Whitefish River honey, understand that i have been left here in the reeds

Sunlight filtered through grey clouds overhead. Delicate paw steps carried the mutt along the edges of a beautiful river. Clutched softly in between dark lips was a bright stone that glimmered in the same color as Coelacanth's eyes. He thought it to be a perfect gift for his stunning and dark sister. He had trailed a bird across the valley to obtain the rock. Amoxtli had never felt more rewarded to have obtained a treasure. The bird had flown through pack territory, leaving him to pick up a cold trail where he imagined it would be. The wolfdog chased for three days before he had found the stone gleaming from the sands along the river. He had scooped it up in his mouth and carried it down the stretch of bank for as long as he could. Oxtli's tail flagged behind him as he trekked. His bright tangerine gaze was alight with a dancing happiness.

The Tervuren trotted carefully, heading northbound and for the sea. He was certain that his dark-furred sibling would be stationed there. The two were awfully fond of the water. He had not seen her in some time and his heart ached to be reunited with the blue-eyed girl. Each step that he drew closer to the sea was a step closer to finding his sibling. Without her, Amoxtli did not quite feel at home. He had missed the feathery touch of her nose against his ears and cheek. He had missed hunting for treasure in the sands and hiding their finds away for a later time. Without her, he had felt lost.

Slowing his pace as the hybrid caught wind of markings, his ears darted forward and he searched the nearby area for signs of a patrol. Amoxtli was not likely to cross through pack territory, but he knew that he was close and that he needed to watch his step before proceeding. Deciding that it would be a good time to stop, the mutt trotted to the edge of the water and placed the stone in the dirt, fearful to leave it for even a moment too long; knowing that it might disappear. He bent his neck and drank deep from the water, relishing in the chill that slipped down the back of his throat.

 


Catori had not spent as much time around the edges of their claim since returning to her home. She felt pent up and a little agitated and knew that no matter what, her heat would be on her soon and that her mood would probably only get worse in the coming days. It meant she sidelined her way from the pack proper not wanting to lash out at anyone. She'd sequestered herself for every other heat and it was almost normal for her despite not wanting the separation. Before she found a place to hunker down, a nesting almost, she wanted a brief pass down to the springs. It would make her feel better somehow, she thought. 

The Spiritwalker took her time and made each step as deliberate as possible. Every pass of her paws was thought out, a particular placement of her feet and the sensation that rippled up her legs as each muscle responded helped to ground her. Catori wasn't too far - she hadn't even made it to the river yet - before she stopped dead in her tracks, thrown for a loop for an entirely different and unexpected reason. 

She had known Coelacanth had been near at a point, although selfishly she'd been fixated on Grayday and Morningside. She hadn't made the trip back to the island to see her and that was embarrassing - but to come across Amoxtli made her heart skip several beats. She let out a plaintive whine, ears pressed forward as she quickly bypassed her original goal and angled her body to track as quickly as she could. She'd held her breath and didn't even realize it, the dark figure of her cousin such a welcome sight that it near made her swoon. She let out a low call as she strode forward, not wanting to catch him off guard but so eager to see him that she struggled not to just knock him over by running straight into him.

The wilds had changed so very much since Oxtli had last been there. Now, of course, they were blanketed in a fresh pelt of snow that seemed to stretch out as far as his tangerine gaze could see. He liked the peaceful aura that it lent the world, but he did miss the calidity of the sun. The world seemed as though it was holding its breath for the coming of spring and the torrid rays that would follow in summer. The wolfdog, too, was waiting with baited breath. Spring and summer would bring the warmth that he missed dearly, and he would feel the cool relief of the ocean on the hottest days. For the time being, his daydreams would make due.

A call rose overhead, and Amoxtli lifted his drizzling muzzle from the water to peer curiously at where the noise had come from. A familiar figure caught his eye and his body transformed. Each limb quivered excitedly. His tail swung in rapid circles behind him, causing his rump to rotate in a comic fashion. Catori! All this while, the Tervuren had searched aimlessly for his ink-coated sister, but he never anticipated that he would stumble across his cousin – certainly not in the wilds.

Wiggling from top to bottom, the dark-faced boy parted his lips and attempted to release a cry of delight. It slithered from the back of his throat like a faded whisper. This did nothing to dampen his spirits. Amoxtli had lived a majority of his life without a voice of his own. The fiery light that danced in his eyes was expression enough. The rapid swinging of his tail was a sure sign; he was delighted beyond belief to see Catori there.

 


The coast always brought such wonderful bounties. For Catori it was an endless resource, not only for the healing arts and to keep food in her stomach, but it had brought a sense of peace and calm to her that few things could properly replicate. Catori didn't expect this however. She hadn't known that Oxtli had been there at any point, let alone now when she had longed for family the most. Even without hearing his boisterous response she knew how loud his soul sang anyways - the Spiritwalker let it just reign across them in their mutual joys. When she was finally close enough to skid to a halt beside her cousin she crushed her skull against his jaw, nuzzling down across his throat and into his shoulder. They'd always been more tactile for obvious reasons, but, when it came to the four cousins words weren't nearly as necessary. 

Cat picked and preened across his fur for a moment until she was satisfied with her progress - until she'd found enough of him now bore her scent and she his as well to establish those familiar bonds again. She finally stepped back with her tail still swaying merrily to survey him with a curious eye. "I can't believe you're here," She breathed out at long last - but there was such a joy in the moment she didn't know what to do with herself. It hadn't occurred to her that he would show up here. Maybe she'd imagined he'd be with Chelan as his steadfast support or maybe Catori had just fathomed he'd found his own adventures elsewhere. He didn't look any worse for the wear, thankfully, but it did bring about another question. "Did you find Seelie?" 

The familial bonds that connected the Corten wolves were stronger than most. No matter the space that stretched between them, Amoxtli never imagined himself feeling any amount of hostility toward his family. The truth was that he was so overwhelmed by the sight of the ginger-collared woman, he could hardly hold his wiggling frame still. Each wag of his tail sent his rear spiraling in a different direction until it appeared that his torso was being whipped back and forth by the sheer force of it. When she finally found a spot to nestle her skull beneath his chin, Amoxtli showered the crown of her head in kisses and whispered whimpers. His cold nose pressed to her head repeatedly as she combed through the thick tufts of his coat.

Catori expressed her disbelief in a soft voice. The wolfdog's ears fell to his head and he attempted to push his frame closer to her body in a motion of comfort. He could not imagine that he would find her there, either. He had been certain that most of the family had remained in their home – preferring the islands over the thick and lush Teekon Wilds. It did not make him any less grateful to have found her. When Catori inquired about Seelie, the boy pulled himself back a bit and frowned. He shook his head, wondering if his cousin would have any word on his inky sister and her whereabouts.

 

If they were both here - well, there was a chance that Seelie would be too. Maybe she'd be drawn to them, hear their call like the siren song of the sea, find them by the cadence of their fast-beating hearts. What a joy that would be to have them all together! They might as well have been one litter as close as they were and though Catori knew her own sibling wouldn't be there as his duty was to the Isle she could take comfort in having her brother-cousin there. She gave a soft sigh at his instant response, her ears slicking back and her tail drooping a bit. She returned to his side, nuzzling her way beneath his chin and giving a soft little crooning sound. "She'll turn up. I know she's around here somewhere." Of course she extended herself too far to promise such a thing to him but at the same time if they were there and they were together, there had to be some fate-tied string that bound them all and would keep them close. 

Thy had never failed one another after all and Catori had no intentions of making now be the first time. "I was expecting to find her on your heels, dancing her way along the sandbar." She admitted, giving a little sigh. She licked her lips and reached up to press a few gentle kisses to his cheek, watching eagerly to see how he responded to her admission. When they all reunited then she could introduce them to her family. "You have to meet my husband, we live just on the plateau there." She indicated the way with her muzzle. "And his children! His little ones would just adore you." She could already hear the questions from the trio, Lavender would appreciate finding another creature like she was. The mixed blood was more apparent in some than others and no doubt the little merle would love knowing she wasn't the only one. 

Catori's confidence in finding his sister brought a pattering to his heart. The wolfdog was worried about her, and he knew that if she was safe, he would feel far more at ease. His chest felt as though it was being pulled in far too many directions for him to follow. His twin was out there and he missed her with every inch of his body. Amoxtli only wanted to see the cool ocean blue of her gaze and to breathe in the saline of her coat. It had been long enough since he had seen her, and he was eager... eager to brush his muzzle against the feathers of her coat and the wisps at the tips of her ears. More than this, he longed to feel her heart beating wildly against his own. A soft sigh fell from his lips as the Tervuren glanced down the river. Instinct told him that it would lead to the sea and that Coelacanth would be there, but he was happy to be with Catori again.

At the mention of his sister dancing along the sandbar, Oxtli smiled and wagged his tail wildly so that his rear rotated in a circle behind him. He glanced behind him, as if she would be there, but found that only his tail was swinging there, dancing in place of her. It was nothing in comparison to the dark female's presence, and his heart felt a pang of longing in her absence. Catori then mentioned her husband and a few young. To this, Amoxtli fixed her with a stare so full of glee that it would have been impossible to miss. Regardless of the fact that he had no voice to share his stories, his gaze danced with a joy so deep, it would beg her to take him. Please, Catori... I would love to meet your family, he thought.

To solidify this, the Tervuren spun around in a circle and lowered his torso to the earth, tail flagging at his rear. He pushed himself toward her and nuzzled beneath her chin with a whispered whine. He wanted nothing more than to see the life that she had created for herself and to breathe in the air of her home and her children. Amoxtli could not imagine that anything would have been more divine than to witness Catori with those that she loved dearest. Perhaps, it would alleviate some of the pain that he felt for the loss of his sister – at least until he was reunited with her.

Catori could understand his pain as it was her own - perhaps to a lesser degree but she missed Seelie in such a manner that it hurt her. She could have cut herself and felt the bitter ache of pain but this was different. Coelacanth was a tangible entity that truly overwhelmed and confounded. She was nothing like anyone else she'd ever known after all. Amoxtli was a perfect distraction and Catori reached out to touch his cheek even during his excited antics; she would be so happy having everyone together. She thought of Easy and Lavender running and chasing after Coelacanth - of Amoxtli and Dauntless sparring and trekking through the trees.

She turned towards Morningside and then back to her cousin at his playful nip, her tail whipping behind her. "C'mon," She said happily, tugging at his ear carefully. She didn't want to hurt him after all! Just....very eager. She would have drug him the entire way up to the plateau if she had needed to. The moment that they were close enough that she could show him the recesses of their claim she'd explained a bit - that Grayday had two litters and the vague dynamics of the family. 

"When we are all together again, just thing -" She sighed wistfully, the smile on her face so serene. "It'll be like the whole family gathering for the Hunter's Moon." Even in it proximity it was on her mind.