Heartleaf Creek Song of the Spirits

Sadness, for her, had once been an addiction. Lunae had clung to the emotion, the pain, because it allowed her to remember. In those times, her father's heady scent had been deep within her muzzle by every stray wind. She would see her ebony brother with his flaming eyes in every shadow, hear the sweet whisper of her mother's voice in the sounds of nature. It had been all around her, even her second brother's playful yip mimicked in her mind by the stray barks of other wolves she came across. It had been unshakable, really, and she'd realized that whilst it heightened her pain to a severe, cutting torture, it also allowed her to remember them perfectly. While her mind and heart refused to reason that the charred forms she'd found were theirs, she could pretend to see them at every turn, and it was a twisted sort of comfort. Yet when she finally released the vicegrip she held upon her depression, all of that slowly began to fade.

At first, she was scared. She never wanted to forget them, yet she hadn't. She saw them now as she knew they were- spirits. Exaulted and blessed, they had received the eternal bliss her whole family had taught her to strive for. She was the legacy left. She was the final key. And as she watched her newfound friend, part of her wondered if he suffered the addiction she had. Did the pain refresh memories best laid to rest? Did he fear forgetting? Even as she leaped across the creek, she could not help but worry a bit for this new wolf. It wasn't uncommon for her to form attachments quickly, and obviously, if she was to be a part of his pack, he was family now. No arguments about that. And so, the worry would stay- as it would until she found a sort of solution for him. It would take time, no doubt, and effort- a lot of effort. But she would worry about that later.

Her tail began to wag as he spoke of Corinne- an alpha, she guessed- and the fact that she would most likely be accepting. Yet then, he began to move forth. She knew what he was doing by his stance, and although she was quite dominant by nature, her tail lowered, body tensing with the effort. The first time... The first time she'd needed to submit to, well, anyone. It was nature, and she knew by that what to do and how to respond. Regardless, though, the tribe had been a place she'd been born into power. Daughter of the alphas, she was a gem, and one of their most vicious fighters when she came of age to begin fighting. None had ever been dominant to her, save for her parents, and this was...different for her. Regardless, as he took her muzzle within his mouth, her ears swiveled back partially, and she stayed as still as she could. Submission. She stayed still, save for a slight brush of her tail behind her, accepting his dominance. When he finally stepped back, her ears would slowly right themselves a bit, although not fully. She licked his muzzle with a soft brush of her salmon-colored tongue, forcing herself to relax. She would have to get used to this, after all.

His words brought her into a much more relaxed state, as did the realization of his smile. She returned it, now fully wagging her bushy tail. "What are you looking for? Maybe I can help." She wouldn't admit it, but the way he said home....and that she was included in the statement, that it was also her home, it spread warmth throughout her limbs in a strange way. Surely, he would see a sign of something, the way her silvery eyes would brighten and fill with warmth, or perhaps the way her smile spread. There was happiness in her gaze, and hope. A new start. She wanted to thank him, but wouldn't that seem...odd? Then again, she didn't really care about oddness at that point. Her voice softened as she spoke her next words. "Ice.....thank you."

"Lunae speaks~"

table by phoenix!

you do not know who is your friend or who is your enemy until the   ICE breaks. He could sense something in her when she accepted the gesture - something that was not entirely relaxed, a faint tension in the curve of her white back. She did not resist it, at least not in ways that the eye could see, but she didn't seem entirely comfortable with it either. Ice frowned slightly, glad that she couldn't see. Perhaps it would be different when the leaders marked their dominance over her. Despite having enjoyed the life of a lone wolf, Ice had been relieved to feel Indru's jaws close around his muzzle, he had found comfort in knowing his place. Yes, he thought to himself, seeking reasons for her tension. It has to be that. Surely it'd feel more natural once it was the official gesture marking her as one of them. Ice was not capable of that, but his word carried some weight at least. Blinking in the moonlight, he finally stepped back, and felt the warm rush of her tongue tickle across his muzzle. Playfully he nipped after it, a soft laugh slipping from his open jaws and into the cool night. His tail burst into full wag again, and as she asked what he looked for he simply smiled mischievously and brushed past her, rubbing some Swift River scent off on her. He trusted her enough that she'd not make mischief with it, and also that Corinna wouldn't mind. After all, the stronger she smelled of him, it meant they'd kept company for a longer time, meaning his assessment of her skills and psyche would be more accurate than if she'd just shown up at the borders and hollered for an audience. But something gave him pause before he could disappear like a ghost down the riverbank, and with one large paw raised he stopped and turned his head, meeting her silver gaze for a moment. Her eyes seemed to shine brighter than the moon for a moment, full to the brim with things he couldn't place a name on, but it spoke of gratitude and warmth and he felt a smile creep onto his own face. "Thank you." Well, for what? He frowned slightly, then gave a shrug and let the smile widen a fraction, showing a hint of white teeth. "Nothing to thank me for," he told her quietly. It'd just suck if Corinna rejected her now. Ice allowed his gaze to return to the water. She'd offered her help, and.. maybe she could help him. Cautiously he drew closer to the water's edge, peering at the cold, dark depths. It seemed so much more sinister at night than it did at day. "I'm looking for a section of the creek which is very slow and perhaps no more than hock-deep, preferably. I'm thinking about bringing the cubs here sometime, and it feels best to start with a place were they're unlikely to get hurt." Not to mention he'd had enough of River wolves being swept off downstream; Kisla had been enough. And Fenru and Rihael, nearly getting trapped in the den as the water level rose... A shiver went down his spine. What if they'd not been able to get out in time? The thought made him sick to his stomach, and with a motion of his head inviting her along, he began to pad down the riverbank. .ice aesir

Do you want to continue this or end it here? :3 If we end it here, I'll make one for us in the Grove coming home and looking for Cori and acceptance. ^^

let the stars above shine in your soul