⊰ Skill Point ― Herbalist ⊱
Hjördis

Skjoldrheim. What a name for themselves. Gone was their Queen but in her place a fair King had arisen. Lilja thought him fair only from passing interactions with the children, but he seemed kind, and thought of others often before himself it seemed. For the most part, if one dared lay judgement on the two litters of children that he'd seemed to sire to some extent.

The thought made the girl chuckle to herself, her little paws wandering through the boreal woodland that skirted the edge of the island crossing. While it wasn't often she came to the mainland, it was a nice feeling to be able to come and go as she pleased. For a moment her mind drifted back to her Queen, the woman who had trusted her to join their ranks all those months before. Had it truly been so long ago? Half a year had come and gone so quickly and the scars on her back no longer burned like they once had.

The memories though, they still haunted the girl. They came to Lilja in her sleep, embracing the pale woman with nightmares that often woke her throughout the night. It was not so hard to deprive her of rest, but it was enough for her to almost dislike the idea of going to bed. She was lonesome without the children pestering her, not now they were old enough to think for themselves and seek their own fun away from the adults. She almost wanted to find new friends, especially now that she was alone as she tended to Cedar's wintery garden.

It would not be too long before winter disappeared and spring would revitalise the soils. Planting season for certain bulbs she'd been hiding away in her den away from the bitter frosts. The thought kept her busy enough as she skipped through the snowy woodland, dancing through the trees as she listened to the morning bird song. If only she had someone to share her time with.

Skill: N/A

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Hjördis eventually grew accustomed to walking around on 4 limbs, albeit begrudgingly. There was little choice to be made, lest she would starve in the harsh wilderness. At least her coat was thick, perfect for the cold—even after diving into frigid water to find food, the freezing temperatures weren't much of a problem. What was the problem, however, was her own sheer ineptitude.

Time and time again, Hjördis thrust herself into the rivers and lakes of this strange world—'Mythris,' it was called. Each attempt ended with a bruised ego and a freezing-cold wolf. The fish were either unusually skilled here, or Hjördis merely lacked the ability to catch them. The latter would break her heart. Pappa had spent his years teaching her to fish, for what? For her to starve on her own in the wild? She was such a failure.

The girl wanted to cry. She wanted to beseech the gods for the reason why she was put in such a predicament, why they'd placed a curse that'd trapped her in the body of a canid. Yet, her laments would always leave her throat with a melodic howl, and the words that clouded her mind remained trapped behind her lips. It felt harrowing, oppressive—to be stuck in this vessel, to be unable to say what she desired to, unable to care for herself, entirely ostracized from the comfortable life she once led.

Another failed attempt to hunt fish was evident with the water that completely drenched her torso and face, multicolored eyes downcast and staring at her sodden forepaws. Damn these paws. Damn this body! Hjördis wanted to cuss, to swear, to yell—and all that left her mouth was a small whimper. It was no use. There was no leaving this place. No more will she greet the familiar people in her village, spend the evenings catching fish with Pappa. Only howling and barking, whining and whimpering.

But... then she heard it—quiet footfalls amongst the gentle titter of birds. Hjördis raised her head, her ears sharply shifting forward with a jingle of her rings. Who was there? Someone who could help her out of this predicament? God forbid, a human? Please gods... they'd tormented her enough. She let out a shaky sigh and hoisted herself up onto her short limbs.

Airy strides carried the woman swiftly through the woodlands, until eventually, she found the source of the sound. A wolf. Not a human. A pretty little thing with a lithe frame of pure white and eyes of crystalline blue. She seemed to know what she was doing.

Hjördis tilted her head and scowled, her tail stiff behind her haunches and her ears still pointed forward. She only met one other wolf so far. She liked that wolf, but... that wolf didn't seem to like her very much. Hjördis winced slightly and her ears fell back. Hej, she woofed softly, ...what're you doin'? Lord, she hoped that wasn't a prying question. The young Swede had yet to figure out exactly what pertained to 'wolf social etiquette'.

⊰ Skill Point ― n/a ⊱

She was completely unaware of anything but the make believe world in her mind as she weaved through the trees. So much so that when the woman's voice called, LIlja almost jumped out of her skin with fright. She turned on the brunette before her and let out a long sigh to calm the sudden shot of adrenaline that coursed through her veins, a paw lifting to her chest as if it would slow her pounding heart.

Hei, (hello) she offered in return as a tense smile pulled at her lips, Sorry, you caught me off guard, the woman laughed nervously, her eyes on the stiff wolf in front of her. She looked intense, stressed? Angry? Had Lilja stumbled onto her turf, oh goodness she sure hoped she hadn't.

I was just taking a morning walk, sorry did I disturb you? she was quick to apologise, not realising she'd already done it once before, worry filling her eyes as she began to panic. Oh, shoot! She really hoped she hadn't done something wrong.

Skill: N/A

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The snow-white wolf jolted in shock at her presence, having to take a moment to catch her breath and regain her composure. Perplexed, Hjördis canted her head to the side, brows furrowed. Was she that scary? This wolf didn't seem too much smaller than her—lighter than her, surely, but that wouldn't be saying much considering Hjördis and her broad physique. Was it the earrings? Was it something about her face?

'...sorry, did I disturb you?' Soft-spoken, redundant apologies—Hjördis has seen this before, her sister was like this! Anxious, overthinking, shy around strangers... she offered the stranger a good-natured grin. No, nope, she arched her back and stretched her limbs, easing the tension that hung in the air, not at all. I wasn't doin' much. Not that she could do much. She had little experience as a wolf.

Hjördis sat back comfortably on her hindquarters, a soft huff leaving her nostrils. I'm kinda new around here, she explained, I haven't got the slightest idea how to get around. Her smile grew bashful, but friendly nonetheless. Think you could... give me a hand? It felt selfish to ask such of a stranger, but it was worth a shot.

⊰ Skill Point ― Orator ⊱

The demeanour of the woman changed almost instantly and Lilja couldn't help but sigh with relief as a shy giggle escaped her lips. Oh thank goodness, she laughed, straightening her own posture out so she too matched the relaxation the stranger tried to present.

When she said she was new, Lilja couldn't help but look back to how she'd felt when she'd arrived in this world. A strange world it was too, she was the luckiest girl in the world actually. If Freya hasn't picked up her, she've been in a pickle for certain.

That's okay, it happens to the best of us, the girl offered the other a reassuring smile, I sure can! Did you just move to the area, or... did you arrive from another world. It was on the tip of her tongue but she held it back, looking to the woman warmly - almost motherly like she did with the children back on the island.

Skill: N/A

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Lilja's soft sigh of relief seemed to rub off on Hjördis—as the stranger's body eased, she felt the initial worry of scaring her dissipate entirely, replaced instead with good-humored wags of her tail. This girl truly was like her sister.

Hjördis's expression fell pensive for a split second when the question was brought forth: 'Did you move to the area, or...' The inquiry was unfinished, but she had the feeling that she knew where this question might be going.

Well, I... guess I did, in a way, she remarked, I... certainly am not from the area. I don't know how it is I ended up here. She chuckled softly, though she found little humor in the circumstances.

Even when she'd been cursed with the body of a wolf, however, Hjördis refused to return her heart from her sleeve. I'm trying my best to make do with what I have, but it's not easy, she admitted, I don't really know my way around here. The smile remained, yet it faltered.

The girl shook off the downcast thoughts and perked back up. No use dwelling on it, really, she chirped up, what's your name? I'm Hjördis. Hjördis Åkesdotter. She puffed out her chest with pride—her title was one she carried with honor, being the daughter of a powerful man. Nothing could change that—not even some stupid curse.

⊰ Skill Point ― Orator ⊱

Lilja nodded in understanding. The stranger was like her, and like a lot of those she'd met in this world. Appearing here without much of an idea as to where they were from. While one might simply just have a concussion, the woman in front of her didn't present any symptoms of such and there was not trauma to her head as far as Lilja could see.

She didn't want to peer at her like some kind of science experiment either so she daren't do a full scan of her head.

Me too, she hummed in agreement instead, I was found in a meadow a little ways west of here, my previous Queen was kind enough to extend help to me, so why not I to you? she babbled, though perhaps nerves were making her expand a little further into her past than necessary.

She understood not wanting to dwell though, so she didn't ask that much. Lilja continued to listen and just couldn't hold back her smile when the woman offered her a name. The Scandinavian accent and now her name made all Lilja's nerves vanish.

You're like me! she couldn't contain it.

Lilja, Lilja Järvinen. she offered eloquently, puffing out her own chest with a moment of unusual pride. Her tail waved behind her as her paws began to dance in place. There was a childish element to the motion that Lilja couldn't help but spin and giggle. Now Lilja, time to calm down. You're not alone right now.

Clearing her throat and fixing Hjordis with a grin, Lilja extended an offer.

If you'd like, I can take you to my king and if her permits, you'd be welcome to stay as long as you need or would like.

Skill: N/A

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The girl listened to Lilja's explanation with heedful eyes, brows raised and lips pursed in curiosity. 'Me too' She canted her head to the side. 'I was found in a meadow a little ways west of here, my previous Queen was kind enough to extend help to me, so why not I to you?' Beaming, Hjördis let her tail continue to beat the air, nodding her head as she spoke. She wasn't alone. She wasn't alone! Finally, she felt a sense of companionship—her condition, this curse, was not one exclusive to her. That itself brought a warm rush of relief.

Hjördis was about to voice her deep appreciation for solidarity when her thoughts were interrupted by the small woman's outburst—'You're like me!' She pricked her ears. 'Lilja, Lilja Järvinen.' A name that was soothingly familiar—another from the northern regions. Lilja, your name— it suits you! She chirped. It's beautiful. She trotted a few steps forward and settled on her haunches. Her forepaws continued to shuffle with elation.

'If you'd like, I can take you to my king and if her permits, you'd be welcome to stay as long as you need or would like.' The offer took Hjördis by surprise. A king... her ears tilted back slightly. Ooh, oh... is he... scary? Authority had always intimidated Hjördis—it was part of why she was so fond of her village. The chieftain being her own father was a relief. If it were anyone else, she would likely be reduced to the meek girl her sister was.

Still, the invitation was enticing—even now, she could feel her stomach rumble. It'd been a few days since her last true meal, as opposed to surviving off of foraging on berries. ...Um... she pensively scowled, ...yeah. I'll come. But... I dunno if I'll stay for long. No matter. Hjördis's expression returned to one of good-natured excitement, as she stepped aside to let Lilja lead the way.