Ocean's Breath Plateau killaiyaktuk ∓

this is for any/everyone at moontide as well as the moonspear group coming to visit! hoping to also have a chance for everyone to discuss winter hunting <3 the assumption is that @Vairë is coming along with @Salaksartok, @Ipiktok, and @Nasamiituuq. she will invite along @Aiolos and @Shikoba (optional to come!) and leave the pack temporarily in the care of sivullik (@Kivaluk)

@Sialuk had called to them, and kukutux had answered. the young ones were, she felt, old enough to make a longer trip. bidding their mother gather them, moonwoman went to find sun man and the starwolf.

"it is time we talked of winter hunting. i have the wish to go to the taiga once more. now three moonpacks will hunt together."

and this pleased her, though kukutux too felt a harsh stab of pain at knowing she would see the death ulaq again.

it would be evening on a second day before they reached moontide. she thought of her sons as they moved. arrluk had come home a man. she waited for massaraq and kassuq to find their way as well.

"you have many cousins this year. you will see them today," she told the children, naming out @Maggak and @Acrux, @Panuk and @Rolayne. "smell! that is the sea! we are close."

a moontide watcher would see the small party arriving from a distance, though kukutux called out to rodyn and to @Heph the nearer they came, and for sialuk also, thrilled to gather so many of her family in one place.

It was good to be back by the sea. Nasamiituuq did not need to be told that they were close; she remembered it well, remembered the salt smell and the constant sound of the waves. In her dreams, she was back at Saltshore with anaa and her brothers. To be here — it soothed her, though Moontide itself was unfamiliar.

She was quiet, staying close to her mother even as she and her siblings were addressed by Kukutux. Cousins. Nasamiituuq nodded, tail swaying tentatively in a mix of anticipation and nervousness. So many names!

Aiolos followed the group at the rear, so that he was able to keep an eye on each of them as they moved. Every so often, he would pause and lift his nose to the skies, sniffing out others who were near to meet them as well for any danger that may come their way. Same as a king stag might while guarding his herd.  

Aiolos was excited to meet Sea again. Excited to meet his grandpups of Sialuk, of Samani... His gut both sank and fluttered. A bittersweet feeling in him.

Vairë followed her mother at her right side, ears on constant swivel for her children, should they need her or begin acting up. Her daughter was clustered near, and despite everything she felt a pang in her heart when she looked at her.

She looked so much like Rhaegal. Even now, she missed him, though she would not know what to do if he showed his face again.

Vairë shook her head, then the rest of her, reaching back to adjust the fawnskin across her shoulders.

She would greet anyone approaching with a smile and a friendly word, but for the most part she stood with her children, watching the sea with a bittersweet expression.

Heph heard the call and saw their approach. The last time so many wolves had gathered from the various packs it had been mournful, and the echoes of that loss still rode over the sea breeze. And yet she was glad, allt he same, to see them. She could feel the hope for joy again, and she trotted at a swift pace to meet the party. She greeted everyone with a smile, the young with a boisterous hello, she would join in their games if they started them and allowed her to join in.

She waited for Rodyn and settled in near Moonwoman and Sunman so that she could hear of the winter hunt and what was planned, she wished to participate, to chase and tussle and finally feast. A small part of her wondered if Phox would come, what Moonwoman would make of seeing him in the flesh, but she did not let it distract her for too long as she flit from each face to each face.

kukutux greeted heph as though they had never been parted.

her face was radiant with a subdued joy.

"it is good to see your face. this time my family comes together in your home."

a flashing smile, turning to look at each child in turn.

"it will be good that they commune with her spirit."

Ipiktok followed his mother obediently and walked beside his sister. The calm demeanor of the adults rubbed off on the young lad, and so he journeyed with a cautious optimism.

The coast’s salty air reminded Ipiktok of the place of his birth, but he didn’t feel any strong attachment to it. Wherever their family lived was his home, simple as that.

His gaze caught Grandmother’s radiant jadestone eyes and he felt peace.