Neverwinter Forest Between the sky and the sea / Blue as can be

@Mal @Valencia @Simmik @Miriam @Caerus and whoever else wants to join! He's back (I'm back)

The waters had flung him far from the land he had ventured through, coming swiftly and at a speed he could not outrun. It was a miracle that he had not died in that flash flood, simply pushed down through the valley into a forest he did not recognize by the sea. But that was enough to ruin him. He knew that Neverwinter was close to the shore — he'd smelled the salt in the air when the wind blew from the northwest, but where, he could not place. Cold and disoriented and hungry a trek that was short (unbeknownst to him) stretched out to almost 16 days of wandering under a dark gray sky.

When he rested and ate and finally gotten his bearings, he strode through the water-swept forests and plains back to Neverwinter, familiar smells filling him like helium until he was practically bouncing with each step he took towards the borders. He could still smell his packmates' scents on the borders, though their guests' were fading. No matter. He tipped his head back and howled joyously, relieved to be back to his new home.

Welcome back ^^

It had been weeks since she'd seen Yao. At first, Lenny had written it off as her just being worried for no reason - after all, she did tend to get a bit... attached. It was the thing that had her leaving the rest of her family behind to follow Kyr. But it was also annoying, and overbearing, and she knew as much. So instead of fretting, she'd just let it be. Continued on her patrols and did her best to keep her pack as safe as it could be. 

But as the days went on, she began to realize that this fear might not be unfounded. Especially after Cupid's death, and the neverending rain that fell from the sky. Yuelong had lost one of their wolves for a time, as well - who's to say that couldn't have happened to Yao?

She was glad to be nearby when she heard the howl. 

Lenny was not the fastest wolf out there, but she broke into a full-on sprint toward the sound, carried quickly over the now-dry terrain and pausing only briefly on the border. She recognized him immediately, and propelled herself forward before leaping, paws outstretched, attempting to engulf him in a tackle.

She had heard the call and followed quick, the sound a very familiar one of a man she knew. Though she had only a few times of being around him personally, she knew her sister had interest in him. Be in friends or maybe, more. 

She cane pranicing forth, tail waving like a high banner. She smiles bright, though stops a distance from the pair as her sister tackles him playfully. Alas, one of their own out of those lost to Neverwinter had returned.

Unsurprisingly, Mal was still in a bit of a funk. "Bit." You know, relative term. He wanted Caerus to be happy somehow. That was the main thing weighing him down now -- he felt he somehow let his son down even though he knew that there wasn't anything that could be done. Time. 

But maybe a tiny bit of good news appearing out of it all? The howl  he heard was certainly familiar. He hadn't known when Haoniyao had run disappeared -- maybe while Mal was off on his adventure. So. Tiny bit of good news? Maybe? By now his leg was basically healed, but he still moved unevenly when he was feeling guilty about the world -- psychological. And so, distracted, it lessened as he came upon the scene. The sisters had beaten him there.

His grin might not have been as wide as it otherwise would have been, Hey, you get a little lost or something?

He smiled as he saw a familiar form hurtle towards him, and he prepared himself for the incoming tackle, too giddy to fight it. He allowed himself to be bowled over, laughing triumphantly as he felt Lenny against him. His tail thumped against the ground as he whined with glee. Rafiki yangu! Nimefurahi sana kukuona tena! He saw a mirror figure to Lenny — her sister. He grinned at her, happy to see someone familiar, someone that he considered a part of his new family.

A new voice joined the conversation. He looked up, his tail still wagging as he drank in Mal. There was a darkness over his face, it was hardened. His smile became sheepish.  There was...a flood? His tongue danced hesitantly around the unfamiliar word; Kiswahili lacked the sound. Gharika. Lots of water. As if there hadn't been enough during the rains. The water swept me away to the ocean. I was lost.

Lenny let him up after a minute so he could address Mal and Kyr as well. Her own tail wagged so hard that it smacked against her haunches, and she had to fight to keep still as they spoke. For once, Lenny was at a bit of a loss for words. In fact, her throat felt a bit too tight to speak at first. One missing piece was filled back in - the same could not be said for Asmoses, for Cupid... 

Her ears perked up when he mentioned a flood and her brows drew together, concerned. She had to clear her throat before she spoke. "Are you hurt?" she asked, circling around the man and looking him up and down. He didn't seem injured, but she wanted to be sure. What with all the chaos that was happening recently, it didn't hurt to be thorough.

The Archer sister comes forth, tail still moving wildly. She nips playfully at her sister who then begins to circle their friend in search for injury. Vallkyrie does the same, stepping back and cocking her head to the side as she inspects. She is silent as Mal arrives and Hao is left to explain what had happened to him and why he had been gone for some time. Were glad your back, and safe. So it seemed by the look of him. Hao, having not been gone for long and having good explanation had showed a loyalty to the ranks that quite frankly to Kyr, many had not.

It was one less mystery and he was glad it was solved so easily. Why couldn't everyone else who'd managed to disappear come back in one piece? This was more the sort of way things should be. Mal looked Haoniyao over too from where he stood. Though he didn't see any big honkin' injuries or anything, but added on after what Lenny said, but there was that little delay as he spoke, I'm sure if you want, Aibreann can take a look. Cupid. Not gonna bring that up. He'd still fumble all over it.

There was a small gap there that he did his best to close by continuing, Glad you're back home again. Weather seems better now too. A vague attempt to lighten his own mood a little. Didn't really work.

Hapana. he says. He leans against Lenny, grateful for her presence and warmth. It had been so easy to miss the presence of others, damp and cold as he had been the past few days. He nods to Mal. I will, though, he hadn't had a one-to-one with Aibreann before, despite being a member of Neverwinter for months now. It would be good to reconnect — not just with her, but with everyone in the pack. If anything, his absence only solidified the necessity of his connection.

I am glad for that, he chuckled dryly. He was sick of water in all of its shapes and forms. He'd drank enough to sustain him for the rest of his life, and perhaps twice over. What has happened since I was gone? he hopes for nothing bad, nothing worst than some minor flooding and soggy days.

Lenny leaned against him in return, taking a moment to bury her nose into his fur and enjoy his presence. Unhurt and home - that was all that mattered. One puzzle piece fitted back into the tapestry of Neverwinter. Some would always be missing, but it was important that the ones who could come back returned. 

A short cringe at the following question. There was simply not much good that had happened in the forest recently. She would carry some guilt from it for a while - that she was not doing her job properly. Though she had been trying to take Kyr's words to heart, she still felt partial responsibility. 

Moonstone eyes flicked up to Mal and Kyr. Perhaps they'd be better to deliver bad news than she would be.

The huntress would be left to take note of the obvious interest her sister held in the dark coated man. She knew of her sisters little crush though hadn't exposed her in so many manners. Though Hao wasnt someone she knew very closely, their time spent together had been good and knowing he was loyal to being here only made it better in the sister's eyes. 

When he mmentioned recent happening however, Kyr frowned. Life for the forest wolves never seemed easy for long. Yuelong's members have returned home. well that was one thing... And during the storms, Miriam and Mal's son has wandered off, we've been at high alert. Be it the storms, the saints, anything really, the child had not been watched closely and so wondered off on his own. Now Cupid? That was one sour subject she wasnt opening.

Really? Neither of them were going to bring him up? They were leaving it to Mal? That didn't seem right. Why? Did they not like him? Was it just because they couldn't do anything? But what about Caerus? Was he just somehow less important because his other dad had been not the most agreeable person around? He suddenly didn't really want to be here. He swallowed, saying flatly, Cupid died.

He shifted in place, uneasy. If they were going to be happy and celebrate Haoniyao's return, then Mal just shouldn't be here, that seemed more clear.

Miriam and Mal. That confirmed it for him, something he had long since suspected. He never felt close enough to ask her. His face is grim with the news that one of their own was missing. And for how long now? How many more of her children were going to disappear and get hurt? He wasn't much of a tracker — he felt limited in his ability to help.

He let out a sigh. He had a brief interaction with Cupid. A largely unpleasant one, actually. But Yao knew that he did not know the mind of Cupid when he had said such things. Perhaps he was hurting. But Cupid was a packmate, and it was clear that it was something that hurt them all. Makiwani. he says to them. I'm sorry I wasn't here.

// I didn't realize it was my turn I'm sorry

Lenny hadn't meant to put it all on Mal like that - it was just that she had not been close to Cupid, and there was still the lingering guilt that accompanied the fact that she was a guardian of this pack and had not done her job correctly. If she'd been closer to him, or maybe if she felt more comfortable speaking for Mal, she'd offer up her own explanation. But she hadn't been there, and she wasn't comfortable with it.

Instead, she cleared her throat. "You're here now," she offered, a small smile on her maw.

Last for me.

A silence, a moment for their brethern which had fallen so recently. Kyr's head falls between her forelegs, silken black ears back. She said nothing for the moment, for the mention of their packmate's death left the air heavy, as it well should. Mal being the one to say it seemed fitting, since he knew the wolf far better then either she or her sister. Get yourself settled in. You must be worn. She spoke to her returned packmate. She says happy for his return, yes, for many had left and not many came back. Still, glee in front of a mourning wolf was unbecoming. So she turns, passing Mal a sad look and frown before moving back into the forest.

I'm just gonna wrap this one!

He felt out of place. Though he appreciated Haoniyao's words, Mal felt he was ruining this meeting just by being here. He excused himself, letting the others not be cursed with the gloom Mal brought with him. It was good that someone had returned... It just wasn't a great time out there.