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There were many moving pieces which required adequate attention when it come to keeping Avon running.

What had begun as a small familial unit was expanding. Fable was pleased to see more new faces trickling in with each passing day, bringing with them experiences and lives lived from varying backgrounds. It would take all of them in some meaningful way to keep the machine that was Avon working; some were gears and others pistons, utilizing their individual skillsets in some way to benefit the group as a whole.

While she had no thoughts of reaching the grandeur that was The Morrigan's Hand, she hoped to craft a place that could be called home, and become a community that spurred others to better their corner of the world somehow - it was up to all of them to be stewards for nature and the spirits long gone from this side of the veil.

Fable paused in her preening of Avon's budding garden to consult the air, where her packmate's scent lingered nearby. She had been meaning to touch base with Amrei - partially to snoop and see how she and Kaphiri were getting on after she had a discussion with the flame-robed man, but also to simply ensure the woman was well in her own right. The matriarch realized she had been lax in her own schedule with the rearing of her daughters and the recent rumples in the fabric of their group, but she was making strides to improve upon it, smooth the creases, and rebuild the foundation of the group.

She gently placed the weeds she had collected aside in a heap, freeing her jaws from their burden, before she began to track after the scent trail belonging to Amrei. Once she was close enough to be heard, the blush-toned wolf paused and loosed a greeting to the air, Amrei? Do ye have a moment?

It had been a relatively peaceful life here in Avon. Amrei had been thinking about taking a role here, a place for herself within the hierarchy that may help her new leader. A woman that she hoped to also call her friend. So when she had heard Fable's call, her name on her lips, she felt the need to rise to the occasion. Fable? Is that you? I'm here. The Dusk woman met her blushed form in a somewhat carefree trot, only slowing down once she was close enough to speak comfortably. She sat down near the pink colored wolf, still able to admire the soft appearance that she was not quite used to seeing back home. How do you fare today? A kindness and softness was deep within Amrei's voice, a small smile appearing on her face as she waited to hear what Fable had need of her.

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Amrei approached when addressed and Fable's visage warmed. It was becoming more commonplace as the days drew on, but she could never keep herself from marveling at her ever-growing circle of support. Avon was becoming a living, beating heart, the circuitry of its parts sourced from the flesh-and-blood wolves whose effort fueled it.

While her trust was worn in some ways, as cautious as a hovering hand above an open flame, she was beginning to reopen the door that had been shuttered. The Dusk's open reception of her served to pry at the wooden boards and she felt a hidden tension diffuse as she settled to a sit just across from her.

There was a maternal quality about Amrei that Fable appreciated - she hadn't grown to know her very well just yet, but it was the perception she had from her observations of the flame-tinted woman. Her confidence in her own instincts had suffered greatly with recent events, but she felt sure of the other's integrity.

I am well, Amrei - how are ye? I hope I haven't troubled ye, Fable returned, an easy smile pooling across her muzzle. I wanted t'check in t' see how ye are feelin' about things here in Avon.

It was an open floor for feedback, good or bad - if she had qualms or worries, the Matriarch wanted to put them to rest or offer guidance.

The blush painted woman approached with a warmness about her, sending Amrei even more into a state of calmness. She kept to her seating position, a kind expression clear across her face. I am well, thank you. And not at all, it is nice to have some company this morning. Amrei continued to smile at her, her tail moving softly side to side for a moment. Her thoughts went to Fable's question, thinking it over carefully for a moment.

Avon has been kind to me, though the area has been very different from my old home. I am not one born ice and snow, though it is beautiful. I am more akin to sand and sun. A real difference in climate and lifestyle that she wasn't quite prepared for, but it was worth it to have a safe home and a good meal every now and then. What brings you this way? I hope all is well as of late. She couldn't help that maybe there was something else that was on Fable's mind, though was fine if that wasn't at all the case. It was simply nice just to share a good morning with a friend.

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It pleased Fable to know Amrei fared well - it was, after all, of paramount importance that the members of Avon flourish. Fable would bear the brunt of it all on her own shoulders if it meant her children and those who made the Meadows home were hale and hearty.

I am glad t'hear it, Fable hummed, her tail patting the ground in a gentle wag. I also like havin' company in th' mornings, before th' day gets away with ye.

All too often, she was distracted from the morning's splendor by some matter of her station or motherhood. She didn't mind it so much, though - she had signed up for all of it, and it gave her purpose and fulfilment in return for her sleepless nights and busy mornings. At some point, she would long for them when her den was empty after her daughters had taken up sleeping spots of their own. The thought was enough to snarl her heart with a pinch of sorrow, but she pushed it away - she could not allow melancholy that had not yet come to pass to put down roots.

She listened attentively as Amrei described her homeland - one composed of sands heated by the sun above. It differed even from Fable's home in Talamh; she had always enjoyed the countryside, lush with greenery in the spring and summer but blanketed in snow during the winter. She had broken up ice in water troughs and shielded early-spring sprouts from the final vestiges of winter - it was her least favorite season for those reasons and more.

More recently, it had been a season of great heartache and loss. The world had entered its dormancy, the stark white of its ribs exposed just as the uncaring winter sun shone cold and ambivalent light upon her own period of dieback, burning her as though it were frostbite.

But the future was bright, sown by the brightly colored wildflowers that were finally emerging. Just as they did, she would find a way to tilt her face to the sun again and accept whatever growth the universe had in store.

Your homeland sounds beautiful - an' definitely warmer, Fable responded with a chuckle. If I am bein' honest, I don't much care for th'cold either. I came here t'be closer to family on Archon's side, for th' girls. Were it up t'me, I would be somewhere warmer.

It did not nettle her to speak his name and it surprised her. Had it been weeks ago, she would have been hard-pressed to roll it from her tongue, the familiar name catching in her throat. But now, it was any other word, any other name; that might change depending on the day, but she would take what relief she could find in this moment alone.

The relief was indeed a fleeting matter. She was two daughters shorter, she reminded herself - but that was not a topic she wanted to discuss, not now. Unlike the name of their father, their names were difficult to mention for the complicated emotions surrounding them.

Her smile did not waver, even as the turbulence loomed within the confines of her thoughts.

I wanted t' check in with ye - I know I have... fallen short o' keeping a pulse on everyone, but I am tryin' t' change that. I appreciate all that ye an' Kaphiri have done for myself, m'family, an' Avon, Fable supplied, her smile dampened but earnest - if a hair sheepish. Have ye thought o' any rank ye might enjoy?

Amrei listened to Fable with an open mind and an open heart, keeping her soft smile spread across her lips. I'm glad that I am with a kindred spirit then in that aspect. Something to bond over, just between us. Oh, thank you for the kind compliment. My homeland is very cherished by my past kingdom, and myself. I hope to see it again one day. Maybe in due time, if you so wished, perhaps we could find a home more akin to what you would like for your pack? Someplace soft and warm like the beating heart of Avon. Ah a true silver tongued wolf. Just as her mother has always raised her to be.

Oh of course. I try to do my best to pitch in for the pack. Kaphiri has been a kind heart, showing me the around our beautiful home and helping me out every now and again. He is a good one, that Kaphiri. She had thought of the male often, finding herself becoming more and more attached to him as the days wore on. The topic of ranks came to her, causing her to pause for a moment. Hmmm, I think that I would like a rank that is of an emissary. If there is one. That is what I did in my old pack after stepping down as Princess. Royalty never suited me any way. She was no leader, this Amrei was sure of.