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Nayru surveyed the vineyards, walking slowly up and down the rows of grape plants. Here and there she touched the leaves, looked at the grapes slowly growing plump and smiled to herself. Everything was going better than she had expected. Many of the members had pulled together to help start the plants going, and Siku fell into her role as herbalist almost naturally, Farore continued to have a strong zest for the work and Saul and Saluce unfailingly finished any job Nayru found for them. Still Gideon seemed a ghost and Nayru had not gotten to know very well many of the newer members, but there were strong souls left in Dahlia de Mai and she was proud of the pack she now led.

The call that sounded was not so very far from St. Pepin's and Nayru reluctantly left her plants. Daily she found new inspiration for rebuilding Dahlia de Mai and most of her time and energies were spent on turning those ideas into reality. Yet greetings loners and wanders at the borders was still her duty, and the called that sounded was not an ordinary one. It did not hold the desperation of a joiner and it was not the familiar call of one friend to another. This was business, or something close to it, more official than just a friendly chat. Upon arriving her suspicions about the call proved correct as the face of the woman standing aside the great horse was instantly recognized.

"Miss Skye. How good to see you, what brings you to Dahlia this day?" The woman bowed low to the Cercatori d'Arte leader, crimson eyes lifting to meet those of the cream colored lady . It had not been so long since they last spoke, and the meeting had been quite pleasant. For this reason Nayru was delighted to have the woman on her borders, although she hoped that such a swift second visit did not mean Skye Collins had bad news for the Dahlians.

LMAO. It’s just because I love you so much Sunny! 366

The young Cercatori member was as kind as ever, and Nayru’s half smile blossomed into a full grin as she reached out to accept the sprouting seedlings. This was the second time leaders had come with gifts for Dahlia de Mai, and though Inferni had been more surprising than her current caller Skye was by no means less welcome. Inspecting the plants she smiled, eager to find the right spot for them. She would ask Siku what kind of lighting and irrigation they would like. Her enthusiasm was evident as her quiet words came hurriedly. “We have many gardens in Dahlia de Mai. A green house and we are restoring the vineyards, which also have many other fruit trees. We have no bushes such as these; they will be a most welcome addition.” And truly they would, it was like an indication from the universe that surely Nayru and all of Dahlia was finally on the right track.

Setting the plants gently down beside her she turned back to the leader of Cercatori d’Arte. Skye was young, Nayru could tell by looking at the lightly caramel and cream mottled woman that Skye was perhaps only a few months older than herself. Many had commented on Nayru’s youth, afraid that lack of experience would cause errors of judgment in leading. Did Skye know such biases? Yet as far as Nayru knew Shawchert was there besides her though, as Conor once had been with her, so the similarity between the two girls leading packs on their own did not strike the piebald lady as glaringly as it might have otherwise. “Thanks you for these gifts. I’m sure the other members will be quite pleased to get these into our gardens.” Siku and Alae had really taken to the vineyards, as had Farore and Nayru couldn’t have been more tickled about that. “I hope all remains well back home? “ Nayru eyes the woman, who she remembered as a pregnant being and was now clearly without child, yet to ask directly wasn’t Nayru’s style and so she waited to see if Skye had any news from their neighbors of if the meeting already was to come to a close.

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Although Nayru had asked, she hadn't anticipated such an answer from the Cercetori woman. Shaw left? So soon after his subleader had given birth? The news was both surprising and disturbing, but Nayru did not let this show on her face. She thought back to only moments before, when she had come upon Skye Collins and wondered had there been any signs? A different way she held herself? A look on the woman's face. But no, the only sign was now as Skye openly allowed the unhappiness at her former leader's departure to shine through, just a little. By the time Nayru shared the news of Conor's departure with anyone she had already allowed the hurt and anger to filter through her emotions, so only a stony face had been left.

"I am grieved to hear such news." Nayru had only met the male twice but his energy had been so open and positive it had been hard not to take a liking to the man. And what more the news that their neighbors were in the same state Dahlia de Mai had been only two moons before was troubling. "If Dahlia can provide you and your members any assistance, let me know. We will happily oblige." Her soft voice was firm, genuine. Perhaps the similarities between her and Skye caused a soft spot, but truly she had always wished to be a good neighbor to the pack to the west. It was unfair how Conor had left Nayru on her own, so young and inexperienced. It was even more unfair to leave a woman of nearly the same age with newborns on her own to lead a pack. Nayru felt a surge of anger towards Shaw but quickly let it pass. He was gone and there was nothing to do for it.

Instead she focused on the other news, at which she felt conflicting emotions. Pups were always a joyous occasion, even with the hardships that Skye might face as the sole leader and new mother. "However, congratulations on such a fine litter. May all three live full, healthy lives. I am sure they will grow up to make their mother proud." The fairy girl grinned at the small blessing, but let the smile slowly fade as she dip her head low to Skye. Skye spoke of depicturing members and it would be deceiving to not speak of them. Skye did not deserve deception. "Some of your members arrived on Dahlian borders not too long ago. Dahlia does not turn away good souls seeking a home." It was the only way she knew how to tell Skye that Dahlia de Mai was now home to several former Cercatori D'Arte members.

Nayru felt relieved at Skye's responses. Cercatori offered their own assistance and the lady of the d'Arte lands even gave her blessings to the refugees Dahlia de Mai had recently took in. Some clans held so close to their members bad blood might have grown at some of them switching packs, but Nayru was glad to find Skye was not so unreasonable. Who could blame another for simple following their free will? If they wished to live there, there they would live. And if they wished to live in Dahlia… well Dahlia had welcomed them just the same. Simply Nayru nodded and took up Skye's hand, holding it for a brief but warm moment, not wishing to say anymore on the subject of members, or in Skye's case, ex-members.

"Well, again. Thank you for your gifts. They are most suitable. " The piebald woman did not want to keep Skye standing at the borders all day, and even if their packs were so close it only took a half hour, maybe an hour's walk, surely the woman had to return soon. Nayru knew the anxiety of being the only leader of a pack, and an absent leader at that. "Let your members know Dahlia de Mai is a friend, and if ever one of them needs us, we are here." Was this an alliance? Not formally perhaps, but Nayru was content with knowing that their neighbors were friends and not foes. Bowing her head low, the small girl would wait and watch the lady depart, and then return to her own duties, of which there still seemed to many to fit into one day.