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In her wallowing time had slipped past in under the hues of the starlight sky. Carried away by thought, the demons created from the void of her own resurfaced loneliness kept her by the lakeside much longer than she had told her charge she would be. The act was careless, especially when the little one depended on her being there to lull his young mind to sleep. But she had become so withdrawn into memory…it was a wonder she was able to part from those remnants of the past at all.

Longingly her eyes rested upon the silhouette form of the mountain, its peak illuminated by a generous moon, acting as a beacon to guide her home. She desired rest, to crawl into her chamber and gather the pup into her loving embrace and drift to sleep where her dreams reigned. Despite the ache it caused her, she wanted nothing more than to see the face of her mate again, the children that were never born and for the duration of the ancestor’s blessing, play out a cherished want. For days she had done this, slip out under sunset to lay by the lakeside and let her mind slip away from the present. Dwell within the past, aspire for the future… but never settle upon what truly was. A terrible addiction she did not want to escape.

She look the roundabout way toward home, skirting the length of their lake due south then trodding north through the expanse. Home was close by mere meters and closing. The scent of the Family wafted into flared nostrils… and with it a faint smell… the scent of night coupled with more. Her steps gradually came to a halt then as she lifted her muzzle to scent the air again. It was not close…but near enough to warrant the hackles to rise beneath her auburn mane. Fatigue brought on by the fall of night was abated as the chill of uncertainty crept into her veins, urging her forward and beyond the boundary line to investigate what resided so near and yet far.

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Just beyond the borderline the scent of the pack seemed to extend, undoubtedly carried by another awake during this late hour. But who, she could not place without further investigation, yet priority kept her sense focused on the unfamiliar scent wafted by the wind.

Her strides became longer then to take more ground, muscled limbs working seamlessly to bring her closer to what could have been danger. There was another of her Family along the base of the mountain, perhaps ignorant of what lurked within the shadows. A sound of alarm would only bring attention to herself and inevitably to her brethren if they had yet to be discovered. She could not risk bringing harm to them, but by the growing sounds it had found her already.

Too used to the meek whimpers and cries, immediately the she-wolf knew whom had found danger. Tossing her head back to whip the lengthy bangs from her eyes to better see, she charged into the shrubbery where the helpless sounds were emanating. And in her ears were the panicked footfalls of another approaching. X’yrin stopped suddenly with the shifting shrub within sight, her lips peeled back and trembling as she growled her warning. “STOP!”

Surely she had not heard this assailant right. This close to the Family’s borders and she was calling for her mother? At least, it was assumed that’s who was called for. The words were terribly muddled and uttered in haste, it was difficult to tell. Regardless it had to be a mistake. The protective Issor crept closer to the bush keeping it within sight as her ears were turned toward the unknown. Female as far as she could tell by scent alone, but she would not turn to affirm her assumption until she was standing before the hiding place of her friend and family member. Her amber eyes gleamed vibrantly in the darkness as they honed on the large unknown female. With Sira secured within her perimeter the she-wolf lessened her posture of warning to one of caution, silencing her growls to heavy breathes as the adrenaline gradually seeped from her veins.

“You called for your mother…” her voice was soft in contrast to her booming growls, but audible to the acute ear just the same. “…unless I am mistaken. Tell me, stranger. Who are you…and why do you tread so close to our borders? Why have you frightened my family?”

ooc: Misunderstandings all around!

Fear had a scent and posture most could distinguish. More often than not the emotion resided in the eyes either behind walls of discipline or was plane for even the dim to see. But it had a look that reflected what was kept in the heart though its reasons and motivations were not easily seen. X’yrin determined by the circumstance the fear exhibited by Sira was due to the large female that stood in front of them, given her proximity to her hiding shrub. But there was doubt in the Issor’s eyes when the nameless strange assumed a more submissive posture without hesitation. And upon her dark face, the same expression as the golden she-wolf’s charge but for a whole different reason.

“Your mother?” X’yrin had every intention of inquiring further but fell silent out of courtesy to give the female a chance to speak. She received the explanation clearly enough, save for a few words that ran together in a seamless stream, her brows knotted skeptically, but otherwise gave no inclination that the tale was not believed. However, the Issor was troubled by the news that there were those that resided close to the borders and along the base of the mountain. The borders did not extend so far as to encompass the whole of the mountain but it was unsettling none the less to even entertain the inkling they were along the threshold of possible danger.

Lowering her head, the Alphess initiated a swift inspection to deem if the woman’s tale had merit. Her intentions were clear by her actions; sniff out the other scent to make certain it was only two. Had there been another, they their scent was sure to linger on her coat as well. Her execution was quickly, but thorough, beginning from the head down the length of her back, skirting around her rear then return to the head again. She smelled strongly of the local flora and of the wild, and true to her claim just one other. Presumably her mother.

Her eyes remained trained on the female but her posture reduced its rigidity for relaxed muscles and aggression visibly began to ebb away. “Are you in trouble, friend?” she asked, releasing the tension in her voice for softer tones. “If you believe your mother was harmed…” she left the ground open for further explanation to perhaps bring further clarity to the situation.

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The Issor maintained her caution but further let her body relax with her assessment complete and finding little cause for an aggressive stance. She kept her protective stance over Sira though, acting as a barrier between her and the anxious female until the sheepish jackal found the strength to speak. Stout ears swiveled down to hear the meek voice, then fell back against within the auburn crown with displeasure at the mention of the non-existent ‘bad man’. Forcing down a displeased groan she turned her gaze down to Sira. Her frustrations were kept quiet, but it was wrought plainly upon her face.

As a leader she had taken pride in Sira’s progress, growing more relaxed when it seemed this hallucinations were determinedly drifting away allowing her friend to regain her wits, but there were set backs as with all signs of progression. Complete days without incident were cast aside by an unfavorable wind and then it was back to the beginning again. Sira hadn’t really overcome her trauma since living in Sangi’lak, despite how her Alphess wanted to believe otherwise. And it was a growing cause for concern. Looking down at her friend, the lines of frustration slowly receded whilst she took a long, calming breath. “Sira… there is no one else-“

Her intentions to stop this misunderstanding before it proceeded further was stopped by a single word, then the sudden flight of the dark female. “Wait!” Without a name to call her by, she did not know how to address the fleeing female. Already her heavy limbs carried her forward, forgoing protection of the meek jackal to catch the she-wolf and correct the misunderstanding. Before she was too far out of range she called behind her. "Sira! Go back to the dens and wait for me there!” If she truly believed she had seen the ‘man’ outside the den, then it would only make sense to return to the safety of it. She would place her trust in her companion to find her safe way home as she went off to correct a fear induced assumption.

“Wait!” X’yrin called out again. “You misunderstand!”

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Hardly was there a reason for her to run so fast and hard for the sake of capture that was not meant to be prey. It could have been called exhilarating had the circumstances been different; actually participating in a game of 'chase' instead of trying to convince a panicked female that all was truly well. That her anxiety was invoked by a misunderstanding posed by her packmate. How the she-wolf would begin to remedy this situation, she did not know and hardly had the time to think on it as she ran.

Heavy form or otherwise, her frame was adept to maneuver and carry her weight whilst maintaining speed, giving her just a bit of an advantage in catching up with the female. But it was not by much. With adrenaline and fear fueling her run the distance between them was inching close; not at all quick enough for her liking. Her intent to call out again was stifled by the burning in her lungs, the wind whipping around her muzzle and tongue as the slick flesh hung from the subtle part of her jaws.

The female was within sight, but just barely as her darker form was nearly lost within the decor of the mountain's base. Tall spires stretched towards the skies, literally growing before her as the tree line began as shoots then reached high to shroud the base of mountain. She weaved through the wooded obstacles, slowing when she could not longer hear the hastened steps of the female. She came to a gradual halt before the mouth of the den standing near the she-wolf as she peered inside. X'yrin breathed deeply to regain a calm breath and slow the rampant beating of her heart, looking from the frightened wolf to the one resting inside, undisturbed.

"Please forgive my family," she sighed softly, keeping her voice low for the sake for the slumbering female. "Her words were not intended to cause you to worry. Unfortunately... she is still in recovery...and sees things that others cannot. This land is surveyed regularly to insure others to not tread near our borders without our acknowledgement. Other that you and your mother, none have come so close in days."

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In light of the present situation, the female's defensive posture was received with a like disposition but more as a means to preserve her own safety should fear rule the other into attacking. The Alpha's eyes remained honed on the other, tail raised with ears arched forward but made no aggressive display. The last thing she needed was to exacerbate an already tense situation.

X'yrin remained as she was, standing still and waiting for her words to be absorbed and most importantly understood. Just a gleam of comprehension was all it took for the large female to let her ears fall comfortably back and tension melt from her body. Finally. Clarity.

But her ears came forward again when inquired about her Sira, her 'family'. The word was natural to her, the common calling of the pack they dwelled it. It hadn't crossed her mind that addressing the jackal as otherwise might appear odd to outsiders. But then, how often was she able to introduce her charge as such? Feeling the tense air had been somewhat diffused, the corners of her lips pulled back gently into a smile, and with it a subtle nod of affirmation.

"Yes , my family," maintaining a quiet volume, she continued. "Sira is a part of my pack that call the mountain and some of its surrounding land our home. 'Family' is a term that comes from my culture that describes a unified body as those that are accepted it in." X'yrin paused and let her words settle before continuing. "I have learned since coming here that 'family' is often used to describe a bloodline. I apologize for the confusion, on all accounts for this evening."

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Indeed confusion had given the quiet evening an adrenaline turn, but thankfully it had not lasted. Feeling more relaxed the Alpha folded her hind legs beneath her and again released a breath she had been holding. Perhaps now an introduction could be made without flashing teeth and bristled fur. Though necessary precautions, assuming that kind of disposition hardly suited her well. Regardless if damage had been done or not, it left her with an uncomfortable feeling. A feeling better left unexplored.

As Sequoia looked behind to observe her mother, X'yrin looked around her form to do something of the same. Less out of caution and more to appease her curious nature. Her own mother was hardly a memory she could recall. Were it not for the umber accents on her pasterns, she wouldn't have thought she came from another other than her father, as a pup, seeing how the two looked nearly identical in color. A bond with her mother did not exist, so seeing such concern from child to mother made her feel...oddly uncomfortable. Her tail twitched out of anxious habit but politely kept the gesture from calling attention. When the other's eyes turned to her again she regained her relaxed composure, drawing her ears forward in attention.

Rather than the younger female's voice, the soft tones of her mother came from the cave. Startled, X'yrin pushed herself from the ground to stand and took a few steps back, but only to be drawn forward again by the elder's faint voice. She looked to Sequoia for a moment then let her gaze drift pass to her mother as she addressed her. "I apologize for waking you," humbly, the Alpha dipped her head then let it rise to its full height as she introduced herself. "I am X'yrin, an Alpha of my Family- of Sangi'lak. Your daughter has told me that it is just the two of you here. May I ask why you two have chosen to stay here this close to our borders?" She kept her voice as quiet as possible in the hopes it would lessen the chance for another misunderstanding by her question.

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It was a part of her culture to respect the elders regardless of gender or status, and in compliance with this embedded discipline, X'yrin lowered her head as the elder female drew closer and announced herself. Though her submissive posture did not linger too long. She remained silent as both females were introduced, nodding to Sequoia when address now given a name to call her by, but out of respect kept her eyes on the elder Willow. Her ears were kept forward, periodically turning at the sound of late night fodder rustling the shrubs nearby. But her attention was held by the intentions of the pair, by the sound of it, on their Endless Path as the Issor had once been. A brow peaked in thought, then was joined by the other in surprise to hear that in the morning they would leave.

"Do you not wish to settle within the mountain?" It had began as a partial thought, but her concern got the better of her and forced the words into the open, inflexion and all as plain as day. It was not her place to inquire their reasoning for leaving, but if their intentions had been to survey the mountain to find a place, why then would they choose to forgo it? Unless they had hoped to live in solace and were disturbed from doing so by the events of this night. Guilt as rare as it was to show upon her face was an emotion she had always failed to conceal. The pomp of her rank seemed to melt away from her posture, both ears and head falling gradually until they perked again with a sudden thought.

Looking from Willow to her daughter, the Nomad continued. "If I may offer... perhaps you would rather sleep within protected borders than in the open." With a swift toss of her head, she gestured back toward the way she came while at the same time tossing her overgrown bangs from her eyes. "It is not only gain a restful sleep, but also as a consolation for my disturbing you both this evening."