Vivienne

A Star is Born

SpoilerVivienne was a special pup from the day she was born. Her gifts not obvious at first but not long after she came to Nascent Flames, she tumbled into a deep pond. Her sitter was unable to get to her and the panic set in that she might drown.

But.... after 30 minutes, she resurfaced on the side where her sitter was, looking as if she was not gone for more than a few minutes. To say that Albina was shocked and worried was an understatement. She had taken a protective mother role to the young lady as much as if she was her own pup. At this point, Vivienne even called her mother. But the mystery continued.. how did she survive underwater that long and not drown?

Nephele had the pup brought to the They Who Dwell In The Woods. After conveying with the spirits, it was determined she was blessed by the water fae. As such, tradition dictated she would be the next leader. Nephele then began to teach the young lady what she would need to know as a leader, though her focus was distracted by the declining health of her mate, Redfur.

When he passed, Nephele shut down fully, her body moved automatously but mind and voice were gone. She was an empty shell, a lover lost without her other half. The once mighty leader was now a silent song of sorrow and this left the pack at a critical impasse. Did she step up as she was meant to do now or wait? Deciding to let Nephele have time to grieve, she took over as much of the leadership duties as she could.

A Wildfire Burned to Embers

SpoilerVivienne looked at Nephele, who was struggling to even stand. The time came, her fae senses told her as much. Nephele would not survive the walk to the great lake. The ocean queen then knelt down and slid Nephele's frail body onto her back. " I can't make the journey for you, my lady.. but I can carry you." She replied and began the trek out. As she exited the queen's cave, every wolf in the pack was lining the path, sounding a howl as they passed. " Do you hear them my lady? The voices of the lives you saved, they live because you had the courage to keep going, you led us home. Let our song carry you to your next life." Vivienne replied and as she passed Cove and Phoenix, both joined her on either side as they neared the lake. Looking out across the shore, she could see the spirit of Redfur, Meteion the First and Daine.

It was then she felt Nephele let go of her final breath.. it was clear she seen Redfur too. Wasting no time, the Iridium wolf stepped into the water and glided to the bottom of the lake, releasing the empty shell of their former leader to the deep. Swimming back to the top and standing on the shore, she watched as Nephele's spirit rose from the water and all she seen was her beloved Redfur.

Waves of Passion Washing Upon Ye

SpoilerVivienne was only getting her paws settled in her new role when while on a walk to clear her head, she heard a wolf that sounded like he was choking on water. Worried this might be someone in need of help, she bolted the water and dashed across it, as if on solid land. Spotting the barely conscious wolf slipping beneath the waves, she dove down and rose up under him, carrying him across the water to the shore line. Once on solid ground, she took her front paws and pulsed movement with her weight on his chest until he turned to his side and threw up a bunch of water. It was after that which sapphire orbs met a pair of teal eyes and Vivienne felt a bolt of warmth.. recognition in their depths, her fae aura resonating with this wolf's own. It was another water fae! Clearly seeing this as destiny, they both flushed and she helped them to their feet.

" Goddess of Oceans.. literally. Forgive my being forward but.. did you feel a..." Cove started and Vivienne nodded. " I did. Fellow kindred fae... are you lost from your pack?" She asked, motioning for him to follow her. By the Spirits.. he smelt of sea salt and spice on a spring wind... and she felt her stomach curl in response, small shocks going down her spine. Cove shyly looked away, smiling as a wolf could. " I was supposed to be a stud for my pack.. but another wolf.. he wanted the role and pushed me off a cliff.. I remember falling, hitting the water.. then.. next I knew, you were above me." They replied, and Vivienne felt the spark yet again. Knowing Hythlodaeus detested his role since the passing of his mate, she seen this as a solution. But.. this wolf... he was so sleeping in her cave tonight.

Return to The Sea

SpoilerWhen I think back on these times
And the dreams we left behind
I'll be glad 'cause I was blessed to get to have you in my life

Vivienne felt the illness plaguing her body, her vision was already going and she knew this same plague that had taken her mother... was coming for her. It seemed a plague of the blood, and one could not stop that. Kalahira had tried but even she was baffled. Cove had all but taken over as lead, trying to hide his own grief at her coming end. He was so handsome and brave.. and she worried for him.. that he might let his grief consume him. There was also the matter of her successor... but thanks to Zagreus, an allied pack leader, she had a solution for that.. a son of their blood. Several wolves carried the legendary stud's strength and ability but it was said Qui Lin was beyond perhaps even that.

Vivienne had time to actually meet the pup.. and she felt warmth but also the strength of mind, body and soul just emanating off the pup. This wolf would bring Sunset Grove into the future, the leader she deserved. Even more, they were bringing a sibling with them and the hunters needed new blood.. so another precious gift.

Well, you showed me how it feels
To feel the sky within my reach
And I always will remember all the strength you gave to me
Your love made me make it through
Oh, I owe so much to you
You were right there for me

Cove knew.. he knew the time was coming, that Vivienne was holding on till her successor arrived and while he should be there to meet them, he knew that Zagreus would understand why he did not want to leave his mate at her twilight hour. Hearing that their future leader had arrived, they were greeted by Kalahira, whom blessed the pup's paws with the water from the sacred pond and brought them in. Cove rose and bowed his head to the pup, whom respectfully bowed his own head.

Vivienne lifted her head and Qui padded forward and their noses touched briefly and she felt a warmth leave her body and be absorbed into the wolf and the embers of flame passed to the next leader just like that. With a soft sigh, she turned her head to Cove and nuzzled him one final time. " Cove, my beloved.. be Qui's light in the dark. Help them guide our pack into brighter times. This I ask of you.. and do not mourn me forever, you are young.. and you should love again. I will see you again someday... when our stars light the night sky. I love you, my beloved." She said softly and laid her head back down.

Qui reached forward with a paw and placed it on her nose. " Brave Vivienne of the Sea, find your peace amongst the stars. Let the light guide you to your eternal rest." They said, the glow around them growing.

With that.. the rite of ascension had been passed and Vivienne of the Sea passed to the Great Hunt, quietly and peacefully. Long may her star burn in the sky.

In my dreams, I'll always see you soar above the sky
In my heart, there'll always be a place for you for all my life
I'll keep a part of you with me
And everywhere I am, there you'll be

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