Post by Pavane on Oct 15, 2011 0:21:43 GMT -5
Coinin - Male Wolf, now of Cerulean
Niyt - Female Wolf, of Cerulean
Helaku - Male Wolf, descendant of Old Ute
---Trickling River---
Coinin is sitting in his usual spot a few feet away from the river. Not much has been happening today and he is rather bored. The events of the other night were interesting though, with the arrival of Helaku who seems to be in poor condition. He left him with Tariro over by the waterfall pool to return home to see if anything was happening. At the moment it appears things are quiet.
Niyt is traveling toward the river, where last she saw her pack. She's unhurried and alone, letting the wind bring her what news it may.
Coinin lifts his head at the sound of the other wolf approaching. He knows that scent. Could it be that Niyt has arrived home. He gets to his paws quickly and smiles, "Niyt!" he calls out to her. He has missed her, and while she was away he was worried for her safety. Tariro had said that she was ok, but didn't go into great detail and he didn't have the courage to ask for more information.
Niyt turns her head to the direction of the call, and smiles. Tariro said she was okay, yes, but that was some time ago. It seems he was right, though; there's no sign of injury on her. She pads closer, coming toward the river's edge. "Hello again," she says once she's near. "How have you been?"
Coinin gives his tail a wag. He is very pleased to see her, he had missed their long in depth conversations about life, the universe, and everything. He smiles, "I prayed that you would return safely." And he did. He had said many prayers, both for her sake and Lexus's who he also missed greatly, "I'm well..." he says to her, "I am a full member of the pack now." he says proudly.
"So you decided to stay," Niyt says, and nods slightly. It doesn't surprise her that her uncle accepted the wolf. Coinin did seem a bit uncertain when last she spoke to him, though. It seems that has been resolved, both in his mind and externally. "The winter is not yet frozen so hard as to make journeys impossible," she says, and then laughs a bit as she adds, "So there was still plenty of time."
Coinin chuckles. It had been rather boring in some respects without Lex and Niyt. He can't really talk to Tariro as he can talk to them, "I did." he said simply. He has really grown to rather like the place, "I am certain I will be staying. Are you well? How is Lex?" he asks. He has been waiting to ask these questions for some time.
"We're both doing well, I think. Lexus should be back soon. If he hasn't already circled by and is about to come at us from the other side." She chuckles a bit, and gives her head a shake. "How have things been here? Well, I hope, for you and the rest?"
Coinin nods slowly though certainly she can't see it, "Things have been quiet, but sort of not quiet. We have had all sorts of new folks stop by. Rayen and Catori stopped by and she says she is Helios's daughter. I've never met him so I couldn't say, but she is looking for him all the same. We've also had a few wander by that may or may not stay. Also a wolf named Helaku has stopped by. He said that he knew you.." he chooses to leave out some of what he said because its not particularly relevant at the present time.
Niyt hmms. "I didn't know Helios had a daughter," she says, consideringly. "But then, I haven't often seen him. She may well be who she says she is." At the mention of Helaku, she perks her ears. "Helaku? I had wondered what happened to him. I don't suppose... no, he probably wouldn't have said." She hehs. "Is he still around? Perhaps I should speak with him a little."
Coinin ponders this for a moment, well he supposes that he could tell her. After alls he will probably figure it out soon enough, "He's over by the waterfall pool, but Niyt..." he says, "...he's sort of in rough shape. Tariro and I found him over there the other day. He was sort of ranting and raving." In truth Helaku seemed really bad off. He had said that he was devoid of purpose and seemed rather depressed.
Niyt tilts her head to the side. "Speaking of how things fall apart? Falling silent for long times, and seeming at others to dwell more in the past than the present?" she asks, tone seeming unsurprised at what Coinin said.
Coinin nods his head, yep that seems like the Helaku that he met, "Exactly. He seemed to be really lost. We could try to speak to him if you would like." In truth he pities Helaku a little bit. He had actually sounded rather suicidal when they last spoke, but he also had seemed ill so he didn't take it too seriously, "What do you know about him?"
Niyt shrugs a shoulder. "I do not know much. He holds in reverence that he says Ute once was. Before the current alphas, before the alphas before those. He thinks of that as his pack, but it is no more. This troubles him. He feels betrayed by his pack, because when he came to find Ute, it was not the Ute he remembered." Betrayal is a hard feeling for a wolf to handle; that by itself might be enough for those tendencies Coinin noticed.
Coinin could see how something like that could occur. After all he once held his previous pack in some reverence but no longer. Still he moved on and decided to make a life for himself elsewhere. Perhaps he could talk to Helaku when he is feeling better and let him know that life doesn't have to end just because you lost your connection to what you once cherished, "How did you meet him?" he asks.
"When I was searching for Anoki," answers Niyt simply. "He was near the borders of Ute, then. I wonder what made him move on from there?" She hmms. "You said he was near the waterfall?" she asks, before turning her head in that direction, staring blindly as she hears the distant roar.
That makes sense then. Still like he had mentioned Helaku is in really rough shape and he isn't sure that he wants Niyt to 'see' him like that. Even if he is a friend. He had said some rather unkind things the other day to Tariro, "Yes...he is over there. Are you sure you want to see him?" he asks. Its not like he could stop her or anything, but he is concerned for her and truthfully for Helaku. He is unsure about how he would react.
Niyt has never paid much attention to whether people wish her or not. The times when some would wall off the world are when they most need its presence. "Yes, I wish to see him. If he asks me to leave, perhaps I will." She smiles, and with that, she pads along the riverbank toward the waterfall.
---Waterfall Pool---
Coinin follows after Niyt. He had made known to her that he didn't think seeing Helaku in his present condition was a good idea, but she rather insisted. There is no way that could stop her even if he wanted to, which he doesn't really. He doesn't think that Helaku would harm her, or anyone in his present condition. Still he will keep an eye on how things go, "Alright..." he says to her.
Niyt pads toward the waterfall, her ears perked to listen against the roar of the waters. Her steps are careful; between the sound here, and the scent-dampening effect of winter, moving takes much of her attention. She lifts up her muzzle, nose twitching as she searches for Helaku's scent. She remembers it, though it's been a while since she last encountered it, and she can certainly sense it in this vicinity. She moves toward where it seems strongest.
Coinin notices that Niyt is having a hard time finding Helaku. He glances around the waterfall and is quickly after to locate the wolf from the other night. He goes and sits a few feet away from him. Not wanting to get terribly close, but also wanting to help Niyt locate her friend, "Niyt...he is over here near me." he says.
Niyt turns her head to the sound of Coinin's voice, and nods. She pads closer, moving her paws carefully through the snow and settling onto each one before moving the next. Snow and ice can be treacherous, even to the sighted. When she gets near - a few steps closer even than where Coinin is - she pauses, and her eyes close as she reaches out gently with her other senses to see what she can make of Helaku. She can smell him, yes; and hear the sound of his breaths, the faint spiritual warmth of his presence.
Coinin says nothing for the present moment. He is interested to learn more about Niyt's adventures. He can tell from her mood and way of being that the trip was sucessful and that they rescued the little ones. Or at least if they didnt', she is keeping quiet about it, which seems rather unlikely, "Tariro and I found him here the other day. He was apparently in a rather poor state of health as I mentioned."
Niyt nods to Coinin's words, though she doesn't open her eyes. It's easier to concentrate with them closed, even though she can't see regardless of whether they're open. Just habit? Perhaps; but habits die hard. "I'm not too surprised," she says after a few moments, frowning slightly as she opened her eyes. She doesn't wholly understand the wolf, but she understands how emotions can lead one to great extremes, and he had seemed a wolf of great emotion, tightly held. When something like that breaks... she sighs, and shakes her head slowly.
Coinin watches Niyt and nods slowly. Its true that emotions can be a poweful thing, for good or for ill...and sometimes perhaps a bit of both, "I certainly hope he gets well. I think Tariro wishes him to join us to recuperate and perhaps learn to live again." Given what he saw the previous evening he thinks that this is something of a long shot, but he isn't one to give up on someone just because of something like that.
Niyt takes a step back, and sits down on the snow, curling her tail around her legs. She turns her head to Coinin, and smiles slightly. "We know something of loss, in this pack. Of the death of individuals or of packs. We carry on. I'm not surprised my uncle would want to help Helaku along his path, wherever it may lead him in the end."
Coinin isn't particularly surprised either. Its true that the pack seems to have been through a great deal over the last year or so. He finds himself hoping that things can settle and that there will be peace, at least for a time, you can't keep it forever. A breather would certainly be nice though, "Are the young ones you went to rescue safe?" he asks. He regrets that he didn't go with them, but at the time he was brand new and didn't know what to do.
"Yes," says Niyt. "Safe, and returning to their homes." She pauses a moment, considering. It has been a while, since she left the others. "Or perhaps already there, by now. Still. We found them in time."
Coinin is very pleased to hear that. He had worried about those little ones too. It seems that the story ended happily and that everyone can begin to pick up the pieces of their lives again. Which no doubt will take some time, especially for those ones that were kidnapped, but it will happen. He glances around. It seems Tariro and Silverstream are sleeping as well. All in all the pack seems rather quiet tonight, "We've also had another wolf show up recently. Her name is Silverstream."
Niyt lets her thoughts carry her away for a few moments, until Coinin speaks again. She tilts her head, considering, then shakes it. "Not one I'm familiar with." Perhaps actually new to the pack, instead of one of those from Lazuli or Viridian who come by and drift away in turn. It's a strange pack they have, that ebbs and flows with the years. Niyt has many uncles she sees rarely, and yet still calls family.
Coinin has noticed the strange nature of the pack, though the difference between this pack and his previous pack definitely works for him. He feels comfortable here. Well not completely comfortable yet, but every day that passes makes this pack feel more like home. He has been accepted here, and hasn't been made to feel like he doesn't matter. Tariro has given him a job and seems to trust him to do it since he doesn't check up on him hardly at all, "I suppose you never know." he says to her. Still its always nice to see new faces. That seems to have been primarily what he has been doing...collecting strays. Of which Helaku certainly qualifies.
The talking slowly stirred Helaku from his rest. For him, it was as if he activated himself after 'programming' his habits as a rogue. Each day was not new--merely a continuation of the hell that came before. This time, however, he detected the presence of Niyt along with Coinin. The enigmatic wolf slowly got to his paws, though his hind still gave him trouble. Those white eyes of his fell, eventually, on Niyt. "I failed you," he said, to the point.
Niyt nods to Coinin, and then turns her head to the faint sound of Helaku moving, rising to his feet. She turns her head to him, blind eyes staring past him as his own encounter hers. "No," she answers simply. "I have not been failed. Nor has Anoki. Perhaps you did not do as you intended, but the flesh is weak. The flesh is always weak. To hold the flesh to the hopes of the spirit is to ask for failure."
Coinin says nothing for the time being, but that doesn't stop him from thinking. He is trying to work out exactly why Helaku thinks he failed Niyt. Helaku is obviously very sincere in this thought, but Niyt seems to disagree. What she says is true, the spirit is certainly willing. He takes this to mean that Helaku's intentions were good. If this wolf is a friend of Niyt's it certainly raises his opinion of him a bit. He can tell that Niyt chooses her friends very well.
Helaku stared at Niyt, but he had to look away. To him, it was just another failure on top of many other failures. As a rogue, he succeeded. As a pack member, he did not. "Not doing as I intended is the failure," he answered quietly. "I'm not returning to the Ute. I know more about them than they know of themeselves, but it is too ugly an assortment of truths for them to handle." Resentment. The way his existence smothered the place was of a wolf that did not hate the Ute, but hated what it had fallen to while not hating any of the currently living members. No...who he hated were dead just as much as who he cared about. "Anyone of my father's relation only invokes trouble or fear in them...except Wachiwa and her siblings."
Niyt looks neither away nor quite toward, just the nowhere-gaze of blindness. "You failed your own hopes. You did not fail -me-," she repeats, gentle but firm. "They are not the people you once knew," she says of Ute. "A pup is not his father. Perhaps it is for the best you do not live among them. It is like that pup; if you always look at him and think of his father, it is not fair to the boy or yourself. Let him be his own wolf - and let you treasure the memory you have of what once was."
Coinin continues to listen quietly to the conversation that is going on. This is the first time that he has heard the Ute pack mentioned in a negative light. Niyt had always seemed rather positive when she spoke to them. He realizes that all packs have problems, but it seems that this packs problems might run deep. Or it could be that Helaku is simply wallowing in self pity, both are reasonable possbilities. He can't bring himself to interupt them just yet. He wants to learn a bit more.
Helaku once more gazed her her and staggered closer to the blind wolf. He had missed her very much despite not knowing her for very long; the foreward of his head lowered tolightly nudge the end ofher snout. "Then I will resume what I intended," he said. "With you, I found purpose. The majority have thrown it aside."
When Helaku approaches, and noses at her, Niyt leans her head forward, moving one paw to step closer as she gently nuzzle at his cheek in return. "Then follow that purpose, if it satisfies you," she says with a smile. "I found you once by the edges of what used to be; you find me now, amidst what is. The old packs are gone. We are here now. Live in the present. Hope for the future."
The realization hits him in a flash. This makes perfect sense now. Are these two a couple? Perhaps more has happened while Niyt was away than he had suspected. If so he was pleased for them. He had known that Niyt was lonely with the departure of Zuphi. Still he wasn't sure that Helaku was the right wolf for the job, but thankfully that wasn't up for him to decide. If Helaku hurt Niyt like Zuphi had previously Coinin would be most displeased with him. Now is certainly not the time to state that though.
The tension Helaku retained waned as soon as Niyt touched him. It soothed him enough that he briefly set weight on his injured hind leg. "I will follow that purpose," he whispered. He hadn't given a thought of being paired with Niyt, but he wouldn't object to it if things turned in that direction. "That means, where you call home, I call home too."
As Niyt touches Helaku, it's clear there's emotion, but Coinin's reading of it is perhaps overzealous. The blind female sees pain, and she is moved to comfort it; she sees a need for direction, and she tries to give guidance. There is love, yes, but it is the love she has for all those of her pack, the caring in her nature for the wounded of body and spirit. Perhaps there might be more in time; perhaps not. As he is now, Helaku is broken; the wolf he may become when he is healed - who knows what her relationship might be to that wolf? She hears no hint of that future on the wind, nor does she listen for it. She smiles at Helaku's words, and nods gently. "Then... welcome to Cerulean. It is my home." Though she may wander far, and the pack may travel across many lands... this is her pack. Her home.
Coinin is also pleased to welcome new members, but assumes that Tariro will want to have the final say. He decides to pipe up, "I'm sure that you would be most welcome here Helaku." he says.
He could be anyone...Helaku could be whatever he wanted to be in this place if Tariro accepted him. yet, there was still one thing. Just one. An important one. One might say it was more important than Tariro. "Thank you Niyt...and..?" he said, gazing at Coinin. "I need to find Haze if he still lives..."
Niyt nods, without questioning the reason why Helaku wants that. "I haven't seen him since this summer." Not that she saw him with her eyes, but the word is what it is, and she doesn't make a big deal about such things. "He is old, but he is still with us. If he had gone... I think I would have heard. From uncle Tariro, if nothing else. He spends most of his time with his mate, but he can be sought." She smiles. "Perhaps one of the youngsters would be glad for a mission." Never mind that she's barely a full adult herself. She's finished growing up quickly, this past year.
Coinin is afraid that he doesn't know who Haze is, but this is something that Helaku had asked the previous evening. He didn't have a good answer for him then, and he still doesn't. However, that does seem to be a rather simple problem to solve, "My name is Coinin." he says in response to Helaku's comment, "And I think you will like it here Helaku. The pack members are very kind. I'm sure you will make a good impression on Tariro."
Helaku wasn't sure what to say at the point, but that was likely a good thing. The wolf still appeared to be fatigued, mostly in the face. Yet, like always when he was unsure of what to say he somehow found something to say. "You all ready know I am Helaku," he said. "I am the second Helaku, son of Alpha Helaku, the only surviving descendent in this region."
Niyt smiles at Coinin's comment about the kindness of the pack, and then nods to the re-introduction. After a moment, she gives herself a little shake, and then lowers herself down to a restful lying down position. "I have just returned from travel," she says with a slight smile, admitting weakness in herself rather than noting it in others. Though perhaps certain others will follow her lead, and rest tired and injured limbs. There seems to be no further need for formality, after all.
Coinin isn't particularly tired. He hasn't done very much today, and walking from the packs present resting grounds to the waterfall doesn't really count. Though he is pleased that he made the trip. He got to learn a bit more about both of these folks today and that pleases him. Since he already sitting down he doesn't change positions, but he does look over toward Helaku, "I don't have any relatives in the area either." he states. His relations are all a considerable distance away. He dosn't much miss them, with the possible exception of his parents and a few other assorted relatives.
Helaku too lay on the ground, his head upon his paws as he watched the other two wolves. "Can't say I miss my birthpack," he said. "My siblings likely still live with them." He slowly closed his eyes and flattened his ears, tiredness nagging at him for more normal rest.
Niyt, it seems, is the strange one here; for she still lives with the pack of her birth, with more uncles and cousins and siblings than these two seem to have ever known. She tilts her head, listening to their conversation without speaking.
Coinin nods slowly, he can understand how that feels. His birth pack didn't really understand him, and certainly wasn't very accepting once he stepped out lock step that the rest of the pack marched in, "Well its good to know that you can begin again isn't it?" he asks. He can tell that this wolf has a great deal of baggage from his past. Perhaps now that he is here he can slowly begin to put it down and live in the moment.
Helaku remained quiet for some time after being asked the question. He had trouble on the difference between putting something away and dropping it all together. he was raised in a pack that was taught to never let things go, because doing so eventually made one forget. "Yes."
Niyt - Female Wolf, of Cerulean
Helaku - Male Wolf, descendant of Old Ute
---Trickling River---
Coinin is sitting in his usual spot a few feet away from the river. Not much has been happening today and he is rather bored. The events of the other night were interesting though, with the arrival of Helaku who seems to be in poor condition. He left him with Tariro over by the waterfall pool to return home to see if anything was happening. At the moment it appears things are quiet.
Niyt is traveling toward the river, where last she saw her pack. She's unhurried and alone, letting the wind bring her what news it may.
Coinin lifts his head at the sound of the other wolf approaching. He knows that scent. Could it be that Niyt has arrived home. He gets to his paws quickly and smiles, "Niyt!" he calls out to her. He has missed her, and while she was away he was worried for her safety. Tariro had said that she was ok, but didn't go into great detail and he didn't have the courage to ask for more information.
Niyt turns her head to the direction of the call, and smiles. Tariro said she was okay, yes, but that was some time ago. It seems he was right, though; there's no sign of injury on her. She pads closer, coming toward the river's edge. "Hello again," she says once she's near. "How have you been?"
Coinin gives his tail a wag. He is very pleased to see her, he had missed their long in depth conversations about life, the universe, and everything. He smiles, "I prayed that you would return safely." And he did. He had said many prayers, both for her sake and Lexus's who he also missed greatly, "I'm well..." he says to her, "I am a full member of the pack now." he says proudly.
"So you decided to stay," Niyt says, and nods slightly. It doesn't surprise her that her uncle accepted the wolf. Coinin did seem a bit uncertain when last she spoke to him, though. It seems that has been resolved, both in his mind and externally. "The winter is not yet frozen so hard as to make journeys impossible," she says, and then laughs a bit as she adds, "So there was still plenty of time."
Coinin chuckles. It had been rather boring in some respects without Lex and Niyt. He can't really talk to Tariro as he can talk to them, "I did." he said simply. He has really grown to rather like the place, "I am certain I will be staying. Are you well? How is Lex?" he asks. He has been waiting to ask these questions for some time.
"We're both doing well, I think. Lexus should be back soon. If he hasn't already circled by and is about to come at us from the other side." She chuckles a bit, and gives her head a shake. "How have things been here? Well, I hope, for you and the rest?"
Coinin nods slowly though certainly she can't see it, "Things have been quiet, but sort of not quiet. We have had all sorts of new folks stop by. Rayen and Catori stopped by and she says she is Helios's daughter. I've never met him so I couldn't say, but she is looking for him all the same. We've also had a few wander by that may or may not stay. Also a wolf named Helaku has stopped by. He said that he knew you.." he chooses to leave out some of what he said because its not particularly relevant at the present time.
Niyt hmms. "I didn't know Helios had a daughter," she says, consideringly. "But then, I haven't often seen him. She may well be who she says she is." At the mention of Helaku, she perks her ears. "Helaku? I had wondered what happened to him. I don't suppose... no, he probably wouldn't have said." She hehs. "Is he still around? Perhaps I should speak with him a little."
Coinin ponders this for a moment, well he supposes that he could tell her. After alls he will probably figure it out soon enough, "He's over by the waterfall pool, but Niyt..." he says, "...he's sort of in rough shape. Tariro and I found him over there the other day. He was sort of ranting and raving." In truth Helaku seemed really bad off. He had said that he was devoid of purpose and seemed rather depressed.
Niyt tilts her head to the side. "Speaking of how things fall apart? Falling silent for long times, and seeming at others to dwell more in the past than the present?" she asks, tone seeming unsurprised at what Coinin said.
Coinin nods his head, yep that seems like the Helaku that he met, "Exactly. He seemed to be really lost. We could try to speak to him if you would like." In truth he pities Helaku a little bit. He had actually sounded rather suicidal when they last spoke, but he also had seemed ill so he didn't take it too seriously, "What do you know about him?"
Niyt shrugs a shoulder. "I do not know much. He holds in reverence that he says Ute once was. Before the current alphas, before the alphas before those. He thinks of that as his pack, but it is no more. This troubles him. He feels betrayed by his pack, because when he came to find Ute, it was not the Ute he remembered." Betrayal is a hard feeling for a wolf to handle; that by itself might be enough for those tendencies Coinin noticed.
Coinin could see how something like that could occur. After all he once held his previous pack in some reverence but no longer. Still he moved on and decided to make a life for himself elsewhere. Perhaps he could talk to Helaku when he is feeling better and let him know that life doesn't have to end just because you lost your connection to what you once cherished, "How did you meet him?" he asks.
"When I was searching for Anoki," answers Niyt simply. "He was near the borders of Ute, then. I wonder what made him move on from there?" She hmms. "You said he was near the waterfall?" she asks, before turning her head in that direction, staring blindly as she hears the distant roar.
That makes sense then. Still like he had mentioned Helaku is in really rough shape and he isn't sure that he wants Niyt to 'see' him like that. Even if he is a friend. He had said some rather unkind things the other day to Tariro, "Yes...he is over there. Are you sure you want to see him?" he asks. Its not like he could stop her or anything, but he is concerned for her and truthfully for Helaku. He is unsure about how he would react.
Niyt has never paid much attention to whether people wish her or not. The times when some would wall off the world are when they most need its presence. "Yes, I wish to see him. If he asks me to leave, perhaps I will." She smiles, and with that, she pads along the riverbank toward the waterfall.
---Waterfall Pool---
Coinin follows after Niyt. He had made known to her that he didn't think seeing Helaku in his present condition was a good idea, but she rather insisted. There is no way that could stop her even if he wanted to, which he doesn't really. He doesn't think that Helaku would harm her, or anyone in his present condition. Still he will keep an eye on how things go, "Alright..." he says to her.
Niyt pads toward the waterfall, her ears perked to listen against the roar of the waters. Her steps are careful; between the sound here, and the scent-dampening effect of winter, moving takes much of her attention. She lifts up her muzzle, nose twitching as she searches for Helaku's scent. She remembers it, though it's been a while since she last encountered it, and she can certainly sense it in this vicinity. She moves toward where it seems strongest.
Coinin notices that Niyt is having a hard time finding Helaku. He glances around the waterfall and is quickly after to locate the wolf from the other night. He goes and sits a few feet away from him. Not wanting to get terribly close, but also wanting to help Niyt locate her friend, "Niyt...he is over here near me." he says.
Niyt turns her head to the sound of Coinin's voice, and nods. She pads closer, moving her paws carefully through the snow and settling onto each one before moving the next. Snow and ice can be treacherous, even to the sighted. When she gets near - a few steps closer even than where Coinin is - she pauses, and her eyes close as she reaches out gently with her other senses to see what she can make of Helaku. She can smell him, yes; and hear the sound of his breaths, the faint spiritual warmth of his presence.
Coinin says nothing for the present moment. He is interested to learn more about Niyt's adventures. He can tell from her mood and way of being that the trip was sucessful and that they rescued the little ones. Or at least if they didnt', she is keeping quiet about it, which seems rather unlikely, "Tariro and I found him here the other day. He was apparently in a rather poor state of health as I mentioned."
Niyt nods to Coinin's words, though she doesn't open her eyes. It's easier to concentrate with them closed, even though she can't see regardless of whether they're open. Just habit? Perhaps; but habits die hard. "I'm not too surprised," she says after a few moments, frowning slightly as she opened her eyes. She doesn't wholly understand the wolf, but she understands how emotions can lead one to great extremes, and he had seemed a wolf of great emotion, tightly held. When something like that breaks... she sighs, and shakes her head slowly.
Coinin watches Niyt and nods slowly. Its true that emotions can be a poweful thing, for good or for ill...and sometimes perhaps a bit of both, "I certainly hope he gets well. I think Tariro wishes him to join us to recuperate and perhaps learn to live again." Given what he saw the previous evening he thinks that this is something of a long shot, but he isn't one to give up on someone just because of something like that.
Niyt takes a step back, and sits down on the snow, curling her tail around her legs. She turns her head to Coinin, and smiles slightly. "We know something of loss, in this pack. Of the death of individuals or of packs. We carry on. I'm not surprised my uncle would want to help Helaku along his path, wherever it may lead him in the end."
Coinin isn't particularly surprised either. Its true that the pack seems to have been through a great deal over the last year or so. He finds himself hoping that things can settle and that there will be peace, at least for a time, you can't keep it forever. A breather would certainly be nice though, "Are the young ones you went to rescue safe?" he asks. He regrets that he didn't go with them, but at the time he was brand new and didn't know what to do.
"Yes," says Niyt. "Safe, and returning to their homes." She pauses a moment, considering. It has been a while, since she left the others. "Or perhaps already there, by now. Still. We found them in time."
Coinin is very pleased to hear that. He had worried about those little ones too. It seems that the story ended happily and that everyone can begin to pick up the pieces of their lives again. Which no doubt will take some time, especially for those ones that were kidnapped, but it will happen. He glances around. It seems Tariro and Silverstream are sleeping as well. All in all the pack seems rather quiet tonight, "We've also had another wolf show up recently. Her name is Silverstream."
Niyt lets her thoughts carry her away for a few moments, until Coinin speaks again. She tilts her head, considering, then shakes it. "Not one I'm familiar with." Perhaps actually new to the pack, instead of one of those from Lazuli or Viridian who come by and drift away in turn. It's a strange pack they have, that ebbs and flows with the years. Niyt has many uncles she sees rarely, and yet still calls family.
Coinin has noticed the strange nature of the pack, though the difference between this pack and his previous pack definitely works for him. He feels comfortable here. Well not completely comfortable yet, but every day that passes makes this pack feel more like home. He has been accepted here, and hasn't been made to feel like he doesn't matter. Tariro has given him a job and seems to trust him to do it since he doesn't check up on him hardly at all, "I suppose you never know." he says to her. Still its always nice to see new faces. That seems to have been primarily what he has been doing...collecting strays. Of which Helaku certainly qualifies.
The talking slowly stirred Helaku from his rest. For him, it was as if he activated himself after 'programming' his habits as a rogue. Each day was not new--merely a continuation of the hell that came before. This time, however, he detected the presence of Niyt along with Coinin. The enigmatic wolf slowly got to his paws, though his hind still gave him trouble. Those white eyes of his fell, eventually, on Niyt. "I failed you," he said, to the point.
Niyt nods to Coinin, and then turns her head to the faint sound of Helaku moving, rising to his feet. She turns her head to him, blind eyes staring past him as his own encounter hers. "No," she answers simply. "I have not been failed. Nor has Anoki. Perhaps you did not do as you intended, but the flesh is weak. The flesh is always weak. To hold the flesh to the hopes of the spirit is to ask for failure."
Coinin says nothing for the time being, but that doesn't stop him from thinking. He is trying to work out exactly why Helaku thinks he failed Niyt. Helaku is obviously very sincere in this thought, but Niyt seems to disagree. What she says is true, the spirit is certainly willing. He takes this to mean that Helaku's intentions were good. If this wolf is a friend of Niyt's it certainly raises his opinion of him a bit. He can tell that Niyt chooses her friends very well.
Helaku stared at Niyt, but he had to look away. To him, it was just another failure on top of many other failures. As a rogue, he succeeded. As a pack member, he did not. "Not doing as I intended is the failure," he answered quietly. "I'm not returning to the Ute. I know more about them than they know of themeselves, but it is too ugly an assortment of truths for them to handle." Resentment. The way his existence smothered the place was of a wolf that did not hate the Ute, but hated what it had fallen to while not hating any of the currently living members. No...who he hated were dead just as much as who he cared about. "Anyone of my father's relation only invokes trouble or fear in them...except Wachiwa and her siblings."
Niyt looks neither away nor quite toward, just the nowhere-gaze of blindness. "You failed your own hopes. You did not fail -me-," she repeats, gentle but firm. "They are not the people you once knew," she says of Ute. "A pup is not his father. Perhaps it is for the best you do not live among them. It is like that pup; if you always look at him and think of his father, it is not fair to the boy or yourself. Let him be his own wolf - and let you treasure the memory you have of what once was."
Coinin continues to listen quietly to the conversation that is going on. This is the first time that he has heard the Ute pack mentioned in a negative light. Niyt had always seemed rather positive when she spoke to them. He realizes that all packs have problems, but it seems that this packs problems might run deep. Or it could be that Helaku is simply wallowing in self pity, both are reasonable possbilities. He can't bring himself to interupt them just yet. He wants to learn a bit more.
Helaku once more gazed her her and staggered closer to the blind wolf. He had missed her very much despite not knowing her for very long; the foreward of his head lowered tolightly nudge the end ofher snout. "Then I will resume what I intended," he said. "With you, I found purpose. The majority have thrown it aside."
When Helaku approaches, and noses at her, Niyt leans her head forward, moving one paw to step closer as she gently nuzzle at his cheek in return. "Then follow that purpose, if it satisfies you," she says with a smile. "I found you once by the edges of what used to be; you find me now, amidst what is. The old packs are gone. We are here now. Live in the present. Hope for the future."
The realization hits him in a flash. This makes perfect sense now. Are these two a couple? Perhaps more has happened while Niyt was away than he had suspected. If so he was pleased for them. He had known that Niyt was lonely with the departure of Zuphi. Still he wasn't sure that Helaku was the right wolf for the job, but thankfully that wasn't up for him to decide. If Helaku hurt Niyt like Zuphi had previously Coinin would be most displeased with him. Now is certainly not the time to state that though.
The tension Helaku retained waned as soon as Niyt touched him. It soothed him enough that he briefly set weight on his injured hind leg. "I will follow that purpose," he whispered. He hadn't given a thought of being paired with Niyt, but he wouldn't object to it if things turned in that direction. "That means, where you call home, I call home too."
As Niyt touches Helaku, it's clear there's emotion, but Coinin's reading of it is perhaps overzealous. The blind female sees pain, and she is moved to comfort it; she sees a need for direction, and she tries to give guidance. There is love, yes, but it is the love she has for all those of her pack, the caring in her nature for the wounded of body and spirit. Perhaps there might be more in time; perhaps not. As he is now, Helaku is broken; the wolf he may become when he is healed - who knows what her relationship might be to that wolf? She hears no hint of that future on the wind, nor does she listen for it. She smiles at Helaku's words, and nods gently. "Then... welcome to Cerulean. It is my home." Though she may wander far, and the pack may travel across many lands... this is her pack. Her home.
Coinin is also pleased to welcome new members, but assumes that Tariro will want to have the final say. He decides to pipe up, "I'm sure that you would be most welcome here Helaku." he says.
He could be anyone...Helaku could be whatever he wanted to be in this place if Tariro accepted him. yet, there was still one thing. Just one. An important one. One might say it was more important than Tariro. "Thank you Niyt...and..?" he said, gazing at Coinin. "I need to find Haze if he still lives..."
Niyt nods, without questioning the reason why Helaku wants that. "I haven't seen him since this summer." Not that she saw him with her eyes, but the word is what it is, and she doesn't make a big deal about such things. "He is old, but he is still with us. If he had gone... I think I would have heard. From uncle Tariro, if nothing else. He spends most of his time with his mate, but he can be sought." She smiles. "Perhaps one of the youngsters would be glad for a mission." Never mind that she's barely a full adult herself. She's finished growing up quickly, this past year.
Coinin is afraid that he doesn't know who Haze is, but this is something that Helaku had asked the previous evening. He didn't have a good answer for him then, and he still doesn't. However, that does seem to be a rather simple problem to solve, "My name is Coinin." he says in response to Helaku's comment, "And I think you will like it here Helaku. The pack members are very kind. I'm sure you will make a good impression on Tariro."
Helaku wasn't sure what to say at the point, but that was likely a good thing. The wolf still appeared to be fatigued, mostly in the face. Yet, like always when he was unsure of what to say he somehow found something to say. "You all ready know I am Helaku," he said. "I am the second Helaku, son of Alpha Helaku, the only surviving descendent in this region."
Niyt smiles at Coinin's comment about the kindness of the pack, and then nods to the re-introduction. After a moment, she gives herself a little shake, and then lowers herself down to a restful lying down position. "I have just returned from travel," she says with a slight smile, admitting weakness in herself rather than noting it in others. Though perhaps certain others will follow her lead, and rest tired and injured limbs. There seems to be no further need for formality, after all.
Coinin isn't particularly tired. He hasn't done very much today, and walking from the packs present resting grounds to the waterfall doesn't really count. Though he is pleased that he made the trip. He got to learn a bit more about both of these folks today and that pleases him. Since he already sitting down he doesn't change positions, but he does look over toward Helaku, "I don't have any relatives in the area either." he states. His relations are all a considerable distance away. He dosn't much miss them, with the possible exception of his parents and a few other assorted relatives.
Helaku too lay on the ground, his head upon his paws as he watched the other two wolves. "Can't say I miss my birthpack," he said. "My siblings likely still live with them." He slowly closed his eyes and flattened his ears, tiredness nagging at him for more normal rest.
Niyt, it seems, is the strange one here; for she still lives with the pack of her birth, with more uncles and cousins and siblings than these two seem to have ever known. She tilts her head, listening to their conversation without speaking.
Coinin nods slowly, he can understand how that feels. His birth pack didn't really understand him, and certainly wasn't very accepting once he stepped out lock step that the rest of the pack marched in, "Well its good to know that you can begin again isn't it?" he asks. He can tell that this wolf has a great deal of baggage from his past. Perhaps now that he is here he can slowly begin to put it down and live in the moment.
Helaku remained quiet for some time after being asked the question. He had trouble on the difference between putting something away and dropping it all together. he was raised in a pack that was taught to never let things go, because doing so eventually made one forget. "Yes."