meant for members of camhanaich

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skill: ranger

Violence shredded through the Great Woodlands, a sight she couldn't bear anymore. It was becoming hard to stay within the small confines of spaces that were still safe — and even so, there were still angry predators (and some prey) that wandered into the Grove's weaving trees. Nora knew she'd miss the ravens who'd become like... well, family, to the mother who'd lost her child not so long ago. Yet, she couldn't continue to live in a place that was ripe with death — death without meaning. And so, one fateful dawn, she left, bidding the crows goodbye, giving her shiniest things that she had left (pretty rocks and shells she'd managed to collect), and leaving the garden she'd made intact, in case one day she ever did return. What she carried with her was little, some seeds and some feathers from one of her daughter's esteemed chicken friends, but it was enough for her — enough to start again.

Life had a way of changing cycles with Elenora, her whole life one big turning wheel that kept spinning, never stopping to let her catch her breath. The times she'd caught breaks were few and far between, but memorable beyond compare. It taunted her with precious moments, it even felt like her own subconscious did as well, and she found herself walking towards the last place she'd seen Kore — Druid's Rise, a place that had transcended universes along with the rest of them, when they first woke up here. She remembered the stones from her second life, where she met Kore, and where they happened to meet again here. It was like something out of a dream — so much so, she wanted to see it again... Just in case life decided to give her a break.

Elenora felt relieved as she finally saw the large spires of stone twisting, fallen, and overgrown with ivy, sunset well underway, and she'd been traveling most of the day to make it here before night fell. And while she hadn't been in a hurry to get to the Rise, she'd taken her time walking and making sure that nothing followed after her, knowing each step from this morning would bring her closer here — closer to her, she couldn't help but be panting as she walked by the beginnings of the scattered, primordial stones.

Sprawled atop one of the fallen stones was a flash of white. Her tail swayed lazily behind her, and her pristine head rested upon her paws. Silver eyes roamed the landscape, distant and unfocused, lost in thought.

Three weeks.

She had been counting the days meticulously. Each rising and setting of the sun felt like another jab against already frayed nerves.

Three weeks.

She didn’t feel any different. Wasn’t she supposed to? Weren’t there supposed to be signs?

Three weeks.

What if it hadn’t taken? What if she had failed at the one thing her body was meant to do? Her mind spun in anxious circles. Every slight twitch of a muscle, every unfamiliar scent, sent her spiraling. Was that it? Was that the sign she so desperately sought?

A defeated sigh slipped past her lips as she let her eyes drift shut. Her husband would have reminded her to be patient, that when the time came, they would know.

But she was tired of waiting.

She had already waited years to find him, to build a life beside him. Now, there was just one missing piece.

Three weeks.

Her fluffy ears drooped, folding back against her head as she slumped further into the stone. She had to be patient.

skill: ranger

Through the soft pants, Elenora's eyes took in the changes of the Rise — there weren't many changes that affected the stones that had been here for centuries, but some ivy had grown, blooms of flowers spread throughout. She was glad to see that the plague had not hit the Highlands with the terror and violence as it had the great Woodlands. There was no overbearing scent of blood nor the sight of carcasses spread along the grass with ill intent. For the bloodshed where she came from was not out of necessity, but pure brutality. Here, though, the flowers' scent dances in her nostrils, filling them with a pleasant aroma where she can exhale with peace, and not fear.

One thing that does catch her eye is a flash of white; a tail that droops out across one of the smaller, flat stones, easy for resting on. Hello? Elenora questioned, softly, taking a few more steps forward to round the stone where they could both set their eyes upon one another's faces. It is not the face she is looking for, this she knows, for Kore does not have a white tail, only her underbelly — but a sign of life, nonetheless, she is grateful for.

Despite her anxiety, she found herself rather comfortable. As she relaxed against the stone, her thoughts began to quiet, and she might have drifted off to sleep, until a voice called out. It was only a soft, single word, but it caught the little dame’s attention all the same.

Her eyes snapped open, head lifting as silver irises searched for the source, only to land on an unfamiliar face.

Hello! Welcome! she greeted brightly, her once-still tail now wagging with great energy. The sudden swell of wolves arriving at the Rise was deeply welcomed and exciting. Are you alright? Do you need assistance? What’s your name? I’m Kirain!

She tried to temper her usual torrent of questions, remembering how overwhelming it could be, especially after her meeting with Liss. Her energy was well-meant, but even she knew it could be exhausting.

Kirain took a closer look at the stranger as she waited for a reply. Lovely cyan eyes, a striking pelt of browns and creams—and tall! Their height amused her, as her small stature always seemed so startling in comparison. But she loved the variety in others: so many different body types, so many beautiful coats and colors.

She let out a soft sigh to herself.