Skill: 「 - 」
Thread Title: Shrek 2: 「 Changes 」 
All welcome but for Sólúlfur and N​ó​ttin
OOC note: This thread is placed sometime after this one. so she is likely a bit injured and I’ll just vaguely describe it.

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Their stay in Northfall had been a nice break from the dark, ominous feel of Mistveil, but it came at a cost—everything always did. While she was not in perfect health, she was alive. There was a moment she was nearly certain Te Kā was going to grab her throat and squeeze until her body was an empty husk in the snow. A shutter trickled down Freya’s spine, guard hairs lifting as her instincts recalled the danger.

The woman began to wonder, if he had lunged at her, what would she have done: fight, flight, or freeze? Knowing her luck, her body would fail to cooperate and she would stand there, all owl eyed and served up on a silver platter for the Saint. Freya’s ears pinned to her crown, head lowering to hang between her shoulders as she cautiously maneuvered the still-unknown layout of Northfall. The whole situation was strange, as she had become used to hiding in Joxer or Jaxxon’s shadow, be it by choice or not. To walk without a barrier between herself and the outside world felt… vulnerable.

Freya began to search for somewhere—anywhere— to simply exist. Her body ached, and she wanted nothing more than to rest and tend to her injuries. 

It had taken some time to get here, not to mention keeping up with his sister as they made their way to Northfall. It had been his first true visit to the mountain pack, his memories flying back to when he had first met Wardruna. He wondered if she was also in the tournament, hoping that she had been doing alright since he had last seen her.

Guilt had once overtaken him when it came to the shieldmaiden, thoughts of what could have been plaguing his mind. But now that he had moved on with his own pack, and now had a path with Dalmatia, things were looking up for him. And now he could, with pride, come to say hello to an old friend.

But little did he know that something else was about to catch his attention. N​ó​ttin kept walking through one of the mountain trails, looking for something to keep him preoccupied while the festivities were under way. That's when his glacial gaze caught sight of something in the distance, coming towards him in a slow gait. No, it couldn't be. That was impossible. At first he just stood there, eyes wide and body frozen. How long had it been? Was it really her? His mouth opened to try and say something, but no words could come out.

The confused male just continued to stand there and stare at the greyscale wolf, with eyes so soft it was hard to forget her. Finally he brought out enough courage to try and find out for himself if what he was seeing was true. Freya? Freya, is that you? N​ó​ttin waited while holding his breath, unsure of how this was going to play out in the end.

Skill : 「 - 」
Injuries: Punctures in her scruff, bruises on her sides and underbelly, noticeably disheveled fur.

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The utterance of her name made the woman freeze like a deer in headlights. It was a voice she hadn’t known, that if a man who was not Jaxxon nor Joxer. Whomever they were, they were not of the Saints. So how and why were they calling out to her?

Green eyes blinked rapidly before finally looking at the stranger who’d decided to speak to her. For a brief second, Freya held her breath, gaze squinting as she examined him. She felt her heart skip a beat, was that… Hades? The man that had helped raise her. No… something about his appearance was slightly off. The pattern was correct, but it held a cooler shading compared to the warmer tans and browns of the former Akkeri.

… N-Nóttin? hesitation laced into the one worded question. Was this really him? It felt impossible. He was giant. An adult, fully filled out and mature. They were not lanky children that played within the Jawbone, anymore. They were this, whatever “this” was.

A torn up woman turned to face him, green eyes filled with what could only be described as utterly horrible fear, and the look of a beaten prey animal. Freya! It is you! When did you get here? What...what happened to you? He wanted to race over and embrace her in friendship. But something told him to stay back, as if his presence might scare her off completely. Where...where you...in the tournament?

N​ó​ttin had so many questions to ask her, so many things that he wanted to say. It felt so good to see someone from his childhood, to see someone else that understood him and his sister on some level. Her presence however might change some things for him in the future. Now he wanted Sol to see her and maybe they could bring her home. That is if she wanted to. To be honest though, where else would she even want to stay if not with them? Nothing else even crossed his mind in that moment.

Skill : 「 - 」

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Freya felt her heart flutter as the man’s voice began to register as something meaningful. True, she hadn’t known him to sound like an adult prior to this moment; they were still young when they seperated, but her mind had already bound his new voice to the core memories of their childhood. The deep, albeit gentle rumble of the Nóttin’s tone was now entangled with visions of a youthful boy exploring the Jawbone with the other ísblóð pups. It was calming and welcoming, it was relieving and warming. It sounded like home.

Nóttin, Freya said again, this time her tail timidly wagging as green eyes softened and her defenses lowered. The boy she had once known was here, of all places. Did that mean the others…? His siblings? Her siblings? Or was it just the two of them? Truthfully, even that was more than enough to soothe her woes. Nóttin was more than she could have ever hoped for.

It took a few seconds for her to realize she’d yet to answer him. When did she get here, what happened to her, was she in the tournament? The reassurance she felt began to dim and dull back into dread. Was it truly safe to talk to him? How much could she get away with saying? I came with my pack, and with my children, to celebrate the late king, yes, that’s what she was doing here. She’d come with the Saints, and her children.

Freya’s ear twitched as she glanced to the corner of her peripherals, as if making sure no one was listening too closely. I— yes, sort of. Just a little mock spar, of sorts… ears splayed as the woman’s eyes fell to her feet.

There was a sense of tranquility seeing Freya again, like a piece of home was sent back to him through some sort of magic, or even a miracle. A soft smile made its way across his face, eyes bright with a happiness that he had thought was all lost. Not that things hadn't been going well for him, but somewhere in his heart, it always felt like something was missing. Maybe this, what ever it was, was what he was looking for. But the familiar friendly and affectionate tone soon faded away, replaced by something more alarming and quietly threatening. But what was it?

You...you have children? With whom? When? And what kind of mock spar? Are you alright? N​ó​ttin so desperately wanted to come closer to her, to give her a hug or even take her away to somewhere more secluded and private. But would she go with him? You look like you have seen a ghost. Is there something going on? No, maybe it was just all in his head. She should be happy in a pack of her own, striking out on her own. Shouldn't she? Unless she wasn't. Oh what on earth was going on here!?

Skill : 「 - 」

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Freya’s splayed ears began to lift slightly, eyes sweeping over the altering expression of the man before her. It was strange, how different he looked in adulthood but also how clearly it was still Nóttin. It was comforting that even though they were seperated for all this time there was still a thread of connection she could pick up on. There was so much she wanted to know about. What happened after she and her family left the Jawbone? Were the ísblóð still thriving? How were his siblings? What was he doing here? When did he get here?

Oh… yes… right. It was her turn to answer his growing inquiries.

I— yes. Yes, I’ve had my first litter. Some of them are running around here, somewhere, she hoped they were avoiding trouble. Part of her wanted to avoid saying who with, as she didn’t know how prominently the Huntsman’s reputation spread to the north. A man from my pack. They’re around 3 months right now, How quickly they were growing now, and as adventurous as ever, especially Bella.

oh… One of the higher ranks of my group wanted to help me and his companion learn some self defense. So he encouraged us to spar some. I think we got a little carried away… There was no way she would be able to explain that she hadn’t had a choice in the matter. Neither of them had a choice.

Nóttin’s final question sent a chill down her spine as his words echoed in her mind. Something… going on…? As if on cue, Freya’s eyes began to well up with sadness. Tears spilled over, rolling down her cheeks and dripping into the snow beside her feet. Where was she even meant to start? Was it even safe to talk about? Her children were at risk, she only had two of them here. What would they do to the others if she spoke?

Freya stood there, shaking, sobbing wordlessly. Where was she meant to start? Nóttin… It was all she could say right now.

She was standing right in front of him, yet it was still so hard to believe it. Freya went on to explain a bit of her kids, that she had them with some male of her pack. Still something didn't sit right with him. But he let her continue on regardless. There was this spar she was talking about, making him internally grimace with concern.

Freya wasn't the fighting type, was she? N​ó​ttin could remember back when they were just pups, how she was always so soft and timid. Yet so kind and caring. The only ones that seemed fitting of more of a fire starter, were Nico and Tulio. But no, not her. It was something that he always liked about her, and in some ways could relate to.

Then at the end of her talk of spars, something deep down changed about her. Something in the way her eyes began to well up with tears, her ears flattening against her head. Then her voice, so small and frail, and so full of fear. What was wrong? Freya...you can tell me. It's going to be okay. Come here, I'm here for you.

Was someone or something scaring her? Was someone hurting her? What was going on around here? N​ó​ttin wanted to go over and take her in his embrace, to save her from what ever was causing her this great turmoil. But his own dose of anxiety was getting the better of him. What if she ran away from him? What if he scared her off by mistake?

Hey, we can talk about something else if you want. It's okay, trust in me. N​ó​ttin gave her a small friendly smile, trying to reassure her that no matter what, he was going to be there for her. For however long she would allow it, even it was for just a short period of time. Somehow, someway, he would find her again. N​ó​ttin knew this deep down in his heart and soul, and would stick to it no matter what. After all, that's all the proof he had. And still he believed.

There was something comforting about the one that stood before her, something familiar. It was true, Freya did not have her brothers, sister, or mama. However, she did manage to find a seemingly impossibly placed piece of home right here, in this corner of a new world. Nóttin was a beacon of hope, one that she had long since given up on finding. It meant there was still a chance, right? Maybe her siblings could be somewhere out there or maybe her mama? It was revitalizing a fraction of her heart that was once cold and lifeless. Nothing was impossible.

Freya looked to him, tears still streaming down her cheeks as she trembled like a leaf in the wind. Fear gripped her, but how badly she wished to feel the comfort of familiar connections and ties. Hesitantly, the healer began to tread closer, limbs stiff and slowly as she neared him. Soon the gap was gone entirely, and personal space was no longer an option. Without asking or even thinking, Freya sat in front of him and nestled into the thick plush of his chest—it was evident he was made for the north by how dense his coat was compared to her own.

He’d reassured her she can talk to him or even talk about anything else. Freya quietly sat, uncertain of what words would leave her mouth. I must go home to the Saints… there was an evident sadness that made her voice crack. I only have two of my children here. If we don’t go back, they will hurt— her babies. Whoever they could get their teeth on that was close to her heart. If she were to leave, she would have to gather all of her children…

D-Do you live here? it was cold, and her children were not quite built for the mountain life, but would it be safer if maybe she brought them here?

It was a horrible thing, the feeling of powerlessness. N​ó​ttin watched her as she came crashing into his embrace, her smaller form nestled deep into his own as she continued to shed her tears. It was quiet, the sound of her sobbing the only thing threatening to shatter their small world. But he didn't dare stop her from what she was feeling in that moment. It was important that she let it all out, confess to him what had been troubling her, and for how long it had been. Eventually she came clean, revealing to him that her children were indeed in danger. That she was being kept in a pack called The Saints.

He wondered what the implications were of her children's birth, and who the father was within that pack. And it all made him utterly furious and disgusted if true. I do not live in this mountain, but close in another. To the west of here, is a place called Frostfang Vale. My pack is Dawnbreak, and we can keep you safe. You and your children. Whether by my paws or some other grand force, you will be coming home. The Pillar of Courage looked down at her with true conviction, that he would put a stop to her suffering no matter what it took. Even if it meant his own life in the process.

My sister, Sol is here as well. I cannot remember if she saw anyone else from our old pack back at the Jawbone. But I'm sure that she would be happy to see you as well. Is it okay if I tell her of this meeting? It was important that she consent. For he didn't want to make her even more fearful. And yet, it was important that the wolves of Dawnbreak knew of such treachery, and that rescue was needed of a great magnitude. I promise, you will come home.