|When Love Takes Over| (Private)

[Destiny]

Throughout this entire thing, Iver just sort of remained there at Nightshade's side. Occasionally, his tail would come over to gently brush across her flank in an almost soothing gesture. Mostly because this was a lot to deal with if it really was true. And he was quite certain that it was, indeed, quite true. In fact he was so certain that he would have bet one of his lives on it. Whisper had that hint of violet in her eyes that he had only ever known Nightshade to have. It was the exact same shade. He was positive.

Whilst listening to Whisper give her explanation, glad that Nightshade had asked her to do so, a few things sort of struck Iver. Mind you he did still nod to conform that Silver Mist no longer really existed. They weren't going by that name anymore, after all.

Finally, though, once the mountain wolf had finished telling her story, Iver had to interject. None too loudly or in a disruptive manner, he cleared his throat, and glanced to Nightshade before turning his attention back towards Whisper. "Lithium, did you say?" Almost uncomfortably, he shuffled his paws, weight being shifted from one side to the other. The image of that wolf he had tried to tie to Damien flicked across his mind's 'television of memories', and that name was there in bold, bright subtitles. "I'm.. I'm quite sure I've met this Lithium you speak of." Oh, the coincidences.

Oh pack life. It really doesn't make any sense, yet it makes such wonderful sense.


[ Sorry this post was so weird. XD I just finished reading that thing about Sheera bein all up in da Blood Mist hood. Rofl. ]

[Sivoncé™]

Nightshade felt herself sinking and soaring all at once;; it was as if she was being dragged down into the earth, buried, but reawakened and taken on some magnificent flying carpet ride flight of revelation. Well, that last part really was happening. Every piece of what Whisper was telling her was fitting together in her mind, as if it was something she'd already known, but just needed reminding of. And then, the last piece fit into place.
She swallowed hard, staring at this wolf -- her sister -- in a dazed disbelief. Amaya...she died eons ago at the paws of Death. There's no way she'd know her....unless....our mother told her. Nightshade felt the comfort of Iver close to her, and meant to blink at him with gratitude, but her emotions were overwhelmed with a sudden dizziness. I have a family....a family I didn't even know about.
And yet, with Iver by her side, that made complete sense.

Whisper took a deep breath as she let her words pass through to her sister. She blinked at her with pleading, hopeful eyes. Please...you have to see this is the truth...
As much as her shattered family ached, it was the lack of Nightshade that had ached her more, though she knew it was not so for Lacrymosa. It was easy for her mother to say Nightshade had grown up happy, brave, strong, and found a mate and made a life for herself. Lithium could be anywhere. But Whisper had never known her father. As she'd grown, she'd come to understand her mother was dillusional with age. He wasn't alive -- he'd died all those years ago in that fire with the others. Nightshade was alive, and most importantly, Whisper remembered her.
So Iver's words did not phase her.
"You must've met someone else, Iver. Lithium's been dead for a decade."

[[ I'm glad you liked my translation xD ]]

[Destiny]

Every so often, gaze had drifted from one sister to the other, remaining for much longer periods of time upon Nightshade than it did the mountain-raised one. Though she had not spoken the words of acceptance, he could feel it inside. In his bones, and his heart, and his mind, he knew, from what he could see of her face, from the way she was at the moment, that she was not gnawing on this information as he would have. And he was glad for it. Or at least, he didn't think she was. After so many moons of their tangled webs he knew her well, but there was always a little bit about a wolf that could surprise you, no matter how well you knew them. He was sure he would eventually do it to her.

Iver gave his shoulders a slight roll, briefly giving Whisper the full of his attention - or so it appeared. anyway - shortly after she had spoken. 'Brow' was furrowed briefly as he dug through his mind to pull out the image from that night. He'd just finished some killing, and his paws were still red with the blood he hadn't bothered to clean. He'd been quite full of himself that night. "Silver and black pelted wolf. . ." He paused there for a moment, closed his eyes, concentrated on the image. "..The occasional bit of a blue-ish color in his pelt." Iver blinked, shook his head, cleared his mind, stared at Whisper for a moment, and then glanced back at Nightshade. "Of course, you're right. . I could be mistaken. There's more than one wolf who looks like that - that Damien fellow looked a bit like him, anyway."

Yeah, you're just mistaken Iver, that's all. He was an old wolf, older than you probably. Yeah, just mistaken...

But Iver wasn't really sure he believed himself on that matter. Not at all.

[Sivoncé™]

"Is Lacrymosa alive, then?"
Nightshade was still in a haze. She was blinking rapidly in an attempt to clear her thoughts, but still, it was all a blur to her. She couldn't remember her mother. Here and there, she could conjure wisps and flickers of Whisper snuggling next to her, but that was it.
And....maybe a father too?
She felt tears in her eyes, and suddenly, she was grinning widely back at her sister. "You don't know how much I've wanted a family. Everyone who adopted me died a long time ago. This..." She paused, glancing at Iver with longing in her eyes. "...all of this, every part, is extremely overdue."

Whisper was stunned.
I thought that too, when I first looked at Damien. But he's so young, it wouldn't make sense. But maybe....maybe Iver has seen him. If he had the same vibe about Damien as I did, then maybe....he had to have something to compare it to for it to be familiar like that.
"Tell me about this wolf, Iver?"
Through her anxieties over Iver's mention of Lithium, she beamed back at Nightshade with a large, genuine grin. "I know, sister. Trust me, I know. And yes -- our mother is very much alive."

[Destiny]

Leaning forward, he gave Nightshade a nuzzle on the muzzle with his nose. It was sort of a way to say 'congratulations, love' without actually saying that, because it would have sounded odd had he actually said it. She was right, though. All of this was majorly over due for her. She deserved happiness, and he would see to it that she did indeed get it.

Turning back towards Whisper, he raised a brow, while lowering the other one, as a mildly confused, but mostly thoughtfully perplexed look crossed over his face. After a few seconds of thought, he finally managed to find the proper words. "He was a very old wolf, but then again, so am I truth be told. Probably several moons my elder though, mind you. ." He paused there, mumbled a few words to himself, going over the wolf's behavior again in his mind. "Said I reminded him of himself. Mind you I was a lot more regal, and tried to prove myself to everyone back then. I was a pack leader after all, at the time."

[Sivoncé™]

Right now, Nightshade wasn't much concerned with thoughts of her father. She stayed close to Iver, leaning lightly against his chest and returning his affections with a tender lick on the nose. Father or no father, mother or no mother, the importance was the knowledge of the truth. Like enlightenment, she could finally be at peace with herself. That part of her could rest and laugh and howl with joy in this newfound freedom. Samsara, some called it; the brave beta of Silver Mist was a past life, and now, she was reincarnated into a new life. In old age, maybe, but as old and wise as she had grown over the years, she felt like an infant all at the same time. She might've been Amaya's pup, but she was also Lacrymosa's beloved daughter. Both had always wanted the best for her. Heather had died long ago, but her sister stood before her now. Oak was past, but Iver was future. It was no longer a collision of worlds; it was segements of a larger picture that made beautiful, unquestionable sense. "We should leave here," she said suddenly, blinking around the terra with a sudden wariness. None of them belonged here anymore, not even Nightshade.

Whisper eyes were confused and darkened with uncertainty. Part of her was intigued by what Iver had said, but another part was disturbed. After a long while of simmering in thought, unable to come to a conclusion, she spoke reluctantly. "I cannot tell you if this is Lithium because I've never met my father myself. I admit, though, there is a narrow possibility. My mother would know better, but I'm not sure if this is a good thing, you see. She is obsessed with his being alive, but sometimes she sees more than what is really there because of this; while some of what you say may be comparable and similar to Lithium, I'm afraid she will exaggerate these similarities in the belief that this must be him."

[Destiny]

[ Iver reminds me of that leader from Warriors, Pinestar I think it was. xD The one who was all 'I have served you for 8 of my lives! Blah blah! I will live my 9th in comfort! Blah blah! -Leaves Clan.-' xDD ]

Ah, this was fantastic, it truly was. There was a colossal volume of words and things he wanted to say and share with this divine creature that was finally ready to move on at his side. None of them seemed just right, though, for this night; well, morning, now, as it were. In fact, most of them, if not all, were meaningless in comparison to this feeling, and he knew there were three little words he would have to say to her again later tonight. And there were plenty of things he was itching to do, too. But first, the situation at paw hand to be dealt with, of course.

Iver dipped his muzzle down to give her a none-too-quick lick on the top of her's. Ears twitched a little at some distant sound, but there was no scent of other wolves - with the exception of the pack scent, of course. They were still safe, and Nightshade was right - they needed to leave. Technically, they were all trespassers now. Quickly, he glanced around, scanning the ever-lightening forest. Stillness. Absently, he rolled his shoulders before turning back towards Whisper. "Of course. I have a feeling I'd know her if I saw her,"[/b] He gave a slight grin there. "So if I do I'll have a bit of a. . Chat. . With her." Gaze lowered, and turned towards Nightshade again, a glance to Whisper, and then back to Nightshade. "Of course, you're right though, love, we really have to get the Hellfire out of here before someone stumbles upon us and I lose yet another of my many lives." Genuine grin at that one. Ah, Iver, you joke-ster.

[Sivoncé™]

[ *does not remember Pinestar* xD How many lives does Iver have left? ]

Nightshade rolled her eyes and batted him playfully. "Ya know, some of us only get one to play around with. But yes, we should be going." She turned back to Whisper, her sister, eyes twinkling brightly with something that hadn't touched her in well over a year; hope. She wagged her tail slightly as she adressed her. "I can't put into words what all of this means to me, but I am grateful that you came searching. We will see each other again soo, and I would very much like to meet Lacrymosa as well but for now...." She paused, licking Iver's cheek lovingly. "Tonight, I think it is best if I am alone with my Iver." Nightshade blinked to the horizon as it lightened with the coming day. Well, it's more natural for us to be up at night, anyway. We'll be able to find a den and....sleep...and such.

Understanding doused Whisper's reluctance to leave them so soon. She slowly nodded her head, smiling warmly at both of them. "Yes, I will tell Mother all about this and we will come to you after a few more suns. Thank you, both of you. Especially you, Iver -- I never would've found her without you. For now, goodbye. I hope to see you both soon." She dipped her head to them both, then turned away and slipped back through the brush. She sent a soft, joyous howl through the woodlands -- a howl of new beginnings. She picked up speed, running to be free of Siverian boundaries.
I feel alive.