She would watch Shai closely, his opinion was important to her and she wanted to see what thoughts she could across his expression. She would see curiosity, perhaps a touch of surprise, and even eagerness as through he approved of her decision. She allowed herself to grin at the boy, and listened to what he had to say, and she found nothing but support and acceptance in his words. She shook her head, mystified, the man of her dreams was a real sweet heart and a pillar of support, every day she was learning about him and every day she loved him more. “Now.. before I lose my nerve” she replied, only half joking as she let a corner of her lip curve up in amusement. She shook her head again, took a stern breath and started to walk in the direction of Imperium. She had already debated bringing Shaye along, but had long since decided the poor girl had been dragged through enough because of the two of them, and she didn't yet know how this meeting was going to go. The walk was a short one – part of why she had in the end allowed Shaye's visits to her Aunt. The border was vaguely familiar to her, and no doubt to Shai as well who had escorted their daughter here on numerous occasions. She stopped politely outside the border and raised her head to howl for Rhythm "Speech"

 

He would easily nod in accepotance of her words, she really meant this evening when she had first found him at his den. He would nod slowly, raising his form from the earth as he fell in line with her pace. The journey was familiar enough, he'd brought Shaye here a few times before and he was beginning to memorize the path almost as fully as she. He'd offer the occasional nudge of encouragement as she went, he was curious how this meeting might end.

He would remain a stoic observer, his lips shut as Motif drew to a hault and called out for her sister. Probably for the first time in a season or two. He wondered if the two might ever be returned to their previous relationship.

She wasn't sure if she wanted to believe that the voice was Motif, she hadn't heard from her sister in too long and the last time she had seen her. Well it just hadn't gone according to plan. Though Shaye had told her that Motif missed her, she'd been given hope that their relationship was still able to be reconciled. As her ears perked at the voice she almost didn't get up because of the shock. Though once she was over it her form sprung from the ground. Rhythm would make her way towards the call, easily on the other side of the border. Her dark paws brought her easily before her sister and Shaye's father. Her first thought was that something had happened to Shaye, but there had been no sadness in her sister's voice. Rhythm would take a deep breath and move forward. Her head held high and her tail hanging lazily over her back. "Hello Motif." She'd greet, uncertain what kind of answer she'd receive. "Speech"

It felt strange to form the words around Rhythm's name in a howl, to know who it was she was calling almost so casually for here at the borders of another mans pack. Shai was a pillar of support, offering her the occasional friendly nudge, through he didn't speak or break the silence. Motif could feel the start of butterflies in her stomach and her mouth felt dry, she swallowed once, then twice as she waited for a sign that Rhythm had heard or was coming. She wouldn't have blamed her sister for turning her cheek and refusing to answer the call, after all from day one Motif had blamed her sister, had waited for Rhy to be the one to change course and come back to her. The hope that that might ever happen had long since dried up, and now the only thing she could do was cross her heart and hope to any listening gods that there was still something to salvage between what was once the two closest of souls. Rhythm would no only come at her call, but she seemed almost casual. Motif would take in the sight of her sister for the first time in months, and found her eyes running the length of Rhythm's body. She would see new scars, and a change in how her body was forming. She had always been lean and light of built, a runner and a healer, but now she could see her body going in a new course, and Motif felt herself swallowing and blinking back tears. Her sweet, delicate sister was learning to fight, and suddenly Motif couldn't tell if she was proud or horribly guilty that she might have pushed her sister to take a course that she might not have otherwise. “I.. Rhythm.. I.. How are you?' she stammered. "Speech"

 

Motif had yet to show any outward signs of turbulent emotion, there was little to glean from her stance or the tone of her voice but she could tell the other woman was just as nervous as she felt. Though Rhythm would easily display a casual sense about her on the inside she was doing more than panic. The last time she'd seen her sister she'd stormed off after Rhythm had miss spoken, but she'd heard Shaye say over and over that her sister missed her. Rhythm would sigh, leaning back onto her haunches after Motif stumbled over her words. Her bright blue and purple gaze would soften as she looked at her almost twin, she could feel the craving in her belly that she had to restore their once inseparable bond. She would frown as the urge to embrace her sister fell over her, it was becoming more obvious what this would be about. "Motif, I know why you're here. Don't worry about whatever you had planned, I just want you to know how sorry I am for my part in breaking our family apart. From the bottom of my heart I ask your forgiveness. You don't have to take me back, I just want to call you my sister again." She'd try to keep herself together as she spoke, but progressively throughout her speech her emotions would show through. Tears welled up in her eyes but she'd blink them away. The time for crying was over, they needed to look toward the future. "Speech"

Before Motif could find the words she needed to say, Rhythm would be beating her to the punchline. She managed a wobbly smile at her sister as Rhythm spoke the words both of them needed to utter and to hear. But as she listened to her sister she also let herself realize that no matter what, things would never be the same. Rhythm was changing, she could see the independence in her sister, and knew that she had helped to put it there, and even repaired, the relationship between sisters could never be as it was. Taking a deep breath, Motif would move forward and embrace her sister. “I'm sorry too Rhy, I miss you so much, and I guess a big part of this was I never wanted you to change, I didn't want anything between us to change and when it started to I shoved you away and pretended it wasn't happening. It wasn't fair of me, and you have the right to find your independence, to find yourself, I hope you can forgive me too Rhy” she whispered softly. "Speech"

 

Rhythm really had changed over the last season, she'd needed to become more independent. She'd found more strength within herself than she ever thought possible. She'd suffered incredibly through the growth though, through the innumerable nightmares and chilly nights that she had begged for Motif's presence. No, she could never go back to where she once was. They could only look to the future and what their relationship might become. Rhythm would hold her ground as her almost twin drew more near, the unexpected embrace catching her off guard. She'd gasp, but slowly find herself melting into her sister's embrace. It felt strange at first, but in the blink of an eye she'd recognize once more the love they shared and wouldn't further hesitate to return the affectionate touch. Motif echoes the sentiments in her own, asking her own forgiveness as she tried to patch up their relationship with their meeting. Though a single moment had changed their relationship forever she had no doubt there would be much time to pass before she once again held the same undying trust in her sibling. "I've missed you too, I just want to start again and have you back in my life." "Speech"

If it wasn't for Shaye, that perhaps Motif might not have come to accept that she to forgive Rhythm, especially if she ever hoped to be forgiven in return. It was made more difficult by the fact that a large part of Motif still rebelled against what had happened and some of the decisions Rhythm had made. It was, perhaps luckily for all, that a larger part of her had come to accept them, even if she couldn't be happy with either them or their outcome, or the consequences that had followed. Embracing her sister had been a stir of the moment thing and she stepped back now, taking a breath and looking at her sister. No, nothing could ever be the same, because even through she had come here and forgiven her sister, things had still changed so irrevocably between them, and a part of Motif would always blame Rhythm for that. “To new beginnings” Motif said softly. "Speech"