They'd left Gemini and as much as one might think she'd feel dread over the idea of leaving her sanctuary, Iaera was tickled pink to be out again. Not because she didn't like Gemini, or because she didn't feel safe, but because she'd been a wanderer for so long that it seemed strange to suddenly be in one place. There was still so much of the world left to see and adventure was something she secretly still craved beneath layers of fear and anxiety. Yet, she has found her home base, headquarters as it were and the little wolfdog would be happy to return back home to it when it summoned her back. Iaera had spent a long time slinking in shadows and traveling as light-footed as any professional sleuth during her times as a rouge, a runaway, a free woman. Old habits died hard and it was likely that as hard as she tried to be social, a long part of the journey she spent either at the back of the pack or following slightly out of sight or to the side. The Whisper was admittedly skilled at her stealth, she hopes to make this clear to those she traveled with with an unseen message, 'I have more skills that could be utilized or taught.' But she did not spend every waking moment away from the group, she wanted to be a part of things. Trying to converse and ask questions about directions or packs nearby as they moved. She also had an innate sense; radar if you will, for uncertainty. The tan and gray had spent so much of her life being uncertain or anxious she could smell it from a mile away. She'd seen it in Chelae when they left and on occasion she'd tried her hardest to shoot her reassuring or approving smiles and expressions. Though she wasn't sure how often, if at all, the younger woman noticed her faint attempts at comfort or confidence. Regardless, the child was doing well, well enough for sure, especially to Iaera who had never attended or participated in such a thing. It was fun and she thought about it often, what Inaria would be like (had someone said they had purple trees?!) and she imagined in her head what confidence she would feign when they arrived as a diplomatic team. The maiden lived in her head. The Hate spawn finally broke the silence that had gripped the group, at least for a short while. Iaera pulled herself off auto-pilot and out of her own head. Violet eyes looked at the girl and then around to the rest of the party. Almost to Inaria... Up ahead she could see many things, including the lovely trees she had heard about, they were just a little lighter than her eyes. Lovely, she wondered if she could obtain a seed of some sort? To have a purple tree back home near her den in the willow grove. Though she imagined she would be long dead before it blossomed to splendor. There! She was doing it again! Up in her head instead of paying attention! Internally the woman cursed herself, and a scowl pulled onto her lips for a few short seconds before she broke her normal silent stalk to trot up closer to the group moving into a safer position since they were near a pack. The scent of the border hit her and she saw Chelae sit and call for Inaria. Iaera would take a seat near but behind the Hate child, waiting silently with a savagely straight face not too unlike a resting bitch face as she internally steadied herself. After all they had a strong escort and Inaria was supposed to be a friend, and you were supposed to be able to trust friends. When finally someone arrived the girl started and Iaera bit back a large grin, instead settling for the calmest smirk she could manage. The Whisper felt bad that the girls fumbles made her feel better about herself. Not because she thought she was better, simply because it was nice to see someone else doing it. It helped her steady herself and she took a deep breath and held herself up about the same time Chel looked back at the group. But she wasn't looking at the girl, purple eyes were fixed on the strangers of Inaria now, small tail curled around her tiny front paws as she sat tall, ears pricked high (not that anything related to Iaera was very "high" or "tall"). When the girl was finished Iaera would nod softly and open her mouth to add just a little. "Indeed," she would lay on her Latin accent a little thicker than natural hoping to draw some attention, "this is Chelae, and I am Iaera. We expect it is to be a great time and we would love it if our Inarian friends could attend." if they looked closely they might see how tense and stiff her legs were but she never broke the false composure that had crept into her demeanor. If she was to be a diplomat like her mother had been, Iaera would have to get so good at this she wasn't afraid anymore.

✬ IAERA ✬ |✬| gemini |✬| the nymph whisper & ranger "Get over your hill and see what you find there, with grace in your heart and flowers in your hair." -Mumford and Sons Profile lines © lilyote on dA

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Xenia found herself standing nearby the hill that she’d been told was named after one of their previous Queens, Whitewind; completely at peace. The gentle breeze and whisked through the Inarian territory spoke of growth, renewal, perhaps even a shift of things. While the young Queen didn’t quite understand the full capacity of this feeling, she was ready to embrace these shifts with open arms. Smiling, her head dropped down to her paws as she started to consider the exciting news, and when to find the time to tell her husband, her King. There was no clear signs of it yet, but she knew. In time, he would too.

A call from the borders caught her attention now, in almost a routinely fashion as the auburn Queen never strayed from greeting strangers at the edge of them home— good or bad. Raising her head she began to make her way toward the summons, expecting to see familiar faces but instead, finding more new ones sitting pretty at the marked line that separated Inaria from the outskirts. With a warming, hospitable smile the young Queen arrived, keeping a fair distance at first before determining who these strangers were. While she had little fear in this group being a threat, the fragile naivety that Inaria was safe from all harm shattered long ago.

"Inaria! We-... are Gemini. Gemini comes calling. We're hosting a party! A celebration of life. Our group has come to invite any Inarians who wish to come to Gemini for the festivities."  

Xenia’s smile grew larger. “Gemini! Hello!” A cheerful response, only slightly less excited than a young child might chirp at the idea of going to a place they'd always wanted to go; in Xenia's case, it wasn't far off from the truth. Gemini and Inaria had much history together, and more over, Xenia had a lot of history with them. The green-eyed queen considered them perhaps their best allies, and given that their arrival this time was doused with happy news, Xenia couldn’t help but express similar feelings. “A party? That sounds delightful!” God knows, everyone could use it right now.

"If you'll allow it, we'll stay until your packmates are ready to travel, and then escort them home. Gemini would love to have you."
"Indeed, this is Chelae, and I am Iaera. We expect it is to be a great time and we would love it if our Inarian friends could attend."

With a gentle swaying tail, Xenia eyed the group to quickly count how many would be staying temporarily until they were ready to set back off to Gemini. If Ghost was unable to come and greet them, he would certainly be the first to hear from her about it! “Yes, of course! Please, come in. Gemini is always welcome in Inaria.” Her head tilted to allow them to progress forward, glancing at Chelae, then to Iaera, then lastly to the others who came with. “We can discuss more inside.” There was no need to linger on the borders for this.

Assuming they took stride with her to progress into the territory, Xenia smiled. “I am Queen Xenia, I’ve met many of your pack mates before, but I believe it is my pleasure today to meet you for the first time.” Her words were directed at anyone in particular, but rather the group as a whole, hoping to strike some conversation on their way in.

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