Willow Ridge Running up that hill

Dated 5/21 following this thread. All welcome and permission granted to have Adeltra escort Enoki for everyone else to partake in her return. Late evening with rain. @Ravenna @Sven

Heavy weighed the heart of the magpie still as slender limbs trudged onward through the muck and rain.  with a belly coated in the mud that had clung to her coat after laying upon the grave of her beloved husband. All that had transpired since the former matriarch's disappearance was provided by the very soul that had drew her away in the first place, the child that she no longer could really call a child anymore. Adeltra had grown so much in her mother's absence; by force mostly which Enoki still found as a hard pill to swallow, and was fully capable of taking care of herself. She had proven such by managing to return to the Ridge on her own and by keeping the pack she herself had sworn to protect and rebuild thriving. What good had Enoki really done for the pack in comparison?


A sigh that could have equaled the weight of her heart in that moment escaped her lips and unable to conjure words to pass the time from the old willow tree where those they loved now slumbered peacefully the piebald leaned into the side of her daughter. Perhaps it was to siphon what strength her weakened body and fragile heart lacked to produce for the upcoming encounter or to steel her nerves for the same reason. How the others would address her return wasn't entirely something Enoki could pinpoint. Would they label her a deserter and chase the elderly woman off to live what final days remained on her time clock alone, or welcome her back as Adeltra had? Hugs and kisses galore with arms open wide.

Smoldering irises were hidden from the world for a few steps with Adeltra's presence at her side serving as a guide before they were revealed again, the familiar scent of the Ridge's more inner sanctum and all that called this place home filling her flared nostrils. Some old perfumes that offered a twinge of solace were mixed with plenty of new which in their own way offered the dappled woman with a sense of relief. The Ridge was strong like she knew it always was and had the potential to be.

A quick glance at her daughter was stolen and the silent nod she offered was enough to give Enoki the strength to tilt her head back alongside that of her baby girl and release another song into the cool air of the approaching night to signal her return. To invite all that thrived here to congregate. 

not looking for some fairytale bliss

The new mother found herself walking through the willows taking a few moments to herself. It was good to get away from the pups even it it was only for just a little bit. She never wanted to get too upset with them and their antics. She was usually a patient wolf but she was finding out that even she had her limits. Thankfully they had gone to sleep allowing her to slip away for something to eat and a walk. It was good she took some time away too, the more she did the easier it would be to return to her duties when it was time.

What she wasn't expecting was to smell a scent she thought she never would again. It belonged to Enoki leaving Leotie to wonder if she was just imagining things or had the piebald woman really returned. She wasn't going to wait to find out so ran toward the scent as fast as she could after weeks of being in the den with her pups.

It did not take her long to finally find Enoki and Addy, a wide smile across her face. She slowed her pace as she approached. “I'm so happy to see you again,” she said once she was close enough to be heard, “I've been worried about you Enoki and I'm glad that you can see that Addy is home safe and sound.”

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and with a spark its going to be

The howl which echoed throughout the territory of Willow Ridge was one which tugged at Ravenna's memory and brought a flutter to get chest. It was a voice she couldn't imagine ever forgetting, like that of her mother and father. To be honest, with Ravenna's experience with winter, she was not sure if she would ever see Enoki again. Her sister had frozen during their first winter and the following year towards the end of the cold mothers bother her parents had died. When Enoki left and winter came, Ravenna could pray to the Gods for the best but fear the worst. Seeing the black and white patchy woman now, even in the state she was in, made Ravenna so happy she could not contain it.

As she came into the area she found herself trotting straight up to Enoki with whines and licking at her cheeks and chin, tail waving so hard back and forth her rump wiggled. Ravenna respected, cared and loved the woman before her so much it was hard to hold back the emotions. After all, Enoki had guided her when her mother had passed away when she was still quite young and had tended to her when she was a pup, nearly playing a role as a sort of aunt to her. She had been close enough to her mother after all.

She would take a step back after a moment (however reluctant) in order to look over the woman. Older, of course, worn out and thin from both age and her travels. Muddy and filthy also not only from such travel but the weather as of right now. Her features were pained, sorrowful... It flashed into Ravenna's mind that there was a good chance Adeltra had told Enoki of what had happened to her mate whoile she was gone. "We've missed you so much." A lump formed in her throat as the thought of her own parent's fates flashed in her mind. But Ravenna could have never prepared for their death. It was so sudden and at the very same day if had been horrible to bare. It still scarred her now. But Enoki was back and she was alive. She could live out her last years here and in the comfort of her home, warm in their den, like Nicolo had. Enoki deserved that and so did Adeltra.

the biggest fire they've ever seen

@Leotie @Ravenna



A silvered ear twitched toward the sound of footfall coming at a rapid pace off to the side and continued to grow louder, a small wave of nervousness rolling through Enoki's stomach before the elderly woman took a hard swallow to steel herself once more before an agouti coated figure manifested from the shadows to enter the rising moonlight. A pair of star bright blue eyes glistening within the bed of tan hairs making up the approaching woman's mask. Leotie. Immediately the magpie's ivory dipped tail swung lowly at her haunches in greeting, a smile adorning her inky lips. The other woman paused once she came within a good distance and spoke softly of the happiness and worry that had occupied her thoughts in that moment.


"I'm happy to see you again, too, Leotie." The smile upon her lips only grew wider as her smoldering amber gaze took in the familiar silhouette of the agouti wolf, tracing the outline of her enlarged belly (compared to the last time she saw her) and inhaling the evident traces of a mother's milk. Aware of the possible spark between herself and the pale son of Skoll, it seemed her suspicions may have become solidified, but the fellow mother made no such comments. She would know for sure the details at a later time, surely. "And I'm happy to see my little girl is safe and so grown up." With that she turned her head to bump it against Adeltra's shoulder.

But Adeltra didn't hold her mother's attention nor affection for long. Like a ghost, a second silhouette stepped into the rays of moonlight filtering gradually through the moving clouds above and sterling silver eyes shimmered in the available light. Unlike Leotie, there was no stopping the silvered leader as she rushed forward with an orchestra of whines to bombard Enoki with a series of licks to her chin and cheeks signifying the emotions she felt upon seeing the once lost magpie again. Enoki couldn't stop the mad flailing of her own tail once her gaze settled on Ravenna, eagerly accepting the affection and offering her own in a way similar to how she had when Adeltra found her. In a sense Ravenna was like a second daughter to her, having helped Elettra raise her when she was young and filling that hole left behind by her passing to the best of her abilities. Guiding the silvered child the way she knew Elettra would have wanted had she still been around.

"And I've missed you all. So, so much." She finally managed to speak again after some space was granted between the two woman. It was during this step back, though, that the dappled Archer caught the same type of scent upon Leotie wafting from her. Ah, so the Ridge had two litters to care for this year. The pack must become stronger than Enoki initially suspected if a double litter thrived. The thought of pups roaming around had her heart warming and melting, the grin upon her face completely removing any traces of the sadness it formerly displayed. With death came life and the Ridge was finally filled with an abundance of new life. A new beginning and era for those that lived here.

not looking for some fairytale bliss

In the months since she'd discovered Enoki missing from the ridge Leotie had worried that she'd never see her friend again. The piebald woman had showed get kindness and acceptance which was something the Agouti woman hadn't and wouldn't ever forget. She couldn't describe the happiness that flower through her at seeing the woman's black and white figure once again.

She was happy for Enoki and Addy, that they could see each other again and that the mother found know that the daughter she'd gone looking for had made it home safe and sound. She could have a chance to see the woman the young Archer was becoming. Leotie was also sad because her friend had returned too late to see her mate and her son. She didn't say anything of that now for the occasion was too special to bring up such sad things. The smile in her maw widened as Enoki spoke of being happy to see her too, “I hope you've come home to stay,” she said before looking to Addy, “She certainly has grown up and has really proven herself within the pack.”

Ravenna was close behind and greeted her former leader with the enthusiasm that was to be expected. Enoki deserved every moment of it but mostly Leotie was glad to see the piebald woman being accepted back into the pack so easily. The Agouti woman stood back and let her two friends have their moment. Having Enoki back was certainly something to celebrate. “We're so glad to have you back,” she spoke her tail waving happily behind her. Leotie hoped that her children would get the chance to meet the piebald woman who had helped her to come and live in the ridge.

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and with a spark its going to be

Her excitement would not be held back, not for Enoki, not for anyone close to her the way this woman was. Ravenna had lost too many she had loved it a very young age to not display her affections when she could. Perhaps opposite of her mother in that way, who's affections were more subtle and often one on one without the attention of others. But Enoki had been with her since she was born, had helped raise her and as a teen when her parents had died, Enoki had been there to help raise her further in a very similar manner which Ravenna had done for both Romanov and Adeltra. Their ties were unshakable.

Ravenna beamed with an air of happiness, her tail continuing to sway behind her as she shifted her attention between Enoki and her daughter, @Adeltra. Then it shifted to the agouti woman at her side, her Second. "Of course she is here to stay. I wouldn't have it any other way." She spoke as she turned her silver attention to Enoki. "This is her home." After all, why would Adeltra bring her into the territory of it wasn't because Enoki was joining them again and why go anywhere else when your family was right here? "Come on, we should really get you to the pack den to eat and rest. You must be exhausted. After that, you can meet our children." She spoke with a confident smile as she side glanced to Leotie and nudged her shoulder. "We've been raising them together in the Infirmary."

the biggest fire they've ever seen

So her suspicions were correct in that both women before her had gifted the Ridge with new additions to their ranks. It was a good omen indeed and Enoki couldnt help but chuckle lightly at Ravenna's quick and eager cut in to answer Leoties question regarding whether or not she was staying. Finally home.

"Ravenna's right. There's no place I'd rather be than here with all of you. My family." Now more than ever the magie would need the presence of family to ward off the worst of a growing depression that would fester in the coming days with the truth revealed. Here was the only place she needed to be. Not only to care for her daughter, but for the next generation. Her grandchildren in a sense. Oh how that thought had the corner of her lips twitching in an urge to smirk.

Enoki. A grandmother.

A small nod was given and the smile upon her inky lips grew at the prospect of meeting these little ones after some much needed rest. Her muscles would surely thank her for the break after how hard she's pushed them just to make it back here. "Yes. Meeting them is a must, but I definitely could use some rest and a nice meal." 

not looking for some fairytale bliss

Ravenna had answered the question of whether Enoki would be staying or not. Leotie wondered if the piebald woman knew of her son and if she would want to go looking for him. It was a topic that could be breached later. “Good, I can't imagine Enoki being anywhere else now that she'd back,” she said to both women as they said their piece. It had been a sad day when she had come to Willow Ridge and found that the former alpha was no longer there.

“I can't wait for you to see them,” she added when they spoke of the puppies. Leotie hoped that they would learn to love the piebald woman like she had. There were important matters to take care if first and that was getting Enoki some food and rest.

“I will he happy to help you get settled in and something to eat,” she offered but would understand if Ravenna wanted to he the one. Leotie didn't know if the piebald woman only needed food and rest or more as she had when she'd first come to the ridge to stay.

i want something just like this

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Last post from Rave.

and with a spark its going to be

She listened to Enoki and Leotie speak, ever more happy for the older woman's return. Not knowing if she would ever see the woman again had been horrible for her and even more so her mate and children. Though Nicolo had passed and Romanov had gone off on his own, she was still glad to know at least Adeltra would be able to spend time with her mother once more. Time was something no one could outrun though Ravenna knew Enoki would be happiest here with her family until her last breath, just like Nicolo, like Elettra, Adele...

Once more Ravenna moved in to brush the black and white colored woman and found herself when turning to make way back home. "When we get you back to the den while Leotie digs up something from the caches I'll find an herb to help you sleep well." She spoke and, couldn't help the smirk that spread over her features as she sprung forward. After all, she knew how much Enoki loved the taste of plants.

the biggest fire they've ever seen

(This post was last modified: Aug 11, 2018, 05:03 PM by Ravenna.)

There was an effusive amount of gratefulness her smoldering gaze held for both women before her as they made it abundantly clear how truly missed and adored the elderly magpie was, dissipating some of the guilt that festered in her heart as a result of her absence, but not all. 

Her stomach gave a mighty rumble at the promise of a proper meal once Leotie spoke her willingness to aid the elderly female in settling in, nodding her head in silent thanks before her attention returned to the silvered leader with the utmost look of apprehension at the mention of herbs plastered across her aged facial features. "Oh, lovely. I can't wait." Enoki spoke in jest, reaching to give Ravenna's flank a playful nip in passing knowing very well how much the piebald detested her medical visits during the extent of her pregnancy the year prior.

Gradually a weariness began to settle over the old woman and it came as no surprise as paws followed alongside her companions. Her day had been a busy one filled with heartache and joy simultaneously. Strong enough to suck what little energy her bones had left to leave her feeling rather exhausted. It was good to finally head home with her daughter in tow.

Fade. (Unless @Leotie wants to get one more post in)