A Refreshing Return

[mitia5]

The fae's steps seem to fall ever so lightly upon the terra as she made her way back into the pack lands she called home, Deor. Not necessarily familiar with every pack member (yet) Cairo enjoyed the company of those she knew especially her closest friends Lucivar and Dakota Spirit. Black nose twitching on the tip of her cream bodice, she inhaled the familiar scents of the claimed Deor borders. A warmth seemed to fill out through her entire being just from returning to the area.

It had been quite a while since she had came home after she first joined and then decided to go back out and explore Transylvania. She met a varg on her journey whose words and actions replayed in her mind. A slight smirk worked its way across her maw as she shook her head happily in the recollection. Slowly her tail began to wag as her posture straightened and bi hued optics glowed mor brightly.

A slight whimper of pure joy threatened to overtake Cairo so instead she tilted her head back slightly to let a melodious howl echo throughout the Deor terrain. It wasn't really a summons or an announcement of her arrival. It was merely a pure euphoric vocalization which she couldn't withstand holding back. Afterall she really felt at home here, under the draggaship of Chalos Autumn. Her fears of coming to Transylvania and leaving her original family pack were laid to rest.

Leaving the lands even after Cairo had recently joined was necessary because now upon her return she knew that this was indeed where she belonged. Satisfied she leaned back on her haunches to simply sit and observe for a few moments. Even the cold winter wind seemed a little warmer now that she had returned.

[Farrah]

Farrah paused. A yowl had suddenly resounded through the woods only a short ways away...in fact, down a rocky ledge straight to her right. She looked down, careful to keep her balance, and saw a varg she had not seen in a long time, if she had seen them at all. She did not recall ever having met this varg, and she normally had a very strong memory. However, over the passing few months since their Dragga's sure demise and his return from the grave, many things seemed out of place, intangible, and all out improbably while at the same time totally believable.
"Hello down there!" She called out the the wolf below. Suddenly, something beneath her gave way, and the rock directly below her began to slide down the steep slope.
"Ahoohoohuey!!!!" she cried out as she skated down the side of the large hill.
She skidded to a halt a few feet in front of the newcomer. Feeling dizzy and slightly disoriented, Farrah began to introduce herself.
"Hello...my name is Farrah and...I'm from Deor! Are you a pack member who has returned? Or...are you simply an intruder?"
Farrah had been too naive to even consider the second option until now. She raised her hackles slightly above the other, partially smaller varg, and waited for an answer.

[Mist]

Winter still holds the lands in its icy grip, not yet giving in to the evident, eventual coming of Spring. Indeed, it almost seems as if the cold season is determined not to relent its hold on the packlands of Deor, but is already losing a small bit of its powers. Even though it is still the master, there is some hint of its gentle successor in the air, attempting to break its frigid hold on the still world. The air is not yet warm enough to melt the snows, but it is no longer as cold - a seeming omen of the warmer season ahead.

The stillness is broken by a howl. No specific message is heard in the howl, but even so it holds a joyful note, of one come home after a long journey. Ebony-tipped ears prick sharply as the notes come the shadowy fae. Mist raises her head and tilts it, pausing there motionless until the last echoes fade away. A small smile breaks out on her maw as she recognizes the tone of the howl, and she steps forward, after a moment breaking into an easy lope, a shadow flying over the white covered ground.

Nearing the ledge from whence came the howl, Mist stops as she suddenly hears a rumble and a startled yelp. Hoping that she won't find anyone hurt, she starts forward once again, hurrying to the spot. Reaching the ledge, she pauses at the sight of two pack members, and then, hearing the wary tone in Farrah's voice, pads forward to prevent any disruption. "Cairo!" She almost yelps in her excitement, though she doesn't know this fae well, she recognizes her and considers her not only a pack member, but a friend. Going up to the fae she puts her head along side the other and then pulls back, smiling. "Welcome home, Cairo! It is wonderful to have you back!"

Turning to Farrah, she tilts her head and smiles again, attempting to dissuade any possibility of ill feelings. "Farrah, yes, Cairo is a pack member, but has been away for a while..." After a moment, she speaks again shortly, not wishing to speak for Cairo in this, or to presume their friendship too much and affect it badly. "It is good to see you, also, Farrah." Smiling softly, she looks from one fae to the other, hoping that Cairo's return signifies a greater show of life in the pack.

[okamiwolf]

Lucivar’s cranium lifted from her paws. She had been previously sleeping, quite peacefully, in the cool snow. She blinked, her expression nothing short of confusion. She’d heard a voice, a familiar one, it sounded like it belonged to Cairo, but that couldn’t possibly be. After all, Cairo had left Deor for a very long time, it was suspected by Lucivar that she’d left, but maybe now she could tell her the truth and put a lie behind her.

Audits twitched atop her head as she stood up, long slender legs moving her sleek figure in the direction of the vocalization. She wasn’t in a hurry, yet, as she was still dazed from her nap.

She hadn’t been too far off, in fact, once she heard the strange, fearful yelp of Farrah Lucivar broke into a dash, afraid that perhaps it had been Cairo’s, but as she crested the hill from the thick woods she spied three forms, Mist, Farrah, and yes, it WAS Cairo! Relieved that all seemed to be well Lucivar released an excited, and very loud howl that didn’t last long before she was sprinting down toward the three.

Panting, Luci found that she wasn’t slowing down much as she actually come closer to the group, it was almost as though she’d lost control of her limbs, however as she halted and skidded passed both Mist and Farrah, Luci found herself just in front of Cairo. “CAIRO!!! I’VE MISSED YOU SO MUCH!” She barked excitedly, her thick plume moving so quickly that it was hard to see. “Where have you been? Are you well? Why did you go for so long? OH! Never mind all of that, you’re BACK! Oh this is so wonderful! Wait to Chalos hears, he’ll be so happy, and oh! We’ll have to introduce you to the new pups that Mist’s daughter had. They’re the cutest little things you’ve ever seen!”

Taking a deep breath Lucivar looked at her dear friend, and was almost over come with emotion, she felt on the verge of tears, but instead she nuzzled her friend and gave her and affectionate lick on the forehead. “Welcome home, Cairo.”

[mitia5]

((woah... LONG! sorry?))

The peace of her solitary seat in the heart of Deor was soon interrupted with a call down to her. Looking up to her right in suprise, Cairo barely had time to react before the fae responsible came tumbling toward her. The rock on which the fae had been perched gave out so that it slid down the slope haphazardly. Miraculously Cairo's pack mate came to a safe halt not to far from her. It was quite impressive and it even looked sort of fun. A smile was pasted on her maw as the fae began to question Cairo as to wether or not she was friend or foe.

Apparently having never met Cairo, this Deor fae felt the need to raise her hackles which didn't exactly please Cai at all. This was definitly a downer after her high expections and feelings upon returning. Clenching her jaw she kept her cool especially unsure if this other fae was of higher or lower status in the pack than her. Thankfully Mist arrived on the scene to break up the tension and prevent Cairo from having to say anything that she might regret.

Happiness once more marked her expressions and sent a wag of relief through her tail. Mist greeted her ever so pleasantly making her really feel like she belonged. Not necessarily a very close friend to Mist, as they had only spoken once, the salutation made her feel as if they were the best of. "Thanks Mist!! It's great to be back!" Tail wagging she gave a curt head nod to the other fae. "Hello Farrah." It was all she could think of to say to Farrah after her slightly rude display and questions.

Thoughts of the other pack members rushed to her mind so that she became eager to know what was occurring while she had been away. Away for too long perhaps. "Where's Lucivar and Dak? And how's Chalos, I know Luci was tending to him?" Cairo felt like she couldn't ask them fast enough. Secretly she also wished to know the rank of Farrah because of how she had raised her hackles. It was in her nature however to simply forgive and forget. Afterall how was Farrah supposed to know that she was of Deor rank as well?

Cairo felt like she had to see the dragga and of course her other close friends Dak and Luci. Tail still wagging she awaited the replies to her multiple inquires. She gave another quick look to Farrah, this time flashing a polite smile.

Before anything else could happen though, Lucivar came bolting toward them out of no where! The pure excitement on the beautiful fae's maw was evident as she skidded to a stop, nose to nose with Cairo. A small giggle escaped from Cai as Luci spurted out her own set of questions just as she had done to Mist. Her cream tail wagged just as quickly now as Lucivar's. "I had been gone for entirely too long and I'm sorry but I'm back now and I couldn't be happier. I can explain more later." Perhaps it was the presence of Farrah that had made Cairo hesitant to reveal too much information as to her why she had been gone. Not that she didn't trust her packmates, it's just that Mist and Lucivar were closer to her, but maybe Farrah could join their circle of friends as well.

"Thanks for the welcome Luci. Heh. You're too cute! Oh and congrats Mist! I can't wait to see the pups and Chalos." Another little laugh escaped from her as her pure joy bubbled outwardly. A playfull nip at Luci's shoulder ended her display and response so that Mist or Farrah could once more join in.

[Dakota Spirit]

Silently moving through the thick trees and brush Dakota made his way across the Deor pack lands. Though the dark male had announced his temporary leave from pack activities only suns before some pressing news had pushed him to return early. Cairo had returned. The cream shaded fae he had first traveled to Deor with, she'd returned at last. Smiling softly to himself he remembered their short journey across the valley to reach this final destination. Cairo had been so eager to get there. So...excited to meet the Dragga Chalos. Upon arrival they had been greeted by none other the pack nurse, Luci. Perhaps the longest standing member of the pack she had shown both varg around with great kindness. The land before them had seemed to open with a wide embrace. Long after that Dak's memories became fuzzy. He couldn't recall just when Cairo had disappeared nor when everything seemed to have gone down hill for himself. Still the male was feeling much better now and was eager to get back into the swing of things.

Lifting his ebony muzzle higher into the skies Dakota took deep breaths searching for Cairo's sent and for the scent of the many other pack mates he was sure had already rushed to meet her. Twitching his auds he listened for any of their movements before talking a few more steps forward. His emerald eyes glittered brightly in the shadowy light taking in all of the details around him. The green and red trees, alive with the color. Full bushes and thick foliage. Deor made for such a pretty pack lands. It was then that he spotted them. Just up ahead a small gathering seemed to be taking place.

Crouching low he stalked forward taking careful steps as to go unnoticed. Emerging only once he had reached the wolves side Dak stood up to his full hight. "Well well well...", he whispered in a warm deep tone. "If it isn't the lovely Cairo. Returning to us at last." Winking once green orb at her Dak smiled before his maw parted for a light laugh. "All kidding aside though...I truly am happy to see you once more. I'd recently taken my own journey away from the pack lands but the news of your return forced it into an early ending. I of course couldn't pass up this moment." His grin was bright against his dark midnight fur. Glancing around slowly he noticed the other varg present in the small pack. He noticed Luci and Mist, both of which he knew from his arrive to these lands. The other however was a mystery to him, and coming in late Dak had missed their name. Leaning back on his haunches he settled in to see what the others had to say. Perhaps the strange fae's name would be mentioned again

[Farrah]

((ACK! It's lovely to have active people again, but when it comes to THE WHOLE THREAD BEING FLOODED WITH LONG POSTS IN A MATTER OF HOURS... *begins to gouge out sore eyes* *realizes how gross that sounds* *begins chewing gum*))
Farrah glanced over at Mist, tension still consuming her muscles. She had seen many things in the time when there was no pack to help with the defense of the pups Uskiya had birthed not so long ago. She was afraid this was another varg asking for trouble, but seeing Mist's joyful gaze reassured her, and as the newcomer, recently distinguished as Cairo, flashed a magnificently friendly smile, Farrah took a deep bow.
"Dearest friend, I offer my humble apology," she spoke, touching her nose to the ground. Raising her head again, she looked the wolf directly in the eye, tail wagging and ears happily perked. "As you probably have already guessed due to the introduction of my dear mumsie ((I'm just going to start calling that, aye? Can I? Can I puleease?)), Mist, my name is Farrah. It is my pleasure to meet a returning member of Deor."
Farrah noticed several more varg enter the scene: Lucivar and Dakota Spirit. Neither were wonderful friends of Farrah as she had not ever gotten to know them, but it was wonderful all the same to see so many varg at once all from Deor.
Could the pack ever fully recover? This was a question that resounded through Farrah's mind over the past few months. It now seemed to have a gloriously unexpected answer: yes, and perhaps its fate was to grow larger and stronger than it had ever been. The fae's brain was already whirling with the possibility of stories to tell the new cubs of how the ashes of destruction had birthed a new power.
Hmm... she thought. Not a bad beginning for an epic tale, huh?

((Weeeee! Deor is alive! Deor is alive! *does Macarena*))

[Mist]

Smiling Mist nods happily. "You're so welcome, Cairo! It really is good to have you back, especially since I didn't really get a chance to know you well when you were here before. That happens far too often it seems." Hearing Cairo's questions she pauses a moment before answering. "Lucivar is here somewhere, she also returned recently and is glad to be home. I have only seen Dakota once recently, but I know that he is also in the lands..."

As Lucivar comes tearing into the clearing, Mist grins at the happy meeting, wishing that she knew her pack members better - well enough to be that excited to see them. Other than Cagalli, she doesn't know any of them very well, even the cubs, since she hasn't had many chances to get to know them well. She shakes her head laughing quietly at Luci's bombardment of questions and then looks up in faint surprise as the other varg she had mentioned comes to join the happy reunion. She looks at Dak and nods, smiling in greeting.

Turning her attention back to Farrah as the fae speaks, she blinks in surprise as she is called "mumsie". After a moment her surprise fades and she grins and shrugs, having no problem with being mother to another, as long as she isn't thought to be old. The thought suddenly strikes her that her beloved Deor is actually becoming a noticable pack now. Perhaps, even though it was delayed, the wonderful event of the cubs birth somehow brought new life back in the pack and something, though she doesn't understand it, called the others back. She smiles happily and looks at her fellow packmembers, hoping that it will stay like this and not relapse into quiet life, barely holding on. No... she shakes her head slightly, it will continue, and grow, and flourish... it is too good of a pack not to have a good fate.

(Erm, Farrah, I wasn't exactly expecting that, but *grin* I guess it's fine with me... You're all making Mist feel old even though she really isn't... hehe)

[Dakota Spirit]

[Just as a note guys, my character's name is not actually Dakota Spirit. THe only reason I have the Spirit part on there is to decifer between myself and the other older Dakota. Sorry for the confusion ]

[okamiwolf]

Lucivar, content now and a little less excited, backed up a few paces. She set her posture to that of her rank, her head was held a little higher, though her tail was too busy showing her badly masked joy as it moved furiously through the chilled air. She now took time to turn and nod to Farrah and Mist, though she didn’t know either of them very well and had only actually spent time with them back at the pack hunt where Chalos had fallen.

It had been ages since everyone had been together. It felt like years almost. But it was so wonderful. It seemed that with the return of Chalos, and his good health, life was breathed back into the forest territory that belonged to Deor. Lucivar turned her head as Dakota appeared, another good friend, though she very seldom had actually spoken with him. “Dakota, what a quick return.” She chuckled in response to his words as well as her own, and the warmth in the air made her feel like this was home again.

“In any case, with Deor so filled with life, and the return of good friends, I do so believe that we should ask Chalos if we might hold a celebration.” Audits twitched as she offered this idea. A gathering of their pack, together for however long. It would be a wonderful way to make and renew friendships.

[Farrah]

((ACK! Thanks for telling me before I got used to putting the 'Spirit' in there, Dakota.
I love you too, mumsie. ))
Farrah was almost brought to tears at the joy of being caught up in so much merrymaking. The lonely times during the winter where she wished those from her pack would return was now paying off, though she still had one face she truly wished to see: that of her brother, Ingo. He had gone off and never returned. He swore he would come back, but he never did. She hoped this new wave of old pack-members would beckon his home-coming as well. She had lost him once and did not plan on losing him again.

[mitia5]

Happiness seemed to exude from every varg in words and actions alike, making Cairo feel more welcome than ever before. Dakota's presence suprised her as he appeared beside her almost magically. What a sneak! Turning to him with a large smile she pulled him into a hug, wrapping her head around his neck. He was quite adorable so that she couldn't resist but give him some sort of physical interaction which was so important to the life of a varg.

Pulling away she listened as everyone joked around or suggested ideas of a large celebration on behalf of Deor's apparent rise in activity. Farrah gave her apology which Cairo accepted easily with a wink her general direction accompanied by a laugh at Mist being referred to as 'mumsie'.

It was such a joyous occasion that Cairo's tail didn't stop wagging for even a moment. Perhaps less obvious was the apparent glow that shined within in her bi hued gaze. "A celebration, now that would be something! How exciting and I'm sure Chalos would have to agree." With a little giggle she continued. "Afterall he wouldn't want to dampen all of our spirits." Nudging Dak with her nose she could barely contain the energy that seemed to now be coursing through her body. "So when should we bother our dragga with this request?"

[Chalos Autumn]

[glow=black,5,000]Activity brimmed within Deor. A group had gathered and their words could be heard from the dens, where the pack's alpha spent most of his time lately - he simply despised the cold. However, he was a curious Dragga, and as sounds of the gathering reached his keen ears, the enormous male heaved himself from his laying position, walked gingerly out onto the snow-laden landscape, and waited, auds perked and alert.

Suddenly, the direction of the voices found him and he took off at a brisk pace, steadily shortening the distance between himself and the packmembers. Unable to help himself, Chalos pulled into a flying run, leaping into the air, lifting his head and letting loose with a mighty howl; he was free, finally free from the crippling grasp that his sickness had held him in. Snow crunched crisply underneath his paws, the sinew of his muscles rippling underneath his pelt whilst his pace grew faster and faster. As the wind streamed through his fur and whistled past his ears, the great male hurled himself into the air again, tongue lolling. It was great to be a varg.

The gathering soon came into sight; Chalos' kind, sage eyes beamed at seeing his members so friendly with one another. He soon picked out each member by name and noted that Cairo, a gorgeous she-varg of alabaster with bicoloured occuli, had returned. It seems that once a varg is a member of Deor, they are always a member of Deor.. The Dragga smiled to himself, feeling that he had upheld the position of Deor's alpha quite well - the pack was well out of the hole it had fallen into under Thunder's command. The rust-and-ebony furred Mann skid to a halt, snow splaying in all directions as he slid, stopping just short of the group. "Cairo!" He barked happily, high-raised tail wagging as he nodded in acknowledgement to Farrah, Dak, Mist, and finally, Luci. "You weren't gone for long, but you were sorely missed!" Obviously, the Deorian alpha was feeling playful - and why shouldn't he? He was brimming with life in his young age of four years - he was only forced to be mature because of his status![/glow]

[mitia5]

A brassy howl interrupted any reply that Cairo might have recieved as their dragga called out, obviously pleased that the pack was lively and he was healed. Before long he was rushing toward them only to skid to halt, splaying them with a powdery shower. Chalos spoke directly to Cai, explaining how she had been apparently 'sorely missed.' The mere thought made her almost blush. Deor would be her forever home, for it was within its borders and amongst its members that she felt the most alive.

Turning her gaze to her dragga she respectfully lowered her head and tail as her auds swivelled back to show her lower rank. Of course her tail still wagged with joy as she smiled up at the handsome Chalos. "It's great to be back Chalos. Deor will always be a part of me and will always be my home." Pausing she glanced at her packmates, as if studying them, memorizing their forms as they were now: happy. "I'm so pleased to see that you've made a full recovery. I wish I could have helped but I knew you needed to be alone to heal. Afterall, Luci is a great nurse."

Bowing slightly to honor his decison at making Lucivar the pack's nurse, Cairo finally averted her eyes from him. Although she was more than happy to be back in Deor she now felt the guilt of her leave as well as the guilt that plagued her from why she had been missing. Surely she would have been back sooner but she wished for none of them to know what had occurred whilst her absence. For some reason, it was Chalos Autumn alone that made Cairo feel this guilt as it now fell heavily on her heart and spirits.

Trying to conceal her change of mood she kept her tail wagging so that the only distinction that may or may not have been detected was a loss of the previous glow in her bi hued optics. Surely only the keenest of varg would notice such a thing. Hopefully none of them would or if they did, would say nothing on the matter.

Maybe, secretly she longed to tell at least one soul her reasons for disappearing but it would be difficult. They would probably judge her even as friends. Trying to forget the entire ordeal was a hardship that she battled with especially now in the circle of excitement that brewed.

[Farrah]

"Well, well, well. If it isn't our pack leader reincarnate!" Farrah announced playfully, though more respectfully than usual.
"Had a good hybernation?" She smiled gleefully and watched as Cairo and Chalos conversed. Farrah was one to look around. She had always been very perseptive, because she easily lost interest in many things. She considered herself slightly ADD and was proud of it. During the time the pack leader and her new pack-mate friend were talking, she looked around a the snow crystals that Chalos had splashed upon everyone at his arrival. Soon, she grew bored with the dancing relections of small peices of her face in them, and moved on to something she considered less dull.
Ooh! I know! she thought. Let's play "let's guess what everyone is thinking"!
She looked at Chalos, the great leader who had spawned many a tale of heroics in Farrah's patch-work mind, noting his face was full of excitement and joy. He was clearly pleased to be alive and well this wonderous day.
And why shouldn't he? Farrah reprimanded herself. It was not long ago and that the brave Dragga had a brush with Wolfbane's flank.
Farrah shook herself, trying not to recall the horrific event that she had been present for.
Who's next? she thought, trying to preoccupy herself again.
Aaaahhh...dearest mumsie...
Mist conveyed hopefulness, as it was pervading throughout her features as if a tsunami of it had just washed over her.
Lucivar seemed extremely content and relaxed. She had begun to show her rank more and more with each passing second, a sure sign that she had calmed down since the initial excitement of Cairo's return.
Dakota seemed happy enough. Though Farrah had never gotten to know him personally, he seemed like the quiet type, but was still oozing joy.
Where are my manners? Farrah thought shamelessly. Guests are supposed to go first....
She looked over at Cairo. The varg's tail wagged mercilessly, a usual give-away of extreme pleasure. However, her eyes betrayed her, or at least Farrah thought. She seemed a little...shamed? Why? She had just returned to her home! Why would she need to feel such an emotion? She was the converse of all other varg and the reason for their emotions was her! Where was this coming from?
Farrah decided not to mention this before the other varg...perhaps she would never mention it at all. She kept most of her intelligence inside and most of her snideness and playfullness on the outside...most varg considered her a "dumb gray", for that was how she presented herself. However, she found that illusion to be most helpful in particular circumstances. Thus, she played the part and played it well, only letting small niblets of intelligence seep when a sarcastic comment need be said.
As most things concerning Farrah, she decided to keep it for herself to ponder, and perhaps express it on a later date.
((I won't write any more to save you all from having to get lasic on my account. Not a very good ending at all...in fact, an all-over crappy post. I apologize. ))