vale & suenga

The coywolf found herself lounging outside of the heartland of the territory, watching flakes fall from the mid-morning sky. Everything was silent for once here, and Vale basked in it. In a valley caught up in turmoil, Vale found comfort in the rare moments of peace.

After a while, her limbs felt numb from the cold air and she stood up. Trekking towards the outskirts of the territory, Vale halted in her tracks and sniffed the air. A familiar scent stirred the female, causing her to scrunch her brow and take a second breath. Familiar, but also strange. Finally, her golden eyes traced across the grey landscape and fell upon a strange face. Vale growled softly, but stopped. "You..." Vale breathed, trying to rake her brains for a name. "Suenga. Why are you here? Everyone thought you were dead..."

It had only been a rumor. Tainted hadn't spoken much of Suenga. Assumptions were made and rumors spread. Everyone just chalked up that Suenga had met an untimely death. But, behold, the wolf-dog had returned. Here he was, in the flesh. A bit underfed and rough around the edged, but he was alive.

The wolf stared at Vale with a soft, shy expression. He didn't speak. He had hardly spoken in days, perhaps weeks. He was a creature of few words, since he had left Tainted in the valley and gone out on his own. Out of cowardice, Suenga had abandoned his mate, his loyalties, and his home to seek safety. But he had become too lost on his own. He could not live in his loneliness. He returned to Manahcob to find Tainted. Maybe she would cast him away for his cowardice. But Suenga wanted to at least know if she was alright. He needed closure on the coywolf he loved.

Tainted

The long trek home from the mountains left Tainted's legs tired and her paws aching from the rocky slopes. Technopunk had parted ways with her when they reached the bottom of the mountains, leaving to find Blacksong. Tainted periodically looked back to make sure Spirit was following, reassuring herself that the pup she had adopted was safe. She hadn't taken care of a pup in so long, and she had never taken up a mate since Suenga went missing. Even though she was unsure of her mate's fate and acknowledged that he may never come back, she never filled that hole in her heart. Upon entering the territory, she looked down at the ground, near an old cedar, her thoughtful and sorrowful eyes passing over the memorial she and her siblings had made for Tahti and Windsong. It was the emerald Windsong had given Tahti years ago, surrounded by a circle of smooth stones in the shadow of Tahti's favorite tree. Everybody knew not to touch that memorial, let alone move it, as Tahti and Windsong's offspring would personally kill anybody who dared to defile the memory of the loving couple. Tainted whimpered, feeling her eyes tear up a little as she observed that little green gemstone, a token of Windsong's love for Tahti. With a nostalgic sigh, she continued on her way.

The coywolf had only grown more and more depressed in the absence of Suenga, and every day, she hoped for his return. As luck would have it, she spotted two figures in the distance. From this far away, she was unable to discern them, and her watery eyes didn't help either. Moving closer, she gasped. "Vale? Suenga?" Her voice was shaky at the sight of her half-sister and mate. She hadn't seen Vale in a while, and she hadn't seen Suenga in an even longer time. "Suenga..." She walked closer to her mate, feeling as if her heart would stop, and her weak legs gave way as she nuzzled him, falling to the cold ground in front of Suenga. "It's been far too long."

spirit, suenga & vale

The little white pup followed Tainted eagerly. The long journey did not burden the wolf, but, then again, she was filled with the enthusiasm of an innocent creature. They entered the territory, and Spirit felt her heart palpitate with anticipation. Was this her newfound home? What would this new path bring the young wolf?

Spirit honed in on Tainted's mood and remained silent, gazing in the direction of the memorial with heightening curiosity. One day, she'd find out what it meant. But, this was not such a time. Tainted was addressing two other canines. One, she appeared to not be surprised by, but the latter caused Tainted to react differently.

Vale turned towards Tainted, dipping her head respectfully. She hadn't seen much of the war leader in a while, having laid low and remained neutral in the feuds of the valley. But it was Suenga who surely shocked the coywolf. Tainted's long lost mate. Vale nodded, gazing back at Suenga.

Suenga was stricken. Her presence shocked him. He felt the very marrow of his bone tremble at her existence. A mixture of love and a wave of anxiety. He gazed at her with golden eyes, trying to conjure a statement. What should he do? Apologize? Tell her he loved her? Tell her how he would spend stormy nights at the peaks of the valley, howling to her, but his words were but a whisper over the thunder and torrential rain and gale winds? Tell her that he would always retreat to the outlands, too afraid to actually confront her? He feared his death too much. Yet, these notions weren't strong enough to keep him away forever. He came back. He came back. He came back for her.

His paws were planted in the ground as she maneuvered towards him. His mind told him to go towards her, but his muscles couldn't react. Instead, he waited until she was upon him, pressing herself into him. Suenga leaned into her, closing his eyes tightly, fighting the tsunami of emotions overcoming him. She fell, and he crouched down, pressing his forehead into her scruff. "I'm sorry," He finally uttered, his words frail and insecure. "I'm sorry...."

Tainted

Don't forget me
It's not so easy to love so honestly
And please forgive me
'Cause everybody can see what has to be

Tainted's breath was shaky as she sobbed, feeling a mixture of sorrow and joy. They had lost so much, but in the tempest of war, Suenga had come back for her. Words could not express how thankful she was to see her mate again, but she attempted to speak multiple times, though each time she opened her mouth no words came out. Finally she found the words she was looking for. "Suenga... I've searched for you. I never forgot you. I missed you and I hoped you'd come back. I can't live without your presence. I've been so... so lonely without you, Windsong, Tahti, and all the other fallen heroes." Glassy eyes met Suenga's gaze with a look that seemed as if it could reach his very soul. "But you're back. You're back, and that's all that matters."