Going Back

[Sonrisa]

Sonrisa's muted footsteps on the soft ground turned into pat, pat, pat-ing sounds as she stepped inside the dazzling cave. It had been two years, but now she had to face the present and reacquaint herself with her memories. It has really been too long...

Looking around, she was mesmerized by the cave itself, nature's glorified display of how much beauty it was capable of placing in one solitary location. It was utterly breathtaking... and it was full of incomplete memories. Where has everyone gone?

Hardly daring to breathe, she stepped further into the glowing cavern, reflections casting bright, clean rainbows against her white pelt. Sighing, she smiled. This peaceful harmony was perfect for her to examine her thoughts for a moment. There's so much to miss...

Looking around once more, she found a corner and sat down, feeling certain no one else would be near. Curling up, her tail naturally wrapped around her small frame as she settled. Closing her eyes pensively, she meditated on her thoughts, breathing slowly in smooth, measured breaths. One by one, the faces so dear to her came back, and she smiled, remembering how they'd come to this very place when Baelis had been mauled by a bull elk. This had been their haven then. But where are they now?

Finally, after several minutes of deep thinking, she was finished. Opening her eyes slowly, she rose to her feet. Stretching first her back, then her legs, she stepped toward the mouth of the cave, looking out at the horizon. The sun was slowly setting, a gorgeous display of fantastic deep oranges and reds, melting the sky into a fabulous blanket of liquid gold. The sky was darkening at the top, a deep navy that made the sun itself look even brighter as it sank below the border of the ground. It's the end of another day... maybe there will be some more fireflies to chase tonight.

[Valand]

Examining the outer-shell of the cave was an ivory form, which was covered with scarrings and scratches new along with old. He looked around, though he abruptly turned towards the cave's outer wall and he smelt a familiar scent enter his nasal cavity.

Immediately he turned and walked towards the entrance of the large cave. Walking in, his paw-steps echoed and lights cast upon the winter hued coat. He followed the scent, knowing who it was, to the certain spot of the cavern.

"Sonrisa?" he called out, just barely entering sight of the white feme.

[Sonrisa]

Coming out of her slight trance, Sonrisa's ears flicked at the sound of more pawsteps, a slightly heavier and slower pattern than her own. Still in the opening of the cave, it was only a step away, and she calmly moved toward the familiar voice. It's still shocking to see him again after two years, like he's just walked out of my imagination and materialized back in real life.

Beaming faintly at Valand, she stepped aside to make room for him. "Guess you caught me daydreaming again," she said cheerfully, laughing a little. It was strange hearing her own voice again after not using it. It had grown so much deeper and more mature, like the voice of a truly adult femme. I suppose, now that there are others to talk to, I should get used to my own voice again...

In truth, it could only be called daydreaming. It was almost, to her own unfailing misery, as if her old friends had never existed. Strangely, now that Valand was back, the loneliness she felt from the loss of the others felt sharper, stronger. It was almost as if I'd just dreamed it all, until living proof stood in front of me again.

[Valand]

The old brute walked towards nonchalant in form and tones, his paws flowed heavily though still elegant. He shone a shining grin and greeted the long lost friend...So unlikely they'd run into each other alive Valand had seen many beasts he had once known lay before him, the musty smell of either blood or decaying flesh each time he sensed a familiar presence near. He had acquired more scars and missing fur, though still the most prominent had always been the one over his eye even though he was well-abled to see. The scars had always made the wolf seem intimidating though a smart remark or a simple smile could lighten most moods.

"How else could I catch you?" he spoke with his rough but friendly tones and a chuckle.

[Sonrisa]

Sonrisa gave a soft chuckle, giving her sleek pelt a quick shake before settling herself down again, resting her chin on her paws gently. Smiling, she flicked her tail before curling it around herself contentedly. "Some things never change, my friend." Everything else has changed, though.

Unable to resist, she glanced around the cave once more, still dazzled by the fabulous array of glimmering jewels like constellations in the night sky. "It's beautiful in here, isn't it? Hasn't changed much, either... almost feels like home, even though we never lived here." Sudden nostalgia quieted her, awed by how immature and naive she felt, as if she'd truly gone back to her past. Funny how these little reminders bring emotions with them.

Turning back to Valand, she gave a little shrug and a slightly sheepish laugh. "Dreaming's been all I've been doing lately, it seems. Reality is too bleak with no one to talk to." Spending all day with my head in the clouds isn't too bright, either, I suppose.

[OOC: Sorry, I've been trying to grab a minute to click in a quick post for days, haven't had a chance. Sorry for the shortness!]

[Valand]

Valand himself settled into a sit, leaning to his right to scratch behind his ear. "Very few things go without change." he said. The caves were very much like home, he had spent time here years ago but now was back to where he had stayed for a few moons before finding his old pack...which now was dissipated and gone. The thought sent a short, acute pain to his heart.

"All you can do is dream sometimes. I'd rather have my head FURTHER up in the clouds than have to keep my paws on the ground and watch the land go through a vicious cycle. "he explained.



[Tis' fine]

[Sonrisa]

Sonrisa nodded, settling against the sparkling cave wall and looking around. "You're right. I suppose eventually nothing can stay entirely the same with so much changing else around it." The land, the alphas, the wolves themselves. It wouldn't be surprising if a new moon appears in the sky, or the sun rises on the other side in the morning.

Ears perked and face contemplative, Sonrisa nodded and smiled faintly. "When you're alone with so much to think about, dreaming is the only thing there is to do. At least in my case, I mean." A vicious cycle it is, I suppose. But places like these aren't vicious. There are some nice things left.