"Go and Wander." Said my heart.
...and so I would wander.

Finally she left. Ellis knew she'd return to Imp, but right now it really didn't matter if she had her leader's permission to leave the lands to go on this journey. She could stand it no longer, the memories and dreams, the nightmares so vivid that Ellis rose in the night and stole away. The healer could only vaguely remember that place, letting her paws lead her on. Around her the wind howled in the night, and the small healer moved like a wraith across the ground. She had a mission, and damn her weakness, her failures, she could not afford to fail this time. Never... never would she make this mistake again.

Her heart burned with sorrow. She held a debt for the white woman she saw as her closest friend. She could see those purple eyes, those beautiful black markings upon an otherwise pristine white coat. Ellis didn't think -- it was all instinct that lead her to the range.

The closer the woman got, the more images stirred in her mind. Little talks, little memories. She was panting, her ears perked and her gaze wild. She was close... she had to be! Scents still lingered here. The girl would swallow hard as she came to a stop, letting out the loudest howl she had ever given in her life. It was full of desperation, tinged with sadness. She needed to see her friend... she needed to see Othello again.

"Listen to me talk," 'but read my thoughts.'

"Settle down." Said my heart.
...and so here it was I would settle down.

Table by:: Tea

The days had begun to grow longer, the snow that clung to the earth was now melting and returning to the earth. Othello had been hiding herself away, ever since Isolde had given birth to her three little bundles she didn't know what to do. It brought back memories of her own little ones, now lost to her through both time and space. She wasn't able to be there for her babies first birthday, to watch Mercy grow into the beautiful woman that she knew she would. She wasn't there to see Revenge to a handsome man, his quiet and shy demeanor being more appeasing to ladies than he probably realized. Othello had missed so much already, but no matter how hard she searched for them, she lost their scent. She hadn't heard anything about them, no matter how hard she fought for them. A delicate sigh left her frame, head shaking back and forth as she walked aimlessly across the place she still called home. Phantom smells teased her mind, echoing of times passed. Of her pups, of Ellis and her children as well. Even those darlings were now gone, the wind taking more than its share with it. Oh Ellis... No matter how much she searched for the woman she hadn't found her. Perhaps she wasn't the best tracker around. A howl broke through everything, making the pale woman freeze. No. It couldn't be. Fate could not be this cruel to her. Ears stretched forward as she tried to pinpoint the location, trying to see if the world was truly being this harsh to her. Hope made her strides long, purple eyes wide as she trotted over the ridge. And then she saw her, as if a ghost made from her own thoughts. "Ellis," she whispered, her form pausing. Wind ruffled her coat, white fur buffering as she looked down at the woman. This couldn't be happening. This was not true, was it? But there she was, but if she was real was another question. Slowly she moved towards her, paws seeming to glide over the landscape as she closed the distance between them. Puffing out a soft breath she stretched out, her nose brushing across Ellis' brow. Othello's lips quivered as tears pooled in her eyes, searching the woman's face. "Ellis," she said again, disbelieve making her voice quake. The dame felt like fainting and screaming all at once, but settled for a small smile. "You're alive, you're here," she whispered, elongated tail wagging in a steady beat behind her. Liquid gems fell from her eyes, a line following her black marking down her face. "My sweet, sweet Ellis," Othello cooed, pressing her forehead to the other woman's. "I... I do-," she cut off, a shaky laugh rumbling through her. "I thought I lost you," she said softly, her leg picking up and wrapping around her neck. Othello pulled her close, heart pounding in her chest. She was real, and she was here. Othello

"Go and Wander." Said my heart.
...and so I would wander.

With the seconds melting away there was little to be heard other than the pounding of her own heartbeat pounding in her ears. Every breath was swallowed hard, waiting, praying, gaze desperate as she sought out the form of the purple eyed woman. She was so desperate to see Othello again, praying that, in her time of loss, wandering without so many of her memories, she lost any chance to see her friend ever again. Othello she... she had to be alive. She had to still be here in The Range. Gods above she could not take another heavy hit to her heart. There was so much that wasn't said... and wrongs to be righted. Ellis would fidget on her paws, the wait alone seeming to be an eternity.

Then she came.

The white figure, her beautiful elongated tail behind her. Ellis would move as well, shortening the distance her friend had to travel. Fresh tears formed in her eyes. Relief, worry, sadness, regret, happiness... so many things churned with her body at that moment. It had been so long, hadn't it? With the children grown so big, so strong in their own right. The multi-colored female cared not about the weariness her body held from the running prior. She pushed until they were together, standing face to face.

The fur on her brow was warmed by Othello's breath, the gentle touch making her shiver. Othello was truly here... they were both here. Alive. She let her teal-green eyes meet with those purple pools, giving a loud, pitiful whine. " 'Thello..." Her voice cracked, several nods given to her friends words. Yes... thank the gods... thank the gods...

Ellis would close her eyes, feeling as though her emotions were going to make her cave in. She couldn't imagine the worry, the terror Othello might have felt when she went missing. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..." Her words were quiet, begging forgiveness. She would press into the other woman, her body shaking. "There... there was an accident... I... amnesia.." The words fell off her lips. "...but... 'thello... Mercy and Revenge! They're okay too. They're safe." The mention of the other woman's children came out a bit louder, wanting to stress to Othello that her babies were safe. There was so much they needed to speak of... discuss... she didn't even know where to go from there.

"Listen to me talk," 'but read my thoughts.'

"Settle down." Said my heart.
...and so here it was I would settle down.

Table by:: Tea

The woman joined in her running, making her reach her side a lot quicker. She simply could not believe her eyes, she had not expected to see this woman again. Oh her dear, dear Ellis. Her sister, her whole damn life. They had shared so much, more than she had ever shared with any other wolf before. She saw the tears spring up in her eyes as well as the woman's before her, their tears of joy shared as they pressed themselves together. So long she had searched for her, endless hours were spent looking for her. Othello had troubles resting, dreams of Ellis having perished keeping her awake. The woman before her whined, causing the pale one to pull her in close, to hold her against her pounding heart. She still thought that this was a dream, even though she knew better by now. She just hadn't been able to ever imagine seeing her sweet Ellis again, and yet here she was. She breathed her name much as Othello had, and the pale girl just shook her black marked face back and forth with vigor. She couldn't even find words as she held the dame close, everything else just slipping away. When Ellis started to apologize, she just shook her head. "Shh Ellis, its all okay. You are here now and there is no need to apologize," Othello whispered, nuzzling behind the girl's ear. She didn't care about that, about anything really. At least, not until the names of her children were uttered from her lips. Othello instantly jerked back, purple eyes wide as they searched her face. "M-my babies? They are alive and well?" she asked, breath starting to huff from her lungs in short pants. "Where are they? Oh Ellis, do they hate me?" she tried not to start to panic, eyes glancing over Ellis' face as if she could pluck the answers from within it. She knew it shouldn't matter, that she should be focused on the woman's return. But she couldn't help it. Mercy has stormed off from her, claiming that Othello didn't love her enough. But it wasn't true, she would easily place her life down for her daughter. Revenge had followed after her, then, just as she thought. Blinking back her tears she focused on her dear friend, a small grin splitting her black lips. "You bring the greatest of news along with you, dear Ellis." Othello

"Go and Wander." Said my heart.
...and so I would wander.

At the mention of her children, as was to be expected, Othello would jerk back, surprised that Ellis mentioned her children. The healer would give a small nod in response to the first question. Yes, they were alive and doing well. But at the next set she would hesitate. She didn’t want to tell her friend the truth of how Mercy felt, but she knew it was her duty. Ellis would breathe in, finding the will to explain. “They are part of a pack called Imperium. I... Can not say about Revenge. I’m not certain where his mind stands on any of the previous adults in his life. I just know he wanted to follow Mercy, to make sure she was alright.” Ellis would let out a soft sigh.

“I’m sure Mercy hates all of us. You, me... She blames me for you collecting children as she so put it. Trying to fill the void in your heart... Oh Othello... I... I had only wanted to make sure we had herbs on hand if something went wrong...” Ellis had begun to quiver again, her heart full of hurt. She would let out a whine, closing her eyes. “I’m so sorry... I ruined our family... I broke us apart... It’s... It’s my fault...” The female would slump to the earth. “It’s all my fault!” The tears rolled down in large drops as her form shook with emotion. This would never, ever be okay.

"Listen to me talk," 'but read my thoughts.'

"Settle down." Said my heart.
...and so here it was I would settle down.

Table by:: Tea

A huge breath of air was puffed forth from her lungs at her dear friends nod. Oh thank the stars that they were okay. There had been a deep seed of panic in her chest that her babies never made it, that they went off and were taken away from her. Not that it made Mercy's rejection sting any less, or the fact that Revenge had wandered off as well. She had been left to her own devices, nearly losing Scorpion to a snake bite and having to see Iso give birth to three perfect puppies. It was all too much for her already broken heart, but now... now with Ellis here she felt like things could mend. She could help fix them, just like she always had. It took awhile for Ellis to speak, but when she did she confirmed some of her thoughts. Her children seemed to be connected at the hip, it was no shock to hear that Revenge just wanted to be with his sister. She had still wondered if he hated her as well, but she let out another quick huff. She would have to go to this pack and speak to him, to call her baby to her. Mercy wouldn't come, she knew that, but her son, oh her precious boy. Her ears pulled back as her gaze was cast at the earth, head hanging low. "As long as they are okay... Can you tell me about this pack? Are they doing well there? Mercy... is she fighting again?" she tossed the questioned at Ellis, glancing up at the woman briefly. She knew that Mercy had a temper, and she had made it apparent from a young age that she wanted to be big and strong. A fighter. Just the thought gave her an odd mix of pride and fear. The woman's next words had her heart pounding quickly in her chest. Mercy... blamed Ellis? She flinched as she spoke of collecting pups, she had been trying to replace that missing part in her life. It was true, right on the nose. But her daughter was so young, how did she even realize that? She had thought that they would have been excited to have more pups to play with! Shock made her eyes grow wide as Ellis blamed it on herself, quivering as she spoke. Othello jumped to all fours and let out a mighty growl, lips pulling back to show her teeth. So quickly she switched from sadness to anger, standing over Ellis' collapsed form. "It is not your fault Ellis, don't you dare pin this all on yourself! she cried out, legs shaking as she fought to control her emotions. "You are not to blame for this, for any of it! It was my choice, my decision, and it had nothiing to do with you! Now you stand up, and you brush yourself off. I will NOT stand here and let you take this burden. It is ours to share, it always has been!" Her words started to peel off to a more silent tone, until her final words dropped into a whisper. She felt so drained, so empty. "Oh Ellis..." she whispered, dropping to the earth and curling over her dear friend. Her long tail wrapped around her small frame, purple eyes misting as she nipped at her friends coat softly. "Its all okay now... you're here with me." Othello

"Go and Wander." Said my heart.
...and so I would wander.

Had it not been for her breakdown Ellis might have found the will to answer Othello's questions about her children. They were indeed doing well, thriving. But her? No... she had doubts in her heart about belonging there. It made her heart ache knowing that she lingered within a territory where she was likely more of a burden than anything else. All the healer felt was that she was existing as someone who just drug everyone else down. She wanted to save others, yet instead she was making situations worse. She was startled by Othello's reaction as well. So quickly 'Thello switched to anger from her sadness, jumping to her defense. I will NOT stand here and let you take this burden. It is ours to share, it always has been! Ellis' eyes would widen at Othello's words through the tears.

The multicolored woman would curl around the white furred woman, pressing her head into Othello's coat. She would swallow hard, the tears rolling, though, with Othello's words, she felt like that burden was indeed lighter on her shoulders. Since meeting Othello she had never been alone. The other woman was her best friend, a sister from another set of parents. Othello was her family, all she ever really needed in Alacritia. She had given her happiness, a sense of security while they lived together. "Oh 'Thello... I've missed you so much..." Ellis whined. "Please... please promise me... that we'll see each other again... that we'll always find each other..." She would shudder. "Othello... I need you... You're right... we need to hold each other up... and share this burden." Ellis would whisper. "Please... please promise."

"Listen to me talk," 'but read my thoughts.'

"Settle down." Said my heart.
...and so here it was I would settle down.

Table by:: Tea

The woman returned her soft touch, curling into the bounty of plush white fur as Othello held her close. She would lay anything down for Ellis, she truly was the closest friend she had in her entire life time. Concern grew deeper in her purple eyes as the woman whined, her words coming out in a panicked rush. She needed her to promise that they would always be together, and slowly her brows knit together. "I don't understand, I'm not going anywhere. Neither are you. But if our meeting here today is not proof enough of us always finding one another, than I truly don't know what else to say." She said softly, pressing her nose briefly against Ellis'. "I need you as much as you need me -- if not more. I have no intentions of letting you get away again, not after all of this. Its not worth the heartache to be kept from your side. And really, Ellis, we have so much to catch up on. Only..." she would pause here, her gaze casting aside, "will you come with me to speak to the children? I have to see them, to at least let them know how much I love them. I... I can't let them go on thinking that I hate them. I think Revenge know that, but I know that Mercy is a totally different story." A heavy sigh left her lips, eyes finally roving over the multicolored woman curled into her. "There is such a sense of finality when I think of my dear daughter. I'm not sure if I can ever fix things up between us, but I cannot move on until I have at least tried. She can go on hating me afterwards, but for my own weary heart I have to give it one last shot." Searching Ellis' gaze, her pale ears pulled slightly towards her skull. "I need you there with me, Ellis. I cannot do this without you. I... have a strong feeling that there may be a lot of yelling on both her part and mine, and I need your shoulder to lean on. Not today, and not tomorrow, but before she turns two, I need to speak with her." "Othello"

"Go and Wander." Said my heart.
...and so I would wander.

Thank the great gods above for Othello. Thank them for her. She would swallow, giving a small nod. They weren’t going anywhere. They would always find each other, no matter what. She would look into those brilliant purple orbs, feeling her spirits lift some. With Othello she would always recover, always find herself again. But when Othello would pause the woman would wait, knowing what pained her friend even before those words left her lips. She would give a small nod of understanding, her words gentle.

“You know that I will, Othello. I will stand beside you through it, I swear. This is not just your battle.” She would let a gentle smile appear on her lips, setting her paw over Othello’s own. “I know Mercy is different... Headstrong and battle thirsty... But... In the end you are still her mother. You are Revenge’s mother. I... I feel we can bring them to understand that everyone makes mistakes. That amends can be made.” The multicolored woman would gently press her forehead to Othello’s own.

“I’ll always be your shoulder to lean on, Othello. You just tell me when it’s time, and we’ll go.” She would speak the words with a promise.

"Listen to me talk," 'but read my thoughts.'

"Settle down." Said my heart.
...and so here it was I would settle down.

Table by:: Tea