Backdated to April 28th. All Welcome now! Though leaders still able to jump in later 462

The trek from Aniwaya to Crimson Dreams was not a far one and Nayru arrived before the sun had even fully laid a claim in the sky. It seemed fitting to leave the tribe so early, the members of Aniwaya were so industrious and motivated that many of them had even risen before her and set about their daily tasks. Such positive forces from that pack gave her hope for Dahlia de Mai as she imagined the packs transformation in the upcoming year. Nayru knew she had several hard working members and she had made it clear at the pack meeting that they were going through a quasi-revolution. Conor might not have been the terror that Haku had been, but neither had he been very proactive in rebuilding or restructuring the lands. Simply he had been soft, a very kind and generous man, but Dahlia de Mai needed direction. Nayru was ready to give it that.

As she neared the borders of Crimson Dreams the memories of the pack and its members came back to her. Aro especially, how was the boy? A man now surely, just as much as she was a woman, and she wondered if he had risen in the ranks as steadily as she had. His parents were two others, and while she was not especially thrilled at the prospect of seeing either Ghita or Jazper again she was not opposed to the idea, in the very least she could ask after their son if he did not show himself. Yet it was neither those three she sought, the piebald woman reminded herself of this as she readjusted the heavy sack she carried with her. It was the leaders, Anu and whoever lead the pack. Nayru recalled the woman, she had met her many months ago, it had been over half a year and the girl wasn’t sure if Anu still helped rule. She supposed the answer to that question would come quickly enough.

With the hope of not disturbing the Dreamers so early Nayru skirted about the claimed portion of the land, bringing herself to the unclaimed side of Rabbit Lake. By this time it was noon and the fish she caught served as lunch rather than breakfast, which was just as well. On this side of the pack she was closer to her next stop, which she would make the day after. Now she could focus, she was well fed and it seemed the time of day was just right for her purpose. Moving along the shore of the lake she walked slowly until the heavy scent of border marking hit her. There she stopped, opened her lips and made a call, which she hoped would summon the leaders, or at least someone, of Crimson Dreams.

366. <333

The woman who met her was not a stranger, and Nayru wasn't surprised that her call had been answered by that particular lady. Ghita Marino was in usual temper it seemed, from what Nayru recalled of the woman. The blue eyed Dreamer hadn't ever been fond of Nayru's friendship with her son, but they had almost come to an understanding once. Whatever that understanding had been, it seemed Ghita did not think of it now, not particularly pleased to see Nayru's two toned form standing upon the borders. Nayru did not begrudge the woman, merely she met the mother with her usual calm confidence, ruby eyes averting their gaze as was protocol.

"Greeting Ghita Marino, I do not come seeking your son." Her quite voice was pleasant and kind, indifferent to whatever less than welcoming treatment she received. The polite lady still did not wish to displease anyone, not without good cause. Bowing her head low, she lifted her eyes to survey the woman, wondering if this disclaimer would appease her any. If Aro Marino had been absence from his family life, he had been just as absent in his social life, for Nayru had not seen or heard from the male in months. She had not even thought of him, she realized then, with all that had been and continued to be happening in Dahlia de Mai.

Nayru stood short even on two legs, smaller than adult woman she had encountered herself, but this did not keep her from standing straight. With an easy elegance she held herself, and her flitting voice seemed to fit such poise perfectly. Yet neither was she arrogant or vain, merely she existed with such calm energy, it was hard to upset or shake the woman, who now had so much resting on her shoulders. "Recently I have been appointed Alpha in Dahlia de Mai. I was hoping I could meet with your leaders. Or if they are unable to, someone who might represent them?" Her request was gentle, unassuming, knowing full way that she might just get turned away but realizing that not every encounter with every pack would go as easily and well as the first two had.

The stoic little creature accepted the reprimand gracefully, bowing her head. "Of course, excuse my ignorance." Would anyone in Dahlia de Mai act as a representative for Nayru, did any of them feel the right? There were a few she trusted to act in her stead, but even as she considered them all family, a child could not represent the mother. While Nayru did everything that she did for the good of the Dahlians, she knew that without guidance some of their personal hang-ups and biases might get in their own way, especially with pack relations. Yet she did not question the Dreamers' way of life, it was not her place and she was just as pleased to be talking with Ghita as Anu or the other leader, who evidentially was Ghita's sister.

"It would be a pleasure to speak with you, if your leaders are too busy." Nayru really had nothing that she had to say that were for the leader's ears only, and surely if Ghita was so close to the leader of Crimson Dreams the tokens and good will would work their way back to her, even if the messenger was a bit abrasive now. "I come only to inform Crimson Dreams of the change in leadership within Dahlia de Mai's borders," Nayru knew however that such changes were beyond the care or concern of most other packs, "and to extend our friendship to Crimson Dreams. I've brought tokens of our good will, if you would accept them?" She did not reach for her cloth sack yet, waiting to see how Ghita would soften or harden at her word.

Nayru nodded simply as Ghita told her that she would accept the gifts. The scene felt very familiar then as Nayru pulled the items free form the bag. Once before she had come to these borders, more child than adult then, and had asked Ghita to deliver a book to Aro. Whether the boy had ever gotten the book or not Nayru had never learned. The last time she had seen Aro the subject had been skirted over and the ivory and ebony lady hadn’t seen the boy in months. Almost she wanted to ask after his wellbeing, but that was not the purpose and she knew it. The purpose lay in her hands as she turned one item after another to Ghita.

First was the gift she gave to all of the packs, a small bottle of wine. Then there was the carefully crafted necklace, a simple turquoise stone on knotted black leather rope. Lastly there was the book, which Nayru almost had kept for herself after reading the children’s stories within. She had met Anu once looking for books in Halifax, the books had been for Anu’s children. Surely the children were nearly grown, and far past the age they might need such childlike books but it was simple the sentiment. That she remembered and perhaps Crimson Dreams did or soon would have other children to teach the written word to.

”I hope Crimson Dreams find some use for these gifts.” Her voice a perpetual whisper was gentle, and warm, hoping not to find any disdain on Ghita’s face as she took the tokens.

and close! thanks for taking this thread <3

The gifts were accepted and Nayru bowed her head low as Ghita received one after the other. While relations might have been tense between the two women, Nayru had no doubts that sooner or later these gifts would fall into the hands of the two leaders. Had she come bearing gifts for Aro it might have been a different story, for Ghita had the right to keep from her own son anything she wished, but Nayru had learned better than to try and curry favor with the boy when his mother was watching them like a hawk. And besides, it had been a long time since she had thought of the noble young knight without being reminded. Crimson Dreams of course reminded her, how could it not? Yet when she returned home she knew memories of Aro would eventually be forgotten as she went about her duties as alpha, friend and family there.

The next words came as a surprise to Nayru, and she did not hide the smile they caused. "I would appreciate that greatly. Send him my best." Perhaps one day soon she and the boy could get together, catch up, but until then Nayru was content for Ghita to give him the message. They both had their own lives now and it seemed less and less they intersected. "I must be going now, I still have others to visit and soon I must return to Dahlia, but I thank you for your hospitality." Even if it hadn't been as warm as some of the others, Ghita hadn't sent her away and that was good enough. Bowing her head low once more, Nayru turned and made her way away from Crimson Dreams and onto her next stop, not turning even once to look back.