Laeta had gradually increased the frequency that she left the castle grounds, stretching her legs and pushing herself just a bit further every day. She was pretty much there in terms of recovery from the Long Night’s paralysis she’d suffered and the long road to build muscle in her limbs to walk again. Less and less did she require her companion, Mel, to stabilize her on her right side, as she was no longer wobbly and shaky on her feet. She had enough muscle and enough strength to keep herself on all fours, as well as venture out into neighboring territories of the Hallows. She always had a wanderlust, one that couldn’t be quenched. Something from her years as a loner, she supposed - all the good, the bad and the ugly mixed in. The plains held a special place in her heart, even when they did remind her of the impending doom of the Long Night’s grasp. The bony, monochromatic she-wolf gently padded through the tall grasses, feeling the warmth of the noon sun on her arthritic joints. She was but middle-aged, but her ailments and stress she’d endured for much of her life left her with the body of an older wolf. Even the faintest peppering of white on her snout was betraying her unfortunate early aging. But she remained youthful and vigorous as ever, tail wagging softly behind her as she sat down in a grassy spot and let the sun’s rays bathe her in their glow. ”Speech” ’Thought’

It had only been a day since she had made her trip to the Hallow’s and spoke with the Aegis Artorias about joining the Hallows as a guest. Her first night in the pack had been strange, to say the least… Meme had hardly been able to sleep in the room her cousin showed her. It wasn’t that it was uncomfortable or anything it just felt weird… especially for someone who had been used to sleeping under the stars. She had spent much of the night on the balcony watching the stars over a stretch of land known as the starlit plains. It was a beautiful landscape, and as the moon rose higher and higher helped put Meme at ease while her companions rested. The woman wasn’t sure what about the pack seemed to increase her anxiety but, by the time she finally managed to lay down and get some sleep, she could only figure it was only her troubled mind. No one in the pack had bothered her and Artorias and Ezra had been nothing but kind… she had no reason to worry, and nothing to fear from the members. It was with this knowledge pushed to the front of her mind, repeated over and over until she finally believed it, that Memento Mori had fallen asleep. There was no reason to be anxious, and she was going to do just fine mingling with the other members of this pack. She finally slipped into slumber, resting somewhat peacefully once she had finally fallen asleep. When Memento Mori awoke she found Rein and Jacques had already set off to explore their new home on their own. Meme couldn’t blame them… and though she had received a tour from Ezra she knew it would be a long time before the location of things stuck in her brain. There was just, well, a lot to memorize. But Meme was confident that in time she’d figure it all out. She was a smart lady… at least now that she was older. She preferred to use her intellect for things rather than brute force which, while a less common path than a hunter and fighter, still had its values. Her connections with others and the calm she had during stressful situations are what she felt could carry her through. The woman decided to leave the castle and head out to a different part of the Hallow’s territory to explore for the day. Now that she knew what the borders smelled like it would do her well to get used to not only the castle but the rest of the territories too, right? As well as the members of the pack. Memento Mori hadn’t run into anyone except her cousin and the Aegis yet and she knew the only way she’d be able to make a decision about the Hallows was if she met their members and felt she could belong here. But she wasn’t going to be able to achieve that just sitting around some room! So, with hope in her heart Memento Mori set off for the plains that she had been overlooking from her balcony. The sunlight fell down upon her body as Memento Mori stepped across the lush grass that made up the plain. Her pale gaze swept the area and soon she found what she was searching for; a wolf of the Hallows. A packmate, Meme corrected herself. She might have been a guest for the time being but she was still a member of the Hallows, right? Memento Mori managed a small smile, trotting toward the other wolf with a smile on her maw. The other woman appeared to be resting for the moment, but hopefully, she wouldn’t mind some company. “A wonderful day to you,” Meme began softly. “These plains sure are beautiful, aren’t they? I couldn’t help but be entranced by them last night.” The woman hoped she wasn’t intruding, and that the stranger wouldn’t mind her being a bit on the talkative side. “I hope you won’t mind the company… I’m Memento Mori and I was just accepted as a guest of the pack for the time being. I’d really like to get to know wolves of the Hallows if you wouldn’t mind.” "Talk, 'Think.'

Luckily for the guest of the Hallows, Laeta loved meeting new people. She had developed a yearning to connect with others during the time she remained in the pack, and especially felt it was her calling to talk with others after her own brush with death during the Long Night. Her personality had changed drastically since she had found her home, her purpose in life. To talk with others, and use her words to help them through whatever darkness was hurting their minds and souls. A type of therapist friend, one could say she was. It meant she was welcoming and open to all who stepped onto castle grounds, so long as Artorias accepted them. The taller wolf's presence was easily sensed - the older woman turned her head to see an unfamiliar multicolored wolf, a woman, with uniquely longish fur on her head. Laeta stood up and turned to her o greet her properly, offering a polite dip of her head and a wide smile gracing her lips. "Well, it is my upmost pleasure to meet you, Memento Mori," She said, and was all too pleased to hear of the lady's wanting to meet the wolves of the Hallows, even if she was just a guest for the timebeing. A guest was welcomed with her warmth and happiness all the same. "I hope you enjoy your stay here at the Hallows. I'm proud to call it my home." With a pause, she added with a soft tilt of her head, "How did you come across this pack? Have you heard of it before?" Perhaps this Memento Mori had heard of the Hallows and wished to merely visit until she decided where to reside - she knew the pack was a welcoming sanctuary for all, even those who were unsure of making the commitment to stay in a pack. ”Speech” ’Thought’

Thankfully the woman she approached appeared to be kindly and welcomed the company - a good sign to the long-haired woman. She did not offer her own name but Meme decided that was alright. It might have been common for most to give their names straight away but for others it was not so uncommon to wait until you knew the wolf you were speaking with a little bit more. Still, her pack mate smiled and rose to greet her so it wasn't as if she didn't want to speak to her. Meme dipped her head in response; it was likewise good to meet this dark-furred lady. "Thank you. I'm hoping to get to the point I may be able to say the same, truthfully." Memento Mori told her. Nothing would please her more than to find a place to call home and with kin no less. This far the Hallows held the most promise of that. It may have been the only pack that she was ever willing to try but that didn't mean that she came here lightly. If anything it showed the opposite. The woman had been careful, oh so careful before getting to this point. Why not put her faith in the Hallows? It could be well placed. "I heard of it when I met my cousin, Ezra for the first time. I had no idea of his existence, let alone of the Hallows." It was one thing to pass by a pack and smell its borders and another to hear about it by word of mouth. She had to be honest that it was Ezra's being here that set the ball rolling at all. If she hadn't met him she'd likely have avoided a pack altogether and sought out some sort of band or smaller following of creatures to bond together with them in the name of survival. Thus far, however, Meme didn't regret her decision to come here. It was still only her first day as a member of the pack but… there was definitely hope in her heart. "From what the Aegis, Artorias has told me… this pack is what I had hoped a good pack might be, rather than what I feared growing up. Up until yesterday I had been a loner my entire life. I never thought I'd ever even consider a pack but… here I am giving it a try." The woman explained, giving a little more information about herself. "Ezra has said good things and, seeing you, it looks as though you are happy here as well. Have you been with the Hallows long?" "Talk, 'Think.'

Lae nodded at the woman's words. She didn't seem certain about joining the Hallows..yet. She recalled her own joining the pack in what felt like ages ago, where she had encountered the Aegis and because of his kind nature, she decided to become part of the Hallows itself. Good memories for her, well and truly. She believed fate had brought her here knowing she'd fall ill with paralysis during the Long Night, and because she was in the safety of the castle and her packmates were kind and merciful, she had survived miraculously. In other words, she felt the pack ad saved her life. She had to owe her lifetime to them at this point. Lae nodded as Memento Mori mentioned she was cousins to Ezra. She knew who Ezra was, though hadn't had the chance to interact with him one-on-one. Making a mental note in her head to talk to him as well, she smiled. "Ah, so you're an Adravendi, then?" The new wolf's being here made even more sense now - she wasn't just a passing loner like Laeta had been, she had connections to the family here. Though she didn't know how close the woman was to her cousin, she supposed her visiting meant she was on good terms with the man. And that family ties were important to her as well. Laeta heard the woman's next words with understanding deep in her ruby eyes. This girl was exactly how she had felt all those seasons ago where she had stumbled across the border of the Hallows. Though at that time, she had not been in a good headspace, broken down by her trauma experienced as a loner. She supposed she had Artorias to thank for showing her such mercy and compassion, when she was weak and hungry and exhausted on all levels. Memento Mori's reasonings for trying out the pack life seemed to be on lighter terms, at least. Lae smiled. She hoped the woman would choose to make her home here, but if she didn't - well, at least she had the pleasure of meeting somebody knew. That was always a blessing. When asked if she had been in the Hallows long, Laeta replied, "I haven't been here very long, compared to other members. I arrived here shortly before the Long Night events occurred. Artorias was kind to me, and offered me a home when I had none." She paused, and realizing she hadn't even given this kind lady her name, she added, "Ah, where are my manners? My name is Laeta. I'm a Scholar here. I have a unique role in that I provide emotional support for wolves - much like a physician cares for the body, I care for the mind and soul's wellbeing." Smiling warmly towards her new acquaintance, she shifted in her seat, her hip joints popping softly. Arthritis was a pain, literally, but her discomfort was easily distracted the joy of interaction. "So, if you ever need someone to talk to in private, I'll be around." She didn't know if the woman would even stay - that was her decision in the end - but if there was anything she was struggling with, Lae made sure to offer her support. Nobody should have to struggle alone with their anxieties and worries, she believed. ”Speech” ’Thought’

At the woman’s questioning of her lineage, Memento Mori shook her head. “By blood, perhaps, my grandmother was an Adravendi, and my uncle had taken her name as well, but my mother had taken the surname of her father. By name, I am Memento Mori Lore, though to know one's roots is a good thing.” The woman explained. She had never been told why her uncle had chosen one walk of life and her mother another, though she would assume it had something to do with how her grandfather died and what seemed like a pointless grudge from her parents because of it all. Their hate had brought them no peace, not that she had ever met her sire to ask him for his side, and her mother would give nothing more than the Abraxas deserved to pay for taking Ganta’s life. It was almost a shame there was more to the story than that… and how hate had only bred more hate in the end. It was her mother’s own will and push for her to be pruned into a leader that had turned Memento Mori off from the idea of a pack initially. She had wanted nothing to do with the responsibilities or the strange type of justice her mother sought. In fact, Meme had wanted little to do with a battle that wasn’t hers to begin with. She had fought an Abraxas true enough, but it was her own foolish remarks, not some older feud, that had brought about the maim she had received. As it currently stood Meme was realizing just how much control her mother’s views had held over her. She wasn’t able to live her own life. But now? She felt as though she was existing for the first time, truly seeing the world new. “The Long Night? I’ve never heard of it. It must have been something that had occurred while I was outside of Auster and Boreas.” She furrowed her brow. Just what all had happened in her time away from the lands? The woman then introduced herself as Laeta, a scholar and a physician for the mind and soul. Memento Mori had not heard of such a role before, but it didn’t seem bad. Unique, really. “I appreciate it, Laeta. It is something that I may take you up on.” She gave a warm, genuine smile. “It’s been nice to meet those who don’t have these huge expectations of me. As if I’m the answer to their problems and battles that are not my own.” She began. “My mother was the daughter of the alphas of a short-lived pack by the name of Dragoste. From my understanding, a family of wolves came to challenge the pack, and my grandfather, for everything. He lost to their leader and seemed to give up his own life, killed by the challenger. Those actions I believe caused a rift between my family, between my mother and uncle Ulric. She became so wrapped up in revenge, mating with my father when neither were actually sure of their feelings for one another or maybe it was one-sided… I don’t know.” Either way Meme knew she had not been born out of love… but pity, perhaps. “My mother expected me to stand against this family, the Abraxas, for their deeds. But it was never my battle, my war to stand against them. Especially when I’d only ever got bits and pieces of the story. She expected me to become this great leader, rally followers and form a pack, even wage war against them… It had turned me away from the idea of a pack for a long, long time. Before meeting Ezra, I wasn’t even sure if there could potentially be anyone left for me to trust outside of the two jackals I call my companions. But… I don’t know how to describe it. I feel like, in coming to the Hallows, there is this new flicker of hope. And I want so badly to cling to it, but I also can’t help but be wary… like maybe it’s all just an illusion or something and is going to disappear before my very eyes.” Her gaze fell as she lowered her rear to the earth. “I’ve always been afraid of the possibility of things falling apart like it’s too good to be true…” She gave a soft, half-hearted chuckle. “You sure this isn’t some sort of dream?” "Talk, 'Think.'

Laeta listened patiently, taking in the information Meme told her to heart. Having come from a family with no ties to any of the prominent ones in Boreas, she was interested in knowing how this lady had ties to the last names she'd overheard many times in the Hallows. Such an extensive and long-running line, with ties to others as well. It made for quite the history, as the multicolored wolf had regaled to her. The monochromatic woman nodded here and there, emphasizing that she was listening and actively engaging in the conversation. It was difficult to rival her listening skills - but she supposed being a therapist for wolves only further hones her natural ability to connect with others. An ability she didn't realize she'd had until Artorias had taken her in. Lae nodded in agreement to Meme's mention of knowing her roots being a good thing. "It's very good, indeed, to know where you came from. Where your family is from, as well," She said, an earnest smile curving her lips. She enjoyed talking to the woman, her lineage being as fascinating and long-standing as it was. She then noticed the slight confusion crossing the other wolf's expression when she mentioned the Long Night. Ah, that's right. Not everyone had been exposed to its horrors, be it they weren't on the continent at the time, or had managed to evade it in a remote area. "The Long Night was a strange phenomenon - a plague, I suppose you could call it. Glowing mushrooms, crystals and fireflies appeared that made many wolves seriously ill. I was paralyzed and nearly lost my life because of its effects, but luckily I've recovered fully. I have the physicians and members of the Hallows to thank for my recovery." It was clear that it was far more complicated and deeply wounding, the way her ruby eyes briefly glazed over as if she was trying not to relive those events again. The ooze pooling around her limp, emaciated form, barely able to suck in a gulp of air, seeping into a tepid pool of madness and despair and hallucinations. Terrifying, devastating. But it was in the past now. She moved on from the memory, instead eagerly bouncing back to the topic of Meme's family lines. She listened intently to Meme's explanation of her family - how her grandfather lost his pack in a challenge and ultimately killed, how her mother and father had born her when they weren't sure they loved each other. It was all complex, a catalyst of events it seemed that caused a rift between the two families she was connected to. In addition, she mentioned her hope, regardless, since reconnecting with family in the Hallows. Laeta nodded in understanding that she wondered if all this she had experienced was merely a dream, or illusion. Upon being made aware of life-altering news or information, sometimes it was difficult to comprehend if one was truly living in reality. The brain could, in many ways, attempt to make up for the initial shock of such a revelation that it was hard for one to believe they were truly here. Though, that was just Laeta attempting to do what she did best - try and understand one's mental state from their interactions. "I can assure you this isn't a dream," Laeta replied, her reassurance warmed with her genuinely honeyed tone. "It is certainly quite a bit of information about your family, especially trying to process it." She smiled, her eyes sparkling with a glimmer of hope of her own - for her own thriving time in the pack, as well as hope for the new lady she'd enjoyed talking to so much. "I do believe the Hallows can help you gather your thoughts, understand where you come from. Rekindling with family here, too. It's a safe place to take however much time you need." ”Speech” ’Thought’

Laeta was kind, listening to Memento Mori tell her tale without interrupting her. She did, however, speak up to explain the details of The Long Night. Meme was quiet as she explained, not able to fathom what could have caused such a thing. Glowing mushrooms, crystals, and fireflies? How bizarre. The femme dipped her head to the dark-furred woman. “I’m sorry to hear you endured such a thing… I was not aware Mount Volkan’s eruption wasn’t the only calamity these lands faced. It sounds… awful… but at least you were able to find help here.” It really shed some perspective on just how kind and helpful the members of the Hallows could be. Her ears twitched a little as Laeta reassured her that this wasn’t a dream. “That’s a relief to hear… and… it is, honestly. Even for me. I’ve known some of this information for some time but it’s still rough… accepting it I guess.” She frowned thoughtfully. “I’m not sure how my other cousins will receive me, but if the other members of the Hallows are this accepting and helpful, I’m sure I’ll find my place regardless.” She chuckled a little. “If nothing else, I’m sure I can bug Ezra, and you’re easy to talk to.” Memento Mori’s lips widened in a grin. “Though you might not realize what you’ve gotten yourself into yet. Maybe I’ll be the first wolf to talk your ears off.” Wouldn’t that be a sight? Pretty sure at that point she’d be obligated to chase them down! "Talk, 'Think.'