Note: Hover above the AniWayan words for translations. (Nootau: Visible)

Ralla was out in the woods on a nice maternity leave--not so rare, since she liked to immerse herself in the forest anyway, especially in spring--when the howl was sounded. It was unlike one she had heard before; new, foreign, and calling for attention. As far as the white wolfess knew, she was closest to the borders, and so stood from her seat on the root of a tree--previously napping in the shade--to go and see what the call was for. Recently they had had an influx of newcomers and visitors, although Ralla summed it up to the season. She knew very well that most changes in rank occurred during the spring and winter--spring for early travel and new beginnings, winter for the chance to survive--but sometimes it was not a joiner, and diplomacy was called into being instead.

Walking--none too gracefully, she might add--with her belly full of pups soon to be born, Nootau flitted above her, an ever-present guardian spirit guide. His golden wings shined in the sunlight, making the shadowed areas glitter and sparkle, and once more Ralla wondered how a barn owl spirit guide was awake for most of the day and night. Does he do it to watch over me? Or do spirit guides even need sleep? Soon the chain link fence was in view, as well as a...checkered woman, if Ralla had to describe her. She was black and white, and quite beautiful, Ralla had to add. Putting out one long forearm to the fence--the other stretched to let Nootau settle on it as his perch--the Otlvna Gata smiled. "Asiyu," she said in greeting. "My name is Ralla. How can I help you?" The other woman was certainly new, but Ralla had no idea of her intentions. Joiner? Visitor? Well, if she was a joiner, Ralla would probably have to convince her to be in the war tiers of their pack, since they were lacking in that particular area of training. To Ralla's eyes, the woman looked like she could be a great warrior as well. Taking her arm down, Ralla let it fiddle with a few of the tooth and claw necklaces about her neck, a bit of self-consciousness coming over her about her odd appearance. Even without the pups adding weight to her, Ralla's limbs and tail were long, her ears more pointed. She had grace (without the baby weight, that is) but she herself didn't feel this way. And then there was the brand on her forehead. It had become a mark that was always there, but still, sometimes it ached if she cried or was given a vision from the moon or spirits. It would not let itself be forgotten.

Moon walks. "Moon talks." Moon thinks.

Don't be >_> I;m having a tough time catching my muse now :/

The display of humility was overly-flattering to Ralla, who had experienced similar formalities when she had met Liev. But this was a woman, and Ralla straightened her spine in respect for the other, offering a mirrored smile. Had her stomach not been an imposing factor, she would have bowed similarly out of respect. As it was, she could only offer a bend at the waist. The patterned woman rose, and Ralla listened to her introductions. At a second glance, Ralla noticed that Nootau was looking at the other woman with a respectful reverence as well--which was rare of the spirit guide unless for good reason--although this was made clear when she introduced herself as the new leader of Dahlia de Mai. Immediately she regretted not being able to perform the full kneeling bow which was customary to her native people as a sign of humility, but she would just have to make up for that with making sure that this alpha's needs were met well.

"I do," she said in response to whether she knew Liliana or not. "But I'm sorry to say that she's on a pilgrimage right now to the main AniWaya tribe, and I don't know when she'll return. As to your audience, I am set to become a Councilwoman on the morrow. Will that be sufficient for you?" If not, it would not harm Ralla's pride in the least. Chief Dawali's leg was still healing, she knew, and she needed to step up in her confidence and diplomatic handling if she was going to take over such a title. Should the needed conversation require Chief Dawali, Ralla would not then begrudge another leader access to their tribe for the meeting. "I would be honored to represent my tribe. And please, raise your head," the white wolfess said, tilting her own to the side to try and see Nayru's face. It made Ralla uncomfortable to have an alpha bowing to a sub-leader in such a situation, and the gesture once more reminded the mother-to-be of her encounter with Liev. Nootau shifted his feet side to side on her arm, anxiousness taking hold over him and being transferred to Ralla's mind through the same emotion. It must be something important; Nootau isn't normally like this.

Moon walks. "Moon talks." Moon thinks.

We'll call it the last post here :3 Sorry for my scarcity; I'm sure you've heard it a million times, but finals are murder :X

Although Ralla had heard and seen alcohol--even partook of it some, a long, long time ago--she did not particularly enjoy its taste or effects. Chief Dawali, however, was a different story, and she was thankful for the gesture, which was most important anyway. But when the pungent aroma of the sacred plant wafted from a wrapping, she knew that Chief Dawali would immediately be grateful. Despite having a field growing the plant, it was, as mentioned, sacred; to be appreciated and taken gladly when offered. She had never smoked the stuff before--its purpose was to heighten spiritual awareness, but she felt as if she was already pretty aware...--but she knew of its importance to the culture. And then the beads! If one thing could be said to ascertain shared values amongst the Moon Tribe and AniWaya, it was that beads and feathers were valuable trinkets. Glass beads were the hardest to come by, and thereby of more worth, but wooden beads with intricate designs were almost of the same value because of the work put into them. This was a necklace of such beads, and Ralla let her fingers roll a few of them around as if she were doing the same to her own necklaces about her neck. All would go straight to Chief Dawali, but she gave a smile to the woman in his stead. "These are wonderful, and I'm sure Chief Dawali will appreciate your gesture for all it deserves. I may not know the full details of any biases we might've had, but you seem a very capable leader; certainly more than worthy to be given another chance." But what right did Ralla have to speak of worth? Well, she certainly felt like Nayru deserved it; it took humility and courage to apologize for one's deeds, even if they were not one's own.

Because it was Ralla who invited the woman in, she would have to take personal responsibility. She could not house her in the Town Hall, but would instead offer her the hammock in her tree hut for the night. "Then I would be glad to house you for the night. Please, this way," the white wolfess said with a soft flourish of the arm. Nootau took flight and began his impromptu lead of the two women to the tree hut, Ralla talking softly with Nayru about such things that might have been worldly and others commonplace. The night passed thusly with Nayru's company in the hut--Ayasha and Kemo's company included--and Ralla would deliver the gifts on the morrow. It was certainly an omen of good tidings, as the sky was clear and full of stars, and she and Kemo slept sound as the moon itself.

Moon walks. "Moon talks." Moon thinks.