The sun had risen only moment prior. Raisa had left her daughter's sleeping side for a short time only, hoping to find something small to eat to tide them over for another day. This wide open space was littered with strange debris but Raisa paid it no mind, trying to focus instead on scents of fur and flesh, sign and scat. If there wasn't a warren here somewhere she would eat her own tail, the landscape was ideal for jack rabbits or prairie dogs at the least. When the wind changed a storm of scent struck her, swirling in her mind and around her paws. She often found her senses acting strangely ever since her 'return,' mixing in strange ways or lying to her mind about what was and what was not. Just as she saw the scent trail blustering about on the ground, she believed she smelled her daughter, her homeland. The ex-Queen shook her head from side to side vigorously, trying to rid herself of the apparition. She could only pray that with time this too would fade. I'm coming she wanted to tell her ghosts. You can stop harassing me, I'm nearly there! Then, as suddenly as the wind had picked up it was gone, and Raisa wondered if it had ever existed in the first place. "Speech"

speech




Since he and the little band he had traveled with had returned from exploring the newly exposed lands he had found it hard to stay still. The urge to move and explore had been firmly set in his bones once again, making him venture away from Ebony, even if it was for short periods at a time. As he worked his way across this littered landscape he let his mind wander, thinking about this new Ebony, his old home, his long missing family. It did him good to be around some mildly distant branch of his family again, Valeriya proving herself to be the god send he needed to break free of the constant state of terror he had worked himself into. Even still, he couldn't help thinking about the past, about the good times in his earliest months of life, of being around his family and of course the Xanilovs. Maybe it was because his mind was already in the past, but when he saw Raisa's form in the distance he had no doubt in his mind who she was. It helped that her markings were so distinctive of course. He trotted toward her, seeing her shake her head. He watched her curiously and with just a small touch of concern, stopping a few feet away and dipping his front half low to the ground in a proper bow. She may not be the queen of Ebony currently, but she was still who he viewed as royalty. "Raisa," he said fondly, his pale gaze turning up to find her two-toned one, giving her a small smile. "It's so good to see you again. It's been far, far too long."

She was not far. No... this time Svetlana refused to stray far from her mother's side. They were making their way... they would return to Ebony someday... someday soon. Slowly Svetlana was recovering... finding her hope and strength returning. But she lurked, lingered behind her mother. The girl spoke to Korrin in quiet tones, seeking comfort and advice from the companion who stuck by her through it all. Korrin had a faith, a loyalty, unwavering... even when Svetlana seemed to lose it all. The polar fox helped her through it all... helped her find her mother... and... in that action... helped both femmes find a vital part of their sanity. The power of their stewards was not to underestimated at all. For though they were much smaller they showed just how great their species was. Both of the younger women held high respect of Koros. The Xanilov line was certainly a strange thing, wasn't it? But many families were like that in the end -- unbreakable as long as they had each other. Svetlana would lift her head, seeing the form of another approach her mother. Ears would flick back, a worried growl building in her throat. Fear of something happening at this point before all was mended, and truthfully after, made the girl wonder. She wouldn't think -- just run towards them. But Svet would slow once she was close enough to see his face markings. What... in the world? She knew those marks... they... they were upon her own face and her mother's. The girl would frown, slowing as her companion bounded up next to her. Korrin would analyze the male curiously. But it was Raisa who was addressed. Would she find words? Or still be lost in silence? If it was the latter, well... they were there to help her. "Hear Me Talk," "Listen To Korrin," 'Read My Thoughts.'

It would take the once-Queen a long moment to process the form before her. Those markings... her breath caught in her throat and she could not move. Fear trilled through her veins at the possibility that he was an envoy from Old Ebony but... No. He addressed her kindly, and as the moment of terror faded away she realized that she knew this male. It was a foggy memory, distant and faded but there was no denying it. Nikolai, she thought hesitantly. Was that correct? ...Yes, it felt right. She could not address him, thought she opened her mouth no sound would protrude. She choked on her vocal chords, lowering her gaze and coughing a bit. "Lord Nikolai," Koros would say, sweeping in before the pause could grow awkward. "It has been quite some time! You look well, I-" His speech broke away as he noticed a third presence, and a fourth. Ah, so Svetlana had arrived. Koros smiled. The young girl had not been far from her mother's side since their reunion, and he could see already that it was doing both a great deal of good."My Lord, if I might introduce the Princess Svetlana, Raisa's third daughter." He himself would offer the young fae a small bow. Though their relationship was largely informal, one must always stand on courtesy. And now the thistle of explaining Raisa's silence... He sighed, and as delicately as possible, began. "We have ah, run into some trouble you might say. A great deal has happened in the past year and I'm afraid our Grace has found herself recuperating. Have you come across her daughter, who rules the new Ebony in the east?" It was partially a diversion, but he was also thirsty for information, as he knew Raisa must be as well. He had been trying to pick up word of the other children during their travels but anything new had been hard to come by, and even then it was to be taken with a grain of doubt. "Talk" "You" Think