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[Raiku]

Raiku had traveled with Athena to the Lemures Mountains and was in awe at the beauty. The clouds drifted through the skies as if they were a band of running wild horses. Though the skies were gray they held something mystical about them. The air was cool and the snow was bleach white and thick. It was cold and steam slipped past her nose as she breathed out. For now, this would make a good temporary resting place. Raiku's next goal was to find Ruelle. If she could anyway. Raiku had no idea where everyone had gone and she prayed that she would find him soon. With winter here now, it would make survival all the more difficult.

Once Raiku found a cave in the side of one of the mountains, she claimed it for herself by marking it. Once the den smelled like her, Raiku laid in the entrance of her den and watched the snow falling outside. Athena had done very well for herself, though she was not leader, she was actually turning to be a supportive friend. Raiku could sense there was something... different with her but she didn't think on it too much. Raiku needed help and with the loss of her eye, there was no way she could survive on her own.

[Athena Nike]

The journey with Raiku had been uneventful and silent, but it seemed to foster a sense of comradery and companionship, perhaps feeling even more at home here than she had been at Sirius. Somewhere along the lines, they had parted ways, after all, no wolf could be expected to babysit another adult continuously, and the thought was nearly offensive to anyone without a mental handicap. A sickening splat echoed through a nearby cavern as a limp beast hit the ground, resembling only a mass of crimson stained fur. Athena's nose sniffed a rock corner carefully, the surface of it only a few hairs away from the scent mark. It was Raiku's mark, and fresh, too. "Brought you something.", she called out. After a few seconds of silence, Athena wondered if Raiku was actually there or if she had just passed by. Either way, the scent mark was greatly appreciated. The more marks they could make on their territory, the harder it would be to deny it belonged to Simul. Athena squinted and strained her neck to try to see inside the dark nook between large mountain rocks. Was Raiku even in there at all?

[Raiku]

Raiku was here but her black pelt had sealed her within the darkness, just the way she liked it. The scarred female looked to the entrance of the den and eyed the fat wolf who brought her food. A sickening plop sounded as the dead thing was laid at her doorstep and it made her stomach growl. It was then Raiku realized she had not eaten for days and if she were to survive, then she must. Knowing this, Raiku moved forward and brought herself closer into the light and gently looked to Athena and then the food.

"Thank you."

Raiku spoke softly as she picked up the dead thing and brought it inside, then motioned with her head to come in. No sense being cold out there now is there? Sitting in the more rounded corner of the cave Raiku laid her body down and watched the girl for a moment before beginning to tear into the carcass. It was good to have at least a little food in her stomach.

[Athena Nike]

As if food was the magic word, Raiku appeared from the darkness of the newly renovated den and accepted the meal without complaints. "Thank you,", she had said, the pleasant ringing sound of it echoing in beat to own her wagging stubby tail. "You're welcome.", she replied without hesitation. Athena's heart beamed with pride at their blooming friendship. It had been a long time since any connection half as deep had been made. Athena ducked immately at the woman's beckoning to crawl inside the cozy space sheltered from the elements. She laid down, her head positioned above her two extended ashy paws, watching Raiku eat, and occasionally, examining the handiwork on the walls, ceiling, and floor. "Just like old times," she murmured, a memory striking the surface. It was a cold night, and Raiku, Athena, and others had just been accepted into Dieu. That night, they had shared a make-shift den to get away from a brewing snow storm, resting up for the fated day that came after where Raiku would defeat Athena in Dieu training, and in response, Athena ran away ashamed, embarrassed, and with nothing left. Perhaps that memory was the one last good thing that had happened to her. "I'm sorry to hear about your mate. I know exactly what it feels like, Renatio killed him.", she revealed with a sigh, only scratching the surface of the story for brevity's sake. After all, Athena didn't come here to talk about herself. "What will you do ?", she prodded, anxious that Raiku wouldn't say something suicidal. "How are you holding up?", she added after a moment of thought.

[Raiku]

Raiku was unsure of what to say so the lady remained silent. However, the woman did keep her attention on Athena as she listened. Damn, the girl could talk couldn't she? Raiku wasn't sure what had happened to her pack or her packmates, but she was sure Ruelle was out there somewhere. Raiku only prayed that he was somehow alive.

"Just like old times."

"Indeed." Raiku answered automatically as she stared at the wall for a moment before focusing her silver gaze to Athena. Raiku remembered well what her old life had been like and though Athena had no excuse to leave, Raiku couldn't blame her. If it were Raiku that lost, then yeah Raiku would be the same way and not be able to accept the defeat though Raiku at least would have stayed in the pack waiting for her chance to over-take a position in the least.

"My mate isn't dead though. Ruelle is still alive somewhere. I know it."

Raiku said with little to no emotion on her voice as if she was trying to make herself believe it but was failing miserably. Obviously from her body language.

"Well, I feel like shit, but you know. I may not be a good hunter because of the loss of my eye, but I can do decent fighting. Perhaps I can become a patrol member or guard, or warrior here somehow."

Raiku asked as she eyed the woman, still not used to her single eye, but her smell and hearing was up greatly considering. If Raiku lost both eyes then the woman knew she would be doomed. Until Raiku got stronger, she was stuck to her bed.

[Athena Nike]

Athena nodded as Raiku spoke with hope and determination of finding her mate. Half of her was joyous of the lady's set mind, but the other half cringed at the mess Raiku would surely be when she did not find her spouse. After all, Athena's love wasn't going to come back to life, so why was anyone elses story going to have a happy ending? "Nonsense!", she snarled suddenly, her eyes glowing vivaciously and a few strings of drool trailing the expanse between her upper and lower jaw. Her ears flattened in anger. "You're no cripple. I won't stand for that. Some wolves purposely gouge out an eye for the better hearing and smell. Scars are an honor, never to be ashamed of. So, until your dead, there's nothing you cannot do. ", she explained, her voice a cross between anger and a peppy encouragement. "Are you done feeling sorry for yourself, now?", she asked, a wry smile on her face. Athena shifted so her mere inch of bitten-off tail was more visible.

[Raiku]

Raiku couldn't help but grin at the sudden outburst Athena had done and yes, she was surprised. Raiku began to chuckle softly, which then turned out to be a loud bellow of a laugh as if she hadn't laughed for years (which quite frankly she hadn't) and she couldn't control herself it seemed. Raiku's whole ribcage shook at the amount of laughter she was doing and then Raiku tried gasping for breath before coming to a near sudden halt of her laughter. A tear shed from her eye as she controlled the laughing and then looked to Athena.

"I knew the real you was down in there somewhere. I couldn't help thinking that because of this new life and what you had been through had utterly changed you beyond recognition when you had such a spark for a personality to light the fires of passion within anyone."

Raiku shook herself for a moment before her gaze shifted outside, as if looking for someone or something to come in still with that wry like smile on her face. Looking back to Athena she gave a curt nod.

"I whole heartedly agree with you with how there isn't anything I cannot do. I can't say I've ever heard of a wolf gouging out an eye before just for improved senses, but I can say that the passion to be better is there. You have given me a better outlook on life and I can't thank you enough for it. You have been a friend to me even though you left Dieu, and now that you have returned I am glad to have found you once more. If you do not have one yet with me, you may share my den as we did in the old times."

[Athena Nike]

When Raiku started laughing, Athena's ears pinned back in remorse. Oh boy, another wolf laughing at her. She said nothing and clenched her teeth, waiting for the mean and hurtful thing to be said that was always said after one laughed like this. But the blow never came and her eyes danced with surprise. When her friend mentioned a new life, thoughts of old spiraled up from her subconscious into a whirlwind and threatened to consume her whole. Only by making a deliberate and very hard decision to listen carefully to Raiku's words and not the memories, was the monster defeated temporarily. "Thanks. But a den is for two wolves, not three. I'm sure you and your mate would be quite cozy here. See you.", she smiled softly, the best fake smile she could muster and wiggled her way out of the den. What a turd Athena was. Giving the woman hope to find her lover again when Athena and everyone else knew that the bastard was gone, gone, gone. Athena cursed silently at herself for being a wicked wretch. - exit --