Víðarr knew which piece was missing. He knew why the Maw didn't quite feel... right. He knew that he needed to go after Tove, needed to see if he could get her out of Valta and where she could be safe. Where she would be safe, on the mountain. On the mountain with the healers that could hopefully fix whatever was going on in her head. Tenshi or Ulmaria... one of them had to be able to fix her, right? It was true, he'd have to figure out how to frame that whole thing to his soon to be wife. What was a little discomfort when there was a life on the line? Though he'd disappointed her time and time again, Víðarr did still care about the red woman he'd found, frozen and alone in the north, all those years ago. His heart squeezed at the thought of her damn near stepping off that cliff. The viking king could feel the guilt as it washed in around the edges. Pain was something they all lived with, they all handled differently. He'd hurt her. She'd damn near pay the ultimate price for his mistake, and he couldn't sit with that. Kotori. Right, he needed to go talk to Kotori. The walk to Valta's border wasn't long, though Víðarr should have been using the time to decide what to say. If only he had the foresight... nope. The shadow instead calls for Valta's alpha, asking. Waiting. Watching. "Speech"

Well, Asla hadn't been expecting company, but being an alpha made one expect the unexpected. Upon hearing the call, the blonde woman peeled herself from Indigo's warm embrace, careful not to wake him. Once out of the den, Asla gave herself a shake, willing her body into wakefulness. She inhaled deeply of the sweet air and began a lope of practiced ease. The woman was a hunter, a warrior, her body was a weapon and a tool. This showed in both her movement and her figure.

Nearing the border a large, dark male waited. One brow lifted in question, pulling at the scars that littered one side of the blonde and grey wolf's face. Coming to the edge of the border, Aslatiel seated herself, her demeanor and posture full of confident ease. "I am Aslatiel Indarra, Alpha of Valta. How can I help you?" The fae's galactic gaze rested upon the brute's face with surety as she waited for a response.

"Asla Indarra"

Víðarr's gaze fell on the woman as she melted into view, expression remaining where it defaults-- carefully composed neutrality. This wasn't who the viking king expected, not at all. From his impression, the alpha of Valta was a man. The woman heading his way has a shapely, delicate figure that he'd do well not to look at for too long. He's curious, but then, the goings on of other packs aren't something for him to be concerned about... yet. Politics aren't his strong suit, but Víðarr would do well to at least look like he has his shit together. She introduced herself as the alpha, with a surname he's not familiar with. Interesting. The pack was still Valta, and he's certain Tove still lived here, so it looked like the purpose of his visit hadn't changed. "Víðarr Trygg, alpha of Heiðinn." The shadow offers an introduction, watching Aslatiel's face as he speaks. Careful to take in her expression, careful to watch. "My friend Tove lives here." He chooses his next words carefully, thoughtfully. "She is unwell. I believe a closeness to our gods and the presence of the seiðkonur would help her recovery." Víðarr was asking to take her away, bring her to the mountain. To bring her home, though he does not wish to steal her away. The words are confident as he watches Aslatiel, waiting for her reaction, any insight to what went on in her head. "Speech"

The man introduced himself, giving her name and title. Asla accepted both with a nod, her grey ears swiveling forward to catch the spoken words as Vidarr explained the nature of his visit. He came in the hopes of collecting Tove, it seemed. Well, Asla hadn't been expecting that, but her expression didn't change.

Tove... the woman was little more than a wraith within the pack. She was quiet, kept to herself, barely showed her face. Kotori had welcomed her within the pack and that was fine. Tove would be welcome and protected for as long as she was a part of Valta, but if she wanted to leave by her own free will, then that was the woman's choice.

"You claim that Tove is sick and yet she hasn't sought aid from our healers. Speak true, Vidarr. Why do you believe that she's ill?" It was clear that the man knew Tove better than Asla did. If he knew something that she didn't, then it would be best if he informed her of it.

"Asla Indarra"

Well, she didn't look offended at least. That was a step up from the last time Víðarr had come to speak to an alpha about whisking away a member of their pack... though he supposed this was far different than the situation with Tenshi. Judging by the state Tove was in, she likely hadn't been contributing to the pack in the same way. It was dire, and hurt the shadow's chest to consider. For as much as he concealed his emotions, he did care. Víðarr just had a mostly-backwards way of showing it. Aslatiel asks why he has reason to suspect she's unwell. The viking king makes steady eye contact with the small woman, speaking plainly. Speaking truthfully, as he'd seen it with his own eyes. While it was perhaps ill-advised to spill someone else's business like this, Víðarr considers that it's the best way to get Tove back to the mountain. Back where he believes she'll be able to heal, where she'll be able to feel like herself again. Perhaps, selfishly, it's so he can fulfill his promises to her as well. "I stopped her from stepping off a cliff. She would have fed herself to the sea." He speaks plainly. There's a gave seriousness to his tone. Víðarr is troubled with the thought that she'll likely try again, if not seen to by the priests. The shadow stands unwavering before Aslatiel, watching intently. "Víðarr"

Vidarr didn't make her wait, telling her quickly that he had saved Tove previously from stepping off of a cliff. The blonde fae's eyebrow lifted, pulling at her scarred features. She hadn't heard anything of the sort, though it did make sense, considering the lack of life in the red and blue fae. "Hmm," Asla murmured, inhaling deeply only to release a long sigh.

Tove was Kotori's wolf, but her brother was off galivanting around the world with his possible mate, so the decision was up to her. Actually... no, it wasn't. Asla turned to the side, her plum-colored eyes meeting pale green. A snow leopard peeled away from the foliage and came forward. "Fetch Tove, please," she requested of the leopard. The feline disappeared back into the trees with a nod.

Asla looked back to Vidarr and gave the man a nod. "You came seeking Tove, so we'll ask the woman what she wishes to do. If she chooses to go with you, then she's free to do so." Aslatiel wasn't unjust and she wouldn't hold someone against their will. She was much different than her father and brother in that regard. It wouldn't take Enki long to bring the fae, but until then, they would have to wait.

"Aslatiel"

Tove has separated herself from the rest of the pack, choosing to sequester herself away in her den as her health slowly declines. Lately, she spent most of time her sleeping, preferring her dreams to what the waking world. Every time she closed her eyes, Bodin was there, alive and whole, pushing her to fight back and live. Yet, when she opened her eyes and found herself in the same den, alone… the warmth of the dream quickly gave way to the harsh coldness of her reality. Nothing seemed worth doing anymore and the woman simply waited for her body to stop working so that she could enter the afterlife.

Yet, life is not done with her and a snow leopard gently rouses the depressed woman into the waking world. Gummy eyelids blink sluggishly as Tove lifts her head from the furs that make her bed, finding herself to still be alive. The leopard beckons her and the old wolf blows out a soft sigh before gathering her limbs underneath herself and standing. The pops that fill the air make the woman wince but they help her joints move more fluidly as she follows the creature out. Maybe, if she had realized that Aslatiel would be waiting at the borders with the Shadow, the galaxy pelted wolf would have shaken out her coat and tried to appear presentable.

Maybe.

By the time, the forms begin to resolve from dots into actual wolves, Tove feels heat flood her cheeks and she dips her head in shame. She had given up on her hope that Víðarr would come for her; believing it to be just another one of his promises, made in a time of desperation, to a woman standing on the edge. Yet here he is. The older wolf cannot look at him as she comes to a stop near Asla, dipping her head in greeting to the Alpha but remaining silent as she does not trust her voice right now. Is this another one of her dreams? Or is Víðarr truly here to fulfill his promise? Duel-toned eyes dart between the pair as she waits to hear what they need her for.


"Tove Baade"

He watches Aslatiel's face as she processes his words. The things Víðarr has to say lack embellishment, but invite little in the way of further prodding. It was simply... as it was. Tove had been with him through a lot, and he owed her a place to recover-- truly recover. The presence of the priests, the closeness to the gods, well the viking king could only hope it really would help. He could hope. A solemn nod to the Valta alpha comes with his brief response, not feeling the need to clutter their wait with useless chatter. "Thank you." That's all he needs. It's not long before Tove appears. She won't look at him, but Víðarr supposed he deserved that. He'd let her down time and time again, it was only reasonable that she didn't trust him. Still, hopefully this was the first step down a better path. For both of them. "I came, like I promised." The words are gentle, they're spoken with care. His icy gaze sought that of the tattered warrior woman, hoping she'd meet his eyes. Hoping, but then, he knows better than to force too hard. All Víðarr could do was wait. "Víðarr"

After his thanks, silence stretched between them. Silence was fine. Like Vidarr, Asla didn't care for pointless words. If he was comfortable not speaking, then so was she. They didn't have to wait long for Tove, however. The multi-colored woman slunk into the clearing, looking a little abashed at those that had called for her.

The Heidinn alpha spoke to Tove and amethyst eyes shifted between the pair, noting their body language and reactions to one another. Once the man had stopped speaking, Asla shifted her full attention to the older fae. "Vidarr has told me that you've not been well," she informed her. "I wasn't aware of the extent of that illness and for that I apologize." Aslatiel had failed Tove in this. She should have confronted the woman and coerced her into speaking of her troubles.

Asla's galactic gaze shifted between the two. "Vidarr has told me of his promise and has asked that he be able to take you back to his pack with him. You are very welcome here, Tove, but if you wish to leave and join Vidarr, then this is your choice. There will be no ill will." There was sincerity in the fae's purple eyes. "Your well being is what's important."

"Aslatiel"

The woman’s heart has become a fistful of thunder, pounding painfully against her ribs as the scarred woman comes to stop near Aslatiel. Víðarr’s voice pulls her attention over to the big shadow and her stomach flip-flops at his gentle words. A weak smile worms its way onto Tove’s lips and her head bows with gratitude to the only man, besides her brother, that she has loved. Turning her gaze back to the Alpha, the small woman speaks and the older woman’s ears slick back in regret as her head lowers in shame while she lifts a paw to gentle shake away the offered apology because she knows that Asla has nothing to do with her current state. Head continues to be bowed as her alpha speaks and the scarred woman’s duel tone eyes flick from Víðarr to Aslatiel and back again.

Silence falls between the trio as Tove weighs the offers even though she already knows what her choice is going to be. Head lifts and she brings her gaze level with the smaller woman, a soft, ghost of smile attempting to pull her lips upward. Since her run-in with the bears that had stolen her brother’s life, talking has been a painful affair for her. That is why she prefers to remain silent for as long as she can and why she had yet to utter a word to the pair. Mouth moves as she works up saliva to try and help her damaged vocal chords for what she is about to say, knowing it will won’t but hoping to buy herself a few more moments before she has to inflict the familiar pain on herself.

As her mouth opens and her rough, gravelly voice fills the air, Tove is unable to hide the wince that the pain from her abused throat gives her, “This isn’t your fault Aslatiel. I have… been let down several times in my life and I believed that had happened again.” Gaze flicks over to Víðarr as she offers him a sad smile, knowing that he understands about some of what she is talking about since he is responsible for most of them. The proverbial straw that had broken the camel’s back was when Kotori had left Valta without a word to her… after she had pleaded her life to him all that time ago. Looking back to Asla, catching the woman’s galactic gaze with her duel-toned eyes, she says, “I want to go with Víðarr. Maybe… just maybe… some wrongs in my life can still be righted.”

And maybe her life is actually worth something.


"Tove Baade"

She is... sad. Tove is in a sorry state, really, and Víðarr can only feel responsible. They were responsibilities that he'd fallen short on, but they're his responsibility regardless. He can't let the words sting, because they're only truth. He's always been shit when it came to feelings, and this was no different. Hell, this was probably worse than usual. There's a tug in his chest, one that he can't put into words or properly describe. Víðarr would keep his feelings concealed for now... as he usually did. Aslatiel presents Tove with her choice, and the answer... well, Víðarr can't say he's surprised. Still, relief does wash over him, in its own way. The shadow offers a solemn nod to the Valta alpha, the condition of their agreement met. The warrior woman before him would like to come to the mountain. "It was nice to meet you, Aslatiel." He offers with sincerity. It's by way of a goodbye, as he turns to Tove. His gaze steady, asking without asking-- does she need a hand with her things? Is she ready to go now? "Víðarr"

Tove spoke, her battered voice stating that she would indeed like to go with Vidarr. Aslatiel gave a nod of acceptance. Pack wolf or not, she wouldn't doom the colorful woman to a lifetime of unhappiness. If going with the Heidinn alpha would improve her quality of life, then Asla would gladly give her up. "Take care of yourself, Tove."

Amethyst eyes shifted to Vidarr as he spoke pleasantries. A man of few words and she appreciated that. The blonde fae gave a nod. "Likewise," she reciprocated. Hopefully this act of good will would see Valta and Heidinn as future allies. Maybe even friends. Turning, Asla made her way back to the pack proper.

"Aslatiel"