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Raisa had been spoiled and royal all her life, of that there was no doubt. She’d made her own rules, followed them religiously, lived her life in the name of something higher than her still. Her family had always meant everything to her. That devotion had no problems shifting to encapsulate all of Northfall, and Raisa had been nothing if not surprised at how easy it was to adapt. Sure, every once in a while things grated and reminded her of what she used to be, but things just seemed… Okay, now. Wardruna trusted her, and never in her life of being in charge of herself had Raisa felt the distinct pleasure of doing something for someone else; an act so simple to her, yet meant so much to her Queen. A walk, for fucks sake -- a cute little adventure alongside her new mate, a chance to stretch her legs one last time before her days were consumed with the patter of tiny paws. A mission entrusted to the Sapphire Tigress herself! She rather thought she wasn’t the only one trusted, but the one most available on the list, which did nothing to deter her elation. Outside of her own family, Raisa was the one chosen to carry the message of the babes to the leaders of Elysium -- their grandmothers! What a small world. It’d been a long time since she’d seen Valeska; she had been no more than a child, grasping at the idea of queendom.

And, on their way home, she thought it’d be nice to show Bo where she’d grown up. Where, in another life, she’d once hoped to raise her own children. Now, she couldn’t imagine being anywhere but in Northfall, in the icy reaches of the top of the world where she’d met the love of her life. Besides, the bloody forest wasn't far! They could easily visit it often, let the kids play there and show them her old haunts. This new life, it was shaping up, wasn't it? Bogart at her side, the flutters of their children building in her stomach, a place in Northfall with her remaining family at her back! Nothing could stop her now.

A hardness was forming about her stomach, distending it ever so slightly, the fur there thinning just a little; as if her general morning sickness running rampant wasn't enough, her entire belly was sensitive inside and to the touch. Not at all pleasant, frankly, but Raisa was being a good sport about it. Famished, admittedly, but overall she tried not to complain too much.

A few days had already passed, she thought. It was hard to tell at this point, the blizzard unending as winter refused to relent its grasp for spring. They'd stopped to sleep a few times, at least! Four? Something like that. So far, they’d done nothing more interesting than practice some hunting, and she took great joy in pointing out places she knew; the sterling river, the distant and foggy ravens grove where she used to hunt, the peaks-next-door that housed Dawnbreak, the meadows where Avon lived.
And when they got to the kingdom of the fae, Raisa was pleasantly surprised to note that the borders once again smelled of Fable! Not Archon, she noted, but the Matriarch had returned at least. The plan had been to skirt past the borders of her former(?) allies, thinking they wouldn’t mind in the first place since it was no mans land and at best would recognize her scent and know she was not going to linger. Now, well, she found herself skirting a bit closer to Avon’s markers, tail waving, ears high. She couldn’t… not say hi, right?

Her chin tipped back in a soft, happy little call. If the woman heard and came to say hello, fantastic, but she wouldn’t be offended if now was a bad time, either.

It didn't take long to deem whether or not she and Bo would have to continue on past quietly. Really, given the state of everything, she would've understood if Fable -newly back- still had catching up to do on matters of politics and all that. Still, especially with the world falling apart, she thought it might've been helpful to let her know Seiiki was no more. One less group to check on, if she'd half a mind to go looking after her allies too.

The pearly woman joined her, looking as tired as Raisa felt. Had her time away made her so ragged? Was it being back that was so frazzling her? Maybe, yknow, all the fissures along the earths surface trying to swallow them all alive.
Did it have anything to do with Archon's absense?
There were options.

Samhain was quiet without you and yours, she hummed, tail wiggling joyously, I am glad to see you returned!

Had she been well? A shrug lifted Raisa's shoulder.

Seiiki has recently merged with Northfall to keep the north strong, the wolfdog offered back in way of answer, her smile stretching thin as her heart ached. It was for her own good, it was what was best for both packs. It'd lead her to Bogart.
It was a good thing.

Ah, speak of the devil.

Her great lumbering love joined them promptly, talking about a trail to follow. Raisa was so proud of how well he was doing, how persistent he was in the softest and quietest of ways. She swung her head about to shoot a grin his way as he joined them, feeling badly as his voice trailed off and he apologized.

Even accidentally, pulling her from her darkest thoughts.

There you are, darling! Bo, she cooed happily, leaning affectionately against him, This is my friend Fable, the leader of Avon. Fable, Bogart -- my one and only.

There wasn't a real label on them, she supposed, though she'd caught herself thinking mate. It was what she considered him, she supposed; what else did one call the only person they wanted to be with, that returned ones affections, that slept by ones side and went on pointless adventures just to see the same forest they watched over from a distance?

She smiled to Fable, tipping her head.

I want to ask if you would like to hunt with us, but you look like you may fall asleep on your paws. Has your return been hard?