Mismatched eyes survey the newfound lands. A smile touched his lips; but it felt rather odd upon his lips. His eyes held nothing; just emptiness. The scent of his friend was thick- but who was to say she hadn't ventures along. Vaughans hopes where held high, the silent whispers of a new packs uprising causing his interest to raise, his thoughts to deepen. What if Raisa had brought up a whole new kingdom once again? Like her family once with held a few years ago. His huge paws would push against the foliage beneath him, striding forth before letting out a call for any sign of the peculiar woman. If he was right, he had made his time worth while. She would come, and Sif wouldnt be far behind.

Taking the time to mend the womans wounds delayed him further, but the thought of leaving her behind was out of the question. And look now? They have grown rather close in there travels. The heat pressing against his huge frame was a sweet indication of the beginning of summer, the light beaming bright upon the lands, highlighting every aspect.

image by Luisiana

Raisa lay perched atop a particularly mossy boulder. The padding was somewhat withered and it left remnants and tidbits amongst her fur when she shifted. Despite this all she refused to budge. Today was not as blistering as the previous few had been, and the ebon Queen was of a mind to enjoy the deviation. Granted, she panted still and the sun was far from comfortable, but her stubborn streak was a feat in of itself. The fae scanned her territory with a quiet sort of peace. The summer had quelled the world, leaving only silence and a still mass of air in it's wake. It was peaceful, in it's own punishing way. A call broke the silence of the afternoon like claws raking flesh, and it set Raisa immediately on edge. It was familiar, and birthed from no wolf she'd met in her travels. Oh yes, she knew this call all too well. She sighed out, no more than a whisper, "Vaug..." On shaking limbs she stood, eyes wide and uncertain. What was he doing here? Had they sent him to hunt her down? Had they changed him too, was he to be her executioner? The last Xanilov had seen no wolf of Old Ebony in over a year, and for one to appear now, just as she had planted the seeds of her new life, seemed like a cruel jape of the gods. "Vaug no, not you too..." That he had even survived the genocide seemed to mean only one thing: he had converted. But she couldn't just leave her oldest friend at the border, she couldn't hide from him! So it was with apprehension and a heavy heart that she leapt down from her perch and began to head his way. The trek felt like an eternity, as memories and fears bubbled amongst her blood. It was too much. In time, she arrived, and placed a stoic mask over her fears. She stalked forward, muscles tense and ears flat against her head, and eyed him with flint and fire and cold iron in her gaze. "Long time no see, Vaughan... Did they send you here to kill me, then?" "Talk" "You" Think

The lands where at peace, or so it shall seem. The sound of silence was Vaughans greatest appreciation. It lost him, lost him elsewhere in a land of the unknown- away from the terror, the sinister noises and screams, the tearing and defeat of there kingdom. It was forgotten, for a moment- until someone would wish to disturb him. The strong scent of Raisa would sweep over him like a frenzy, a pride filling within him at the thought he survived, following to her rule and no other. The sight of her was enough to break him, the delight of seeing her presence bringing him on edge, his tail would eagerly lick at his heels.

Even with her slight confusion it was all to clear of what she thought. He was not here to kill her, to threaten nor warn her. He was here to serve under her rule once again. " Rai.... Raisa? Its been so long!" His voice would break before stepping closer, his cranium carressing the right side of her cheek in affection, absorbing her precense as if it where but a dream. Backing away he'd look upon her once more, and he knew there was a lot to explain.

But first, he wanted to share the happy news, to share something not even Raisa would expect. " I know someone that wants to see you, Sif is very well alive and ready to see you. She's close by." He'd pause slightly, glancing at her features to see any sign of disbelief. " Not many wolves made it out, i was one of the lucky few. Sif barely made it out alive."

image by Luisiana

Vaughan seemed to ignore her cold, simmering, anger entirely, choosing instead to approach and embrace. With a snarl Raisa flinched backwards, expecting a lunge for her jugular as opposed to affection. Her mind could simply not keep up with what her eyes and ears were feeding her. How was Vaug here if not through treachery, and why hadn't she bitten him yet?! If for no reason other than that she was confused and sad and scared, by all means he ought to be paying for something! Vaughan was alive, yet she had been wandering alone for so long. Emotion welled up in her throat and she back peddled, shaking her head slowly. It was too much. Sif's name was what broke her from her haze of confusion. She blinked and stuttered out, "S-Sif is alive?" Her voice was tight with emotion, choked with all the feelings she had never been able to express for fear of weakness. Vaug couldn't lie about Sif, not the man she'd grown up with, not the Vaug she knew so well. He wouldn't do that to her, for anything, she had to believe that much at least. Sif had been too precious a friend... "Sif is close by?" Sif, dear sweet Sif. Raisa drew in a shuddering breath, on the verge of tears. "Oh Vaug, it is you, you've come back to me!" With a leap forward Raisa threw her forelegs up and around the man's neck, nuzzling her dear friend with vigorous intensity. This seemed too good to be true, that her two closest companions had found her at last. She had thought herself lost and alone, but now she could hardly tell up from down, wrong from right. The rules of their old existence had faded with time and tragedy, and now it was no more than Raisa and her two dearest companions, even if one was temporarily absent. A mad sort of laughter bubbled up from her lips. "You've come back to me..." "Talk" "You" Think

The sound of the snarl would take him aback, for a moment confused as to what just happened. Perhaps Raisa was surprised, scared and to overwhelmed at the same time. But with understanding Vau would give a respectful nod. " Sif is in Alactria, She's excited to see you again, its all she talks about!" A chuckle would ooze slyly from his onyx lips, watching carefully how her posture and face softens. By now it was clear Vaughan meant no threat, and raisa was beginning to accept the fact. It was strange to see her all grown up, the last time he saw her they where only youths, still learning and developing there character. [ he used to be shy and fat]

It was all going normal, perfect actually and then it all came in! Her excitement, the happiness of re-uniting once again. " I never left, i was lost for a very long time!" Her forelimbs would wrap around him in a warm embrace, and he would do the same, inhaling her perfume and almost giving a single tear. His smile would become more familiar, " Raisa, wait... is this your home!" He would look around amazed. " Your name and kingdom will live on once again!"

image by Luisiana

Vaughan's proclamation of her friend's proximity had Raisa positively giddy. It was still almost too good to believe. She opened her mouth, prepared to question him further, but a look of wonder came into her friend's eyes. "Raisa, wait... is this your home!" His queary was matched with delighted awe glowing in his eyes. "Your name and kingdom will live on once again!" Raisa could not respond with words at first, could only close her eyes and nod. She was overcome. The pride she had felt for herself was invigorating, but knowing that she had done well in Vaughan's eyes was another thing entirely. It was a long moment before she could collect herself and respond. "Yes, it is. I have a pack once more. We are few in number, but growing fast." She drew in another deep breath in an attempt to steady her nerves. "Everything I did, I did for the memory of the old Ebony. But I'll rebuild something stronger and grander than my ancestors could have ever hoped for." The determination that graced her tone, as it always did when she spoke of her pack, was clear. "Talk" "You" Think

OOC: Sorry for short post, i wanted to make one more before i get of to bedxD

The whole idea of starting again made Vaughan rather boisterous, as if he where a youth again. Free to explore and have fun. He would step upon the invisible border line and grant a sign of approval, his face appearing cheeky and everlasting. " would you be willing to fit one more within the ranks? I swear ill be sensible." He'd joke, before carrying on. " The old ebony shall never be forgotten, by you or i. As we go forward it shall always live on. I can see this empire growing rather strong quite rapidly." He would think about the days when his father used to be a lord, and a great councilor, it saddens the man to think he no longer breathes, he was afterall, one of the unlucky ones. But one day, there will be no denying that Vaughan wouldnt follow in his foot steps, it'd take time, but it was far from impossible.

image by Luisiana

Vaughan's request was not one the Queen had to ponder long. She nodded once, slowly, and then vigorously. She could not find words at first, the prospect of having her old companion by her side once more was too thrilling to enunciate. "Yes, yes of course Vaughan! I'd be elated to have you here." She nuzzled him once more before stepping back, laughing. "I suppose none of this is very Queenly of me. Don't tell the others I have a soft heart, alright? I've got a reputation to uphold." She chuckled again and smiled. The man had changed in the year or so since she'd fled, since they'd both fled. He seemed strong, and more assured. It came into Raisa's mind that what he once was may not be what he now is. "What sort of life would you build for yourself in New Ebony, Vau?" Vaughan came from good stock, but that did not mean Raisa would elevate him to High Lord at the tip of the hat. He would have to express his interest first, of course, and she would have to determine the weight of the choice. Time, she supposed, would tell. "Talk" "You" Think

The ebony woman had been with Vaughan, searching for Rasia. They had split up but they were still near by. She trotted forwards, looking for Vaughan. But as she was wandering a familiar smell reached her nostrils. Rasia. A grin broke out across her face. Her long lost friend, she was near. She almost couldn't contain her excitement. The scarred lady broke into a run, following the scent of her, when she came nearer, Vaug's scent began to mingle with Rasia's. She finally came upon them. Her best friend from old Ebony, and the man that she had been healed by and had travelled with. Would Rasia remember her? She had to. She would be severely upset if she didn't. She stopped a little behind Rasia. Long time no see Rasia she grinned as she waited behind her friend. Waiting for her to turn round. ooc: ninja school post

OOC: Sorry for posting out of order Luis, I got excited xD Sif's voice, so foreign in these lands yet so familiar in the Queen's memory, broke in upon the gathering. With a gasp Raisa whirled around, eyes longing to perch upon her dark form. Her bi-colored optics glowed with mirth and joy and longing as the woman, with pup-like abandon, leapt forward. She let loose a cry of joy and buried her muzzle in the woman's next, laughing all the while. "Oh, gods above, Sif! It's so good to see you!" Her dearest friend, her shield maiden, the reason that she had survived the coup. Emotions of every sort welled within the sooty fae's chest and she wondered absently if she would be able to control them. Her laughter died off, and a more serious light dimmer her eyes. "Sif, I have so much to thank you for. Without you..." She trailed off. She could not muster the words to convey her immense gratitude, her overwhelming thankfulness. No, it was not very regal, but Raisa felt the urge to grovel at the woman's paws. She would never be able to push past the debt she bore both man and woman. She drew in a deep, shuddering breath, in an attempt to collect herself. She eyed them both as levelly as she could. "So much has changed, but I would be honored if you both would make your home within my new pack. The old Ebony can still live on within us." Raisa had sworn to herself to make Ebony a better place. Her court would not be a viper's pit, it would not be a conglomeration to plot and deceive. She knew that with Vaughan and Sif at her side once more, Raisa would be able to turn Ebony into the future they had all dreamed of. "Talk" "You" Think

He'd chuckle over her natural bahaviour towards him; if anything he had missed it quite a lot. Her nuzzle would almost cause him to blush, and yet he felt entirely comfortable around her, just like when they where pups. " Im sure they'll love you even more with your soft heart, i hear your reputation here is already extremely high." She always did outshine the ebony brute, just by her presence and easy going habits. " Ill be sure to keep you in check, like i always have." He'd arch a brow, nudging her shoulder gently. " I also want to bring back a hint of the old life, you know? It'd be nice to know the old and new members come together."

And before he could say any more Sif would enter upon the scene, a smile would print upon his face. " Sif, you made it!" Vaughan would give a slight chuckle, watching there reunion, it amazes him at just how close they all still seemed to be in there own little way. It'd be exciting to see what may happen in the near future.

image by Luisiana

A laugh escaped her lips when Rasia dived for her, burying her muzzle in Sif's neck. With her words a happiness bubbled up within her, a tear began to well at the corner of her eye, but she blinked it away. She remembered her, her best friend. The girl who had accepted her, befriended her, stuck by her side, and only left because Sif had forced her to. She trusted this girl more than anyone else in the world. I have missed you as well Rasia. She said, her voice a little tight with emotion. She shook her head at Rasia's next comment. I was doing my duty to you, as your friend and your shieldmaiden. I wear these scars with pride. she smiled warmly, a protective light in her eyes, And I would do it again if need be. She would, she really would. She swore to protect her, and that was what she would do. She was a little surprised by the fact that Rasia had reformed Ebony given the awful events that had taken place, but they would make it better, so much better. Of course I will join and in case my oath has grown old, I renew it now. Rasia, I swear that I will lay down my life for you as your loyal shieldmaiden, and friend. She smiled glancing to Vaug then back to Rasia. The woman that she had lost so long ago and was now reunited with.

Raisa could not help but stare between her two friends with awe and joyous energy. It still seemed unreal, and she could not restrain her head from shaking, her eyes from blinking, trying to clear away the illusion before it settled upon her heart. Still, stubborn as ever, she rose once more and there they stood. With great respect Raisa stilled her quivering form and bowed deeply to them both. "Your return, and dedication, means the world to me. Please, I would be honored to accept you both into the new Ebony under the ranks of High Lord and Lady. Sif, to have you at my side once more would be a true pleasure. We still lack a Ebon Master, you know, perhaps in time you might find that the rank would suit you." She turned to Vaughan then and smiled softly, with great warmth. "And you, old friend, I know you will do well by our young. If you can teach them your ways of reason and love, I will never be able to repay you." She looked at them both, with their scars and wounds and pasts. She knew both had gone through such pain and suffering, all for the sake of her own survival. They both embodied what she wished her pack would become. To think that the Alacritan wolves she had recruited might see these two, might look up to them and strive to be like them, gave her hope. She paced a few steps back towards her new homeland. "Come on, I'll show you around." "Talk" "You" Think OOC: Fade to new thread? End? Bring in others? Where should we go from here?