The surface of the lake glittered under the high sun, and a breeze rustled the boughs of the trees edging the water. Birds twittered their territorial songs, though their voices had quieted as the days grew shorter. Opposite of the weather, the leaves turned colors from cool to warm, but they were only a few patches of brightness amongst the steady pine green that blanketed the rest of the land. All of the colors were reflected in the lake, dominated by the bright blue of the sky.
Vinátta, the lost Stormbringer had discovered, was beautiful.
The white she-wolf settled gingerly on the bank of the lake, letting her toes dip into the cool water. She smoothed her dress, knowing that she would have to trade her summer attire for thicker fabric in a few weeks. She supposed that, truthfully, she didn’t need to wear anything at all; her white timberwolf coat protected her from most of the biting chill, but she didn’t want to flaunt her body needlessly, and why not be a little warmer and cozier while covering up? The thoughts, childish in contrast to the mature body reclining at the water’s edge, made her smile faintly as she fidgeted with the wooden cat at her collarbone. As much as she fancied that she’d changed over the miles and miles of traveling she’d done in her short lifetime, it looked like she wouldn’t lose her old self completely.
It didn’t bother her, though. Shiloh was familiar, and her brother was familiar, and these lands were familiar even though she’d never settled in them before. Visiting the Sacred Grove that morning had brought back memories of the Solbjorg, and she’d talked with Miskunn about what had happened and what would happen in the coming months. For now, though, she was merely a sister come to visit her lost family, and a Risna of Vinátta getting used to the pack.
As she leaned back, using her slender arms as a pillow behind her head, Shiloh figured it wouldn’t be hard getting used to this at all.
Hope you don't mind me hopping in. Stormy reunion! / 654. 5 pts +5
Niernan and Ciaran exploded from the doorway of the hill house that they had claimed so many months ago, the door clattering shut behind them. The two males stood and stared at the door in shocked awe for a moment, Grace's shouts about them being useless, insensitive layabouts still ringing in their ears. Nier glanced down at his feline companion, noticing that Ciaran's tail was puffed up to its fullest, he chuckled and gained the attention of his friend. The cat simply shot his wolf friend a playful glare, making a concerted effort to flick his tail around until the fur flattened again. The cats actions were in vain, a heavy thudding noise causing both males to jump and scamper away, it seemed Grace had known they hadn't left and had decided to show her distaste by hurling something at the door.
Nier sighed as he jogged away from his home and his lover; she had become moody recently, flying off the handle for next to nothing. It was tense at home, he was trying not to annoy her constantly, it was like walking on eggshells. It wasn't only him that it was affecting though, the pheasants were blissfully oblivious and still ran around like mad beasts, but Cabbage, Pumpkin and Leo had all quietened down, skulking away to dark corners to play quietly and out of the way. He thought over their decision to move in together and wondered if it had all been a bit too soon. He shook that thought out of his head; no, it wasn't too soon. They loved each other and that was all that mattered. Truthfully Grace was still affectionate and loved to cuddle up in the night, and she wasn't grouchy all day long, it was more like mood swings. Nier shrugged as he and Ciaran padded through Jordheim, unconsciously making their way to the lake, a place where the both of them found peace and solace before.
Nier flicked his eyes to the cat again, mischief glinting in the cerulean orbs. He picked up his pace and leaned down to scoop the large cat into his arms, holding him close to his chest. He drove himself towards the lakes edge, tan footpaws splashing noisily as he careened into the water. Ciaran yowled loudly in distress as he saw Niernan's plan, trying desperately to scramble away from his friend, but all of his efforts were for naught. Niernan dove into the deeper water, the cat still held in his arms, keeping the feline close until they surfaced, where Nier released the flailing animal. Ciaran yowled biting insults in Low Speech at Niernan as he paddled back to shore, the cats long fur flattened against his skinny body. The dark Stormbringer laughed loudly as the Maine Coon crossbreed hissed at him before he shook out his fur, puffing up quite dramatically.
The cat was busying himself with flattening, washing and drying his fur when Niernan's eyes fell on the pale form adorned with a pretty dress a little further along from where he had launched himself into the lake. He paddled and waded ashore, his shorts haemorrhaging water as he emerged. He shook the worst of the water from his fur but was still dripping when he approached the other wolf, his eyes lighting up as he recognised the milk and honey tones of his cousin. Shiloh? When did you get here? Have you joined Vinatta? So many questions occurred to him in that moment and he realised that he was doing no more than bombarding her with words. He took a breath and attempted to calm himself down before even thinking of speaking again. His tail was wagging furiously and he could feel his heart pounding joyfully in his chest. The slightest touch of wet fur against his own alerted him to Ciaran's presence at his feet, the cat gazing curiously from the bedraggled Niernan to the pristine Shiloh.
Primrose hair spread out in the grass like a halo around her, Shiloh closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of the pleasantly cool noontime. She fidgeted only slightly when the blades of grass tickled her, and once she sat up to precisely flick away an insect that had landed on her knee. Presently, however, she was at peace and quite quickly beginning to doze off.
A splash and a caterwaul caused the woman to sit bolt upright, her fingers curling in the grass as one hand whipped out to grab the staff that was not there. Her ears swiveled forward to the rippling edge of the lake until a pair of heads resurfaced, one turning toward her while the other produced scolding noises that made her smile reflexively. She bent her legs at an angle, sitting softly on the grass, her posture prim as she watched the dark-furred luperci swim closer; he’d apparently spotted her.
Her polite and expectant expression softened up into a grin of recognition when the man emerged from the lake, water dripping from his fur and gushing from the shorts she made a point not to look at. When his Stormbringer blue eyes landed on her, she abandoned her neat little seat in the grass to stand up and smile at him, noting how he’d grown since the last winter he’d left the Solbjorg. It wasn’t as drastic a change as had been the case with Saul, but it made her realize just how much time she’d been away from the members of her family.
“Not long ago,” the white she-wolf mused, tapping a padded finger against her lips. She smiled at his second question, her blue eyes half-narrowed and teasing, rather than coming up with the smart-alecky remark she wanted to; it was fairly obvious that she’d joined with the woody, rich scent of the land and the village already clinging to her coat.
“It’s really good to see you,” Shiloh went on with a broader smile, abandoning her teasing. She stepped toward him and began to open her arms before staring at his still-soaked fur. She hesitated, her ears flicking back, then promptly bent down to coo at the bedraggled cat. “Oh, you poor thing—is big ol’ mean Nierny torturing you, kitty?” Delicately she extended her hand, fingers crooking to scratch under the feline’s chin and behind his ears if he’d permit her.
Glistening white teeth showed as he grinned widely, ecstatic that she remembered and was glad to see him. He had been born in the Solbjorg and had grown up there, where Shiloh had been a very clean presence, but he hadn't spent all that much time with the white wolf, aware that he and his brother would probably have been eaten alive if they had pulled their regular pranks on her, most of them involving mud, water or pond-weed. He noticed her eyes glinting with mischief and realised that she couldn't have been here long or he would have noticed her around, and now, as his nose cleared of lake water, he snuffled the air and caught the pine and brine pack scent, denoting her as a Vinattan.
He had half expected her to call him out on his blunder, with a wise-crack or a sarcastic remark, but it seemed that she had reined in her whip tongue since they had last seen each other, Bran would be pleased about that, more than once he had suffered a stinging remark from her. His smile softened as she expressed her happiness about seeing him here, he was equally happy to know that she was here and safe, It's good to see you too Shiloh. Even more so after Gideon and Wretch's little disappearing act. He noticed her coming in for a hug and he raised his eyebrows, lifting his arms up to display his over all wetness. She seemed to have remembered that he had just come from the lake and she diverted her course, crouching to speak to his cat. Nier chuckled to himself, knowing in that moment that Shiloh still disliked dirtiness.
Ciaran moved forward to headbutt the females handpaw, in that way that cats do, rubbing his cheek against an outstretched finger. Gladly accepting all the fuss he could get after his impromptu dip in the lake. The cat purred loudly, pleased that somebody was taking pity on him, through his rumbling purrs he managed to get out a few words in High speech, "Living with him is torture, but you get used to it." Niernan scoffed at his cat, the Irish rogue rolling his eyes Such a drama queen Ciaran, you've done worse to me. He said, mentally rolling through all of the injuries and embarrassments the cat had caused since Niernan had picked him up.
Nier ran a damp handpaw through his hair before putting his hands on his hips, So what's the Solbjorg like? How come you left? He wanted to ask more, to enquire about his mum and dad, and others that he had been close to when he had lived there, but he had outgrown the habit of spilling questions everywhere like a puppy, holding back his urges.
She was so glad to see a familiar face that she barely thought of the various atrocities that the Irish Stormbringer and his sibling had committed in the Solbjorg—although they had not targeted her often, and she was sure it was because they were good and nice and decent deep down (read: she was very good at being scary to a pair of prankster boys if she wanted to be). She didn’t dwell on such thoughts, though, knowing that she had matured greatly since then; she was no longer a prissy woman who cursed any speck of dirt that landed on her fur, never mind that they were wolves and meant to be outside. Surely, Niernan had grown up as well—even if there was that hint of mischief sparkling in his sapphire eyes.
The tan-pointed black male brought up her brother and his friend, and for a second the woman’s countenance darkened as she thought of Gideon’s swift departure from the Solbjorg and from Vinátta. She was upset that she couldn’t run into her Giddy again, but more than that she worried for him; shouldn’t he be in once place or the other, protecting his family and being protected by family?
“I’m sure he had his reasons for leaving so soon,” Shiloh said in a level and casual tone—a sure sign that she was closing off her true feelings behind an all-too-vague opinion. She didn’t know if Nier knew her well enough to call her out on it, but she’d rather not blubber all over him like a weak woman missing her sibling. She had Saul and plenty of other family members; she should be grateful.
The white she-wolf ignored his knowing chuckles and contented herself with the large cat’s affections, not minding some wetness on her paw as he rubbed his cheek against it. The wooden cat on its twine dangled from her neck as she attended to the purring tabby with little scratches until he rumbled out a sardonic remark in the wolf tongue. She giggled at his insight, her surprise lasting only an instant; she remembered another fluently speaking cat when she was still in Dahlia de Mai.
“Oh, I’m sure worse will be done to each of you eventually,” Shiloh quipped, giving the cat one last affectionate little tickle before straightening again. Her ears stirred in her blonde mane when Niernan asked her about the Solbjorg, and she fought off the urge to cross her slender arms over her body, an obvious sign of uncertainty. She stood strong instead, letting an unworried smile fall across her lips. “The Solbjorg was quiet when I left it, after—” The smile faded into seriousness, and she wondered how much the man knew. “I’m sure Miskunn or Gideon told you about how Wretch was rescued,” she said, not sure at all, and went on before she got too upset over it. “I came to be with you guys, with you and Saul and Gideon. I wanted to...” She hesitated, and for a moment she looked almost girlish, reaching up to twirl a lock of pale blonde hair around one delicate finger. Her feminine posture was entirely at odds with the ferocity in her next statement: “I wanted to protect you—from the Dawnrunners, from everything.”
Late reply is late. Sorry sweety, this is also crap! / 439. 3 pts.
Nier was shocked to see a flat expression fall across his usually expressive cousin's face when he mentioned Gideon and Wretch. Her voice was equally flat but he didn't call her on it, regarding her words sagely before nodding, Aye, they must have had a good reason for leaving. I hope they're safe, wherever they are. He had been upset to hear of their abrupt disappearance, having not had the chance to see them at all in their brief stay. He had wondered if the pair even remembered him from the Solbjorg but had not got the chance to find out.
Ciaran tilted his head forward, allowing access to his fluffy, pointed ears, willing the she-wolf to scratch there. He shot Niernan a devious look just as the dark Stormbringer was giving him the same, Shiloh's words about worse being done striking a chord in both of them. Ciaran retreated as Shiloh's handpaw left his fur, sitting back on his haunches and returning to determinedly washing his fur, his head bobbing as he licked at his voluminous chest fur.
As she straightened Niernan tried to catch her eyes, hoping to read her emotions in them, but she managed to avoid his gaze. He cocked his head slightly as she spoke, her sentences broken. Nier felt the confusion growing in his mind, he had not had much chance to speak with the Godja, their paths not crossing much within the pack, and he hadn't seen Gideon or Wretch while they had been in Vinatta. Wretch had been rescued? That was the first he had heard of it. He was starting to worry a bit now, Shiloh's tough exterior contrary to what he knew of her from back in the Solbjorg. She started to twizzle her hair, the girly part of her personality shining there, but he could hear the ferocity in her words, he allowed her to finish before he spoke. I didn't get the opportunity to see Gid or Wretch, so I didn't get any news from home, and I don't get much chance to speak to Miskunn... I think she actually avoids me and Bran. He paused, thinking that over, It was true that every time he encountered the Godja she seemed to vanish without a trace soon after noticing his presence. He shrugged and returned to the matter at hand, he flicked his ears forward and widened his eyes, the picture of bewildered innocence, Protect us? Is the Dawnrunner situation really that bad? We haven't seen hide nor hair of them here yet. Nier appreciated the sentiment, glad that he was part of such a loving and loyal family.
The large cat went to grooming his long fur, and Shiloh half wished she was still the ignorant girl-child who could afford to fuss over her hair rather than need to address such difficult questions. It was clear even before the man spoke that he hadn’t been as knowledgeable about the events in the valley as she’d thought. It seemed that the Stormbringers who’d left to protect their colony of kin hadn’t read him in on the situation, and she felt a little stab of nervousness and frustration that now she had to. She kept her cool, though, other than a single digit curling her blonde hair and releasing it and curling it again. “The Dawnrunners, they—” Deep breath, a slight furrow in the forehead. “Let me start from the beginning,” the creamy-white female murmured, and tried to remember all the events that had transpired in the Solbjorg after the two brothers had departed from it.
“It started when Miskunn heard rumors about a Dawnrunner camp near ours—and so she went to investigate, and found out that they were holding Wretch captive for being a ‘spy,’ since she’d come from Gideon’s old pack or something to find him. Of course, Giddy hears this and he has to be a hero and go rescue her.” She couldn’t quite sound bitter about it, despite her fear and anger when he returned triumphant—triumphant as well as covered in dozens of wounds. She’d thought she would lose him several times; his blood loss was great, and more than one night he’d seemed about to slip away. “They got better, but… They wanted to come here, to protect you guys, too, because—”
And here was the important bit, the reason for her own visit, the danger. It took her a moment before she felt she could deliver the news calmly. “Miskunn overheard something else, too. The Dawnrunners know that there are outlying colonies of Stormbringers—like Vinátta, a little cluster of their rival family, small and unprotected by the same numbers in the Solbjorg.” Her lips drew back from her teeth as she stated this, and her voice was half a growl. “They want to come here, Niernan, to wipe us out, to wipe all of us out, I guess until there aren’t enough of us left to defend the valley when they hit there. I wasn’t going to sit back idly while that was happening.”
Sorry for the wait in this sweetpea. You have permission to kick me. / 425. 4 pts
Nier remained silent as Shiloh prepared herself, her ferocious words contrasting with the innocence of her hair twirling, making him widen his eyes a little. He nodded feebly and barely managed to breath out an Ok. Before Shiloh launched into her rather shocking and distressing tale of Dawnrunner treachery. He wanted to pin his ears back and cower as she told of the awful things that had gone on back at the Solbjorg, the way Wretch had been held captive and Gideon injured when he rescued her filling him with fear. It made him think about why he had left the Solbjorg, had they weakened the Stormbringer defenses when he and his brother had left? His mind raced and his eyes flickered all over the place in internal panic as he worried about everyone back home.
What she said about Gideon and Wretch being hurt and nearly dying from blood loss shocked him to his core and he felt his head go down, his pulse a dull roar in his ears as he felt overwhelmed by everything that Shiloh was saying. Her words still rang through his loud pulse, her voice clear and high, with its fierce tone. His head snapped up when she explained why Gideon, Wretch and herself had come to help with protecting the pack. Her voice had evolved to a growl and he felt the rumblings of his own forming in his throat, enraged that the Dawnrunners thought they had the right to even approach the Solbjorg and Vinatta. He still felt a strong and almost crippling fear for his family in the Solbjorg, but his ire was building at the arrogance of their rival family.
He felt his tail stiffen and his hackles go up, readying himself for the non-existent (as of yet) opponent. His eyes, full of cold anger flicked up to hers, Well, I'm glad you're here Shiloh, it seems we need all the help we can get with defending our home. He ran a handpaw through his headfur and sighed heavily, Let's just hope that Gid and Wretch find their way either to safety or back to the Solbjorg. Sounds like the valley will need all the help it can get. His words awoke the desire to run home to his mum and dad, to make sure they and his sister were alright, to see if the others were still alive. Yet he knew his duty was here now, as Vald of Vinatta it was his job to protect his packlands and the members that resided in it.
