---

For Sheauga

It was early morning after the second round of the tournament. Wardruna's place within it having come to an end. She would need now to make sure to watch the remaining contenders in their fights. Funny how those within Northfall which called themselves viking had fallen out so quickly. Many of them were but yearlings now and Wardruna found herself daydreaming at the thought of seeing her father compete. Her mother moving with a seamless flawlessness. Sylvi's utter ferocity. Hvitserk moving with pride and confidence. Leviathan's years of mastery.

She slumped with a sigh, then lifted from her place and stretched. It was hard not to dwell and Wardruna's loss was still so flesh and raw. She needed to keep pushing forward with the knowledge that this was the end of them in this realm, yet it was not the end of them entire. She would see them again, this She knew. She must continue to live her life for herself and those who remained.

The sky was a grey haze this morning. The rising sun covered by a sheet of thin cloud stretched out and blocking the blue of the skies. She had not taken to her den since the celebration had begun, deciding instead to rest among those visiting at the visitor's dens (although there were so many, they didn't all fit there!). Last night, she had slept where she had landed, with the excitement and exhaustion of the day and night prior. Settling down on a rise of land, she yawned out at the waking sun, still trying to wake herself.

---

Northfall had come alive with an influx of visitors, she was certain she'd never seen so many gathered in one place. There were wolves from all over neighboring and allied packs. It was a bit daunting compared to her small tribe back home. But; she had been a valiant supporter of the tournament showing her efforts by arriving at every one of Wardruna's challenges. While she wasn't a fighter herself, she didn't oppose combat at all and cheered her on from the sidelines. She was even more eager to catch her after the fact and congratulate her on her efforts.

And on top of that, Sheauga was also carrying a prize for her warrior as she sought her out on tingling toes. She was lucky; feeling blessed by the spirits that she was able to find some nutmeg and rosemary which paired well together. And they would provide some much needed relief, nutmeg for her stress and fatigue and the rosemary she recalled for inflammation. Sheauga had the herbs bundled in her maw and would prepare them once she found her friend.

Thankfully it didn't take long she approached with a gentle sway of her striped tail placing her bundle down as she came along Wardruna's right side. ❝ I thought you might sleep in for once, ❞ she mused with a smirk as she sat.

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❝ speech ❞

ooc; notes

The delicate crunch of footfalls in the snow caused Wardruna's ears to sweep back to hear and then she was turning her head around her shoulder just as Sheauga was coming up. A bundle of herbs in her mouth which she settled onto the snow.

Ah, well- look, I didn't beat the sun this time! She spoke with a laughter, raising a paw and flicking it at the wrist towards the sun already glowing in the sky. The sheet of clouds lit up yellow and orange as it covered the sun.

Best be careful where you store your herbs, Erza seems to have a bit of a habit since his fall. She warned with a sheepish look. If Sheauga ever saw the yearling in passing, it wouldnt be hard to put his fall together with the obvious limp he walked with.

---

"Ah, well- look, I didn't beat the sun this time!" the girl smirked, laughing alongside her friend. "Best be careful where you store your herbs, Erza seems to have a bit of a habit since his fall." Sheauga's head would tilt, slight confusion etching along her facial features. ❝ A habit? ❞ she echoed.

❝ Well...I brought these for you, they're for inflammation and fatigue ─ I thought they might help following the tourney. I can soak them in some water and you can drink it - or you can just eat them; but I can't promise how they might taste ❞ she explained, chuckling softly and scrunching her nose at the idea of bitter herbs on her tongue.


--

❝ ❞

Ahh, I am used to it. Wardruna would bat away the idea of Sheauga having any need to hunt down something with water in it to soak the herbs in. Besides, any liquid around the area would probably mess with her head and it was only just morning. She hadn't turned into a day drinker just yet! Despite all said recent events. Wardruna had Sheauga to think for helping her keep it together.

Nosing the herbs, Wardruna took them in big mouthfuls, giving a few solid chomps before swallowing them down a bit harshly. Quickly, if anything.

Sheauga had shown signs of her knowledge with herbs, hinting at her people being healers of both mind and body. Since Jasmine had left, Harper couldnt stay here forever, it seemed fitting and mighty needed if Sheauga were to continue her medicine practice.

How is it that your family honor their dead? Wardruna knew Sheauga to have grown up in a smaller village of people, with her two sisters and one brother under her parents hearth. A village of spiritual people though Wardruna did not know the details of their culture, other then believing in guiding and protective spirits and wearing the pieces of another animal embuing their power onto you. With this knowledge, she wondered how Sheauga took to the far louder, rambunctious lifestyle that revolved around inebriation and fighting.

skills;
notes;

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"Ahh, I am used to it." she smirked, biting back an eye roll. ❝ Maybe you don't have to be every now and then, ❞ the girl mused with a smile. Sheauga watched, curiously at first as War nosed the herbs, not fully understanding what she intended to do with them. And then it quickly morphed into surprise, tan ears rolling back as her head withdrew as she quickly scarfed the herbs down. Her paw would lift, ❝ I - I'm not sure ─ ❞ but they were already gone. 

She stifled a laugh, letting her foot drop as her tongue rolled in her own mouth, just imagining how bitter that must have been caused chills to run down her spine. ❝ Well, that's one way ❞ she gave a light shake as another round of chills rolled through her.

"How is it that your family honor their dead?" Sheauga's ears dipped back slightly, the question catching her off guard; but certainly not offending her. ❝ Oh; ❞ she chimed, purple eyes shifting out onto the scenery ❝ We took care of their remains, cleaned and honored them. And then we would come together as a community; we would both grieve and celebrate their life together through feasts and ask the great spirit to help them find their way to the spirit world ❞ she explained, glancing to Wardruna ❝ ....our ancestors never truly leave us, they are always here to guide us; they speak to us ─ through the wind, the stars, the earth ❞


❝ speech ❞

skill: seer

Wardruna looked up to her, a piece of greenery still hanging from her mouth as surprise washed over Sheauga's face. If she wasn't supposed to eat them all at once - well, too late. It showed how little Wardruna knew about herbs herself. It also showed the trust she had in Sheauga, too.

Yet as laughter took to the little woman next to her, it was enough to let Wardruna known she didn't just majorly fuck up. Savor the bitter taste which sat on her tongue now, causing War to jut her tongue from her mouth several times as though trying to scrap the taste off with her small front teeth.

Sheauga was caught off once more by Wardruna. This time with her question. When Sheauga looked away, Wardruna's eyes would follow her own out unto the scenery around them. They were nestled on the outskirts of Northfall's territory. Where the deepest parts of the forest lie. Dens had been dug and littered all around for their guests to nestle within.

The little woman speaks of celebrating with feasts, not until their own people. They would speak to the Great Spirit to guide the souls to the spirit world. One place, all together. That was far simpler. It is not our people's way to mourn for long, as we believe we will see one another again in another life. We believe our fallen go to the land of the gods. There are different realms... Valhalla, for its greatest warriors and those who die in battle. Fólkvangr being for those of Freya's choosing, among a few. Of course there was Niflheim, but this was a place Wardruna had no intention of knowing and hoped none of her family would, either.

We believe they have the ability to see us, too... Although she did not know if this was always or for everyone. She did not known if they spoke on the wind and rain. Those in Valhalla battled and feasted, so likely it was they were quite distracted with their own new existence. If her father were to have achieved godlihood, how often would he take to visit the land of the living now?

The light laughter had simmered, quieting except for a few lingering breathy laughs as War attempted to purge her mouth of the bitter taste.

"It is not our people's way to mourn for long, as we believe we will see one another again in another life. We believe our fallen go to the land of the gods. There are different realms... Valhalla, for its greatest warriors and those who die in battle. Fólkvangr being for those of Freya's choosing, among a few." she nodded, considering this. It was...a bit sad to Sheauga; to think they could be separated from one another in the after life. ❝ I wonder if you can visit each other still if you do not end up in the same place... ❞ she murmured, a thought that was half to herself.

"We believe they have the ability to see us, too... " ❝ They must, ❞ she nodded with a small smile, a certainty finding her purple hues. ❝ We should continue to honor your father; keep his memory alive through the things he enjoyed or valued ❞ she offered, slowly reaching a paw to place it on top of one of Wardruna's own.

─
❝ speech ❞

Hmm ... She outwardly thought, swiping at the grass with her paw as she slowly strolled the festival grounds.I'd like to think so. I mean, were in the realm of the gods so why not, right? Another grin as she paused, turned to Sheauga and she stretched onto her front toes to offer a shrugging motion.

There she would meet Sheauga's gaze, deep and hopeful, understanding. Wardruna's features softened to her touch. Dad enjoyed many things... She took a deep breath. Snow and sea. He found a love for it on The Wall of our bloodline's founding land. Though he was born in deep deciduous forests with more temperate forests and no coast, it was far different then what he finally claimed as his own. He loved exploring, meeting new people, learning new things - languages, religions. He felt knowledge was power.

Then, And of course he enjoyed the three f's, She said with a laughter, Feasting, fighting and well, you know. Her cheeks flushed under her fur despite her goofy grin.