Fool's Gold Chasm bonny black hare

Isomne seeks to join FGC. tagging @Woya @Adelard, open to anyone!

The morning sun was bright and clear, promising yet another day without rain. Isomne had heard tales of similar droughts during her travels, when the skies above mysteriously refused to bless the land beneath with lifegiving waters. The tales told of vengeful summer heat, of gods and spirits who abandoned their followers, or were deaf to their pleas, but also of redemption and rebirth when the rains should finally return. It was all far outside of her small scope as a simple mortal constrained to walk upon the dusty coil, but there was some comfort in being able to recite the old tales. This had all happened before, and yet life still marched on. Normally, she might have sung a tune while she walked, but her jaws were full and her energy to precious just now for even such a worthy use. Simple survival came first.

She had managed to secure a mountain hare, its lanky frame dangling limply from her jaws as she loped smoothly along. The prize was unmarred and unblemished, she had been careful catch it gently and dispatch it with a swift blow against a stone, spilling not even a drop of the precious lifeblood carried within. Her stomach had been grumbling since before dawn as she made her way toward her intended destination, ignoring the pangs. This was a gift, a token of her good intentions and hopes to find shelter and camaraderie with the pack whose borders she now approached.

Seating herself a short distance away from the first scent-markers, the ivory woman laid the hare gently at her feet, where it rested in her shadow's careful watch. Then she tipped her muzzle to the wind, letting out a melodic howl. Of late, the woman had little occasion to sing or celebrate, but perhaps today she could take a step to change that fate.

(This post was last modified: May 17, 2022, 07:00 PM by Isomne.)

Gem was still learning everything about the pack and settling in. They were worse for wear but Gem was determined. She had chosen this pack for her home, even if it was a means of survival, and that meant she was going to do right by it. A song graced her ears as she made her ways for the border for a patrol. Patrolling was far from her favorite thing to do, but a mother had died, two children at the very least were mourning if their distant stares meant anything to her, and their numbers were already low so she would step up where she must.

That meant greeting the woman at the borders, a friendly wave of her tail and a soft smile finding her features as she caught sight of the hare. “Hello.” She greeted with a soft rumbling of her voice. “These are the borders of Fool’s Gold Chasm.” She explained as she tipped her head to the side, her tail slightly elevated to account for the dynamics at play between the loner and herself on her pack’s borders.

“Could I inquire as to what you called about?” She felt on edge knowing that Woya soon giving birth to her own litter. After so much tragedy, surely the fates would spare them one more and give her a painless one... surely they would allow her to deliver her children without any strife or consequence, right?

She did her best to sit up straight, trying to keep her nerves down and ignore her hunger and thirst as the moments ticked by. Thankfully, someone arrived quickly, and Isomne dipped her head in deference to the young woman, keeping her tail and gaze low as she swept out a front paw in a curtsy. The scout struck her as rather young, a yearling perhaps, but Isomne was not too prideful to show her the respect she was due. The scent of the pack clung to the tawny one, and that was all that mattered. Isomne was well aware that she was the interloper here, asking to intrude at what was no doubt a tough time for all. She could only hope they might be willing to take a chance on a loner like her. So far, it would seem the one who'd come to greet her was friendly enough, but only time would tell. She had to make a good impression.

"Hello, thank you for giving me an audience," she began. Her voice was perhaps not as polished as usual, worn from thirst. It was not what the storyteller would have liked to present to her audience at all, though in this case Isomne meant only to perform as her best true self. She tucked away the name, Fool's Gold Chasm, in the back of her mind, glad to have the right words to refer to them by, and went on. "My name is Isomne Yvain. I've brought a contribution for your pack's caches-" her ashen paw moved to nudge the hare forward lightly, presenting the gift, -in the hope you might hear my request. Either way, this is for you."

She waited for an invitation to continue, not wanting to jump too far ahead of herself.

The girl’s eyes widened a little bit at the mention of an audience. Oh, she wasn’t in charge. Still, she listened as the woman explained what she was doing there and offered the rabbit forward. Truthfully, Geminia didn’t know how to react to that. Was she supposed to take it or did she wait for a more qualified member of the pack to arrive to take it away? She offered a soft smile and used her paw to drag it closer to her. “Thank you. It is a lovely contribution.” She would take it to Woya as soon as this ‘audience’ was done.

Isomne. “What is your request?” She asked as she tilted her head further, wondering if she should call for Adelard since clearly Woya would be laid up until well after her delivery… or perhaps she should hear it first and decide if it needed him or if it was merely a question that she could answer. The decision weighed in her head as her tail wagged lightly in a friendly manner. “Actually, let me call for my leader… he might be more qualified to hear your request than me.” She offered as a blush rose to her cheeks from the embarrassment of how she was handling the situation. She raised her maw and called for Adelard.

Isomne returned the young woman's smile with her own, her ears tipping forward to listen with an earnest and friendly expression. Her tail began swaying gently, as she felt the ice had been at least somewhat broken. "You're welcome," honeyed eyes glinted warmly.

"Of course. I've come hoping to join, or at least stay a while." she explained briefly, nodding in understanding. "I don't mind waiting."

She also hoped the young woman would not mind if she tried to continue the idle chat between themselves until someone else arrived . Truth be told, Isomne was a bit of a social butterfly, currently starved not just for food and water but conversation as well. A dry throat was not enough to dissuade her from talking to anyone. "What's it like here, if you don't mind me asking?" It was a very general question, perhaps too general, but she did not want to pry at the girl. Still, any information or opinion would be of great interest.

Woya was hardly with it anymore, a woman on death row counting down the hours. She lay with her head resting on the threshold of the den's mouth, the rest of her body concealed by the earth. Enera had recently brought her food and Levi had insisted on her ingesting some of his plants, and then she'd just... given up. Just for a few moments.

Sovanya and Adonya hardly noticed, content to rest against her stomach regardless of where she positioned herself.

The howl reached her ears and disturbed her rest, causing her features to crinkle with irritation. She waited for @Adelard's reply, but when it did not come, obligation pulled at her.

"Lev..." she mumbled, garnering the medic's attention.

"Tell 'em... c'mere..."

(This post was last modified: Jun 05, 2022, 07:21 PM by Leviticus.)

Leviticus frowned as Woya croaked out her request. She needed to stay resting, not deal with whatever was happening at the border. However, Adelard could very well be out of range, seeking food or water for the mother of his coming children. He fought with himself internally a moment, before giving in with a sigh.

Levi stood, and sent up a howl directed to their newest member.

Bring them to us.

(This post was last modified: Jun 05, 2022, 07:22 PM by Leviticus.)

To be quite honest, Geminia was not certain where Adelard was or if he was in the territory given the water crisis that was going on. Luckily, the other woman was understanding and offered to wait. She was glad that was the case because she truly did not know how to handle an impatient but kind wolf at the borders. Normally impatient came with some measure of aggressiveness that could easily be determined should be scared off.

She asked what it was like and Gem offered a smile. “Admittedly, I am still pretty new here myself.” It was one that she had no problems admitting. “They are like a family… and going through a hard time right now. One of the mothers passed shortly before I got here from birthing and they are mourning. However, they are kind, and the territory is absolutely beautiful. If you’re accepted I’d be more than happy to give you a tour.” It was, perhaps, oversharing but she was not a guardian by any means.

She heard the call, her ears perking as she responded with her own. “If you’ll come this way, I’ll escort you to the matriarch.” Without further ado, she did just that, and escorted the woman to the mouth of the den that housed the queen mother and the healer.

(This post was last modified: Jun 06, 2022, 09:11 PM by Geminia.)

With a nod, Isomne followed after the young woman, cutting their conversation off as her jaws were occupied with carrying the hare. Is did not mind a moment to think over the other's words and gather her thoughts as they made their way deep into the territory. Her heart went out to them, though she worried that she could not have picked a worse time to impose upon them, she hoped it would not be a fateful error, but a rather chance to help where it was needed. As they approached she could see the den's opening, looming shadowy and foreboding, the outline of another form standing before it. She tried to ignore the nerves climbing in her chest, lowering herself to the earth in a deferent pose a reasonable distance from the den. It was no different than stage fright, she told herself. Circumstances were less than ideal all around here, but she was determined to make the best of it. She took a single breath in through her nose and let it out through parted jaws to steady her nerves.

"Greetings, I apologize for my intrusion. First, a gift, regardless of your answer for me today." the pale woman began, bending toward the hare and, not wishing to approach the den any further, giving it a gentle nudge with her nose toward the muted tawny man who stood guard. She did not know if she should acknowledge him directly now while she plead her case to the matriarch, and she flicked her gaze to him for a moment in silent hesitation before looking back toward the shadows. Then she spoke on, keeping her honeyed gaze low but making sure her voice would carry enough to be heard. "I'll try to be brief. My name is Isomne, I've lived until now as a travelling bard. I hope to join your pack, if you will have me. My training is perhaps more suited for less dire times, but I can hunt, and help out with pups once they're weaned, and carry my weight all the same. I promise you I will do my best to honor your ways. And if you ever wish a tale told, I will tell it as well as I can." Having finished her impromptu introduction, she kept her eyes to her paws as she waited to see how things would unfold.

(This post was last modified: Jun 06, 2022, 10:26 PM by Isomne.)

Woya took steadying breaths, savoring these last few moments of rest before she crawled further into the light so that she was able sit up, even if still prone. She propped herself up on thin elbows, sitting sphinxlike with dancer's legs crossed before her. The act alone dizzied her, and she had to close her eyes and center herself with more deep breathing. Time passed, and when she heard others moving into her proximity, she regarded the emptiness before her solemnly. Whoever this was, she did not want to exude weakness.

Geminia stepped into view first, so young and already dutiful. The newly-elected leader was not sure what to make of her yet, but was thankful nonetheless that the others had the extra paws and teeth to help them out. She certainly was not able to, her only use this days being incubation. The stranger prompting all of this followed, a demure looking woman with eyes the color of the pyrite that studded the halls of their home.

She brought food, and the smell made the expectant mother's stomach squirm with want. She merely glanced at the carcass, before settling her sandy gaze upon the visitor's dial as she spoke her piece. The twins were fighting to follow her, worming their way between her side and the earthen tunnel still swallowing half of her body. Woya frowned, and shifted, discomfited by their antics and hoping they would not attempt yet another escape - they were already proving to be just as curious as their big sister.

"I don't know what a bard is," she spoke bluntly, attention flickering as the children and her state worked together to distract her, "but yeah, we c'n use the help."

What airs were there to put on? Isomne could see and smell for herself what the pack's situation was, likely knew of the drought plaguing the land, and... at least there would be a woman among them, grown enough to do what was needed should she herself share in Rhaegara's fate. It wasn't something she wanted to consider, and certainly could never truly trust another with, but beggars could not be choosers, and it was better to have a possible fallback than nothing at all.

"Y'don't gotta be flowery about it, just do what you can n' don't be a burden."