Cedarwood Forest A bug's Life

Lil bug is back! All welcomed.
Weather: Overcast Clouds : 58.91 ° F, 14.95 ° C

There was an eerie calmness to these former lands of abundance as Sphinx Avalon once more set paw onto the soils of Relic Lore, warm amber irises ever scouring about the trunks of the giant cedars that surrounded her now. Scents both familiar in a generalized sense and unknown danced atop the airways while birds chirped amongst the treetops. How long had it been since she last walked these parts? If memory recalled, a pack once claimed this forest as their home. Their name, though, she couldn't place. It mattered not to Sphinx, though, in the end, for this was not the sea filled with rolling waves of gold that pleasantly filled her childhood memories. This was not her home. This was nothing more than perhaps a temporary reprieve from her travels.

A momentary scowl marred her silvered maw as speckled limbs pressed onwards, huffing in a way that would have made anyone that truly knew the Avalon woman think a certain grumpy individual was present instead. How she missed that grumpy, dark-coated fool who taught her much in her younger days, but now was not the time for such reminiscing. Lil bug was not quite so little anymore.

It was the sound of trickling water that caused a silvered ear to swivel in piqued interest, paws deviating from their current path of travel slightly to seek out the source of water. Soon enough the steady flowing surface of the creek came into view, beckoning a salmon tongue to lap feverishly at its resources until a parched throat was satisfied. Despite Sphinx's agenda, this place was deemed good as any to serve as a temporary stop to recoup from her hard travels.

It had been a couple of weeks since her last interaction with another. Some would find it lonely but the tawny young woman found it exciting. Spending the entirety of her life with her family and always being around others, alone time was refreshing. Creamy paws walked through short grass, bending the blades beneath each step. The scent of cedar hung heavy in the air, filling her lungs with its earthiness. Inky lips pulled back in a relaxed smiled as the large woman enjoyed her day. The sky was a pale grey with clouds, cutting the summer heat, but the sound of water quipped her interest, a drink sounded like a great idea. Though, she was going to be much more cautious about her surroundings before she took a drink. She didn't need a repeat of almost being run over by a stranger.

Cerulean orbs scanned the forest while her coal nose led her to the river. Finally a small creek came into view, its cool liquid beckoning her to it. Her charcoal dusted tail waved leisurely behind her as Vasi approached the bank when she saw a large black an white form already drinking up river. The stranger was across the creek lapping the cool water. Once again Vasilisa's company was downwind from her, but she was thankful that she was the one who happened upon them. She certainly wouldn't barrel towards them, thinking they were someone else. As blue orbs looked the stranger over there was a faint sense of familiarity. "Hello" Vasi called with a friendly smile on her maw and wave of her tail at her hocks. While Vasi enjoyed her solitude she still enjoyed meeting new wolves.

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A couple of laps with her salmon tongue and the woman's thirst was quickly quenched, droplets dribbling off the edge of her chin once she pulled away to shift backward slightly in order to uptake a seated position. Naturally, her tail wrapped itself around her paws and kept a subtle motion to its tip as travel-worn shoulders slumped back into a state of mild relaxation. A rarety for the Avalon since the separation from her natal pack and the safety it once offered, but also an indulgence she wasn't permitted to enjoy for long.

What sense of serenity the speckled woman had foolishly expected to enjoy for but a moment was swiftly shattered by the utterance of a hello downstream, earning a swift response from Sphinx. Quick to her feet her body turned to face the direction of this stranger's voice, warm amber irises settling upon an agouti woman not much younger than herself ahead that owned quite the striking set of cerulean eyes. Lids briefly narrowed not in aggression but puzzlement as a strange feeling pooled in her chest. Did..did she know this woman? The thought was quickly shaken away. Plenty of wolves had such a pattern to their pelts or had blue eyes so surely this was but another stranger. Her mind was just desperate to validate the journey she was on and cling to the slightest sense of familiarity.

Internally she huffed.

"Hello." Sphinx's voice was rough and short in a way that reminded her much of her mother who had a similar method of speech. Short and straight to the point, no need for lavish or unnecessary words. Despite the speckled woman's choice for shortness, her body relaxed some to convey she meant no ill will to this woman although she maintained her alertness. A little social interaction with a side of acquiring some potentially useful knowledge never hurt anybody right? Besides, the creek lay between them still should things take an unwanted turn.

The speckled woman had seated herself before the Artemieva woman had the chance to say her hello. When she did she seemed to startle her company causing her to instantly feel bad. Charcoal dusted ears flicked back as the other woman stood and spun around to face her. Warm amber meet cool blue as a flash of recognition also crossed salt and pepper features. Curiosity flooded the younger she wolf, so it wasnt just her then. The dark stranger replied with her own hello and nothing more, causing a slight rise in her anxiety. She was terrible at meeting new people, always felt like she said the wrong things and that she was out of place. Large furry triangle audits flicked back nervously. "Nice weather we're having" Vasilisa responded her voice just a bit shaky. She felt like it was an odd thing to bring up as soon as the words left her maw. Her creamy paws shifted nervously under her large frame as she debated on whether to sit or remain standing.

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Obviously, Sphinx's manner of speech was little to no help at easing the angst of this surprise encounter as anxiety could easily be read across the equally large woman's frame. Clearly, a lengthy amount of solitude had done little to build the Avalon woman's social credit. Well, you're not going to get any information outta her acting like that. She berated herself before silvered ears perked forward as the agouti woman made a second attempt to stir up some form of conversation despite the rocky beginning. A comment in regards to the weather. Be nice this time. Mentally she coached.

The female tilted her head skyward to take into consideration what exactly the weather had in store despite the looming cedars shielding most of the visible skyline with its branches. Hm, quite overcast which gave the darker pelted woman some relief from the scorching summer heat which was nice. Yeah, she supposed it was nice weather considering. Lowering her gaze back upon the agouti woman across the creek, Sphinx gave a small wag of her tail as she nodded in agreement. Finally, the small etching of a smile began to carve itself upon her typically scowling face. "S'pose you're right." Her tone was less harsh and a little more friendly this time around.

"I'm Sphinx Avalon. And you are?" Her name rang proudly off her tongue and her chest puffed slightly in a similar manner for she was proud. Quite proud, actually, of her name and lineage, and one day she hoped to see that very bloodline flourish again. With or without the help of her siblings wherever they may be.

This new acquaintance of her looked skywards to see what weather the agouti woman was referring to. Vasi could have been more specific she supposed as an afterthought. Cerulean orbs watched the speckled woman look to the sky then back to her, a small smile formed on her dark maw. Vasilisa's own creamy maw mirrored the gesture with a wave of her own fluffy banner as the other woman agreed with her statement. Her nerves relaxed a bit, allowing her to feel more comfortable around this new wolf. The next words spoken between them took a second to register. Sphinx Avalon...She knew that name! Vasi's eyes and smile widened with excitement along with her charcoal banner beat rapidly behind her. "Sphinx?!" The Artemieva woman now shifted her feet happily instead of nervously. "Its me Vasi! Vasilisa Artemieva" She replied excitedly. She had fond memories of her childhood babysitter. Sphinx had been her favorite, though Vasi probably wasnt her favorite. The mousy child had always been running off and never really listened when told to stay put. But that was just part of her charm right?

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At the mere utterance of her name, the agouti woman's entire demeanor shifted with a whiplash-like quickness from that of nervousness to that of pure joy. Her charcoal-tinted tail swaying a mile a minute behind her. At first, this sudden shift in stance confused Sphinx, proof adorning her facial features as silver ticked brows furrowed. What was it about her name that warranted such a response? The next phrase to be uttered from the agouti woman's lips, though, would serve as the connecting dots as to why the speckled woman felt such an odd sense of familiarity upon setting amber-hued sights on her.

"Its me Vasi! Vasilisa Artemieva."

Realization hit the Avalon woman like a two-ton bison, amber irises widening as they took in the matured figure of the once troublesome yet charming in her own way pup that she took on as her charge back in the days of Wild Rye Fields. She was like a younger sister to Sphinx, not blood-related in any way, but still family. Upon processing this newly acquired information there was no holding back the sudden whine that began to bubble in Sphinx's throat, peppered limbs springing forth to bound toward Vasi. The water that separated them was but an obsolete obstacle as its contents were splashed haphazardly, momentarily saturating the darker woman's coat as her full weight was sent hurling into the other woman's until their frames collided and fell to the ground.

Eager licks and nuzzles were adorned to Vasi's face and scruff, a rare display from the typically reserved Avalon woman. Oh, how her heart pumped with joy within the confines of her chest, a series of whines continuously streaming from her lips from the overwhelming notion that she had found family again and within Relic Lore of all places to boot. After smothering the agouti woman in just a couple more affectionate nudges Sphinx finally found the strength to untangle herself from Vasi, allowing the younger woman a chance to get back onto her feet.

"Vasi? Is..is it really you?" There was no way Sphinx could believe this was really happening right now.

This is too precious! <3

Cerulean orbs watched the speckled woman across the river scowl in confusion at her sudden excitement. The young Artemieva wasnt phased in the slightest though, she had been sad to say goodbye as a child. She had hoped to see her again but as she aged she realized the chances of that were very slim. But despite the odds having gone down over the years, here they were. It had to be fate right? How else would one explain the chance encounter. As soon as the tawny woman provided her name in return the darker she wolf was no longer confused. A sudden whine filled the space between them, hardly a warning for what was to come. Sphinx bolted towards Vasi quickly closing the distance between them. Excited barks erupted from her creamy maw as the Artemieva woman jumped in place rising on her back paws.

Their bodies collided, sending them rolling a few feet from the river bank. It was clear neither of them minded as they adorned one another with feverous licks and nudges. Finally they detangled themselves, both women getting to their feet. Vasilisa's salmon tongue hung from her creamy maw through a wide smile has she caught her breath. She nodded her head quickly to assure her identity to her lost family. "Uh huh!" she breathed finally starting to gain control of her breathing. "It is! I am so happy to have found you!" the younger woman exclaimed. She still couldnt believe that her second encounter with another wolf since leaving home she found Sphinx. If only she could tell her parents, they would've been excited to know she was well. "What are you doing here?" Vasi asked her smile still wide. Could she also be looking for the rye fields? How exciting would that be?

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It could easily go without saying that the Avalon woman was in agreement upon how happy she was having found Vasi again. The bewilderment and the wide-spread grin that lay plastered across her silvered maw were some that would be impossible to wash away. It wasn't long ago, before Sphinx set out on her journey home, that she came to peace with the idea that reuniting their scattered family amongst the sea of gold was an impossible dream. Yet, fate had seemed to turn that dream into a possible reality. Standing here before her was none other than a member of that family.

It took a few minutes for both ladies to get their ragged breathing back under some form of control, salmon tongues lolling from partially parted jaws before Vasi spoke, reassuring the older woman it was indeed her and not just a figment of her imagination playing some cruel joke on her. "I'm happy to see you too. I didn't think I'd ever see you again after everyone left." There was a small gap in exchanged words before Vasi posed the question, inquiring about what or why she had returned to the homeland.

Shifting her weight to settle into a more comfortable, seated position, a dappled tail wrapped around her paws before Sphinx indulged the younger woman. "Actually, I've felt this stirring inside my chest lately that drew me back here. I'm looking for the rye fields again." And continue the legacy of Wild Rye Fields. To rebuild their rightful home.

The agouti woman could not believe her luck for simply finding her favorite playmate growing up let alone hear that she too was looking for the rye fields. She froze with bewilderment and excitement, her tongue remaining lolled out of her maw. Cool eyes wide and charcoal tipped ears stood at attention atop of her head. She had this goofy aloof look upon her faces that perfectly matched her personality. "I'm trying to find the rye fields too!" She blurted reanimating herself, her tail continuing to beat a mile a minute. "Though Im not necessarily sure where they are." She admitted sheepishly, looking at her paws and kicking a small pebble towards the water. She was just going off of memory and her mother's directions, hoping she was heading in the right direction. The discovery of her long lost babysitter proved that she was at least somewhat on the right path.

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