Sacred Grove lost in skies of powdered gold

RE: There is an active change in the Northern Lights! The sky lights up in greens, blues, and even shades of purple.
For @Greer -- clear night, -1F/-18C

The world had a funny way of changing in ways most unexpected. As it gave, so it did take, for in the same breath Aponi had returned to Silent Moon Plateau, and Phineas had passed right before her eyes. If she had not borne witness to the entire, tragic event, she might not have believed it at all – even now, some time later, her father’s departure from this mortal world was hard for the girl to swallow. But she did, because she had little choice, as she joined Oak Tree Bend, and as she did make some attempt to reconcile with the woman who had given her life.

Things had finally settled down, and Kyna felt it an opportune time to seek out her friend once more. If he had gone back up her mountain, he would have found the markers of the pack fading, as all had abandoned with Phineas’ death. Where Erebos had taken the others, she did not know – and frankly, she did not care. The man had played a role in her father’s death, she was certain; she could feel the sick grip of tension in the moments prior to Phineas’ departure, had begged the adults to stop their argument.

Ah, but wishes were foolish things, and the blond focused all her attention on carefully picking her path back west, where the willow trees lurked. It had been some time since she’d last made it to those trees, and even then, it had been an accident having tumbled down the slope. Kyna ended a bit north of her intended target and, worried she was getting herself mixed about, lifted her head back to call for her friend. Before she could even hope he was near enough to hear her, the youth realized a brilliant array of lights danced across the clear night sky, and for a moment, all her troubles were forgotten.

“Beautiful--”

Since the discovery of his youngest sister, Greer had remained close to home — more so for Niles’ sake than anything. Finding Isolde, frozen, and his blind father weeping… the memory still sent shivers dancing down his spine and left an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach. Was that what would’ve happened if he had not been found, half-frozen and delirious, by his brother and their packmate? The thought caused his mouth to dry up, brows furrowing as he struggled to rid himself of negative thoughts. There was too much changing within the willows — Greer wasn’t sure if he could keep up. If he wanted to keep up. Along with the tension that plagued the Ridge wolves, there was now an unbearable grief. The shadow prince desperately wanted to flee the area, but he couldn’t… not yet, at least. He had promised his little brother that he would find his sister, but had given nothing but disappointment … what a brother he was.

Sleep evaded him, more so than usual. He was restless and depressed; a dangerous combination. He did not know how to comfort, or how to be comforted — he just knew how to be alone. He lingered amongst the trees, his head bowed as he weaved effortlessly through the woods he had grown up in. The stars and drooping branches kept him and his brooding thoughts company. The darkness was where he belonged — his element — where he could completely disappear. And that was exactly what he planned to do.  

Since their last meeting the shadow prince had gone to visit his ginger friend a few times, only to discover that the moon scent markers were growing more and more faint with each visit — and that Kyna was absent every attempt he made. Had she disappeared without notifying him first? It wouldn’t surprise him — it wouldn’t be the first time he was forgotten. A frown cut across his lips at the thought as he kicked at nothing in particular, his brows narrowing darkly. This was why he didn’t do friends — it always led to disappointment because feelings were nothing but a waste.

Just as he kicked out his paw a second time, a familiar voice rang out through the trees, illuminating the darkness that curled around his heart. It was as though the blonde moon princess had heard his thoughts and was letting him know that she wasn’t gone — just temporarily misplaced. Without hesitation the prince flung himself forward. It did not take long for him to close the distance between them; he had been much closer than he had thought. The pain that swarmed his heart briefly dispersed as she came into view, the corners of his lips threatening to lift into a soft smile as he padded toward her. He had arrived just as the word fell from her tongue, causing his stone-coloured orbs to shift to the colourful sky. His lips fell open into a soft ‘o’ shape as he felt a calm wash over him, his worries temporarily dissipating as he leaned into her slender body. Anxiety still consumed him, but for now it was subdued; he had Kyna at his side.

“Yes — you,” he whispered softly with a playful nudge of his shoulder, his mercury gaze falling onto her small figure. 

(This post was last modified: Feb 17, 2016, 07:07 AM by Greer.)

A more careful wolf might have kept an ear out for any approaching strangers, but Kyna was young yet, and all her attention was drawn to the colors that drifted across the sky. Greens and reds swirled and danced together with a violet ribbon; never had she seen anything so vibrant or colorful, not even the flowers she played amongst in the summer months! The youth sighed wistfully, the corners of her mouth curled upwards in a tiny smile when a familiar voice caught her off guard, causing her to jump.

Wide eyes met Greer’s friendly gaze and she gave a small chuff, ears folding back sheepishly at her startle. His compliment drew them either further back and the girl quickly dropped her eyes to her paws, shuffling awkwardly as she rolled her shoulders in a shrug. Beautiful was not often a word applied to the youth, save for her mother, but that was what mothers were supposed to say. It was different, hearing it from someone else – but not unwelcome.

“The sky,” she tried to clarify, bumping her shoulder back into the older wolf’s. “I’ve never seen anything like that before. Do you know what it is?” The questions clouding Kyna’s mind temporarily distracted her from her purpose in coming to visit the Ridge wolf, but such things could be attended to later. She had no intention of leaving @Greer in the dark for long.

A wild dissertation appears!

<3

A deep frown cut across his maw at her dismissal to his compliment. “Ky too,” he grumbled softly, almost to himself more than anything. Yes, the sky was quite beautiful — remarkable, even — but so was she. With a soft expression the shadow prince focused his stone gaze on the swirling colours that illuminated the sky above them. The sight put his troubled thoughts at ease and sent a wave of serenity washing over him. He had not been aware of how tightly wound he had been until now. The slender shadow wore too much stress on his shoulders — more than a wolf his age should ever carry. He worried for his parents — for his little brother — for himself… Willow Ridge didn’t feel right anymore. Too much change had occurred in the last few months and Greer did not do so well with change. He liked things in order and the way they should be; not this chaotic lifestyle Skoll had introduced with his rise to power. There wasn't a day that went by where he worried for the safety of his parents and his youngest brother — even himself, some days. Greer wished that he could take Niles with him when he finally decided to leave the Ridge but he knew that the littlest Archer would never abandon the willows. For now, this was his home — just not Greer’s anymore.

“Northern lights. Happen now ’n then,” he answered with a slow roll of his shoulders, his silver gaze focused on the blonde at his side. What an unlikely friendship… but the shadow prince was forever thankful for it. She was his escape from the willows. “Glad Ky visit…” he admitted quietly as he refocused his attention on the sky while desperately trying not to think about the way their fur intermingled with each other. As much as he wanted to spill his guts to the fiery-eyed girl he held back — there was something on the tip of her tongue, he knew it. Some reason why she sought him out today other than just for quiet company… He blinked slowly, his nose wrinkling as he realized the new scent she wore. It did not smell like the rocks he had visited her on previously… no, this was different. It was earthy. Although he was bubbling with curiosity the boy did what he did best and kept his lips tightly shut. There was a story here and Greer needed to hear it.

“…oh.”

Her mouth formed a perfect little circle as the parapaxis escaped unnoticed while she allowed the dancing lights to captivate her attention for several moments longer, the colors flickering against her agouti coat. It felt like she could watch nature’s spectacular display for hours, but Greer’s comment lay waiting in the back of her mind. Once it simmered for a few more minutes, she straightened her posture, peering at her friend again. Shame began to creep up from her belly and she was forced to glance away, staring at her paws as she had earlier.

“Yes. I wanted to visit. I am sorry it took…so long,” she sighed unhappily, her shoulders sagging under the weight. Her slender tail lay limply in the snow behind her. There were so many things she wanted to say – felt like she should say, but it was so difficult to figure out how to put those thoughts and feelings into words that meant something. Still, @Greer was her friend – and he deserved to know what had happened, what had taken her away for so very long.

But where to start?

“My mother came back. Right after the last time. I was so happy – but she came, and asked to come home, and then she fought with my uncle, and my father was upset, and—“ Kyna realized she was rambling, slowly curling towards the ground as she clenched her eyes shut, trying not to visualize her father’s sudden departure from the living. “And-- And my father died,” she managed to croak, shaking her head again before she slithered all the way into the snow. “So – we had to leave.”

She did regret it, now. Did @Erebos take care of her father’s body the way someone should? She’d never know, unless she looked – and Kyna was not certain she wanted that sort of truth.

A wild dissertation appears!

please forgive this awful post ;_; had a bad day at work & im super tired, but i saw you posted and wanted to get up a reply <3

Despite the dancing lights in the sky the slender shadow kept a watchful gaze on his companion, his stone cold gaze unusually soft as he studied her. She seemed off; something wasn’t right. The little blonde was restless, words impatiently waiting to spill off the tip of her tongue as the tension thickened in the air. She spoke suddenly, apologizing for how long it took her to visit him as an unhappy sigh weighed her words down. Although the shadow was typically indifferent to emotions — even to his own — Kyna was different. He cared about her far more than he would like to admit — or even understand. Seeing her upset and disgruntled… it was like everything was off-balance.

Keeping his lips drawn tight, the shadow leaned against her in an attempt to comfort her, his mercury gaze fixated on the girl. He did not want to rush her — something had happened and that something definitely wasn’t good. After a moment’s pause her voice broke the silence once more, her voice thin as she crumbled around it. It was as though an icicle was stabbed through his spine as she announced what happened to her father. While Greer had never met the blonde’s father, he had still considered seeking acceptance into their pack prior to the bomb that Kyna had just dropped. But if she wasn’t up at the plateau, where was she now?

“Greer … Greer so sorry…” He did not know what else to say. There was nothing he could do to bring back Kyna’s father or make what happened any less painful. She had gained her mother, lost her father, and lost her pack — her family — all in the same day. Just thinking about it was enough to make his head spin. Instinctively he leaned into the girl once more, attempting to smother her in physical comfort because it was all he knew how to do.

As much as he wanted to share what had happened to his little sister and the current struggle for power between his family members now was not the time. Now was the time to focus on his friend, not himself. He could wallow in his own self-pity once they parted way… she did not need to be troubled by his problems when she had her own. “Now where Ky?” Would it be somewhere he would also want to look at for a future home?

“I’m sorry, too,” Kyna sighed, her eyes downcast. She knew it was not her fault that her mother and uncle fought, Aponi was headstrong and Erebos was often grumpy, but she could not help but feel like she should have done something to stop the fighting. It was the argument that killed Phineas. He couldn’t handle the rising tensions. That he had a heart attack was not quite something the girl understood (nor might she ever), but it was evident even to the child that the entire ordeal was causing him a great amount of stress. That stress killed him.

And she couldn’t stop the other two from fighting.

Her shoulders sunk down as she shook her head, trying to banish the graphic memory from mind once more. That was not something she ever wanted to see again, even in her mind’s eye.

So she leaned into her friend, and stood in silence. Thankfully, @Greer had the presence of mind to change the topic. Breathing a sigh of relief, she finally glanced back up, some animation back in her features. “Oh! Yes. That’s why I came,” she murmured, reminding herself of the original task. It certainly wasn’t to cry on Greer’s shoulder about things past. “My mother and I have moved to Oak Tree Bend – I met my friend Sahalie there…and we did not want to live as loners. It has been nice, so far.” She paused thoughtfully. “Not nearly as… It’s different. Less tension. No one bothers us. It’s been…good.”

A wild dissertation appears!

There are several fresh rabbit tracks in the mud. Hunt Opportunity

ignore this bumbling idiot >.>

Emotions were the exact opposite of what the shadow prince was good at. He had not known how to comfort his grieving father over the lost of little Issi and now he was drawing a blank with his blonde friend. The idea of not being able to comfort his friend was tearing him apart, but he did not know what to do. She was the first wolf outside of the Archer’s who Greer actually cared about and he didn’t even know how to show it.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

His mouth had suddenly turned into the sahara desert while he struggled for something to say. Instead, he opted for leaning into her, hoping that his silence would be enough. He rested his chin on the spot between her ears as his lips tightened over his teeth, words hesitating on the tip of his tongue as he allowed the air to grow still around them once more. It was only temporary but Greer didn’t mind. Kyna was the only one allowed to break the silence without irritating the shadow. Her voice was always welcome.

Oak Tree Bend… Sahalie… The names were unfamiliar but they intrigued him. The Archer prince was glad the former moon princess was happy (well, happyish) and that she had already found a friend in her new home. “Good,” he responded quickly, his mercury gaze soft as he pulled his chin away from her. “Happy for Ky.”

His eyes fell to the ground between them as an unfamiliar heat rose to his cheeks. “Greer… Greer, uh…” He paused, his paws shifting uncomfortably beneath him. “Think about leaving. A lot.” Another pause; followed by a heavy dose of hesitation. “Greer wanted Plateau. Now, can’t.” Spit it out, Greer. “Don’t know where go. Willows change — too much. Greer-family different. Greer-sister Issi gone—dead. Disappoint brother.”  He was rambling, something he had never experienced before. “Not same. Don’t feel like Greer home.” His tongue felt overused and it was strange to hear his voice dismiss the silence he usually welcomed. He felt exposed and he didn’t like it. 

(This post was last modified: Mar 01, 2016, 05:11 AM by Greer.)

   

“Thank you…”

If she lacked everything else, a backbone included, Kyna at least had social graces.  Her friend was given a small nuzzle of gratitude – even if they did not see each other often, it was nice to know that someone out there cared about more than her survival, but happiness, as well.  The peace lasted for a moment, until Greer began to speak.  His broken patterns did not bother the girl in the slightest.  One of the perks of being a wallflower was her extended patience.  She sat by his side in silent solidarity, waiting until the older wolf said his piece.

It dawned on her then just how selfish she was being, how she was not the only wolf in the world to suffer from tragedy.  “Oh, Greer!” she gasped, personally touched by his loss.  She was an only child herself, but Phineas’ recent passing allowed her to imagine the pain he must have felt.  “I didn’t know.  I’m so sorry.”  Shuffling her wait, she pressed up against the older wolf, trying to arch her chin over his shoulder and to pull him close in her best impression of a hug.  She should have visited sooner, she scolded herself.  How she understood all these feelings.  She had not wanted to remain in the Plateau a single second after she’d watch her father die. 

“…maybe…it’s not your home anymore.  That’s okay, you know,” she whispered, slowly drawing away.  While close to her final size, the girl was still a bit awkward and clumsy, and a blush blossomed beneath her golden spun cheeks.  Kyna dipped her head down in a moment, attempting to gather her thoughts.  “Maybe – you could come live at the Bend?  It’s nice.  The trees are quiet, and good to explore.  No one…will make you talk, I think, if you don’t want.” She trailed off hesitantly, wondering if this went beyond what friends were supposed to do.

kjsdfhlasdf ajksdfhlds I AM SO SORRY I TOOK THIS LONG I love Kyreer.  ;~;  Please please pleeeease poke me if I take so long again.  D:

(This post was last modified: Apr 05, 2016, 02:49 PM by Kyna.)

A wild dissertation appears!