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1121 WV - yeah certs might kill me today. lol

It was a new year and Raven was already on the hunt for her siblings. Not that she knew many sisters - she had them! But she hadn't seen themn of late. no, Raven was looking for her brother, but frankly, none were appearing, not even her "Non-Brothers but satill kind of fun" side of camp as she flew through the sky in her avian form, the charm upon her body shining in the light reflected from the snow below. Of course Cor, or Morrigan, or Apollo would e fine - even Raven was technically fine - but the PRINCIPLE of the thing! Mattered~!! DAMNIT!!!!

Still, it was day one of the new year and finally, Raven spiralled high over a clearing before diving, and transforming right as she landed only to look up and spy the staring face of a giant of a bear, two rabbit mutants - NEAT in her opinion - a bear-y mutant, and a wolf-y mutant, and Raven blinked, realizing she had interrupted sopmething or intrufrfd on others' territory... Well she had flint and steel if needed.

"....You have no sense for territory do you." The bear growled, transforming into a beast of a bear shifter, however the charm glinting on his own chest soon calmed Raven down. IOh, he might be sensible. so likely the sort Morrigan would annoy and she'd hear with the right question.

"Eh. Honestly, my brother got me powdered for anxiety and ******** right the ******** off. Sorry, I'm just looking for them. I haven't seen that dip-s**t in monthds. He's uh. Living chaos." Raven rolled her eyes. Baron eyed Raven a moment, reading her before Meteor hopped beside him.

"But5 it is NEW YEAR'S." The bunny protested. "It is NEW YEAR'S DAY you shouldn't be roaming around like that it's a time for fresh starts and a new beginning and flowers and playing in snow and--" Meteor went on and Raven looked at him, ears pinning.

"Yeah, he's kinda like this." The gr4ewy bunny, Altair, spoke, bowing. "I'm Altair. The Bear friend of ours is Baron, my brother Meteor is the rqabbit fussing, and these two are the children of Meteor's polycule, Yolanda and Vanagandr." The grey stallion's words indicated a desire for her name and Raven nodded.

"I'm Raven. I'/m a weanderer, I guess. My mom basically mothered an entire herd of kids, and not all of us are always able to handle the youngin's, and well I'm normally jittery or was - hence, POWDER - and this nice felllow helped with a charm."

"Was it willing?" Baron smirked. Raven stared.

"I was trying to pi[burn his home so, fair response from him. Kinda - angry and unstable. I'm in a happy medium now.... Well... Arson is still fun." Raven coughed, but Baron laughed, bemused.

"Well obviously. I prefer the feel of my foes in my claws, myself." But the shifter was calming even and Raven nodded.

"But really, maybe IO shou8ld go and keep looking. It's daylight and all. and one of my brothers is hard to spot..."

NO!" Meteor stomped a paw. "You're staying here! If they're in these lands you'll finde them but - but you shouildn't have to roam alone! Ity's not safe without seasoned adventurers! Besides if you like boys, I mean. Altair is single. Or girls, Mioyo is single. I thinkj. But wandering alone is bad, Raven! You should stay with us! Besides, we were going to make New Year wishes! To put out hopes for the new year!" Meteor shifted to shoew her a poucxh at his side full of slips of paper, and ink. Raven blinked as Meteor motioned. "We put out wishes into decorating them and hanging them from a tree. Then we let nature claim them as it will so the spirits have time to read them. It's a tradition we learned in a territyory some distance away. You could try it and then Baron would have a hunting fr4iend!" Meteor bounced and Altair laughed.

"That's Leyla." He noted.

"He can use another! She's alone! And I know she's likely capable but she looks lonely and sad and--"

"A'ioght, a'ight. I'll stay, if the big guy lets it happen." Raven nodded towards Baron. Baron snorted, a hugg that actually showed breath as steam.

"Guess it's fine." Baron grunted. "You're bloody tiny. you can do with meat on your bones. And Meteor won't shut up until you say yes."

"Aaah." Raven nodded, pausing. "I'm not that skinny..." She looked down before the others moved to the trees, and Raven trot after the larger band of Soquili, frowning at tjhings as finally paper and inks and pigments were spread about. Raven carefully accepted a red powder, dipping a hoof in snow and then in the powder before closing her eyes. A... New Year Wish? Slowqqly her head lowered as she stared through the par4chment. Home. Her home herd. Home, where her mother was with babies. Home, where her father lived. Where - it had been an accidentm,, how Raven discovered flint and iron. She'd been playing with rocks wqhen the pairing sparked, igniting a bush. She took then and fled to her Mama, of course, but the chaos. The forest had been dry and flame spread qwwuickly. Raven fled with her family, and the sounds still bothered her.

Her mother said it wasn't her fault. Morrigan had even come home[/i[, cursed, with a charm, and assured her it wasn't her fault. He'd even helped tend those of the herd whom survived, gathering the living and tending the survivors. He'd found her after she ran away in shame to propose corpse powder might somehow aid her nerves and anxiety from it. He meant well... Truly. He'd been charmed and for being chaos, Morrigan was noble[/i[= is slightly insane. She'd still needed charmed by a stranger - and Raven looked down, eyes opening. She felt less anxious or afraid, less insecure, for the power she knew she had as a Shifter. But the guilt? shame? Sorrow? That wasn't passing. Finally she moved, decorating her paper carefullly and with thought6. Traditional herd patterns for health, life, prosperity - all intended for them. They edeserved it. Raven supposed she'd linger for now with these odd Soquili before she burned the wrong thing and had to leave again, and slowly bound her paper in string, hanging it slowly before catching Meteor grinning at her, and she winced, sighing.

"Want to make more?" He asjkedm and Ravebn shook her head.

"I only hadf a wish for others." She admitted, and moved to watch, standing in silent thought of her New Year's wish. Baron, it seemed, perhaps noted her concern and woe, and simply offered qa knowing look before returning to work.

WC - 1330

"Why are we doing this again?" *Vanagandr asked, following Yolanda as the pawed pair trot along their path, a trail unlaid before. The new snowmelt had left Mioyo wary, and Baron and Altair both convinced Meteor to wait to investigate - but Yolanda was not one to listen to the more wary men in the family all the time, the mare padding along fwarlessly followed only by her brother, Vanagandrt leaving his leg at home only to not lose it as they walked. His binding ribbon however, remained affixed firmly, and he wasn't going to not complain.

"Yolie we don't know this is safe." *Vanagandr warned. Yolie snorted, jumping on a log to walk.

"I saved Dad last time we were in a place. We're fine." Yolanda affirmed. Vanagandr rolled his eyes as they walked, approachingf a new river before Yolanda sighted a famniliar color. Instantly her ears pinned, Vanagandr looking, then groaning as he followed, Ears flattening himself as the pair approached.

"You again?!" Yolanda snapped. Nanner raised her head slowly, the bear shifter pinning her ears spying the siblings before she frowqned.

Nanner actually wasn'y being terribly hostile. She stared however, uncertainly, before looking at the water again, snorting.

"Go away. I'm trying to cross. I WILL bite you." Nanner snarled. Vanagandr snorted.

"Just swim?" He proposed. Nanner's ears flattened angrily, and Yolanda stared, Nanner scowling. "...M...Mama... Didn't know how to teach me to swim, alright?" Nanner snarled. Vanagandr burst into harsh, cruel laughter immediately, Nanny turning to bellow at him, but Yilanda watched in silence. Finally, Yolanda considered, and approached, head high. She could best Nanner, and the mare nodded to the water.

"You know.... I can help you cross." Yolanda offered. Nanner stpped, and eyed Yolanda.

"What do you want for it, runt?" Nanner demanded. Yolanda shrugged.

"Just. Consider a charm. Our Dad is. He's pretty astrong." Yolanfda tilted her head. "My uncle's strong too. I just say consider it. Your Mama sounds important. My Dad is to me."

Nannert was silent. Only... that? The shifter fidgeted. then nodded.

"I need to make sure my Mama is safe in this... wet, vile spring." Nanner snarled. Yolanda nodded, and jumped into the river, showing Nanner how to paddle with her paws. Vanagandr stopped laughing, surprised at his sister's determination. Slowly, Nanner drtewclose, sticking a paw in the water before plunging in. Slowly, she emulated Yolie's kicking strokes, and began finding her stride, seeming surprised. Nanner lit up slightly before Vanagandr sprint, leaping in to the water to swim after as Yolanda led Naner ashpre. The shifter climbed ashore, and shook herself outr as Yolanda climbed ashore, followed by Vanagandr. Nanner looked away quietkly, but Yolanda turned to her, shrugging.

"Where next?" She asked. Nanner glowered.

"What?" The bear shifter asked. Yolanda nodded.

"There's possibly more water to cross from the mountain melt. It might help if I come. Tio refresher. I guess in trade for safety for now."

"....Refgresher..." Nanner considered quietly, looking down. Her eyes narrowed analytically in thoought, before the bear shifter growled.

"Then keep up." She growled. Vanagandr eyed his sister, before the pair begsn to hurry after.
Nanner was quiet as they walked along. The bear shifter alone was deterrent to problems, but it was no simply joourney. At times, Yolanda helped solve a problem, or Vanagandr put his teeth to it. Nanner watched in silence, allowing it, earts swivelling as she considered. Her mind was full as they ventured. It was no short venture. As days passed, they passed the resurfacing plants and flowers. Vanagandr was pleased to collect some edible kind, and some other useful kinds to take home or use. Yolanda seemed ro enjoy challenges, going off the beaten path for unseen sights, and Nanner.. Watched. She was silent, processing it all as they travelled.

Eventually they reached a larger lake, enhanced by the snowmelt, and Nanner could see the faint forms of her mother and... Her mother's mate across the lake, grimacing in disdain at him, growling low before pausing.

She'd paused a lot since it was pointed out her temper endangered her mother. Her uncharmed nature made her miother unsafe. and now Nanner caught herself... Angry. She paused, not knowing what at, and sighed, transforming to sit in silent concern. Angry. For no reason. It gave her much to think of. Nanner slowly echaled, then started at hooves behind her, turning to see a white, pink, and blue... Well some kind of Angeni looking at her, sunfower inhis mane. Irritatingly, even their voice was androgynous.

"Sorry, you looked troubked. Everyuthing alright there fuzzy?" The angeni asked. Nanner kooked axross the watyer.

"Ugh. I might harm my mother." Nanner was blunt.

"Old man over there didn't charm you with someone?" The angeni drawled. "Oh. I'm Bklake. Call me Blake." Blake introduced. Nanner growled, pausing.

"I'm adpted. Mom found my basket." Nanner admitted. Blake whistled.

"Sounds like your folks hoped you'd pop and kill your adoptive parents. Rough." Blake admitted. Nanner tensed, surprised to find herself horrified at the idea. Surprised... At her distaste.

"No! Mama saved me! I'd never! I'll never hurt Mama!" Nanner bellowed. She saw Yoklanda and Vanagandr's ears flick and paused. Blake however, nodded.

"Because... Deep down you know what matterts. But you can't quite form the connections you want." Blaje began. "It's not.. Weak. Or strong. It's panful. To know you want something and... Not get it. Not how you want it." Blake stared at the water silently. "Sometimes we can't have everything how we want it. It's life. It's hard and sad, painful, ev en. But the real strength in it comes from chosing. Chosing what matters most to us."

"Everyone I meet says a charm will help me... Not kill my Mama. any siblings." Nanner admitted. Blake nodded.

"It might." He admitted. "It might not. If you sincerely want to protect her you can also walk awa6y-"

"No." Nanner tensed, silent at her own words. "No. Mama wanted me. Mama loved me. She lobves me as I am. But... My Dad is charmed. He said it helped him... Make better chooices. I thought he was weak." Nanner looked at her paws. Blake ndded, looking out at the lake.

"It can... Hekp yes. It's permanent, though. Some charm regardless of what a Shifter wants, others... I agree it should--"

"I... Want.. A charm." Nanner finally said. "I want... To protect my Mom. I want... To see... How... It feels to... Not chase possible friends. To..."

"I get it." Blake reached, patting her with a hoof.

"I'll help."

Morning dawned hours later, kissing the engorged lake with soft rays as Yolanda and Vanagandr woke slowly, rising to greet Nanner slowly, and were surprised when the bear shifter aproached, gulping down some fish.

"About damn time." The mare growled, motioning. "Are we going? I practically see Mama. Then I need to get youtwo home."

No insults. no snarled reluctance. Yolanda looked to her brither in surprise, but Vanagandr examined the shifter, and nodded slowly, smiling some.

"I guess. Fine." He grumbled. "Nice charm."

"You-" yolanda began. Nanner snorted.

"For my Mama. And obviously if you two need muscle to go this far I'm an idiot to leave you two alone unattended give damn minutes even if I KNOW, miss, you're stronher." Nanner scolded. Nanner never admitted it nbeforte. yolanda blinked, and nodded, speaking.

"Strength in numbers. And Dad might like meeting you." she offered. "He's - another Bear Shifter."

Nanner stared, surprised. She wanted to argue. But... To meet... Her own kind... Nanner nodded, and the trio leapt into the lake to cross it, swimming for Nanner's parents Kes, and susanoo. As Nanner paddled, matching Yolanda's pace, she smiled. the water had changed the land... But here, swimming with... with friends.... to check on her family.... To see how they were.... As Nanner scrambled ash