Broken Boulder one's her petty vogue ideals
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*yodels*

The trip had been. . .satisfactory. Not sublime, not terrible, but it had been a getaway, at least. And she had accomplished both goals for which she had set out, which was good. Lily stepped across the border with a mingled sense of relief and grief, the former at returning home, the latter at leaving her wanderlust behind.

But they would have to travel to relocate. . .right?

The blackbird, heartened at this thought, called for her packmates, hoping they would join her soon. In the meantime, she surveyed the place, wrinkling her nose as the cat stench finally hit her again. (She hadn't missed that.) The animals themselves seemed to be more or less gone (or dead) but the smell remained behind, permeating through the air.

Soooooo she supposed they couldn't just stay here--they would have to move. Lily cast the boulder a bittersweet look. Her first home away from home. She would miss it.
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Khali had been doing what he did most of every day. Helping with whatever was needed in the territory and today he was picking some flowers for the sick one who were doing better now. As he was gathering the beautiful yellow, blue, and purple blooms the sandy man heard a familiar howl that made him drop all the plants. 

Lily!!!?, his mind was racing as his body turned and took off. This was what he was waiting on and she had returned hopefully without a scratch because so help him if anyone had hurt a hair on that girls head... He shook his head at the thought racing toward the howl. His paws barely slowed as he caught sight of her beautiful darkened fur. You would think he was just a pup running toward their mother..
“Swahili” is in blue, he tries not to speak it so no one will know his past.
italics are A flash back or in his head depending on the wording of the post you’ll know.
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The first wolf to greet her was one she was, genuinely, looking forward to seeing. She raced toward him just as eagerly, mouth wide in a grin. "Khali!" she exclaimed, touching her nose against his cheek briefly before pulling back, beaming. "How are you? How is everyone?" It was an innocent enough question, but a shrewd observer could find the worry beneath the words.

After all, only Khali had come thus far. Where were everyone else? Ali, Delight, Seabreeze. . . There was a chilling, lonely atmosphere to the place. It had crept up on them slowly, and now it was here; her absence and subsequent return made it all the more apparent. The willows would give them the fresh start they needed, but for now. . .they must endure this.
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His nerves had faded after she seemed just as happy to see him as he was her... well maybe he was a little more excited as she had been gone for so long he missed her touch and voice. Her embrace was much needed and he cherished it for as long as she let him. Khali hadn’t wanted her to stop but eventually she pulled back but his smile was still painted on his face. 

Lily” he finally breathed calmly. “I have been so worried about you lately. Not that you can’t take care of yourself but if anyone hurt you I swear...” he stated before answering her question. He felt she had a right to know what his mind was thinking during her absence. “No one has passed besides Eris, but you knew that. Most are doing better. I’ve been helping Seabreeze with her duties and also refreshing the borders since everyone had been down for the count for a while.” The explanation seemed harsh at first but the reality was they all could have died and he wished Eris hadn’t but as long as she was the only one he was grateful for it. “How was your journey?” He asked sitting back on his haunches and waiting for her to tell tales of her journey.
“Swahili” is in blue, he tries not to speak it so no one will know his past.
italics are A flash back or in his head depending on the wording of the post you’ll know.
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He's at Eris' grave when he hears Lily's call — and at first, he hesitates. Irrationally, he's been afraid of his friend's return — afraid she blames him for Eris' death, or that maybe the pain of it will be too much and she'll avoid him, now. He'd avoid himself, if he could. But he's missed her, and after a few beats the excitement overwhelms his insecurities and he rises.
He hurries to the borders to greet his friend, arriving just in time to hear Khali's question. He offers his packmate a nod, but most of his focus goes to Lily. Hey! He calls as he draws nearer, a little out of breath. You're home. Did you — find a place? His gaze rakes over her quickly, checking for wounds, but he's relieved to find her as whole as she'd been when she'd left.
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She has been with @Delight, making sure he is well and helping him with the children more often than not, and when she is not doing that she is clearing out the deceased cats from the common areas.  Until Lily returns, this is home.

But oh!  There is the woman herself!  She is late to arrive on scene, coming from the tail end of the territory, and she hovers back.  Alarian and Khali have more of a place here, she thinks, but she is happy to see her friend and Alarian has asked what she inteded to anyway.

[Image: 70c0c50922211f79c19a9fbb2dbe797a.png]
 
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She tried her best to keep up with all the words coming out of Khali's mouth, more words than she had ever heard him say before. "Yeah, it was good; I-- She was cut off by Alarian's arrival and question, with Seabreeze not far behind, and she flashes them both a smile, just relieved that no one else had perished.

"Yes, I believe so," Lily said to Ali, grinning. "It's this beautiful willow forest, inland but near enough to the coast that you can smell the sea. . . Oh, I think it's perfect, Ali. You'll love it. We all will." She looks around at the group as a whole, her eyes inquisitive. "Are we all fit to travel now, or shall we wait?"

She wanted to get going. There was nothing left for her here. Nothing left for any of them, really.
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When everyone else showed up Khalis smile grew wider. It was then he knew that these wolves he had grown close to were his family. That family isn’t just blood but can be bond. He stepped back so that the others could see and talk to Lily also. He just took in the sight of them together, it was something that was more beautiful than any scenery around. 

He wanted to let Seabreeze and Alariab answer Lily as he couldn’t as best as they could. He just kept a smile on his face and watched them interact.
“Swahili” is in blue, he tries not to speak it so no one will know his past.
italics are A flash back or in his head depending on the wording of the post you’ll know.
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He can't help but return Lily's smile, though his own is weary and hesitant. It does sound perfect — somewhere the pack can put down roots again, find peace. But his chest feels tight and his mouth feels dry suddenly, and he doesn't know why. That's great, Lily. I think we're all... ready, Not fit, not well — but ready. He glances to Seabreeze, half looking for her confirmation. Whether he receives it or not, he glances back to Lily a moment later and adds, more softly now: Thank you — for going out to find a place for us. He wants to say more, but the words catch in his throat, so he goes quiet.
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The corners of her eyes crinkle at the description of the new territory.  She wishes that Olive or Delight were present, so she could share this moment with them; her heart thrums as she remembers that the latter is missing.  If they left now, he might not be able to find them again.  Their scent trail would be easy to follow for some time, but she didn't know when — or if — he was coming back.  Her smile falters.

Ready was a good word.  After all they'd been through, ready was about all she was.  It was time to move on to greener pastures.  Literally, in this case.

[Image: 70c0c50922211f79c19a9fbb2dbe797a.png]
 
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Her eyes were soft as she stared at Alarian, who seemed to be speaking for the group (well he was Governor, after all). Ready. She didn't know if she would ever be ready. Even with the cats. . . Most of her wanted to leave right away, but there was a part that would linger here forever; she would never get it back. Buried with Eris, most likely.

All right, Lily responded after a brief pause, smiling. She gave Khali a cheeky look. Suppose we'd best be on our way, then. She stifled a yawn and stretched a little, feeling her muscles ripple under her pelt. She was starving enough to eat an entire moose, and wondered if their cache was still spoiled from the stupid pests.