keep your weapons aimed, push down your fears

MUTE - AMUTAQ & ZETERI - LEVI'S SOUL- DEKU OF TAVIORA

There was solace in her loss, though it didn’t bring her much comfort all this time there was one thing she could be happy with, he was out there, somewhere, still alive. She always wondered how he was, what he was doing and how he felt about leaving her behind and if he felt how she did. She didn’t know why he had to go, but it had been three years now since his departure, the wounds were still there, her soul calloused but slowly she was trying to recover. Losing her soul wasn’t something she could just get over, and she knew Jinan felt horrible for her loss after he had bonded with Paisley. He finally understood what she lost, all the extra feelings, all the joy. She didn’t think her soul would ever recover, forever it would call to Levi’s and it would have to learn to function as a half and not whole. Right now the brown and tan male was distracting her, making it so that she could focus on something else, something more than her loneliness and the loss of her other half. She didn’t know he couldn’t imprint, at this point she would say he was blessed that he would never have to feel the pain of potentially losing them. A complete turn than what she would have felt four years ago when she was at her happiest peak with Levi.

His touch felt like a healing balm all on its own. She would never be able to express how better she felt internally, the words to express it were impossible for her to say, and expressions and movements alone would only be able to show part of her healing. She needed to get out again, be her again, she had helped provide for the last pack gathering but she needed to do more with herself. What that was she wasn’t sure… The freelands actually brought on sad memories of when her family was broken, but together. When it was just her, Yoska and her father all living happily together the first time her mother left them. Taviora was home to Jinan, mother left again after they were born and then she died… Luk said she was gone. The happiest time of her life had been when she was in the freelands and the short time after her mom had come home. A family of her own seemed out of the question now, especially with Levi gone, but she always wanted one of her own… mute and all she had deaf brothers and somehow their family always worked.

This though this was more she felt such a flood of emotions she hadn’t felt in so long and it felt so good and light at the same time she wanted more of that in her life. Dexter brought out something that she hadn’t felt in ages and that alone was enough to make her smile once more despite the tears that threatened to show themselves. He apologized to her and she shook her head fervently. She didn’t want his pity, didn’t want to ruin the happy mood she had before. Though she wouldn’t lie she was happy he cared enough to apologize. After her display of happiness she could tell he didn’t really fully believe her. He was right in his thoughts. She would never not feel the hole missing, not as her life was going now, but perhaps in time she could heal more so than she was now.

His next words caught her by surprise. Tuari stared at him for a second before grinning and giving a few nods. She felt sheepish, nervous a bit too. She didn’t really know how she could vent but she knew he would be patient enough to try and listen if she wanted too. Probably the only wolf, safe her brother of course, who ever would be. The last bit though about being welcome at his den anytime though it called to her a bit. That was something she missed, she had her brother for so long but eventually as he got older he moved out too, not far but he had. She didn’t think that was what he meant though, having someone to stay the night. Her and Levi even never really got that close, snuggling together at night, though they certainly had their touching moments. She shifted her paw a bit self-consciously in the dirt, pondering such a thing. It wasn’t like the thought displeased her she just felt a bit flustered or something thinking about them in that way. The very idea brought blush to her cheeks but her black fur would have covered such a reaction if it were possible.

She wanted to know more about him though, how he was doing. She gave him her full attention as he spoke, golden tipped ears attentive as he said that nothing particularly ground breaking happened in his life since they had last seen each other. For some reason she felt a bit… relieved that he didn’t have a mate yet. Completely selfish and she immediately chided herself in such a thought. He deserved a good mate, a good life, he was a good wolf, better than many she knew at least. She would have been happy for him if he did have someone, but him not having someone felt bad but good. It sounded like he had an exciting life while he was away. Though his choice of words about making the world a better place had her tilting her head slightly. About how he was looking for a world without so much death and darkness. She thought maybe she knew what he was talking about though he didn’t outright say it. She gave a mischievous grin though at his last statement. Tree climbing, and her tail whipped around again, it was a skill she hadn’t seen outside of her family, and she really wanted to teach Dexter if he wanted to learn. First thing's first though, she wasn’t going to let him deter her, especially if it was his life’s work she wanted to know what he did.

”How do you make the world better?” She added a little tilt to her head after her mouthed words slowly for him too. She didn’t care what he did, she knew he was a good wolf. He was, how she saw it, every bit as good as the rest of his family was. Loving, kind, protective. It was why she loved the forest and its rulers no matter how many times it changed hands she knew she was safe here, and she would be taken care of to the best of whatever leader it has so long as it was with Coza’s family. She felt the same with Dexter, he was a wolf that only sought to help the betterment of others, the fact that he was here talking with a mute was enough to prove that. He had the patience, the kindness, everything to truly hear her, something that not many had outside of her family.

Only after he gave his answer and she was fully content with it did she look toward the tree she was in prior to running up to him. She needed to find something lower… easier, like how she learned when she was a puppy, but didn’t want to completely deprive him of a challenge. He would never learn if he wasn’t pushed enough, but conversely he wouldn’t learn if he wasn’t pushed hard enough either. He hadn’t done so hot last time but she would see to it he succeeded soon. His build though was different from hers. He was stockier, stronger, but it would just mean he would be far more limited to what trees he could go up. Her long legs, her general athletic build allowed her the best of all worlds. He on the other hand, looked like a smaller Coza in build. She would go to the tree she tried to teach Levi to climb. He had a different problem than Dexter but a problem all the same. He was short, very short, though he was pretty quick on his feet his legs didn’t have the length they needed still.

She bounced slightly motioning him to follow her, though not allowing him to get away that easy with conversation, turning her head slightly to face him she mouthed to him, ”Do you have any good stories?” She had no idea what that might bring up but she wanted to know more about what had happened why he was away.

Tuari