It had been some time since Holly traversed the lands of Ardent. She had gone beyond the lands of Boreas and Auster for a time, and now she was back. a lot about her had changed, especially the knowledge she gained while she was out. She had learned to fight while she was out there. In fact, she had to fight, else she would be lying dead on the ground from the teeth of an unfriendly rogue or other creature. She had new battle scars littering her shoulders and neck now, criss crossed and jagged, as well as an X-shaped scar across the top of her muzzle. Though she did lose a few fights, she won more than she lost. And that to her, was a big accomplishment. She would not die lying in the dirt like her mother had. Amber gaze blazed fiercely as she quietly walked through the forest, her companion stalking along beside her. She had gone out to seek her father, but she had been unable to find any trace of him. She hadn't seen any of her family for a long time now, and she couldn't say that she missed them anymore. Fog swirled across the ground and around her legs, nearly completely enveloping her shorter companion. She didn't know what she was doing back here. She didn't really have any purpose to life. All she was doing was surviving at this point. No pups. No love life. No family or friends. Nothing. She stopped then. Gaze finding the moonless sky. The forest was dark and quiet, and she felt at home here. "Too bad we almost made it."

But you'll never find the answers, until you set your old heart free

As the cloud cover moved in Lydia immediately regretted her decision to try and find an elusive herb like trillium during the night. She'd had a tough day of herb gathering and was looking for a prize to make it all worthwhile. Perhaps that was why she was so insistent. There was also the hope that the bright white blossoms might still stand out against the shadowy tones of the forest. Of course the clouds over head were making that particularly difficult. Lydia shifted her shoulders and adjusted her bag before continuing ahead. A fog was starting to roll in now and Lydia let out a frustrated sigh. She just wasn't meant to find anything today.

She was about to turn and head back toward her den sight when she saw another woman not far off. Lydia hesitated. It was always dangerous to call out to strangers but she was fairly certain she was going to be spotted anyway. "Hello there! Nice evening… erm… sort of." She supposed it wasn't as nice as it could be. There was little light, the fog was a nuisance and Lydia swore that it seemed to be just a bit too cold for a summer evening.

speech & thoughts

He was growing closer by the day, fallowing the old trails that his younger brother had taken. His plan was to check in, rest up, then head back unless Branch felt he needed his help. He had not been in favor of Branch leaving in the first place, but it hadn’t been his decision. Branch’s scent was stronger which hopefully meant he was alive and well. The family wanted a report and were stationed not far outside of Ardent lands. They would camp there for a few weeks before moving on. He had told his mother it would be a good idea to settle down until next spring, but he knew there was a slim chance that his advice would be taken.

His brother was somewhere within the south, but Huck was having trouble finding the exact place. It seemed his brother had traveled through much of the southern territories. Tonight he was still traveling, finding it difficult to sleep he began to travel again, this time his path taking him into the odd forest. The first thing he noticed was how quiet this territory was, not even a peep from any of the nocturnal animals. Secondly was the fog that swirled around his legs. It didn't turn him away though, he kept moving through the dark forest with ease.

Pretty soon his ears picked up the faint sound of a voice and he altered his course to head in that direction, wondering if another was wide awake like he was. When she came into view he could spot, not one, but two wolves. He let out a quieted bark, just warning both of his approach.

Art by Bleuzye

Treat!

Holly gets a treat!

Lucky her, that exact herb that Lydia was hoping to find isn't far off from the female's grasp, visibly briefly through the fog as a gentle breeze sneaks through. A small cluster of trillium can be found nearby - what luck? Holly will gain +5 Healing points if she collects the herb in (1) more post! Sorry, Lydia..

Trick!

Lydia gets a trick!

Despite being a more practiced healer, it seems that the younger female found the herb she was looking for before she could. Hey, who knows; maybe she'll share? Lydia gets a bad event!

The quietness in the air did well to soothe her soul. It was as if the whole world as holding its breath, and she felt like she was the only wolf on earth. Well...she did feel like that, until someone else came out of the fog. They greeted her, and for a moment her hackles rose with apprehension, lips lifting just the smallest bit. She had been surprised to run across someone else. Foolish of her to think she would be alone. She had for most of her life, but tonight she supposed she could deal with the company. It would probably be good for her, anyway. "Yeah...it is a nice night." She did like the fog. The silence it brought. The otherwordly feelings it stirred within her. But it was lonely... Rhava stalked forward until she sat in front of Holly, unblinking gaze settling on the other woman for a moment before a plant practically sitting at Holly's feet got her attention. The feline lightly batted at it with sheathed claws, passing time as she decided to let Holly take this encounter on her own for the time being. "What're you doing out here--" Words were cut short as her head whipped up when she heard the sound of another approach. This time, a man that seemed to blend in better with the fog. Her hackles rose again, her lips rising to bare her teeth with more apprehension as the large brute approached them. Were they together? She looked between the two as she took a step back. She was ready to fight or run if she had to. Loneliness, of course, had made her untrusting of strangers... "Too bad we almost made it."