Skill:

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N​ó​ttin

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She'd been unsuccessful in her hunt today ... unable to find any more of the grizzlies that dared to set paw close to the Vale. Two of them, so far, had died setting foot so close to the wolves of Dawnbreak, and perhaps they had learned their lesson. One had died at the jaws of Shiloh, minutes before his presumed death. The other, having attempted at taking Nóttin's life, had lost it's own some time later after it's jaw had been broken.

As a result, the rest of the bears were nowhere to be seen.

But Tiberii wished they would come back.

She wanted to sink her fucking teeth into something.

The bull had returned home in the afternoon, almost enjoying the feeling of the cool air in her pelt as the threat of autumn touched them. It was a welcome change to the strange, horrible haze that lingered to the north. The Plague was still upon them ... the runes still needing to be sought. And yet, Tiberii could not focus. She could focus on nothing but bear extermination. She could focus on nothing because ... because ...

... her lips curled into a grimace.

She continued walking the edges of Dawnbreak, nose to the ground as she moved back toward the heart of their territory.

---

It wasn't hard to notice Tiberii's solidarity, amongst others that were also doing the same. Yet he felt compelled to go to her the most. Sol had always figured things out on her own, being the more independent of the two. So it was to his fellow Pillar that N​ó​ttin felt compelled to check on. Her scent trail guided him to the edges of Dawnbreak territory. Her large and muscular form soon came into view as she was making her way back. She was still far away enough that she probably hadn't spotted him yet, though he could be very wrong. As for N​ó​ttin, he had yet to see the grimace upon her face.

Though he knew that she was still suffering from Shiloh's disappearance. The red wolf was dearly missed, having been a source of strength and resilience for the sable wolf. The golden wolf Solvi was also missed by the male. Often he would be seen bringing gifts to her den in honor of her commitment to Dawnbreak, and for saving his life. But as sad as this all was, they somehow had to find a way to move on, and to persevere.

Mustering up some courage of his own, N​ó​ttin let out a soft woof in her direction, hoping to be welcomed despite her soured mood. Depression and grief could do horrible things to a person, so if anything regrettable came from her mouth, he would know not to take it to heart, and to not bare any ill will. She could not help the hurt in her heart, so if anything were to happen, she would always be forgiven.

Skill:

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The bite of the cold snow numbed the edges of her nostrils, the force of her breath moving the delicate flakes as she stomped (rather indelicately) across the tundra. She sorted the scents mindlessly, the task merely giving her brain something to do. Idling was far worse than remaining task-oriented, and so she continued to hyperfixate on certain things ... like making sure all of the scents of her packmates lined up. That nothing was stale; that no one was missing.

That there were no bears.

N​ó​ttin's woof distracted her, soft enough not to alarm her, but stern enough to pull her from her mundane activity. She'd forgotten to wipe the harsh frown off her face as she looked at him, a frightening level of heat radiating from her molten gaze. And though it was not a heat meant to burn the Courage Pillar, there was still an air of unpredictability about the bull.

But she would force herself to soften, the crack of her smile forced upon dry lips. It was an effort, at least. Oi, N​ó​ttin, she'd greet, her words clipped as she slowed herself to a stop. She would give the man a once-over, searching for any sign of injury and relieved to find none. Everythin' alright? A brow would raise, creasing her forehead with worry as she let her gaze rest upon his own. Was he okay? And Dalmatia?

---

She turned to look at him, a frown upon her face that had him startled. But he kept his cool as best he could, knowing that she was most likely having a hard time like the rest of them were. He shared in her grief, missing both Shiloh and Solvi with all of his heart. The young Fra Nodri did his best to keep a closed lipped smile on his face, seeing that she too was trying to break the ice. Hello Tiberii. I'm glad to see you.

She got closer to him, asking if he was alright, if Dalmatia was okay. Oh yes, nothing to worry about with us. I'm doing about as okay as any of us are. I just came to check in on you. I'm sorry if I startled you. N​ó​ttin was doing his best to be patient and understanding with her, hoping that he wasn't going to accidentally hit any wrong nerves and have her attack him. Tiberii was family after all, and he would do anything to see his family happy again.

Skill:

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There were times when the Bull underestimated the amount of heat that she produced — flashes of barely contained rage making her glow white-hot in her veins. Perhaps that was why she'd been so adequately left to her loneliness these past weeks, because the entirety of Dawnbreak was afraid that if they said one wrong word to her ... that she'd erupt like those volcanoes and light Mythris aflame all over again.

Nóttin smiled, but it was tight. Anxious, perhaps. Tiberii felt the own edges of her lips, noticing that they were stiff, and she tried to relax the muscles of her jaw. O'course, she'd start, trying to relax her tone some. Her ire was not for Nóttin. It was only for herself. Always good ta see ya, Nóttin, she'd continue. Nóttin would assure her that everyone was okay — well, everyone except for Tiberii, of course. The woman's brows knotted a bit as her lips fell to a small (but soft) frown.

She didn't know what to say to him. She wanted to lie, to say she was okay. But he would see right through her — they all would. Tiberii was a terrible liar, and the pain of her growing losses was written all over her face, drawn in fire. Sorrow and grief had transformed into something more heinous and devastating. Grief was slowly making her a monster, trapping her within the pit of her own chest, locked away by the shackles of her own broken heart.

I'm jus' ... angry, she told him finally, shoulders and tail slumping as she diverted her gaze from him.

---

It pained him to see his fellow Pillar and friend so hurt. He listened hard to her words, making sure to keep them in his memories forever. Her facial muscles began to relax, if even just a little bit. N​ó​ttin did the same, wagging his tail only slightly and slowly in response, then letting it fall loosely. It's always a pleasure Tiberii. Always. He wanted her to remember that, to not feel sorry for how she was feeling and acting around him. She went on to try and convey her emotions, how angry she was. It had been some time since Shiloh's and Solvi's vanishing, leaving a gaping hole in the hearts of those who loved them.

Tiberii's loss was as plain as day to see, and he wished somehow that he could take all of the pain away from the black bull. I'm so sorry. I wish that there was something that I could do to ease your pain. N​ó​ttin knew all about having a broken heart, having lost those he cared for many times. He wouldn't know what he would do if Dalmatia was ever taken away from him. But he knew whole heartedly, that he would do what ever it took to get her back. If only he could do the same for Shiloh, and for Tiberii.

Skill:

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Where Tiberii was fire, Nóttin was ice — and he would do everything in his power to keep the wild flames of her heart at bay. It was unclear to Tiberii whether that was out of compassion for her loss, fear for what she'd do, or both. But it did not matter, for the softness of his voice would keep her settled, at least for now.

The bull would release a sigh, lifting her gaze back toward the Pillar of Courage as the man offered her an apology. "I'm so sorry." And for some reason, the words hit her like a punch in the gut. And not because she did not want to hear them, but perhaps because she'd been so lost in her own grief that she'd forgotten that there were others there to help shoulder her suffering. Hell, she almost forgot that everyone else was suffering, too.

Could start by killin' all tha bears ya see, she'd start, lifting a brow to indicate some level of jest as she attempted a smile. And then her disposition would soften, her lips pushing into a line as the jest left her tone. Nóttin ... you keepin' Dal safe is tha best thing I could ever ask fer. The edges of her brows would knit, her lips tight as she fought the emotion that threatened to surge forward from her. Her sisters meant everything to her. Aurelia, Euphemia, and Dalmatia were her entire world.

Keep 'er safe, even when I can't. Promise me that, an' you've given me everythin' I need. Her gaze would find his, warm yellow meeting ice blue as she sought his promise. Tiberii was quickly beginning to doubt her own powers for keeping those she loved alive ... and she would do anything to make sure the rest of Dawnbreak was safe from tragedy, even if she could not do it herself.

---

N​ó​ttin watched as she seemed to quietly calm herself down, his words quite possibly reaching her on some level. He was glad to see it, even if it was just for this moment. A smile perked up at the mentioning of bears, most of his fears for the beasts long gone since the incident. I would be glad to. Maybe I'll get to rip its tooth out next time and give it to you as a gift instead.

A playful chuckle escaped his maw, eyes glimmering with a light hearted humor he hoped would bring the Pillar of Power back to life. The light hearted feel to the conversation wouldn't last however, bringing back the tense discussion of lost members back to the forefront. Talk of Dalmatia made him especially tense. He grew more serious, standing more resolute and stern in front of his fellow pack member, Pillar and friend.

Of course I will, Tiberii. Dalmatia is everything to me, and I will do everything in my power to keep her safe. You need not fear. Eyes of molten gold came back to meet his ice toned gaze. She sought his promise as if were life saving food. N​ó​ttin understood all too well how much family meant to her. He wouldn't know what to do if he lost his sister again, the only link back to his family and old pack that he had left. Even seeing his own father again what felt like eons ago, made him realize just how precious life was, and to appreciate everything that you have.

I actually came to ask something of you, when it came to Dalmatia. But I was afraid to bring it up due to the current state of things here. I didn't want to overshadow what you were dealing with, and disrespect your sorrows. You are my family now, and I never want to hurt you. He braced himself for what might come, not entirely sure what to expect from the large bull of a woman. Her ferocity and courage were well known at this point to him, as well as her strength and incredible might. So when he was about to tell her of the engagement, he was hoping that against all odds, the news would be taken well. I ask for your blessing in my engagement to Dalmatia.

Skill:

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N​ó​ttin

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The Pillar of Courage smiled, rallying with Tiberii's quip, and the bull would chuckle.I look forward to it, she'd reply, feeling her shoulders loosen as she smiled toward Nóttin. As angry as she was, as hurt as she was, as distraught as she was ... at least she had the village of Dawnbreak at her side, to bolster her in her times of need. She hated being a burden to them, but even these lighthearted moments were enough to keep her head above water in the expanse of darkness.

The talk of Dalmatia, however, was like a double-edged sword. The love that the two clearly shared was immeasurable, and it gave Tiberii a great deal of comfort. And yet ... she could not help but to feel the green tendrils of jealousy wrap around her own heart. For Dalmatia was to be loved and cared for, and Tiberii ... well ... that part of her was empty once more.

The bull's smile would soften, weakened by her internal struggle as the glimmer of sadness gripped at the edges of her golden eyes once more.

I trust ya, Nóttin, she'd tell him, ears flattening back atop her head as her chest ached with a hungry emptiness. A soft sigh would press past her lips, and the woman would do her best to shove the feeling down ... down ... down ... deeper than she would ever hope to revisit. Somewhere that her own loneliness could go to rot.

Nóttin continued, requesting an ask, and Tiberii's ears would swivel upward with curiosity. "You are my family now, and I never want to hurt you." The bull's tail would stiffen, her lips hardened as she suddenly feared some bad news. Nóttin seemed to be struggling to steel himself, to bring himself to strength in front of her.

"I ask for your blessing in my engagement to Dalmatia."

Huh? The surprise was evident on her face, masking the delicate pain of loss that still stung fresh. Mine? The grips on her heart would ache. Ah ... m'honored, Nóttin, I ... The bull would struggle for words, something that was not often a problem for the fiery woman. 'Course, she'd conclude with an unusual softness. I want nothin' but tha best for ya both. A pause. 'Specially Dal ... no offense, she'd add, trying to rally the humor she'd felt earlier in their conversation as a means to be happy for them.

And she was. She was so happy for them.

But it hurt all the same.

---

N​ó​ttin felt elated that she was happy for the pair. But he knew that it might also cause some intense strain, knowing that her sister was to be wed. Shiloh meant a great deal to Tiberii, that much was plainly clear. I...I'm sorry, Tiberii. I didn't mean to....I didn't mean to hurt you if I did. I shouldn't have brought it up. Though I'm glad you approve of it. And no offense taken. He tried his best to lighten the mood just a tad.

I would not have expected anything less of Dalmatia's sisters. And besides, I too just want Dalmatia to be happy. To be able to give her what ever her heart desires. And I will stop at nothing to make sure that it happens. I will do what I can for you and our pack as well. I want to keep on hoping that Shiloh will come back. He looked to the sky for a moment, trying to remain calm and collected despite it all. Then looked back to the black bull.

I have been praying to my gods, hoping that they will give me the answer or some kind of sign. But I do know one thing: he would not have left you of his own accord. And I do not believe that he is truly gone. Somehow, some way, he will come home. If you are here waiting for him, he will come home. The Pillar of Courage only spoke what he believed in his heart, hoping that it brought some sort of hope and comfort to his dear friend, and future sister in law. Maybe it did, maybe it didn't. But at least he can say that he tried.