It was the morning after Ralla's return from her cleansing journey, and the night had not been kind in sleep. She had woken up early--unusual for the usually late-rising wolfess--for the sheer purpose of attending her duties. As liberated as she felt from her cleansing, it couldn't replace the horror she had witnessed the night before, nor could it replace lost sleep. Regardless, it was her duty to tend the fire, and if she could weather those two days bathing in freezing cold water, she could weather little sleep and the next three days without food. She stretched her lengthy arms high towards the sun and yawned loudly, shaking off the cold and wrapping her own blanket around her shoulders. After the last two days, she would have to be careful of keeping herself warm, not wanting to invite hypthermia or any sort of sickness closer than she had already done.

She walked dutifully to the ceremonial stone grounds where the Great Fire was housed and instead saw that another early riser was there. It was an unfamiliar face--again, as they so often appeared to be--but surprise was such a cliche reaction at that point that Ralla only took it for what it was and smiled. Upon closer inspection, the white wolfess saw that it was a small pup who bore...striking resemblance to Chief Dawali. Her scent also smelled faintly of the Chief's hut, and Ralla's curiosity peaked at that; especially when she let out the cry of a name. Who was this small child? And who was 'Hvnii'? Ralla continued at her pace until she was a few yards from the pup before speaking. "Good morning," she said gently, rounding the pup to inspect the fire. She could tend to it and get to know the pup, no? "Why so distressed?" Always one to notice things about others before she even noticed things about herself, Ralla could plainly see the small wolfess's face and expression, and then wondered if Hvnii was someone special to her. A parent? A sibling? "My name is Ralla, little one. Who might you be?" Steadily Ralla rounded the fire again, unafraid to reach in with her bare hand to move a stray log back into the embers from the outskirts of the coals, her hands long-since calloused and weathered, immune to the heat. It had been no easy task to get them that way. It had been months and still more days going that she had and was chopping wood, the axe handle building the skin tough on her paws. And since her new duties, having to be in close quarters with the fire was no stranger in the daily life. Yes still, she found so much joy in it, as if it were an old friend that listened to her worries and protected her and her tribe. It was comforting to say teh least; exuberanting to say the most.

Even near the Great Fire, the small pup seemed cold. The blanket around her was slipping off her small lupus frame, and it was almost sad to see the little one in such a state. Ralla remembered her own days as a pup; no way to transform, forced to rely on others for things she now did easily and took for granted. Even things as simple as wearing and holding a blanket. With a warm smile to match the fire, the embers lighting her green eyes even in the misty morning, Ralla beckoned her closer to the sitting logs; the appropriate distance of any member aside from those who tended the sacred flame. It was respectful to not go any closer, and it was Ralla's duty to enforce this (even if she had unknowingly broken that rule during her first few days in the tribe). She knew better, now, and had more self-restraint. Still, she knew the tempting draw of the Great Fire's flare; anyone who was truly in touch with the tribe could sense its pulse and flow; its connection to all that resided under its vigil.

Moon walks. "Moon talks." Moon thinks.

Amara? Yes, she could see it now; the red wolf heritage; the way she walked behind the logs instead of between, as most members would've done, as if she were aware of the significance; her facial features. She wouldn't have guessed it at first, but she was a member of Chief Dawali's family. How close, she didn't know, and it wasn't important. For the moment, the child seemed lost and sad and terribly upset. With a pang in her heart, Ralla saw the pup shiver, and so Ralla took her own blanket from her shoulders and draped it around the pup, coddling her. After all, Ralla was a native to harsh climates; she could handle the cold for quite a time. It was the pup who truely appeared in need of much assistance. "Hvnii? As in honey?" Ralla had not heard the name before, nor knew of anyone who it belonged to. She was proud to admit, though, that her language was getting better.

"I'm sorry, but I haven't seen her. Could you tell me what she looks like? That way, we can look together." There she went again, bending for the simplest whim of a pup; just like when she had met Range, when she told him the story of the dragon and the Sky's Lullaby. But how could she ignore an issue like this from any wolf? Missing a friend was serious business indeed, nevermind the fact that Ralla didn't know the pair personally; they were, after all, a part of the same pack. "Come now, dry your tears. I'm sure wherever your friend is, the Great Spirits are taking care of her, and she has the Great Fire to lead her back home," she said, using a finger to wipe a tear from the soft fur on the child's face while looking to the sacred flames. She remembered how she had first followed those same flares to the village; how she had been so mesmerized by them. She failed to understand how anyone couldn't be so entranced by their wonder, but it wasn't her place to say or judge so. She was content with her own reverence, at the very least, and then delighted with whoever showed interest in the living relic.

Moon walks. "Moon talks." Moon thinks.

"Me? Cold?" she let out a little laugh to reassure the child. "I'm fine, Sakari. My fur's made to last this season." The child was honest and straightforward, as most children were, but it was nice to see that she had concern for those older than herself. The tears continued, breaking Ralla's heart just watching. Sakari's explanation of Hvnii's true form troubled Ralla; if the Guide was gone and not even showing itself to its mortal attache, then what hope did Ralla have of finding her? Spirit Guides chose who they showed themselves to, and according to what she was told, it was rare that one would ever hide itself from its living anchor. But Sakari had said that it had once been Meda's? Now, Ralla didn't know who Meda was, but she must've been important to Sakari for Hvnii to transfer to the child before her instead of following its original owner. And... Sakari was too young to have a Spirit Guide, so... Why is Hvnii with her then?

Standing, Ralla looked into the Great Fire and bowed her head, making a prayer for Hvnii to return to Sakari, because its power was greater than Ralla's, and because Ralla didn't want to see the child sad. But what else were they supposed to do? Mortals looking for Spirit Guides was an almost useless gesture; the spirits were more powerful than they and capable of much more than normal animals. And the guide wasn't truly Sakari's, was it? "Hey, hey, it's alright. Remember, Hvnii's also a spirit, right? She won't leave you alone when you need her most. That's why she's there." She then knelt in front of the small red wolf pup, trying to cheer her up. But it was hard, because Ralla didn't want to tell the child the straight truth and also didn't want to lie to her. It seemed that all around her, other wolves had made deep connections that saddened them and shook their core. But Ralla only had a few very deep connections that she could call true, and she had never had to deal with the kind of loss Sakari was experiencing at such a young age because she had never allowed herself to grow truly close, knowing that her previous fate would tear her away from whatever bonds she would've made. Now in AniWaya, Ralla found that she was out of practice forging those bonds...

"Do you want to wait here for her or go looking? Do you want me to help?" When addressing a child in distress, sometimes it was better to ask what they wanted and why rather than reasoning with them; Ralla tried covering all the bases.

Moon walks. "Moon talks." Moon thinks.

Sorry if Ralla has to be a little straight-shooter to a little kid in this one >.> Note: Hold your mouse over Ralla's AniWayan speech for the translation (awesome app courtesy of Shaw >:3)

Sakari's concern for her own health was endearing, as she had thought earlier. The laugh had been by reflex and in an attempt to lighten the situation, but Ralla had second thoughts, now, thinking that it might've upset the child more. Ah well, there's always chances with laughter... Sakari described how she had last parted with Hvnii, and it broke Ralla's heart that maybe what was going to happen eventually...had happened. And maybe the child didn't understand, or maybe she did and had just believed that Hvnii would stay with her.

"My duty for today is to tend to the Great Fire since I have been absent for awhile. The other Gata Hineyus are doing fine with their duties for now; I owe my prayers and attentions to the Great Fire." Standing, Ralla scooped her fingers through some of the ash that had fallen around the Great Fire, rubbing her fingers together in the sooty dust. It was too cold yet to wash the ceremonial grounds, and although the immediate sphere around the Great Fire was clean, snow laid heavy on the rest of the stone surface. "I understand," Ralla said as she went a little ways away to scoop some snow into her hands, washing them of the soot before returning. The signs of impending dangerous weather were growing, and Ralla prayed for the Great Fire's protection of their village from whatever threat was coming. "And it's just as well. Something's coming, and we all shouldn't stray too far from our homes for now." She left it at that, omitting the 'dangerous' part lest she scare the child.

Sakari was still on the log when Ralla began to sing low on her breath the prayers of protection and strength to the fire. Hopefully it would heed her call, seeing one of its youngest charges before it and recognizing how precious its warmth was held to them. Watching the little girl's eyes so filled with tears was heart-rendering, and Ralla realized the cruel truth of what happened and that maybe Sakari was still in denial of it or didn't understand. Surely this was something for Chief Dawali--their Kalona and Sakari's relative--to discuss with her, but Chief Dawali was busy, and had Sakari been able to find him first, Ralla wouldn't have doubted the Chief's ability to handle the situation smoothly. Her prayers died down as she stared into the fire, green eyes half-lidded as she steeled her courage to begin. "Sakari?" she asked after a while. "You understand that Hvnii was Meda's Spirit Guide, right? Na nasgi ageyv gesei hla nihi tsatseli?" Ralla lapsed into the native AniWayan, thinking that maybe Sakari would be more comfortable in the original langauge. What different does it make what language I tell her? It's no less upsetting. Her eyes stared further into the red and dim blue at the bottom of the Great Fire, where its power was greatest, as she hid her face in respectful condolence for Sakari. "Sakari... Aquadanta uyo ayelvdi, aseno... Hvnii gesvi hla dagalutsi gasohi..."

Moon walks. "Moon talks." Moon thinks.

Sakari's cute <3

"A bad storm," she said simply. She had been receiving those tell-tale signs and was suspicious of its arrival, but just the same... "Just remember to stay close to home."

Ralla listened to the little girl, happy that she was speaking more, even if she still looked so sad. A 'beautiful bird', huh? How Ralla would love to have a Spirit Guide like that. Birds were so versatile in meaning; different species had different meanings, different flight patterns and positionings were the same. But the most common and most treasured aspect of the avians was that they could fly away. Sakari's words struck deep in Ralla when she asked where her own guide was. Ralla's face dropped a little--the smile remaining but losing its luster--as she answered. "The Great Spirits haven't granted me one yet. I think it's because I have unfinished business with my previous pack. I'm leaving soon, but I'll return as soon as I can. Maybe then the Great Spirits will deem me worthy." That was the reason that Ralla hung onto. Even if she was devoted and believed in her tribe, even if she had become an AniWayan, she supposed that she needed that final closure with her father to assert it. She could only assume that it was an impurity that blocked a Spirit Guide from connecting to her heart, and that it would be remedied once she faced herself.

"Oh, Sakari," Ralla sighed, not with pity or frustration, but with sympathy and understanding, "sometimes creatures--even Spirit Guides--can't do that. Sometimes they don't have a choice; they're called away and can't refuse. Sometimes they might think it better; like they'll leave a smaller emptiness behind if they don't say anything." All of this she could say from pure experience, because Ralla had been the same case. She had run away from the Crescent Moon Pack without a word because she had been afraid she would be stopped, or that she would break down and be unable to follow through on her decision. "And sometimes it's because they might be afraid... But Sakari, I can bet you that she wasn't afraid; it was just Hvnii's time." It was sad that a child had to deal with not one, but two separations. Such grief...but the little one was so mature about it as well; her parents must've been proud of her, wherever they were. She didn't think Chief Dawali was her father, but still...the possibility remained. "The spirits that surround and control nature have their own design for us; what they do is not for us to decide. You understand this, right?" She sat next to the small pup and tried a sympathetic smile. "Hey, how much do you like stories? Cause if you like them, I have a nice one for you."

Moon walks. "Moon talks." Moon thinks.

The little girl's voice of conviction and hope brightened Ralla's spirits, encouraging her own thoughts to believe that she would, indeed, be granted a Spirit Guide. For a moment, Sakari seemed to be off in distant thought again, as if the entire world stopped for a time to allow her a moment's solace. Just as quickly that spell was broken, and she was back in front of the Great Fire with Ralla and the snow. What and how much must a little pup think about, to appear so wise beyond her years? She chalked it up to perhaps being of Chief Dawali's line; the moon and Great Spirits often favored those who led the tribes the most, so why would it be any different then?

"Of course she can," she reassured her. "Spirit Guides never really go away, do they? They are one with everything around us, always watching." With that she smiled and settled herself more comfortably into the log, happy to have found something that might've distracted the pup for a time from her sadness. "Let's see, a story... I know; there's a story from where I come from called 'The Old Grandmother'.

"Once upon a time, there was an old grandmother who lived in a village filled with wolves. There, she took care of three of her grandsons, whose parents had gone off to war and never returned. The eldest was the bravest and strongest. The middle brother was clever and cunning. The youngest was a little foolish, but kind. Always the grandmother would tell her two oldest grandsons that she would be there when they needed her, although she never told this to the youngest grandson. This confused him greatly, and, although the grandmother never showed any sort of favortism to his older brothers, she never told him what she told them. As the years passed, the two eldest brothers got more and more independent, although the youngest brother--still years behind from independence--yet relied on them.

"One day, the old grandmother died in her sleep, without a word otherwise of the illness that had been in her for a long time. The three grandsons cried and mourned over her, more so the youngest, who cried hardest of all. The eldest brother asked him 'Do you cry because she left so early?' and the youngest responded 'In part.' The middle brother asked 'Do you cry because she left when you still needed her?' and the youngest responded 'In part.' And when the eldest and middle brother asked the true reason, the youngest responded: 'Because I never understood till now that she needed to go, and that she only stayed to make sure that you two could take care of me.' And this was the truth. Now older and more able, the eldest and middle brother could do what their grandmother had done for them, and she would not worry as her spirit went to those of her ancestors."

Ralla sighed, taking a breath to replenish what she had lost during the story. It was a bit sad, but it was what sparked the practice of 'tribe-raising'--the practice where an entire tribe takes responsibility for caring for a pup--back where she came from. She could see it was present in AniWaya, too. But she also told the story because of its events, and hoped that Sakari could see the similarities, and that things always happened for a reason. "I'm sure she did what she could for you before she was called back, Sakari. She can hear you."

Moon walks. "Moon talks." Moon thinks.

Ralla's last post Thanks for threading ^w^ Peace out >:3

After the story, Sakari had a sort of enlightened look that suggested 'I see. I understand now.' Ralla was relieved to see the tears stopped and the child's heart perhaps patched from bleeding. Sakari responded with a very simple and straightforward statement, and so Ralla nodded and stood, satisfied with how things had turned out. She walked once around the fire to make sure that it was well-fueled and stable before she came to stand in front of Sakari again.

"That's good. I hope she receives your feelings," she said with a broad, almost-motherly sort of smile. She fastened the two blankets more firmly to Sakari as she sat on the log before straightening. "Remember; stay close to the village and your hut, Sakari. I have to go and attend to some other duties for now, but I'll see you again soon." So saying she began her trek back to the her hut to gather some supplies to chop more firewood. Her premonition required that not only the Gata Hineyus, but also she, stocked up on plenty of firewood to feed everyone's hearths. As she went, she sent her prayers to the Great Spirits to let Hvnii hear Sakari's words.

"Osda udlanvdadehv!" she called back.

Moon walks. "Moon talks." Moon thinks.