The tailless girl would look from her sleeping mother to the unguarded entrance, and then back again. A plan would form in her young mind as she dreamed of escape and seeing the outside world. She'd been warned heavily not to go out many times, but if she had anything to say about it today was going to be the day. She'd take in a deep breath, steeling herself to break the rules for the first time, all for the sake of freedom. She didn't even want to breath as she started towards the entrance, her little puppy ways would carry her closer as she tried to peer past the ferns that hid the entrance. They would provide privacy as well as an annoyance ot young pups trying to take a peek of the outside world. She didn't mean to grumble, but quite the unpleasant sound would slip from her lips at her annoyance. She'd duck then, sure her mom had heard her and would be awake now. But as her bright sky blue eyes found her mother's form she had yet to move. Eisleif would almost ruin her second chance as she tried to celebrate her victory. Calming herself the child would slowly, and quietly make her way past the ferns. ""

Now where had those birds gotten off to? Inga paused, nostrils flaring for the scent of her companions who had flown all this way to rejoin her and then promptly disappeared the next morning. She assumed they were off exploring the terra. Shame though, Inga was hoping to inquire for their helping in a little story-telling get together if there were enough wolves interested. Katja's words about so many of the pack being foreign to the founding culture of Yfir as well as their stories had convinced Inga to begin to share the stories she knew. However, she had hoped for her companions help. Ah… birds… what a pain.

Inga headed back toward the den site over the heavily snow-covered ground, her sturdy limbs pushing her through the snow, her eyes tilting to look up at the redwoods every so often. The trees were heavily laden with snow and snow falling from the very tops had the potential to injure those below. As she neared her own den she paused, sensing movement as she noticed one of Yfir's new pups starting to creep out of the den. Ah yes… Laufey and his concubine Neith had a litter. Inga would sit quietly, her snowy coat melting in with the snow. She was curious how the pup would navigate the swells of snow.

"Speech"

Eisleif would look from the freedom that was mere inches away, back to her mother who slumbered peacefully. This was the last chance to back out, and she wasn't going to take it. Maybe she'd get punished, but she wanted to go out. So the young girl would peek her head out from the ferns to find a brilliant frozen world. Already she could feel the temperature difference, while the den was nice and warm it was cold out here. The breeze would rush against her little nose and a shiver would run up her spine. That was hardly enough to stop her though. She wouldn't have any more trouble with the snow around her as she walked the path to the den. The snow was packed down from her mother and father coming and going. This would be the first time she'd lend her tracks to the path too. Her victory would be short lived, as the path was hardly anything worth talking about. She would walk a few steps with out hindrance but after that all the paths went in different directions in the mounds of snow. Blinking a few times the young Finnvi would debate her course of action. Placing a paw on the untouched surface first she'd gradually place her weight upon it and to her surprise she would easily fall in face first. So much for going slow. With a couple of rather upset noises she'd eventually free herself from the cold clutches. ""

Inga sat quiet, still, like a rune stone amidst the snow as she watched the little girl, amusement on her face. Was she ever once that young? Dimly… dimly in her memory she could remember wandering into her first snow with her brother Chetan at her side. The innocent days of wonder before her world flipped on its head. The girl, Eisleif if Inga recalled correctly, would grow braver and soon strike out of the den along the path her parents had worn in front of it. She'd fall face first and Inga would smile, keen eyes watching. Perhaps some might think it cruel of her to watch the girl struggle to pull herself out of the snow rather than rushing over and cuddling her, telling her it was alright. Yfir was no place for coddling and it was important for the youngling to overcome struggles and to grow in strength.

"Good morning EIsleif, where are you off to this morn?"

"Speech"

Eisleif would push her paws underneath herself and pull herself from the snow all by herself. She'd grunt as she stood, shaking her fur of the cold and moisture. Already this outside world seemed to be fighting against her. That was alright though, she would keep fighting the elements to get what she wanted. She was pretty talented at picking herself up off the ground by now. The striped girl would take her second attempt at striking out on adventure when the voice of an adult stopped her in her tracks. It was not her mother and her bright blue eyes would search for the owner. She'd blink a couple of times, taking a moment to distinguish wolf from snow. She knew she'd been caught though so even though she wasn't really sure where Inga was her ears would fall to her head and her tail would curl gently against her rump. "I'm... adventuring." She'd say honestly, finally resting her gaze on what looked like a wolf face. ""

Inga nodded approvingly as she watched the girl pull herself out of the snow. It was a good sign, a sign of strength and the makings of a warrioress. Eisleif seemed to sense Inga's prescense and her bright blue eyes peered through the terra before finally locking on Inga's location. Inga rose to her feet, shaking her coat lightly to give the girl a better view of her outline and form. "Adventuring? I do not think your parents wish you to go to far from the den. However, if you are content to explore the denning grounds I will accompany you. That way they will not be to cross with you." She smiled down at the girl, left ear flicking as she heard a familiar caw. Branwen, her white crow companion would land on the ground next to her left foot. "My name is Inga, by the way. This is a companion of mine, Branwen. Branwen, this is Eisleif."

"Speech"

She didn't realize the importance of overcoming obstacles on her own, but she was certainly a stubborn little creature. She wasn't about to let a little snow get in the way of her exploration. Eisleif was well on her way to being an independent young lady, if only she would learn to listen better. Starting now she would try, especially when the elder mentioned her parents being cross with her. Perking her ears and coming to attention the small child would focus on Inga. She liked the prospect of adventuring with this woman though, the emotion evident in the way her little tail wiggled behind her. Again the small child would try to take a step into the unknown, but once more she would be stopped by the flutter of feathers. A white bird would land at the woman's paws, obviously a friend as he would be introduced shortly after. Eisleif would bow her head respectfully towards the crow and then to the storyteller, "It's nice to meet you." She'd say, enunciating quite well for her age. Lifting her head the young one would look around, deciding which path would be the very best to take. Again she'd lift her paw to start her journey, so very ready for what might be out there. Finally she'd begin, taking her first real steps into the outside world. Careful to not slip on the snow as she went, she'd spare a lot of focus on her paws and where she stepped. Absentmindedly she would ask, "Where does snow come from?" ""

"A pleasure to meet you to little one." Branwen spread her wings and flew up to rest on the lower branches of a sapling. She always felt more comfortable in the air and from hear the pale crow could keep an eye out for any danger. Though that was rather unlikely. Not many would travel into the heart of a wolven densite.

Inga smiled softly as she watched the girl, a sudden ache for her own children now long since grown and off living their lives. It was hard to be away from them but she would do as the gods wished. She would aide Katja in whatever way she could. Eisleif would pick a path and the pair would begin walking. Inga would move slowly and carefully, making sure she could keep an eye on the young one should the other slip in a way that might bring her little head upon ice. Above them Branwen would flit from tree branch to tree branch, snow occasionally falling down in clumps with a soft plop.

"Where does snow come from?"

Inga pondered how to answer that question for a moment before turning to the girl. "There are many causes for snow but mostly it is the jötnar, the giants that affect the weather and the land. There is a frost giant by the name of Kári who brings the north wind and with it he and his sons bring snow and ice." She stepped carefully around a fallen branch that poked up through the snow.

"But perhaps it is Skaði or Ullr that brings us these snows. Skaði is both goddess and jotunn, a goddess of winter. She and Ullr are both spirits of the hunt and they enjoy sliding around in the snow. Perhaps they have brought us some to enjoy?" She laughed lightly to herself as she stared at a large drift before her.

"Speech"

She would find her eyes straying to the alabaster corvid, he was an interesting creature and she'd wonder quietly to herself if she might have one someday. Of course, her snow question came first and as she walked she would listen as Inga explained to her. Soflty she would repeat the names of the ones responsible and what each of them were. "Jötnar, Kári, Skaði, Ullr." She'd memorize them like they were of the utmost importance. As Inga came to a halt in her words Eisleif would find herself at the base of a large drift. What did they do now? It was pretty big and the path seemed to go.. underneath it. "Is there always snow?" It was a valid question, as long as she had been alive it covered the ground. As the bleached bird once more caused a bit of snow to Fall Eis's gaze would be again drawn to him. "Will I ever have a bird friend?" Was that something only a few wolves got? Mother and father didn't have any, and yet Inga had two. ""

Inga moved to go around the drift. She saw no reason to try barreling through one this big and she wasn't nearly as spry as she used to be. Of course going off road would have it's own challenges. "Careful of this branch Eisleif." Inga wiped at the snow with her paw so the red bark could show through before she carefully stepped over it, turning to watch the girl and make sure she cleared it all right. "This far north there is snow most of the year but in summer quite a bit of it will melt and you'll be able to see grass, flowers and all kinds of new colors and animals. Though, there are some places of the world that get no snow at all." When the girl was old enough to go on raids she'd see many new lands.

Inga chuckled. "You may, some day you may. If the gods wish it and you keep your mind open I believe you may find companionship in another animal. Do you like birds Eisleif?" As if on cue, Balthazaar, her raven, flew over to join Branwen. He fluffed up his feathers for a moment before scooting closer to the pale crow. "Brisk morning isn't it Inga! Who's this?"

Inga smiled. "Ah, there you are Balthazaar. Balthazaar this is Eisleif, Eisleif that is another of my friends a raven named Balthazaar. Or Zaar for short."

"Speech"

Eisleif would watch with wide blue eyes as the much older woman would clear off the snow from the tall branch. It seemed much easier to navigate after she'd exposed the bark beneath. She would nod as she was told to watch out, and as Inga made her way over the young girl would carefully pick her way over the branch. With just a little stumbling she'd make it over to the other side. Inga would indeed answer her question, explaining that the North was usually covered in the deep snow, but once summer arrived there would be all kinds of newness to explore. Eisleif felt an excitement bubble up within her, even though she still hadn't been through and explored the world as it was now. She was still eager for all new things. Inga would even go on to say she might have a companion one day. The way she chuckled made Eis's stump of a tail wiggle quite excitedly. Yes, she definitely wanted a bird as a friend. "I do like birds," She'd confirm as another crow made himself known. Eis would stare up at him with her curious blues as they were introduced. "Good day raven, Zaar." She was still quite stuck on the traditional english greetings like her mother would have said. Unusually polite for a little girl her mother would have been proud of her. ""

Balthazaar would hop over to Eisleif as she mentioned that she liked birds and he would tilt his head to gaze up at her. "Good day to you as well young Eisleif." He turned to Inga. "I like this one." He fluttered up to perch on Inga's back as Branwen moved to join him. "As do I, especially ravens and crows. They are very intelligent." Branwen turned away as if she were blushing while Zaar puffed out his chest with pride. "Smartest of all the animals actually! No offense to the wolves of course but we are in a class of our own."

"Well, I suppose we should head back now Eisleif. I'm sure your mother is wondering where you are we don't want to cause her to worry." Inga would turn and head back towards the dens, her companions still perched upon her back.

-exit?-

"Speech"