She was… back. Two years, two years she had been gone. It had been such a long time, and it felt so odd to be back. She almost went to Valhalla territory, out of old habit - but no, Valhalla was long gone. Her siblings her long gone. Two years of searching, for her father and siblings… gone. She missed them, missed them terribly - but she also missed her mother. And not only that, she missed her white knight.

A soft smile adorned her face at the thought of those two, though worry also crossed her features. Was Bass okay? Was her mother still alive? Still sane? She had been so… afraid, so broken, when Vali left. Was she still alright? IT plagued her, and she truly did wish she returned home sooner… but could she have? Did she still have a home in Abaven? Did she still fit in Abaven? With Bass?

With yet another smile, she remembered that crush she had on Bass. It still persisted - in a strange, different form. She truly did love the man, but… not romantically. Yet, he was not her brother. But he was her white knight, her king, her ‘boyfriend’. A soft chuckle emerged. She still remembered why she had that term - boy, for Bass was male, and friend, because Bass was her friend. It still fit, though she’d not use that term now.

She followed her nose, frowning as she remembered passing through the old Valhallan lands. Empty, with the scent of blood. The estuary, with the mingled scents of loners… and what she thought faintly resembled Abaven. It got her hope up, yet that hope was cemented when she passed through Veronica plains. Blood. The scent of three packs. And… the scent of Bass. She didn’t recognize any of the others, but she’d know his scent anywhere. It concerned her, so much. She couldn’t tell with all the blood around his scent, all the blood period. At least she knew Abaven still existed.

Which brought her here. Her breath caught as her nose faintly smelled the very familiar scent. Abaven! She was quivering, quivering with fear and excitement and trepidation and anticipation. Would Bass forgive her for such an absence? Would she still be his ‘princess’? He said that she’d always have a home with him, but… she’d been gone away so long. She changed so much. She could guarantee that he did not think she’d be gone two years… she didn’t think she would be gone two years.

The border. It seemed like mere seconds in her thoughts, but there the border was. Still strong as ever, though scents pulled at it she did not know before, not that she knew of any of the members before, either. Still. She stood there, near paralyzed. Yet… she couldn’t stand there forever. A shaky breath, let out in such a deep sigh. She… had to do something. Another deep breath, but this time it left her body in a warbling howl, calling for Bass.

Bass, her white knight.

"Speech"

The pups had been crawling over him all day, already getting too big for the den. He remembered his first litter growing up quickly, but now he almost felt like he was too old for this. The white male snorted, standing up and shaking the dirt from his coat as one tumbled off after their mother. He was so glad that they had been save during the siege, and that he had come home unscathed for once. No matter how disappointed he was that he hadn't found himself a fight, even though Valentine teased at one, he was glad that he was able to stand strong and help his members mend. He was so proud of Abaven, and felt like they were all closer as a unit now. Stretching out his legs, he gave the pups and his mate a lick before heading towards the borders, making sure that their new land was freshly marked. That was, until a howl sounded. His whole body froze as he slowly looked towards the borders, golden eyes wide. It was a howl that he had not been expecting to hear, he had thought that she was gone for good. Vali. She was here, she was back! Bass' heart pounded in his chest as his tag began to spin behind him, kicking off the ground and racing towards the Rapids. His eyes were wide as he looked for her, and it wasn't long before he spotted her pale form standing on the borders. Not bothering to slow down he came barreling towards her, giving a bark of warning before he pretty much collided with the female, if she hadn't moved out of the way. Whining and yipping he pressed his face into her scruff, breathing in her scent as his tail wagged a mile a minute. It was a moment before he pulled himself off, his eyes roaming over her form happily. "I can't believe you are here. It's been so long, Vali. You're so big! I guess I can't call you a princess and let you ride around on my back anymore." He teased softly, leaning forward to place a lick on her cheek. The last time he had seen Vali she had headed off with her mother to find the rest of her family, but the fact that she was returning alone made him wonder if she ever did find them. His smile quickly faded as he stood more still, a brow rising in question. "Your family?" he asked softly, almost afraid to hear the answer.

Her call trailed off, and she would stand silently, tense. It seemed like forever she was waiting, waiting for that familiar white form. Golden eyes roved over the green land; surely she would spot him easily, where was he? Movement to the right caught her eye, and she spun that way, a cheerful, wordless yip making its way from her throat. Her tail; she could feel her entire body moving with it, happy whines spilling from her maw as she was suddenly run over. Flailing to the ground, she was laughing, a light, happy sound.

Sitting up, she was instantly set upon by Bass, his greeting matching her own. Her own muzzle stretched to touch his shoulder. "I've missed you so much, my white knight," she murmured, a content sigh. A soft laugh at his words as she pushed herself to her paws. "Oh, you know I'll always be your princess, though I may be a bit too big for riding on your back anymore," she chuckled. Another shake of the head and she would step forward, her muzzle burying in his scruff momentarily, followed by a light ear nom reminiscent of her childhood. "So long, never again," she whispered. She pulled back, smiling softly at the brotherly kiss, though that smile dropped almost immediately.

Sadness flooded her eyes, and she looked away, tears glimmering at the reminder. "I... couldn't find Taddeo. Or Signy. Or Dad. And..." her voice trailed, a desperate hope glimmering in her eyes. "Mother - is she here? I had hoped... she... she... she wandered off, she was so broken. I had hoped, hoped she returned here..." Eyes would rove the alpha's face, hoping, hoping the answer would be a yes. But oh, she was so afraid. So afraid that Mother wasn't in Abaven, that she was gone, like Taddeo and Signy. She couldn't lose everyone, she couldn't.


"Speech"

She called him her white knight, and he couldn't help but let his smile grow. It had been so long since he had last seen Vali, and he had been awaiting her return eagerly. She was one of the first friends that he made when he was younger, back when he was a part of Valhalla. Bass could still remember her calling him her boyfriend, leaving the yearling uncomfortable with the aspect as they were both so young. He had been there when she grew up, and she had come to him when he left to start his own pack. Their lives were already tangled, no matter how far apart they were from each other they would always be a part of each others past, and hopefully the future as well. The girl nibbled on his ear and the sensitive appendage twitched, bringing a chuckle from his maw. When she cuddled into him he placed a kiss on her forehead, a sigh leaving his mouth. "So, are you here to stay then?" he asked softly, his golden eyes hopeful as he stared at her familiar form. "Because do I have a lot to tell you." Bass grinned, his tail wagging behind him. He had his first litter not too long after she left, and they were almost two years old now. It stopped as soon as they moved on, and from her expression he knew that she didn't have any good news about her family. His ears pulled back as he stepped forward, whining as he nuzzled her cheek. "Its okay Vali, I am sure they will turn up sooner or later. I haven't seen them around these parts, but don't give up hope." He said slowly, trying to reassure her that all would be better. "You have a family here. I have kids, Vali. My first litter we had five pups, and they will be two this winter. We just had a second litter with two pups, they just started to leave the den and they are already causing a lot of trouble. I am sure that they would love to meet you."

When she pulled back to look into the golden eyes so similar to her own, she saw that hope. She saw that hope, and concurred with it; she saw that hope, and craved to reassure it. "Yes," she answered softly, tone serious and sincere. Her own tail would wag gently behind her, her quiet laugh once more emerging from her. "And I want to hear all about it!" Truly, she could not wait; what had happened in her Bass' life during her - ultimately futile - search? What had changed? He seemed the same - and yet, she knew things were different. How different, she'd definitely find out.

She would watch as he stepped forward, a whine spilling from his maw. Golden eyes closed, a heavy sigh pulling from her even now. She knew what he would say, even before she heard the words. Mother was not in Abaven, and her siblings had not been seen. No sign. Vanished. Were they even alive at this point? Any of them? Her own ears had flattened, and she would accept the comforts of her old friend quietly - that is, until he mentioned children.

Her head shot up, her jaw falling open. Golden eyes widened. 5 children? No, wait, there was more - they were turning two? Oh, she had missed so much! And three new children! A twinge of jealousy was in her; she missed so much when his mate - who was it? - had been there the whole time. It was easily squished, though, for the time being. Jaw snapping shut, she nodded at Bass. "Yes - I would... I would love to meet them, Bass, all of your children, and your mate as well." Okay, maybe the last part was a little forced. She hid it well, though.

"Speech"

His eyes narrowed somewhat at the woman's vocals, it wasn't hard to tell that her tone was very forced. Did he offend her in some manner? He knew that they had always been close, and when they were younger she called him her boyfriend, even though he pushed it away because of their age. Now that they were older he supposed that they could have gone down that road, but Vali meant to much to him to think of her in that matter. She had always been like a younger sister, a great friend and companion. Any romantic feelings had been dashed while they grew together, and now he didn't even need to think about it. Maybe she had some of those feelings though, or maybe she was just sad that she had missed so much in her time away. There was no knowing, and Bass didn't want to push the matter. "Wren has been a little... distant. Busy I suppose, so catching her might be hard. And with my older kids growing older, they are always off on adventures, like we used to go on." he said fondly, a light back in his eyes. "But the younger two are always out and about, causing trouble and trying to sneak away. They are so full of questions!" Bass said with a laugh. Stepping forward again, the pale man pushed his nose to Vali's cheek. "I really have missed you, a lot. Have you picked up any other skills on your travels that I should know about?" he asked, trying to change the subject and look for a rank that she would hold in Abaven. He knew all about her adventures and play fighting, but maybe she had changed her mind in what rank she wanted to hold. Vali hadn't really been a part of Abaven for long before she had left to find her family, and there had been more than enough time for her to settle on a rank.

Or perhaps she didn't hide it as well as she thought she did. She noted the narrowed eyes immediately, and her ears would flicker back, eyes skittering to the side. Well. She didn't mean to do that. At all. Ugh. Hopefully, he did not get the wrong impression based on what she had called him when they were younger, but she wasn't just about to ask - not at all. Thankfully, Bass said nothing about it and simply moved on. She would listen quietly, frowning as he mentioned his mate being distant - it seemed almost as if he was uncertain. Even that was passed over, to speak of his children, and she would smile both sadly and fondly; she remembered those adventures. She was saddened she had missed more adventures, and the adventures with his children. At his next bit, she couldn't help but laugh, a teasing smile worming its way to her lips. "So a lot like me, hmm?" she chuckled. "I remember what a pain I was. It will be great to interact with them."

She would nuzzle him back, tail wagging behind her, nearly a blur. "Agreed," she murmured, smiling as he asked of her travels - and anything else she learned. She nodded to him. "I have - I've learned a bit about herbs, and healing in my time gone, and quite a bit more about fighting. Also, I had to learn to be tactful." At that last bit, she snorted and shook her head. "It was quite difficult." Her tone was dry, amusement, but on her face was a simple, soft smile.

"speech"

He grinned back at the woman, nodding his head slowly up and down. "Yes, a lot like you. You used to get into so much trouble, wandering off the way that you did." he said with a soft laugh. Perhaps it was just in a child's nature to do so, but it was how they learned, was it not? His ears pulled forward when she talked about her skills, nodding slowly. "Would there be a particular rank that you would want to hold here?" he asked, head tilting to the side. Fighting and healing were two different things, but she could be a field medic. "I have a rank for healers that involves fighting as well. They have to be able to fight off any wolves to get to the front line of battle and heal those who are injured there, as well as aiding in any battle. Would this be of interest to you, or would you like a more specific healing or fighting rank?" He snorted at her comment of having to learn to be tactful, his tail swinging behind him slowly. He just couldn't get over how pleased he was to finally have her home.

Vali chuckled. "Just a little bit," she grinned. She still, to this day, did not regret any of her doings as a child. It was so worth it... and the expression on the faces of the adults still made her laugh. Her own head tilted as she contemplated the question - a specific rank? Uhh.. she didn't quite remember anything about Abaven's ranks. At all. Thankfully, Bass went on to provide an explanation - it was interesting, though she'd rather her focus be more on fighting than healing. "That does interest me, though instead of my focus being healing with fighting on the side, I'd like to have it be fighting with the field healing on the side - moreso a fighter than a healer, but still a healer. If that makes sense? It's almost the same thing as you mentioned." Despite having to learn to be tactful, she still sucked at wording things. Very, very much so.

Bass chuckled at Vali as she tried to organize her thoughts about the rank, Bass' head nodding slowly back and forth. "That's perfectly fine, it sounds good to me." He stepped forward and nuzzled her, bumping his head against her own. They really could be siblings, or father and daughter, the way they looked so much like each other. He breathed in her very familiar scent, peace settling in his heart. She was home, she was finally home. "Come on, let's go find you a den to settle into." He said softly, bumping his shoulder against her as he turned around. Walking back into the pack lands, he looked over his shoulder to make sure she was following. A wide smile was on his maw, nose tipping towards the lands. -exit Bass-