Meeting the family

[narrow width=700]Nervously, she had returned to the outskirts to fetch Rhelenso - she had left him for half a day to press on ahead and make sure none of their pack had been left behind, and finding that they had already moved on toward the sound of Amaranth's first summoning howl, the pale wolf had trotted back to return the last wayward wolf of their tribe. Her memory was fuzzy in the fine details, but she didn't recall anyone having met her rugged stranger besides Harper in the world they had left. Introducing him now felt even more awkward than it might have before; what would she say?

'Hello friends, this is nice man I danced with one hazy afternoon many moons ago before First Elysium! Tried to get me to join his pack, but mortally offended alpha when almost did and said no. We part for a long time, but he is dead like us now! Think he drowned! So sad. Let us rejoice!' 

That wouldn't do at all.

Wordlessly she threaded her way through the fields ahead, noticing a strange new flower she hadn't seen before - it was about half a foot tall with great, nodding yellow flowers that hung facing the earth, looking almost sorrowful in a way. At any rate, they were pretty. Harper might have known them to be Glacier Lilies, but to Valeska, they were just another interesting feature of their new home - if she remembered, she would show them to her sister later in the evening.

As the great crystalline lake spread before them like so many acres of unblemished glass, the sky reflected off of its surface in a fiery painting of deep purples and crimson reds, the landscape around them seeming to ignite with the warm colors of sunset as they approached. Distantly she could see shapes moving around it; her friends and family remained active well into the nighttime hours, though Amaranth often skulked in the darkness where no one could see what strange magicks she was up to.

The little wolf squinted, suddenly looking for Kye and Gwyn.

Those devils were probably up to no good.

With a resolute sigh, she stopped. Elysium's paradise lay before them in its splendor, and she turned to Rhelenso with an anxious smile. “They will have smelled me now,” she warned. “Is too late for Rhele to flee. Can only await the end.”

She braced herself for impact.[/narrow]

+1 Discovery Points

---

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 The weather was nice more often than not, which was always a blessing for Elysium’s local landscaper, arborist, or whatever silly plant lady terminology that they would come up with for Harper. Today, the plan was to study flowers. Each day, she would set off to study something different. Yesterday, Harper had studied some of the local wildlife that lived on the mountains and found the most interesting little deer! It was fluffy, like a cloud, with sharp sticks on their heads. They had these weird little tails, and rock like feet. A very interesting find, even looked like snow from a far.

 Today’s goal was flowers. Harper was keen to the pretty, colorful ones and not usually the boring white ones, until she happened upon a flower that was so pretty, it reminded her of her sister. Lily of the valley. Such an exotic, gorgeous little flower, and Harper wondered for a moment how Valeska would react if Harper would give her with such a thing. Did her sister even like or care for flowers? There were a sea of them up in the mountains, which was a wonderful thing, because that would mean that she didn’t have to feel bad about uprooting this one. Heck, she was careful with the roots, determined to plant this thing next to Valeska’s den - but she would have to wait until she found out exactly where Valeska laid her head down at night.

 So instead of uprooting the plant, Harper made her way down the mountain to the forest of Rainbow Eucalyptus trees that clung to the edge of the mountain. And that’s when Harper spotted the perfect plant for Amaranth. Peyote. It looked like a mint-green egg that was smooched, but it had the prettiest pink flower in the middle of it, and what looked like rhinestones on the surface. With a grin, Harper leaned down to ingest the bitter plant with the lick of her lips.

 After all, she had to make sure it worked, right? Nevermind that Valeska was coming home smelling like a certain Salvatore again. It hadn’t occurred to Harper that Valeska had finally torn him away from his pathetic excuse of a family and pack so that they could finally be together, or whatever. No, nevermind all of that, because now Harper could see sounds and colors and all of her worries melted away like a blissful, summer afternoon as Harper rode the wave of colors and sounds until she reached the lake, where she would begin to tell the fish about the mountain goats… in slurred speech, that was somehow in perfect English.

+1 Discovery Points

---

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Waiting. Waited. He had hovered around the border for what felt like forever, but perhaps the time was needed. The older Salvatore had napped, had nursed his wounds somewhat, and felt better than he had on the trek to his waiting location. He felt much steadier upon his paws, his legs did not feel as if they ached and shook beneath this bulk. He felt more like himself. Perhaps… Perhaps more alive? If there could be any truth – any validity to the statement, since, after all, he was dead, right? Rhelenso gave himself a shake and set to grooming himself.

It was strange, the ball of nerves that touched him now. He knew at least one of Valeska’s pack members, her sister, Harper. But the others… were a mystery to him. In an almost childish manner, Rhelenso wondered if they would accept him. He wondered, briefly if Harper would accept him back, or if she would set out to make his life hell for the wrongful choice, he’d made in not following them that fateful day. He wasn’t sure, and he knew, in truth, that he wouldn’t be until in the situation itself. But… that didn’t lessen the anxiety that swirled within him in a chaotic, fitful tempest.

His ears twitched slightly at the sounds of an approach, and at first, he bristled before Valeska’s comforting scent touched his nares. His tail gave a small wag at her approach, greeting her with a gentle nudge to the side with his nose. She too buzzed with anxiety. ’Oh, how, I wonder, is this going to go?’ He thought to himself.

”They will have smelled me now. Is too late for Rhele to flee. Can only await the end. Trying to play confident in the situation, Rhelenso responded quietly.

”I do not flee. And the end, my dear, has already come for me. They cannot end it twice, I assume.” But still, anxiety flung itself violently around within him like the world’s worst storm. It was… a strange feeling, to say the least.

Ice-hued eyes scanned the distance, curious as to who would appear first. In the far-off distance, he could see movement, but could not discern if it was a wolf or not. He squinted, wondering briefly if his eyes were maybe beginning to fail him in his age. He pushed the thought away, refusing to believe its possibility. ”Is that someone there, on the edge of the lake? I can’t tell, my dear.” He said quietly, gesturing towards the figure that moved almost unsteadily along the water’s edge.




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[narrow width=700]Valeska and Rhelenso can probably see a second shadowy figure making its way towards them from some ways away — though it stops to linger behind the shape of Harper for just a moment; not close enough to... interrupt.

“Hi Valeska!” Kye greets cheerfully once within earshot, The unfamiliar scent that originally spurred her here so quickly far more prominent the closer she gets. Ah. The young woman presses her ears forward and lifts her tail a bit higher, apprehensive but not unfriendly to a visitor. 

Or even some fresh meat new blood. He was here with their leader, after all.

“Harper’s busy talking to fish or something. Practicing speech? Seems a little out of it. She sounds like a different wolf though so it must be working. Who’s the old guy?” 


@“Valeska” @“Harper” @“Rhelenso”[/narrow]
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Life was slowly being breathed back into Elysium. Familiar scents had begun to cling to the rocks, the evergreen trees ... and together, exploration of the newfound kingdom had begun. Their paw-prints had become engrained into the soft earth, making gentle tracks between the most trafficked areas. This routine brought a certain semblance of familiarity to the oddly connected family unit; it began to bring comfort into a world that was once cold and unfamiliar. Yes, the world was becoming warm again.

As the evening had once again yawned to life, so too did Amaranth. Amythest eyes roared to attention, a firey wheel turning with endless hunger and curiosity. Devouring. She had spent the day hunting, building her collection so that she may rest upon it like a gilded dragon at the end of the day. So far, she'd managed to gather quite a few haphazard bones, some quartz, a few peculiar flowers and stones, some feathers ...

... but today, she'd found the body of a raven by the water's edge. It had been in poor shape (the sweet little beast), likely caught by age or disease, and Amaranth had collected his body, removed the decaying meat, and gathered the prizes. She'd spent the afternoon tucking ebony feathers into the knotted tufts of golden fur by her shoulder blades, and she'd set his uniquely shaped skull out in the sun to dry. It would take some time for the sun to wash the stink from him, but she was certain it would be worth it in the end ... for he would make a fine addition to her collection. Perhaps her finest addition yet.

A pleased sigh escaped her lips as the sun began to nestle behind the horizon. What a productive day, she mused to herself, lifting her head into the breeze and feeling the way the feathers tousled in her fur. They would certainly all blow away eventually, but right now ... she felt royal. An odd smile lifted the sides of her lips, but as she inhaled again ... she noted a new scent, mingling betwixt warm familiar notes. The faint smell of sap. Purple gaze scanned the horizon, peeking out as she noticed Harper at the edge of the lake, Buckeye moving toward the outer rim of the terrain, and Valeska ... standing before them with someone new. Someone that smelled oddly of the Old World ... someone that Amaranth had smelled upon Valeska's skin before.

Gold and ebony shimmered in the rising moonlight; the woman moved forward, trailing like a wraith along the edge of the water. She slunk past Harper, gently entwining her golden tail with Harper's for a few moments as she slid by ... a wordless summoning if she should decide to join those more boring in this mortal world. And as she neared the trio, she heard the very edges of their dwindling conversation. "Who’s the old guy?" He was yin and yang; stone and ice. His eyes were piercing blue, loaded with age and story ... like the coldest flame burning with untold wrath. His frame was war-beaten, bedraggled, and he smelt of snow and sap. And he was standing far too close to Valeska.

She could venture a guess as to who he was, but her eyes did not allude to her intuitive knowledge. Lithe frame pulled up aside Buckeye, purple eyes glimmering for a moment as she wordlessly turned to grab a small, ebony feather from her own fur, to gently nestle it into the thick, gold-lit fur along Buckeye's nape. Without looking up, for she admired her work, her sing-song voice entered into the air: "Yes, Valeska, please, introduce us to your friend."

+1 Discovery Points

---

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[narrow width=700]Rhelenso put on a brave face, but it didn’t take a genius to guess that he was at least a little nervous - who wouldn’t be, coming face to face with the beating heart of Elysium’s core? They were a peculiar bunch on a good day, and on a bad day...

Valeska sighed. Squinting and craning her neck, she confirmed through long-term exposure that the dark lump crooning sweet nothings at the edge of their beautiful lake was indeed Harper, and something was amiss. The little wolf could make an educated guess easy enough. Her sister was an excellent herbalist, healer supreme, but ever since Amaranth had entered the scene she began to take much more interest in the mind-altering side of plant life.

She was probably high. Again.

Buckeye arrived and only further drove the stake of embarrassment into her heart. She was by no means against their usage of herbs to reach spiritual enlightenment, but it seemed that Harper was either very close to a religious breakthrough... or she just really, really liked the experience.

Valeska made a mental note to pray for her.

“Oh, Kye,” she began mournfully, eyes still locked on the distant, gibbering silhouette of her sister. “I hope she finds the Five in her journey. Just wish she did not have to take journey at dinner time, with guest. Also, mind manners! He is not old man. Just, ah, how to say, much wealth in years.”

Lavender filled her nostrils and she turned suddenly, only to behold one of the most magnificent creatures she had ever seen. Amaranth had arrived and strode forth with the weightless grace of a young queen on her coronation day, golden and sparkling in the fading light, with great plumes of raven’s feathers wreathed around her shoulders like a mantle. Valeska didn’t realize she had stopped breathing and inhaled sharply.
This was her mouthpiece of the gods. This was her great shaman, her spirit-walker, her divinely gifted soul-speaker. She was wild and fearsome and as mysterious as the red moon in a cloudless sky.

The pale wolf collected herself. “Beautiful feathers, Amara-friend,” she said lamely, wishing she had the right words to articulate the vision she had just beheld. Rhelenso stirred beside her, and she recalled why they had gathered. Valeska smiled at him reassuringly, as if to say this is all perfectly normal, and continued. “This is Rhelenso. He also woke here; knew him from World Before. He is good, and noble, and he may wish to make home with us...”

She glanced back toward Harper’s direction. 

This is all perfectly normal.

“... Maybe.”

[/narrow]
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 Harper was just finishing her conversation up with the fish when Harper realized that she was no longer alone; not that she had realized her sister and her sister’s fling were nearby to begin with! It seemed that everyone had decided to come here, at the same time; if Valeska had summoned them, the howl had been lost to Harper.

 Instead, now she glanced up with dilated eyes and the tilt of her head as she tried to, in a very sluggish state, to understand why they had all gathered here. A flicker of her ear, and Harper was bouncing over to them in a rather chipper and carefree attitude, which was much different than her normal state.

 She would stop, though, wide eyed as Valeska turned back to her, glancing behind her as if Valeska could seriously be looking at anyone else right now. A giggle or two later, Harper bounced right over in a semi aggressive manner right to Rhelenso’s side with a deep growl.

 “Good and noble?” Harper barked out a laugh, nose wrinkling as hackles lifted. She might be under the influence, but that wouldn’t stop her from voicing her opinion. “Valeska, is this truly something you want?” Despite her reservations with the man, Harper would choose to put her sister’s happiness first. Did he even make her happy? 

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Crystalline gaze shifted to the next figure that appeared. Rhelenso dips his head politely to the earthen-toned toman that appears, speaking on the figure in the distance’s – Harper’s, rather – behalf. Once he’d listened to what she had to say, -- twitching his ear slightly at the ‘old guy’ comment -- his gaze drifted once more behind the earthen woman, to Harper’s figure. It was an unsteady one. It seemed that his Amore's sibling had gotten even stranger in their time apart.

A lighter woman appeared, a wreath of bold, black feathers dotting her fur in a curious manner. Rhele remained stoic in his expression, keeping his features placid, and his thoughts to himself. It seemed that Valeska had amassed a strange following, but… perhaps it was not something unexpected. She herself was a strange specimen. Which, perhaps was just another aspect that drew him in, that pulled at his heartstrings in a way that only his late wife had.

”This is Rhelenso. He also woke here; knew him from World before. He is good, and noble, and he may wish to make home with us… maybe.”

It was then that Harper drew closer, close enough to speak, and when she spoke, her words were scathing in a way.

”Good and noble? Valeska, is this truly something you want?”

Rhelenso’s gaze settled upon Harper, curious as to the sudden eloquence to her voice that had not been there previously. He assumed that the woman had her own opinion on his choices. But truly, he didn’t care. Only Valeska’s mattered. The Salvatore’s gaze shifted to the pale woman’s figure, curious as to what her response would be. He knew they would have to speak about what had happened, at some point, but not in front of everyone. Unless that is what she wanted? His tail twitched slightly. He would speak his truth if prompted, but for the time being Rhelenso would remain quiet, curious as to the response that Valeska might have. He bit his tongue, at least for the moment.




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[narrow width=700]Oh, so something was up with this fellow.

Kye can see some familiarity in the body language between Valeska and the male, but there isn't time to dwell on it when the small silver lady begins to lament her sister's poor timing. "I'm sure she's found something," She raises her brows at Valeska's correction, murmuring "That's still being old" more under her breath than directly at their leader. Amara breezes onto the scene, dressed as a bird (Again), and as she floats to a halt next to Kye she passes the mystic a sidelong glance. 

The sensation of a feather being tucked into her fur feels like a thinly veiled cover for something more threatening. She senses tension in the woman beside her that she can't quite place, but knows that it's directed towards the wolf at Valeska's side - an undercurrent, the slightest hint of displeasure that isn't usually found in Amara's vicinity. What do you know?

And then, Valeska introduces him.

Harper comes flouncing forward — unusual for Harper, who doesn't do lots of flouncing — and the way she gets into Rhelenso's space has Kye wicking her ears back a little towards her head. She sidles right up next to the guy, growling, and sharply dismisses Valeska's description. Clearly, everyone here knows this pale-eyed wolf to some degree or another, except her... and maybe Amara, but Kye doubts this on a certain level when she could put her teeth through this atmosphere and feel its bones break.

Rhelenso himself was silent in the face of all this scrutiny, and for that, she commended him because she lacks that kind of self-control.

"...Am I missing something?"

@Valeska @Harper @Amaranth@Rhelenso [/narrow]
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Amaranth felt the way that the argent woman stared at her, those honey-sweet lenses boring holes into the depths of her tainted soul. She felt the warmth and awe in the gentle compliment that slipped effortlessly from those dark lips ... and she craved more. And yet, she feigned at ignorance, busy decorating the golden plumage at Buckeye's neck ... but it was all a ruse. She felt that stare. She felt it tickle at the very fiber of her being; she felt the way it pressured her gilded fur to stand on end. And she meticulously trained her body to remain unattuned and unaroused, allowing instead a billowing blanket of curiosity to veil her true emotion. For she wanted nothing more, now, than to know the story of this rugged, war-torn man. She wanted nothing more than to understand the story that lingered behind those iced-over eyes, behind that fire that seemed staved in the presence of Valeska.

But secretly, she already knew.

And so did Harper.

And the larger, dark-furred woman had no qualms about pressing right up to Rhelenso's face, barking obscure questions that hinted at some sort of secret that delved well beyond the intended simplicity of Valeska's meeting. Rhelenso. A good man, a noble man, a man who wished to home with them (to bed with them?). Buckeye snarked about his age once more, jesting him. And Amaranth's eyes remained piercing pools of purple venom. The entirety of Elysium seemed unleashed upon the man, and perhaps it was simply a bit much to bear (or understand), for he remained oddly stoic ... reaching, perhaps, to Valeska for protection and guidance in dealing with her unruly band of cronies.

Amaranth's head snapped up, devouring gaze slipping from Valeska, to Rhelenso, and finally landing on Harper. "Easy, Harper, perhaps we at least let the man introduce himself, hmm?" There was a low, amused purr that accentuated the eerie drawl of her voice. She smiled easily, blinking with slow intent as her ears swiveled atop her golden crown. "If Valeska trusts him, so will I," she offered gently, a singsong melody carrying her voice against the breeze. Though, to any who truly knew her, her promises were often rendered utterly useless by her wandering desires and her rather unfortunate memory. And then her eyes hardened for a moment, landing on Rhelenso for a final time. "Unless, of course, there's something him I, too, am missing?"

Her question mirrored that of Buckeye's. Perhaps there was more to the story, and Amaranth desired to have all of the pieces of this puzzle. 

She wanted to hear Valeska say it. 

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[narrow width=700]Unbelievable. All of her hopes of a friendly meeting and pleasant introduction of her friend and former lover lay dashed to pieces at her feet. She could tolerate Buckeye tormenting him with accusations of his advanced years - he was older, and it couldn't be hidden - and Amaranth was admittedly stiff, but at least civil - yet Harper, her own sister, aggressively shoving her way in to stare the poor man down and having the audacity to growl at him was too much for Valeska to bear.

She flashed her teeth instinctively, shouldering her way in to place herself between Rhelenso and Harper as silver ears flattened against her skull. “What we are missing,” she hissed by way of answering Amaranth's question, “Is manners. Elysium is better than this - shameful. I bring him because he wish to join, and he is close friend, and deserve much better treatment than this.” Tears of frustration welled suddenly in her eyes, and though the sharp edge had gradually faded from her tone, long white fur still bristled in a threatening halo about her face and neck. She hadn't snarled, to her credit; she did not often growl, only uttering such a sound when pushed, but the little wolf felt herself coming painfully close.

Valeska straightened, tail curving in a strong arc over her back. She was the smallest of the pack, but it was her responsibility to keep the peace, and right now she did not feel very peaceful at all.

“What I want, sister? What I want is welcoming, not insults. We welcome many into our home, even some I am suspicious of, but I not say one word to contrary because that is not who we are,” she continued bitterly, referencing their newest member, Alastor, who - while quite genteel - was of questionable morality, and looked generally shifty in a serpentine sort of way. She sighed deeply, the rush of air seeming to have come up from the depths of her soul in the time it took to escape. Valeska looked searchingly into her sibling's large, dilated eyes, hoping she could find a way in with her words. “Am not mad. But disappoint. We talk later, okay? But please, right now, be nice. Know bad history with Halcyon, but Rhelenso is not Levi.”

Turning back to her gentleman friend, she huffed. “Rhelenso, you are welcome in Elysium. Please excuse us. Do not know what is matter with everyone today, but for now, let me show you around new home and find dinner.”

As Valeska walked, she was very careful to avoid Amaranth's gaze, feeling a peculiar burning sensation along her spine whenever it rested upon her person - she did not know why, but she thought it very important not to air out her dirty laundry in front of the group concerning Rhelenso. Her golden friend was flighty and fleeting, like a dandelion on the wind, flitting from one fascination to the next; but there was a strange, possessive air about her in regards to her collection, of which Valeska knew she was a part of, and a heavy conversation hung in the air between them that desperately needed to be had but could not yet find the right words.

As such, they continued their dance like Yin and Yang, light and dark; forever turning, never meeting.

She gave Buckeye and Amaranth a polite nod, averting her eyes from the latter, and left the clearing along with the heavy shroud that lay draped over it. Relief.

[Exit Valeska]

[/narrow]
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 Easy, Harper, she’d said in an attempt to calm the devil, like a fireman trying to ease the flame with fuel. Anger dwelled inside her chest, growing with each verse as the chorus of absolute gibberish hit her ears. She had asked but a simple question, and instead of receiving but a simple answer, came not one, but two mouthfuls of nonsense that Harper didn’t bother to listen to.

 “No.” Harper would speak firmly, cutting off whoever it was that was still talking; Harper wasn’t listening and therefore didn’t know, and certainly did not care. Her ears flattened and Harper smiled viciously as she would meet the gaze of Rhelenso with a gentle huff, before simply turning and leaving.

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[narrow width=700] Each feather is tucked into her nape with the gentlest of pricks, carrying the ominous air of a knife dragging across a whetstone. Not that Kye knows what a knife is or what that entails, but she knows this sensation, this intensity that continues to build and settle across her body - across all of them - like heavy dew. All she can do is sit in fascination, watching Valeska reprimand Harper for her behavior and express her disappointment in the entire charade.

If Valeska trusts him, so will I; Kye offers a small nod at the notion, "Same, why not," But she's fairly certain her pleasantries pale in comparison to Harper's blatant distrust of the man. Valeska says something about Halcyon (which is also unfamiliar) and with that she leaves, inviting Rhelenso to accompany her. Harper leaves too, and the younger woman shifts to straighten her posture a little before offering Rhelenso a "Welcome to Elysium" with thinly veiled amusement. She knows it's not funny, but it kind of is, even if she's never seen Valeska quite so irritated before.

She stays put otherwise, for fear of messing up Amaranth's handiwork.

["Exit" Buckeye]
[/narrow]
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Rhelenso knew his welcome would more than likely lack any true warmth, but admittedly Harper’s reaction surprised him. His ears twitched back, ever so slightly, not quite touching his skull but no longer standing quite as erect as they once had. He frowned at the simple ‘no,’ that came from her lips, and watched as she turned and left. He said nothing to attempt to stop her – he would not grovel at her feet as she seemed to so righteously expect. He fancied – well, truly more than fancied – her sister. If anything, Rhelenso expected some push back, some resistance to his presence, especially considering his foolishness in their previous world.

He offered a quiet ’hmm’ at Harper’s exit, glancing towards the pale figure of Valeska. He stayed for a second, hearing young earthen-hued girl speak in a pleasant manner. "Welcome to Elysium.” The elder Salvatore turned and gave a small nod.

“Thank you,” he rumbled quietly. Icy gaze glimpsed towards the pale golden woman for a moment. He offered both of the women a small nod before he turned and followed Valeska’s path. He kicked up his pace to a slight trot to catch up with his Amore's clearly irritated march. He could not blame her for her annoyance at the situation, but he would not comment negatively towards it. Instead, he quietly promised that he would work on making his stance in Harper’s eyes better. He would prove that he was worthy of the praise that Valeska had given him, in all of their eyes. What choice did he have, if he wanted the pale woman by his side as mate and wife?
 

[exit rhelenso]

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They'd pushed too far.
Or perhaps they'd pushed just enough.

Valeska erupted, the once-dormant volcano now screeching and spewing smoke and smog and fire. Lava boiled behind her ethereal eyes, gold lighting with a rim of red as her temper ran over. The way she hissed, directing that hot wave toward her; setting her skin on fire. Golden fur bristled as the heat pressed through her, blasting across her like a hot summer breeze. Her body flushed, purple eyes subtly dilating against the cold, moonlit sky as the thinnest of smiles contoured against the angled features of her face.

But as quickly as it came, that heat was redirected, falling hard upon Harper. The two clearly shared a deeper misunderstanding than Amaranth had realized, for she'd only heard the story of Rhelenso in passing (they'd have to forgive her for not paying much attention to the politics of packs). Valeska's tail coiled over her smaller back, her stature as firm and solid as a piece of unyielding granite. Rhelenso would be welcomed here, whether Harper (or anyone else) approved of it or not ... that much was evident in the silver lady's stern, dominant stance. And Amaranth did not miss the subtle accentuation in Valeska's tone when she spoke of him - her close friend. Perhaps there was more to Rhelenso's story than his iced-over eyes and his scarred face.

And those lavender eyes were unyielding, staring through the woman that now ignored her.
Or pretended to ignore her.

She wanted to hear Valeska say it.

It was then that Harper stormed off with a gruff "no" on her lips, her larger frame bristling with as much fire and ire as Valeska's. She was fangs, teeth, and angry glares ... and then she was gone. She apparated away as quickly as a shadow dispersing as if a light had been shone upon it. Amaranth's gaze did not leave Valeska, but she felt Harper as she brushed past, her discontent tangible in the very air that she left in her wake. What was going on? The gilded woman was painfully unaware, and she knew it. And she wanted to know more. She needed to know more. But she only wanted to hear Valeska say it.

But Valeska dismissed herself. Dismissed herself and Rhelenso, together. And all without so much as a glance toward her yearning, hovering presence. "Welcome to Elysium," she heard Buckeye say, somewhere in the echoing distance. It sounded so far away, for every ounce of her fervent attention was placed upon melting Valeska's very fur from her bones. A silent, screaming desire for her attention, for some explanation that she did not deserve. But Valeksa dared walked by her. And it was then that a low growl slipped from between those thinly pressed lips as the pair walked away. Fine. If she could not have her attention, perhaps she could have her ire. For that seemed to excite her just as much.

She needed to hear Valeksa say it.
But it would not be today. And perhaps it would not be tomorrow. Or ever.

"I'll see you at home, Kye," the woman murmured without looking, unwilling to display her unprovoked agitation toward her younger friend. She offered a light nudge into that newly decorated fur, rubbing her golden shoulder across the other's slightly smaller frame before peeling off and heading in the opposite direction of the group. She would spend the rest of the evening alone and perhaps would find some herbs to help ease her mind ... to ease her into a dreamless sleep. She needed silence, for everything was simply too loud.

And as she walked away, ebony feathers littered the air behind her, loosening from her golden fur and flicking up into the evening atmosphere.

---

Amaranth exits.

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