And I feel the sudden heat between you and me

Note this is backdated a week or two, kinda handwave vagueness about the date!

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It had been some time since Arbiter and Terance had been in this particular neighborhood. And it seemed that there were no additional answers to questions in that time. After all, then they might not have come back. And in all honesty, Arbiter wasn't even sure if this was to be the final stop on her quest -- but since Terance had thought that sticking around might be good, here she was walking back to their doorstep. If they turned out to be a disappointment, she'd have no guilt about leaving to go elsewhere or do her own thing -- at that point, she very well might be tempted.

So, with the correct mountain before her, so the borders said, Arbiter called for @Hydra, as might have been mentioned before. However it was only one wolf at the borders, this time. Arbiter and @Terance had split for now, as she was tired of wandering at this point, but he wanted to check a few more places just in case. However, since their final destination still had rested back with Empyrean, Arbiter opted to cut the adventure short and head back to where they'd be going anyway. Hopefully he wouldn't even be all that far behind. But now waiting for an answer of one sort or another, her own posture was relaxed and she didn't seem particularly worse for wear due to travel or anything of the sort.
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Leta had seen Hydra in passing, and she wondered when the woman would burst. She politely kept the question to herself. From the front, the matriarch looked much the same... but from the side, her stomach very much so suggested the condition that Leta knew she was in. Leta was thinking of this while she patrolled, marking the borders as was becoming a part of her routine; she wondered if she might come across @Desdemona, or any others who frequented the borders. @Osiris, Leta recalled, was likely keeping close to Hydra... but maybe not, if Hydra had snapped him away. Osiris had also told her of his mothers varying mood shifts.

Or perhaps @Yingyue, who Leta imagined she smelled nearby... though she had just passed a marker from her, and Leta's tracking was decent but by no means the area she excelled in. Leta picked up other scents too, but was distracted by a nearby call; Leta was close enough to meet the other, and made toward that direction, picking up her pace.

Hydra called back to the visitor; she was not so near, but intended to meet them. It was rare the matriarch was called by name these days, and Leta wondered if this might be one of their wayward family members... Thoughtfully, Leta called back to Arbiter; she was but a few minutes away.

And those minutes, for Leta, passed quickly enough. Leta appeared guarded, but not unpleasant as she looked over the visitor who looked to be in good shape. But... like no Ostrega she knew, so, perhaps not family then. She wondered how the other knew Hydra, and tried to glean whether or not the other was some potential enemy. No, they would not have called—and Hydra would not have answered. Leta had been learning, it seemed.

“Hello there,” she greeted, keeping her voice neutral for now; often, she could be enthusiastic... but, even if this was not an enemy, Leta got the sense that this ones heart was chiseled from some stonetype similar to the one that their Queens was. Still, Leta was not so adept at concealing her own nature, and could not withhold a slight smile that came from interacting with another, from being helpful. Leta knew Arbiter had ears, and so would not explain what she had no doubt already heard.

A glance behind Arbiter showed that no one was behind her, and a cursory sniff—taught by Hydra—revealed that Arbiter, for now, was alone. “I am Leta,” she introduced, and then left room for Arbiter to fill in the blanks as to the who and the what of it all. Or hopefully, at the very least, the former... if she wanted to wait for Hydra for the last bit, she could understand as much. Leta was curious, though, and hoped Arbiter would feel inclined enough to share both.
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Also noting timeline adjust to about 3 weeks ago, as discussed. :P

---

She wouldn't have to wait long, a point in their favor. Arbiter hadn't thought Hydra was particularly physically imposing (she was biased), but the woman who'd answered second and shown up first was definitely not impressive. She was tiny. Possibly related to Hydra though? She had a sample size of one, so it wasn't like Arbiter could tell much. What was her status besides pack member? Her scent wasn't quite as potent along the borders as some of the others (at least as far as she could tell from this little chunk) so she wasn't going to make a wild guess.

Of course, Arbiter herself was pretty stony-faced, but as Leta introduced herself, Arbiter dipped her head politely, respectful as she often seemed to be. “I am Arbiter. I met with Hydra some time ago while traveling with a companion, we said that we'd be interested in joining once we'd completed our searches. I happen to be here first.” That was the short version, at least, she'd wait until Hydra arrived to explain in more detail why she was walking alone now. Arbiter, however, was also definitely not an ambassador sort of wolf, her speech was calm but cut to the point. She probably was about the worst wolf to hang out and chitchat with if there wasn't an easily-found subject already decided, but she was also the sort of wolf that honestly didn't care much if Leta was much bothered by the awkwardness it caused -- she'd shown up so she'd have to deal with it. And unless things had changed in their absence, there was always time to work it out later.
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Arbiter was a respectful woman, which earned her points in her own book. That much wasn't really difficult, truth be told, but on the borders... it wasn't easy, per se. Leta was not quite so tall as Arbiter (by any stretch), and so appreciated that this (based off of her stony features that she could not at all read) did not get in the way of how Arbiter treated her.

Leta listened, filled in, and nodded her head in understanding. So, this was a potential joiner, then. It seemed silly to ask questions that seemed clear enough by the build of Arbiter; clearly, she was not starving, so she could hunt or else scavenge well enough to not be skin and bones here. That was a plus for her. The taller woman also seemed to be succinct, which she knew Hydra would appreciate. 

But Arbiter had mentioned a companion, and that she was there first... she listened for any indication that the other wolf Arbiter had mentioned was approaching, but there was only the din of the wilds beyond. 

Leta, surprisingly, did not mind the silence. Though the other had spoken their intent, Leta remained relatively guarded, no longer quite so naive as to think another would not take advantage of anything less should they be the less than savory sort. Leta had met plenty of pretenders, and really, she could not read Arbiter who was as stone faced as the mountain she hoped to reside upon. Leta had no real authority to interrogate the woman herself, and she knew Hydra would be forthcoming as to whether or not she actually knew the woman, too... 

Hydra, who had arrived swifter than Leta had anticipated. Leta seemed to grow smaller in clear deference for the matriarch, greeting her simply with a submissive swipe of her tongue against the bottom of her chin. Leta had been about to speak, but Hydra spoke first.
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Hydra wished she could count down the days, but knew not how many days were left as she navigated her way down the footholds of The Nameless Mountain's path in her descent. No stone crumbled beneath her added weight, having learned by now which were stable and which could not bear more than the load she carried; the shortcut she had elected to take was not necessarily the safest, and were she not an expert mountaineer she would have never risked it with the life within her. Even for an experienced climber, the way had its challenges, but Hydra was careful throughout. In her condition, she was no brilliant guardian, but would assist in the duties as she was able to. Today, Hydra suspected it would be opening or closing the door in the face of the one who had called. And would not shirk in using her teeth, when and where she could.

It cut her arrival time in half, without even needing to break into a run—and the matriarch soon emerged from the white-barked treeline, having caught her breath along the way. It was then a matter of navigating The Dragonsteeth, which Hydra also knew well enough by now to not falter in her step. Jutting stones erupted near the borders as though fangs. Had Empyrean itself not cast a shadow over it all, these shadows too would have been great ones.

Hydra noted who it was at their proverbial door, and noted the absence of Terance, too. Had something happened to them, during their travels? Looking over Arbiter with an assessing gaze, she could see no new wounds that foretold of this... but still, the thought was not eliminated in its entirety. “Arbiter,” Hydra greeted in her low voice, remembering; it was then Leta spoke, Hydra's ear turning toward her:

“She is interested in joining, as her searches have been completed... she has arrived here, before her companion,”

And then, back toward Arbiter. She suspected that the woman might have more to say, to that end, and Hydra would hear it as she was interested in both their journey, and its outcome. It led Arbiter here, and it seemed Terance might be coming himself at some point. She supposed, too, that Arbiter would elaborate on whether or not they waited for his arrival here and now or if they could expect him in later days, or even weeks, perhaps.

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Though Arbiter wasn't one who had gone and joined a lot of packs, but she knew how it all worked. There was that whole procedure to go through, and Leta wasn't the wolf she needed to talk to in order to make it happen. However, at Hydra's arrival, Arbiter bowed her head lower, waiting as Leta explained what had transpired. And being able to see them both at the same time, it did seem to confirm to her that no, they were likely not related. There were some features that just seemed too different, and not really any that overlapped. 

But Arbiter had a reason to be here, so she spoke up in turn, “Yes, Terance wanted to search a bit more, in case those he mentioned for happened to be elsewhere. I didn't feel the need to continue wandering -- since this was to be our final destination it seemed an ideal place for me to go and he would arrive later, especially given your previous invitation and his interest.” She was, well, not exactly the type to waste time, and was definitely the sort to get impatient in certain situations. She was, however, open to whatever might be needed to be asked to make that happen, but before she went and was like 'yep, ask away' there was the issue of making sure it was even still on the table. “Unless something has changed?” she asked with a tilt of her head. Arbiter wasn't oblivious -- she'd noted Hydra's pregnancy right off the bat. They had been gone a while, after all. Arbiter wasn't sure if that plus the number of wolves that were obviously in the pack might have adjusted things. And if it had, then she would have to go about thinking up what to do next.
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skippable cameo!

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Though she was late, she was never one to simply ignore such a case. Venturing down from the mountain, her body breezing past the trees.. Paws going down with such an ease, she glided through the path, ears flickering to the hearing of a howl, and as Desdemona grew closer, so did the voices. Thus, here she was, behind Leta and Hydra, a simple nod to them all, while resting on her hunches ; a shadow in the background. She didn't know who the other was, even if sounded familiar.. She was always ready to be on guard as a back-up for the Queen, and anyone else who joined in particular. Though with no trouble happening, there was just but a silence coming from her.. Dutifully watching, and waiting as a guard.

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Leta is also skippable!

---

Hydra listened to Arbiter, who explained it all well enough. Desdemona was soon to arrive, and Hydra acknowledged her presence with one backturned ear that rotated forward again as Arbiter posed her question. Hydra need not state the obvious change that she was sure Arbiter had noted. “So long as you are still able to hunt and can carry your weight,” she drawled, “you may run with us. If that has not changed,” which she suspected it had not, “then we welcome you.”

She wanted capable bodies, not idle ones; but Arbiter did not strike her as such a woman. As a guardian, it was important to the matriarch to have able ones when she herself could not perform the duties she typically did... which soon, while she whelped, she would not. In fact, if she remembered rightly, she detested the sort (according to Terance)... Hydra was much the same there, too, and could appreciate that in the other. And hope that such a trait still existed in her. The matriarch only awaited confirmation from Arbiter was willing and able to do both of those things, knowing from her presence alone she still desired to run with them. While she had not expected Arbiter to come alone, that she was not codependent upon what Terance did, and had her own initiative, was something that caused her to think better of the other, strangely enough.

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She did notice another wolf arrive quietly, but she said nothing. So aside from a quick glance, Arbiter kept her focus on Hydra. “I believe I still have a nose on my face, teeth in my jaws, and a set of paws,” she said dryly. Such was her sense of humor, “It shouldn't be an issue.” She bowed her head again, sort of in a respectful thanks. This certainly all made things nice and wrapped up in a bow. Now she just needed Terance to quit dawdling around and wander back. However long that took.

She wasn't trying to actively prove Hydra's assumptions true when she spoke up soon after, “Are there particular duties that would likely benefit from my attention?” Because it was far easier to ask now than guess. Especially if Hydra was soon going to be out of commission. She supposed she'd also get a better sense of the pack and where she could be most useful over time. But had it not already been mentioned that she was impatient at times?
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“You would be surprised by how many fully grown wolves have these things, and yet lack such skills,” she drawled, disapproval of such creatures quite evident. That sort was unwelcome here; Empyrean was not an adult daycare. They could learn elsewhere if they desired to, but that they had reached adulthood by relying on others meant they had no intention of learning in any event, as far as Hydra saw it. Else they would have. Fortunately, Arbiter was far from the target of her disdain; she was sure the dry woman would know as much. The matriarch nodded to her bow in thanks.

And it seemed the woman was not the sort to idle, but Hydra knew better than to trust words alone. It was one thing to ask, another to do. “In the coming days, I will be absent,” she drawled, the reason went without saying as it was evident enough, “so your presence on the borders and ensuring none get too close for comfort would be welcome. Otherwise,” she hummed, stepping toward Arbiter now only to exchange scents so that she wore that of Empyrean's and it's matriarch (a clear sign she was now of their family), “where does your skillset lie?” She inquired, sure that those duties could do and benefit from attention, too. Still, she could not help but prioritize the former in knowing Empyrean would be without one more able body in her time with her cubs.

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She thought about what was said, responding with somewhat bitter amusement, “Mm. I know one who just doesn't want to... We'll see if she ever catches up to me, but if she does that will be something I deal with.” Perhaps by then her sister would have learned to not be a fool. Or not. It was Brou, after all. If she did show up, Arbiter would have to see what she thought of the pack and how her sister was behaving at the time. 

But moving back to the issue on hand, her own skills. “My father titled himself a warlord, and my mother his champion, so I'm well versed in fighting and hunting. Survival. Protecting borders shouldn't be a problem.” Sure, Arbiter was young, but she survived on her own while she was on her own and was still in good shape now. Hydra wasn't exactly in the sort of shape to be able to test what she said. Arbiter had spoken with confidence.
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last from me here!

---

If Hydra was curious, it did not show—and she would not pry. Laziness was just as intolerable, in her own book; she could imagine Arbiter might feel the same there, too, given the others tone on the matter. Being a guardian extended more than to just the outside threats; if Hydra saw any of her own taking advantage of the rest in such a manner, it would be dealt with. Short of recovering from things that had transpired while in service to the rest, there would be no handouts to wolves who made the choice to merely be lazy. Hydra had encountered several, and turned them away; she would continue to do so.

Arbiters own backstory came then, brief but with enough details to earn an appraising look from the matriarch. It was not difficult to see the truth in the thought even merely based off of the way in which Arbiter held herself. More than that, she had survived independent of Terance for however long. And though Hydra could not test it herself now, she was plenty interested in seeing the woman at work. She could task Leta or Desdemona with a test, then and there, but her own bladder seemed to have other ideas as her cubs quickened within her.

The frustration from that was not at all betrayed on her ever impassive features. “Good,” she hummed with a nod, “I trust that you will. Though first, I think it will be important for you to get to know the territory some. Welcome to Empyrean,” she drawled with a sway of her tail, decision made. “Come. Let us get you settled,” she drawled. Deeper in the territory she would find the space to relieve herself; among the borders, Hydra would do no such thing as to allow outsiders to know her state for certain.

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In the background as she was, a diligent guard in watching, especially as the Queen was to welcome that of the new children. An eye toward Arbiter, a black and white yearling welcomed into that of the Empyrean ranks. She was not there during the last time the woman came, but alongside Leta she was within the back, watching and waiting. Upon borders one never knew what could happen, and even though the Queen held high regards to her skills - she was already present as a backup. With a nod, she followed behind the two, carefully watching the motherly ruler.

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And so that concluded things. She would be here, part of Empyrean. She was sure it'd take some time to figure out the ins and outs of the pack and all those normal things. Hopefully Terance would be along soon. Arbiter wasn't known for being patient. Joining here was partially for his benefit, after all...  Okay, it wasn't like this was against her will. But she'd soon be wondering what the hell happened to him.

Either way, this was the start of a new chapter. She would follow. This would be home, away from her blood, and she was curious what the future would hold. Arbiter continued forward after them all, quietly observing.
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