Swiftcurrent Creek goodbye to you

This thread is for @Njal @Tuwawi @Larus @Jokull @Valtyr @Maera @Danica @Scimitar - this thread is forward-dated to the day that Njal and Tuwawi's pack is founded, so please don't assume that they have gone until they are out of the ranks! :) I am starting it now because quite a few players need to reply. Don't worry about replying before the Danica/Tuwawi thread has some direction, though.

Other SC wolves - I would hold off on replying until Njal and Tuwawi have at least.

This was it. Today was the day. Bazi woke long before dawn, staring into the black of night and willing it to settle permanently on Swiftcurrent Creek. But day came, as it always did - a faint blue line at first, then a cacophony of riotous colours.

As if there was something to celebrate.

Bazi glowered at it from where she lay among the roots of a gnarled oak tree, but eventually got to her feet and stretched. She was not the one about to undertake the journey of a lifetime, but it certainly felt like it.

The short walk to the Sveijarn den physically hurt. Bazi dragged her heart behind her like a lead weight. Thanks to her own pigheadedness, she was losing seven wolves today instead of six. Danica would go with Tuwawi and she would not come back. Had she revealed the circumstances of her departure, or kept things vague? What would Njal and Tuwawi have to say about Creek leader's behaviour? What did they think about ladies that loved other ladies? Was this some sort of trend that had escaped the North? Bazi gave her dainty head a vigorous shake and settled down a few from the first tree that made up Njal and Tuwaw's garden, and waited.

Tuwawi endured a sleepless night tucked in the back of the Sveijarn burrow, tightly wrapped around her brood next to Njal. It wasn't because of the children; Valtýr, Jökull, Maera, and Lárus all slept soundly. Yet the Sveijarn mother could not shake her worries with the final day at hand. When the sun came up, they would travel, and shed the embrace of Swiftcurrent. No longer would they have this family to lead them, to protect them. Now, it was up to Tuwawi and Njal; and while she was confident, Tuwawi also had her share of troubles.

Ready or not, the first hint of dawn painted the sky and only the tiniest amount of light pooled into the den. She stirred, and groomed each drowsy child carefully until their fur was shiny and coiffed. They had eaten a good, fresh meal the previous night - as the pack had managed a successful hunt - and their rounded bellies showed. Her demure gaze crossed Njal's, and she nuzzled his cheek before pressing her face into his platinum ruff. His alpine scent comforted her, and she felt renewed. "Ready?" she asked him in a crooning voice, soaking in his presence and strength.

Slowly, Tuwawi untangled herself from the nest of kids and stepped out into the early dawn. Bazi was there, already waiting in the distance by the copse of trees - just a smear of white amongst the glen's darkness. She met her gaze with a small tilt of her vermilion crown and waited for the others to gather.

It was happening. Somehow Njal managed to sleep through the night, although from time to time he was roused by Tuwawi's movement, or the shifting of a tiny pup. When his wife finally nudged his face to get him up and out, Njal was awake within moments. He blinked through the bare light of morning, casting a brief glance over their children, but eventually found his gaze landing upon Tuwawi. Ready? She queried, her voice igniting his engines (so to speak) and urging the man to leave the den. While she unfurled from the sleeping babes, Njal poked his nose out of the burrow's entrance - catching Bazi's scent - and then he withdrew, giving Tuwawi room to pass.

He didn't have to say anything, but the expression upon Tuwawi's face was filled with apprehension. She peered towards the white figure in the distance, and her husband - who was at her side within a heartbeat, and tenderly nudging the curve of her neck - tried to ease her nerves. We have nothing to worry about. This is only the beginning, my love. A beginning, yes. From here on out the Sveijarn family were one united front and, with the aid of their allies, they would reach the mountains that would serve as the fortress for their future.

It was a morning like any other and Valtýr was blissfully unaware of the grandiose journey he was about to undertake. At just two months old, he could scarcely pick up the deep emotions that troubled his parents, and preferred to cuddle instead. He was not nearly as perceptive as his sisters.

Before dawn, Tuwawi roused him, and the chubby pup protested with a squeak. He fell in and out of sleep as he was groomed, wanting to do nothing but dream, and cried at first when Njal and Tuwa left his side. Eventually, he piled back in with the other three, and fell back asleep, his tiny bat-pet wedged beneath an armpit.

However, it was not to last. Light crept into the den and a certain tension in the air made him uneasy. "Daddy?" he whispered for Njal, spotting his silver feet from inside the burrow. Val nudged the others and waddled towards the foyer. "Moooooommy?" he wheezed, hugging the walls of the den for security and checking to make sure Smush still clung to his puppy fuzz. He peeked his head out into the still dark dawn. What was going on?

While both of his brothers --or at least his older one-- where blind to the concerned faces of the visitors of the den and the dark circles dragging down their parent's eyes Maera and Jokull seemed to have unnatural radars implanted in their brains that allowed to pick up on the emotional changes of the Sveijarn's parents.

Still the redhaired baby never thought much of it, it only popped into her mind when it occured but after a few minutes the sound of her father's deep sighs sinked back to the bottom of her mind right next to the things that had slipped through the cracks of her thin attention span. Besides ever since her motor skills had been upgraded and more and more visitors were coming to say hi --when in reality they were actually saying bye-- she had been far too busy playing to worry about the sense of uncertainty that clung to her parent's coat.

As the champion-napper of the litter Maera was hardly disturbed by the movement of her mother when she tried to break free. She didn't mind the moving and the wiggling as long as she was left in peace. Something she hadn't mastered yet was to drown out the sound that threatened to disrupt her dreams. She frowned as Valtyr's moans began to pull her back into lucidity.

Her little eyes fluttered open and inmidiately searched for the figure of her plump brother. "Shh" she hissed flatly as Shadow had done when she had shouted at his face. She didn't know what Val was crying about but she didn't make an effort to find out; as soon as her angry command was thrown at the baby she turned around and cuddled agaisnt Larus.

Roused from Tuwawi's movement, Jökull yipped softly and rolled over onto her front. Sleepy eyes noticed the dimness illuminating not only her brothers and sister, but her parents as well. Jökull liked getting up in the morning, but she could tell something was not quite right with this picture. Whatever percolated just beyond their understanding was coming to a head.

What with the absence of both Njal and Tuwawi these past weeks, the small tyrant picked up on her mother's apprehension. It was tangible to Jökull, even if made apparent by daddy's soothing croon. Valtýr, however, was clueless, sticking to the den's earthen structure uneasily. As soon as he cried out for mommy, a rather sharp, impertinent 'shhh' resounded from deep in the den. Maera wanted to sleep, and baby brother was disrupting that.

Jökull liked her spunk, but deemed it inappropriate giving what was going on. Abruptly coming to a stand, she rushed at Maera with a loud snarl and bared teeth. Fueled by the electricity in the damp morning air, the largest Sveijarn was in no mood for infighting and impolite demands...despite handing them out herself. Hovering over her sister's prone form, she snorted distastefully before turning on her. There was no point in admonishing Maera. Something was going to happen today, and Jökull thought it best to stay her fangs; conserve energy.

Padding over to Valtýr, she shook the stiffness out of her muscles and joined him at his side. Lingering close, she shared in her brother's body heat. Voicelessly offering some reassurance whereas Maera had offered none.

Like the others, Larus was oblivious to the cacophony that brewed between his parents. While the girls seemed to be quite in-tune with both adults, the boys were the opposite. The stirring of their mother usually would have brought Larus out of his sleepy stupor, yet somehow the child managed to roll to his other side and continue sleeping - until some noises prodded at his consciousness, namely his sister's insistent shh, which rang out next to his ear. The boy moaned lowly and tried to burrow against the warmth that Maera provided.

The effort served to rouse him more than comfort, though, and Larus blinked in the dim light, awakened. The first thing he saw were Jokull's tiny fangs, bared with a childish rumble, and the runt of the litter instinctively rolled in reverse. He lay with his belly exposed for a moment, his paws wiggling in the empty space above his head, until something else caught his attention.

Jokull was up and moving, and Larus was attentive enough to follow the sounds of her steps; he squirmed against the dirt, mindlessly kicking Maera in the process, and watched Jokull plop herself next to his dear brother. From upside down it was quite a strange sight.

With a huff, Larus gingerly rolled to his tummy and then got to his paws. There was little eagerness within him to truly investigate, but.. Whatever had piqued Valtyr's interest was surely good enough for him too! The boy bludgeoned his way over Maera's little self while she tried to sleep, and came to a halt behind both of his stationary siblings; a final lurch had Larus clumsily slouching across their backs, trying to nose his way towards the burrow entrance and catch sight of whatever was so cool.

He strode forward – his eyes were naturally riveted upon the slender form of Bazi, and yet soon she was joined by the Sveijarn’s. His pace slowed for a moment, taking in the vision before him – the broken alpha as she parted with what could possibly be her best friends. The pups were missing for the moment, likely tucked in bed still. Did they know last night had been their last in their home?

With a lingering breath, Scimitar padded forward at a quicker pace. The pheasant was still warm in his grasp, though dead, and as he came upon the others, his eyes settled upon the proud figures of the pack’s longest standing members. Dropping the bird to the ground, he rolled it gingerly to them both before shifting his weight, pulling up beside Bazi and preening at her ear gently, as if to lull her from her depression. It would be impossible, though. “One less stop needed for your journey,” he murmured to the pair, his tail giving a swish in the air as he nodded to the bird. At least then they would be fueled properly for the long trip – the pups especially.

Resolved, his eyes flickered between the two, stoical at best. “Who will be traveling with you?”

Making a few assumptions here, let me know if you don't agree with them and I can edit them out

Today was the day. Danica was surprised to find that she was somewhat looking forward to the trip. She had said her goodbyes to the Creek and it's members, those who she felt would care about her absence in any event. The only one she hadn't said goodbye to was the one she had been actively avoiding, and thus the one she hadn't seen since their 'argument' (if one could call it that). Yet she hadn't expected to, nor would she be the one to initiate. She wasn't about to do anything to rock the boat, not today.

So she did not approach the densite, instead choosing to stay back until the rest of the pack got there. Then she could intermix with them, hopefully fading into the background. It wasn't a common practice for her, avoiding conflict like this, but she respected the Sveijarn's wish to keep peace with Swiftcurrent. They were kind enough to offer her a place in their pack (not that she wasn't bringing anything to the table), so she could return the favor by not being a prick and causing trouble. That much at least she could handle.

Sorry for the delay, I'm on vacation! Let me know if I'm assuming too much here, I'm taking up quite a big chunk of time IC.

@Maera Piss, I misread your position, will edit.

One by one, the family emerged. Tuwawi, Njal, but their four little children hesitated - some were more enthusiastic than others. Bazi watched them leave their den for the last time, on their very last morning as Swiftcurrent wolves. Every cell in her body ached.

Had Scimitar not arrived to calm her, Bazi might have broken down - especially when Danica showed up. She kept well away from the gathering, and would not have seen the longing look in the Alpha's eyes - the secret desire to run forward and fall to the ground at Danica's feet, begging her to stay, taking back the horrible, small-minded decision she had made without even really thinking.

"Danica is going with them," Bazi told Scimitar quietly, nudging his cheek in retur. Her voice cracked, and she swallowed hard. The goodbyes would have to be quick.

She looked longingly at the pups, waiting to slather kisses on each of their heads - or at least what she could reach of them. To the distant Maera she whispered "I'll visit" though it was no longer likely that she would.

She didn't know what Danica had told the adults, and for the moment, didn't care. They were leaving, and there was no time to waste. She touched Njal's cheek with her nose. No words, but a long, loaded look and a nod. He would make a fine Alpha. The type of wolf you would expect to be Alpha.

And finally, Tuwawi. She dreaded to think what the fiery mother thought of her now, having taken the advice to 'use her head' and thrown it in the river. Bazi curled herself around the taller woman in a wolfish hug, burying her face in the thick, warm ruff. "I'll miss you most of all."

And then it was time.

Reluctantly, Bazi unfurled herself and took up position next to Scimitar. When the family had departed, the pair of them would need to have a serious talk. Glassy, blue eyes watched as the parents gathered and prepared their children, focusing hard on the pups' faces so that her gaze would not drift to Danica, where it wanted to be. She had made quite a mess of things.

Because I love to make things ridiculously awkward. xD

His eyes lifted as the honeyed form of Danica moved forward – his eyes regarded her quietly, noting the way she kept her distance. It seemed unlike the warrior – he had not conversed with her, but he had also noted her usual chatter. Something seemed off, and his ears flickered when Bazi spoke.

Canting his muzzle, he gave a small smile, nudging the ivory lady with a fondness that surpassed mere friendliness. Offering a nod he glanced to Danica once more, his tail giving a quick sweep through the air. “Travel safely, and return to us swiftly,” he lifted his voice higher so she could hear – completely out of the loop on what had truly transpired. He had expected more to go with them, and expectantly, he glanced between Bazi and the Sveijarn’s, wondering if they needed one more to go – he was certainly able, but he doubted Tuwawi would want him anywhere near her children.

Kieran had been watching from a distance and when it was time for them to leave he had stepped forward to help where he could. He bowed his head but didn't fully speak. He didn't think he had anything to offer he was merely there to help with the babes, for this first big journey. He noticed that many felt bad about them leaving, but he would do his best to protect them and he would return swiftly with the news of their safe new home.

this has no posting order right?

Maera would've thought the reprimand given to her brother would've been enough to shut him up for a little longer; maybe just long enough for her to end her glorious dreams of mud and tall blades of grass that caressed her belly. Well she couldn't have been more wrong, just as she turned her back to the boy and nuzzled her pillow's (Larus) belly the sound of an angry volcano hissed next to her ear. She whipped her little head around to find her sister issuing a sharp warning to her.

What had ever happened to boys drool and girls rule?, she wondered as she ultimately accepted her sister's dominance with an apologetic whimper. She had been hurt her sister had sided with big bro instead of her but there was far more critical things to worry about.

The sound of voices outside the humble Sveijarn home intrigued the fire kissed girl, she lifted her head and cupped her ears towards the entrance, there were many wolves out there, since there was many different voices some she didn't even recognize. She blinked at the dim light entering the mouth of the den for a minute or two before deciding to do something about the racket.

She couldn't shush the adults, not after Jokull had scolded her so coldly. Slowly the redhaired girl lifted herself from the warm embrace of Larus' body and took a couple of steps towards the growing voices. She stopped a couple of footsteps behind the entrance and with the shadows still concealing her from their eyes she called out into the open, hoping for mommy or daddy to appear promptly.

The alpha-to-be gave his wife one more soft touch of muzzle to cheek, and then turned his attention to Bazi and her own significant other (for what else could Scimitar be at this point? He could recognize something as plain as this). She was solemn for what felt like ages, and then as she drifted about the pair there was a sad understanding passed between the pale leader and the soon to be departed. Her embrace with Tuwawi was longer, more heartfelt it seemed, than the brief farewell she paid to himself; but he was not bitter. There were no doubt many things on the new leader's mind, including the pain of losing devoted members. The stern man watched as Bazi and his wife embraced, and then his attention trailed to Scimitar - who was watching Danica, newly arrived and quiet. The precipitous occasion seemed almost demure because of a collective heaviness. Then Njal noticed the children, and he moved to greet their curious faces.

"Hello little ones. It is good that you are up, we are going on a little adventure today." He rumbled as pleasantly as he could, but Njal could not quite mask the pang of emotion that caught within his throat. He swallowed and tried to focus. "Come on out. Meet a few of your- family, he had wanted to say. That thought died with the broken sentence. On a day where these children were about to see their home for the first time - to traipse about the river's edge as he had dreamed them doing - they were saying goodbye instead of hello. Njal recovered swiftly, and reached with a bowed head to usher the most bold of the three out; hopefully the rest would follow. "We have many places to go today, so come on out."

As one of the babes finally roused and jostled their way in to the light, Njal's doubt nearly evaporated; he watched the little paws and the bright expression upon his child's face, and then turned to regard the others that had gathered. Now was when he saw the chocolate-coated stranger that had offered his help to the group during the meeting; he didn't know his name, but gave a small head bob as acknowledgement. As far as Njal knew through discussions with Tuwawi, they were set to go. The pups were all about three months old anyhow, and could easily walk on their own for some time - although he was ignorant of the troubles this assumption would cause in the future.

Danica's ears flattened a tidge when she heard Scimitar's words, but it was obvious from the male's tone that he had no idea what had gone down. The thought gave Danica a bit of vindictive triumph, for it meant Bazi had not yet divulged their conversation. It wasn't much, but it was something, for it showed a level of shame in her actions. It could also reveal the formation of a rift between the two, and that was something she couldn't help but enjoy a bit, terrible as that may seem. She didn't hate the male, despite his victory. She couldn't. But she wasn't about to be the one to tell him. Bazi had made this mess, she could deal with the fallout. Thus, she simply dipped her head to him, a noncommittal gesture that would probably be assumed as an agreement.

She refused to look at the white queen, instead watching the den mouth for the pups to emerge. The trip would be rough for them, but they seemed up to the challenge. At least they would settle in quickly... their knowledge of this land was the den and a bit of it's surrounding area. The other location would quickly become home to ones so young.

It was as if Njal could sense his mate's inhibitions, leaning close to her to lend a comforting touch of encouragement. His strong presence meant the world to Tuwawi who, without him, would not be here today. Slowly, everyone gathered together, Danica lingering betwixt distance trees, in the brisk dawn. The silver northerner beckoned the children to gather, the four pups already gawking from the foot of the den, as Scimitar and Bazi bestowed their last goodbyes and gifts.

"Thank you," she told the new beta, admiring the pheasant he had delivered. Soon, Bazi moved forward to offer her embraced. Tuwawi frowned, deep creases pulling at the corners of her lips, as she coiled herself around the young woman. This would be the last time, for quite a while, the two could be so close. "I will miss you too, Bazi," she said softly. Despite all that had happened, a great grief lingered - she was loathe to leave the white female... but soon, grander happenings would merit the Sveijarn's attentions. Scimitar's comment to Danica surprised Tuwawi, but she remained silent... in time, Bazi would reveal the truth to her second in command. It was no her place, nor wish, to stir the pot just before their departure.

Her attention turned to the waddling babes, each the image of their parents. Tuwawi hovered over them like a mother hen, poking and prodding to double check if each was fit for travel. The time was now. Danica was with them, Malachi waited in the wetland, and Tyrr remained posted at their new home. "Are we ready?" She asked, gleaning over the adults and children one final time.

Words of bittersweet origin left many lips. Some firm, others consolatory. Jökull could only stare on in wonder as each syllable died in foreign muteness. This – this was not her home. This sorrow, this stress – it resembled nothing of the home she has come to accept and love unconditionally. She decided this would not be her last memory of Swiftcurrent Creek, no matter how moving it was. However, Bazi jarred her from blocking all of this out; long, slimy tongue planting a wolfish kiss upon her crown. Jökull sullenly swiped her tongue across the ermine woman's chin. Adieu, loudmouth.

Looking around, she noted the absence of a particular minx. Leaf was nowhere to be seen. The fox-like woman's nonattendance soured her mood and stoked her latent ire. If Leaf could not be bothered to come say farewell then she was no less a stranger in a sea of faces.

Njal counseled them out, lightly prodding Jökull with his cold nose. Jökull walked some paces forward before stopping behind Tuwawi. Bashfully, she poked her head out to stare at the wolves gathered. She has not met many of these wolves, but they were unmistakably a part of Swiftcurrent Creek. Looks like I'll never get to know them either. Sigh.

I think this can be archived?

With an affirmation from her family, and a wayward look to those they were leaving behind, Tuwawi turned North towards the distant mountains. Njal, Danica, and herself flanked the children on every side but it wasn't long before they demanded to be carried. It would be an arduous road but they would endure it because, even if they were not aware of it at the time, harder times would soon be upon Duskfire.

And so they left – the moments had flown past, and he felt a lump in his throat as he looked to Njal once more. The silver male had been the first wolf he had looked upon with respect within the Creek, and now, here he was, bidding him farewell. His eyes drifted to Tuwawi, and then to the little ones, none of them which he had gotten to know.

As they left, their figures fading to the distance of the Creek and to horizons beyond, he released a small sigh, knowing full well the heavy heart Bazi would carry with her now. With a crooning growl of comfort, the agouti male dipped his muzzle down to graze her cheek before he too turned, sweeping in the opposite direction their travelers had gone. The day needed to carry forward, as did the Creek.