Between Alastor and Irilyth she almost always had someone to keep an eye on her children so that she could continue her efforts to scout and gather information about the land around her. She was never able to go that far since she didn't want to miss one of her pup's feedings, but already they had begun to incorporate some small pieces of meat into their diets so her range was slowly widening again. She was still considering where she might place her pack once it came to be and she hadn't yet completely ruled out the idea of sticking close to Ashen's borders. From the initial meeting she had with Venom and her family and the fast kinship she had formed with Ikigai she could already sense that their families might be closely linked in the future so it only made sense to keep them close. On the other hand, there were quite a few packs in this area already so it might be better to look elsewhere.

She walked along the large, flowing river, wandering her way through the continent in one of her short stents through the various territories. She smiled a little as she reached one of the large trees near the bank where she had first come across Ikigai and fate had begun to work its magic. Her aqua gaze lingered on the border of the pack that had been a frequent feature of her thoughts, wondering if perhaps she might see one of the Empress' children again or maybe even the Empress herself. Manea didn't often find wolves that she admired or looked up to and while she still didn't know much about Venom other than the fact that she held herself well and birthed beautiful children she could see a world where they could work well together.

Manea | Temno | Ciemny

Her father told her to take a few extra patrols and to concentrate more heavily on the way her paws moved through the yellow grasses. The terrain in the shrine was much less treacherous than the swamp Hattori had taken her to. No matter how hard she tried or how hard she focused, there was always a misstep. She always tripped at some point. It was like she was cursed, never able to walk with any grace. Even with nearing a year of age she still struggled to grow into her long legs and massive paws.

The girl was also half looking for a trail and scent to catch. With winter knocking on their door she wanted to help provide for her pack and her family. She wanted to prove she was just as good at hunting as her dope of a brother. She found a trail, but it wasn’t one of prey. Shuriken’s chimeric features lifted from the grass and her dual toned eyes easily found the vivid violet form of Manea. She certainly wouldn’t forget making herself a fool in front of them, nor the kind words from Manea and the understanding glance from Alastor.

"Hello, again.” Ike offered with a deep dip of her head, leaning over a bit too far as she did so. There was no mighty trip up this time but she did jerk back without poise. Mismatched ears fell to her head, no matter what she did she was never near as graceful or perfect in movement as Ikigai.

"Kiyohime Shuriken Ōritsu Abraxas"

Manea caught a glimpse of the split colored, speckled girl she had met during her visit to Ashen with Alastor back before her children were born and it made her steps slow, watching her curiously until she saw the two toned eyes lift and spot her as well. She smiled and turned to face her, meeting her half way as she took the moment to appreciate the beautiful young woman again. She had only gotten a brief look at her during their last meeting and even since then she had grown. Her unique, two toned antlers had grown in more and she was clearly growing toward what would be her full height. She noticed how the girl seemed to be more intentional with the placement of her paws than she had been when they first met, but her balance still seemed a bit unsteady as she bowed her head and nearly tipped over because of him.

The Mendacium matriarch smiled kindly to the young girl, replying, "Hello to you as well." She settled back onto her haunches in front of her, one her large, tiger-like paws lifting to gently nudge and lift the dark ear that had fallen to the girl's head with embarrassment. "Stand tall, darling. So many only dream to live the struggle you've been given." How many of her own family would have given anything to have the gifts she had been born with? How many had died because they didn't? Her family was a cruel and unrelenting bunch at times, but it left them with only the strongest to remain standing and made her certain that they were all here with a purpose - just as this girl and Ikigai had been put here with a purpose to serve. She hadn't yet met their other siblings, though she had a feeling that the majority of their litter was outstandingly blessed.

Her paw then shifted down to the girl's ankle, lifting the young woman's taloned paw so she could take a closer look, soft toes brushing over the long claws with appreciation. "My daughter was born with the same paws as myself. It's been interesting watching her go through the same learning process I did," she mentioned with a chuckle, aqua eyes shifting back to the young wolf's gaze again, holding her paw in her own. "Our differences can often feel like a curse, but in the end we'll be the ones to prevail and the ones to rule this world. Don't be discouraged by the growing pains to get there," she said encouragingly with a soft smile before finally releasing her paw. "What is your name?" She hadn't had the chance to ask at the meeting with her parents, but now she was able to give her undivided attention.

Manea | Temno | Ciemny

Shuriken was only a little uncertain, but it was more of herself than this high born woman she had kind of met on the border with her parents. She had spoken to her, quite understandingly, at their last meeting and Ike did feel herself trusting the older woman. Because of her actions and how Iki had spoken about her, but that subject brought another heaviness to the princess’s heart. Ike regained her balance as the powerful woman sat before her, taking on a much softer approach than she had with the girl’s mother. Ike still had to look up to meet her brilliant eyes, and blushed slightly as Manea lifted her ear.

The princess perked as she was told to stand tall for the privilege of her burdens. She wasn’t sure how she felt about being touched by a near stranger, now that she was nearing a year of age she had less to fear from the outside world. She was nearing Manea’s height and quite possibly her skill level as well. So the young princess allowed Manea her affection and curiosity as she lifted her taloned paw. Ike listened politely, feeling the parallels between her family and that of Manea, but still feeling the rift between them. The prevailing message was resounding, don’t be discouraged.

She nodded slightly and gave her name as she was asked. "Officially, Kiyohime Shuriken Ōritsu Abraxas." The girl nearly sung her long twisting name. "I like going by Ike." She added with a little curtsy, her movements much more relaxed than her first greeting. Manea seemed to understand who she was, and had lived through her struggles similarly.

"Kiyohime Shuriken Ōritsu Abraxas"

Manea wasn't quite as surprised at Shuriken's name as she had been with Ikigai had told her hers, but it still amused her that their family bestowed such long, grand names to their children. "Kiyohime Shuriken Ōritsu Abraxas," she repeated back, tasting the words on her tongue with a grin, the name lending itself well to a lilting sort of tone as it flowed from one word to another. She gave a nod when Ike clarified that was her preferred name, adding, "Ike it is. As beautiful as your name is I do imagine a shorter version makes things far easier." She chuckled softly and rose to her paws again, giving herself a quick shake. "Are you much of a hunter, little deer?" she asked, bestowing an affectionate nickname on the girl. She waited for a confirmation of that fact before she grinned with a flash of teeth and nodded toward a stand of trees along the river. "Good. Lets go hunt something for you to take back to the pack with you."

Manea led the way toward the river, certain that they could find something to hunt together, but even before they made it to the trees she spotted a group of geese floating lazily on a stretch of the river that was more slow moving than the portions that were more like rapids. A few of them were milling about on the shore. She slowed her steps and watched them for a moment before glancing toward Ike with a smirk, nodding for her to follow as she gave the geese a wide berth so they wouldn't startle them too soon. She found them a good vantage point under a tree among some bushes where they could get fairly close without spooking the waterfowl. She waited till Ike was in place, looking toward her young hunting companion for a sign that they were ready to pounce.

Manea | Temno | Ciemny