then as it was, then again it will be

Winter undeniably in full swing around him, the mountaineer recognized it as among the longest nights.

Years, and another reality ago entirely, his mother had told him to honor such a time--and not just because it signaled another turn of the year since her own arrival earthside, once. The darkest point of the year that could make or break so effortlessly deserved the right recognition, anyway. To revere the cycle so much greater than all of them had been instilled upon him young, and he kept up so in practice. After all, uniquely for their canine-kind, it could be met with strength; they could capitalize, eat well when their large prey struggled.

Worth noting, today's ranging in the elevations confirmed that the mountain goats had moved up to shrubbier, rockier reaches. Their valley pastures were picked clean, and buried deep in the snow, dormant until spring. They would now browse at the tougher barks that withstood snowfall, trying to tide themselves over. It would make them more difficult to reach and hunt, but it would highlight their weaker herdmates faster. He would keep an eye on it, knowing they had hunters to rally at their call--for when the time was right. Not yet, but soon, he trusted.

He was nearing the foothills by now, stowing the idea for that later date's consideration. The steely Ostrega still had energy to spare for tonight, and full of thoughts of those who also shared the mountain, he found he was looking to break the relative silence of the chilly, settling night: Jarilo tilted back his muzzle and howled out his melody into the ice-tipped winds. Singing of good tidings to them all, to facing winter head-on and strong, and to their continued unity. He wondered who else would rally their songs on a night like tonight, at the mercy, and sanctity of the mountain both.

Now facing their second wintertime, strange lands' horizons and all, with his acclimatization, things were quiet. Perhaps too quiet, sometimes, and many key faces had remained missing over the last many moons. But, even so, his faith in those that remained was unwavering and he hoped their spirits were well-enough to match.

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((happy new year!! i'm cool with howl replies ))

the staff team luvs u

i'm veeeeeery rusty with him. pls forgive, but thought this deserved more than just a 'howl' <3

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 He was nothing if not steadfast. Nestled into Empyrean. Like his name sake, he found safety within the stone walls. Hibernation would have been a dream perhaps... but there was plenty of work to be done through the cold months. Not to mention the fact that he had his own things he wished to work on before the spring came along. He knew it was far off, but he fretted he would blink and it would simply... be there.

 Closer to a year on the mountain than he was not.

 Perhaps the song of the beta of Empyrean was what he needed to hear that frigid night. It would have been enough to call back in his own baritones but instead he trailed after where he thought it came from. He weaved through passes and minded the icy stones along the way. He thought he knew this mountain well, but the land seemed to be everchanging. Either with seasons or with things beyond their own power here...

 Maybe he would miss the man for all the time he took to safely arrive, but he thought he was near enough for a proper conversation. Should it be wanted.

 He howled, low and warm, a contrast to the high cold winds, feeling that he was closer now. An invitation to the other man for time spent in the flesh, instead of passing ships in the night.

the staff team luvs u

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As his voice rose, then fell with his melody, he tipped ups his ears to listen to the night in return. Jarilo knew he was not alone on the mountainsides, but not if any would join him. Their sentiments could be elsewhere, focuses drawn otherwise--who was he to presume? He carried on his own song all the same, fine to stay solo, but certainly welcoming more.

And someone did answer, another song that had woven well into Empyrean's heart. Even in their strange times, and ever-shifting lands, steadfast with the best of them.

Jarilo let his route evolve to meet a newly-created heading. Not from far off, so he glided into purpose, following the lay of the lands to lend him speed when he could--the mountain generously meeting him halfway. Soon, he found the telltale, bear-like silhouette and was feeling zealous with this satisfaction; he kept up his pace and hoped to arrive in Medvjed's company as a flash, maybe a flurry of kicked-up snow while he lunged for a playful arc around him. His eyes shone bright and tail went swaying cheerfully, the Ostrega looking to test the energy now that he was well-warmed up.

the staff team luvs u