Whitewater Gorge The Scars on My Mind Are on Replay, R-Replay

@Miriam I'm doubling travel days since hotaru is still a kid @Haruki let me know if you want me to change anything I'm making a few assumptions based off what was said in the discord! You are also more than welcome to hop in since he's following hotaru. Also sorry this ended up long lol

Note: minor trigger warnings relating to Takeshi/suggestive content and drowning. Nothing happens just flashbacks

She didn't know what to do, the girl had given all she had, but it wasn't enough. It would have never been enough. The Empire crumbled day by day until only a few remained and at that point, she knew it was gone. The valley she had once loved and called home only grew more suffocating with each lash the real world provided. Maybe one day she would return with the stomach to put what had happened behind her, but for now, she just felt like running. So she did.

Hotaru paid one final visit to the outcropped cliff before fleeing. Beneath the earth laid her mother, the one she wished she could take with her, but now would forever belong to the vale. A soft apology was all that she could offer as tears easily streamed down her cheeks. It would never be her fault that their home was lost, it was simply too big of a task for a kid, but that would not stop her from blaming herself for not picking up the pieces.

One day. She would reclaim her lost home and build her mother's vision back from the ground, but it was clear that as things stood now, she would never be able to accomplish such a lofty goal. She needed time away where she could recover and grow, even if she hadn't fully come to that realization yet. When she finished saying goodbye, the pale girl gathered her siblings and explained her plan to leave.

Four days had passed since then. Somewhere along her descent from the mountain range @Sumi had wandered off. She had always been a wild explorer, it came as no surprise, though this time she wasn't able to go hunting for her. The Empress had no idea where to go, nor the skills to truly survive on her own and Sumi had bounded off far too fast for her to follow. The only difference is this time she wouldn't see her sister as night fell.

As each day passed, hunger began to gnaw at her stomach more and more. On the second day, she had tripped near the mountain's base and tumbled to the plains a short distance away earning a few light scratches. As the third day came to an end her pelt had been matted and dirtied from what felt like endless traveling. Her body ached and her pads were sore. It was hard to remain optimistic when she had no clue what she was doing. There were so many new sights to take in, though for once Hotaru remained rather tunnel-visioned to nature's beauty.

It was early the fourth day when she awoke from the harsh light beating down on the plains the duo had taken refuge at for the previous night. Slipping away from her brother, Hotaru continued on just a bit further to see if she could track down a meal, though her plans would be quickly squashed. The sound of water could be heard through the plains and she knew from their trek down the mountain that a river ran through these lands, what she wasn't aware of was the massive gorge that now sat between her and the land beyond.

The sound was practically deafening, or at least in her own ears. Her body tensed, chest tightening as Hotaru soon found it hard to breathe. It wasn't the same, it wasn't the calm waters of home yet she could see it so clearly. Perhaps it was the sound of the roaring water that made it worse, the falls echoing like the sounds of her thrashing against those cavern walls. Choked sobs freely left her as tears fell from her cheeks. She couldn't breathe— Not with his jaws forcing her head beneath the current. The pale girl fell back, her legs buckling beneath her as she closed in on herself like a ball.

Miriam had told @Liliana she was stepping by the stream nearby, but would not know if her daughter would hear her so. Tensions were still high, and the two were yet to reconicle. She had thought to done right, looking for Asmoses, but in the end, she did wrong by her daughter. The one who was still healing and suffering, laid by the den near Mal, without her mother nearby to help.

It was a regret- that she had done wrong. Nor' did the mother know where to start the forgiveness. She knew though, by the Goddesses teachings, that one's soul should always forgive, but even then, not all may forgive thyself. The teachings of their Goddess was only the start, and she knew the bitterness could not overcome the light. She too, felt that way upon the pregnancy, and reluctantly into the motherhood.

Days she wanted to run- but even then, Miriam did love them so. They came, at a bad time.

With such wicked thoughts plaguing her mind, she stepped out of Neverwinter. She had all the intentions to return in a few hours, but desired to lay by the peaceful stream. Then there, did she saw a figure huddled. Small like her daughter, but dirt, what was could been a beautiful white seemed to be stained by mud and dirt. She could see some of the beauty peak through, but alas, they were like a mangy cat.

Miriam lunged forward in concern- especially such a small figure was just but a child, "Are you okay?" stepping closer, quite close to the point her paw was near the child's head, she didn't want to touch, in afraid to startle the other, or a parent nearby. Silver-white eyes glanced around, but smelled no other presence, but a lingering of a possible another. 

Where was her parents?

The sounds of the other approaching were drowned out by what seemed like water-filled ears. In all honesty, if she hadn't come so close there was a chance she wouldn't have even noticed the adult. She did though. A shadow loomed over her drawing fearful eyes to the woman that now stood towering over her. She could feel her breath caress the fur along her neck, a sensation that drew the hairs along her nape up in defense. NO—! The one-word response was practically screeched as Hotaru unknowingly answered the other's question, but to her, it was a warning.

For a moment she found her footing, leaning away from the hovered paw as she took a few steps back before tripping over her own paws and landed on her rear again. Her chest burned, heated by the rapid beating of her heart against her ribs. DON'T TOUCH ME— Her gaze frantically searched the plains, crushed to see no other figure in sight thanks to the tall grass. She had left Haruki's side— her first mistake.

This wasn't him, she could tell now that she had a longer chance to stare, but it didn't fix the pain. Her lungs still burned. She gulped a few ragged breaths as her ears pinned back against her skull, a desperate attempt to make the flashing images go away. Deep down, Hotaru knew there was no danger. He wasn't here. He couldn't be here. He was gone. Forever. Yet that fact brought no comfort, not right now at least.

Just like that, they had lost everything. The empire had splintered and fractured as members moved away, disappeared, died, and their mother and father's legacy crumbled to ruins before them. It hurt to leave, but they had no other choice. Despite looking more and more like adults every day, the royal siblings were still just children; the Wilds were far too hostile for them to survive on their own. Even Haruki who so desperately wanted to stay eventually had to accept the fact.

So they travelled through the mountains, their three stark white coats becoming marred and matted as the days wore on. Sumi, their brave, noble sister, often ranged far ahead of them but she always returned. Until one night she didn't. Haruki tried to follow the trail, calling out his sister's name until his throat was raw but it was all in vain. His tracking skills were amateur at best, and he was forced to return to Hotaru's side, even more defeated than before.

After Hotaru's tumble down the mountainside, Haruki tried to stick close by, not daring to range too far ahead. They both now were sore, weak, hungry and tired, but they marched on. Where were they going again? On the fourth day, the boy awoke from a restless sleep, only to find himself alone. He immediately shot up, eyes wide and searching for his sister in alarm. No, she couldn't have disappeared too! She couldn't have left just like the others! His suddenly racing thoughts were interrupted by a distant shriek.

Haruki quickly scrambled to his feet and took off at an all out sprint towards the sound. The thudding of his heart in his chest was soon drowned out by the roar of the falls as he closed in on where he had heard Hotaru's cry. He would have stopped to stare at the gorge in awe, having never seen anything like it before, but his eyes were only for his sister. Standing over her was a stranger, a grey-clad woman who had only wanted to help, but to Haruki he saw her as nothing but a threat.

"GET AWAY FROM HER!" he yelled as he hurtled towards the two, tail raised high in the air. As he closed in on the adult, he let out a snarl, hoping to skid to a halt between her and the cowering Hotaru, teeth bared and ready to take down whatever had frightened the only family he had left.

She screamed, and a tumble of furry crossed in front of Miriam, protective against the little girl huddled into the ground. She stepped back with an astonished face, as the two without a parent in sight, were especially aggressive. She was even more confused at the moment, wondering where they had come from-

and what had happened?

"I'm not going to hurt you," the mother tried to coo', "I want to help."

A snarl was quick to form, just like that day. It was like her thoughts had summoned her brother's presence as he skidded between them as the stranger backed off. Not much had changed, but it suddenly felt as if some of the weight had been lifted from her chest. The Empress continued her huffed breathing as she slowly recomposed herself, owlish eyes moving between the woman and her brother before she finally croaked out a response, I— I'm fine— Surely it wouldn't be believed, but the young girl would insist it if pressed further. She sniffed, a trembling paw raising to rub at her nose.

The woman moved back; not an ounce of aggression was found in her pale eyes, yet Haruki stared back with teeth bared all the same. He took a quick moment to turn and check on his sister, who managed a small response of I'm fine. The prince wasn't convinced. He offered a gentle, reassuring lick to her muzzle if she would let him, before looking back to the bewildered stranger.

The fire in his eyes faltered as he appraised her. A woman with a soft aspect and fair coat, with a cooing voice that reminded Haruki of their late mother. Despite all his attempts to appear fearsome, hot tears still pricked at the edges of his vision. "Who are you?" he demanded, voice breaking.

Two children crying stung her heart so, she looked at them with pure piy in her eyes, and gave a step closer, "I am Miriam," the mother said, as she stretched a paw to reach toward Haruki, "I have children the same age as you two." If he accepted so, she would wish to embrace the boy, but at the same time there was clear hesitation as her paw stopped mid-air, tempted to fall down. White eyes glanced at Hotaru, though she could not reach with the small knight before her.

"Where are you two from?"  Heartbroken lost, it deeply reminded her of the hardship Liliana had faced, and the heartbroken look of Asmoses before he had disappeared. They truly reminded her of her own, and dwelved the motherly protection for the two.

Once more the mother stepped forward though Haruki stood in her way. The siblings were offered a name followed by the suggestion of more children, though when Hotaru glanced around it was still just the three of them. A part of her was interested in meeting more wolves their age, but all the same, she was glad they couldn't see her right now.

Then came the question. Her ear flicked back shyly as a glance was given to the now distant mountain range. Their home might have been gone, but she still knew how to properly introduce herself. I—I'm Empress Hotaru... of the Reneian Empire... This is my brother, Prince Haruki. Our pack is gone now...

Miriam, she introduced herself as, before lifting a paw and extending it out gingerly, as if to welcome them both into an embrace. Just like Reiko. Haruki bit his lip, obviously in two minds about the gesture, though ultimately he stayed where he was, staring up at the woman with a guarded look.

He remained quiet as Hotaru replied, introducing them both in turn, for the first time wondering if their titles were still even applicable. As his sister said; their pack was gone now, were they still truly an Empress and a Prince? As her words faded into silence, Haruki sucked in a shaky breath. "Our parents are dead," he added quietly, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill.

Miriam was unfamiliar to any packs besides Firebirds, Moonspear, and of course, Neverwinter. She had heard a notorious group was around, but besides that, was peacefully unaware of the rest. She especially didn't know what Reanian Empire was, finding the name pleasant to the ears, but still of unknown origins.

She looked at the two in pity, inching a bit closer each time. When the little boy said that their parents were dead, the mother wanted to wrap them up in warmth and hug them so, but she only reached out a paw, and hesitated. It went back to the ground, but was open if they wanted the invitation for a decent hug.

"Then.. Would you like to come with me?" The maiden offered to the two.

Though he had been quiet in his addition, Hotaru couldn't help but tense at her brother's harsh words. Maybe she was avoiding the truth, but she wasn't pretending. She had seen both meet their blood ends. Her mother's torn flesh and sunken bones, her father ripped to shreds before her very eyes. Both were very much dead and there was no coming back.

Without missing a beat, the woman, Miriam, offered for them to follow. Truthfully, she didn't want to follow. She wanted her own mom back. It didn't have to be at the Vale, she'd be happy living anywhere if it meant those happy songs and comforting embraces again...but...Hotaru didn't need to look at her brother. They both knew they had nothing else and this was perhaps their best choice now, so with a dropped gaze, the pale girl nodded.

It had been quite the serendipitous encounter, even if Haruki still didn't fully trust the stranger. Like Hotaru, he only wanted his mother, he missed her more than anything. The Vale hadn't felt like home ever since his sister had made the horrific discovery.

He watched as Miriam hesitated, before she lowered her paw and extended instead an offer. Haruki's ears pricked. The conversation seemed to have been building up to it, but now that she had spoken the words, the boy felt reluctant. From the corner of his eye, he saw Hotaru's head fall with a small nod, almost as if in defeat. He knew the proposal wasn't one they should turn down, but he still had to ask. With a quizzical gaze, he stared back at the grey-clad mother.

"To where?"

"I live in Neverwinter Forest, there are many other children there to make friends with, and another mother alongside myself." The pack itself was but a harem to Mal's regime, for majority of those who were younger, were all his. In total, she believed there was around ten, her son missing, and a few from another Empress; though Miriam refrained such information.

The girl reminded her strongly of Liliana when she first was born, and even after the trauma she fast. Though thinking of the past was but a heartache, for now her stubborn and steadfast girl could be called into a 'rebellious phase,' but as the Orchid never had such a term, she thought her daughter truly, did hate her so.

"We may not be family, but we can be friends." A slight smile to the children, she knew not to be able to replace their mother, but simply be a figure to go to.

Hotaru hadn't even questioned where they would be going. Anywhere was better than staying with the bones that remained, right? Though, she seemed to perk slightly at the name, Neverwinter. She knew that name, some wolves came by looking for a boy. They said to go to the...the see? Or Neverwinter. You're from Neverwinter? Did you find that boy? What was his name again? Those strangers had come so long ago now she couldn't recall.

Ironically, the boy she was referring to actually belonged to a different pack, but Neverwinter was missing a boy all the same. The wolves seemed nice though, if they were with Neverwinter it couldn't be that bad right? Erm...I might have met your pack before. There was a red man and a black woman.

Neverwinter Forest. He pondered on the name. Not quite as grand as the Empire's own, yet he supposed it was pleasant enough. He did bite his tongue, however, at her comment about other children. So far in his short life, Haruki hadn't met any other pups who he taken a liking to, nor had they taken a liking to him, so he had low expectations for any others, especially those in a new pack. No, he only needed his sisters, he had decided.

What good were friends anyway if they all hated him and left without a word when their Empire had crumbled.

The small, hopeful smile Miriam offered was not returned by the boy. He simply looked away with a frown, though turned an ear as Hotaru spoke again, asking about a boy before mentioning she had already met two from this pack. He fully looked to her then, his gaze full of questions though he kept from speaking them, instead waiting for Miriam's reply.

"Ah.. That was, my son." The mother gave a rather sorrowful smile as she thought of him. While Mal had a lot of resources, and sought out for her little star boy, he still remained unfound. She too, had tried to wander off to find Asmoses, but returned with only but a heartbreak, and a broken family. She could only shake her head, at Hotaru.

Though who she did not know was the red and black duo. She thought perhaps it was Vallkyrie, but still did not recall anyone 'red' from Neverwinter.

"Perhaps you'll see them again if you follow." Gently so, but a small shiver, she hoisted herself up and turned toward the direction of the forest. She looked back with a warm smile, motioning them to follow her so. 

Miriam hoped they wouldn't see her pitiful face.

last post from me

Oh— Never would she have guessed that Miriam was actually the boy's mother, but...she also didn't answer the question. The girl wouldn't prod further though, she already knew what the silence and pass tense meant. The mother turned, gesturing for them to follow silently. With no other real options, Hotaru glanced to her brother and trailed after.

And last post from me :)

For the first time, Haruki's guarded veneer faltered for a moment as Miriam spoke, her forlorn expression and use of past tense when referring to her son revealing he was still missing, or so Haruki guessed. He looked to the side almost sheepishly, realising that just as he and Hotaru had gone through pain and loss, so had others; they were not alone in their suffering.

It was then she motioned for them to follow with a final, almost enticing-seeming statement. The prince exchanged one last uncertain look with his sister, before both made to follow after the woman.