[Orlaith]

Something was stirring in the mossy forest of Hireath.  Orlaith could hear it, even by the waterfall. She lay there as she meditated, her legs resting lazily on their side as her front paws dangled off the edge of a towering boulder that peered over the pool that gathered below. Her head raised, and she glanced to where the river flowed through the territory. One could look at it for miles before it became hidden in the trees it veered behind. This was what made her feel it. No, what helped her feel it. There were new arrivals here.

She picked her way along the river, treading carefully around the flowers and mushrooms. She walked a path of moss, and the moss let her lead the way. The vegetation seemed to reached out to her as she glided by. Orlaith could feel herself reaching back. It was a time in Hiraeth where things would be different for awhile, and she sensed Her lands were preparing for it. She, as the Chief Medic, had the duties of meeting every welcomed newcomer. She must remember faces. She must recall voices, lest she forget names. This was no simple task, but she knew for fact that she had the best memory out of everyone she knew. And she knew everyone. 

Finally, she came upon the bridge that offered entry into Hiraeth. She took a brief moment to pause in her tracks and stare up at the magnificent tree that perched in the middle. How fascinating, how glorious it was that such a beautiful specimen could force life onto such an impractical area. But she loved it anyway. It marked not only the gate into their territory, but a symbol for their resilient and spirited existence. She smiled at its elongated branches, its hanging leaves, and continued padding towards it. She could hear them now, bustling around and talking amongst themselves. She spotted Valen and her wavy midnight coat, and what looked like one of the most recently accepted wolves. But she wasn't... No, none of them were. 

What was this? No Hiraethi? Orlaith's eyes narrowed into little shining slits as she drew closer to the mass of wolves. Most she recognized, but the ones she didn't were unlike the rest she knew. Obviously, they were not from here. That wasn't the problem. The issue was, they looked like they planned on staying. The mossy healer sighed to herself and shook her head lightly as she glanced toward her new Queen and made her way onto the highest rocky structure she could manage to climb. She really had no idea what Valen was planning, but she was determined on trusting her in what she thought was right for the pack. If she wanted to open her arms to those who were not Hiraethi, then that is what Orlaith would do as well. She'd just have to learn to adapt to these changes.

She sat on a fallen stone pillar, scanning each and every body that stood below her. She glanced at the umber she-wolf whose eyes were fixated on Queen Valen, and her eyes rolled. Wonderful, already she was finding herself in some strange trouble. She'd have to keep her mouth shut about it for now. Orlaith had more important matters to worry about.


"Alright, listen up all of you!" she called, stomping her paw. "I am Orlaith, your Chief Medic. I serve beneath our new Queen, the leader of Hiraeth, and we all welcome you to your new home. As you come to settle here, it is my honor to assist you all in adjusting to your new lives with ease. But first, I would like to meet you all and hear about how you've come to find us. I am here to help if you need me. Please come to me so I may get to know you. I look forward to helping you flourish here with us, under our All Mother."

She stepped down from the pillar, hopping down among the newly accepted wolves, and waited. Something inside her head told her she wouldn't enjoy this, but she was certain the Queen was excited over the idea. Maybe Hireath wouldn't be the same as when she was younger, when Valen was just a newborn. But maybe, just maybe, this is what the All Mother wished. She glanced at the sturdy tree once again, watching its limbs dance in the breeze. I hope you know what you're doing.

ooc; hey guys! this is an open thread for anyone who wants to meet Orlaith and try to find their place among Hiraeth, and it takes place right after/during the mass acceptance. This is a good chance to introduce your auto-accepted or newly accepted chars and possibly be assigned a rank they might be interested in. Also, any other Chief ranks are welcome to join and help Orlaith keep track of everyone!

[Ahi]

#3e8ede

He was the first to twitch and ear at the direction of the mossy female, stepping slowly away from the group of newly accepted wolves he paused, remembering what the Queen had told them. Do not embrace this night with fear, but the whispers of his mother swirled in his brain. You trust too easily, my sweet boy, just like your father. This world is full of those who can hurt you, and I would never want you to be hurt, my sweet. He was a gentle one, most of his siblings were, and cautioned words were taken to heart, but he never understood how to be any different than what he already was.

Slender legs would find there strength and step forward with purpose, though the youth's head hung low, eyes covered by a swatch of dark, silky fringe. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Chief Medic Orlaith." His soft voice almost drowned out by those behind him as he came to a halt before the Chief Medic, two-toned eyes glanced upward to meet the older female's form, was that? Moss? Now that he was closer, he had a better view, and it seemed to be growing off of her? Rather than being worn?

"My name is Ahi." Eyes quickly fell back to the ground when he felt as though he was staring for too long, his mother had raised a fine boy, with proper manners. Pack life was a strange new experience for him, but all of his mother's many lessons. All of her stories she had saved for each one of his siblings, would ready them for this next venture in their lives. "I'm one of the new recruits, I came from far away, but I wish to assimilate to the customs of my new home."

The pale youth felt comforted in the fact that everyone here seemed so eager to help, all of them so open to sharing their land with their newest additions. Perhaps it wasn't just his naivety speaking, but in fact these were good people.

[Orlaith]

Orlaith's verdant eyes flashed and her fur rustled against moss as she twisted her head to gaze at the lengthy male. Every feature of him was elongated and soft, his voice subtle and hesitant. He seemed utterly harmless, but it took great courage to be the first to step forward and make himself heard. She couldn't really hear him though, so when she looked at him her face contorted into a grimace almost. She wasn't normally this impatient, but with all the changes ocurring she felt herself to be a little overwhelmed. She leaned her head forward and sideways and pointed her ears at him. "WHA?? Oh, yeah yeah it's nice to meet you too son."

A pang of guilt softened her expression and made her brow furrow as his gaze withered to the ground after introducing himself, and she thought maybe she had offended him or perhaps shaken his confidence. Her lips pursed as she listened, but she took better care to show that he had her full attention. She nodded along, her eyes blinking slowly in acknowledgement with every gesture. It was important to her that every packmate felt they were listened to. She wouldn't let their differences distract her from that. He was just another wolf, and he was equally as important as she.

"Mhmmmmm... First of all," she muttered, craning her neck downward and staring up at Ahi through his long curly locks (though she didn't have to try as much on account of her height, she just loves exaggerating), "-- don't be afraid, Ahi. Travelling far on your own and being the first to come speak to me says a lot about you. Hiraeth needs more go-getters just like you. I welcome thee." She gave a brief bow of her head and smiled at him warmly. "Tell me, what has brought you here?"

ooc; @waka so sorry about the wait!