The morning left the forest quiet, never silent though, leaves whispered overhead as a breeze moved through the branches and a woodpecker in the distance tapped against old bark. Nokomis fluttered down from a pine branch overhead, landing on a low boulder with an indignant chirp before puffing out her feathers. Sheauga smiled softly at the sight of her, the blue jay had been another constant in her ever changing world. You think too much she hummed, to which the Jay answered with another sharp chirp, Fair enough, she said tail sweeping through the grass as she continued forward.

Walosi had offered her not only safety, but a sense of community and home, something she had never felt in the years she spent in Northfall. And now the question came — where exactly she belonged among them. She had spent many nights considering it, learning what she could about the clans and the wolves who called them home. She knew she could not remain standing between paths forever. So she sought the one who could help her choose; Nate

Nokomis launched from her perch and settled briefly upon her shoulders before taking flight once more, circling ahead as though determined to scout the way, pulling a small laugh from her Always in such a hurry, we're going, we're going she said this though she followed at a slower pace as she searched for the Walosi Chief.

Nate was found with a pile of yarrow beside him, covered in dirt up to his forearms and splattered across his face as he attempted to excavate another. Ko-Ga's call alerted him to the approaching company, and the chief lifted his head to see Sheauga and her jay friend making their approach. Distant enough he could shake the mud off himself without splattering her.

Vaguely lighter-brown in color, Nate loped up to greet her, Morning, Miss. A second nod to her jay, grinning, And you as well.

Had she wandered here, or sought him out? Had a kind of stance about her that made him wonder if this was more than a social call.

 Sheauga slowed as Nate approached, her pace unhurried and easy despite the purpose that had brought her here. The scent of freshly turned earth reached her before he did, mingling with the sharp medicinal fragrance of yarrow scattered around the disturbed ground. Her violet eyes drifted briefly between the uprooted flowers before focusing back on Nate, who's legs were covered in dirt so thoroughly she suspected the earth might claim him as one of its own before the day was done. "Morning, Miss. And you as well "

The blue jay swooped down from overhead, settling upon a low branch nearby and tilting her head toward Nate a sharp chatter following, sounding suspiciously like commentary on his appearance. Nokomis says good morning, she translated with all the solemnity she could manage. Though I suspect she also has thoughts on how much dirt one can wear before becoming part of the garden the corner of her mouth twitched upward as Noko chirped triumphantly.

I was hoping I'd find you, she mused then, I understand that eventually I must choose where I belong among the clans, in her homeland, belonging had not been something chosen she was born into community, into family, and responsibility, but Walosi was not the people of her birth.

Nate wondered if she could really speak Jay, or if they'd figured out some kind of gesture-and-pantomime to convey the gist of things. Or if she just used the birds chatter as an excuse to offer clever quips behind an intermediary. Couldn't fault her for that. Nate huffed an unruffled laugh.

Well, I suppose being part of the land is kind of the idea. Though, Nate looked down at mudstained fur, I don't think my ancestors had quite so literal an interpretation in mind. Keeping the natural balance, though, respecting everything that grew as a living thing with a will and spirits to guard it, he kind of liked living in a place where it was possible to do that again.

Clans, though. A nod. You're Unole by default. Wind. It's the place for strangers, newcomers, diplomats and counselors. Kinda helps keepin' 'em together. He inclined his head. Nothing wrong with staying there, if it feels right. But we have others, for healers, and hunters, warriors, gardeners... They had no gardeners, yet. He'd taken it upon himself to help in that role. Hence the dirt bath.

But what would Sheauga choose to be? How much do you know about the other clans? What kind of interests do you have?

 Sheauga fell quiet for a moment, considering the question carefully for it was not one she wished to answer too quickly. Nokomis shifted above her, hopping along the branch with a rustle of blue feathers, while Sheauga's gaze wandered through the surrounding trees. I've never been much of a hunter, she admitted with a soft laugh. Nor a warrior... there was not disappointment, the flash of Wardruna's and before that Sreda's teeth still sent a shiver through her spine.

My strengths have always been... elsewhere purple eyes drifted upward, following the movement of leaves dancing in the breeze. Where I come from, I spent much of my time listening. To my people, yes...but also to the world around me her voice came softer The stories carried by places, the meaning hidden in dreams, the lessons found in things others might overlook she smiled softly as she pondered aloud.

I have always felt closest to helping others find understanding. Whether that means guiding them toward a choice they already know they must make... or simply reminding them they are not alone. the forest had always spoken to her in subtle ways, through intuition, symbolism, and quiet truths that revealed themselves when one slowed enough to notice.

... if there is a clan that values wisdom, guidance, faith or the unseen, I suspect that is where my path would eventually lead

Fables and fortunes, stories and stars — Nate let his own imagination be swept away a little by Sheauga's musing. He grinned. Well, as a matter of fact... there is.

He let his gaze linger for a moment on the blue jay, throwing Nokomis a curious, thoughtful appraisal before returning to Sheauga's face. Tsiskwa, Bird Clan. They're guides for the soul. My people I grew up with had a particular set of beliefs, but — He flicked an ear. Well, there's a lot of us now from all walks and places, I think it only makes sense to pool our knowledge. Sounds like exactly the sort of calling you describe, even if your spirits might be different from mine.

Were the his spirits? It was impossible to deny that something magical existed in Mythris after all that'd happened. But for the Tsalagi, it wasn't magic so much as the way of the world. As a talking wolf who'd since crossed roads with Valkyries and gods, Nate found it easier to believe in each animal having a protector and a clan of their own, even if he wasn't quite sure where the balance lay between Creators.

Still, wouldn't his father be rolling in the grave to know his Catholic son was living wild, like an 'animal', promoting spirits and Eduda's stories beside the verses of the Good Book!

Well, Cato hadn't lived through an apocalypse, so maybe his ghost didn't get to have an opinion on things.

Nate was curious. His tail wagged, Birds in the old stories could touch other planes, and carry prayers to the Creator. Their feathers were powerful... getting one as a gift meant something important had happened in your life. As Tsiskwa, you would take on the role of gifter, too.

 Something changed in Sheauga's expression as Nate spoke, it was subtle at first the quiet lifting of her ears and the gradual stillness that settled over her. Even Nokomis seemed to sense the shift and the blue jay ceased her restless hopping and remained perched above them, dark eyes fixed upon the wolves below. Guides for the soul... she echoed.

Of all the paths Nate might have described, it was difficult not to find meaning in this one. Her gaze lifted toward Nokomis and the jay tilted her head in return. Sheauga had never believed every moment required interpretation. Sometimes a bird was merely a bird, a breeze merely a breeze, and a dream nothing more than the mind sorting through the troubles of waking life. But sometimes...

I think Nokomis may have chosen before I did, in response the jay gave a sharp call. Sheauga laughed beneath her breath before returning her attention to Nate, his willingness to speak so openly of differing spirits had not gone unnoticed. And she had wondered whether the beliefs she carried would be expected to bend beneath those already rooted here.

I would never expect your spirits to wear the same faces as mine, she mused gently. Perhaps they do, perhaps they do not. I have always thought it more important to listen before deciding we understand such things her gaze would soften.

Where I come from much can be learned from what exists around us, like dreams and animals — the seasons and the changes they bring...and our ancestors she would pause, searching for the right words. I do not claim to know everything the spirits intend, I think anyone who does is likely listening more to themselves than anything beyond them

she paused, gaze flickering back to her jay,

But I have always felt called to help others make sense of what they carry, her gaze returned to Nate. If Tsiskwa offers a place for that, then I believe I would be honored to walk among them, if I could