muzzle towards Tenzin then, the inspired lift of her crown settling her into a more direct posture as she found meaning in her own words. “I am peace to heart, body, and mind.”

Their explanation was a grand summary of this place of prosperity, leaving Narcissus feeling decidedly inspired. It occurred to him in a private thought that for Anemone to be a cleric, she was being the heart of the pack—the passion, the drive, and the emotion. It was unlike her; it best suited Hawthorne to be the heart. Anemone would best have been the beast's head, the logical mediator herself, a monk in her own way. And Narcissus, the spine and the ribs encasing them, the skull protecting them, had his own clear-cut path in front of him; his nerve best suited the warrior faction, whose job it was to rid the Vale's denizens of any harm, mental or physical.

But even as these things occurred to him, he abandoned, like Anemone, what would have made the most sense. Narcissus may have been the L'amour shield, but he was not a fighter at heart. He could not rouse himself in fury and passionate flame enough to drive his teeth into the flesh of another to cause bodily harm. In defence of his family would be the only time his weaponry would cease to be sheathed... Otherwise it served as nothing but a warning. He had the means, but not the motive.

So even though Xi'nuata made a compelling case for the warriors, drawing his attention away from the monk with her husky words, with her talk of peace, he knew it was not his calling. His truest calling was to be with his siblings, but aside from that, his heart—and aye, his skills—lay elsewhere. He didn't speak for a moment, allowing their words to settle in and noticing for the first time that Xi'nuata's eyes, previously melted into her figure with near perfect similarity, were in fact different shades. One stood out more than the other, a little darker... Subtle, but there. Heterochromia was uncommon, so for a moment he observed this curiously.

But at length he returned his gaze once more to Tenzin, and commanded himself to speak: "Guidance," he repeated, "prosperity. I am a simple huntsman." He was also Narcissus, Robin Hood's incarnation as it were, rogue and noble guard all in one, taken with his reflection but only mildly... But at his core, a huntsman, plain and without decoration. "How does one become guidance and prosperity?" These seemed like traits of gentle Kei, and so they suited him well, at least in Narcissus' own interpretation.

She had been far when the call had sounded. But that voice! There was no mistaking it. None. Anemone moved as she had not in weeks; there was such strength in her steps that surely one might mistake her to be more than what she was. Anemone was a fraction of who she inherently was without Narcissus and Hawthorne... but one had come to her. One had come home. It was not the place that made home, but one another; she was finding that to be a wicked truth as the days passed. Each one was longer than the last, and she only found solace in her reflection. She humored talking to that reflection, but never broke, never reached that point. Fortunately it would seem she did not need to.

Her strides were long as she sprinted toward the borders. She slowed a significant distance away and seemed to mimic all that Hawthorne was when he had felt he was wrong in something; it was easy to duplicate, the shame, because it was truly felt. It was something Anemone had never dealt with, but Kei knew how she felt. Anxious, worried... Anemone, the bark and the bite, the snapping jaws and the voice, conflicted! And she was. Narcissus knew of her intent, but she worried that he thought she may have failed. Anemone of course understood she had not, that she was so close, that he must be here knowing Hawthorne (they were the same body, but their minds were terribly different, and she knew his as she knew her own)... but he was not here.

Narcissus would know, Narcissus would understand. He knew her as he knew Hawthorne and she knew them. What she did was in the best interest of them all. Narcissus needed rest, surely he was as weary as she was in her hunt! They were strong, but mortal.

From a distance, she mirrored Hawthorne. But as she grew closer, as she could smell the life and see every blade of fur upon him, her confidence seemed to renew. Her tail wagged furiously and she approached Tenzin and Nuata, nibbling the chin of her alpha and briefly nudging her shoulder (gently, amicably) into the Warrior. But she was not so formal with her brother, who she rushed headlong into. Narcissus! she breathes, home! One step closer.

As Xi'nuata gave her own input, Tenzin nodded gently to confirm everything she had said. He kept his gaze cast down as he listened and turned to her when he caught her turning out of the corner of his eye. The monk gave her a gentle smile as she said her last words and he nodded in agreement, humming a low mm-hmm. Narcissus then asked how one became guidance and prosperity, causing Tenzin to inhale deeply while gathering the right words. He looked Narcissus over a moment and shrugged sheepishly. "Well," he started with a grin, "one like myself teaches you; but you must already be capable of it. We are huntsmen, too. Do you believe yourself to be a patient wolf?"

"More importantly, can you be accepting of all personalities, regardless of past occurrences?" The question was gentle but Tenzin asked it with a serious tone. If the monk had let himself falter where other wolves did, then he'd still be living within Jokhang or worse - he'd have gotten himself and Dawa killed trying to escape. His ability to ignore the Dragon's slaughter saved himself and his ward but despite his beliefs, Tenzin found a surprisingly sour taste at the thought of the Dragon. The monk was one who did not have to try when it came to patience, acceptance, love regardless of who it was; but the Dragon was a bitter thought.

Just then, Anemone materialized from the framework of the Vale. Tenzin raised a brow as she excitedly approached, blinking at the unexpected gesture of submission. The monk began to wonder if he'd ever get used to the Vale wolves treating him like he was better than them. He wiggled his lips around and watched happily as she threw herself at her brother. A warm smile grew on his face. "Hello, Anemone," he greeted gently as he stood.

"I will leave you to this moment then, as I am sure it is one to cherish. When you are ready, Narcissus, we will discuss the details of monk-hood should you wish to stay." He gestured to Xi'nuata to follow him as he turned to leave. Looking back over his shoulder, the monk winked to the siblings. "Feel free to show him around, Anemone. The mineral spring is located"—he pointed with his muzzle toward the west-facing mountainside—"that way. Please make sure he soaks his tired paws, as I'm sure you'd like to do the same, hmm?"

With that, Tenzin gave a broad grin before turning completely. He walked slowly back into the heart of the Vale with a sudden eagerness to express his good mood to Dawa, as he had not spent much time with her since they had settled within the Vale. "So touching," he commented happily to Xi'nuata, unaware if she had left to patrol the borders or not. Tenzin was in such high-spirits that he'd just as readily talk to himself anyway!

The woman was proud of her claim, more so that the eyes of the Alpha did not turn to her in ill-favor as she sought his approval. As she was growing to learn, the Monk was a patient man. Always soft and smiling, a voice aged by experience, with eyes that told both known past, experienced present, and eased cautiously into the future. They were kind eyes, the glow of a cloudless sky in the spring. She found the gaze quite comfortable when upon her, and was glad for it all the more when accompanied with the gentle glow of a smile. Her own visage, however, remained impassive when their intrigued audience sought the understanding from his elder. Her faction respectfully dismissed she returned to the background of the settling, withdrawing only when graced by the grey furs of the male's twin. The spitting image alight with excitement and relief at having been gifted with her other. Indeed the shadow had returned to his light. The bonds of siblings were truly lost upon her, for the autumn wolf looked upon the scene with little than a quirked brow. The subtle joy expressed by her elder was received and replied to with the ruffle of her unkempt mane as she followed closely at his rear as he turned, leaving the sibling pair to their reunion. "I suppose..." she uttered quietly, following the monk a little ways more before veering off toward the opposite borders of the Vale. The bonds mended at her back were for those that had lost then been found again. Such moments were not hers... and left an odd feeling in her mouth. Perhaps it was a bond she was not meant to understand. Ignoring this thought, she resumed her patrol. [Exit]