Having retreated from the north, the phantom queen found herself near the pack that had been her salvation during her pregnancy. A plan had formulated, and she had spoken with those close to her about an arrangement. Samael had been wary, with good reason. However, her children seemed interested. That was all she really needed, at this point. Coal dark limbs slipped through the summer grasses, skirting the narrow edge around the border. The rapids seemed a safe area to meet with the alpha. She would have the advantage of knowing the territory, and the young family would be in an area where there was no chance for her family to ambush the pack. Neutral ground, and all cards laid on the table. She had invited the children, before setting off. Divo had tagged along right away, with her teacher. Darya and Dominika were far more wary creatures, and she would not be surprised if they elected to remain with their father. An easy sway found itself in her gait, and she hummed a soft tune to herself. Her daughters were so big already! Divo stood nearly to her chest, while Darya was nearly to her shoulder. Yet, they were so young! Thankfully, Dominika seemed reluctant to grow any taller. At least she would have one child to dote over forever. Casting a glance to her fellows, she smiled a little. She prayed this went over well. Gentle motions of her muzzle had her daughter nosed closer to her flank, before she tipped her head back to summon the lady, Sparrow. ooc. Lirika and co intend to repay Abaven for helping with pregnancy checks :D anyone welcome "speech"

life is short, enjoy it while you're young Meeting with the local packs had seemed to be a good idea. Extending olive branches, and making themselves familiar with them. It was a shame the princess had elected to remain here. She would have made a great queen, in the motherland. The muscular shaman meandered along beside the willowy dame, keeping the youngest of the group between them. In between their current den site and the pack lands, they were rather quiet. Seeing how the woman cared for her daughter was endearing. As the call rang out, the shaman looked around. This was a rather expansive territory, and yet it didn't seem to be swarmed by other wolves. Where were they all hiding? Glancing to the pale woman at her side, she made her ideas known. "There are a startling amount of herbs in this area, perhaps we could initiate a trade between ourselves? I could gather ones from other areas and trade them to this pack, if they would be amenable." Low vocals would murmur, brow quirked. After all, there was no doubt in her mind that they had to be lacking in herbs from southernly locales. She opted to wait, and see who appeared. If Lirika was interested in such a concept, she would likely voice it. After all, her own scheme was rather similar. "speech"

Oh? Sparrow knew that call. She could only barely place it, but she was sure that it was the woman from before. The older woman who had been pregnant. Was she okay? Were her pups okay? Sparrow hastened herself to make her way to the call, dodging around any of the more dangerous areas around the rapids.

As she approached, Sparrow indeed saw the woman who had once been large with pups. She stood now, slender and with others by her side. Sparrow let a smile cross her lips, "It's been a little while. Are you well? she asked. "And who is this with you?"

They were not meant to wait long, it seemed. Almost instantly, the svelte form of the younger woman appeared. She seemed in good spirits, with a smile painted across her lovely features. It didn't take long for the pale woman to match the expression. "It's been a little while. Are you well?" The queen asked, without any trace of malice or wariness. Perhaps she had, in fact, made a good impression. "That it has, Miss Sparrow." She replied with a soft chuckle. Here she was, with one of the pups that she had examined while still in her womb. Time flew fast. "I am quite well, thank you. I trust you are faring well, yourself?" She questioned in return, brow quirking momentarily. "And who is this with you?" The queen enquired, looking to the young shaman and the even younger child by her side. Now, Lirika nudged her daughter forth. It was safe, with Sparrow. The queen was kind, and had yet to show herself as malicious. "I bring my daughter, Divo. Her sisters may be along shortly, if they choose to join us today." She introduced the child easily, and found herself only somewhat annoyed when Divo chose to hide yet more. The young girl tucked herself behind her forelimb, peeking out to stare at the other woman. Nothing but a pair of big, baleful eyes and oversized ears. Well, it couldn't be helped. "This lovely woman is a shaman, from my motherland. She is teaching Divo the ways of the gods, and healing." She nodded her head to the shaman at her side, mercury gaze sliding to rest upon her briefly. She knew better than to leave Olya out of the conversation, as she was far more adept at socializing than Lirika. "I will let her explain our reason for coming to your borders today." "speech"

life is short, enjoy it while you're young A smaller female appeared from the grasses beyond, coloured with hues of oak and alabaster. Next to Lirika, she looked like a child. In fact, she was far closer to Divo's size. It was rare that such a petite wolf would manage to achieve a high rank, like Queen. What a powerful and courageous woman she must be. Not one to be trifled with, despite her friendly demeanour. Thus far, Olya found herself enamoured. Kind, and yet fierce. The perfect kind of leader, in her eyes. The princess was quick to fall into pleasantries, and then introductions. It was refreshing to interact with someone outside of the Lunashka clan, and their extended family. At the cue of the matriarch, she took a tiny step forward. The ivory femme dipped her head politely to the queen, smiling brightly. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Queen Sparrow." Her accent was quite possibly stronger than Lirika's, with such a husky voice. "We have come here with the intent to repay Lirika's debt to you, for your aid during her pregnancy. I am curious to know if there are any herbs that you might like to acquire, as means of payment for your kindness." Her tail swept lightly against her thighs, cranium cocking to one side curiously. After all, there was a chance that she already had herbalists in the field, as some packs did. "Which, in turn, begs the question- would you be interested in future trade with us, to follow our payment? The family will be travelling all over these lands, in the forseeable future. It would not be out of the question that we may travel to your pack and make trades along the way." No doubt it was a lot to ask all at once, but Olya was excited. To think, she had only been here a few moons, and she was already meeting with the local leaders. This might be a fortuitous journey, in the end. "speech"

Sparrow's smile widened when Lirika said she had brought her daughter with her. It was good to see such a positive outcome to the story. There didn't seem to be many of those these days.

Sparrow dipped her head at the daughter, "It's nice to meet you, Divo," Sparrow said quietly.

Next, Sparrow was introduced to a shaman from Lirika's home. Again Sparrow dipped her head humbly in greeting.

The shaman offered to see if there were any herbs Sparrow would accept as payment. She didn't have the time to venture far from the pack in search of the more rare herbs anymore.

She also offered a trade. She said their family was of travelers and that it would be somewhat easy to maintain trade.

Sparrow nodded her head.

"Any amount of Wintergreen or Trillium would be graciously accepted. It can be a little rare in this region, so there's no hurry- it would just be nice to have."

As for the trade...

"I think a trade would be great. There must be many herbs and trinkets to be found in the lands. As a pack, we can offer food- of course- or other herbs. Are there any goods or services you have in mind?" Sparrow asked. She had no way of knowing if they would fall through or if this would be a solid deal, but there was no harm in talking it through.

The Easter Bunny hops on by!

On her way through, she drops an egg at the paws of Olya.