Hushed Willows [IPS] Homeward Bound

As soon as the trio of companions made it within eyesight of the plateau, even distantly, Ibis felt her heart seize in her chest and a great weight — like a deep breath held too long — settle inside of her. She had expected to feel elated upon the trip back to her birthplace; she imagined how nice it would be to see @Okeanos again and tell him all about her adventures with their dad, and especially see @Olive and @Seabreeze again. There was always @Lily too, and maybe even @Khali, or — !!!

There were just so many people that Ibis missed. Family she held dear, people she'd left behind in the wake of her mother's accident. It hadn't really dawned on her to feel guilty about it since the trio's departure, but now that they were getting closer to Elysium, it was all she could feel. So their trip took longer than planned, and Ibis was hanging back more than she should've been, letting @Gannet and @Sarah take the lead. She feigned being tired or having sore feet, or some other minor complaint - but the truth was growing clearer that Ibis was feeling cowardly, and so very nervous about this family reunion.

Soon the grassland flowed north and became rougher, rockier, and the scent of willow trees filled the air. The swaying boughs whispered as they welcomed the travelers along the ridge. It was like strolling backwards in time for Ibis — and then the scent of the pack's claim greeted her with a strong sense of nostalgia. Someone made a call, and together they would wait.

This time, Gannet made the call. He was excited but not too hopeful, since last time he was here he'd had little luck. He was glad that he was able to come with Ibis, however, and see her reunite with her brother. She seemed to be excited for it.

He waited silently, hoping that Lily would come. She was the only wolf from here that he knew and he'd enjoyed their talk before, long ago as it had been. Anyone was bound to be friendly, at least, from what he knew of them.

Ibis may have harbored trepidation upon seeing certain wolves again, but she needn't on Lily's account. The blackbird hastened to receive the half-familiar call, and when she spotted the girl standing by Gannet and a woman she didn't know, her pace increased by double, from a dignified trot to what was nearly a sprint.

Ibis! she called out on the wind, skittering to a stop a few tail-lengths away from the group. Quite unleaderlike of her, but proper manners could get stuffed, in this glorious moment. She gave her old packmate some happy licks on the cheek, if permitted, then drew back, beaming. Gannet. Good to see you both.

Lily then turned to the other, a young gray female. My name is Lily. Welcome to Elysium, she chirped warmly. Her eyes darted between the three of them, glowing with exuberance. What brings you all to the willows today?

Oh, say she's come back to stay! Lily knew that Seabreeze would be completely overjoyed by that particular outcome.

pping seabreeze pretty liberally here

There was a call at the border. Olive and Seabreeze had been lounging near the mouth of the birthing den, which had become woefully too small, watching as their three boys played and tussled and rolled in the grasses. The two wives themselves were idly chatting and bathing in the late spring sun, heavy and hot as it was, when the summons gave them idea. Time for a field trip!

The mothers, all sleepy bones and mellow energy, pulled themselves from their repose and addressed their children. At a month old, they were talking and moving endlessly — but Olive warned that they would be on their very best before, no matter who had issued the call, or else. Seabreeze nodded along, letting the rambunctious boys know, without a doubt, that this was a test. @Ariel was absent from this particular affair, but Ariel was never particularly good at being the heavy anyways. Perhaps they would see their third wife there, also answering the call. A little hopeful, the two sprite corralled together @Sundance, @Reif and @Atwood and ushered them towards the border for what was, with any hope, their first trip to the border of the Sanctuary.

Oh, when Olive and Seabreeze got closer and realized it was Ibis — and she brought friends! Twas the seasons for prodigal daughters to return to the nest, with Cassiopeia having come home to roost for several days in the spring recent months. Seabreeze ran forward to embrace her blood-daughter and wrap her in a hug, while Olive hung back with the young pups and continued to approach in a calm and organized manner; but the druid was betrayed by the silly, wide grin that plastered itself across her licorice lips.

“Ibis!” the step-mother called out as the small parade came closer.

While the family reunions were taking place, Sarah had retreated quietly in the background. Her duty to deliver Ibis safely to Elysium was fulfilled and she considered that meeting one stranger (Lily) was quite enough, while the five, who followed, was too much of a crowd for her. That one she-wolf, who hugged her niece, sparked Sarah's interest though - was this Terance's former mate and Ibis's mother? Or was it the other with the three puppies?

But this curiousity did not last long, for she did not really care about the inhabitants of Elysium, as long as they did not harm to the person she was supposed to look after and protect. Therefore she sat down, and watched Ibis with a sense of great importance and duty.

The first to come upon them was Lily, who burst forth with more vigor than Ibis had ever seen. She felt her own heart grow three sizes as the woman neared, unable to contain the unabated happiness upon seeing the familiar face — her tail wagged like a willow switch, and soon she was being covered in kisses! Ibis tried to return a few of them but the chaos of the warm tongue across her face was almost too much, so she eventually stopped trying and let Lily do her own thing.

As soon as the woman pulled back and began to ask her questions of the group, Ibis had a moment to breathe and to try to formulate a response—as it was her job to be the messenger—but she barely had a moment of thought before more bodies arrived. First was Olive, who caught Ibis' attention by speaking her name. Then there was Seabreeze—

And all thoughts towards her duty and her aspirations fled her mind. A wet sheen of emotion blurred her vision to the rest of the gathering as Seabreeze closed the distance and wrapped the girl in a big hug, and for a few moments Ibis felt the warmth and the love there, not wanting it to end. She buried her nose against her mother's plush coat and held back a happy sob, administering some fleeting kisses instead.

Ibis didn't want to part from any of them now that she was present among them; but she knew as Seabreeze pulled away to give her air that she had a job to do. It would hurt too much if she lingered here much longer— oh. But what of those smaller bodies, and why wasn't Olive joining in on the hugging? The girl stepped smoothly around her mother's slight figure and looked, seeing the baby boys and felt a strange twist of—well, to be truthful, Ibis wasn't sure.

Were those her brothers...? Thinking of brothers, Ibis wondered where @Okeanos was and felt another wave of that deep and twisting feeling, like her heart was being plunged in to ice water. Mama— Ibis murmured, addressing both of her mothers as her brows furrowed, Who are they?

feel free to skip me, he'll wait until after!

He should have expected this place would be different. Their first introduction was Lily, who Gannet met with a cheerful bark and a happy nudge as she came forward to jovially greet them. He was waylaid from exchanging any news, though, when the rest of Ibis' family came.

He sensed this was a meeting for Ibis moreso than the others, so he took a step towards Sarah and allowed her some time to catch up. He could ask after, once the family had the chance to all meet the new and old alike.

guess whoooose back :3c // forgive me its been a while and im rusty..

he'd been on the farther end of the territory when his sister's call rang out, and so, was a bit late to greet her, arriving fully after his mamas and new siblings and lily. but, oh, "ibis!" he yelps, overjoyed as he bounds toward her. his steps slow as he gets closer until he comes to a stop in front of her, beside his tiny mother. okeanos definitely takes after his father -- now a yearling, he's nearly done growning into his tall, broad frame, a large, soft figure. but still just as gentle as he's always been, as he reaches out to embrace his sister.

he breathes against her neck for a second, murmuring "missed you," before also pulling back, just enough to let his mothers answer her questions. the babies seem to get bigger every time he sees them--he can't remember being that small--and he loves them, though every time he sees them he can't help the pang of.. something. longing, maybe, or guilt, or envy, he isn't sure and he doesn't dwell on it. looking away from them now, he settles his gaze on the two wolves accompanying his sister. they're unfamiliar. curiously he looks back at ibis, tilting his head in a silent question--he has more to say, but for now, he gives his mamas the limelight.