The festival had come and gone, Manea recovering from her newest addition. It had been some time since she had given birth and ever since Relm had found out she had been pregnant their rain date for their hunt had been on her mind. She figured it had been long enough, not that she knew anything about pregnancy or giving birth.

She did as she usually did for anyone, even Alastor. She waited in the common areas until she spotted Manea. She didn't like calling unless it was an emergency... so yes she was rather awkward as she sat and waited for the purple woman. She stood once she saw Manea on her way through, approaching her head on as if she were in fact waiting for her. She was after all. "Are you recovered enough for our hunt?" She asked with a little lack of emotion. She was still a little nervous around Manea but she wanted their relationship to be better. She didn't want to be weird around her.

"Relm"

Manea walked down the path from her family's den, leaving Irilyth as the dutiful babysitter for Fia while she forced herself to go out and see to the pack for at least a little while. It had been difficult to pull herself away from Avacyn and Saracyn when they began the work that needed to be done to build their band and pack, but somehow it was even more difficult to pull herself away from Fia even if it was just to go do a patrol or a quick hunt. After what they had gone through with her and her siblings Manea felt even more attached and protective of her little fire ball than she had the twins, but the fact that Fia seemed to be a good bit more quiet and revered than her older siblings had been probably also contributed to that. She just wanted to stay with Fia all day and slowly introduce her little girl to all of the wonders of the world.

Instead, here she was, walking through the common area by the lake on her way to do a patrol. However, her plan was quickly interrupted when a movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention and she looked over to see Relm walking right toward her. She slowed to a stop, looking to the pink-marked wolf with a bit of curiosity, keeping the mild irritation she wanted to feel at bay. After the talk she had with the woman she didn't quite feel the possessive jealousy she once had over her husband, but now she felt like she was getting delayed and held back from getting back to her daughter. Even still, when Relm asked her if she was recovered enough for the hunt that Relm had originally wanted to do back when she was still pregnant Manea knew she couldn't deny her. She had promised herself that she would make more of an effort to get to know the woman and considering everything Alastor did for her, now more than ever, it was really the least she could do.

"Sure," she replied with a nod, turning toward the other woman. "Did you have a particular kind of prey in mind or are we starting from scratch?" she questioned, wondering how much prep work Relm had put into the hunt or if this was just entirely spur of the moment.

"Manea Mendacium"

Manea seemed more than uh... willing she guessed so she wouldn’t cower and scurry away. She wasn’t much like that at least, she was a little weird but at least she could hold her ground or get her shit together when it was needed. She was uncomfortable around Manea but it was bearable. She’d make it work the best she could.

She took a few seconds before responding, maybe somewhat of an awkward pause. "I uh, usually go to the sound to track elk or the northern deer. A little more room to breathe up there." She squinted her eyes just for a few seconds before she went to move forward towards the land bridge to make it off the island and then out of Elysium. Of course the time with Alastor before the festival had crossed her mind... god she hopped she wouldn’t be like this the whole time she was with Manea. She needed her focus with the purple woman and the hunt that she had promised. Not being reminded of why she should hate her.

"Relm"

Manea gave a small shrug with a nod as Relm told her that she usually just looked for elk or deer in the sound. That was also a frequent hunting spot for her as well, she had only been curious if Relm had scouted ahead or if they were going in blind. Either way was fine, she only liked to know what she was walking into. Relm always seemed to have a bit of an awkward pause between her actions or her words and Manea couldn't quite figure out why. She couldn't imagine that she was like this with Alastor unless her husband was far more patient than she gave him credit for—not that she preferred to think about the time that Relm and Alastor spent with one another.

She walked with Relm across the land bridge to head off of the island, following the now familiar path out toward the Polar Sound. They walked in silence for a while, which was fine for the most part, but she also knew that they would never get anywhere if they didn't at least try to make some kind of amends. She knew Relm wouldn't like it, the awkward girl very clearly not one for conversation, but she didn't want to continue living with this awkward distance between them that was making her acceptance of her and Alastor even more difficult. There was a bit of a walk to get to the sound, so Manea decided to break the silence. "You always seem very nervous around me," she commented, simply stating an observation that she didn't think was incorrect. She cast a glance toward Relm, though tried to mostly keep her gaze to the path ahead of her in hopes that maybe it would be less intimidating for her. "Is there something I can do to help you feel more comfortable?"

"Manea Mendacium"

The walk out toward the sound was quiet, there was still some tension at least from Relm's point of view. Not as much until Manea started speaking. She couldn't blame Manea for the way she felt, or for what she was saying. Relm knew she wasn't the most comfortable to be around very simply because she wasn't comfortable. It was this way around everyone, but more so Manea. Relm was easily intimidated by her if not spoken. She put Manea above herself for many reasons, but really she was just used to beating herself down.

She didn't respond at first, until Manea asked if she could do something to make this work a little easier. "Time. Er, just keep finding some time with me." Ew that sounded really weird. But really, that's what she needed. She was so close to Alastor because of this image she had for him. Killing Kefka was just this turning point in their relationship before they even had one. It was the way she saw Alastor that made her so attached and comfortable around him. The same went for Kichi. Kichi took her just for how she was. He never judged her once in her youth or in their chance encounters following. Manea was an entirely new relationship under very unique circumstances. It wasn't easy. Unfortunately there weren't anymore psychopathic fathers to kill off or time machines to put Manea back at Dreamer's Col. "It's easier for me not to think... That's what the hunt is for." She kept her eyes completely off of Manea as they walked on because her expressions would have shown her struggling. Struggling in words that was. The way she had met Merrick, and their times together had made it easy for her to be around him. She needed to act around Manea, not think about what to say or wonder how Manea saw her. Focusing on something that wasn't social would help her loosen up a little.

"Relm"

The answer was a pretty simple one with Relm only requesting that she continue finding time to spend with her. Manea was actually a little surprised at the response and she glanced toward Relm for a moment before giving a nod and replying, "Alright. We can make that happen." For some reason she thought that Relm would want more space from her if anything, but it seemed like Relm was willing to put in the effort as well which Manea appreciated. The more time she spent around Relm and the more she learned from Alastor the more it seemed like she really had just completely misread the pink-marked woman during their first interactions and it made Manea wonder what their relationship could have been like otherwise. She highly doubted that they would be very close regardless, but maybe they could have avoided the animosity at the very least.

Manea chuckled softly and nodded again when Relm mentioned how it was easier for her to not think, hence the hunt that they were on. "Fair enough. Hopefully we'll find something fun to hunt at least." It had been far too long since she had gotten to get out and hunt and now that they were out here in the wilds she was actually getting more and more eager for it. Maybe getting their minds off of everything and focusing on bringing down some large animal would be just what the doctor ordered for them. She was quiet as they neared the sound, listening and paying attention for any tracks, sounds, or scents of anything that would be worth going after.

"Manea Mendacium"

Relm didn't say much else to Manea. There wasn't really much to be said at least. Manea did reassure her in a sense so physically she did relax a little better. Mentally too, but as they approached the sound she needed to shake it all off anyway. It was easier for her once they set out on their tracking.

Just as she was scoping around she had just the same idea as she had done out here with Alastor. Well a little differently obviously, the hunting and offering part not the intense sex part. She figured Manea would probably like her offering the kill to her as she had to Alastor. It was just a hunch. So she'd specifically head forward toward the scent of elk nearby, hopefully Manea got the hint that she was on the move.

They'd come up to the clearing where the few elk were grazing and Relm just glanced over to Manea before heading around so that she could drive them forward when the time was right. Instinctively she didn't think she had to lay out a plan or anything like that. She was so used to being on her own or being with Alastor where she didn't have to. But she also believed Manea was knowledgeable enough to just go with it anyway. She wouldn't think twice, it was a bit of a complement maybe. Silent as always. She'd start to push the herd once she thought Manea was ready.

"Relm"

Manea fell into the feeling of the hunt fairly easily and as they made their way through the Polar Sound she tried to think of the last time she had been on a hunt other than quick, opportunistic hunts around the pack lands just to do a bit of replenishing to their stores. It had been far longer since she had gone out on a real hunt like this for fun. In fact, she was pretty sure the last time had been with Alastor when they took their trip to Auster while doing everything in their power to create Fiametta. She smirked a little at the memory, but luckily the scent of elk pulled her attention back quickly and she continued to move through the wintery landscape toward what she imagined would become their targets.

They approached the clearing where a few elk were grazing on the grass that managed to remain poking through the winter snows. She glanced toward Relm and without a word the pink-marked woman began to move around the clearing. Luckily, Manea was an experienced enough hunter to understand and she began to move a short distance in the opposite direction where she would be more in the path of the elk once Relm began to run them. She found a good hiding spot and crouched down among the shrubbery, waiting patiently for Relm to get into position. She spotted a flash of movement across the clearing, signaling to her where Relm was without the elk noticing. She coiled her muscles under her, an eager grin tugging at her lips while she waited for the hunt to kick off in earnest.

She didn't have to wait for long as she watched Relm burst out from where she had been lying low, startling the elk and quickly getting them moving in her direction. Manea's gaze followed the elk cow that she had her sights on as they all started charging toward the trees and away from who they thought their predator was, right into the reach of their actual predator. Timing her leap perfectly, Manea sprung forward and with in two strides she was upon the cow and leaping up to hooking her deadly claws into its back between its shoulders. She pulled herself up quickly and latched her jaws onto the back of its neck near the base of its skull, turning its head and causing it to stumble from its path, slipping on the snow and beginning to fall. Manea let go at the last moment and rolled out of the way as she tumbled to the ground to avoid getting crushed under the weight of the elk. She was back on her paws within moments and from where she was the elk's hind legs were closest to her so she grabbed one of its flailing, kicking legs before it could get up and with her jaws around its knee joint and her paws grabbing on to the meter parts of its leg she was able to pull with her jaws and push with both of her paws, snapping the limp at the joint and mangling the tendons so if it did try to stand up it wouldn't get very far.

"Manea Mendacium"

Manea caught on nicely if only for pure skill and experience but Relm wouldn't think much of it. She could admire Manea sure, but she wasn't noticing the finer details with her mind on the hunt. Even her mind a little bit on pleasing Manea too. She wasn't thinking of herself.

Relm drove the elk forward letting Manea have her pick whether that was the closest to her or if she had one specific in mind was completely up to her. And once it was obvious which she was after, Relm pursued that one too letting the others run off in their numbers.

Manea was rather wicked the way she handled the cow but it didn't bother Relm in the slightest. She was kind of expecting something of the sort but she didn't really care for whatever way others chose to deal with prey. She just kind of went with the flow for the most part.

As the elk went to stand it couldn't fully but Relm was right there over top of it with her paws pounding down one on it's neck and the other on it's rib cage while one of her back paws held it further down it's body to pin it. It didn't take much with it's snapped leg. Relm's jaw moved up however not to it's throat for the kill, but grabbing around the front leg available to her before pulling it back and exposing it's throat, chest, and stomach for Manea to take the kill. She only glanced to the purple woman for a second, it still wasn't very easy to be around her. But she was a lot more comfortable. Maybe this was the trial part they had to get through at least.

"Relm"

Manea released the elk's now broken leg and took a step back, looking up to see Relm pinning the large, struggling animal. She had half expected the other woman to just take the kill since it would have been easy enough for her to from her position, but instead she caught the animal's leg and pulled it so that its throat and chest were more exposed, seemingly waiting for her to make the final blow. A little smirk crossed her lips and she cast a curious glance toward Relm as she wondered why that was, but she wouldn't keep the woman or the injured, suffering animal waiting any longer. She moved forward and leapt on top of the elk's chest, her tiger-like claws tearing into the skin as she gripped onto it and held it down as well. Her jaws struck the elk's throat, a delighted growl rumbling in her chest as she crushed down around its windpipe and listened as its panicked bleats cut off and strangled, its blood coating her tongue as she steadily tore the life out of it.

Once she finally felt its heart stop beating and it fell still under her she let go with a dark chuckle, lifting her gaze to look at Relm while she still stood on top of their kill. Her tongue swiped across her lips to lick away the blood that lingered there before she gave Relm a grin, riding that wonderful high she always got after a good hunt. Perhaps beyond her best judgment, Manea leaned forward across the short distance that separated the two women and she flicked her tongue playfully across Relm's lips, her grin widening even more. "That was delightful," she purred with a chuckle. She lingered there for just a moment, hesitating as she fought against some of her baser instincts before she forced herself to turn away and hop down off of the felled Elk with a flick of her tail and a certain, victorious sway to her steps.

She stretched her front paws out in front of her in a long stretch, her tail curling over her back while her toes flexed in the snow, leaving bloodied paw prints behind her as she moved from where her claws had torn into the elk's flesh. When she stood again she turned back toward Relm, her aqua gaze lingering on the pink-marked woman. "You could have taken the kill," she mentioned in a very matter of fact tone, watching her with a certain hunger that she was refraining from indulging in. Considering the already strained relationship they had she didn't think that Relm would take to kindly to her advances, though perhaps she was wrong. It was hard to get a read on the clouded woman. "Why didn't you?"

"Manea Mendacium"

Relm really didn't think twice when she offered the kill to Manea. There was thought in there but she wasn't going over options in her head and second guessing herself. She wasn't really weird or anxious with the way Manea handled their prey, it was nothing new to her. Relm didn't mind at all. Manea's wicked response didn't make her uncomfortable or queasy at all. She held straight the entire time.

When Manea really had a good grip on it and the life of the elk was withering away was when Relm released the hold she had on it. Yes her time with Alastor had been on her mind since the trek out here, but no she was not having any familiar urges when she gave Manea the kill. The thought of being with Manea... had not crossed her mind even once. And once Manea reached forward and licked at her lips Relm was immediately struck into shock. She said nothing, she did nothing. But by the time Manea was turning back around to face her, Relm was able to get her focus back down on the cow under them.

She nearly acted like nothing had happened. Her paws moving over the elk to get it into a better position for transport. She was still in some sort of mellow shock, she had no idea how to react. When Manea spoke, her eyes glanced towards her but turned back down towards the elk. Her paw pet carefully over it's shoulder as she went to respond because, yeah she was a little uncomfortable. Not completely disgusted or anything though. She did have some sort of... expectation for herself. She needed Manea to like her so that she could still be with Alastor. She'd never react so outwardly towards Manea. "I figured you'd enjoy it more. I may have been comparing you to Alastor." She was honest, she specifically gave the prey's vulnerable parts to Manea for this specific reason. Very simply because she knew Alastor would have enjoyed taking the kill. And she figured Manea would be just the same.

"Relm"

Manea watched Relm's reactions curiously as the younger woman glanced up at her, but mainly kept her gaze down toward the elk between them. The response she got make a smirk tug at her lips. "Well... We are very similar in many regards. I do have at least a bit more control than he does, however." It made her curious about how the relationship between Alastor and Relm had really begun to form since her entire perception of the two of them had been so skewed in the beginning or perhaps just what their relationship was like now. She hadn't asked Alastor for any details on the matter when it first came to light—she was far too busy letting out her rage at the station onto Alastor at the time—and she hadn't cared to dig deeper since then. It felt easier to just let it be and trust her husband's word and the acts of devotion he showed her often.

Still, she had an interest and a reason to develop her own relationship of sorts with the pink marked woman. She no longer viewed Relm as an enemy, but she still felt like it would do her good to keep the other woman close and maybe even start to learn a bit about what made her tick. Beyond that, Relm had proven herself to be a diligent and capable warrior and worker. Manea wasn't blind. She knew it was likely all because Relm wanted to ensure she was still able to stay with Alastor, but Manea appreciated it all the same. "You're full of surprises," she said with a small grin, her aqua gaze assessing Relm for a moment as she considered something. It was a thought that had crossed her mind a while ago and she had been waiting for the right moment to present it and now seemed as good as any.

"I would like to fill my more important ranks sooner rather than later," she informed her. "We have been a fully realized pack for a few seasons now and while I haven't been in a rush to fill those empty positions, I do think it's time." As she spoke she watched Relm's reactions, wondering what she would think of the offer and if she would understand what was being presented to her before she came out and said it. "The Generalis is supposed to be Alastor's assistant in all things related to our fighting forces. Whoever fills that position obviously needs to be a skilled fighter, but it also needs to be someone Alastor trusts and gets along with well. I think you fill both of those qualities." She let Relm think it over for a moment, watching her quietly before asking, "Will you accept the position?"

"Manea Mendacium"

Still a little awkwardly, Relm kept her gaze down at the elk while she still maneuvered it into position for transport. And once that was quickly done, she went still and her eyes rose up to look at Manea as the more serious conversation came into play. It was a way of respect really, to actually look at Manea when she was speaking or at least of things that were so highly valuable. And they were highly valuable to Relm. In a way, it made her feel like she meant something to Manea, more than when they had their encounter at Kefka's death at least. What Manea asked of her made her feel a little better about the situation they had been in. And with that, a little more of that expectation anxiety.

Relm was already pretty anxious around Manea and most everyone other than Alastor, so maybe she wouldn't have seen Relm's reaction as anything unusual. But Manea asking if Relm wanted to take this position alongside Alastor was striking her in different ways. Every way imaginable for the unique lifestyle she was living. "I am... honored for you to feel that way." Was what she spoke at first maybe seeming a little wary but that wasn't the case at all. She wasn't easy to read after all. "To feel that kind of trust in me." Not necessarily because of the strange outside relationship she had with Alastor, but being given such a high ranking in general. Relm hadn't even been a part of a pack before here, she didn't really have any ambition to go much further than she was. But it seemed fitting for her, for Manea asking her, for the way she was with Alastor. "I will."

"Relm"

Manea waited and watched Relm as she seemed to take in the request that she made of her. She had stopped concerning herself over the way Relm tended to keep her gaze away, but whenever she did look up to meet her gaze Manea did appreciate the effort. Slowly she felt like she was beginning to understand Relm more easily if in no other way than understanding that her mannerisms and her comfort level around other wolves was simply different than her own. In the beginning it had come off as some kind of disrespect and Manea hadn't been able to figure her out considering the family of very confident, demanding wolves she was used to, but after Alastor let her in on some of Relm's past she was able to better understand her and see past the anxious energy that followed her to the quite dedicated woman underneath.

Once Relm accepted the offered position Manea smiled softly and nodded, simply replying, "Good." She would inform Alastor of the change in Relm's rank once they returned. She knew and understood that this meant she was condoning and even giving the two of them an excuse to spend more time together, but she couldn't think of a wolf that would better fit the position of Alastor's assistant of sorts. Alastor was an acquired taste at times and it took someone who understood him to really work well together and she didn't think that one of her cousins or her brother would really fit that mold as well as Relm would.

She moved to help Relm with transporting the moose back to the pack lands and as she did she said mostly conversationally, "I wish the beginning of our relationship had gone differently." Even though she had been introduced to the woman in passing before the day that she had found Alastor over her in the bloodied mess of a murder scene, that day had really set the tone for her first impressions of her and the subsequent reveal of her and Alastor's affair certainly hadn't helped matters. Now that things had settled down between them all and she had made her peace with Alastor's care for the pink-marked woman she did wish that they could have built a better relationship from the start rather than putting together what they had now from the remnants of what happened. "Perhaps we'll have more chances to get more comfortable with one another now," she added, giving Relm a small smile before she began on the trail back toward their home with their kill, glad that she had come out here to hunt with Relm—no matter how surprising that felt to realize.

"Manea Mendacium"