The heart beats slower (P)

[Silve]

Although the fall season had not yet officially ended a light dusting of cold white powder dusted the woods and clearings of the territories of the wolf pack that was known as Deor. Everything was coming to an end as the season that represented death to some. The very word of snow was taken from an ancient language and was a word of the meaning of overwhelmed, and it stayed true to its root in this instance, as the snow was still falling. As Silve traversed the lands that she had belonged to for nearly a year she pondered on the slowing down of all things. She could sense the slowing of growth---slowing but not ceasing---as if it were a heart beat of the wood, and steadily the heartbeat slowed, like that of a bear gone to its winter rest. Ice began to stretch its fingers, and the laughter of the swelling streams slowed also, that it seemed rather to be the heavy breathing of one who had run a long long race and was fighting their own weariness to soldier on.

In truth the lithe silvery fae loved the winter; she loved it for the very reason others of her kind hated it. The ice, which held all still for a moment in the passage of time, as though to let an on-looker see the rare beauty that there was in all thing natural and untouched by the clever, yet powerful, hands of mankind. She was touched by a memory, a year past, of sitting on the solid ice of the lake at the base of a frozen waterfall, trusting and respecting the ice, that it would not decide that her body was better fitted to the bottom of the still waters that she stood on. She couldn't help but think of how much she'd changed since that moment. How much about her that was different, the most prominent her dearest friend and her daughter. She did not care to think of that which she'd lost since then, so instead she turned her thoughts to the present, as her loping gait carried her easily over the wooded terrain.

It was for her friend that she now searched, wondering how she hadn't managed to find the Drappa in the two or three weeks since she had returned from a temporary hiatus from the place she called home. Every now and then she would stop and scratch the ground beneath her paws and whimper and growl with frustration. She needed to see Mist. Deor was not quite home without her, and like a stone on her back, the want for the motherly fae's company was weighing on her quite heavily. She prayed by Tor that today would be the day that she found her friend. Everytime she stopped for a moment, sniffing the ground, but, as of yet, it had yeilded few results. An old trail of Dakota Spirit, here, the trail of the pack's healer there. Nothing of which she found was what she wanted, and it made her want to howl with frustration that she could not find this Varg who was so dear to her.

Presently, she found a stream of water, edge with frost, but the flowing water was fresh all the same, and Silve bent her head to take a drink. Iy had been hours since she'd last stopped in her search to eat or drink. She wasn't quite hungry, but the drink was good. Silve lapped at the water, savoring the rich flavors of the forest that carried with the water. Lost in thought, she stared at her reflection, and so absorbed in that one thing was she that when a blue jay swept low in its flight with a loud chirp, that she jumped, thrusting her face into the water by accident. She was quick to recover, leaping up in time to snatch the foolish bird from its trajectory. It would make a snack, at the least, and she shook her head to clear it of the majority of the wet before snapping up the beast, leaving only a few stray feathers to mark its existance. Feeling somewhat hopeless, she decided that it would make no difference if she moved on or stayed, so she began to lick her fur clean as her face became a mask of ice crystals, and then she laid in the snow with a low uff and curled with her face under her tail for a short nap.

[Mist]

The first snow has fallen, leaving the lands of the Deor pack blanketed in a soft layer of white. The air is still and slightly muffled compared to its normal clarity, and with no wind the occasional snowflakes still falling drift silently down to the forest floor. It is cool, certainly cool enough for snow, but the air doesn't have the icy chill that comes with later winter. Striding confidently through the white and dark green lands is the proud Drappa of these still lands. She is alone this afternoon, and though she has the many cares that come with being co-leader of a pack, nothing seems to matter as greatly as they sometimes do. The foremost thought in her mind is of her mate, and as she promised she would, she periodically prays to the gods to bring him safely home to her. If she could have one thing, it would be to have him by her side, safe and happy. But for now, she feels positive and hopeful that that will happen soon - and since there is nothing she can do but hope and pray, there is no point in great worry. A brilliant smile breaks out on the lovely fae's face as she thinks of the next time they will meet. She has wonderful news to tell him, and knows that it will cheer him greatly even if his... meeting does not go as well as he hopes. Breathing in the cool air deeply, the grey Drappa blinks away a snowflake off her eyelid and turns slightly westward.

Mist has no particular destination at the moment, but just decided to walk. She has seen no one today and even without the lack of wind Deor seems so very still. It does not bother her unduly, but she could not stay in one place like this. Hearing and feeling the damp snow crunch lightly under her paws she smiles, remembering the many times she would wake up on a winter morning when she was young to find that snow had fallen all night. Oh, all those times she would wake up her brothers and get them to play with her. Snow like this is the best for playing. It is light enough that it doesn't turn too easily to slush, but it is also easy to slide in it and make tunnels and caves from it. It has been a long time since she played in the snow with her brothers... but she is not yet too old not to play in it with her family and friends.

With this thought she begins thinking of her friends - the many wonderful vargs she has met in her life, some of which she has not seen in many months. A sigh escapes her maw as she pictures many of them in turn, but then she pictures her friends that she knows she can trust to return, and the smile returns to her face. Silve, Koiji, Farrah, little Mayta, Draeg, and now, not least of all Dakota. Looking up, faintly startled as a squirrel chatters angrily at her for trespassing under its tree she shakes her head at the silly creature. "Oh, go on with you... your tree is inside my land." She barks playfully at the huffy squirrel. Passing directly under the tree just to infuriate it even more, she glimpses a set of pawprints ahead of her. They are quite clear - obviously new... Lowering her head as she reaches them to scent them closely she pricks her ears and looks around, wondering how close Silve is. Not seeing her, the Drappa decides to follow the footsteps, knowing she will come across the silvery fae soon even if she doesn't see her yet. Starting off at a graceful trot, she searches ahead of her with her eyes, hoping to see her friend.

Coming at last within sight of the end of the tracks she also spots her friend, curled up and fast asleep. Pausing for a moment Mist smiles, deciding that Silve surely won't mind being woken up, considering the two friends haven't seen each other in so long... Padding softly to the other fae's side Mist lowers her head and gently nudges Silve with her nose. "Silve darling... wake up. The day has brightened because you are here." Settling herself on lithe haunches, Mist waits for her friend to uncurl herself with a smile dancing in her eyes.

[Silve]

Only a few moments had passed before Silve had entered her lonely dose before the images of her usual dreamworld swept her up as though on a gentle breeze. As it usually went with her dream, since returning to Deor, Silve was delighted to see the Varg now called Neithan, as he had been when she called him Zabarack. His emerald chipped golden eyes watched her with a warmth that had seemed to have left the mann long since. As she looked on he began to change, and she changed as well, because, though his look turned cold and distant and the emerald replaced with garnet, she loved him all the more for it. A sense of hopelessness entered her, for she knew what would follow. That gentle cleft of air that held her would bind her like the currents of the river that had carried her from her family as a cub, and she would be caught once more, between loyalty to her love and loyalty to her pack. But it was not to be, this time, as a faint sound carried to her ears, not enough to wake her, but enough to wrench her out of the dream before it became a nightmare.

The crunch of the snow under light paws did not serve to wake the fae either, but the carrying, motherly voice of the Drappa drew her sleep-heavy eyelid up, opening to the welcome sight of her dearest friend. In a rush she scrabbled to her paws--and scolding herself for a fool while doing it--Silve lifted herself and blinked several times to asure herself of the welcome sight. She stretched languidly to make sure the last remnants of her sleep, and dream, were far from her before enthusiastically greeting her Drappa. "Mist," she cried, hearing the cracking of a few ice crystals on her face and the unexpected movement. Frowning, she shook herself to dislodge the cold material, then spoke again. "Mist, how wonderful it is to see you! I've missed you terribly since I've been away!" With soft whines and whimpers of excitement, she jumped forward to rub shoulders with her friend, and for a time let herself be carried by the sights and scents of the long searched-for company.

As Silve stood back to look at her friend, she was pleased to notice that the Drappa was very happy, and not just for the presence of a friend. Ducking her head bashfully. "I begin to think that the rumors I heard of you are true, Mist. You seem so much happier than when I left." She did not mention what the rumor was; she felt that Mist would like to tell her true of her new mate, though she felt a twinge of sorrow at the word. She sat and grinned, sweeping her tail over the ice-scarred land beneath her, absently pawing the feathers from her earlier meal while waiting for the expected reply.

Sitting there, Silve remembered something and quickly spoke before it could slip her mind again. "I hope Koiji has not been much trouble. She has told me she was made a scout, but I wonder how she has been. The last I saw her, some fae of List had..." she trailed of, her jaws quivering with the silent snarl. She did not want to remember the helplessness she had felt, running fast as she was able, but not being fast enough. Her daughter, injured by her pack's sworn enemies. "I could not help her," she admitted, ashamed. "I was not quick enough." She hung her head for a moment, then tried to shake sadness from herself. A reunion such as this was to be joyous.

[Mist]

It is the varg's blessing to have such a thick winter coat that snow does not penetrate it - indeed, snow cannot melt on a varg's coat, giving them the perfect protection from the bitterly cold elements of Wolfbane's winter. It also allows them to sleep even on snow and ice and keep from freezing. As she looks down on her dear friend, Mist realizes how long it has been, and remembers the first time they met - on a cold, snowy day like this one. Silve had convinced her new friend to venture out onto the thick ice of the lake and stare up at the awesome grandeur of the frozen waterfall. The Drappa has never forgotten that sight, how awed she felt in the presence of such a powerful force - stopped still in time by a force even more powerful - that of winter - of cold. Both faes have changed and grown much since then. Their lives are different - they have different vargs important to them in their lives, and different things to live for - but they are still friends, and the sight of the sweet white fae is enough to make Mist smile in a kind of calm happiness. Deor, though a tight-knit family, often has only a few members within the packlands at a time, and the Drappa has missed seeing many members of her "family" over the past months.

Pleased at Silve's waking and evident pleasure at seeing her, Mist takes a step backwards to let the other fae more easily get to her feet. She smiles, her golden eyes sparkling in the light as well as with joy as she allows her friend to brush the ice crystals off her and fully awaken. When Silve says her name for the second time Mist cannot help but laugh joyfully. "Dearest Silve, how wonderful it is to see you as well! Indeed, I have missed you too! It seems - it is far too long since we have seen each other. I am pleased you decided to come home for the winter. The cold and snow in Deor is not quite as harsh as it is in much of the rest of Transylvania. Plus, this way, I don't have to worry about you so much." Winking at the sleek silvery fae as she speaks these last words Mist leans forward to nuzzle Silve fondly.

As the two pull away from each other there is a short time of observance. Mist looks with dancing eyes at her friend and when she hears Silve's words a silvery peal of laughter flows from her maw. The wintry fae is observant as always. Dipping her head in a graceful nod, she sits down, curling her thick tail around her before speaking. "You have lost none of your keen observation, dearest. If the rumors you have heard concern a certain ebon mann and myself, I'd say they are true. But just in case they are askew somehow, I will tell you the truth of the matter. Recently Dakota Spirit and I became mates." The expression on the Drappa's face tells just how truly happy she is because of her love, and knowing of Silve's ability to read her feelings, she knows there is little more she must say about the matter. "He truly is all nobility and kindness to me, and honorable and brave in all things. I could not ask for a better mate. You certainly are right about me being happy. I feel that it had been so long since I was truly this content." It is certainly not that she is forgetting her first love and deceased mate, Chayton, but just that she knows he would want her to be happy, and she truly is as happy now as she ever has been.

Shaking her head gently as her friend's words turn to the topic of Silve's adopted daughter, Mist smiles at the thought of the sweet, darling fae, that takes after her adopted mother so much that, if she didn't already know, she wouldn't be able to tell that they aren't blood relations. "No, of course not. She is no trouble - she is a darling, just like you. Ahh, yes. I was pleased that she wanted to become a scout. The skills of a scout are indeed useful and honorable..." As Silve speaks of her encounter with Ayame, Mist shakes her head, partially sadly, partially gently and comfortingly. "I know... I know..." She whispers softly, like a mother telling a cub that she understands their pain. "No permanent harm came to her from it, and Ayame of List will stop before even thinking about harming another of Deor's vargs now..." She doesn't know if Silve heard of her fight with the ebon fae, and almost absent-mindedly she glances down at the spiral-shaped scars shining silver on her foreleg. No permanent harm came to Koiji, but Mist will forever bear the scars of that fight. "She is a bold and foolish fae in some ways, but now she at least respects us, and knows what the consequences will be if she ever messes with anyone from my pack again..." The Drappa's voice is one of a leader now, and her words are almost a vow to her friend that no harm will come again to any of those she loves from the Listern fae. Shaking her head she sighs softly. "Do not dwell on the past, my dear... for it is past."

[Silve]

Grinning, but still feeling the languid effects of her short nap in the snow, the scout shook herself, and the snow that had gathered on her back scattered about her and joined the light snow that was still falling. It caused her, too, to think about that day on the frozen surface of the lake. A tendril of thought reached her to tell her that in another moon or two it would be warm enough to venture there, but she quickly discarded the thought. The memory was dredged up of the time she had played in the tunnels behind the waterfall, with her Night Sky. It was that very night that he had suggested becoming mates, when the time came. Needless to mention that it had yet to happen. She was fairly certain that she wouldn't be going back there soon.

At Mist's warm, welcoming comment, Silve smiled, though a little sadly. She made an effort to bring forth her usual enthusiasm, though it was only a little effective. She was tired, in more ways than one. "Of course I came back, Mist," she said, then, feeling it necessary, she repeated, "Of course I came home." Snow began to fall a bit more heavily where they stood, next to the tiny trickling stream, and Silve could almost fancy that she heard it slowing as they ice worked to encroach upon it. No matter what had happened recently, the scout had always loved snow, and rejoiced at its coming. Her tail wagged furiously as she met the friendly nuzzling of her Drappa with a nuzzle of her own. "The call of this forest is so much more than that of a safe haven in winter, and there is warmth here in more forms than the mildness of the weather." She wanted to howl out her conflicting feelings, but thought it better to not. Instead she chose to revel in the long sought after companionship of a friend.

The confirmation of her suspicions made the fae quite happy: for her friend more than for her own joy in being right. With a bark of joyous celebration, she leapt forward to nuzzle her friend more energetically, unable to hold it at bay. "Mist, that is simply wonderful!" she cried jubilantly, and her voice was filled with all the sincere joy of one sister to another, for in her heart, Silve would always feel a genuine bond of sisterhood for the older, wiser fae. "He is a good mann, though I know him only from one or two meetings." She licked her friend's cheek with smile that showed how she had matured, instead of her usual puppy-like one. In a strange way she felt almost proud of the two of them for finding one another.

The tone of her leader's voice made Silve feel confident that it was over and done with. Her eyes flickered to the scars that Mist had not had when Silve had left on her search. "It is as you say. No permenant harm." She wanted to question her Drappa on what her soft references to things she did not know of, but sensed that, at the moment, it would not be particularly wise. In the depths of her mind, she felt that the Drappa was not particularly anxious to speak of it, in the same way she herself was hesitant to bring up the reason for her leavetaking, and the reason for her return. Instead, she turned to look at the great sky. "Fenris is veiled from us this day, my friend. But the snowfall is beautiful is it not?" She smiled faintly, almost secretly, and winked at her friend in waiting for her reply.

[Mist]

The tone in her dear friend's words is not quite as enthusiastic as it would be if all was perfectly well, and Mist notices this as clearly as if a bell had tolled to tell her of Silve's sorrow. Clear golden eyes fill with open concern for the silvery-white fae, but for the moment Mist keeps silent on the matter, deciding instead to answer her friends words and let the emotion in her eyes speak on behalf of her concern. "You are indeed one of Deor now, darling Silve. This pack has always been what it is because of each individual member and because of how we interact with each other and support each other. We are all fortunate that you decided to become one of us - on that day that seems both long ago and, at the same time, very recent..." Nodding with a small smile on her lovely face, Mist agrees whole-heartedly with her friend's sentiment, thinking of all the vargs she has loved throughout her life with connections to this pack. Many of the best times in her life have been within these borders, and she would never be able to leave. Understanding this, she also understands her friend's reasons for returning. Perhaps the last time she saw Silve, it had been before the fae had left to search for her long-missing love, and though Mist had hoped and prayed for the success of such a venture, she had known she would not be overly surprised if Silve returned without the black mann. Leaning forward to gently nuzzle her dear friend, Mist sighs deeply, thinking and wondering how it is that so many love and lose their loves so easily. In her own life - vargs she has known well - this has happened to many. She can only continue to hope that there is still a possibility that things will turn out for Silve. "Much warmth - of both kinds - is needed throughout the winter. I am pleased you returned home. Deor truly is not the same without you, sweet Silve."

Silve's happiness for her is that of a close friend, and even as the snow gently drifts to the forest floor, it is as if the sun has come out. Both faes look at one another with beaming smiles on their faces, and Mist returns the enthusiastic nuzzle her friend bestows on her. With such happiness for another, it is difficult to keep on seeing only the shadows in the world. Pleased that she has been able to bring the brightness of happiness to her friend now, Mist nods, and glances around to see if there are any others near. Her eyes sparkle and dance brilliantly, showing that she is one with more happy news as well as an exciting secret to tell. She pauses the next few moments while Silve replies to her words about the confrontation with Ayame, but is subtly impatient to tell her news. "True, no more worry is necessary on that account..." She says softly, her voice calmer than one would expect while seeing the expression on her face. Silve's secretive wink fits the mood perfectly, and she nods a twinkling laugh escaping from her throat with the happiness she feels. "Oh yes, it is indeed beautiful." After this she returns Silve's wink and decides to wait no longer.

"Silve, darling, before we continue on to other things, there is something I simply must tell you. You know of Dakota, and my relationship with him, and though you do not know him well, you said you know what a wonderful mann he is - of course, for me now, it would be hard to understand how anyone would not see his many excellent qualities at first meeting..." Taking a deep breath she pauses, a laugh in her eyes and on her lips. "Forgive me... I do tend to wander at times. Anyway... I am so very pleased you like him, because, you, as almost my dear sister, mean so much to me, and your thoughts and opinions always matter as well. I... Well, you know Dakota is my mate - but what you, or no other besides me knows yet, is that he is now also the father of my cubs... Dakota Spirit and I will be having cubs before snow-melt." Taking another deep breath at the end of this, as if it almost took her breath away with excitement, being able to tell of the sweet little lives within her. A seemingly perpetual smile has planted itself sweetly on her face, and she feels almost completely happy. There is a faint gnawing of worry and concern for Dakota, his safety, and the success of his mission, that is never far from her mind, but she trusts in the gods that they would not be so cruel as to take her second love away from her so soon after the first. No, she does not fear this - only that he might be injured body and soul, and return to her with an unfulfilled quest. If she were less happy right now, or in company less pleasant, her mind would likely have turned to thoughts of her love and the possible dangers he is in, but for now, she only thinks of the joy she will have in telling him her news, and in wondering what Silve will say, and how the rest of the pack will respond. "Oh Silve! I am so glad you were the first I could tell here. Dak is away, and I began to feel as if it was too much happiness not to share..."

[Silve]

The snow blew about the two silver-toned faes as they spoke, landing in the beginnings of large drifts. Silve smiled, enjoying the conversation and the cool precipitation both. From the brief look into her Drappa's eyes, Silve saw that there was concern in them, and she waggled her tail in a mixture of nerves and guilt. She still said nothing to that tender subject of the reason for her being melancholy, only on those of which her friend spoke of. "Indeed it does seem so very long ago. But the day we met feels as though it happened yesterday. Do you remember? The ice and the frozen waterfall?" It was almost as though the fae could feel the frozen lake underpaw again as she navigated a safe path the great monolith taken captive by the claws of winter. Such a beautiful thing it was. The scout sighed contentedly. Silve laughed goodnaturedly to Mist's other comment. "You are quite right, but for me the thing that makes this place home is all the friends it contains," she replied, giving the motherly fae a meaningful look.

After returning the friendly nuzzle, Mist, Silve noticed, was looking around them, and guessing the reason, the silver fae leaned in closer to hear whatever secret it was that she had to tell. So intently was she focused on her friend, that should a healthy deer tramp between them it was questionable as to whether she would notice or not. Catching on the mood of excitement, Silve began to almost dance from paw to paw, fidgetting with barely contained glee. She very nearly pounced, playfully, on Mist as she agreed with the earlier sentiment that the snow was beautiful, impatient to wait even another moment to hear what could be nothing other than wonderful news.

Silve nodded as Mist waxed peotic on the qualities that made Dak a wonderful mann and mate. It should have been obvious where it was leading, but the moment the fae had finally said that she was carrying Dakota Spirit's pups, Silve's mouth dropped open in surprise and her earlier nervous antics froze in mid-step. Then, slowly, her tail began to wag, closely followed by her entire back half. "Mist that is....that is...." the fae fumbled for a word that would not be too much of an understatement, and, failing, settled for: "WONDERFUL!!" Unable to contain herself, Silve lifted her head in a joyous howl. The subordinate loved pups, and she couldn't wait to see Mist's. In a pause for breathe she nudged Mist. "Come now, packsister, you cannot tell me that you don't want to howl for joy. Join me." She lifted her head again, calling as loudly and happily as she had before. "How long have you been keeping this to yourself?" she asked. "It must have been torture." She smiled and licked Mist's cheek.

[Mist]

The keen-eyed Drappa doesn't miss Silve's hesitation, and realizes that it is not her place to push her friend to speak of things she would rather stay secret, at least for now. One thing about being close friends is knowing when to let matters lie quietly. Glancing understandingly at the other silver fae, Mist smiles gently. Seeing so clearly in her memory that day she first met Silve, Mist laughs merrily and nods. "Oh, goodness, do I? Oh, Silve, yes. I definitely remember. I was scared to death! I think that is probably why I it is so clear in my memory. It was beautiful and fantastical, but truly, all the stories of vargs falling through ice were vivid in my mind. It was all I could do to keep my legs from shaking too much to continue. Looking up at that mammoth icy construct of the waterfall, I felt so tiny." Eyes sparkling in amusement at the memory, Mist laughs again and shakes her head. "I guess from that first moment I saw you I knew that I could trust you and your experience with ice... I didn't know, however, how close we would be in the years to come. Was that just last winter that we first met? Or was it two years ago?" Smiling, Mist thinks how strange it is to think about life in the past before she knew all her most beloved friends now - and of course her love, Dakota, as well. It is strange to think of when she only knew of him, and then did not see or know him for so long...

Nodding in agreement with Silve's sweet words, Mist glances around her. "Indeed, that is much of what makes Deor a home for me as well - but I think that even if everyone I loved were to leave it would still take me a while to pick myself up and go too. I would most likely eventually either make new friends and meet new loved ones, or would leave searching for them." After a pause she shakes herself and smiles. "But, thank the gods, that's hardly something I need to worry about..." Leaning forward to nuzzle her dear pack sister, Mist pulls back after a moment and looks up at the lace-like snowflakes. Silve is observant, and easily catches onto the mood, becoming impatient and practically prancing in her eagerness to hear Mist's evident news. If the Drappa had thought about how she would tell, she no doubt would have been kinder to her friend's curiosity and would have come straight to the point, but her judgment is clouded by her excitement, and her words come out all bubbly and randomly as she works to set up the scene for her announcement. She laughs gleefully, understanding her friend's impatience as she detours to agree with Silve's comment on the beauty of the day, and playfully swipes a gentle paw at her friend in "retaliation".

Just after this she finally tells her news, and is quite amused at Silve's response. She laughs happily and nods, her tail swishing joyfully behind her. Truly, Silve's joyous howl calls to something in her and she feels as if she must sing out and tell all the world of the elation and excitement she feels. Hardly needing Silve's urging she joins her dear friend in a loud, happy howl, and feels as if she could fly or that she would have been lifted off the ground by the lightness of her heart if she had not let out some of her feelings in the much-needed howl. As the echoes slowly fade all around them in the blanketed silence of the day, Mist smiles and turns to Silve to answer her question. "I have only known for a few days - after all, Dak hasn't been gone all that long, and we haven't been official mates long enough for me to have known for a long time. But truly, with such an exciting secret, it does seem like it was a long time..."

[Silve]

One side of the silver fae's face lifted, her looks seeming to be lost in the past. It delighted her that her friend remembered it so well, and more so as she realized the trust that the Drappa had put into her by treading where few Varg dare to even imagine going. Feeling confident about it now, she let out a ringing laugh that echoed about them. "Forgive me, I do not laugh at you. Fear of the ice is, after all, completely rational." The want for full disclosure had the fae leaning forward and adding, "I was scared too. Moreso that I might lead you wrong. It was last winter, my friend, though it seems it must have been longer. Maybe..." she started, and paused, remembering another memory attached to that place. "Maybe someday I'll return there. With my Night Sky at my side, perhaps. Tor willing." Letting just that tiny slip of her own inner tormoil brought a sense of release. To her, it was an invitation for her Drappa to ask about the journey she had taken, for she herself did not know where to begin. Before she could stop herself, Silve uttered a whispered question. "Mist? Do you think it possible for one to fall out of love?" She thought of Neithan and his distance at their breif meeting. For a moment it seemed that the cold had gotten to her, and she shivered slightly.

The subordinate listened to her friend's words and nodded in agreement. For a moment the poet's tongue that was her birthright took hold and she muttered flowingly, "'Tis not the trees, or winds, or flowers, nor even the prey that makes a shelter a home." Feeling that she had summed it up rather well, she nodded approvingly, then looked to Mist. She savored her friendly nuzzle, and showed her appreciation by licking the Drappa's shoulder. After that Mist seemed to realize that she now knew that something needed telling, and in return, the older of the two seemed to sense the other's impatience and swiped a playful paw at her. Grinning, Silve ducked her head, being mockingly patient, and awaited the coming announcement.

It seemed a chorus of voices that took flight into the still winter air, though only the throats of two wolves were producing the sound. Silve heard echoes of replies to it, voices of Kerl who couldn't resist the call. Silve chuckled at her friend's lighthearted response. "Well then," she said, and enthusiastically bumped shoulders with her friend in excitement, "I can only be glad that I was here, that your torment was not prolonged." A smile and a wagging tail followed, and Silve settled again into a sit. Mock severely, she leaned towards her friend and demanded, in a tone that would have been commanding, were it not for the underlying laughter, "You must tell me how Dak reacts when he has returned and you have given him this news. I cannot wait for him to hear, and for the pups to come."

[Mist]

It is hard to believe that the two faes have only known each other for a little over a year. They have both been through so much and gotten to know each other quite well. A year ago Mist never would have guessed what her life would be like now. So many things have changed - some good, and some bad... but at this moment she is truly happy and feels blessed by the kindness of the gods. Having run the memory of her meeting with Silve through her mind she no longer pictures the moment, and watches Silve instead, catching the faint dream-like look of her friend that rather clearly speaks of vivid memories. She smiles at her friend's laugh and shakes her head. "I know you well enough dear Silve to know that. It is good to know you were concerned for me - but though I was scared, I trusted you completely. With your love and respect for ice, I knew that you knew what you were doing, and trusted both you and the gods that I would again make it to land after seeing the waterfall." Nodding slowly, Mist feels a pang in her heart at Silve's wistful voice. It is painful to love and not to know if that love is returned - or to know it isn't...
Smiling softly in understanding, she replies quietly. "I hope so, dear Silve..." At the silver fae's next question, Mist hesitates for a moment before speaking, again softly and slowly. "I do not honestly know. I think..." She sighs before continuing. "I wish it weren't, but, though I don't know, I think it is possible. Change can be hard, especially when it comes to affairs of the heart. But... change is not always bad, and I think good often comes out of even bad situations... Oh Silve. I wish I could help more - to say something that would... help."

In a way the Drappa is pleased with the change of topic as the two faes speak of what makes a home a home. Her heart aches for her dear friend, and she truly wishes there was something she could do. But, some things just take time to work themselves out, and it is her greatest hope for her friend that things will turn out for the best. Smiling slightly at Silve's eloquent words, Mist nods. "I could not have said it better... and likely couldn't have said it half as well. I have heard you tell stories well, my dear... it is good to hear a bit of your eloquence again."

Again the conversation changes, and this change is also favorable. Grinning at both the other fae's reaction and at her own joyous feelings, Mist nods. "Indeed it is wonderful to have told my news. It's hard to keep such a joyous announcement to yourself! Oh, of course! I can't wait to see his face and hear what he has to say. Dak'll be such a good father!" Smiling happily at the thought of Dak's return and of their future together, she sighs in contentment. "Once he returns, it won't be too long... you'll be there, won't you, Silve? I would like you to see my darling children when they first come into the world..."


((OOC: Sorry for the delay, m'dear! ^^ If there's anything you'd like added or changed, let me know!))

[Silve]

There was a pleasant sensation of pride fluttering in Silve's heart when Mist spoke of the confidence she had had in the silver fae who had led her out onto the ice to see the waterfall. "In any case it was quite the adventure, my friend," she said softly, wagging her tail happily. She watched her friend carefully as she spoke briefly of Neithan, and the sympathy she daw there comforted her. It was good to know that her friend cared about her and her feelings of the black mann from Koran. The question that she had asked on impulse before knowing what it was that she was asking brought with it a painful reply. It was not her want to hear that it was possible that Neithan did not love her in the way that she loved him anymore. It was her dearest wish to be near him, and yet it seemed that his dreams had changed. He didn't want to be near her anymore, or so it seemed. "I did find him, Mist. Neithan. I found him and spoke with him, but he was so distant, so unlike how I remembered. I think that he does not love me anymore. Or perhaps it was only an illusion that he ever did." She sighed heavily, unhappily. No amount of wanting would make him want her again. He had to choose, and she had to wait.

Fortunately the conversation took a happier turn here, and, had she been human, Silve's cheeks would have flushed scarlet with embarassment at her Drappa's praise of her poetic words. In a gesture of releiving her stress, she shook herself as though trying to free water from her coat, then shuffled her paws a little. She grinned sheepishly. "Thank you, Mist. Though I am sure you could have put it quite the same." She scratched the ground a for a moment, then looked back up, the moment of embarassment gone.

The subordinate grinned at Mist's enthusiasm. "He will be speechless with joy, I am sure, sister. There is no doubt that this news will have him dancing with jubilation." She grinned and licked her Drappa's ears in much the same way as she would to comfort Koiji. Needless to say, she felt humbled by her Drappa's next request. For several moments she couldn't think of anything to say. Finally she rubbed her shoulder against Mist's and said firmly, "Tor and Fenris themselves couldn't drag me away, Mist. I will be there for as long as you want me there." She smiled broadly at her friend.