Take me back to a time only we knew.

With the first of Vanderfell's royal litters off to complete their mother's chosen tasks, Quicksilver lingered. He waited for the opportunity to reunite properly with @Ira, and when it was presented he moved with a warm expression to greet her. He bowed his head on approach to stand before her, “High Queen.”

He rose his pale gaze to regard her, and smiled. “It brings me such joy to be here today. Thank you for your invitation,” his white-tipped tail gave a soft wag, “I trust you and your newest brood are doing well?” Quicksilver recalled the three she'd bore just the month before: two girls and a boy. He noted with amusement, then, how he and Reiko had also been blessed with a trio but of the opposite, two sons and a daughter.


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A smile warmed the High Queen's lips as faces dispersed spare for one. She would offer a nod of her own as he approached before swiftly injecting a thought of her own, “Of course, Quicksilver, you are family.” Or as close to family the queen had blood aside. He had done much for Vanderfell and his presence was prominent in her brood's upbringing. “It seems the children were delighted as well.” Something she had banked on considering Rea's behavior leading up to the ceremony. Her eldest was less than pleased despite it being such a tremendous milestone for her to cross. Baby steps she supposed...Rea would understand one day.

“Yes, they are doing fine, thank you. Fortunately, none have had trouble so far. It is still early, but I believe there are no worries this year regarding Hiero's condition.” There was no doubt it had been a concern between her and her husband given their first litter. Of course, they loved Rea and there was nothing inherently wrong with her. Hiero was more than capable as a wolf and Ira was sure her daughter would be too once she learned the hand she had been dealt; but it would be a relief to not juggle two rowdy children with the condition.

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He smiled, and felt a little spear of emotion when Ira referred to him as "family". It meant a lot to hear her say it out loud, and to know that despite his recent uprooting to join Reiko in Shiroshika had not in any way harmed their friendship. It'd been a foolish thing for him to fret over, he realised then, for distance would never alter his respect and appreciation for Vanderfell and all it meant to him.

They walked together, the High Queen and new Emperor, and the discussion of new life was a welcome one. Ira's offspring from the previous year were growing and maturing so swiftly and soon, they would join the adult ranks with new roles best suited to their skills. He worried for Rea, naturally; her differences were still a struggle for her. She was a young wolfess who yearned to thrive in an unforgiving world. Frustration came often to her and she failed to understand her family's concern, but the druid was hopeful that she would find balance sooner rather than later. “They've grown so fast,” Quicksilver said fondly of his young charges, “you must be very proud.” Because he certainly was!

He was eager to share news of the royal cubs just freshly born to he and his mate, but not until the opportunity presented itself. Ira carried on, sharing that she'd observed no issues among her newest trio, and his feathered tail gave a celebratory wag. “I am glad to hear it,” he chirped; Rea's was vibrant and beloved no matter her condition, but he knew how Ira and Hiero had long fretted over her, “one less thing to worry about. What names did you decide on for them?”


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“I am.” A rare smile reached her lips as the roan woman cast her gaze out over the rocky overhang. “There were some concerns if Rea would even reach this age. She is as stubborn as ever, but she is just as well alive. I expect @Ries or @Dagr to venture out before long. Both have wandering souls, but they have been raised with this in mind. I only hope once they depart they do visit.” That left her with only Renn and Cleo in terms of suitors, but at the very least there were very few she looked to solidify bonds between. Fortunately, the new generation had already arrived and there would be less of a burden on her first brood to fill the roles she desired.

“We had only three this year: Petra, Andor, and Olivier.” It was still far too soon to pick out what personalities they would retain into adulthood, but she hoped this year's litter would be less inclined to leave the mountain. She could not stop them of course, nor would she wish to make prisoners out of her children, but Vanderfell had been made with the idea that family would stick together. “What of you? Reiko must be far along now.” It was only weeks after her own pregnancy was confirmed that she caught word of the Empress' early pregnancy as well. It would be good to have children close in age nearby for her children and the alliance alike.

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It came as no real surprise that two or Ira and Hiero's sons seemed keen to roam. Collectively the royal brood had been a handful, always eager to test patience and push boundaries - some more than others. It would be a sad to see them go if they chose to, though Quicksilver accepted that dispersal was common among a younger generation. To seek independence, experience, opportunity and, perhaps, mates to settle and build families of their own.

Some day, he supposed he too would experience that feeling of loss. There was accomplishment to be recognised too, however, for to raise offspring to adulthood was sure to bring a great sense of pride. Quicksilver, brand new to fatherhood, was determined to do right by his own children. He wanted to teach them all they had to know, no matter their decisions, and should they wish to go off into the wide world he wished for them to go well equipped.

The druid made a mental note of the newest Boesch cubs' names, and smiled warmly. It grew only when the High Queen asked after Reiko's own pregnancy, and he beamed her way. “Ah,” he prepared to share, “she whelped in the early hours of yesterday morning. Two boys and a girl.” His pale eyes sparkled with pride to speak of them, “Filavandrel, Yaevinn and Vienne.”


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The High Queen's brow rose in surprise at the medic's news. She knew Reiko had to of been close, but to hear how recently his own children had come...“And yet you came?” The rest of her thought trailed from her maw as she glanced to the silver-clad man. It was worded as a question, but they both knew it was a mere statement. Likewise, she would take note of the names and idly kept the genders in mind as she thought of her latest litter.

She had also been blessed with two daughters and a son. Perhaps they would find friends amongst the empire, even if they would eventually move away. “I expect your paws will be quite full for some time then.” He had only left Vanderfell recently to take his position as Emperor. Now he had to settle into that title with newborns.

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“Of course,” he grinned, knowing Ira would understand how fond he was of her own brood. The day was an important one for them and, considering the role he'd played in their upbringing, he did not want to miss out on their coming-of-age ceremony. Soon they would be true adults, unbound by the chains of youth and free to pursue their own paths; it could be the last time he saw Ries and Dagr, he realised.

The High Queen commented on his near future, in which his paws would certainly be full. He exhaled a breath of laughter. “I think so,” he agreed, “and with Reiko's pregnancy we haven't been able to scout a new territory for Shiroshika. I hope we will find something before Wintertime comes.” He glanced out over the vast world beyond the summit, eyes sweeping the lowlands and spires that stretched and rose in the distance; “I fear there might not be enough here to support both our packs through the cold season.”


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Ira only hummed in acknowledgment as she thought over the druid's words. It was true, winter always crept sooner than expected and though they faired well enough over the past year, this would be the first time she shared Ullarcraig's resources. It would benefit both packs to spread out with Elysium sitting so close. They had been quiet so far, but lately, they were an annoyance from inconvenience alone. It was unreasonable to ask either leader to venture out with their first litter so young, but that did not mean Shiroshika had to work alone.

“Perhaps a scout from Vanderfell can accompany one of your own.” One set of paws was less detrimental now that her first brood had joined the adult ranks. They would be expected to contribute to winter preparation efforts or even Shiroshika's relocation. “Have any others proved to be useful scouts? Through combined efforts, we may avoid wasting your time. Then you or Reiko would only need to scout out vetted locations.” There was still a mild concern for the enemies they had made in the north, but a bodyguard could accompany whatever pair was sent out. With any luck, everyone would keep their paws clean and those who toyed before had learned their lesson.

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The pack had lived quietly in Skelmir's Pass and, other than the very recent arrival of the new Princes and Princess, there hadn't been much in the way of movement. Shiroshika's wolves patrolled and hunted, their lives uneventful, and he did not grudge them that. After the battle for the Everfrost, Quicksilver felt they deserved some proper down time to regroup and recharge. It'd been several months since the ambush of their feline enemy and the beast had not returned for revenge, thankfully. But it was time to think about gathering together and moving on with their lives.

“I think we need to hold a meeting in the near future,” he mused out loud, thinking forward to a few weeks down the line when they could properly introduce the pups to Shiroshika - and better discuss their options. “If you could lend a scout, it would be much appreciated. We have several able bodies, and I think it'd be best to at least have an idea of where we want to be by Fall.”


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“In what way do you see this meeting?” She wouldn't deny that one would be beneficial, though there were many types the druid could mean. A meeting of leaders to address the coming challenges and how they might navigate jointly as allies, a pack meeting to inform Shiroshika of their future, or even a joint pack meeting...for similar reasons. No matter his answer, he was likely right.

She'd nod silently as he continued, her mind already brushing over faces who she might send alongside their allies. “Time is of the essence if you wish to be prepared for winter...and there is not much time left. If you journey north conditions will be far harsher than the winter here.” That went without saying honestly, but she felt it necessary to bring it to the front of Quicksilver's mind. He was a leader now with different responsibilities to keep track of, and he had grown rather comfortable in the Summit.

“I will find someone to send. Depending on who, I may include a guard just in case. We haven't heard of the tiger since our advance. There's no telling where he has now settled providing he is still alive.”

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Ira asked that he share his thoughts of what he wanted to achieve from a meeting, and Quicksilver felt hugely out of place. Inexperienced in all ways of leadership, having had it thrust upon him with marriage, he didn't know if it was the right thing to do. His ears splayed briefly, uncertainly, and he focused on his stride as he followed along at the High Queen's flank. “To gauge what Shiroshika's wolves actually want,” he offered simply, hopeful that they would not expect too much of him. But their input was important, and he wasn't prepared to make such bold decisions on his own.

She was firm with her advice, but the druid appreciated Ira's straightforward way of informing him. She was right: Winter would soon be upon them. The Northern reaches would be less forgiving than the spires on which they'd resided since their strange awakening, and he was quietly worried.

“Yes,” he agreed, and found comfort in Ira's support. A Vanderfell scout to aid in locating a suitable place would provide another valuable pair of eyes and ears, and Quicksilver smiled as he thanked his former leader: “I am glad of your assistance, Ira. Hopefully we will have a place to call home sooner rather than later.”

He would sweep a doctor's gaze over each of the High Queen's youngsters when at last they arrived to her whelping chamber. Quicksilver tested their pain receptors, pinching them and observing their response, and was delighted to confirm that her observations had been right. Each was as perfect as the next. With the examination over, the silverwhite excused himself from the summit. He was eager to return to Reiko and their own newborn brood, so that he could bask in the glow of his new family.


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