Ooc stuff goes here!

Desi approached the AniWayan borders and paced nervously back and forth along the fence line. Her ears were flattened against her skull, her tail could not decide whether it was going to swish against her thighs or press between her legs, and her fur stood slightly on end. She had left pretty abruptly those few months ago; would the others be angry with her for going away? Would they even allow her back into the pack? If so, and this was the kicker, what profession line should she choose?

She was not cut out of the same cloth as other hunters. She could point an arrow at a thing, and most of the time she would hit it, but rare was the occasion when the arrow pierced exactly where she wished it to. Likewise, while her height would normally prove beneficial, she lacked the girth and the weight to back it up, to bring anything larger than a very large otter or a very small deer to the ground.

She lacked her mother's talent for healing, she was not an accomplished craftswoman, though she could fashion very simple items to get the job done. About the only thing she could do was care for animals (how hard could that be, really?) and dance. And dancing was nothing truly useful to the tribe. Perhaps the grace lent to her by dancing, though, could be used to fashion her into a scout. And if she got training by a warrior, perhaps by Anann that she had met in Cour des Miracles, she could be an adequate warrior. Maybe.

Finally stilling her feet, Desi howled out, long and melodious, for someone to please find her at the gap, and then forced herself to sit down, relax, and look somewhat submissive instead of keyed up and tense. She settled her skirts over her leg, her knife was re-attached to her pack, which she had set on the ground a few feet away, and she waited.


.

Whee!

The last person Desi had expected to see was Ralla, the white wolfess with the 'funny symbol' between her eyes that had played with her when she was younger, before she had left home. When the colliewolf saw her, she cringed. Not only were they going to run her off, they had sent a friend to do the deed? Her fears were unfounded though, as the white wolf opened her arms as soon as she had clambered through the opening in the gate. Desi stood to receive the embrace, more than a little shocked to have been welcomed back with open arms, then remembered to hug back, almost belatedly.

Touched, Desi spoke quietly, sounding very much in awe. You've... missed me? I wasn't sure anyone would have noticed I was gone. She dropped her gaze as Ralla went on, asking how she had been, how Hanna was, and perhaps most importantly, where her mother was at. Mama and I.. we argued, right after I left the Tribe. The night before I left, she told me about my.. my dad. We made up, sorta, Mama and I, but I told her I wanted to be left alone, and so she helped me get some things from Halifax and I was on my own. Desi did not know her mother had not come back to AniWaya. She had expected that this would be the first place Hanna went after they parted ways, but apparently it had not been so.

I've lived in Cour des Miracles for about the past week, not as a member but as a guest; since that was where my father lived and led, I figured they would be the best to ask about him. I always assumed, in the past couple months anyway, that Mama had come back here. I don't know where she would be, unless in the house I stayed in in Barrington. Desi made up her mind then that she would go and find her mother, and soon. She had never meant them to stay apart this long.

Marit gave me permission to do this. :3 Susquehanna will be joining AW as Desi's NPC.

Now that she was standing in front of one of the members of the tribe, Desi was able to realize that she had been foolish to think that any of them would cease wondering or caring, no matter how long she were gone. She almost regretted saying anything to Ralla about the thoughts that had been flowing through her mind, but she said nothing, letting Ralla speak.

She seemed convinced that Hanna was okay, and Desi hoped she was right. The past months had been difficult without her mother, since they had been close. Desi had not had to compete with siblings after all, it had been only she and Hanna. Desi nodded agreement; her mother was strong, and it would take more than some average occurrence to defeat the ebony wolfess. Her nod turned more emphatic as Ralla asked if she was joining.

I had planned on it, yes, although I am not sure of where my path lies. The only thing I am good at is dancing, although I have discovered some small affinity for armed fighting through my dancing maneuvers. I think I shall choose Ayastigi, she answered Ralla's first query.

Regarding the two wolves, two in particular match those descriptions. A large grey wolf with piercing eyes... accompanied... me in my endeavor to get alcohol to trade. And Strelein von Rosnete, answered some of my questions about my dad. Apparently he had met me before, when I was very small. Oh, and Barrington is over that way. She turned south and west, in the general direction of the town, then, leaning forward as though a few inches difference would help, peered off into the distance. Ralla, is that mom?

Within a few minutes, having nudged Galilahi, her faithful steed, into a canter, Hanna pulled up alongside Ralla and Desi and dismounted, wrapping her daughter into a silent, squishing bear hug which was happily returned by the younger. The older woman buried her face into her daughter's shoulder, then held her at arms' length. Oh, Desi. You're quite the young lady now, aren't you? Can you forgive me for being foolish?

With a smile so wide it threatened to crack her jaw, Desi nodded, hugged her mother nearly as tightly as she'd been hugged herself, and then withdrew, one arm around her mom's waist. Ralla, I'm guessing by her return that Mama's joining, too? The upwards inflection was accompanied by a look to Hanna, who stepped forward, arms open, to hug Ralla (though not as tightly as she had Desi). After a few moments had passed, Hanna stepped back as well, and nodded. Yes. It's time for me to come home for good. And I'm embracing my first love, that of medicine; may I join as Kunikoti?