For the Journey Ahead

Sah

With everything else going on this season, Sah had been worried that he wouldn't finish in time. Soleil's present had taken input and blueprints from a blacksmith this season. She'd expressed interest in a throwing spear in passing and it seemed like a balanced weapon to start her out with.

However, Luke was more of a challenge. Apart from a slight interest in the Wild Thunder's sword as a child, his little breeze hadn't shown an attachment to any form of weaponry just yet. Luka still seemed to be experimenting and so Sah wanted to give him something adaptable. A tool that could be offensive or defensive. There were a variety of ways to go about it and it had taken much thought to decide on one. But the Wild Thunder thinks he's got it with these flashbang marbles. An apothecary, a blacksmith, and a merchant all had to give input for him to figure out how to create them to give the intended effect.

With all of the materials now gathered, he begins. Sah calls forth his magic, weaving the elements as he keeps an eye on the blueprints and notes before him. Brow creased in focus, it takes time and all of his concentration. There's a flash and he grins ferally as it dissipates. On the table before him lays a spear with a leather wrap. Beside it, a pouch of seemingly innocent marbles. He hopes his pups will love them.

~
Sah has created:

1. Loyal Spear:
Level: Basic
A steel-tipped spear with a leather wrap that returns to the hand of whoever throws it within a 2ft radius. (Made by Sah).

2. Flash Bang Marbles:
Level: Basic
Marbles that when thrown give off a disorienting, bright strobing light with a 2ft radius. The light lasts for one post. (Made Sah).

To lead is to love,
To rule is to serve

Luka

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade

The door opens, but only one set of footsteps echo from the entryway. Readjusting Soleil on his back, Luka closes the door and toes off his boots in an impressive display of coordination if he says so himself. Deeming Soleil’s own boots and both their coats a lost cause, he goes striding into the house, greeting his father’s companions with a little smile until he hunts down their dad at the table.

Turning, he shows off Soleil on his back with a little grin. “Had a great hunt today. Bagged a big one.” He bounces her slightly, enough to make her curls bounce and to earn a small laugh before he sets her down so she can explain and say her hellos. Hanging back because he knows what’s coming (and had been surprised early when picking her up from the skyport) Luka crosses his arms with a secretive little smile as he waits for their dad’s reaction.

And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid

She's the light in a dark room
She smiles with her eyes and it'll hold you

Soleil must look like she sprained an ankle to anyone passing by on their way to or from their homes, but truthfully it’s nothing of the sort. Comfortably wrapped around Luka’s back as he carries her piggyback down the street, Soleil snuffles against his shoulder, eyes closed and the fur of his hood lining tickling against her nose. The skyboat ride had been horrendous given the recent weather patterns, and Luka had noticed her eyebags and twitchy frame immediately and had offered to carry her home. Diana walks beside him, making it clear she’s fine on her own, but Soleil had gratefully accepted and dozed off against his back within minutes.

Blinking awake with a small noise of disgruntlement when the sound of his boots on the wooden porch jar her, she yawns and is glad he doesn’t deposit her immediately, instead getting all of them inside (bending down to snag Diana to hide her in Soleil’s coat once more) before carrying her over to their dad. Though she does flush slightly when he turns and shows her off, making a teasing comment that only family is privy to, there’s no real shame for having needed the help. “Bad flight,” she murmurs, sliding down off her twin’s back and rubbing her eyes slightly before mustering up a smile for their dad. “Hi, dad. I have a surprise for you!” The excitement comes back no matter how sluggishly, Diana’s wriggling in her coat reminding her of how happy she is these days with her new sister.

Pulling Diana out of her coat, she holds her comfortably against her chest, beaming all the while. “I bonded in the Grounds!! Her name is Diana!” Feeling the slight surge of disgruntlement through the bond, she laughs and sets her companion down, allowing the regal young wolf her dignity as she looks around herself in the new area.

She's a bullet that's about to fire
And she's the steady that will keep you sane

Soleil

Sah

The wolves alert Sah that the pups are home even before the door opens. Standing up, Sah chuckles as he watches Luka put Soleil down, reaching over to cup the back of his son's neck affectionately with a gentle hand. "I can tell." Soleil grabs his attention, and he pulls back to hug her, only to freeze. In his daughter's arm is a puppy. A wolf pup. A massive grin stretches across his face and the Wild Thunder practically vibrates in place.

"That's incredible, Soleil!" He puts a hand out, palm up for Diana to sniff if she wishes, "Hello there, little one."His voice easily slips into a soft coo as he greets his newest packmate.

Lilly wags furiously as she walks over and sits at Soleil's feet. Nose twitching wildly, she inspects her new sibling. Pad stalks silently closer, tense curiosity in every line of his body. Unlike his silver sister, the black wolf has no idea how to handle a puppy. Sah has to restrain a snort at the wonder creeping through both of his companions.

To lead is to love,
To rule is to serve

(If this thread takes place at night...)

Glancing up, something catches your eye. Not the moon, or at least, not that moon. Faintly, just off to the side where the moon hangs bright and clear, seems to be another moon. Or at least, a very large star.

Is it...getting closer?

Luka

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade

Luka grins, leaning sideways into his father's touch and settling at the squeeze to his nape, centered and fulfilled with his pack surrounding him. "We'll eat like kings for the season," he rumbles in further playfulness, standing back only to allow Soleil the chance to unearth Diana from her coat. He's far from jealous, practically incapable of envying his twin sister with how close they are. Instead he's ecstatic for her, and glad to give her this chance to take the floor (though she usually does anyway with her far more magnetic personality).

"It's okay Pad," he soothes with a rumble of a laugh underneath his voice. He has already been able to get a gauge on Diana's personality and knows the younger of his father's companions will not find a typically playful or overwhelming individual.

And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid

She's the light in a dark room
She smiles with her eyes and it'll hold you

Soleil sticks her tongue out over her shoulder briefly at Luka for his teasing, though she can't help but admit it's amusing - thus the smile on her face. Still, this is her moment, and her father's reaction is everything she wanted and more. She vibrates in place and clasps her hands in front of her heart, giggling brightly.

Diana meanwhile sniffs the hand Sah's presents her, taking cues from Soleil and the intertwined familiarity of his scent to know that this is also pack. With that in mind, she bumps her nose against his skin, making it clear she will accept him touching her but not going so far as to lick him or grow excited. Soleil muffles a laugh, amused as ever by her regality. "She's the serious type," she informs her dad in a stage whisper, and Diana flicks one ear as if dismissing her. It just makes Soleil laugh harder, because Diana is about four months old, so it's clear she's reacting to Soleil's emotions more than her understanding of the words. "Sorry to steal all your Thunder," she emphasizes, and hears Luka groan loudly behind her at the wordplay, making her grin, "so what did you call us home for?"

She's a bullet that's about to fire
And she's the steady that will keep you sane

Soleil

Sah

Pad looks up at Luka and relaxes slightly, leaving into the young man's side even as he sniffs at Diana. Sah meanwhile internally squeals at Diana's disposition. She's so small and her personality hardly fits in her fur. It's precious. "I can tell." With permission given, the Wild Thunder gently rubs the wolf pup's forehead briefly, before pulling his hand back. She might be able to tell that he's pack, but he's still a new person. He doesn't want to push his luck.  

Soleil's pun pulls a chuckle from Sah as he winks at his daughter, "Well, not to shock you but I have something to give you and your brother." Nodding with his head, he gestures for both of the twins to follow him into the kitchen. On the table are two boxes, both lovingly wrapped in blue fabric.

One is long and slender, clearly made of wood. Soleil's name is written on a piece of paper tied to it. Inside she will find a spear made of leather and steel. The second box is smaller and has Luka's name on it. Inside he'll find a leather pouch holding marbles.


~
Soleil has received:
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Basic
Loyal Spear | A steel-tipped spear with a leather wrap that returns to the hand of whoever throws it within a 2ft radius. (Made by Sah).

Luka has received:
Type: Grey | Style: Defensive | Level: Basic
Flash Bang Marbles | Marbles that when thrown give off a disorienting, bright strobing light with a 2ft radius. The light lasts for one post. (Made Sah).

To lead is to love,
To rule is to serve

Luka

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade

Luka smiles down at Pad and places a calming hand on the wolf's nape, happy to provide comfort and to let Pad's presence chase away the lingering strings of jealousy that don't live long inside his chest. Their family is so open and supportive that it's hard to feel that way for very long. In fact his sister's awful pun shakes him out of it swiftly enough, making him groan loudly and boo under his breath if only to see her and their dad both grin.

Following his father with reignited intrigue, Luka looks over the blue wrapping concealing two items, one of which is clearly adorned with his name. Glancing back at his dad for confirmation, Luka picks it up and begins to unwrap it carefully, peeling back the tape and preserving the wrapping paper as much as possible. Within is a small box, and Luka pops it open curiously, finding a leather pouch with marbles within. It's solid in his hand when he picks it up, and as he looks over and spots Soleil's gift which is clearly a weapon, he turns to his dad for explanation; clearly well-trained not to play around with what might also be a weapon inside the confines of their house. "These are beautiful, dad. What do they do?" Even if they were simply precious stones, they're beautifully crafted with their strange ivory sheen, but Luka knows his father - talented as he is - wouldn't have simply left it at that.

And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid

She's the light in a dark room
She smiles with her eyes and it'll hold you

Soleil laughs brightly enough that her head drops back, pleased as always by her father's impish humor - and her twin's clamoring in the background, boo'ing their brand of shared comedy. With Diana tied to her soul and a full-to-brimming family reunion, she feels lighter than even her namesake, like happiness will start spilling out of her pores for lack of anywhere else to go.

She practically floats to the table when they are shepherded that way, Diana at her heels with her watchful eyes eternally centered on Soleil. Presents make her gasp excitedly, spoiled as she is - but never unappreciative - and she descends on the long box with eager, clever fingers and a beaming smile that parts in a louder gasp when the spear within is unearthed. Her eyes descend on Luka's gift as they make their way to her father, clutching the spear to her chest like it's a teddybear instead of a deadly weapon. "Dad! Oh my gods!" Her feet spin her on the hardwood, hair a cloud of movement as the excitement forces her into movement. Beaming, she presses into Luka's back to hang over his shoulder and peer down at his own gift, curious as to its powers now that he'd mentioned it.

She's a bullet that's about to fire
And she's the steady that will keep you sane

Soleil

Sah

His pups banter, and Sah's heart is warmer than it has been in weeks. His immediate pack is finally back together and with a new member. He couldn't possibly be happier.

Sah watches eagerly as his pups open their presents. Luka easily catches onto the nature of his marbles, and the Wild Thunder grins sharply, "For diversions." He reaches over and runs a finger over one of the marbles, "When you throw them, they'll give off a disorienting and strobing bright light in a short radius." The Abandoned isn't sure if it would be enough to blind an enemy, but it should certainly be enough to distract. His eyes soften as he explains, "You didn't seem set on a specific type of weapon yet, and I didn't want to take the choice from you. When you decide, let me know. I'll make you something." Choosing your first weapon was choosing a fighting style and even a training regimen. It may not be a marriage, but it was close enough.

Soleil practically dances with her spear and Sah can't help the laugh that burst from him as he sets the marble back. Eyeing his daughter adds to her excitement, "If you throw it a short distance, it'll return to your hand."

To lead is to love,
To rule is to serve