The earthy fae couldn't sleep. She had tossed and turned in the autay den, trying to find a comfortable position to no avail. With a sigh she sat up to look around the den. The remaining pups, Apprentices Ambrose, Corruption and Thaddeus were there fast asleep without a care in the world. She gave them looks of such motherly tenderness that one would think that she had borne the pups herself. But the look held a hint of painful understanding. The other pups that had been here had given her such joy that she could hardly contain it. It had been a while since the news of the deaths of the pups and every time she thought about them, especially little Petra, her heart would ache at their loss.

She had been closer to Petra than the others, but now that she was gone Tulie had to shape up to care for the other three. But tonight she was feeling the loss especially hard. She had failed her pack. Failed in protecting her charges with her life. Tulie had been distracted and was not with the three pups as they had wandered off and then crossed the boarder. No, she was watching the other boys, waiting for the others to come but when they hadn't she wasn't too worried. She thought the others would know where they were. But when she couldn't find them a feeling of worry came over her. She had started asking around if anyone had seen the three missing pups but no one seemed to know where they were.

Then the report came in and Tulie had been so heartbroken that she had stayed in the autay den without eating or drinking for a few days. When thirst finally drove her out she traveled to the neutrals and howled her heartache out to the heavens after she had slaked her thirst.

Now, Tulie gave a sigh and got up, taking one last look at the remaining contented pups. They would be alright for a little while. She would take a walk to clear her head. She didn't pick a way to go, but simply let her paws carry her away. Away from the pack clearing, to cross the boarder and enter the neutral territory the lay between the packs. Here was no wolf's land. It was for any and all to share.

There was no moon tonight. Only stars filled the night sky as if a painter had placed them exactly so and so many that one could still find their way by their light. A soft lullaby tune swelled in Tulie's throat until she found herself humming it softly. It was just a nonsense lullaby, more of a croon that she made up to sooth either pups or herself. When she finally took notice of where she was, Tulie stopped to look around. Her triangular auds swiveled back and forth, picking up the soft crashing of waves. This was a new place she had come too but it was quite lovely.

The stars twinkled above her as she lifted her nose to the sky to scent the wind. The smell of salt indicating that she had come to a different kind of water. A salt water. She had come across salt water in her travels to her new home so she wasn't totally new to the experience. Just one taste of the water had her trying to get rid of it. It was a little while later that she was more cautious of it. But her curiosity had one out over caution and she had found herself playing in it.

But this night she wasn't in the mood for playing. She was trying to get herself together and be strong. Tundra was counting on her, the young fae thought. What would tundra do if one of her allies couldn't keep it together, and an autay at that. With a sigh, Tulie walked the shore, her large paws sinking into the sand as she made her way. Suddenly, the sound of splashing water had her stopping in her tracks. What could it be? Another wolf? Prey? A predator?? As always, curiosity won out over caution and she slipped closer. What she found surprised her so much her jaw literally dropped open. Before her was a pup; and of such a color that it was pleasant to look upon.

When she heard the young pup mumble to herself, Tulie's heart instantly went out to the pup. "Dear young pup, who are you and what are you doing far from your territory?? You are not Erenyx, or you would be under my care and there had been only two faes and neither have your pelt color. Do not be afraid, dear pup," The autay spoke soothingly. She didn't want to scare the little thing, it wasn't in her nature to do so. She only wanted to know why a pup was outside her pack's territory.

She had startled the little fae. As was expected, the young wolf spun around with her teeth bared and ears laying flat in fear. Being an Erenyx wolf, Tulie couldn't blame others on their first reaction to her. Yet she was still the ever sweet and caring she-wolf, no matter how much they were wary of her. It would only be a few moments and then the other would calm down. Tulie sat her rump upon the damp sand, not even taking notice of it clinging to her fur. The second reaction that would be expected from a much older wolf would be suspicion. Wary of her genuinely sweet disposition and compassionate nature. But the second reaction didn't come from the little fae, for which she was grateful.

Tulie listened to the young pup as she apologized and explained why she was there. A smile of warmth graced her features when the young fae looked up at Tulie hesitantly. "It's alright my dear, I don't blame you. In fact I'm very proud of you that your first reaction to a stranger at your age would be defensive. You never can tell friend from foe. And like my pack, not everyone there would be as nice as I am. A very small few perhaps, but not all. When you are outside your territory young one, the ones in my pack would call you fair game. I tell you this only so that you will be on guard next time that you happen to wander outside your boarder." The pup wasn't from her pack, but being an autay and having compassion lead her to give the pup a lesson. Albeit, a short lesson.

Sadness swelled with the elder fae's frame. Her eyes filling with the emotion. It was hard to hear that this little pup was trying to find her mother, to tell her that she was well. "Oh my dear little fae. Missing one's mother is a terrible feeling. But you say that your father and brother are with you in Pyrvanthros? Have you not spoken to your father about her? To tell her that you are well? Does he know where she is?" She was trying to get the pup to think. Though if the pup had already done so than Tulie would just have to lead the pup back home. She would do it anyway though. Reason or no.

The pup introduced herself, giving her name freely but with a little hesitancy as she mumbled it and would look anywhere and everywhere other than the autay. Tulie inclined her head with acknowledgement to the young one. "Good evening Akira, my name is Tulie. I apologize for startling you earlier." Tulie inched a little closer, wanting to comfort the little fae. Her voice as soft as ever, trying to sooth the little fae's nerves. "Akira, let me take you back home. If they find you gone they will worry about you. I believe I can find your home, but I will need your help." Tulie said enthusiastically, her tail swishing back and forth gently in the sand.