Lost Creek Hollow and she is coming to devour you whole

@Illidan

though it has been several days since her joining of the rivenwood clan; a surprise that not even praimfaya could’ve seen coming but an appreciated olive branch all the same — she has spent her nights mulling over mahler’s considered conditions for permission to conceive children while her days were spent patrolling the borders or keeping a keen eye on the herds.

when she awoke in the early vestiges of the morning she set out and ended up much further than she intended but with every intention of returning the broken boulder when she felt satisfied …or when her paws began to ache; whichever came first; but the seemingly aimless wandering gave her a chance to allow her mind to wander in peace. to contemplate. mahler wasn’t asking much, in truth. it made sense to offer the resources to mated couples but it didn’t mean she had to necessarily like it.

it’s when she breaches the eastern perimeter of lost creek hollow that her clipped pace slows and she draws in a deep breath of the shrouded wood. she follows the sound of the nearest small creek to it’s source where she laps eagerly at the cool, crisp water; frostbound gaze glimpsing at her surroundings with a casual scan.

the bear lord’s child had disappeared.
 
illidan had left his conversation with merrick feeling out of sorts. he wondered how young the pup had been when it had gone missing. more than this, he wondered if it had been long enough for her to have found her way to another home and family. try as he might, the dark hood could not help but to think back on his own childhood spent lost in the wilderness. if he had not been found by liri and kavik, he would have perished to the hand of the wilds.
 
all that time had long since passed. he had ventured beyond his youthful puppy days and into his adult frame. illidan did not need to fear the woods in the same way he had as a child. he knew his way through any dark hollow and had learned that feeding his fright did little good. but even as he passed beneath the shade of the trees, he wondered about merrick’s pup.
 
ahead was a figure that drew his hawkish gaze. the ghost moved toward it instinctively, searching for anything that might help in finding the missing child. as he drew nearer to the figure of the beast ahead, he realized that he knew her – they had met before and traveled a short ways along the beach.
 
“praimfaya?”

praimfaya?

the sound of the voice rings familiar; bringing with it memories of talk of putting family disputes that belonged to their predecessors to the grave and letting them lay ...and the ghosting tang of salt; a scent not easily forgotten despite that it is entirely absent here and now. her head lifts from it's bow at the water's edge and she peers over kill-mark scarred shoulder; frostbound gaze touching upon the familiar cut of illidan.

illidan, the wanheda greets with an amiable wag of her tail, turning to face him and realizing that she recognizes the pack scent he carries. ursus. it reminds her of the bargain she ( and renard ) made with their presumed queen; the silent blackbird. with her return and the unforeseen event of having mahler take her under his wing as a tutor has put a crimp in her war plans ...but even the most carefully laid plan could be disrupted. for now, she is content to learn what the gargoyle had to teach her, and turns her attentions to the coming season and the regulations lain out upon the table regarding it.

the commander wasn't supposed to have family; was supposed to be entirely disconnected from relations bond and blood alike ...but she is the one and only child of ingram and blodreina. the duty to pass upon their lineage(s) fell upon her shoulders and her's alone.

it's been a while. praimfaya mentions soft smile; an invitation to share, if he wished. she is not one that favored or was really interested in small talk but she is interested in him ( for whatever her interest is worth ) and apparently, that made a difference.

she spoke his name with familiarity on her tongue and the tension in his shoulders released just enough. once the air had been broken between them, the ghost took in her figure with sharp eyes. she looked healthy enough for the winter months, but he knew that it was still early in the season. the scent that she had mingled into her coat was one that was different from the last she had carried. this was of some interest to the gunslinger. he drew a thoughtful eye to her face and frowned.
 
“you have found a new home for yourself?”
 
the question was simple, not accusatory or fearful. illidan simply wished to know where she had moved to and whether or not there was any matter of interest behind why she had done so. the dark-hooded beast also was curious to know whether or not her knew homestead was near to the valley of the bears. his ears swiveled atop his crown to listen for signs of any others – any who might have traveled with her.

for now, yes, praimfaya replies. she does not wish to delve into her complicated relationship with mahler, about her banishment and the end of it with the second chance that maybe she doesn't deserve. rivenwood, north of here a ways. she gestures with a small movement of her muzzle. it's a very small pack. she admits, thinking again how allowing her to have cubs this year could only serve to benefit them by bolstering their numbers but so, too, would taking a mate and likely, would cause less strain on their resources.

she takes a breath and lets it out, wanting to shift the conversation from her and her thoughts. you've joined ursus? she inquires, familiar with their scent from her time with the saints and her accord with astara. i've been meaning to stop by. she admits. i made an accord with astara about the end of the saints but in light of the coming season... war isn't at the forefront of my mind. which feels, to her, like a very un-praimfaya thing to be saying.

nevertheless, it is true. she wishes to lead, she wishes to carry on the legacy of her parents which the burden of has fallen to her lonesome shoulders and maybe, should she be lucky enough and one of her cubs is touched by the hedas, train the next one to replace her someday.