All welcome, and I'd like to get this done quickly for the tasks thingy

Word Count: 423

Yumiko wiped her hand across her brow and smiled into the sunshine outside her den-cave. She'd spent the last half hour sweeping out her new den with a pine branch, clearing out the accumulative dust and dirt that she'd dragged in throughout only a week. It seemed fitting, being finally able to cast out the horrid winter she so despised and bring in the sunshine once again. After all, spring was the season of growth and renewal, and she had only just begun her new life here; what better way to declare she was starting her life anew then to do some good cleaning? It helped that she was proud of her cozy home, with its high ceiling, fence, shelves and small fireplace dug into the stone. She was only a stone's throw away from the river too, and the village was a pleasant walk away. She had found prime real estate, and wouldn't give it up for anything. It had been hard enough to find the place too, with the confusing forests and scarce tribe members.

She still had to go out and gather more soft pine needles and feathers for her sleeping corner, since she'd just swept it all out. It needed replacing anyway. She felt unusually clear-headed today, as if the coming Spring had given her very spirit a boost. She'd needed it. With a stretch that cracked her spine, she headed out the small cave entrance, threw away the branch/broom, and stepped through the gap in her fence that both held back snow and marked the cave as her's. The forest was calm that day, and the snow pure despite the trampled markings her paws left behind. She headed towards the same place she'd found several feathers last time, beneath a large oak tree with hundreds of nesting birds in its branches. It was a surrealistic sight, all those birds amongst the ice-coated branches, huddling for warmth yet dropping the very thing that kept their heat. She dropped to her knees despite the snow and gathered up several dozen downy feathers in her arms. They would keep her dry and warm tonight, and for many nights to come. She hummed a tune to fill the air, and a few birds joined in as if just to make her smile. It was a good day, the sun at her back, no wind to speak of, clear snow, and music in the air. A rare thing after the bleak winter and her own past. Maybe it was a sign of change.

Thankees. Just a random conversation; I like piercings I figured you could reply, than I could have to go for whatever reason. Short and sweet <3 I'm assuming that's long enough to be a 'completed thread'

Word Count: 504

As the birds quieted down and a breeze blew snow into her face, Yumiko stopped wasting time and hurriedly finished gathering feathers. There was a lot more than the last time she was here, so she didn't need to gather any pine needles. Eventually she'd replace the annoying disposable bedding with soft furs, but in the meantime these were perfect when she was in her smallest form. She got to her feet and, walking carefully so as not to drop her load, she headed towards her nearby home. The trees glistened in the sunlight with the snow on every branch, and she smiled at the sight. Yumiko never thought winter was a pretty sight; she found the concept strange as one who grew up on a beachside cliff. She carefully put the feathers in the far corner of her den and spread them out with an absent paw, none too neatly since she'd disturb them come nighttime, anyway.

Yumiko paused, an ear twitching. She could hear the distinctive crunch that footfalls forging a new trail through snow made nearby. She stuck her head out of the small entrance, and saw a dark she-wolf in a black cloak, and carrying a string of fish. She blinked. What were they doing all the way out here? She practically smacked herself in the head as she realised that, duh, they had been fishing. The wolf was far above her in rank, so it wouldn't hurt to be friendly, at least. She stepped from her hiding place, behind the short log fence surrounding her den, and raised a hand in greeting.

"Hello there!" She called out softly despite her voice echoing slightly amongst the caves and icy trees. "Good catch, for the season. I'm Yumiko, may I ask your name?" She smiled sweetly and took a few steps nearer the other wolf, and only than noticed her many piercings throughout her face. She blinked. Never before had she seen such markings, but she'd lived a sheltered life. Perhaps it was normal here. In fact, she rather liked it. After all she already had a small hoop in her own ear, but that was small and unnoticable. This stranger's piercings made a statement of a different sort, that showed her wild nature. Perhaps it was just a facade though, and they were actually very sweet with a tough face. Yumiko's paws trembled slightly, too quick to be noticible unless looked for, as she realised maybe this wolf was more dangerous than they had first appeared. "Those are beautiful. How did you get them done?"

Her own hoop was put in when she was very young, and she'd never thought to ask how it was done. It was probably far more painful than she remembered, and would like to know in advance before wandering off and getting somethign done herself. Around the two wolves the trampled snow glinted slightly, and another breeze passed by and blew up some of the drifts; it seemed a storm might be on its way.

Eh heh, it's nothing personal I just want to win that monthly-prize-thing > I'd love to thread again with you once this is over, since I usually prefer far longer threads :3 I suppose Lotus is lonely at home, all on his lonesome *puppy dog eyes/evil grin at thought of March prize thing. What? I want to win something while I'm at 'Souls*

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As the other wolf introduced herself as the 'Chief's right hand-gal', she couldn't help but stare a little. She had sensed authority as all wolves could, but didn't realise it was that much. She would make sure to remember Ember ((Eh heh rhyme)). After all, who knew when such a connection might come in handy to promote her own status. Not that she thought only about status or anything, but it was still in the back of every sane wolf's mind to get as high up the totem pole as they could climb. Unless they fell. But that was a different story.

"Eh, yeah, I'm new here. Relatively. I've only been around about a month, or so." She smiled rather sarcastically but not at Ember, just at life in general. "I'm obviously not as lucky as some, rank-wise. Hopefully that will change. Speaking of which, I guess I might as well as you something; I'm pretty darn good with all things healing if I do say so myself, and was hoping to become an Ookah." Yumiko looked at her feet and kicked the snow, embaressed.

As Ember talked about her piercings Yumiko grimaced in sympathetic pain. "That must have hurt. I doubt I could go through with it." She said honestly, her tail swishing behind her gently. She hoped to get back to her task soon despite meeting such a kind wolf; far kinder than she had once thought Alphas and those close to them could get. Dawali had proven her wrong, and now Ember seemed insistant in keeping up her streak of misjudgments. Pointing towards the string of fish flung over one shoulder, she said, "I guess you should be getting those home. Don't want them to spoil out in the sun." She grinned. "It's a good thing there's no heat, too," she said quite sarcastically. After all, she was a beach and heat loving creature. Why oh why did it have to be Winter still?

As Ember mentioned her sister from Phoenix Valley, Yumiko couldn't help but smile wider. The thought of meeting someone who could teach her more, or at least different, techniques would be of great help for her advancement through the pack. She would have to remember to find this wolf later on, and speak with them about healing. It seemed a good way to spend a night. "That sounds perfect. If I have the time to spare, then sometime I'll head down there. Thanks."Her voice was more energetic than usual, and rang of honesty.

Her mother had been a very skilled healer from years and years of practice, but only had a few months to teach Yumiko her skills before she passed away. Keeping her mind away from the subject, she instead stared intently at the fish draped over Ember's shoulder. Flies were beginning to gather around the meat, although far fewer then in the warmer months. Thankfully the darker wolf's every movement was enough to send them buzzing around for several long seconds and they barely stayed in contact with the fish for long. She lifted her eyes back to Ember's when she spoke, and she was rather shocked at the blatent way she described being hurt so many times. "You've had a hard life, I can see. I've only ever had one bad injury..." she said while rubbing the scar on her snout absently. Apart from the past few months, and that one night, she'd been incredibly fortunate up to this point. She had a close family, a loving sister, and plenty of prey. The only hardship she had ever faced was what gave her the prominant scar across her snout, when a wild bear attacked her in the forest before she was old enough to even shift.

She shook her head slightly to clear her mind and as she spoke of the fish and Ember replied, Ember lifted them up with subconcious pride. Yumiko's eyes smiled and she nodded, giving a silent approval of the haul. She herself was never one to fish, preferring to hunt her prey in the forests with her natural speed on her side. She was very surprised by the sincerity of Ember's request. She stammered a little, for even though she was a naturally friendly person it was rare for the feeling to be returned so readily. "Th-that sounds great!" she blurted before she could think, then Yumiko paused and let her voice return to its normal, calmer tone. "I mean, it's been really interesting speaking with you too. I'd love some directions, since I certainly don't know where that place is.... oh, and trust me; there's no right way, or basics, in healing. There's thousands of ways to do every little thing, and I'd love to hear your take on techniques." She grinned widely, then looked back with a droop in her tail at her den she'd been working on earlier. "I guess I should get back to work. Drop by sometime, and I can make us something."

She paused and gazed at the dark female out of the corner of an eye. "Feel free to bring someone else too, if you like." After all, for all she knew the woman had 5 kids and a mate at home. If she wanted to, bringing someone along for dinner would just let her get to know her even better.

As Ember agreed to Yumiko's dinner 'plans', she couldn't help but wag her tail joyfully. Sure, she'd talked to a few wolves here and there, and even made a young friend from another pack. She hadn't, however, actually had a planned meeting with another in months. She had never really had someone to call a 'friend' since joining this pack and now two were coming over to dinner soon! Yumiko's mind and heart were reeling, and she did her best to keep a stupid grin off her face (despite sneaking suspicions it was blatantly obvious anyway).

"Definately keep in touch!" she said with a wave of her slender fingers, "I'll talk to you later!" With that, Ember turned to head back to her den, fish still waggling behind her. Yumiko followed suit and headed the few feet towards her very own cave and, with a sigh, propped the fallen broom-branch back up on the wall and prepared herself for a long time of gathering feathers. She really should get some furs soon for her floor; all in good time.

COMPLETETH