Sea Lion Shores tears are falling into the air

for @Ruvik and @Daiyu ! dated shortly post-Rusalka move. made some assumptions. note: huā's pregnancy is showing

Knowing of what was developing in her, she could no longer afford to head places alone. As much as she hated the idea of having to be under constant supervision off the island, she knew it was too risky to put the children in danger. Whether one pup or six, she was determined that each would survive.

She had set out today with the intentions of placing fresher markers along Sea Lion Shores. Sure, the Keep was nearby, and they were sweet and everything- but she had no intentions of letting them usurp the hunting grounds of Yuèlóng. Wanting to refresh her familiarity which each of her people, she invited along two rénmen- Ruvik and Daiyu. Both a little odd, both speaking in strange patterns. Both worthy of a little excursion with a mission, though she had not disclosed to them why she was so insistent about the markers. 

As they pace into the heart of the territory, she glances behind her, looking towards Daiyu and Ruvik. You two know why we here? You meet the women of the Keep yet? She asks, though she was fairly sure that the answer would be a resounding no.

As delighted as he was to be included in on a mission, the thought of going beyond Yuèlóng's borders terrified Ruvik. He had deemed the mainland unsafe, forsaken; he wouldn't ever go back. The Savior was still out there somewhere. Hunting, searching. The ocean was there to keep intruders - both wolf and cat alike - out, to keep the inhabitants of the island safe. He saw little need to ever return to the mainland but he also could not refuse the Queen's invitation.

So with her he went, grateful for at least a third companion in the form of Daiyu. His gaze constantly switched between the woman as they traveled across the land bridge and towards the shores, his gait a strange mix between scampering and skulking. He felt exposed here. Targeted.

At Huā's question, he glances towards her, observing the fullness of her sides. She seemed...rounder than before. Ruvik hadn't a clue what it meant. Still, he keeps his questions to himself, and with a prick of his ears, answers hopefully, "border marking, yes?" Though, as for meeting the woman of the Keep, he gives a small shake of his head.

She would be lying if she were to tell you that this little mission did not excite her, it was the first time that her savior had actually asked something of her. It was very unexpected. She was not a fighter, not a hunter, nor a guard. She was the opposite of those things, a healer, a dancer, a storyteller. It was when another was asked she realised with was not just a friendly stroll but something they were doing, cool, cool. 

Her mismatched eyes always seemed to land on the scruffy boy, curious to who he was but before she could ask.. her queen spoke, well she asked them a question. The boy chimmed in with Marking, and did not helpher on the aspect of the Keeper so she too ignored it. "this one thinks were are here to check out our neighbornin' lands to see if we have any new neighboors" Her acceptheavy on her words she seemed to dancein place.

She smiles, nods to each of them. Though neither of them was under a year, somehow she felt as if she were their teacher, they her students. Good preparation for motherhood, perhaps... And though both had some piece of the picture, she knew there was more to tell. 

Yes, we mark border, and also the neighbor, um... there are new neighbor at the Bay. She points her muzzle in the direction of the place, before turning back to them. They nice people. Just two of them, want to make pack there. But by mark we let them know that this land is ours for hunt. Sea lion often come here, so land very valuable for when we raise children, need feed a lot. Her eyes met each of them, figuring they would understand- and if not, she was open to questions. It was one of the things she was good at; understanding nature, making use of the land, valuing their environment.

If there were not any questions, she would begin to pace silently, finding a place to mark and moving on. It was not long, though, before the scents of several touched her nose. Some familiar. Erzulie, Rosalyn. Some not. A younger girl, an older man. Her eyes narrow slightly to herself, before she turns to her companions. Any of you know, if you see some one come by here recent?

The darker girl had her own answer, and Ruvik noticed her grasp on the common tongue was a bit stronger than Huā's it seemed, however she had an odd way of addressing herself. That, combined with the way she rocked upon her paws gave her a very whimsical air. Looking from Daiyu to their leader, Ruvik listened as she spoke once more, following her gesture as she pointed out their new neighbours.

He was assured by her positive words, but the thought of others nearby made him nervous; his mind, as ever, drifting towards concerns about The Savior. What if more settle along the coast? How could they know they could trust them? What if they somehow drew the attention of the cat? Puppies could be made short work of by the cougar - how could they possibly defend themselves against such a beast? What if she began to work with one of these packs? What if—

His racing thoughts were interrupted by movement out of the corner of his eye, and he suddenly noticed Huā had moved ahead, nose to the ground as she did so. Sparing a glance to Daiyu, Ruvik too started to follow before he paused as the queen looked back to them. The words sent a shiver down his spine. "N-no," he stammered out. "Ruvik see no one."

It was strange, unique to find another with an ailment much like her own. Unable to refer to oneself as a singular thing, in the first person. Ruvik was like her but how much? Was his past riddlednwoth terror and pain, did his tormentors take away his ability to say I or me?

Her mind wandered to the stories she had collected only to be brought back, had she seen any of their new neighbors? No, she did not leave the island. "this one has not seen anyone either" she shook her head before giving her new companion a reassuring smile, he seemed to have less confidence than herself. And that was saying something.

1 more response from each of you and I'll tack on a final reply and archive it?? thanks for participating yall and this can count towards scout if yall need it <3

First came Ruvik's timid response, and then Daiyu's. Huā shook her head with something like frustration- not with either of them, but she wished they had more information on the matter. Huā was a girl who liked to know things, know everything about everyone, and so the idea that Rusalka had passed through and she could not garner much about it was infuriating. Perhaps, she would send out a scout soon- Ruvik might make a good candidate, to test his skill and ability. 

Okay... Thank you both. We finish up marking around here and head home. She sighed, returning to her task of making it clear the hunting grounds were theirs. Not Rusalka's, not Amarantine Keep's.

Sounds good!

It seemed Daiyu, too, had not seen anyone along the coast. Ruvik wondered how many of Yuèlóng actually did leave the island on the regular. He caught her encouraging smile but did not return it, instead turning away as he felt the tip of his ears burn self-consciously.

Huā thankfully spoke up then, though he could sense her frustration. Shamefully, he bowed his head despite the queen's thanks, guilty he could not provide more information, before slinking away at a distance from the two to help with marking Yuèlóng's hunting grounds.

She was sad that she have zero information to give her queen, it made her feel useless but when she looked over at the larger boy she could only give him a reassuring smile. maybe it would help him because she could only hang her head in shame. she watched her queen leave before moving in the opposite direction from the boy, no point in marking the same location. right?

The two seemed sad that they could not give her information- she wished she could lighten their spirits. Sure, she wanted information, but if they didn't have it, that wasn't any crime of theirs. Once they were finished there, Huā would summon them with a chuff, and the trio would head home- gears turning in Huā's mind all the while.