Mama Always Said —

Oh it felt so nice!

The ground with which she lay was soft, a light damp feeling kissed her toes as they touched the soil beneath dark pads. Dew collected on the tip of her nose, slowly licked away as a groggy tongue slid over the black digit to clear the tickly sensation.

While the ground was cool and moist, on her back was the warmth of what she could only imagine was the sun. It's warm embrace brushing invisible tendrils through her fur, to which she welcomed the sensation further by rolling over to expose her belly to the skies with a soft smile carving into her lips.

She felt well rested. Like she had slept for much longer than usual. At peace as there was no rush or need to get up right now for duties, meetings, hunts, or whatever was needed that day... no, it was just peaceful.

Chips of nearby birds beckoned Estelle to wake. Chickadees chirping and every now and then slipping into their signature song roused the woman from the deep slumber to gaze into the trees with her forehead pressed against the ground and all four legs sprawled out into the air while seeking the plump birds within their branches.

Wincing lightly, the sun was warm but also incredibly bright. Like the brightest she had ever seen it and those russet eyes just needed a moment to adjust...

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It hadn't been long before the itch Tamir had to explore overcame his need to reminisce with his brethren. It seemed as the Star Mother would have it, they had plenty of time to catch up and make new memories in the new home Faust had found for them. The one given to them as a blessing he could only assume. Did they truly deserve such a gift? Prior to this world, they'd taken their lives for granted. Cliff-jumping. They were wolflings indeed.

Their distant memories tilted the man's lips upwards if only just—the only proof one would ever find to justify his amusement. Those memories, however, only seemed to remind him of the family still lost. Faust and Tamir still had yet to find the last missing puzzle piece, but yet here Tamir was, prowling the lands in search of a suitable place for him to place his home.

The fact of the matter sickened him—the world was much too big for him to go searching. A dreary sigh left him as pushed through his unwillingness to find a den, gaze downcast to avoid the annoyance he was sure the sun's rays would bring.

Though, as if it were a calling, an echo of something in his mind, he lifted his head. There, lying in tendrils of green was...something. From where he stood, all he could see was the coat of brown, the small frame of another. Those details were all it took to have Tamir hastening his steps, eyes alight with a hope he'd thought had long diminished from his mind. It couldn't be her, could it? Surely, surely, she wouldn't have been dropped here for him to find.

“Tove?” Her name left his lips in a gruff and desperate sound as he neared, then every bit of his heart shattered in place. The closer he'd gotten, the more he'd realized...

It wasn't her...but it was someone. Perhaps they'd met the same fate as he, or perhaps this she-wolf was a blessing from the Star Mother herself. Nevertheless, he hadn't heard about her from Faust, not like he did Prvak. With disappointment heavy in his actions, he took the last few steps to keep a wolfs-length between them. For his family, he'd seek out their purpose. He lowered his head so it was level with her own, eyes narrowed as he spoke. “Rytsas? issi ao awake?” — Hello? Are you awake?

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Even if the light was blinding - it all felt so nice. Like a feathery light duvet was placed over her and all she could do was soak in the warmth. Cats really had it all figured out with their sun baths, to the point where Estelle had a hard time deciding if it was time to get up and stretch her legs or just remain here a little while longer! The little stretching, she could do while laying down wasn't quite enough, but if she was to return to this position... would it be as blissful as before? Or would it vanish like smoke in the wind never to be enjoyed again?

Tove? A word cut through the chirps of songbirds. Drawing the girl's attention as she twisted her head and neck to observe the approaching man. He was tall, dark, and handsome and spoke in some strange tongue she wasn't familiar with.

Silence remained for a heartbeat as she tried to decipher what he was saying. Rolling over to lay on her belly as opposed to her back, she gazed up at him while he lowered to meet her warm gaze. “I’m sorry?” Blinking at him, she couldn’t catch anything but the word “awake”. “I’m Estelle, can you speak common?” Tilting her head to one side, she wished to understand him if they can find some common ground.

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Tamir seemed to stare at her for a few short beats, gaze unblinking but traveling across the face she had in hopes it'd shift to another. But when she spoke, he blinked and took a step back, head lifting but gaze still hers to hold. Reluctantly, he eventually responded to her in a language he never cared to learn. “Very little, Estelle.” His voice was gruff, his gaze lifting from hers to trail over her small frame and then around to their environment. He'd be damned if he were caught off guard simply because he was distracted by a ghost.

“You are here why? Did sky drop you?” Tamir did another once-over of her before he slowly descended into a sit, still keeping a decent wolfs-length between the two as to provide a sense of comfort for her. He wondered about her arrival, who brought her here, or if she was even here before Faust and himself. She wasn't from their world, he didn't think so at least, but perhaps he was wrong. Nevertheless, her presence alone was a cause for concern.

Truthfully, he wasn't sure about Faust's conditions about newcomers, or even trespassers. Given they technically hadn't claimed their Mother's gift, did they have a say at all, anyways? He'd have to remember to ask Faust come the next time they see each other. For now, his attention remained on Estelle, concern for her wellbeing and caution for her existence fighting a battle at the forefront of his mind.

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Very little. Well that meant they had to take more care when it came to a conversation than usual. Wanting to put every effort she could muster into this, she rolled over after a while to sit and gaze up at the man. Large warm eyes carefully watching his lips while ears were drawn forward to catch everything he muttered and decipher it through his accent. “We got this.” She told him and mostly herself as a small pep-talk to not feel nervous about a language barrier here.

Shrugging her little shoulders at his question, Estelle really did wish that she could answer him correctly. “Oh heavens, I hope I wasn't dropped from the sky.” Twisting her neck and head she tried to look herself over. No broken bones could be felt or seen, no open wounds, it all looked and felt fine. “Does it tend to rain wolves here?” Out of shock at the mere thought of it she straightened up, hairs standing on end as though electricity was shot through her veins. “Oh dear did you fall from the sky?” Leaning forward a bit, concern painted her features as she now looked the man over, wanting to prance around him but feeling that might be too invasive right now. So instead she sat, leaned and craned her head.

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Her notion of reassurance was noted by the man, his eyes widening ever so slightly in surprise. Her kindness came as a surprise to him, though he'd based his assumption of her on himself prior. He would've never stuck around given they were in opposite places, he supposed that went to show for his personality in regards to strangers. Either way, he didn't care.

Instead, his thoughts were taken by her response to his question. If she wasn't dropped from the sky like the rest of them, then where did she come from? His brows furrowed in momentary confusion. “Then this?” He glanced around before moving his gaze back to her. “Is your home?” She didn't smell of the soiled scent of ichor, and there were not many misplaced threads of fur on her, what if he didn't consider her rolling around in the dirt beforehand. He could still see tidbits of grass woven in with her curls. Her obliviousness to it made him want to smile.

That urge disappeared when she asked him a question, one to which he nodded somberly. He could still hear Tove's scream as she followed his same fate, the muffled screams he'd never even recognized as his own. It'd come back to him in a flood from time to time, breaking through the dams he'd built. “Cliff-jumping.” He let out a sigh. “Bad idea, bad plan.” Tamir shrugged and cast his gaze aside, opting to keep the details about his family to himself. “You have been here how long?” He swiftly managed to change the subject, gaze still narrowed.

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That was a good question, was this her home? “I — hmm...” She wanted to answer right away but needed a moment to look around. Warm eyes scanned the horizon, the distant mountains, the flowers that dotted the land beneath its shadow. “I — I don't think so?” Nothing seemed familiar to her from where they stood. “Is this yours? Am I trespassing? Oh! I'm so sorry!” She babbled on, barely giving him time to answer and only partially registering what he was saying about "cliff diving".

Whatever that was.

Why someone would jump off of cliffs was beyond her. “Well I can say that jumping off of cliffs is never a good idea sir!” She quipped only after seeing that he looked okay. “Did you jump off of that one there on the mountain?” It was the only cliff really she could think of, and that was because it was right here for her to see.

“I don't know how long I've been here... I don't even know where here is. Maybe I was birthed from the earth? Wouldn't that be fun. To be actually birthed from the great mother herself.” She knew that wasn't possible, but it sounded cool and fun.

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Tamir watched the other with furrowed brows, eyes alight with apprehension as he awaited her answer. In truth, he had no idea what his reply would be given her answer. Should he invite her to his home? Or should he leave her here to fend for herself? It certainly hadn't bothered her before. And who was he to tread on a routine he presumed was already so sacred.

Her reply would cause him to shake his head, a gentle touch to soothe her sudden rampant nerves and the mumbles of apologies. He hated apologies. “No, genes.” — No, mouse. While Faust had every intention of claiming the grounds they stood upon, it wasn't his place to call it their territory quite yet. Even still, he was sure they would allow the dame solace without the responsibilities her joining would bring. And who knew, perhaps the longer she stayed and watched, she'd eventually find that additional piece of sanctuary and relief with their Mother.

He barely got another word in before she was criticizing him. A grown man he was and her words made him want to flatten his ears and cower. He concluded he didn't like that either. Nevertheless, he simply turned his head back towards her and raised a brow, as if daring her more to say something about his decisions. Given she grew up with their ragtag group, he was sure she would've jumped right alongside them.

At her next question, he followed the gentle lift of her gaze beyond them, eyes squinting at the mountain in the distance. He knew already it wasn't the one, as this was a completely different world, but he'd humor her. “No.” It was a simple quip, a sharp turn in their conversation so that he could focus more on the importance of her being here. Her words made his eyes widen. “You know of Mother?” He wasn't sure anyone beyond those in Velaris knew of the Great Mother and her wonderous acts. And something more, if Mother had decided this she would come from her earth, surely that must be a sign to heed. It was then that he decided.

“Come to my home.” He'd allow Faust to further explain everything else. What with their language barrier, he'd leave far too much out. A swift flick of his tail and he was approaching her with his head held high, hazel hues peering down at her with an impatience for her answer. “You will, yes?”

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He said no, which comforted her. At least she wasn't trespassing, that wouldn't end well for her! Estelle didn't like conflict after all. She was a pacifist. Only fighting when it was absolutely necessary. Only if it meant her life or someone she loved, or someone who needed help vs the attacker. Only then would she spring into action with teeth gnashing - but until then, she was all smiles as she was now.

“Of course I do.” Such a silly question as far as she was concerned, but unaware that perhaps her "Mother Earth" was different to his - maybe. Instead, she assumed they were talking of the same thing. The great mother that birthed them all. That cared for them with nourishment, shelter and all the other lovely things that came with life in general. The beauty that surrounded them for example was one of many things she had done for her numerous children.

The man's change in posture with the glare from above caused her to shrink. Feeling as though she had done something wrong. Chocolate ears flattened against her crown as warm eyes peered up at him from under blackened lashes. “Yes, sir.” Her voice soft, but she would do whatever he wanted and followed wherever he went.

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The she-wolf's outward display of both cowardice and submission was enough to have the crinkle of Tamir's brow reappearing again. Had he done something wrong? Something to upset her? His impatience was a fault, he knew this much, but he hadn't expected her to be so sensitive. Peering down at her now, with an expression he conceived as a childish pout, he felt a pang of regret through a pinch of his heart. Perhaps he should learn a new means of communicating with her, lest she burst into tears on his watch. The thought deepened the crevices of his maw, making his displeasure even more prominent with the dips of his frown. Even more than apologies, he hated tears—sorrow. His eyes lifted to her, the quickest capture of shame washing away with a slow blink. Whatever he did, he regretted it instantly.

Hate would've been an accurate word in regards to his shame. He hated the roll of it down his spine, the heat of it grasping at strands in his mind. Looking at Estelle now, watching how he'd unintentionally made her feel, it gave him shame. Tove had taught him better.

With a deep sigh, the shadowman would slowly decline, stopping when his head matched the height of hers. If not only to soothe her, but to ease the coiling of his stomach also, his gaze softened. He spoke then, gruff and with as much displeasure as his scrunched nose already portrayed. “I am Tamir.” His eyes lingered on her auburn ones before they drifted to the plethora of curls framing her face, still with small leaves and twigs intertwined. His jaw clenched with an urge to sit her still and pluck every last plant from her locks until she looked perfect again. Though hard, he restrained, eyes flitting back to hers to distract himself further.

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Estelle wasn't about to cry. She was a big girl now, an adult, and stern men wouldn't bring her to tears. But the way he spoke sounded like she was intruding by being here... wherever here was, and however she had gotten here. Tamir didn't seem cruel, but commanding. Proud. And she wasn't about to challenge that or disrespect it in any way.

But the way the wrinkles on his brow deepened her mouth went dry. Wondering if she had done something else wrong - and opted to keep her mouth shut and just follow him wherever he had wanted to take her. To whomever he wanted her to meet.

He moved. It caught her attention to watch him carefully. The way he lowered himself, she was unsure where this was going and she swallowed a thick lump in her throat... only to smile when his gaze softened finally, and the earthen tail behind her to tap against the grassy grounds with muted thumps. Oblivious to the twigs, grasses and flowers that speckled her coat and would no doubt feel embarrassed with later on.

“Tamir -” She did her best with his name upon her tongue, the corners of her blackened lips curling upward on her dark face. “Take me to your home.” Reassuring him that she'd follow, not by force through fear, but completely willing and curious as to what was she to find.

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Her smile was enough to ease whatever doubts Tamir had. He'd done something right, that was a sure thing, and his chest warmed with the thought. With a step taken back, he was able to rise to his full height again, softened gaze peering down at her. He hadn't noticed the gentle taps of her tail until now, a muted action that tickled the ends of his frown.

He thought Estelle to be innocent. Her actions proved that much, and it was enough to ease his worries—the troubles he held. Everything in him wanted to give her a chance, a life worthy of someone like her, protection, all of it. He was sure she'd get along with the Velaris women. He knew Tove to be welcoming, but he had yet to see Savan still. Would she be the same?

He sighed. None of them were the same anymore. They'd grown and hardened with time. This world only seemed to influence that even more so, overprotectiveness and caution a common theme now. As blessed as Tamir knew them to be, they were still suffering losses—their home, their families. Maybe Estelle was the same way, maybe she'd find sanctuary within the Vale. When she agreed to follow him home, it took everything in Tamir not to grin and book it back to camp. Instead, he simply let out a distinguished chuff, lifting his chin to gesture back in the way he came.

He turned his body away from her, head inclined over his shoulder with the most scarce of grins.“You will like it there, Estelle.” He'd see to it that she did. With bated breath, he'd wait for her to join his side, paws eager to show off his newfound home.

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That same smile blossomed brighter than before as Tamir too seemed pleased with the outcome. A little bump in the road, that was all it was. They were still strangers after all, for now, and learning about each other's mannerisms. In time perhaps they could be like two peas in a pod! Bouncing off of one another flawlessly, nearly reading the other's mind out of sheer understanding of who they are - and of course, continuously growing and changing as all life did.

“You will like it there, Estelle.” He said, and she was certain she saw a little smile on his face. She squinted as though it would help her see it better for the briefest of moments before quickly joining at his side. Her gait was smaller than his and so she nearly had to run to stand by him, circling to the front and backing up while matching his stride (all the while cautious to not be trampled on or in the way). “If everyone is like you Tamir, I will.” She'd reassure before completing her circle and following the man off on his side. Every once in a while glancing up at him as they walked to wherever he was taking them, having faith it was only anything good...

As well as soaking in the surroundings and glad that of all places to wake up in, this was perhaps the best.

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