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Viltre 1

In fairness, Variel was still driving them forward. Her partner held the reins, but it was the beast doing most of the steering, and that mostly following the road. He had the motions down soon enough. ...But there were dozens of little tweaks and indications taught by experience, and they came slowly. He'd likely never be more than passable in the saddle. Which, as it happened, was part of where the Oban noblewoman came in. She'd kept his back safe from the obvious issues while he handled the subtle, and vice versa. Their partnership was working out quite well when it came to a balance of skills.

For instance, she handled this wet weather much better than he. Today had finally been a day without loud or rain, and the heat of the sun lay welcome on Viltre's skin. "It was sent. We'll see when we arrive. Worst case, just gonna head to the ranch and break the news fresh. My line's crest," a gloved finger reached up and tapped the middle crystal on his forehead, "is distinctive. Little sister and two of my nephews have it, so introductions won't be an issue." The courier had been sent with additional instructions to pass on as well, a meeting place so they didn't have potential strangers trespassing on their land...

Ushiwa 1

He glanced over at his twin, orange eyes blazing with flames fanned by hope. Pure white blue hope. "It better not be a trick," Ushi looked like he was nearly ready to go to war he had smooth body armor and a war beast and a war sister. He was perhaps a bit over prepared but when it came to his daughter he would raze a whole town if needed.

"Shouldn't waste a parent's time that way, especially this parent."

He had cleared the grass and made a small fire upon which he stacked a bit more wood, it was time for a meal and the beast needed a break as well.

" 'Wyn's brother brought Thall his cubs, no reason he wouldn't also bring us ours, him being the helpful sort." Usually his words were a touch finer cut than Ein's but when they were alone and he was in predation mode, he slunk back to their most familiar dialect of straight to the point stabs, slurs, and bright blinding smiles. Einsols always having been a bit more effective, he figured that was oweing to her being a girl and not his fault. It also might be that he had a touch harder time hiding the predator that lurked under his pelt.

Viltre 2

The slim man's back and posture kept straight. She'd beome more openly affectionate of late. Viltre's feelings on this, as with many personal matters, were complicated. He'd tried reciprocating in much the same way, and that had been accepted in public. Out and about, it was a show, practiced steps, and they both knew it. In private, his gestures of fondness had been quieter, subtler. A brush here, a touch there, the hint of a smile every so often. Expressing genuine emotion still came with difficulty no matter how much he felt. Could he have kept up the act instead? Absolutely. But Variel was his partner to start, and lying to her had been taken off the table in the initial bargain. "Look forward to meeting them."

Meeting one family needed to wait, however, as they might well be meeting another in a moment. There was a smoke trail rising just a short ways ahead of them. Off the track. Too small for arson. Camping in the evening? ...That should be near our meeting spot. "Half-draw, Variel. Someone's at our site." Sure, it was probably his kin, but no way to know that on approach.

When Xarthin had bourne the approaching pair close enough to make out blue figures, the thief's deep voice rose out in greeting. "Hello over there! Out hunting?" He'd included a recognition phrase just in case, but Thalassa's folk seemed to favor directness over subtlety. He couldn't be sure they'd remembered, either...

Ushi 2

He too could see the group approaching on the janarim. Ein's senses were extremely sharp. He too didn't think that any general fight with random tendaji rabble would be able to best the wolf twins. Their teeth remained sharp, he was in his prime and gaining respect and sage knowledge by the day. His sister held life and death in either hand.

Not to be over dramatic but they were deadly badass together.
"Mentioning hunting is part of the code, Viltre knows none of us would relish being titled as a lousy hunter. Its a direct reference to our familial line. Identity has been confirmed, good eyes Ein." He hugged his sister to his side and kissed her forehead. He was so happy. Viltre had just been well a god'ssend for his family. If only the young one would be delivered back to his care, who had she become during the interim. He stuffed those thoughts back down in his *gasp* actually aching heart. He thought it had turned black years ago, fascinating!

"Variel." He murmured a greeting to their long standing family friend. "And....?"

This was definitely Terrwyn's brother, he had a different...aura than his sister. But the fierce love they had for their respective families was evident.

Viltre 3

A glance back to the Oban redhead at the answering holler. They'd clearly got someone familiar, at least. This only became more evident once they got in clear eyesight of the complementary pair. Such an open pair were not difficult to begin reading, at least for Viltre. The initial measure he got of them came as no surprise. For all the warmth that shone from the one, and the hard edges framing cracks in the other, this was not a pair he wanted to offend. Why am I reminded so strongly of Father? Auntie Nao's stories, maybe? If these two weren't Thalassa's close kin, he'd cook his reed hat, slap it between bread and eat it. (By coincidence, this was a real sandwich from the Oban wars: the Duke of Sulubri's Bet.)

Regardless, with with everyone on the same peaceable page, the approach went unhindered. Indeed, the woman in yellow went and got up to come closer, heavy stick in one hand and what looked to be meat in the other. Ther other drew up with her, more warrior-built. The mask he wore engaged as smoothly as breathing, meeting and holding Ushi's gaze and holding it for a few moments. The cheeky little grin he wore might've helped as well. "Viltre. Take it you're Ushiwa? Afraid I can't guess your name, Miss; Thalassa only gave two more."

Kavensei's green gaze fell on the campfire and the warbeast laying beside it, horned head keeping an eye on the newcomers. Especially their mount. "Shall we discuss here, or head elsewhere? Can't say I'm picky about delivering good news more than once."

Ushi 3

"It's what I am here for sister, never fear." His eyes rolled back as she got that one spot that she had taught Sae about too, dratted sisters anyhow.

As per usual his sister beelined it for the critter. The whole family loved animals he was sure.

She always had the best treats too. He smiled as his sister flirted, knowingly or unknowingly that was half of the fun. Good she needed some cubs to chase after too some day. That or she was just so grateful to them for helping their family they would be claimed like all the rest that Einsol tugged into the family. He didn't think she had ever been wrong to snatch the newcomers she had either.

He examined Terrwyn's brother. Now Terrwyn was extrememly smart and looking at the brother he thought that he also might have inherited that trait. Something was not as it seemed here, but Ushi couldn't put a finger on it, whatever it was didn't seem to be malevolent so he put it behind him. Terrwyn's crest sat proudly atop her brothers head, maybe that marked out the smart ones. He wasn't sure. But it might be accurate.

The male held his gaze for a moment, not always the easiest to do when Ushi was in full feather so to speak, but this was a er, friendly meeting so there was no need to raise his hackles. Part of what made him so deadly was his self control, honed over hours and hours of training.

"Now would be a good time to discuss." His inner self was hungry for news of his lost daughter, this he let show in his eyes.

Viltre 4

His own smile couldn't light up a room the way this brightly-dressed woman might. ...But his was so well-polished an expression that it could mirror and reflect some of that right back. The redhead had leaned forward and down to clasp hands with each in turn, eyes merry. "Pleasure to finally meet you both!" At first glance, these two couldn't be more different. One might as well have glowed from within, while the other did a passable impression of a person-shaped rock. A moments study began revealing depth immediately for both twins. For once, someone it took concentration to read. Not for the first time, Viltre applauded his sister's good taste in lovers. It had got them related to such interesting people.

His forward lean had left him open to Variel's affectionate blandishments. For some little while he shut his mouth and let the women speak. And an interesting exchange it was already. The bite in particular brought his head around to stare a moment. She'd never done that yet. But then, she'd never had someone flirting(?) so openly with the both of them before. "Well. You're not wrong; scheming's a habit by now. Terr's probably poisoned my name for you by now, called me a terrible prankster no doubt...

As they headed back towards the little camp, Ushi's distant brother brought him up to speed on the current information. "Our targets were last seen in the Oban capital. Southern sea travel isn't in their options anymore, as their operation went and pissed off the local smuggling rings. If they've left since, they did it by land, and we can track that. We've got some feelers out that way, still waiting on local confirmation." If all else falls through, I might tap the family network. Should be safe enough to try there. Oba's always been more Father's scene than Mother's.
A pause, and in a rather softer tone, "Still don't know where she is. I'm sorry. The rings alter the official shipping records twice or thrice a year to stop suspicious numbers piling up. Only know our men came back to port without her."