A Whole That Never Will Quite Be

[Stormy May]

Mist nervously padded onto the land where she'd first met Treason. It'd been many seasons since they parted and Mist left to meet Piala, but it had indeed proved well. Mist's form had filled out some now that she'd eaten, and you could no longer see her ribs poking out from her side, but she still had an unhealthy thinness about her that she suspected would remain forever as a deformity of the starved.

She howled out for Treason, wondering if she would find her voice faintly familiar or place her as another call for membership. She wouldn't blame her for the latter,  as an alphess had many duties and she didn't suspect that prioritizing the well being or remembrance of an Eternal Snowfall wolf would be one of them. 

The ever-present thought of her brothers poked at the back of her mind. Perhaps Treason had met one or both of them in the seasons of her absence? She shook her head- best not to get herself excited over nothing. It was extremely unlikely for have met one, much less know it.

Mist let herself get comfy in the dew-covered spring grass. She had no impressions to make. She just needed to wait.

@shiver    

[Deleted]

Treason padded gracefully through her wondrous realm.

~Scratch that~

Treason limped painfully through her unkempt territory.

White Magic wasn't kidding when she says the Alphess would expierence daily pain. It was alot of pain, Treason doubted any other wolf below her could handle it. But she was the Alphess of Honovi. She was stubborn like that. Despite grinning and bearing it, she still limped. The red shewolf came to the call at her own leisure, she recognized the voice. Mist was it? Treason knew it had been awhile and frankly with all that had happened she felt like she hardly knew her pack anymore. Old friends and members were missing and likely dead, her pack was made up by strangers. Demetrios had been a help, though the stubborn fool had certainly caused a ruckus.

Her bright, intelligent eyes searched for the howler, working with her nose to scout her out. At last she found her. The slim and sleek grey shewolf lay before her, not starving as before. Suddenly the memories came crawling back. "Ah, Mist." Treason spoke, her voice quiet yet imposing. This wolf unnerved her something was familiar about her apart from the fact that they had met seasons ago. Treason mentally scrolled through her pack album remembering faces. Rhiannon, Demetrios, Torrent, Mest, Avalanche. Mest.....it clicked now.

"You're looking well."

[Stormy May]

Mist raised her head at the alphess's voice, looking her up and down, and found her eyes wandering to expert bandages on her side. "I'm g-glad to say that I am," she told her. "But it doesn't seem as th-though you can say as much for yourself. What's happened to y-you?" She stretched herself slowly into a standing position. Though she'd only met Treason once, she felt comfortable around her, as though she was a close friend.

Mist shifted her weight between her paws a bit, noticing that the wet grass had tinted her white socks a bit green.

She thought for a moment, wanting to present her new power, trying to think of a subtle way to do so. She hadn't gotten much of a chance to use her power since winter, and was eager to use it again. She scanned her surroundings, looking for things to work with, but nothing seemed quite right.

Finally, she loosed a subtle but apparent wind on the alphess' cheek, like a beacon in the still air. Her tattoo glowed a faint blue from her shoulder, filling her with pride.

——-

Mest found himself peeking through the trees, staring at Treason as she greeted a newcomer at her border. She was built lanky and slim, but something about her was familiar.

The two stood as if they'd met before, or like they were a part of a budding friendship. They seemed comfortable around each other.

He had taken it upon himself to keep an eye on Treason in his free time. He was worried about her- there was only so much a wolf could take. He'd slept alot since his return, too. The winter had left its mark on him, from the almost constant sluggishness to his odd temperature tolerance. He needed a good rest, but he was preoccupied with Treason and finding Mist.

He dared to edge a bit closer, his ashen coat like a shadow among the trees.

[Deleted]

Treason sat, oddly comfortable with this wolf. If she didn't know her, or what she was capable of, or if there were other wolves around, Treason would've stayed standing. But feeling more at ease she sat placidly in the spring grass. As Mist spoke of her wounds Treason grunted, still a bit sensitive in the topic. "Twas just a bear. While I got the best of him, he got the worst of me. I'm fine anyways, White Magic and my new Beta patched me up okay." She shrugged suddenly trying to find another way out of that subject.

"Ah, a power, I see?" Treason spoke as the mark emitted a hushed blue glow. A fairies breath of wind licked her muzzle. Air magic. "The air element none the less." The Alphess was going to pose another question on the subject of powers, but her ears alerted her of another subject. Mest.

Mest had been trailing her around, probably paranoid about her. He was a funny creature that way, but loyal and useful nonetheless. So he let him play his little game. Though if he hasn't quit when the end of summer rolled around, Treason would have to tell him to get hunting for the pack. Or go have puppies or something useful like that. "How goes your search for your brothers?"

[Stormy May]

Mist's ears flattened a bit at the mention of her brothers, and she moved her eyes to a suddenly interesting pink flower. "I've been a bit b-busy with Eternal Snowfall and my power. But Piala has assigned me as a s-scout now, and that'll give me lots more time to travel. Sometimes I feel they're right in f-front of my nose. It's been too long to t-tell." she found her eyes moving about her in nervousness, scanning the trees and the horizon. She thought for just a moment that she'd found a shadow among them, but she shook her head slightly, knowing that the paranioa of the past was tricking her present mind.

"New beta, you s-say? How has this come t-to pass?"

She saw a moving shadow again. She was sure now it couldn't be just her mind.

"Say, I don't think I'd f-find them within your territory, w-would I?" she joked, trying to take her mind off her rising panic.

[Deleted]

Treason watched Mist, her pretty eyes began darting around, her voice quaking. She seemed afraid, nervous. Perhaps her 'shadow' was freaking her out. "Demetrios claims to be the son of Acka, he claims the rank as his birthright. Whether it not that is true, I know not." Treason's brow furrowed. "Nevertheless, he was worthy and skilled enough to take the place of beta." Treason sensed Mists uneasiness and sighed. This conversation wouldn't be going anywhere with Mists' mind wandering to other planes.

With a sigh, she flicked her tail. Mests game would be over now. "Mest? Come out please. I've let this play endure long enough. Besides, someone seems to be searching for you." The Alphess took the blunt approach of Saggitarius and cut straight to the point. Treason hoped that the electric tension in the air would dissipate when Mest made his presence known. Though, maybe Mist wasn't ready for this revalation yet. too late. Treason thought snidely.

[Stormy May]

Mest's ears flattened when Treason called out to him. So she'd noticed, after all. He didn't exactly expect her not to notice. If an alphess can't notice her underlings following her, then how would she notice an enemy? He let out an annoyed huff; no way around it now. He stalked his way out of the undergrowth, head hung a bit lower than he would naturally carry it. He didn't meet Treason's eyes. He thought about giving whatever excuse he could muster within a few seconds to explain his following her, but he decided to save himself the shame, especially in front of a newcomer.

"So you noticed, eh?" He gave a weak laugh. Sometimes he was sure she had an odd enjoyment of messing with her inferiors, and honestly, he couldn't blame her.

He turned his head to the silvery female whom Treason had presented as someone searching for him. Could it be...? "And you are the one who so graciously requested my presence? I'm Mest. You are?" There was a bit of sarcasm there, but nothing too harsh.

——-

The name rang through her ears. She'd heard it loud and clear, and it'd drowned out whatever else Treason had said. She'd said his name. Mist's ears perked up, her face full of shock as she looked the ashy-colored wolf up and down. He had a piercing pair of familiar eyes, and an almost arrogant look on his face.

It occurred to her that she was being spoken to. "You are?"

The sentence almost pained her. Did he not realize? "I-I'm... my name i-is... uh... Mist," the words tripped over each other on their way out, dripping in her shock. She found herself moving closer to him, scanning every inch of his body, wanting it to be real but doubting it all the same. He looked like their father, but with their mother's socks that matched her own. "Is it r-really you?" She breathed, her eyes wide and staring straight into his. "How long h-have you been here?"

[Deleted]

Treason rolled eyes, amused. "Now, Now, Mest. Did you really think I wouldnt notice?" The red and cream shewolf stood once more, the dew from her pelt falling off in tiny rivulets. She gazed at the two with a sad sort of look. Mest didn't even recognize his own sister.

The Alphess shook her head, then spoke. "Well, if my business is done here, I would like to oversee this pack hunt my Beta has set up." Then she turned to Mest. "I would advise you to join me if you wish for a new rank. If not, by all means; stay with her." Treason looked at the two with a stare if warning then went her own way. She wondered if she would ever have a mate. Shaking her head, she needn't worry. Demetrios was capable if having his own posterity to fill her seat. That Rhiannon or Avalanche would suffice for a suitable betas mate.

-exit Treason-

[Stormy May]

Mest looked from the face of his sister to the face of his alphess. How had he been so stupid? His amused expression faded.

There was something harsh in Treason's voice near the end. She was asking him- no, making him choose. Family or pack?

His sister, whom he had searched for so long before coming to Honovi, was standing right in front of him. She was looking for confirmation. He could see it in her eyes. But his alphess was walking away, and he'd surely be looked down upon for not attending the hunt. It would definitely give Demetrios a reason to be against him.

His eyes wandered to her shoulder, where a blue power mark was now present. She had even gone through the trouble of going to the mountain.

He turned his head a bit, looking away. She was wasting her time. She had a life to live, and he couldn't help her live it.

"It'd be wise for you to leave," he said. "There's nothing for you here. You said something about Piala, didn't you? Return to her."

——-

Mest had ignored her question, looking her up and down. But his statement broke her. They were supposed to be happy, but he was turning her away. "I... b-but I... I looked f-for you ever s-s-since I can r-remember! You c-can't just l-l-leave me here!" She was yelling and her body was shuddering, and her stutter grew worse with every word she spoke. Mest just turned his head a bit farther away in response. They sat in silence for a moment.

"W-where's Don?" she asked, her voice a whisper.

"You should go,"

"Where is he?!" she snapped. Mest stood and turned to leave.

"He's dead." he said, and started walking.

She didn't have anything to say. She'd had so much hope that she'd find her family alive and well, and he'd gone and destroyed that hope.

"Send m-my regards to Treason f-for burdening her w-with you," she said, then took off in the opposite direction towards home.

-exit Mist and Mest-