Location: Kamui Delta

Cerberus was out scouting some of the further lands outside of Obscura, they were still deciding where they wanted to claim their expansion so he would travel a couple lands each day and report back to Scylla. It would be a joint decision though he was sure.

As he walked out to the shores he could see ahead of him, the sands of the land here that in his opinion didn't seem so easy to traverse. He was sure in the summer this would be an easy fishing spot, but otherwise he wasn't too drawn to the layout of the sand bars. He didn't make it too far off shore, just admiring the strange land patterns from the mainland. Easy enough, he didn't think this was a good option for the pack. Good for a day outing when the weather turned nicer.

"Cerberus"
F2U base by Starwuff

Arachne had made her way to the delta as she was instructed to do so. Her keen eyes scanned the landscape, taking in the myriad details that composed the area. Even on the cusp of spring, it was full of life, brackish water bubbling with activity. She noticed the unusual species that thrived in these waters, creating a unique ecosystem where the river diverted into countless tributaries, each carving its own path through the soft land. The chilled wind blew in from the sea, stirring up the salty scent of the waters and rustling through the trees that surrounded the wetland. The salt mingled with the earthy aroma of mud and wet foliage - an unusual but not unpleasant combination that signified the entwining of sea and land.

The sizeable island that existed towards the ocean, where the river was widest, was lush with vegetation and showed signs of hosting a population of prey. Small hares would occasionally spring from their hidey holes in the underbrush, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, nibbling on the first tender sprigs of vegetation that dared to peek above the snowmelt.

When she saw the outline of a figure materialize at her peripheral, something in her chest lurched in excitement. However, it was immediately followed by a crash of disappointment as she recognized that it in fact wasn’t Setekh. A large earthy-toned brute with large spiraling horns. She hesitated upon the recognition of someone she didn’t recognize. She was tempted to go on about her way- an effort to avoid engaging. However, she couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps this man would have seen Setekh as it appeared he had taken a different path in. After moments of internal debate, she eventually concluded- it wouldn’t hurt to ask. “Excuse me?” She called out lightly, trying to brave the attention of the stranger.

"Arachne Klein"

His attention out on the multiple shores that were the river and ocean combined, he didn't realize he wasn't alone until the girl was calling out. As soon as he laid eyes on her, he knew, but he gave a little squint before exclaiming, "Arachne?" He turned his body to face her more as his tail wagged happily behind him. "It's good to see you." He may have been able to sense her confusion to his sudden eagerness, it was understandable that she and all of Aliana's last litter didn't know who he was. For him, it would be a harsh reality. "It's me, Cerberus. I'm your big brother." It had been an incredibly long time since he had seen her, but Cerberus was very family oriented at heart so just from that quick glance of her he didn't have to question. Even if she had grown far out of the puppiness he remembered them by. He could scent her as his own, and he could remember. That was enough for him to get choked up by.

"Cerberus"
F2U base by Starwuff

A gentle surprise softened her eyes as he recognized her and summoned her name so familiarly. His eagerness to see her stirred a distant memory, and she found herself mirroring his tail sways as if by instinct. Yet there was an unmistakable note of confusion in her silver-blue gaze when he mentioned being her brother. A small furrow of her brow punctuated this. She had many siblings. Her eight littermates, and then her older brothers- a few of them she remembered meeting. And then who knew however many half-siblings. Cerberus was a name that sounded vaguely familiar, but she certainly didn’t recognize his face. Arachne tilted her head, a half-smile tracing its way across her features in the face of this unexpected revelation. "Cerberus." She echoed gently to herself, allowing the name to roll off her tongue and flavor her senses. Her gaze was still filled with bemusement but she found no deceit or malice in his countenance. Or perhaps there was a tinge of sadness hidden deep within those eyes that seemed to see right through her.

She took a step closer, her own sodden paw prints leaving a trace of her path upon the muddy substrate the Delta. In order to finish closing the distance between them, she had to cross a shallow creek that divided them. The late winter sun glinted off the water, shards of light illuminating the rivulets in jewel-like hues. As she stepped forward, her paws sunk into the soft mud, a stark contrast against her smokey grey coat. The coolness of the ground seeping through her fur was a sobering sensation. It was clear this particular creek didn’t see a lot of activity, but seemed that it was a popular crossing spot based on the tracks in the shoreline that had dried and hardened over time. Despite the cold, she pressed on, the creek water lapping at her underside. She was acutely aware of how vulnerable she was during this crossing, but if she was going to entertain the notion of this man being a relative of her’s, she wanted to do so standing face to face. He did know her name after all.

After she crossed, she was quick to continue her address. “You say you're my brother. But we've never met, have we?" Maybe perhaps before she could remember? Her question hung in the icy air, a solitary note of inquiry amid the low hum of rustling life hidden within the Delta's verdant depths.

"Arachne Klein"

There was a bit of disappointment as she didn't fully realize who he was. He wouldn't really blame her, but it did make him feel some kind of failure. He felt such a strong bond with his siblings, even though he was only a half sibling to all of them. It just hurt to think he wasn't as close to all of them than he thought.

Still, he carried on like he wasn't burning inside. He could only be honest with Arachne, "I guess you wouldn't remember it. You could hardly barrel around." He responded a bit humorously, at least giving her some relief to think she wasn't in the wrong. He looked back out at the beachy terrain towards the sea, "Did you come to see the Delta? I bet it'll be much more bearable by next season." He would offer to walk with her if she wanted, but it may not have been the most enjoyable place to wander right now.

"We have a pack just next door here, Scylla leads. She'd always accept a member of our family if you ever wanted to join." He wouldn't push her over there and force inside the pack, he understood they all had their own callings. But it was at least good info for her to have.

"Cerberus"
F2U base by Starwuff

Arachne listened intently, her ethereal eyes reflecting the older wolf's image back at him. His jovial demeanor eased her nerves somewhat at his revelation, offering some relief. She had no recollection of this half-brother from her early days but his nostalgic recounting did paint a vivid image in her mind. Herself as a pup, tumbling around with her littermates captured in a memory she could not access, but might be able to appreciate nonetheless. She considered his statement about the Delta. "Certainly, it's a beautiful place," Arachne replied, her gaze softening as she looked over her surroundings- taking special note of them.

Noticing the vast expanse where the river divided, one could see the multitude of micro islands, each with its seemingly own unique ecosystem. The delta shimmered in the chilled winter light, each water droplet suspended on tree branches like tiny crystals under the frosty sun. The river, at its widest here, was a patchwork of jade and sapphire hues, the brackish waves lapping gently around each visible island that was scattered haphazardly within its wide reaches. The water was teeming with life, both visible and invisible to the naked eye. Some wildlife was familiar to her, while some might as well have been alien.

At the mention of Scylla, Arachne turned her attention back to her half-brother. She nodded at his suggestion, a soft acknowledgment, grateful for the acceptance into a family she didn’t remember all that well. Scylla another name that was familiar, but a face she couldn’t recall. The thought of joining a pack intrigued her, but it also stirred something inside her that craved solace and independence. She’d been on her own for over a season now. "That’s good to know, perhaps I’ll stop by for a visit. Do you think Scylla would mind?" Arachne responded her voice a gentle whisper against the ambient melody of the delta. Her words were sincere, chiseled from a place of gratitude, and softened by her innate empathy. Yet, she couldn't shake off that inkling of hesitation that anchored itself deep within her. She couldn’t help but wonder if any of her littermates had made it to Scylla.

"Arachne Klein"

Cerberus huffed in a little chuckle as she had asked if Scylla would mind her coming by to visit. "No, any of our family is welcome through our lands. Theres a few of your littermates there you can see too." He would have liked the idea of her staying permanently, just a brother with too strong of familial ties regardless of how little they had known each other. But he would understand wanting to live the loner life she had now, and he would never hold her or any of them down where they didn't want to be. Just seeing them happy is what he lived for.

"If there's ever a problem though consider I'll take the blame." He spoke a little humorously but it was true. Had Scylla reacted threatening for any reason he would be there to simmer things down. But there wouldn't be an issue with her being their sister. Perhaps she couldn't know that for sure but he did. "I don't want to keep you from your day, I have to head back to the pack soon." He stated but didn't take off running. He at least wanted a proper goodbye with his much younger sister. He was sure they would see each other again, either back in Obscura or somewhere outside like they had today.

"Cerberus"
F2U base by Starwuff

Arachne listened to Cerberus, her silver-blue gaze softening at the reassurance. The mention of her littermates, still surviving, warmed her heart and a small smile flickered across her face. "That is comforting to know," she affirmed, the relief apparent in her voice. She mulled over his words gently, like a leaf floating on the still waters of the Kamui Delta. "I'd love to see them again," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. The thought brought her a mixture of joy and apprehension, an emotion that felt as complex and layered as the delta around her.

Feeling the warmth of her brother's reassurances seep into her, she allowed herself a small chuckle at his humorous declaration that he'd take the blame for any trouble. "You're too kind, Cerberus," she said, her silver-hued eyes gleaming with gratitude. She nodded in understanding as he mentioned having to return to the pack, picking up on the sense of duty in his tone. "Of course," she replied, her voice the epitome of understanding. "And thank you... for everything.” As they stood there on the threshold of parting ways, a strange and new sense of family connection was kindling within her.

The silence of the wetlands stretched around them, broken only by the gentle lapping of the river against the muddy banks and the distant calls of prey animals on the large island. It was a soft, gentle sound, echoing in harmony with Arachne's quietude. Her delicate features softened further as she contemplated his words, drinking them in like the crisp new season air.

And in the end, she offered him a nod of farewell, her gaze steady on his before she was the first to turn away. It was an act of respect, she thought, to give him the space to move on first. Her heart felt heavy with unspoken sentiment she didn’t quite understand. But there would be another time she encountered Cerberus. She was certain of it.

-exit Arachne-
"Arachne Klein"