Whispers Waltz Around Our Dreams . . .

The sound of a male voice calling out a welcome had Losa’s ears perking upright again, though she remained standing near the distressed hybrid pup. Another pack meeting? It would be a lie to say the thought of another mass gathering didn’t churn the dancer’s stomach… but she swallowed her bile, maintained her neutral mask, and did not cringe where she stood. Queens did not fear an audience - even if her Ofer would undoubtedly prod her with uncomfortable questions pertaining to her absence. “Perhaps we should answer Vladimir?” Losa suggested gently to the pup. Her tail swayed slowly behind her, mimicking the aura of easy serenity she projected outward to soothe the poor boy. “It’s likely your mother will also head in that direction and we won’t need to search for her on our own.”

While she awaited the young one’s response, the dry crackle of pine needles shuffling underfoot alerted Losa to the approach of another. She calmly peered over her shoulder to watch Vladimir - heir to the Dierne throne - trot briskly into the area. His blue eyes shimmered brightly with the oceanic energy of his kind, although the Arcus Irae could swear they brightened in surprise as they lit upon her; no doubt the eventual Tempest King had not expected her return to the packlands after her dramatic exit. A few days ago, Losa would have either shrank away from his imagined judgement or snapped at his momentary slip, his brief yet clear astonishment, the questions that flickered behind those sapphire windows… not now. The damsel allowed herself a private satisfaction when she did not reflexively react to Vladmir’s harmless glance, for that meant she’d successfully cauterized the rawness that previously tormented her. I’m ready. Unflinchingly Losa’s violet-and-hyacinth portals met the brute’s; however, her words were still for Ozul. “Sorry, little one. My name is Losa. I’ve known your mother Khaleesi for as long as I’ve lived in Dierne Hrof… I met you when you were born. No wonder it seems as if I am a stranger.” Finally she gazed at the child again, another soft smile curving the corners of her mouth. “But I’m not a stranger any more, right?”

Sadly, Ozul had worked himself up into such a spike of anxiety Losa knew that simply talking to him would not be enough. Her heart went out to his panicked eyes, unfocused on anything but where his mother might be hiding; his scent reached her nares with the characteristic spice of fear, something that had become far too familiar for the Arcus Irae monarch. She vacillated on what to do - how to comfort the lad - until the first tears glistened at the corners of his green-and-blue gemstones. Immediately Losa took another step closer to Ozul before folding herself down to his level, her abdomen flat on the ground while her forepaws pointed straight in his direction. “Hey.” A quick swipe of her tongue between the velvety buds of his future antlers, meant to distract him from his exponential dismay. “It’s scary when you can’t find your loved ones - but you’re a big boy, right? I’m sure your mother taught you how to be brave. This is the perfect chance to practice that bravery. Khaleesi is a strong, kind she-wolf. Don’t you trust her to be on her own?”

Losa hoped to distract Ozul from his own inner storm and focus his thoughts outward. If she could convince him to view his current lonesomeness as an opportunity to grow and make his mother proud, maybe it would alleviate his anxiety - or at the very least, bring him to a level she and Vladimir could manage until Khaleesi appeared. Her stare flickered to Vlad, wondering if he’d support her tactics or attempt something else. “Sometimes grown-ups have errands to run. You mama must think very highly of you if she could leave you here while she got her work done.

☽Arcus Irae Princess | Sister to Zawyne | Chained to Duma | Bound to Hurricane | xathira☾