The rust and chocolate woman had been keeping her distance from her cousin for a number of days. Not necessarily deliberately, but this time of year was always harder on her. Her flank gave a phantom ripple of the kick that had sent her life into a different orbit to those of her other travelling companions, and her muzzle crinkled around the late season caribou calf that she dragged by its throat between awkwardly splayed legs. The tang of iron was tempting on her tongue, but this was a prize for someone else.

She dropped the offering momentarily, standing over it protectively and shooting the cawing birds that followed her a narrow eyed stare of warning. Her nostrils flared as her head turned this way and that. The priestess wouldn’t be far. It was almost time to perform another prayer. Perhaps closer to the tree-line was a better place to look?

She lifted her prize again, spindly back legs jerking with each rock they hit. It was even fresh enough that rigor hadn’t set in yet. Her cousin had better appreciate just what she was giving up.

“Speech”

lightning struck and I found my thunder

She had been silently meditating under the trees again, doing her absolute best to keep the radiating pain in her jaw from interrupting her peace of mind with little success. It seemed to be getting worse in the recent days, less of a tingling piercing pain and more streaks of burning heat the spread all along her muzzle and seemingly in her very teeth themselves. She had half a mind to try and just rip rip her upper canines out which seemed to be bearing the brunt of the pain, but that would leave her with a less effective bite which she sorely needed to protect herself.

Meditation completed somewhat unsuccessfully, Iðunn opened her eyes with a heavy exhale, stretching out her jaws with a wince as the very air of her breath sent a lance of pain throughout her mouth. Perhaps it was time again to partake in her medicinal stores so she could at least have a restful nap.

Her ears twitched at a nearby sound, head turning to face whatever it was with a partial snarl on her face, more from pain-induced irritation than anything else, but a look of meanness nonetheless. Just at the tree line she spotted the familiar rust red form of Róta who appeared to be dragging a caribou calf carcass. That was new.

Iðunn stayed where she sat, simply watching her cousin as her wrinkled muzzle fell flat again into a look more akin to interest. "You've been busy." Was it food time already? Perhaps she had been almost-meditating for longer than expected.

She would have had to be blind to miss her cousins lingering mood. For one usually so blank-faced, clearly something had her out of sorts. There wasn’t any stink of rot about her that would hint at a broken tooth, but if she had to guess, a toothache would be what she would expect to find. But Rōta knew far better than to bring it up. She dropped her prize.

“Getting this close to midsummer, I figured your gods would be after more than rodents.” Her wording was deliberate, your gods, not ours. But if they weren’t hers, then why did it feel like the caribous mother had kicked her square in the sternum? “Where do you want it?” She wasn’t usually one to participate, not since the last time, and she could feel bile rising in her throat at the memory. But she would aid her cousin today. Life went on, and it was time she did too.

“Speech”

lightning struck and I found my thunder

Of all the things she could have guessed Rōta was up to, bringing her a food offering for the old gods had not been very high on the list. The deliberate phrasing did not go unnoticed, but given past events, and the fact that her cousin was here willingly, Iðunn would leave it be without so much as a second thought.

Her ears twitched forward, muzzle dipping down in a small nod of thanks in acknowledgement of her cousins actions. For others it would be an easy task, but the fact that Rōta was here and trying meant so much more, and Iðunn would cherish it regardless. She motioned over to one of the sturdy trees where a thick slab of stone had been set down by the base of the trunk. "Just over there."

Standing up she moved over to her cousin to help drag the the calf, pushing through the pain that flared as her teeth and jaws made contact. In life there were always sacrifices to be made, some more literally than others, and a bit of pain wouldn't kill her. It didn't take much effort between the two of them to set it down upon the stone, and licking her lips Iðunn stepped back, ears twitching a bit haphazardly as she glanced at Rōta with an unusually warm expression on her face.

"The old gods will appreciate this greatly," she said, doing her best to bring out more warmth in her voice, moreso than her usual somewhat indifferent tone. "And so do I," Iðunn continued in a softer tone, "so... thank you."

If she didn’t already have a mouth full of throat she would have tutted and shooed her cousin off. She could handle one little calf, but as it was she rolled her eyes and sighed out her nose as they got the offering situated. She spent an extra moment or two nudging the body until it lined up properly, head pointed in the right direction, because she knew if she didn’t then Iðunn would fuss with it once she was gone and that would completely defeat the purpose!

Chocolate tipped ears twitched back, almost laying flat against her skull, why did she have to go and make it awkward? “If you weren’t too proud to ask for help, you wouldn’t have to thank me.” She responded with a smirk, but prodding no further on what had the usually fiery priestess so sedate (clearly she was partaking a little more than usual). Were her teeth… longer? Wobbling? She didn’t let her concern show on her face, surely if she wanted to talk to someone about whatever had her troubled she’d go to San. Ró knew her unreliability had long since boxed her in the ‘call for a good time’ category, and she wanted it to stay that way.

“Speech”

lightning struck and I found my thunder

She watched as Rōta, somewhat uncharaceristically of her, fiddled with the limbs of the calf until it lay properly upon the stone slab. It was enough to almost bring a smile to her face, seeing her cousin take so much care with something that the woman was usually not bothered about. But then the usual fiery nature returned, with a smirk to boot. Ah, there she was.

But in response Iðunn's eyes narrowed slightly, chuffing softly in a half scoff and half almost laugh. She wasn't proud, she was resourceful and self-confident... and maybe just a little bit proud. But to be the one who acted as a messenger between the old gods and the rest of her family she needed to be highly self-assured in her abilities. A wolf suffering from unsureness and worry would make for a pretty shit priestess.

The urge to tell Rōta she didn't need help was strong, but she held her tongue from speaking aloud the mistruth. Being reliant on others was not in her nature, so she did struggle reaching out and asking for help. In truth she was somewhat glad her cousin had noticed. It meant she cared. "I'll keep that in mind for the future," Iðunn said smoothly, schooling her features a little more. But then with only a moment's hesitation she gently moved to bump their shoulders together, a low rumbling purr under her breath. Words were too hard to get her point across sometimes.