Thread Title: Shrek 2: 「 Holding out for a hero
Skill : 「None」
Gaggle of kids nearby or with her if they chose to follow

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Traveling had been less than ideal, fear and unease laced into every step she took away from Mistveil. Freya’s heart was hammering out of her chest, like a beast in a cage, causing her ears to loudly pulse as a result. So much of the world was muffled, regardless of how hardly she tried to focus on their surroundings. She had to get a grip, she had to. It was only Freya and those that relied on her, meaning the healer had to keep her wits about her.

The dense forest began to morph into an entirely different scene the more north the mother herded the group. Tall pines and solid oaks had turned to something much more intricate and delicate look. Freya’s pace slowed as she instructed the kids to rest, she had to scope out the area and verify there was nothing and no one waiting within the vicinity.

Carefully, the woman maneuvered the tapering vines as they hung from the canopies. Green eyes widened as she observed the hundreds of crimson wisteria that were draped almost decoratively along the paths of the woodland. Who knew this world held such a peaceful beauty?

The looming mountains of the alpines could be seen, their alabaster peaks breaking through distant clouds. Did the winterized region really hold their future?

Spider promised to stay nearby Avon while Fiadh's pups were young, helping with the rowdy children and helping Avon keep their territory patrolled. But things were happening in the world that worried the man, so after letting the pair know he'd be gone for a few days he went out.

First to the end of howling river, with it's deadly waters (he should check on his sister and Nemean while he's out...), then further, into the woods after the river makes it's exit.

So far, he hasn't seen any signs of danger, and it was turning into a pleasant stroll through the flowering trees when he caught the scent of another. Ah, there! Hey, sorry if this place is yours, just passing through the tall man ducked his head politely, he hadn't...actually been smelling for other wolves around, oops.

Skill:

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Hawthorn was never much of a wanderer. There was no need to be, after all, not when he could be so delicately entwined with his mother. When he was with her, he didn't need to wander. She had taught him everything. She had nurtured him and protected him, even when he'd consistently proven to be weaker than his sisters — well, one sister in particular.

So it had been strange when she'd said that they were going on a trip.

And it had been even more strange noting her anxiety surrounding it.

Even now, as they walked together, he could feel it seeping from her skin. Despite the beauty of the forest around them, he could practically taste the waves of haste and fear rolling off of her. Bright eyes would blink, a frown cascading across his lips as he followed his mother through the maze of unfamiliar vines.

Hew as concerned ... but ... he was also childish in his awe as he gazed through the hanging red plants and emerald webs of fern and branch. He'd never seen anything so lush and beautiful. Home was ... dark ...? Cloudy? Hazy? Of course, they made do, but this place ... this place ...

It's beautiful, isn't it, Mom? Hawthorn would look to Freya, trying to disguise his concern with a smile before she looked back at him. He would be smiling by the time she saw him, flicking his tail and nudging her shoulder with his nose in encouragement. It's far prettier than— but he would freeze, hearing the voice of another. The fur along his nape prickled, though not out of agitation, but out of surprise.

He would halt next to Freya, taller than her now but somehow still lanky with the inexperience of his youth. And he would wait.

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He went with because─well; he didn't have anywhere else to go. Freya had been kind to him since finding him, seemingly in spite of his attitude, in spite of his rage, maybe she chalked it up to whatever poor situation he came from before this. He didn't understand her kindness, every time he lashed out, or tried to push her away he was met with kindness, understanding; patience.

"It's beautiful, isn't it, Mom?" While he was the youngest of the bunch, he was also the nastiest, he knew he didn't belong here. Wasn't hers. And it bothered him. To know that here he was less than, a stray and he should feel lucky she didn't leave him out there to die. "It's far prettier than—" Little legs pushed him faster to catch up he came in with bared teeth to Hawthorns left. Head low and mouth agape in a feigned snap toward the other older boy as he passed him tail flagging high above his rump.

He didn't stop, trailing ahead of Freya as he looked the stranger up and down in judgement. Chest puffing out as his eyes narrowed. ❝ It is now ❞ he stomped his little foot.

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❝ speech ❞