Wild Cherry Orchard until the ribbon breaks

The canopy shifted overhead, briefly breaking apart to give a glimpse of the sky. The horizon line they created was just barely punctured by the peaks of what she could swear were mountains. Maybe even the ones she was looking for. Mar took a breath, coming to a stop and continuing to stare up at those gray points.

Was Auburn already up there? Was he still searching, or had he found what they'd come to find? They shouldn't have ever split it up, it had been foolish and rash but then again, he'd always had that unique way of infuriating her. It certainly couldn't be helped now.

She shook out her coat, neverminding the pheromones floating along with the stray dust and hairs shed by this action. This was her first heat, having been born too late in the year to have experienced it last spring, but so far she was successfully ignoring that predicament and the discomfort it brought on. There were more important matters at paw.

Mar set off once more, ever moving forward.

(This post was last modified: Mar 12, 2023, 07:01 AM by Marigold.)

They were separated...again...but for the first time in a long time. Fate had a funny way of pulling them apart no matter how hard they fought against it. She yearned for him, to bury her face in the comfort of his fur. To feel safe within his embrace. Over the many moons they'd spent together Tulip's home had become him. It didn't matter where their paws might carry them, as long as he was with her, she was home.

The irony of it all now was that she was finding her way back to another she'd called home once. Fallen Tree cove. Her mountain wolves. They had taught her how to be a wolf, helped her meet Solas, and given her a second chance after all she'd undergone. Her life hadn't been one of tulips and daisies like the name she'd been given by another. The itch to get back to them had been one that remained over the years, but deep down she thought it just wasn't meant to be. Whatever the case, no matter how heartbreaking the storm had been, she'd found her way back to the familiar Relic Lore.

Tulip had been trekking to the mountains steadily, as fast as her aging joints would allow her. Still, she made time for rest when it was needed. The woman now stood within the orchard, staring out as the horizon. Her eyes were full of tears at the sight of the rocky range. "Home..." She whispered, her heart tearing into two directions. She wanted to find Solas...she had tried to, but the storm- it'd been too cruel.

It was the scent of another's heat that pulled her from the trance. Tulip's hackles rose warily, her tail tucked firmly under her belly. Yellow daggers peered about until she could see the other woman. She slunk backward without a greeting and hoped to be left alone.

TULIPDAY  

Tulip has a speech impairment that causes her to talk with a severe lisp and has selective mutism. I will not be writing her words to reflect this (outside of going mute), but ask those who roleplay with her to understand it's implied.

It didn't take long for her path to cross with someone else's. She scented the other wolf before spotting them, and purposefully sought the older woman out. The stranger looked clearly like she wanted to be left alone, but Marigold needed her answers and anyways, she'd be quick enough about it. They could spare a second, right?

"You there!" she called out in that confident voice of hers, motioning with her muzzle toward the raven-furred wolf.

"Do you know of Fallen Tree Cove? Or Mount Dire?"

If it was a no, then fine, she'd leave the wanderer alone. Otherwise... she found herself hoping that the answer would be affirmative, that her search would finally be nearing its end.

The other wolf approached without hesitation and Tulip responded by grumbling a swear under her breath. The girl's shrill voice caused her to wince, folding her ears as far as they could go. She lowered her body to the ground as much as it would physically allow. Strain evident by the grimace on her face. Her tail was tucked firmly into her malnourished frame.

However, when she was questioned Tulip found a small piece of her backbone. Her eyes flashed a stern look, " And what do you want with them?" Her tone was usually harsh for the woman and rather defensive. There was no doubt in the senior wolf's mind that she would not easily give out information that could befall harm to the Cove. They'd taken her in a thief and offered a sanctuary like no other she'd known. She rose up shakily to her full height with narrowed golden globes.

TULIPDAY  

Tulip has a speech impairment that causes her to talk with a severe lisp and has selective mutism. I will not be writing her words to reflect this (outside of going mute), but ask those who roleplay with her to understand it's implied.

She was quick to submit, practically cowered against the ground while her crinkled facial features spoke of deep annoyance. Marigold cocked a wolfish brow, lacking pity for that particular combination. It read to her as a position the stranger was very much putting herself in. Mar certainly hadn't crossed any lines.

Then she pushed it further, and answered like that. Marigold's body reacted instinctively, tail flagging high and dominant while her lip lifted in a sneer. Her cherub appearance served in this moment to make her look even fluffier rather than prickled with rage, but the sharp points of her eyes and body language made clear otherwise.

"I'm looking for my family, thank you very much. I'll take that as a yes."

Would that change the older woman's tone? Or was she not going to get anything else from this interaction?

(This post was last modified: Jun 16, 2023, 02:18 AM by Marigold.)

Tulip's frown grew at the posturing, the woman looking away out of habit, her tail firmly curling between her legs. She flashed her front teeth at the sneer, tongue slipping between. Her back arched up with hackles on end. Defensive body language, but also fittingly to the woman's character, submissive. She crept back a few steps nervously. Her gut churned; she wasn't liking this young one. Especially with that voice.

Her family? The old wolf's narrowed eyes returned to the girl with curiosity. Her brows furrowed and she looked over the child with a disapproving glare. She didn't look anything like Moonshadow, in fact, she was a stark contrast, nor did she remind the woman of Kajika. "You sure don't look like a cove wolf; how do I know you're not lying?" She questioned in the same harsh tone as before. Looks could very well be deceiving but this child didn't even know where the mountain lay. It was just on the horizon for goodness’s sake. One could never be too careful of danger in Tulip's mind.

TULIPDAY  

Tulip has a speech impairment that causes her to talk with a severe lisp and has selective mutism. I will not be writing her words to reflect this (outside of going mute), but ask those who roleplay with her to understand it's implied.

Marigold was certain she had never been more offended in her life than when the stranger spoke next. Her pale jaw dropped as she gaped with incredulity and indignation both.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean!?" she demanded, voice raising in pitch as it did when she was so beside herself. It wasn't just the presumption that she needed to look a certain way to be an Eastfall; this old bat had dug at a very sore spot for Marigold, as she already held enough doubts and insecurities about her estranged father and the ties that came with him.

"I think you look rude as hell. Nevermind, I'll figure it out myself!"

Tulip winced, this time grunting, "So shrill...pipe down, am old." She fussed, ears pinned and agitation written on greying features. "It means ya don't look like 'em and ya don't know where there at." She replied matter of factly. The old wolf snorted at the next comment, then laughed a bit, "Good riddance, child." Shockingly said child had gotten not only quite the rise out of the woman but also more words than usual. She didn't like the girl and didn't hesitate to start walking off...in the direction of the mountain. The other wolf was pretty clueless anyhow, and probably wouldn't even put to and two, Tulip thought.

TULIPDAY  

Tulip has a speech impairment that causes her to talk with a severe lisp and has selective mutism. I will not be writing her words to reflect this (outside of going mute), but ask those who roleplay with her to understand it's implied.

"Ugh!" she couldn't help but cry out as the stranger still didn't seem to take her seriously, treating her like she was less and Marigold didn't even know why. She knew it pissed her off, though. The woman was clearly happy to go, her direction that which Mar herself had wanted to take. She couldn't help a frustrated stomp of her foot and another audible scoff, before her ears flicked and she began to consider.

She would stalk right after Tulip, but she would definitely allow a head start then follow at a distance. If the aged wolf was associated with Cove, or even just headed for the mountains, she might know of a safe pass to get up there.