The Star

It was a calm night, one that Esmeralda was thoroughly enjoying. She’d dragged her wife across the sandbar, away from their home, to the beach she’d met Poseidon on. Though it wasn’t their own beach, it was still a beautiful one; it’s white sands we’re still warm under her rump as she pointed out certain stars to @Wake, her voice warm with a love for both the woman beside her and the stars above them.

Eventually, the captain decided to hunt them down some food. In her absence, Esmeralda decided to explore the beach for herself.

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Phone post! @Sereia I left it open so that you could have her wake up how you wanted! Also I tagged wake in case they want to join at some point!

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The soft lapping of the waves was the first thing the young witch noticed as she woke from her slumber. Bleary turquoise pools looked up at the dark sky dotted with twinkling stars. Reia gingerly sat up, eyes blinking as they adjusted to the non-existent light. She glances around, half-expecting to see her beloved companion in the sky above her. It seemed Naia hadn't come with Reia to wherever she was. And it scared her.

The lass stood on shaky limbs and took small steps toward the other stretch of the beach. "H-hello?" She called, ears perked in hopes of catching a reply. Sereia hated being alone, but the young wolf knew she was defenseless. An easy target for any who wished to do her harm. That much she had learned after she had first parted from her dear mentor, and she had the scar to prove it. Her nose wriggled, catching an unfamiliar scent in the vicinity. Sereia paused midstep, unsure about her next steps. Gods, she wished Lorcan was here to help her.

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I appreciate it ! <33 very excited to meet them as well ^^

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She hadn't seen anyone ahead of them just moments before, and then as if by magic, suddenly there was another there.

A voice. Timid and soft, shocked, perhaps. Esmerelda had heard that tone before and so, she broke from gentle stroll to head more purposefully towards the woman, moving with a cautious but concerned pace. “Amiga,” She called, voice gentle. She had woken in this land all the same, and had since helped many others in their Waking as well.

“Amiga, take it slow,” She pressed gently, slowing to a stop only a few feet from her. “It is alright. You are not alone.”

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Reia's heart thrummed against her ribs as she heard another voice. They sounded kind. Maybe Sereia wasn't in danger like she initially assumed. She slowly blinked, incapable of discerning the blurry figure before her. But their gentle voice pulled her through the haze, a hand to pull her from the tides that tried to drag her into its dark depths.

Perked ears could hear the whisper of the other's paws on the sand as they approached the shaky lass. As they came into view, a soft squeak left her lips as she plopped onto her rump. Their voice was tender, soothing even. Sereia's ears fell back onto her head as she raised her cerulean eyes to the somewhat vague shape before her. “Wh-where am I?” She asked, voice as unsteady as her limbs. “Who, who are you?” The query escaped her before she allowed the dame to respond. A bashful smile appeared as she shuffled her paws. Her fears had dwindled now that she had determined the stranger was not a threat. She could merely thank the sea for placing her in the safety of this stranger. Maybe, she would be okay here.
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There, there. The girl managed to pull herself together after a moment, enough to ask some fairly important questions. Esmerelda offered a gentle smile, mirroring the action of sitting down, not at all minding that her backside was wet now. “I am Esmerelda. Esme, if you like, and you've awoken on the shores of Mojito Beach.” A fond memory, that, meeting Poseidon upon these sands as he declared the name to her.

“Many wake in this world as you have.” Now that she thought about it, she hadn't met anyone that hadn't woken up here at some point in time. Truly, the gods of this world had an interesting view of how to do things. “How are you feeling? Physically, I mean.” Her ears tilted forward, giving her full attention to the girl before her.

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Cerulean eyes watched the other female with caution: she could never be too careful. It was one of the most important lessons Lorcan had taught her as a young girl. But the female's gentle smile and soothing voice made her want to trust her. Her ears swiveled toward Esme, listening intently to her words. Mojito Beach. It sounded pleasant. “We, wake?” She asked, head tilting. What did she mean wake? Was she taken? She couldn't quite understand what she meant, but there was no need to bombard Esme with her questions. She could ask over time, if she even permitted Sereia to go with her. At the female's question, a slight smile appeared. “My head hurts a little, but I should be okay. Thank you for asking.” Sereia dipped her head before lifting her eyes to the female before her. Esmerelda was kind. Much kinder than the females she knew back home. Reia was comfortable conversing with her and being close to her. She was not waiting for the incoming smack or harsh snarl. There was no aggression coming from her. Just simple kindness.

Sereia tucked her tail against her side as she allowed herself to relax. She glanced down at her mitts as she uttered her inquiry. “Are there others in this region?” Reia had never once been alone in her life, not since Lorcan accepted her as his child. She grew accustomed to living among those of Ukiyo and having someone around to accompany her on her daily journeys down to the seashore. But now she was utterly alone.

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It took Esmerelda a moment to understand the girl's confusion, and when she did, a lighthearted chuckle escaped her with an accompanying smile. “Many appear in these lands as if they had been sleeping. No one knows why, or how, even, but we are here all the same.” Now that she thought about it, Esmerelda was not sure she'd met anyone who hadn't awoken here. It was something to pick Wake's brain about later on.

The Mystic would wait patiently as the girl pieced herself together, smiling gently when she confirmed that she was alright. “Yes, many. Several packs, that I know of, though myself and my wife live on an island to the north there.” She pointed with her nose towards her beautiful home, tail involuntarily waving at the sight and thought of it. “I'm assuming you don't have anywhere you might stay yet; you can always come take shelter with us as you sort things out, and if you'd like to stay for longer, we would more than welcome you.”

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Sereia could not help the smile that appeared on her lips. “How, odd.” She mumbled, trying to grasp what that meant but the sharp pain in her head stopped her. Maybe this was something to ask about once she felt better. Now was not the time.

A soft laugh left the girl at the happiness that was evident in the woman. “I see you are very happy on your island.” She hummed, her tail swishing over the sand. Sereia could barely remember the last time she visited an island with Naia.

Her heart felt warm. She was welcomed, wanted. Esme was welcoming her into her home, offering her a place to stay. Reia had never felt such kindness before. And she was grateful to the Sea Mother for bringing her to this kind woman. “Gracias, Esmerelda. Te lo agradezco. — Thank you Esmerelda. I appreciate it.” She smiled and dipped her head towards the woman. Her smile faltered when a thought appeared. “Would it be okay if I did go with you? Your pack would not be upset?” Rounded eyes flickered to her paws. She didn't want to be the cause of problems for Esme or her wife. She'd never forgive herself if she did.

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The girl was observant, a quality that Esmerelda was appreciative of. Too many lost sight of the things that could be most obvious, to their detriment. “I am. It is a beautiful home and it provides for us as much as the Lady Sea herself does.” To the Mystic of the Saltwoods, their island was a paradise; the perfect home, in all ways.

“Ah!” Her eyes snapped back to the girl with surprise, a pleased smile stretching her lips. “Você fala português! — You speak Portuguese!” Now, her tail wagged behind her, with vigorous intent. It would be so nice to have someone that spoke her language at home, both to help teach the children and to keep her own mind from losing its grip on the words.

“Não não! Todos os lobos são bem-vindos. Se alguém te incomoda, venha até mim ou Wake. — No no! All wolves are welcome. If someone bothers you, come to me or Wake.” As dear as this child was, Esmerelda was sure that Wake would take to her as much as the mottled siren had. “Não se preocupe com essas coisas. — Do not worry about these things.” With that, Esme would step close and gently nudge the girl's cheek with her nose before beginning to lead her to the sandbar where they could cross.

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No matter how much the woman wanted answers, it seemed her body refused to give her the ability to receive them. Whenever she attempted to gain information, a sharp, thudding headache split her head in two. Was it a sign she should not delve into her past? Or a sign to look to the future? Reia could not quite tell yet, and it worried her.

Esme's evident love for her island made Sereia smile. The woman reminded her of Lorcan: his passion for their forested home and the creatures that provided for them. She recalled the day he taught her how to thank the animals that nourished their bodies so they may have a peaceful rest. “The Lady Sea has been gracious to your family.” Sereia hummed, gaze flicking over to glance at the rolling waves. The sea always provided.

“Yo hablo Español, mi amiga. — I speak spanish, my friend.” She tittered, eyes curving into crescent moons. Reia was glad Esme spoke a language similar to hers; maybe she'd even be able to teach Esme hers and learn Esme's. Sereia missed speaking her natal tongue and having someone who'd understand her. She missed the familiarity of it.

“Gracias, Esmeralda. Sólo temo ser una carga para tu familia. — Thank you, Esmerelda. I just fear being a burden on your family.” Reia's ears descended, and her eyes fell to her paws once again. Sereia knew what it was to be seen as a burden and had been told she was multiple times. Even in the murkiness that were her memories, she could hear their voices. The animosity and scorn they held for her. But Sereia felt nothing of that with Esmerelda. She was genuinely kind.

Sereia lifted her gaze to the woman's at the sensation of her nose against her cheek. Home. Reia smiled and stood on her paws once again and began to follow after the pale woman. She had a place to call her own, where she would be safe. While her heart ached for her family, she knew this was the start of something great. Something her father would be proud of.

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