Wheeling Gull Isle mother's embrace

her pink toes continued to take her north along the coast, and when she spotted the small, compact isle, tyche was drawn to it. she waited a night and a day, watching the tide come in and out. being a siren, she knew that braving the strong waters was something she could do, but there was no urgency to her exploration. she had time.

when the waters were not yet too deep, she let them embrace her. the thrill was there, as it always was, of being embraced by her mother. she was still cold this time of year, as she would be for another few months, but tyche released herself to the temperature's drop. steadily and smoothly, she paddled her way to the shore, shook her coat, then noticed the thick smell of pack.

the siren had not expected such a place to be inhabited by her kind, but her lips pulled back in a smile. the scent that was strongest was of the fairer sex. perhaps this place would do for now. her haunches folded beneath her, and her siren song filled the sky.

can this be forward dated a few days? óvò if not its ok! also tag 4 reference

Music struck the air- she knew Atausiq had not yet returned, for he had not come to see her yet- likely still traveling back from Easthollow. Or so she prayed. But it was unfortunate; these were the reasons she promoted Ying, and Atausiq, to have someone at her side to lead when she could not. Atausiq's slightly inconveniently timed trip was nothing she could complain about, though- he was a new father, he ought to tell his family, or so she figured. Still, Huā knew that call was for a leader. 

She was not quick to answer the call by any means- the children had just opened their eyes, and she could not leave them alone so soon, and so she waited until the sweet caregiver @Daiyu came by- certainly a girl who would not mind watching the puppies and keeping them warm. They exchanged places; Huā hoped her brood would not hunger for milk at the time, Daiyu was perhaps too young to even try to provide. And so she gave each of the resting babes a kiss upon the forehead, and drew herself upward, exiting the birthing den for the first time in many days. 

It was a liberating feeling, truly, for she had been longing for the outdoors. To stretch her legs and see the sea. And as she traveled the expanse of the island her heart became sore, worrying each moment if her children were alright in the paws of her friend. They ought to be... right?

Finally she came upon the silver girl who sat at the edge. Huā hoped the weight leftover from her pregnancy was enough excuse for her slow answer, and she tilted her chin upward elegantly, eyeing the stranger warmly in spite of her stance. Greetings. I am Huā, you stand at border of Yuèlóng. What bring you to us?

forward-dated 48 hours, per your request.

the wolf who approached was most certainly female. tyche saw the way she carried her weight, especially toward her midline. fresh from birth, and the smell of puppies was thick on her fur and the air that surrounded her. it was the right season for the ocean to bring forth new life, and tyche felt a pang in her heart when she remembered that her own mother would be whelping her sisters soon.

but.

the siren was on a mission, and she must not let her emotions fog her judgement and course of action.

hoo-ahh, tyche attempted. the syllables felt strange on her tongue, even more than the clunky language that most wolves spoke. name is tyche. seek home. you matriarch? many things the siren would bend on, but this sylph would never serve a wretched man.

thank you ♡

The silvery girl tries to pronounce her name; Huā works to maintain her composure and keep the giggles on the inside. The corners of her lips twitch upward at the awkward pronunciation; she can't help but be amused, and yet is not surprised either. 

Then the yearling introduces herself as Tyche. Huā listens to her speech, realizes she is another like Huā or Ruò or Ruvik or Daiyu. Strange-speakers. They seemed to be the trend around here, whether it was their foreign lilt or other quirks... and so in one way already, the siren felt a connection to the girl before her. 

The word matriarch is momentarily confusing on the ears of Huā, who has not yet mastered the common language- but it reminds her of another word she'd heard before. Greyback, patriarch of Easthollow. Pa- and ma- sounded like 爸 and 妈, and that was enough to connect the dots. I am. She affirmed with a confident nod of her head. Tyche, we can provide home. But first I need hear, what skill you can bring us? This is child-season, and so I need help, not just more body.

tyche watched as her attempt at the matriarch's name was taken. a friendly smirk, a mistake, but one tyche would come to correct in time. practice, practice, practice. if she was to impress her new matriarch, she would need to learn her ways. not to adopt them, for she was nereides, and she could not abandon her own path. but she could learn from them, she knew. perhaps some would even be willing to discover that they were walking the wrong path.

good at fight. know much of sea and moon. having the aspect of siren meant she balanced her studies well. her first year of life had been spent devoted to strengthening not just her physical form, but her spiritual one as well. tyche's connection with the sea was as strong as the moon's pull of the tide.

Another wolf may not have cared that Tyche knew anything of the sea and moon, but Huā was not this other wolf, and that skill in particular delighted her. Fighters, she had never valued them as much as Ying did, though she did see how they could be great help. But those who studied and understood the sea, they were like Huā, and she could see herself in them. 

The mention of these two together spark her interest though. Much like Mei's interests... tied to her religion... and so Huā recalls meeting Ostia by the waters long ago, a woman who spoke of the sirens that worshipped the moon and sea, something foreign to the siamese. Perhaps it was a coincidence- for Huā loved the moon and the sea, and yet found no need to worship them... but perhaps this girl was more than just a naturalist. She eyed her with some slight suspicion, though it quickly faded at she met the girl with a gentle smile. Fighter is always welcome skill... and I too, love sea and moon, so this I am very pleased with. A momentary hesitation, and then: Welcome to Yuèlóng. Perhaps sometime we discuss sea together, She suggested coolly, a twinkle in her eye.

hua's mention of her interest in the sea and moon were heeded by tyche, and she collected the information to be used downstream. yoo-long? she echoed, another word that tasted strange on her tongue. living amongst heathens would be a test of her will, tyche knew, but she had studied long and hard for this. she knew what she must do to survive. her bond with the goddesses would keep her afloat in these turbulent waters.

have urgent need i should help with? she asked, prepared to make the best first impression she could possibly muster.

Yoo-long?
Yoo-eh-long. Means moon-dragon. Huā corrected patiently. Though she found the mispronounciations amusing- the one Tyche had just made converted moon-dragon into fish-dragon- she knew there was no meaning in chastising the girl for her unfamiliarity with Huā's culture. Perhaps she would learn more of it in time, if she wished. 

Tyche seems eager to help as soon as possible- to which Huā chuckles warmly, shaking her head. Nothing urgent for you. For me, I must return to my children. She explained, shaking out her pelt as she prepared to take her leave. I do suggest you explore island and meet your packmate if you can, though. She mused, slowly beginning to turn on her heel. Farewell, Tyche. And thank you. With that she dipped her head, and would depart in the immediate direction of her den if there were no further questions from the silver.

yoo-eh-long, she tyche parroted, feeling more confident about her pronunciation. the mother spoke of her children, and tyche bowed her head in acknowledgment. daughters needed their mother, even though she was solely their physical vessel into this world. tasks were handed out, and tyche would be certain to pursue them, urgent or trivial.

blessings to matriarch children, she added. for even the males could prove themselves useful if they knew to appreciate their superiors.