Seven days of solitude. It was the price one had to pay for taking another's life, even if the killing had come out of necessity. Nayru believed it had been necessity, never did she doubt that. To end the woman's suffering, end her sickness, right the wrong that had been done upon Gideon… the reasons added up even if standing alone one would not justify the Ichikan's actions. Yet even after the seven days Nayru still felt strange facing her packmates. Telling Razekiel of unmarked grave just outside their borders, telling Gideon his demon was gone and they could focus on finding Wretch's attacker. She could have told them, but she felt unworthy yet. Felt that even if her sin was washed away, she had to incur good karma before her two toned form could appear before either of them. There was there much evil in the world, she had contributed to it over a week ago and though she had repented, she did not feel clean.

After the seven days the introverted woman had lingered a day longer, taking her knife to old wood and whittling the day away, quite literally. Focusing on good intentions she carved each one as if it were a masterpiece. By the time the sun set Nayru had several charms and that night she went about Ichika placing them here and there. One at the Abbey, one at the top of the lighthouse, one of the grave between Ichika and Anathema, and then there was one left. A large one, circular but flat and with all the symbols of love and peace she could think of carved in small detail. To this one she clung, and not really knowing why she headed south.

The first night she found herself sleeping in Halifax, half awake with her dagger in her hand. It was her ninth night without contact from anyone and the Jiryu found she did not mind this. Gideon was certainly wondering where she was, for simply she had left a note that said "Do not worry, I will return." but with little other information. Razekiel was perhaps concerned where the other half of the leadership had run off to, but he would have trusted her enough to ask no questions. The others might have come looking for her and found nothing. Only this bothered Nayru, it was her responsibility to be there for them, day or night. And yet, the once phantom female found that the past few days reminded her very much of her life in Dahlia. She had been alone once, and she had been happy then. It was pleasant to experience that once more in many ways.


When she awoke in Halifax she roused herself and continued south. Vaguely she had a mission in mind. Razekiel had spoken of war in the south. Crimson Dreams and Aniwaya. And with those packs came a slew of names she knew and especially two beings she worried over. Liliana and Aro. The only two true friends from other packs she had made, and what had become of them? Too long she had let herself live safe and easy in Ichika. Perhaps she would have come sooner had the seven days not been hanging over her head, but now she came. Crimson Dreams was closer and so it was to this pack she headed. The sun was high in the sky by the time she finally found herself along their border, and despite the grim nature of her visit Nayru couldn't help but marvel at how the trees in the red and yellows seemed to ignite in the late summer.

Before she threw back her head and called out to announce the visit, she broke the circular wooden charm in two. Looking at the one half she quickly buried it along the Crimson border, a silent prayer to the universe in her mind. The other she slid into the small satchel she had fashion with supplies for her small trip. Then she called, and waited. She had done this many times before and remembered each meeting with some amusement. Ghita might come or Anu but she hoped Aro would be there. Or in the very least a friendly face.

The sound of hoof beats reached her before the tell-tale scent or the familiar and voice of the woman. Yet all sense took in the information as it was presented and yet, even with all the pieces, the puzzle did not come together. As the woman neared her, two small beings atop Grace like miniatures of their mother, ruby eyes scanned for anyone who might be following, but it was only Liliana. Liliana not in Aniwaya, where she belonged, but greeting her as any member of Crimson Dreams might. Yet her friend's smile was infectious and so before any words were passed between the two, Nayru matched the woman's grin with her own soft smirk. The easy smile stayed on the two toned face as she watched the woman slip down off the tall horse and place her children on the ground, and crimson eyes followed the movement and landed on the children. Hello.


Lifting her gaze back up the tiny woman looked up at Liliana. Liliana! Indeed, it’s been much too long. Swiftly she moved to embrace her friend. Where once she would have held back such emotional displays, at least until Liliana initiated the friendly affection, the girl had allowed herself softened in Ichika. Pulling back she studied the woman's face for signs of change, times of war aged others more quickly than those of peace and yet Liliana looked much the same. I've been very well! Too well perhaps. Was it possible? Life in Ichika was peaceful and easy, although the attack on Wretch hung heavy on her heart still. The warrior was perhaps not built for so fine a life, and yet it had been she that insist Dahlia up and move to their promise lands. She was not sorry for it.


Nayru looked again to the children, her first time seeing the result of Liliana's mateship. Where then was her mate? Still in Aniwaya? Having heard of the unhappiness pooling in Aniwaya the young girl could guess at her friend's reasoning for being so far from home, and yet it seemed strange that the woman who so loved her tribe would have left. Yet if Nayru knew any pity it did not leak into her tone or words, merely she seemed genuinely please to be in the presence of her friend once more. And so she was. And what of you? Such a strange place to find you, no?