I am so sorry this took so long! Too many assignments + injury I'm still recovering from.. oy. My deepest apologies!

Wc: 532

Leaving her three newest puppies, even for a brief time, and even in the paws of her ever-capable mate, still proved nerve-wracking for the mother. It seemed every day that the trio were growing in size and personality, the true colours of their eyes beginning to peek through. Even though the fae had been through the process before, having two grown-up children to show for it, it was still a wonder for the timber-hued fae to watch the three little lives expand in every direction, as malleable as clay.

But a walk, no matter in what form or direction, always calmed the lady, and so she took to her Secui form to roam the territory, her limp less pronounced with the more legs she wore. Snow was beginning to break from the dark-faced sky above her, but the mother didn't mind much - she enjoyed the cold, and always enjoyed being active. As wonderful as nursing and caring for her children was, Ghita was a nomad at heart, even confined to her pack's lands, and so would always remain called to the wild, the wanderlust stirring in her bones.

It wasn't until she was beginning to approach the pack's boundaries that her ears picked up on a sound and a scent unfamiliar to the Tribune. Her tents erect, her blood began to chill as her son's name painted the wind, a contraction forming around her heart. There was no concrete reason for her to worry, as Aro's scent wasn't in the area, giving him an alibi away from here, but for a stranger to be calling for her son stirred the protective gene inside of her, Ghita near certain that she would find the stranger calling for her son at the end of the scent.

Taking off at a steady trot that quickly morphed into a jog, her lean muscles stretched and contracted as the mother grew closer to her target, only a few miles left between them. It was at this time that the scent of Dahlia de Mai prickled her nostrils, and something about the particular scent of this member tickled her memory, but nothing concrete arose to her mind at present time. Now in eyesight of the fae, her turquoise orbs took in the patched pelt of ebony and ivory, the woman startled by the beautiful eyes she held. All the same, she couldn't allow herself to be distracted by appearances - even though this girl was calling for her son, she was still close to invading her pack's territory, and would be treated as an intruder if the need arose.

Crossing the last few steps, Ghita straightened her body, the back part of her pelt prickling as it stood on end, her tail raised slightly in a show of dominance. Turquoise eyes meeting the girl's without fear, Ghita's Italian accent broke the silence of the snowy day around them, holding authority in every fiber of her being. "What business do you have with Crimson Dreams here, and particularly my son?" She had never been one for formalities or beating around the bush, and so launched straight into the heart of the matter, ebony lips a quiver away from revealing her pearly teeth.

Not a problem! <3 And sorry this sucks. ><

Wc: 618

The girl was complacent enough in the confrontation at the border, which gave Ghita reason to settle the fur on her back, and allow a bit more politeness to seep into her tone. While she could be a stickler towards impolite intruders, knowing that this girl meant little harm was a relief. She could still fight, should the need arise, but it wasn't something she enjoyed all too much - and so her posture grew incrementally more relaxed as the seconds wore on, silence paving the path.

All the same, the patched fae didn't appear to be half-asleep in her near-intrusion. It was smart, even in this world, to be armed if you could use the weapon well, Ghita knowing full well that a young girl walking around on her own wasn't always the smartest thing. And she could respect the tension that was visible in her companion's being - it was a cover the mother wore as well. Having known wolves with blood-red eyes, the odd colouring did not alarm the timber fae - in fact, she would have thought very little of it, and the identity of the girl if her mention of Aro had not arisen.

Staring curiously at the book that was now offered to her, Ghita's heart was unable to prickle with pride at her son's ability to read. Ghita herself did not share that trait, but insisted that her children did, as it was a useful, if not mandatory, skill to have around her pack. Watching the girl take back the book due to their differing forms, she felt some relief at having avoided the awkwardness between them. But Nayru's smile was unnervingly sweet and gentle, an action which probably spared the girl from feeling the same wrath that Aro received on his return from Dahlia de Mai.

All the same, Ghita was not an idiot, and finally was able to place the scent that the ebony nose had picked up on the moment Nayru stepped into her territory. Flicking her ears in discomfort, Ghita's turquoises flashed quickly before the mother began to shift, using the time that the motion gave to think about how she would deliver this speech. She was a friend of Aro's, and therefore a friend of her's, but the conditions of their friendship had regrettably put both wolves in danger - something that Ghita could not accept.

Letting her body elongate and stretch before Nayru, her mane melted into a deep chestnut hue, cascading further down to create Ghita's hair that so distinguished her. The piercings she wore relocated across her face, silver glinting in the sun around them. Rising to two unsteady legs, the fae placed less weight on her injured right leg, even now the injury still plaguing her. But finally standing at her full height - only slightly taller than Nayru herself, Ghita's arms were unsure of what to do with themselves, finally resting on her bare hips. "I've heard a lot about you from my son." She stated, informing Nayru that she knew more than she let on. "While my son's actions were honorable, and as his friend I treat you as a friend of mine, you must know that your actions placed both yourself and my son in danger." Despite the ice etched into her tone, she let her ears flop and tail droop after she finished, muscles relaxing in a less hostile manner. "Despite that, it's a pleasure to finally meet you. I'm Ghita Marino." Extending her newly formed hand toward her, ivory fingers sought a handshake - an action that would mean peace - an end from the war Ghita had waged with herself and her fabrication of what Nayru would end up being.

I apologize for the short & suckish. ><

Wc: 376

Finally meeting her son's first possible suitor - as this was how she viewed Nayru, she would be lying to say that Ghita's sole reason for hostility towards Nayru was Aro's actions. Despite how proud she was of him for taking care of those who needed it, this was a sign that her baby boy was growing up faster than what she was comfortable with - and perhaps she needed more time to adjust to such a notion. But she still couldn't avoid the danger that both reckless parties had put both of their packs into - possibly realizing one of Ghita's deepest, darkest fears.

To be honest, the agouti fae was expecting - almost wanting - a larger response than that which Nayru presented to her. If the girl had put up some protests, Ghita could at least let out some of her stress onto the younger fae, explaining, or at least trying to, how real the danger could have been. But the mixed-hued girl seemed to know this, and accept it, taking the wind straight out of Ghita's sails, allowing her to surpass the anger and reach the peaceable relation that she now offered.

Smiling at Nayru's descriptions of her son, the mother's pride couldn't quite be kept under wraps. "That certainly sounds like him - stepping in even without being asked." Rocking back on her heels, she had become a master at distributing the weight unevenly to accommodate for her injury, and so employed this skill as the words grew between them. "As tempting as it is to believe you, can you speak for your entire pack?" In her voice, Ghita held no hostility or anger, mirrored in her eyes, but all the same the regretfulness of her tone seeped back into her words. "I know I cannot speak for my sister's choices, as much as I'd like to think I can influence them should she run towards a cliff." Sliding some humor through the back door, Ghita sought a small smile on Nayru's smile at the very least, sometime to lighten the mood she was presenting. "If Aro had been seen as an intruder, a spy, or an enemy, perhaps there would not have been time to decree him as a friend of yours."

Okay, I'm back!

Wc: 557 SoSuWriMo

Despite the emotions that ran through the fae as she spoke with Nayru, as the interaction brought up some unresolved feelings and situations, the agouti fae felt tired, not of the girl that stood opposite her, but of holding onto the resentment and anger and worry that frankly, was being dragged out much longer than was sensible. Yes, it was a stressful situation for Ghita, but her son was a man now - she couldn't keep holding onto him in a stranglehold. Even if he wasn't officially in the adult ranks when the incident occurred, it was a blurry line that divided childhood and adulthood at this age, a line that she felt that Aro had finally crossed. He had shown bad judgement, perhaps, in going to Dahlia de Mai, but he didn't take an unnecessary risk, and had helped someone in need. Truth be told, he held a lot of the same traits that Ghita had admired in Jazper.

Letting out a sigh as Nayru's speech rocked her ears, the twin tents perked up at the boldness, but the mature part of Ghita accepted that this was something she needed to hear. Flicking them to the right, and then the left, as she waited for her companion to finish, Ghita puffed out her chest as her back straightened, cool defiance in her eyes. "Nayru, if you are assuming that my worry was solely based on your pack's history, you are quite wrong. I would have worried no matter what pack he entered under the same circumstance, although I cannot lie that your pack's reputation didn't encourage it. I am not as stupid to assume that your pack is a violent one, or your leader is unfair. If you regard the situation from my perspective, perhaps some light will be shed onto a mother's worry." Despite the blood running through her veins that screamed at her to not let this child speak to her in such a manner, Ghita held her emotions in check, not chastising her companion but reminding her as gently as her body allowed. Her posture was rigid and eyes slightly closed in offense, but her voice was kind.

It was a welcome change that brought the tension down, the one that Nayru offered to Ghita. The agouti girl had never visited Dahlia De Mai, and had never had a desire to in the past, but her wanderlust reared it's head at this point with the prospect of an adventure to a foreign location. Bowing her head slightly in thought, another sigh escaped her chest as if the bonds that held her to Crimson Dreams were concrete. "One way I would love to see your packlands. I would offer the same if you wish." Pausing for a moment, before accepting or declining the offer, Ghita turned her head back to see her territory, knowing all too well that she couldn't leave her pups at this time. "I will have to take you up on your offer another time - I recently had another litter of puppies and can't leave them for too long at this point. But I do wish to see your lands and meet the leader you speak so highly of." Offering a smile to Nayru, she wished that the friend of her son could also be a friend of sorts to her... eventually.

Do you want to wrap this up soon-ish?

Wc: 676 SoSuWriMo

Perhaps her words had been to harsh, or not harsh enough - but for whatever reason, the meaning didn't appear to get through to Nayru. But at the same time, she wished that at least the gist of what she said got through to the girl; She didn't mistrust Dahlia de Mai simply because of the pack's history, but this was her son she was speaking of, and a mother would do anything for her child - worry needlessly, plunge into battle without a second thought, whatever the situation called for. Ghita was loyal to her son, but also knew that he needed to make his own choices in the world, despite them being many of the same choices that Ghita had made in her past. For she had been captured by the wanderlust early in her life, and caused her family much worry throughout her endeavors. Of course, her family had consisted of solely Amata, Ehno, and Savina, seeing as her father wanted nothing to do with her, much less to be worried over her.

Nodding sagely, she tilted her cranium to the side, mulling over the truth of Nayru's words. "This is true, but I still feel as if I should explain myself to you. If you so desire children later in life, and are blessed to have them, you won't have a choice in worrying for them." Adding a laugh to the end of her sentence, she sent a smile towards Nayru, hoping that she had made even a slight impression on the girl, besides that of being hostile and overly protective of her son. And, heaven forbid, the impression of a crazy mother. Even as it stood, she was the less protective of the two parents - Ghita understanding better than anyone the wanderlust that could grip a young life, and so understood the choices that could be made as a result. But to those who could not sympathize, it would be hard to understand all of Ghita's choices.

Smiling at the girl, she let the tension dissipate from her body's posture, a more relaxed look seeming to melt across her face. "Good! Whenever you wish to stop by, seek me out - most of my pack knows me and will be happy to fetch me." The logistics weren't frequently complicated to sort out, but all the same Ghita wanted the smallest risk of harm to come to her new friend. As she was hopeful that Nayru would provide the same for her. "Have you seen any of the lands? The beaches would have to be my favourite location." While remember caution that she had to employ while talking of her pack's lands, she let a few details slip out here and there. Of course, her love for the beaches stemmed from her love for the ocean that she crossed to reach Canada, seeing as the large body of water never ceased to calm her in times of strife.

While speaking of her youngest pups, a wistful smile painted her face as she remembered that she was not there with them at this time. She did not regret meeting Nayru in the slightest - being glad that the two could meet, in fact - but all the same she wished at times like these that she could split herself into many different clones of herself, being torn between all of the duties that she felt required to fulfill in her life. "Thank you - there are three of them. Tony, Lorenzo, and Fia, and they are all healthy. Healthily rambunctious, I should say." Turning her turquoise gaze down to the book that Nayru offered, she blinked in surprise to see the kind gift for her son. "I certainly can - and thank you. It was a pleasure to meet you today." Before taking the book from Nayru's hold, Ghita lay her ivory fingers on Nayru's, a smile of kindness and peace emanating. "I'm sure he'll love it." The mother stated, moving her hands to the cover of the book to take from her patchwork friend.

Last Reply; I'll give this to Savina to archive unless you pm me otherwise. ;3 Thanks for the great thread!

Wc: 708 SoSuWriMo

It had been a while since Ghita had been around someone of Nayru's age, grace, and maturity. Cambria and Mati were both a bit older, and Aro and Sophia had struck out into the world on their own. Besides, her world as of late had consisted of solely her young pups, which put the fae's mind into one... shall we say... less serious or mature than someone of her age should spend any great length of time as. And so it was refreshing for her to have this encounter with Nayru, reminding her that there were some good, mature people in the world still, who didn't see stepping accidently on someone else's tail as something to declare to the whole manor. She'd spent many a day chasing after puppies who'd decided that it was time to explore, not nap, despite how much Ghita needed her sleep. It was getting to the point that she told them to nap when she was tired, not when they needed it. Ghita figured that they'd expel the same amount of energy no matter what, seeing as they seemed to fit a ton of movement in a small amount of time. Whether it was her pups that were young and endlessly energetic enough to size against their father or whether she was getting old and tired, that would remain a mystery, both sources probably the answer to her question. She simply couldn't keep up with her children easily, and perhaps that should give her cause to worry more than she was. But it was natural, she assumed, to be this tired with child rearing, and so she dismissed her qualms as easily as she swatted at a butterfly.

New information came to light, now, as the girl revealed that she had been shown around Crimson Dreams as well as Aro into Dahlia de Mai. However, this didn't bother her as much as it should have, perhaps, seeing as her son was trustworthy (and Nayru didn't seem like she'd want to cause trouble), and among friends should he run into trouble. As long as Nayru wasn't trespassing to cause trouble deliberately, the agouti mother saw no harm in t the visit. That was her typical attitude with intruders when she happened across them, and so saw no reason to change it in the face of her son and his visitors, no matter who they may be. If her son used good judgement and wisdom around newcomers, and it had worked so far, why change the policy she'd taught him by example? It was little matter. "Thank you - I'm sure Dahlia de Mai is likewise." She knew the caves well, although she hadn't been in them all that often. She recalled one instance with Kansas, her brother in law, but beyond that she hadn't visited all that often. All the same, it was on her property, and so needed to know it inside out to defend it sufficiently.

Smiling gently back at Nayru, despite the forward gesture of affection she'd committed, so out of her character, she felt as if that was necessary in smoothing the somewhat rocky tension she had felt between them, mostly on her end of the relationship. Nayru had done nothing wrong, and Ghita finally saw that, despite the protective feelings that she felt still lingering when her son was mentioned. That was natural, and would never leave, but it wasn't cause to create unnecessary enemies or vengeances that were unfounded. "Safe traveling, Nayru!" Ghita bid her, knowing that the trip to Dahlia de Mai was a long one from here. Holding the heavy book in her paws, she watched Nayru's form until it disappeared from view, when Ghita's turquoise orbs fell to the book she carried. Being illiterate herself, she was happy to see that Aro held such an interest in reading even though she didn't. It was made of a good sort of leather, something that Ghita could recognize despite not tanning and dyeing for a long time. Letting the smile fade from her face, but not the warmth from the experience, the agouti mother finally turned her frame homeward bound, ready to put the book aside until her son chose to return to her, and their home; Crimson Dreams.