Her Last Hope

[Stormy May]

Mist dragged her paws along to the borders of Tranquil Meadows. She was tired. Combined with her everlasting hunger, her body wanted nothing more than for her to collapse where she was standing and rest. After Treason had sent her along, Mist found a wounded hare to feast upon, but the meal was now a memory in the back of her mind. Now, she was searching for Piala. If she didn't find a home here, then surely her eternal rest would be soon.

As Mist pulled herself along, she thought of what she would do if she finally found a place to settle down. Perhaps I'll search for my brothers, she thought. Surely they haven't forgotten me.

Mist plopped down respectfully at the border just as she had done in Bleak Bluffs. This time, she gathered strength, not courage, and howled.

[Cascade]

(ooc: Posting for Dew while she is indisposed :>)

Hearing the call, Piala rounded the hill and looked down to see a positively exhausted wolf practically collapsed at her border. "My goodness," she said, picking up the pace to come to the stranger's side, "You look like you've made quite a trek. Have you come all this way for an audience with me?" Piala looked the wolf up and down, looking for any obvious injuries or sickness, but it seemed from her posture and her breath as though she had simply traveled a very long way. Practically from the other side of the mountains, from the looks of it. The alphess' eyes showed concern, but her posture maintained a dominant air. There would be no question of her identity or her role in the pack.

[Stormy May]

Mist's ears perked up at the sturdy voice calling out to her. The she-wolf standing in front of her gave off the feeling of dominance, just as Treason had. So this was Piala.

Mist had lost all shyness and timidity and traded it for desperation. "Please," She begged. "I need a home. I need help getting back on my feet. I'll do whatever you ask of me as soon as I am able, but I beg you." Mist hung her head low. "I beg you to take me as a member of your pack."

Perhaps that would've been an appropriate time for her stomach to grumble, and it certainly might've even helped her begging, but she was beyond that point. Her stomach merely argued with silent aches.

In one final attempt to seal the deal, Mist even raised her sad eyes to Piala.

[Cascade]

"Your poor thing, whatever has put you in such a position that you must beg and plead?" Piala could not help but take pity on this sad wolf; her situation appeared to be one of tragedy and desperation. "There is always a home here for those in need," she said, "As long as you pledge to give back what you will be given. Once you have been fed and regained your strength, you will be a loyal member of the Eternal Snowfall and you will give kindness as kindness has been given to you. Do you accept?" The alphess was no fool. She did not accept this wolf without having made any evaluation of her. But she was a good judge of character—she had to be—and there was nothing false about Mist.

[Stormy May]

A wild grin spread across Mist's face as Piala's reply rang through her ears. She became tongue-tied as she searched for and answer. "Well, I- I've been on-on my own for a w-while, and I've never been much g-good with hunting... or even fighting..." she said. Indeed she was a terrible huntress, but more for the sake of hating the act of harming living beings than her lack of skill.

"And a-as for your requests, I wouldn't d-dream of another place t-to be," She told her, still in amazement of Piala's sheer kindness and generosity. "I'd be h-happy to help, though I d-don't believe there's much I h-have skill in."

Mist's head drooped a bit lower in shame. She had nothing to offer this kind pack, yet she was begging for so much.

[Cascade]

Piala smiled kindly, "Don't worry, you will find your place here and grow into your niche. We have roles for wolves of many different skills; perhaps you will find that you excel in being a storyteller or a mentor to young pups. Don't discount the impact that morale can have on a pack. In these times of peace, we all seek to make our daily lives just a little bit happier." She looked to the west, hearing another call at the border. "As for now...duty calls. I believe there is a leg of elk from a recent hunt near to the dens if you need a meal to replenish your strength. Take a good rest." Piala didn't want to abandon the newcomer, especially considering the state she was in, but she could not ignore the call that had rung out. The duties of an alphess never ceased. Making her goodbyes, she headed off in the direction of the howl.

[Stormy May]

"Th-th-thank you!" Mist called after Piala. Mist decided it would be most wise to follow Piala's advice. Her legs had been exhausted before, but this ecstasy had renewed hwr strentgh, be it only for the short walk between the border and the caves.

After all this time wandering alone, she had found a new home. After all her hardships, she had found happiness.

Maybe there is hope for this world, yet, she thought.

Now, she had to get back on her feet and begin the search for her brothers, Mest and Don. Her thoughts wandered as she walked, wondering how they would look now, and how they would react to seeing her.

Not a thing in the world could've wiped the smile off her face but sleep.